23| Blood Tied

DEKLAN MARIO

I could have killed her.

The thought made me feel sick to my stomach. Her skin was pale as she rubbed her neck. She couldn’t even look at me. She had saved me, and I had nearly choked the life out of her in return. What the hell was I thinking?

I couldn’t begin to imagine what she had gone through just to bring me back. It must’ve felt like walking through fire and ice. And then I turned on her.

“Bubble…” I reached for her, then pulled my hand back when pain shot through my arm. “Fucking son of a bitch,” I hissed, more at myself than anyone else. I yanked out the small blade stuck in my upper arm and flung it aside.

“Thank you,” Cedar whispered to Sammy, who bent down to pick up the stiletto. The weapon must belong to her and she'd protected Cedar?

Only then did I realize we weren’t alone. Kayla, the healer, was standing off to the side, still stunned by what had just happened. Shock was written all over her face.

A younger girl knelt beside Cedar, helping her stay upright. From the looks of it, she was Cedar’s new servant, and it seemed they’d swapped clothes. Cedar had probably disguised herself to leave Oakwood unnoticed.

Sammy Porter. Dominus’s rejected mate. The last person I expected to be here. Yet, she had been the one to stop me before I did something I could never undo.

Cedar could have survived me. She could have fought back, she was strong. But she still didn’t know how powerful she really was. She didn’t realize the kind of strength she carried inside her, or that it wasn’t just for herself, it was meant to save our kind. She was the prophecy.

“Are you okay?” the younger girl asked Cedar softly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“She’ll be fine. But we need to get out of here now,” Sammy said as she wiped the blood off her blade and tucked it back under her waistband.

“I’m fine, Damira. We need to switch clothes again and go back before Dominus returns. It’s dangerous. I can’t let you get into trouble for helping me. You’ve done more than enough. I’m really grateful.” Cedar forced a painful smile as she stood up with Damira’s help.

“Wait, you can’t…”

“Search everywhere! If you see anyone suspicious, take them down!” a loud male voice interrupted me.

We all froze.

Heavy boots echoed above us. The wooden door creaked. I stood up quickly, surprised that the pain in my body was almost gone. I was already healing.

Cedar gave me a tearful smile as I stepped in front of her. “You’re safe now. I got the antidote. You should go.”

I reached out and took her hand. “You saved me.”

“You saved me first. So now we’re even.”

“No, we’re not. I almost…”

She let out a weak laugh. “I’m fine.”

I wanted to kiss her. I really did. But not now. Not here. We still had to get to safety.

“Wonders shall never end,” Sammy said under her breath, watching us with a knowing smile.

“Damira, change your clothes. You, Kayla and I will leave first and lead the guards away so Deklan and Sammy can escape.” Cedar said, quickly undressing.

“Come with me,” I said to Cedar. “You don’t have to go back to Dominus. You know what he’s planning to do with you.”

“I’ll find a way out,” she said quietly, pulling her arms into the sleeves of her jacket. “Let’s go, Kayla.”

“I have something I need to tell you. I guess it’ll have to wait until next time,” I muttered, finally realizing she wasn’t going to leave with me. 

I turned to Sammy, wrapped an arm around her waist, and teleported us out just as footsteps got louder and flashlight beams hit the stairwell.

In a blink, we were deep in the woods. Sammy clasped her hands over her mouth and stared at me in disbelief.

“How… how did you do that?” she asked.

“I spent years locked up in a cage built by my uncle. I could’ve given up, but instead, I used that time to master and strengthen my powers,” I said, walking deeper into the woods, away from any patrols.

“I guess all of us have powers just waiting to be discovered,” she said with a shrug, nodding toward a narrow road. “We part ways here. I need to go home. I’m not a wanderer like you.”

“Why are you helping Cedar?” I asked, suddenly serious.

“I’m not helping her,” she said plainly. “I’m just being selfish. I want something, and I’ll do anything to get it. I bet everyone who’s ever come near her is the same. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not. But my plans have changed ever since I got to know her.”

“Maybe so. But your revenge against Dominus, your hunger to prove yourself to your family… that’s not going away. You’re going to destroy her if you’re not careful. You and Cedar have this deep, mysterious connection. If you really want to protect her, stay away.” With that, she turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

“And if you want to protect your pup, stay away from her too. I know what you did, Sammy. I’m watching you,” I called after her, vowing silently that I would protect Cedar with everything I had.

That stopped her. She didn’t turn around, just pulled out her blade, sliced off a small piece of her silver hair, and let it fall. But before it hit the ground, her hair grew back instantly.

Fucking mind-readers and special breeds.

She still didn’t know the full truth. Dominus wasn’t one of her kind. He never had been. He had stolen that power and he wouldn’t stop until he stole all the power in the world.

But not while I’m still breathing. I’ll stop him. That lying, manipulative bastard! He was never special, he had nothing, built nothing. Everything he owns, he stole through tricks and lies. And somehow, everyone’s too blind to see through his fake charm and smooth talk.

But I see him for what he truly is.

I need to get ready for tomorrow. That blood-binding ritual? It can’t happen. Not while I’m alive to stop it.