Chapter 3

The murmurs in the hall grew louder, whispers spreading through the air like smoke.

“A human actually has a blood-bound partner?”

“Absurd.”

“She’s lying. Humans lie when they’re desperate.”

“Trying to provoke Lord Tom. What a desperate gamble.”

Tom’s gaze was fixed on me, cold and disbelieving.

“Rowling,” he said slowly, as if savoring a bitter name. “Do you really think fabricating a fantasy will sway me?”

His gaze swept over me with undisguised contempt.

“You are human, an ordinary person, you have no family crest, no bloodline mark. No vampire of any standing would acknowledge you.” A cruel smile played on his lips. “Or are you saying you’ve latched onto some lowly blood slave and dare to call that a blood bond?”

I didn’t answer.

My fingers tightened around the tourmaline. My son was waiting for me. The seal was already beginning to waver. Every second wasted here was a risk I couldn’t afford.

My silence amused them.

Lady Mia—an older noblewoman in a crimson velvet gown, her fangs visible when she smiled—tilted her head thoughtfully.

“If she’s so eager for recognition,” Mia said softly, “why not let her continue… to be of some use?”

She turned elegantly to the assembled nobles.

“Tonight’s summit brings together the lords and Elders from half of the vampire families. The finest wines and delicacies have been prepared. A human can certainly handle such trivial tasks.”

Her gaze returned to me, sharp and glittering.

“Serve us, Rowling. Perhaps you’ll earn a favorable glance. Or better yet—seduce a lord who finds you novel and interesting.”

A burst of laughter erupted.

“How generous.”

“At least she won’t starve.”

“A fitting role for a discarded human.”

I laughed—short, sharp, and full of anger. "Let me go."

My voice cut through the mockery, but this only made Mia's expression even more grim.

"How ungrateful," she said coldly. "I gave you dignity, and you trampled on it."

Tom's patience finally ran out.

"What do you want?" he demanded. "Money? Power? Or is this your last attempt to get back to me?" His voice lowered, laced with venom.

"My consort must be of pure blood. You can never stand by my side. Accept that fact."

Footsteps echoed clearly on the polished marble floor.

Guards in uniform, bearing the emblem of the High Council of Vampires, immediately approached.

"It's her," a young guard pointed at me, "She defiled the sacred spring and refuses to leave."

The captain's face turned stern.

"There is a distinguished guest at the Blood Covenant today," he announced, "His Majesty the Sovereign of the Midnight Court, along with his consort and heir, are in attendance. Their arrival marks the first time the Court has appeared outside the Inner Domain."

A ripple of unease spread through the hall.

"No one is allowed to cause a disturbance," the captain continued coldly. His gaze was fixed on me. "Especially a human. Your very existence is almost blasphemous."

Two guards stepped forward and grabbed my arms.

Just then—

"Wait."

Tom's voice rang out.

The guards hesitated.

Tom was staring at the tourmaline in my hand.

Not with contempt.

But with an almost disgusted look.

His breathing was ragged, his fingers trembling slightly at his side.

"Rowling," he said hoarsely, his gaze never leaving the gem, "Do you really think I would covet a trinket taken from the weak?"

I finally looked at him.

"You're mistaken," I said calmly, "This is something you can neither give nor take away."

The tourmaline pulsed, slow and deep, like a heartbeat that wasn't my own.

And far beyond the hall, an ancient power was awakening.