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Panic gripped me.
I tried to search for her.
The darkness of the forest closed in around me.
My breathing quickened.
This was a trap. How could I be so stupid?
My heart pounded in my chest like a frantic drumbeat.
The air grew colder.
A sense of dread washed over me.
The snapping of a twig echoed on my left.
I turned that way and strained my eyes to peer through the gloom, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the woman.
What is her plan?
Fast, the woman appeared from behind a tree and making me jump in surprise. Then, she tried to grab me.
My fear surged.
In a blur, I spun around and slammed her hard with my fist. It was almost like I had vampire reflexes—quick and deadly.
She shrieked and fell into the grass.
How did I do that?
I blinked in shock and got into a defensive stance.
Still laying on the ground, the woman spat blood on a leaf and dragged herself up. “Interesting.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What is interesting?”
“They say you do not know anything about your kind.”
“I don’t.”
“But, I didn’t believe it.”
“Why not?”
“You walk with two powerful vampire kings at your command. Surely, you must know something.” She snarled and charged for me.
Terrified, I threw a punch at the woman’s stomach, slamming harder than I ever had in my life.
Oh my.
She fell back, stunned by the force of the attack.
Taking advantage of the moment, I lunged forward with the dagger and tried to stab her in the arm. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I couldn’t let this woman harm me.
I went in for the attack.
But the woman quickly lifted her hands.
An actual cold chill penetrated my skin and raced through my veins.
What is that?
A tingling sensation began in my fingertips and spread like wildfire through my limbs, reaching deep into the core of my being. The sensation was both terrifying and exhilarating, as if icy tendrils were snaking their way through my bloodstream, controlling every beat of my heart and every movement of my muscles.
My entire body froze in place, unable to move.
No. What is this?
My heart sank.
I wanted to scream, but couldn’t. Instead, my breath hitched in my throat, and I felt a growing pressure in my chest, as if my heart were being squeezed by an invisible force.
Keeping her hands in the air, she slowly rose from the ground. “You really don’t know.”
Stop. Please. . .stop.
The air around me grew heavy.
I struggled to draw even the smallest of breaths. My senses were heightened—I could hear the blood rushing in my ears and feel the thump of my heart struggling to maintain its rhythm.
Please.
Had I maintained the blood connection with Xander, I could have told him that I was in danger. Like a silly fool, I worried about my mental privacy, yet never considered the benefits to the connection and how much we could save each other.
So stupid. I will not make that mistake again.
With her hands in the air, the woman took a step forward and watched me. “However, you are fast like a vampire. I wonder why. Could it be due to the bond you have with one of the kings. . .or both?”
I was helpless—a prisoner within my own flesh. My eyes watered as my vision blurred. My grip on the dagger loosened. The weapon fell to the ground.
She frowned. “You want to know why the blood mages must wear gloves?”
Tears left my eyes.
“Because of this.” She flickered her hand.
I involuntarily stepped back.
Dear Ambi.
It was clear she had complete control of my body and could make me move at her fingers’ commands.
She’s a blood mage.
My head felt like it was about to explode with the reality of what was going on.
Hold on. . .blood mages can control blood!!?
“Is this not scary?” She wagged her thumb.
What is she doing now?
Quickly, my hand raised.
Then, I slapped myself hard in the face.
How did she do that?!
“No one wants a blood mage around.” The woman’s bottom lip quivered. “Which means that we have to hide who we are, not march around with our red hair flowing in the air and propped between two vampire kings as if they could truly protect us.”
How do I get out of this?
The woman frowned. “If you see me again, do not approach me.”
I strained against her hold. Still, my body did not budge.
“I did not kill you because your king saved me from the Quiet King’s dungeon. But, I do ask that you keep my secret safe, until I leave here in the morning.” She stepped back and slowly lowered her hands. “I wish you and everyone the best with this war, but. . .if I were you. . .I would run.”
With her hands at her sides, I began to get control of my body back. First, I was able to move my fingers, then hands, and arms. Next, I wiggled my feet.
