“I talked earlier about a blood revelation. In the vampire world, there aren’t as many spells and magic as there are in the witch realm. There’s one thing for us that’s precious and magic—blood. It starts with our human blood and then transforms when we become a vampire. It mixes with our makers, and power or magic, if you like, invades our every cell, transforms us on a primal level until what we were is no longer.
“Blood lineage is transposed from the first one to the last one, mixing and mingling, but never lost. The first one who ever told me of the resurrectionists was Romus, my maker. I don’t know if he’s still alive, but if he is, he may know who could’ve done this to Violet.”
Curious as ever, it was Sera who leaned forward and started asking him questions. “What is the relation between ash and blood? What is that spell you were talking about.”
Violet’s hand squeezed him even tighter. “The blood revelation is one of the rare vampire spells used as means of reconnection through the blood. In ancient times, we didn’t have as many means of communication, so to find a blood relative, or more specifically, someone from your lineage, we used our own blood. By using blood, you go back to the essence of one being, like a roadmap, leading you to the others who have influenced your blood, one way or the other.”
Sera leaned against Ian. “Doesn’t seem like a complicated or dangerous bit of magic. I guess we can accomplish the ritual by ourselves without too many problems.”
Finn debated how to explain what it entailed, but Layla didn’t bother with such considerations. “During the spell, Finn has to shed blood. A lot of it, enough that we reach the answer he’s looking for. And as that Romus guy comes from his distant past, I think we’ll be threading a fine line of not emptying him of all the blood he has in his body.”
Finn wasn’t surprised to feel the sudden surge of fear and indignation from Violet just before she jumped to her feet.
“No way! We might as well spike him through the heart. We’ll find another way.”
The red flags on her cheeks contrasted on the paleness of her skin, and she as soon swayed, Finn quickly made her sit. “Easy love. If done right, I won’t die. I’m much too aware that our lives are linked. But I also know that you want to live, and we’re running on a clock that’s accelerating every fucking minute, fighting what’s inside you. I trust you and your friends, and I truly believe that Romus has the answers. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced it’s the way to go.”
Violet let out a shaky breath, but something changed in her as her resolve and strength took over, and at that moment, Finn couldn’t have loved her more.
Her big eyes locked to his, daring him to prove her wrong. “We’ll do it. I’m in, but don’t you dare die on me, or I’ll kick your ass, vampire. Deal?”
He kissed her nose, and despite the risks and the dread, there was only one answer he could give this amazing woman. “Deal.”
Chapter 25
Violet felt the tearing pain inside bloom into a steady agony, but she was damned determined to keep it secret from everybody else, especially Finn. She may be a newbie to this shared link thing, but she was a quick study, compartmentalizing was the key, only allowing him to feel the love and concern she had for him. That was all that truly mattered.
Using her energy wisely, she let her friends decide the details on where and how with Finn. Layla took over, preparing, checking, making sure everything was to her high standard for the spell to be performed.
They’d agreed, and to protect as many people of Sanctuary as possible if the summoning went wrong, the ritual would be performed in an abandoned hunting lodge deep within the forest.
Sanctuary Sentinels would patrol outside, being the last line of defense if something went wrong. Their inner circle of friends would be in the eye of the storm. Finn had asked to keep it minimal so Sera, Valeria, and their mates would stay out of it.
It took some convincing and several discussions, but finally, they’d agreed to stay outside with the Sentinels. Therefore, the only ones inside were Layla, Soren, Hunter—because the human could be even more stubborn or senseless than any of them—Finn, and herself, surrounded by a whole lot of faith in the unknown.
As the men were clearing the space, Layla swirled by Violet’s legs before jumping on a shelf, bringing her almost level with Violet’s head. “Is the pain bad?”
If she could hide the worst from Finn, her mentor was another matter. “I’ll manage, but I think it won’t leave me alone now until it consumes me. Do you really think we’re on the right track to finding the source of all this?”
Instead of looking at her, the witch-cat’s gaze roamed the room. “It’s the only option we have. I know you don’t want anything to happen to Finn, but I think him bonding his life force to you is the best thing that could’ve happened. The most improbable, but the most logical.”
Violet didn’t know if it were true, but the fates had given her that man, and she was willing to risk a lot to have the chance to explore what they could have together.
Hunter gave one final sweep to the dusty floor as Soren started placing candles in a large circle. Finn was on his knees, drawings symbols in black, and Violet recognized them as being specific to vampires. Some of them were so like the ones used by her kidnappers, her skin crawled with disgust.
Layla left her side
