Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

to herself? She was forced to breathe that human and steal all of his energy. Why do you think I kept your condition a secret all this time?”

Her heart broke further. She’d suspected it for so long but hearing the truth of the words from her father brought it all home.

“I have enemies. Ones who will stop at nothing to destroy me. It is worse now I am king of our people. Do you think I want my daughter murdered? They will take you from me if they know the truth. I couldn’t save your mother, but I can save you.”

“This isn’t saving me, Father. This is destroying me. If you stop me seeing him, you’ll break me. I need him.”

He put a hand on the doorframe, his fingers curling around the wood.

“I do not want to hear about your feelings for him. What did you think was going to happen? You know it’s forbidden. You are a princess of the fae. You cannot have a relationship with a vampire.”

The truth of his words was the worst part. He was right. She had known all along.

“Don’t you care that you’re breaking my heart?”

Her father’s expression didn’t soften, but he looked like he was breaking inside too.

“I’m doing this because I love you, Dandelion.”

Green glittering magic shot out from his hands, curling around the room and sealing it as he stepped back from the door.

“Please, Father, don’t do this to me. Don’t take him away from me.”

He said nothing as he finished the spell. Then he closed the door and she heard his retreating footsteps. Dani couldn’t leave even if she wanted to. He’d sealed her inside. She dropped to her knees and sobbed into her hands. She couldn’t undo the spell. She couldn’t get to Jamie and warn him.

Her heart snapped in two. Her love for her people, her father and her family at complete odds with the way she felt about Jamie. Was it really so terrible that she’d gotten involved with him? Shaking her head, she knew it wasn’t. There were just stupid rules, traditions and divides in the supernatural community. All of it was ridiculous. And she was done with them all.

Pulling her phone out of her bag, she tried to call Jamie, but her father’s magic was blocking all the signal. How could she let him know what was happening? She got off the floor and tried the balcony door. Tried pushing her magic into it, but it wouldn’t open.

Panic rose in her chest. She was trapped with no way of letting her vampire know. Banging her fists on the glass, she screamed, tears streaming down her face. How could her father do this to her? How could he be so cruel? He said he loved her, but this wasn’t love. If he truly did, he’d let her go to Jamie. He’d allow her to be with the person she cared for. The person she loved.

That thought broke something so fundamental inside her. The truth had been glaringly obvious for so long, but she’d ignored it. Keeping it locked away. She couldn’t ignore it any longer.

Falling to her knees again, she slammed her fists on the glass.

“No, no, no, no.”

The door to her bedroom opened. She hadn’t heard anyone coming up the stairs. Novus strode into the room, his eyes wide as he stared at Dani.

“Novus,” she sobbed. “He’s trapped me here. I can’t leave. You have to help me. Please. I have to warn Jamie.”

“You know I can’t disobey our father.”

“Please, I’m begging you. It’s not his fault.”

He walked over and crouched down next to her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged him off, crying harder.

“Sorry isn’t good enough. I love him. I love Jamie.”

“I know you do. He’s your best friend.”

She shook her head, more tears spilling down her face.

“No, you don’t understand. I’m in love with him. I love him so much I can’t breathe without him.”

Novus’ eyes widened. She grasped his shirt, pulling him closer.

“Please, please help me. I can’t let him get in trouble with the Vampire Council. They’ll banish him. I have to go to him. I have to fix it. I have to fix everything.”

“Dani…”

He put his hands on her arms, trying to dislodge them from his t-shirt, but she held on tighter.

“Novy, please. It’s not just about Jamie. I have to stop the war before it starts. I have to. I can’t do that if Father locks me up on the royal estate.”

Her brother’s brow furrowed.

“What are you saying?”

“I know how to get to Candace. That’s why I needed to come back here. To stop the war from destroying us all.”

He stared at her for the longest time. She released his t-shirt, her hands dropping to her sides. Novus was her only hope. If he didn’t help her, all would be lost. She’d never see Jamie again. And the destruction of her people would ruin everything else.

The same glittering blue magic she possessed shot out of Novus’ hand and next to them, a portal appeared.

“Go, it’ll take you just outside and from there you can get to Jamie. You need to hurry. Dawn is approaching.”

She cupped her brother’s face with one hand.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You should always follow your heart.”

She nodded at him before standing. She wiped her face with her coat sleeve. Hurrying over to where her bag was, she picked it up and paused. There was something else she needed. On her bedside table lay the book Alistair had given her. She scooped it up and stuffed it into her bag before she stepped into the portal, not looking back. Her brother had thrown his hat in with her in defiance of their father. She could only hope he’d forgive