Never Free

Ch. 2 The Illicit Blood Bond

Byron’s small hands wrapped around the banister as he watched his mother walk the dark-haired girl into the bathroom and close the door. The brothers were quiet for a long moment, waiting for something to happen, not knowing what to expect.

“She looks different than what I thought,” his brother whispered, standing next to him, his eyes also focused on the closed door.

“She looks like a normal girl,” Byron shrugged. 

“I don’t like her.” Brandon’s face looked like he had just smelled something gross.

“What? You haven’t even talked to her,” Byron chuckled. His brother was being stupid again.

“I don’t like how mom is doing everything for her. Is she going to expect us to treat her like a princess? ‘Cuz I’m not gonna.” He crossed his arms over his chest in defiance.

“She just got here, Brandon. You’re just jealous that mom likes her.”

“No, I’m not!” Brandon slugged his brother in the arm. “Take that back.”

“No way,” Byron answered back. Brandon was about to slug Byron again when the bathroom door opened again. Out walked his mother with the now clean girl in front of her. The brothers watched, their attention rapt on every movement the dark girl did and her every word.

Their mother had told them about this girl. She had said she would this pack’s salvation and even though she never explained how this small girl would save them all, they understood she was important.

They watched as their mother brushed the girl’s pitch-black hair and her little head lulled to the side as she slowly fell asleep. Byron was surprised at how ordinary this girl seemed. To be the pack’s savior, she seemed very… normal.

“Ok, you two,” their mother whispered after setting the girl down on a pallet of pillows and blankets on the floor next to the fireplace in the room. “Time to head up to bed. You will have time to meet Xochi tomorrow.”

“Her name is Xochi,” Brandon spit out. “What kind of name is that?”

“It’s the one she answers to. Now off to bed, you two.” She patted the boys on their bottoms and they climbed the stairs ahead of her. 

That night, as Byron slept, he dreamt of the raven-haired girl. She was not the quiet mouse that he saw in his mother’s room. No, she was a warrior, strong and brave. She fought away monsters with a sword and shield while thunder rolled in the distance. His eight-year-old self was left in awe.

After Amber tucked her boys into bed, she tip-toed back down the stairs to the sleeping girl on the floor. She watched her sleep for a minute, reveling in the feeling of accomplishment. Amber had done it. She had done the one thing no other pack had been able to do: to add an Ixchele descendant to her pack. But she also knew that just taking the girl wasn’t enough. To make sure her pains were worth it, she had to make sure Xochi was embedded into the pack. 

Amber had heard about Xochi’s older brother being tied to another pack through an ancient ceremony. At hearing about it, she spent weeks researching and learning about the almost forgotten ritual. It was the only way to tie this small girl to the pack. So, while Xochi slept softly, wrapped in decadent pillows and plush blankets, Amber began preparing for a Blood Bond. 

She gathered the necessary bowls, tinctures, and herbs. Carefully, she lighted the required fires and prepared her notes, so she didn’t mistakenly say the wrong incantation. But once she felt sure that she had everything in place, she went to the sleeping girl and shook her softly. Her eyes fluttered open at the gentle touch and she looked up towards Amber.

“What’s going on,” Xochi asked, her voice rough with sleep.

“I need to keep you safe, but I can’t do it without your help. Do you think you can help me?” Amber’s eyes were soft and her words tender. Xochi could only nod in response. “Good. That’s a good girl. Come. Sit here.” Amber motioned to a spot across from where she had set all her potions and ceremonial bobbles. Xochi did as she was asked. Amber sat across from the small girl and gave her a weak smile.

“I need your hand.” Xochi extended her left hand to the woman, but when she saw Amber pull out a large knife and place its sharp edge on her delicate palm, she tried to pull her hand back. “I need you to trust me,” Amber said sternly as she fought to hold on to Xochi’s hand. She pressed the edge against the little girl’s hand, despite her struggling. Xochi whimpered as the blade cut through her palm, the red blood spilling quickly from the wound.

Amber let go of Xochi’s hand and did the same to her own palm. “See,” she said, showing the little girl her own wound. “I have to do it, too.” Xochi’s face softened at her words. “Trust me,” amber added. “Give me your hand.” She held out her cut palm over the bowl with fire, blood dripping and sizzling on the flame. Xochi reluctantly placed her wounded hand on Amber’s, their blood mixing in their palms.

“Good. Good. Now rub it right here,” Amber pointed to the spot at her chest where her heart would be. She had looked into it extensively. Even reading books in other neighboring pack’s libraries if possible. Normally, the Blood Bond was done between Alpha’s and Lunas, but it was known to have worked with small babies as well. Xochi wasn’t a small baby, but beggars can’t be choosers at the moment.

As Xochi pulled her shirt down from the collar and placed her reddened hand over her heart, Amber began whispering the incantation she had written in her notes. It sounded like nonsense to Xochi, but with each passing word, she felt her hand warm. It was gentle at first, comforting, but the more words Amber said, the more it burned. 

“It’s hurting,” Xochi cried out, but Amber lifted her own shirt and rubbed her bloodied hand over her belly, ignoring Xochi’s yelling. “It hurts!” She instinctively curled inwardly, trying to protect herself from the pain.

Amber finished her whispered prayer with Xochi’s cries in the background. The deed was done and now the girl was sealed to her son.

She turned her attention to the sobbing girl on the floor. Amber covered her with a blanket but decided to leave her alone. She would feel better in the morning, Amber was sure of it.