Blood Match

Chapter 45: Re-entry

🌑✨ Re-Entry ✨🌑

“The Weird speaks only once.”

Tonight we begin the next arc of Blood Match with a 3-chapter binge drop.
This sequence plunges us back into the aftermath of Kara’s divine possession, Gabriel’s confession, and the first strike in the shadows of betrayal.

Lean in — the tide is turning.

Joseph called Kara’s name softly. He looked over at Liam, panic beginning to show in his eyes.

Liam walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay. Give her a moment.”

Liam looked at Kara as she leaned against Joseph. He touched her cheek and called her name again.

“Kara, come back to us.”

He waited, watching for signs that only he could see. Then, after a moment, he nodded to himself. Kara stirred. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

Maria had rushed over to stand by Liam’s side. She produced a flask from a slit in her dress. Liam suspected it had been strapped to her leg underneath—since what she was wearing was shockingly tight and had no pockets to be seen.

Maria held the flask to Kara’s lips, urging her to take a sip. Kara did—and as she swallowed, her eyes flew open and she exclaimed, “Sweet baby Jesus!”

She burst out in a fit of coughing.

“Mama! What did you give her?” Joseph said, looking at his mother suspiciously.

“Oh, don’t worry. It was just a little aguardiente to steady her. She just hosted a goddess in her body—she needs something to remind her that she’s still mortal.”

“Joey, why are we outside? And why is everyone looking at me?” Kara whispered to Joseph, who still had his arm around her, lending support.

Liam chimed in. “What do you remember?”

“Coming down the stairs, Joey escorting me to the band, and starting to sing. Then it felt like the floor dropped out from under me—and now I’m here. What happened?” Kara asked.

Maria smiled gently. “The short version is that you just got driven around like a convertible by Hecate—the goddess of night.”

Joseph let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and gave her a half-smile, still not quite trusting his voice.

Kara looked up at him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Joey, I’m fine.” She smiled at him—and his eyes lost their worried look.

He nodded, the knot in his chest finally easing. In that moment, she was just Kara again—his Kara.

As Kara took a moment to reassure Joseph that she was alright, Leo pulled Liam aside.

As they walked, Liam leaned slightly more on Leo. Leo became hyper-aware—something had drained Liam’s strength.

Don’t react. I’m fine—just a bit drained. I think our visitor’s appearance pushed my new senses into hyperdrive. Liam’s voice bloomed in Leo’s thoughts.

Do you need to rest? I can make excuses. Maria can handle the rest of the night. Leo sent back, concern coloring his thoughts.

No, I’ll be alright in a moment. Let’s just take a walk so I can clear my head before returning to the others.

Liam put his arm around Leo’s waist and slipped his hand into his back pocket. The gesture had become natural—just something that Liam did. It warmed Leo and stoked the fire within him. He loved this man, and he knew he would spend the rest of his life happily at his side.

As they stepped away, Leo noticed the rest of the guests beginning to relax and mingle once again. He was certain there was a lot of speculation going on about what had just happened—and what it actually meant.

Some would believe, some would not, but all would be on their guard as to what this meant for the changing political tide that was developing.

His thoughts turned to Gideon and Marlowe. Gideon had failed to recognize the goddess, but Marlowe had known instantly. What was it that Hecate had said?

You know me. The old blood runs in your veins, and it remembers. Mark well your choices—the Weird speaks only once.

What had she meant? What choices did Marlowe face—and how would her choices affect them all?

As they walked, Leo noticed a pair of benches on the other side of one of the fires Hecate had ignited with a gesture. They were far enough away from the rest of the guests to provide a bit of privacy.

As Leo guided Liam to sit, he realized that the other bench was already occupied. Gabriel Martin—Marlowe’s official donor for the night—sat there, staring into the fire.

Liam noticed Gabriel a half-second after Leo did. In a soft, friendly voice, he called out to him.

“Gabriel, how are you? Are you well?” Concern colored Liam’s voice as he looked at the man, who seemed mesmerized by the flickering light of the fire.

It took a moment for Liam’s words to register before Gabriel turned to him, giving him the wisp of a smile.

“Mr. Von Anderson, Mr. De La Cruz—yes, I am well, thank you for asking. Just taking a moment to consider my life and my choices.”

Gabriel’s voice held a wryness to it, as if he were making fun of himself, but the flicker of the fire caught something else in his eyes—something that looked much like regret.

“Gabriel, I want to thank you for helping us. I know it was a risk providing intel on Gideon and Marlowe,” Liam said, sitting down next to the man.

Leo hovered close, protectiveness radiating from him like heat.

Gabriel continued to stare into the fire. He spoke softly, almost in a whisper.

“You were the only one who saw me. When I came yesterday, I felt like my life was over. You saw me. In that moment, I felt like there was a chance—I saw the gate to the hell I had been in open, and I felt there was a chance... if only I could find a way to take it.” Gabriel got up, nervous energy shedding from him like water. He turned haunted, sad eyes on Liam.

“You need to be careful. Marlowe and Gideon are planning something. I was meant to be a distraction—to keep you off guard so they could make their move.” Gabriel ran his hand through his hair, then looked intently at Liam. “I won’t do it! I won’t be their pawn. They can kill me—I don’t care. You were kind to me. I won’t see you hurt for them. They’re monsters!”

It happened quickly—almost too quickly. One moment Gabriel was standing beside Liam; the next, he was standing in front of him, a dart sticking out of his chest.

Liam reacted instinctively, catching him and cradling him to lay him on the ground.

Leo exploded—rage made him incandescent, and Liam was dragged along in its wake.

Another dart materialized in Leo’s chest, and he dropped like a stone.

Liam rushed to his side. Blank eyes greeted him, but he still felt Leo’s awareness—he wasn’t dead. Yet something in the dart had immobilized him.

Then the night exploded—and Liam lost consciousness.