Page 92 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

Kyr’s face turned wholly evil. His eyes raked over her and took a predatory step forward. “Makes me wonder what is so special under there.”

“Enough.” There was no emotion in Rune’s voice. “You know we earn more when they arrive untouched. Ladomyr doesn’t enjoy his property to arrive damaged. He’ll do it himself.” Rune didn’t as much as twitch his eyes, sounding extremely bored.

“Look at her,” Kyr snickered. “She’s already beat to hell. He won’t know.” And twisted his neck, peering over his shoulder at the male with a grin. Another step had Alora shrinking into the dirt. Scraping her boots to unsuccessfully push herself away as her shaking fists burned.

He turned to her, licking his lips.

Alora’s panic flashed to Rune. His focus was unwavering, his carving knife between his fingers.

Kyr lowered himself and settled between her legs, forcing her knees wide as a hand gripped her waist.

“Hey, Kyr, leave some for the rest of us. I haven’t bedded a female in days,” Arzen laughed as his eyes dilated in their direction.

“Get your hands?—”

Blood splattered her face, her open mouth.

Kyr’s face twisted with shock, mouth gurgling and spurting blood onto her chest from his neck like a waterfall. It dripped down his armor and over her, soaking deep into her clothing and leggings, before Kyr’s body crushed her.

Alora’s eyes widened, choking on the blood in her mouth as she barely had the strength to push Kyr off. Sapphires flickered from the dead Raven on the dirt, a blood pool growing around his head, to Rune towering over her. He knelt and ripped the purple cloak from the body before wiping the blood from his sword.

“Clean this up,” commanding no one in particular, Rune pulled weapons from Kyr’s belt and threw them aside. Mumbling to himself, he added, “Now that’s more like it. Should’ve killed you ages ago.”

No honor amongst thieves, clearly.

Spitting putrid blood from her mouth, Alora knew it didn’t mean a thing to him but still shot him a glare of gratitude.

“Don’t look at me like I saved you, princess. I’m more ruthless than any of them.” Rune flicked his knife, pointing to each Raven and then her chest. “I’ll cut your heart out if it earned me more coin.” He stalked forward, wiping the blood from his face before planting his boot beside her head. His eyes burned into hers as he knelt again and dipped his head inches from her face.

She curled her lip in a snarl, baring her teeth.

A low chuckle vibrated from his chest before he pushed up and walked toward the fire, ordering, “Drug and put her in a cage, then get some damn sleep.”

Rune was already halfway across the firesite when one of the blond Ayeleteans rose to his feet. Taking his time to stretch before he moved toward her. His rust-colored eyes fell on Kyr before he simply stepped over him.

“Get up,” the male commanded.

But her body refused to move. Not because it couldn’t, but because time had run out. If they moved her to the cage, if they drugged her … she’d wake up hours—maybe days—later. Somewhere she had no clue as to where she was. Never to be seen again.

“If you do not move, I will make you move.” Those rust-colored eyes glanced back to his twin, who’d stood and steadily stalked forward. A fiery branch in hand.

But her nerves didn’t panic. No ounce of fear rippled through her bones. She only reveled in the warmth of her palms and the pulse inside her veins as she watched the male’s every step. Not knowing how close to death they were.

“No,” she declared defiantly, breathing low as she shot the male above her a coaxing smile.

He ripped the torch from his twin and lowered it to her arm. “Last chance.Get up.”

Alora dropped her head to the dirt and lifted her hand, curling all but her middle finger.

Before he dropped it to her arm, embers ignited in her palms. Alora wrapped her fiery hand around the wood, engulfing the branch inherfire, and shoved it away.

The male’s eyes filled with horror as she pushed herself from the forest floor.

Alora’s entire body morphed into a living flame as she dragged herself to her feet.

Rune was shouting, pointing at her, glaring at Arzen.

But Arzen only bent his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. Then he leaned back, interlaced his fingers, and rested his palms against his dark hair with a wicked grin.

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