Page 107 of Shadows of Ruin

I stepped between them, holding my hands out in an effort to quell the fight.

“Please, Ian,” I said at the same time Kade spoke.

“I deserved those,” Kade said to me, standing with his chin lifted. A sly smile forming as he turned to Ian. “But I won’t hold back should you come for me again.”

“Tits and daggers you’re an idiot.” I shoved him, turning to face my best friend. “Ian, he can explain, just give him a chance?—”

“An explanation?” Ian’s eyes flared. “An explanation? He murdered your father. Do you not remember? Then kidnapped you, which allowed your kingdom to fall without you there.”

I wobbled. I knew Andras had won the moment we’d discovered Ian trapped in the dungeon. But to hear thewords of defeat from Ian’s mouth as if my presence could have changed things was unbearable. I ignored the rising guilt.

Yet I said nothing.

Ian lowered his voice and reached for my hand. “You cannot trust them. Whatever lies they told you, let them go.”

“Ian,” Storm said, finally speaking.

The malice in Ian’s gaze surprised me. Only once had I ever seen such hatred seep from him, and that was toward Andras. He pointed his finger directly into Storm’s face. “Don’t even think about spewing your deceit with me. I will never trust you again.”

“Maybe we should all take a breath.” Jax emerged from behind Storm and Kade, followed by Raya.

“Great, there’s more of you?” Ian asked.

Raya scoffed. “There’s always more of us.”

Ian’s gaze drifted to Raya and his body stiffened at her appearance.

Raya ran her cool, appraising gaze over him once and then dismissed him by looking elsewhere.

“You.” Ian’s eyes flared. “She has mind magic. We cannot trust them.” He didn't take his gaze off Raya as he spoke. “Do noteverenter my mind again.”

Raya scoffed again. “Gladly.”

“Jax is right,” I pleaded, trying again to get through to Ian. “We need to talk.”

He shook his head. “We do need to talk,” he agreed, lacing his fingers with mine. “But not with them here.” He turned to face Kade and Storm once more. “You’ve returned her, now you can go.”

Shadows unfurled around us. “I’m not going anywhere,” Kade said through gritted teeth. His gaze lingered on where my hand joined Ian’s until it rose to me.

I cocked an eyebrow, daring him to say something. His expression softened, but barely. Storm observed the wholeinteraction as he always did. Only this time, his lips twitched as if he found it amusing.

“You’ve done enough,” Ian seethed, turning his back on the group to leave.

“We need them,” I said, slipping my hand from his.

Ian turned on his heel, facing me. “We don’t need them. Not them.”

I didn’t say anything else, just stared at him, trying desperately to convey that he could trust me, even if he didn’t trust them. There was no doubt in my mind we all needed to work together to conquer the evil facing both of our worlds. Especially with both prophecies. Ian would come around. He had to.

He ran a hand through his hair, through heavy breaths. “I refuse to fight with you the second I have you back. These assholes nearly cost me your life, Lan. Mine too. I will not trust them. I cannot. Don’t ask that of me.”

“Fair enough,” I whispered, closing the space and taking his arm. “But for now, I need you to trustme.And since I trust them, I need you to have faith in me.”

Ian looked over my shoulder toward the others. “One toe out of line, Blackthorn, and I will not hesitate to end your life with my blade.” He led me back to my horse and climbed on, grabbing my arm in his and hoisting me up. The others remained close, mounting their horses as well.

I turned to see Kade and Jax riding side by side. Jax wiggled his fingers in a wave before turning back to face Kade.

“I think that went well.” Jax’s playful tone made me believe this could be okay. Eventually. “Twenty coins says Kade’s shadows toss the shifter from behind Lana,” he added, loud enough for all of us to hear.

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