Page 142 of Shadows of Ruin

“What did you learn?” Raya asked.

“Nothing good,” I said. “Apparently there’s an evil being, worse than we’ve ever seen, trapped in the void. Desperate to take over the world.”

“Excuse me?” Jax asked. He rested his hands on top of his head. “We have our hands full with your mad man in Brookmere and our king here. Please don’t tell me we now have another evil creature to battle.”

“We don’t know,” Kade said. “Though we gained information, none of it is particularly helpful yet.” He paced a few steps. “We’ll go about our days. See what comes up. We need to think about trying to gain more Guardians to our side and discuss what to do about Brookmere.”

I stroked a hand over my chest, rubbing at the tiny ball of tension there. Kade stepped closer, staring at the movement. His nearness helped.

“You hear that, Princess?” Jax smirked, winking from across the ring. “You’re stuck with us now.”

Raya let out a grunt and her eyes whitened. But she came to quicker than the other times the king had contacted her.

“He wants to see you.” She stared straight ahead at Kade. “I would take Jax.”

“Did he ask for both of us?” Kade questioned.

Her nose crinkled, almost in disgust. “No, but he’s in a mood. You need a buffer.”

“Fuck,” Jax muttered. “Where’s Storm when you need him.”

Kade brushed a thumb along my jaw. “Stay with Raya. Don’t trust anyone else.” He looked at Raya. “Take Lana to her chambers, and wait with her, please.”

“Of course,” Raya agreed. “I’ve got her.”

I grabbed Kade’s arm. “Be safe.”

His lips turned up into a breathtaking smile. “You don’t need to worry about me, Little Rebel.”

I nodded, his confidence reassuring me. Still, an uncomfortable feeling returned the moment he and Jax left the ring.

“Let’s go,” Raya urged, pressing her hand against the small of my back as we left the training ring.

"He wasn’t angry last night?” I asked.

Raya shook her head, walking beside me. “No.”

I frowned. She seemed more approachable in Brookmere. Now it appeared she returned almost fully to her standoffish ways. “If you need to talk, I’m here.” I touched her arm.

She looked down to where my hand lay and inhaled. “Thank you.”

I walked straight at the first break in hallways, but Raya pulled me to the right. The opposite direction from my suite.

“I need to get more weapons,” she stated when I started to protest. “I’m not comfortable with only what I have. We’ll be quick.”

“You’re uneasy.” It wasn’t a question.

Raya sighed. “Be on guard.” She froze, her body trembling once like a chill raced through it. Then, kept walking.

“What did he say to you?” I asked, knowing the king had to have said something to create this tension in her.

“He doesn’t need to say anything. I’m a Guardian. I'm always worried.”

I smiled. “True. You merely seem more worried than usual.”

We turned and two guards eyed us carefully as we walked by. I hadn’t been to Raya’s room, but if she resided in the barracks, I assumed we’d see more Guardians along the way.

Once we passed, the two peeled away from the wall, following behind us. Raya glanced over her shoulder before locking eyes with me. She looped her arm through mine and continued walking. We didn’t change our pace, but still, she held my arm tightly.

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