Page 7 of Shadows of Ruin

I wobbled, not ready for him to be on his knees before me. His other hand gripped my hip and steadied me. Thankfully, this time Storm kept his thoughts to himself.

Kade moved swiftly, not looking at me once as he wrapped my sheath around my leg, securing it forcefully before placing my dagger inside.

“Stay with Storm if anything happens,” he said.

I reached for him, grabbing his shoulder before he rose. I couldn’t help the movement. “What are you talking about?”

His hardened face masked any emotion. Most likely on purpose, but I didn’t know why. He took my arm, standing and pulling his blade over his head from where it rested on his back. “This place was created to separate our kingdoms long ago. A powerful sacrifice created it. It’s not just the land that’s dangerous, but the beasts inside. We must travel through, and quickly.”

The roar sounded again. This time I noticed a cawing tapering off at the end of its cry. Like the beast lurking in the mist grew excited. Almost as if it knew it no longer remained alone. The echoes of its song bounced off the jagged rocks and cracked earth.

Kade’s shadows twisted around us. I didn’t miss how his body trembled, darkening the shadows closest to his skin.

This other kingdom apparently sucked.

Before the echoes of the beast died down, a fresh round of screeching ricocheted through the air, this time so close it forced Storm to grab my arm and tug urgently. “Run,” he commanded. “Now.”

Not wanting to meet this beast, I obeyed, keeping pace with Storm, allowing him to release my arm.

“Dagger,” Kade said, his voice gruff and tight.

I unsheathed my weapon, trying to keep my own fears at bay. This couldn’t be happening. Not only had Kadekidnapped me, but he brought me somewhere even more dangerous than where we were before. Somewhere the mist originated. I hadn’t missed the way it leeched from the void before we crossed.

The same strange mist that appeared around dark ones, spreading the darkness throughout Brookmere. The reason my biological parents had died. The reason Andras, the king’s horrid advisor, had grown so powerful.

Kade brought me right in the middle of it all.

The two men slowed, whispering between themselves. We shuffled through the rocky terrain hastily, the sounds of the beast not heard again.

My thundering heartbeat pounded in my ears, this time for a different reason than fear from the mysterious roars of a creature in this place. This time, it pounded with an idea. An idea that may kill me but would give me a chance at going home.

I clasped my dagger tightly in my hand, grateful for the mistake Kade made returning it to me, and a smile spread over my lips. The mist hid our surroundings, but we hadn’t run far enough that I couldn’t turn back.

The second Kade spoke again to Storm, I turned and sprinted back the way we’d come.

“Lana!” Kade shouted, fear tinging his voice.

His fear wasn’t enough to deter me. I ran faster than I’d ever run before. The mist thickening before us, but I didn’t care. I pushed forward.

Whispered sounds whipped around me, forcing my heart to beat faster and faster, but I would not be afraid. Not now, when this may be my best, and only, chance to break free.

A cool breeze stirred around me, caressing the damp skin on my neck. I almost had a chance to savor the moment before something slammed into my side, knocking me to the ground and taking my breath with it.

This time, the roar echoing through the void blasted directly into my face.

I stared into the spittle-filled mouth of a horrific-looking creature. Three rows of sharp fangs jutted out from its gums, as well as a maroon tongue larger than my thigh. Three times my size, the creature reared back onto its hind legs for a moment before hovering over me once more.

I screamed, stabbing my dagger into the creature’s side, only for it to bounce off the beast’s hardened, scale-like exterior. The iridescent hues of blues and blacks along its scales melded perfectly into the mist.

Shouting, I struggled beneath the weight of the creature on my stomach, thrashing back and forth in an effort to garner enough space to swing the blade with a more forceful momentum. It hissed in my face again, the stench of its breath overpowering my senses. I drew back my dagger, readying myself to slash into its neck instead.

The beast opened its maw, tongue curling back, ready to bite into my neck.

Pitch-black shadows engulfed the creature, freezing it mid roar, instantly snapping its body with a loud crack. Thesnapechoed around us almost as long as the beast’s caw.

The weight of the animal lifted as it rolled off me, but the way the creature had attacked me, forcefully knocking my breath from my lungs, left me struggling for air. I scurried backward on the ground while trying to sit up.

“Did it bite you? Lick you?” Kade slammed down in front of me on his knees, running his hands over my face, my hair. “Did any saliva touch your skin?” His hand traced my neck.

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