Page 8 of Shadows of Ruin

I whimpered, jerking back. “What was that thing?” My body shook, the fear I’d shoved down while running decided to make a grand, inconvenient entrance now.

“Lana!” he shouted. “I need to know. I don’t have enough antidote?—”

“No,” I answered, finally getting a full breath in. “Nothing. It just slammed into me.”

His shoulders sagged, but his labored breathing didn’t ease.

“What was that thing, Kade?” I asked again. I gritted my teeth, shoving my hands to the dirt so I could stand.

Kade’s shadows wrapped around my waist, holding me in place, even as I tried to back away. In my periphery, Storm’s body solidified more clearly through the mist, poised and ready to catch me if I somehow escaped Kade’s shadow hold.

Storm spoke while Kade tipped his head back, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. “We call them voidlings. They don’t exist outside of this place. Their venom will kill you in minutes.”

“I told you we had to move quickly,” Kade said, ignoring Storm’s explanation, “and you thoughtnowwas the time to run?” His shoulders heaved along with his ragged breaths.

I opened my mouth to put the arrogant prick in his place, but he took a step toward me.

“No, you will listen to me, Little Rebel,” he continued. “I will not lose you to the void. I will not lose you to these beasts, to any monster, any dark one, any fucking Fae that threatens you—” He stopped, eyes widening frantically for the briefest moment before he snapped his mouth shut. “You cannot cross the void without me. Trying will get you killed.”

He didn’t release his shadows’ hold on me but turned his back to face Storm.

“We run,” Kade said. “Stay with her, I’ll scout a few feet ahead.”

The mist thickened, making Kade almost invisible as he left us behind. I forced myself to push down the panic triggered by his absence. Even if Kade had beenblessedby his king, part of me worried for his safety. I hated it.

Storm came to my side and grabbed my hand. “Sorry, but I’ll be holding on this time. I think if you get lost in here, we’dbe at risk of him destroying both of our kingdoms to get you back.”

“Your assumption about his feelings for me are ridiculous.” I swiped with my free hand at the dust layering my body. My failed escape attempt hit me hard, and a shiver of fury ran through my body, causing me to physically shake. “Just get me out of here.”

Storm’s grip tightened marginally, but he didn’t have any retort for me. I hated being coddled, but I wasn’t stupid enough to try to escape his grasp. Not until I could at least see all my surroundings with my own eyes.

We jogged after Kade, Storm maintaining a steady pace.

It immediately reminded me of my training with Ian. Running with my best friend. Fates, I’d run every moment of every day to be back home with him and know he was safe. To know they were all safe. Even if that likelihood was merely wishful thinking.

Ian.

Tears formed, daring to break free, but I discreetly wiped them away on my shoulder before they could fall. Both Storm and Kade assured me Ian wasn’t injured by whatever Storm had done to him at the palace. Trusting them didn’t seem possible, no matter what they said. Yet I couldn’t keep from asking again.

“Swear to me you didn’t seriously injure Ian?” My voice cracked.

Storm’s head whipped toward me. “I used a very old magic my grandmother taught me. It merely knocks a Fae out momentarily. I’m sure he’s already awake and cursing my name.”

I believed him, even before he squeezed my hand reassuringly.

I didn’t want to trust Storm, but for some reason with this, I did.

“How much farther does this place go on for?” I asked.

“Not very. The void is small. A sliver of evil in the world.”

He didn’t say anything else, but sure enough we slowed only minutes later, Kade’s figure formed in front of us so abruptly we almost slammed into him.

As soon as we stood by his side, the mist lessened, and my racing heart slowed marginally.

Kade put himself between Storm and me and took our hands before surging us forward. This time I knew we were leaving the void instantly as the mist faded and the tugging sensation returned.

We stumbled through and I caught myself, yanking away from Kade’s firm grip as soon as I knew we were free from the void’s hold. His shadows finally slipped away from my waist, allowing me to stand on my own.

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