Page 11 of Shadows of Ruin

A few remaining shadows retreated from my feet toward Kade, leaving that same charred wake in their path.

All the dead earth, the damage—it stemmed from him.

This was Kade’s power. In all its glory. A power unfathomable, and, well, unbelievable had I not witnessed it now for myself.

Wielding that amount of power hurt him though. Or so it seemed. Frowning, I watched the still hunched figure of Kade on the ground.

Unsure of what set him off, I stepped closer to him and away from the strangers. Storm could handle them for all I cared.

Kade’s head snapped up, his gaze scanning me with an intensity that made me feel exposed. “Are you hurt?” A sheen of sweat glazed his furrowed brows.

Why would I be hurt?

I looked back toward Storm and the others. While he didn’t seem at all concerned by anything, the others gawked at me.

Though furious at the shadow-wielding prick at my knees, this hesitant behavior was so unlike the man I knew. The man IthoughtI knew.

“Fates above,” the strange male muttered through a sigh. He watched me, looking over me from head to toe like I shouldn’t be standing here.

What the hell is going on?

I narrowed my gaze to him. “Why are you staring at me like you’re surprised I’m not dead?”

“Well, while I’d like to keep from ruining our friendship before it begins, to be blunt,” he said, “youshouldbe dead.”

I frowned. “From what? His little temper tantrum?” I pointed at Kade. “Unfortunately for you all, it’ll take more than that to kill me.”

He blinked a few times before his shock morphed into amusement and he laughed. The deep sound was filled with pure joy, so much so that I fought my own smile. Laughter made the least sense in this moment.

But here we were.

The male laughed again, unable to stop himself it would seem, standing and letting his arm fall to his side, twirling it. The destroyed leather showed his skin beneath, turning from purplish blue back to his natural golden-brown color.

“Lana?” Kade rose from the ground, taking my hand and pulling me toward him. He cupped my face, capturing me with his stormy grey eyes, normal once more. He stared at me expectantly.

His nearness soothed the wretched pain of grief ripping me open. I let it wash over me, not caring if I hated myself for it later, as I momentarily took stock of him. His breathing steadied and the pain from earlier didn’t seem as prevalent.

“I’m fine,” I said through gritted teeth before pulling my face from his touch. I forcefully reminded myself of my fury. Anger made it easier to stay away from him. This man had murdered my father and kidnapped me. This feeling in my heart that wouldn’t catch up to my logical mind had to be quashed. I shoved a finger into his chest. “I don’t need your protection. I’m not some weak helpless thing. Don’t you ever wrap me up in your damn shadows like that again.”

“If he hadn’t wrapped you up in his shadows you’d be as decimated as the land around us,” the woman’s voice drifted toward me. She stood with her arms crossed, glancingbetween Kade and me. “Quite frankly I thought he was killing you inside of them. We all did.”

A knot in my stomach twisted. Like jealousy. What did she know about his shadows? About his power?

My body tensed, jaw clenching. No, that was asinine. Kade could be around whatever woman he desired. My time with him was done.

Which made her words stand out clearer. “Killing me?”

“I would never hurt you.” Kade’s retort was quiet, softer and reminiscent of the male I’d met in Brookmere. The response was meant for me, even if everyone else could hear.

But that was a lie, wasn’t it? He had hurt me in ways even Andras hadn’t managed during the years trapped in the dungeons.

An awkward silence stretched taut between us before Storm sighed too loudly, running a hand over his face.

He stalked toward Kade and gripped his shoulder. “Better?”

Kade nodded to his friend and turned his back on me, not meeting my studious gaze. Walls that hadn’t existed in him before, now erected before my eyes. His distant demeanor surprised me, especially directed at Storm.

Hadn’t Storm previously told us during our drop that Kade acted differently in Ellevail? Kade had told me during our dance at the bonfire that who he was with me was who he wanted to be. I didn’t know what truths would come to play here in this new land. However, something about the Kade Blackthorn I knew had vanished since crossing the void.

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