Page 28 of Shadows of Ruin

A tension filled the air, waiting to explode at a moment's notice from our earlier outburst. I didn’t trust Raya as far as I could throw her, which perhaps wasn’t far given her clear strength. Kade’s shadows pooled around his stiff body as he led the group of us forward.

His anger radiated backward, enveloping the rest of us.

When I had chosen to ride with Storm, I didn’t miss the flicker of sadness reflecting in Kade’s eyes. It lingered for only a moment before setting itself into rage.

My hand still ached from smashing it into Storm’s jaw. He, however, was unfazed. Storm hummed quietly to himself as we rode through the ragged grounds of Mysthaven, careful not to touch me more than necessary.

Where Brookmere thrived with lush greenery, forests, and florals, Mysthaven stretched out, dry and ragged. The red dirt kicked up around us as the horses trotted along the worn trail. Dead-looking plants randomly stuck out of the land with no rhyme or reason. The twigs, which once presumably held life, looked ready to snap if touched.

Brittle.

Every so often, tall, looming trees held the slightest bit of color, breathing the tiniest bit of life into this depraved world.

Yet, in the distance, tall, sharp rock formations rose, demanding attention. Though dry, there seemed to be a different kind of beauty in this place. The opposite ofBrookmere, but still brimming with a cold, harsher version of nature.

“So,” Jax interrupted, turning to face Storm. “What’s the count?” He ran his fingers through his curls, pushing them out of the way and throwing me a wink. His locks just long enough to tuck behind his ears.

Storm chuckled. “1,681.”

“And what about you, oh fearless leader?”

Kade’s jaw clenched. “1,679.”

Jax could hardly contain his excitement. The sound of him slapping his hand on his knee echoed throughout the valley where we rode. “He bested you? My, my, Kade, what did Brookmere do to you?”

“I don’t know if I’d tease him at the moment,” Storm said, his voice mirroring the smile he wore.

“What’s the number about?” I asked.

Raya turned in her saddle, grinning like she’d scare me into silence. “Dead bodies.”

I stiffened.

“They all deserved it,” Storm added.

“Does that number include my father?” I gritted my teeth. I didn’t care if my current mood destroyed their banter.

“No.” Kade’s voice reverberated, but he didn’t turn as he said it.

I thought back to his words, to what he tried to tell me on the ride yesterday. How true could they be? I couldn’t imagine my father ever asking for death. He’d fight. For me. For my mother. For Brookmere.

Something in my gut hadn’t been able to ignore the few words Kade did get out about what had happened though. Maybe that was his goal. To make me question what I know I saw, and then use me for whatever purposes he’d concocted.

Turning over my thoughts led me to Ian. To Raya’s fury at seeing Ian somehow.Mind magic.I’d thought it was an abilityonly Andras possessed, but she had it too. Which meant she could use it against me.

This was dangerous. All of it. All of them.

I closed my eyes, stuffing down the sorrow of my father's death, the fear for Ian’s life, and the unknown of my mother and Kalliah. If I didn’t distract myself, I’d wither. I sat straighter, a better thought than withering coming to mind. Distracting myself by getting information about who I traveled with could only help me in the long run.

“How did you all meet?” I asked, breaking the tense silence I’d created.

“We’re all Guardians,” Jax said, flashing me a smile. “Soldiers for the king. I met Storm when I was younger, riding his coattails as he rose in rank.”

Storm snorted.

“Storm has never feared anything,” Jax continued, “which is why he was the only one brave enough to approach that one.” He pointed at Kade’s back. “Apparently, he asked him to train every day for a few weeks until Kade finally gave in. Then of course we learned that the monster of?—”

“I proved myself ten times over from those younger years of needing him, and now have bested him in our count,” Storm interjected, cutting Jax off from whatever he’d been about to say.

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