Page 45 of Shadows of Ruin

A figure to my left caught my eye, but I didn’t have time to look as I took on a particularly large man. Though twice my size, I refused to back down, meeting my attacker blow for blow.

When another appeared from behind the one I fought, he lunged, slamming me away from Storm. I stumbled. Before the dark one could swing his blade down over me, I rolled, swiping at his ankles.

I caught him, a howl ripping from his throat. To my left, the figure from before—a large, dark catlike creature—took form and prowled before pouncing on the attacker whose ankles I’d sliced.

"What the hell is that thing?” I shrieked at Storm, wielding my blade against my first attacker since the one who’d shaken me to the ground remained preoccupied with the panther.

“It’s Jax,” Storm shouted over his shoulder. “Show off.”

“Tits and daggers,” I hissed, sinking my blade into my assailant’s gut.

The man fell to his knees, eyes rolling, as Jax growled. I turned, checking to ensure his safety when a gurgling shout drew my attention from behind.

Before I could raise my weapon to defend myself, the dark one on his knees lunged forward with his blade. Storm jumped in front of me, pushing me out of the way, as he plunged his dagger straight into the dark one’s chest.

“Not tonight, asshole.” Storm ripped his weapon from the dark one's body.

“There’s nowhere to hide. More will come. So many more.” The dark one laughed as he choked on his own blood, falling to the ground for good this time. Even now, he wheezed, “We’re stronger than you could ever imagine.”

Pulling myself up from the dirt, I turned to thank Storm but shouted instead.

A small dagger stood lodged into Storm’s upper thigh. Dangerously close to a main artery.

The adrenaline from the battle must have dampened whatever pain he felt, because it wasn’t until I screamed that Storm looked down and saw the knife protruding from his leg. He fell to his knees.

“Storm, no!” I yelled. “Kade!”

With a final blast of his shadows, Kade knocked out the few remaining dark ones near him and ran over to Storm and me, panting heavily.

“Lana, it’s fine, I’ll heal.” Storm winced.

The adrenaline at seeing the dagger in Storm subsided. Just because I lacked healing abilities, didn’t mean these Fae did. Ian had healed himself plenty of times from injuries. Storm would be able to as well. I breathed deeply as relief calmed my original fear.

Jax shifted back into his Fae form and approached, standing beside Kade.

“I got it. It’s taking you long enough, you oversized baby,” Jax said as he reached down and removed the knife from Storm’s leg.

“It’s been some time since anyone broke skin,” Storm countered.

Kade ripped a piece of cloth from his tunic and tied it above the wound to slow the bleeding.

We stood in silence, breathing heavily, waiting for Storm’s natural healing ability to kick in.

“Well, that was fun.” Jax grinned. “Not too bad, Princess.”

I huffed, handing the sword from Kade’s pack back to him.

“Told you she has been trained well,” Storm said, taking a step forward. His leg wobbled, causing the others to hesitate.

The flow of blood had slowed, but now, black circles peeked out from the makeshift bandage.

“For fuck’s sake, what is that?” Raya asked.

Storm untied the fabric from his leg, wincing.

“Kade, are you seeing this?” Jax asked. “His skin is turning…turning black.”

My heart stilled and the sinking feeling inside of me worsened as I noted Jax’s expression laced with worry.

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