Page 83 of Shadows of Ruin

I didn’t even try to stop my grin now. “You liked it. You liked girl talk.”

She rolled her eyes. “I will end this immediately if you don’t wipe that stupid smile off your face. I know your friend is important to you, and if the roles were reversed, I would hope you would do it for me too.”

I stared, realizing she had no reason to offer me this other than extending an olive branch. One I didn’t know I craved so badly. An elated, tender feeling swelled in me as I grabbed Raya’s hand. “Thank you. It would mean everything to me if you could try.”

Raya and I moved toward the seats along the edge of the training ring, and she sat. I didn’t know what to expect or how long it would take. I clasped my hands together to keep them from nervously fidgeting.

If Raya pulled this off, she could tell me if Ian was okay. Or hopefully discover that he’d escaped the dungeons and was somewhere safe. Anything to ease my fears, even the smallest bit.

Raya closed her eyes, sitting so ramrod straight she brought the nobility of Brookmere to shame.

I didn’t know if staring at her would distract her, so I kept my gaze flitting around the room. The men still talked, but Kade glanced toward me and frowned.

Throwing the best reassuring smile I could give, I turned my attention back to Raya.

She inhaled deeply, her body stilling.

Then she collapsed.

Chapter 24

Ian

Warrick’s fist split my cheek open as spit flew from his mouth.

Fresh blood dripped down my cheek from his attack. His grin made me wish to the Fates I knew how to break free from the chains holding me in place so I could wipe it off with the heel of my boot.

“Not so tough now, are you?” He spit down at my feet.

I should be grateful he avoided doing so in my face this time.

Grinning back at him—at least I hoped it came across as a grin—pissed him off more. And that was before I spoke. “Unhook me from these bindings and let’s see who is tough.”

Crack.

His fist at my side snapped my rib. Again.

I’d lost track of how many times I’d been broken and healed. Warrick’s appearance provided a new way for Andras to get hours of additional revenge using the hands of others. Just another way he kept his hands mostly clean while allowing those with a vendetta to air their grievances.

“I didn’t know you enjoyed bondage, Warrick. Is that why none of your companions have stayed around long?”

“Enough.” Andras’s voice echoed in the cell before Warrick landed his final blow to my bleeding lips. “Go clean yourself up.”

Warrick hit the side of my face playfully, bouncing on his toes, and smiled at me. “See you soon.”

Andras stalked in front of me. He tsked. “You could have made this easy on all of us, Captain.”

“Where’s the fun in that,” I hissed. I did my best to ignore the searing pain in my side. Breathing hurt, let alone talking. If things continued as before, he’d send for Maria in order to start with a fresh canvas again tomorrow.

“The time for games has come to an end. I grow weary of the violence, even if I do enjoy watching you squirm.” The same damn blade twirled in his hand again. He gripped the handle, stepping closer to me, and without warning slammed the tip into my side.

I couldn’t prevent the shout from escaping my lips. It burned. The pain not merely from the wound inflicted, but from whatever seeped into it.

I clamped my mouth shut, biting on my tongue to keep from crying out again until I tasted blood.

“Now, Captain,” he said, snickering, “I think we will have a much easier time together.”

He held the dagger firmly in my side, not saying anything else.

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