Page 128 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Trading one cage for another was never something I wanted.

The demons give me a harsh shove toward the pier.

Just before I take a step onto it, we’re surrounded once more by King and his warlocks.

Morana doesn’t miss a beat, pasting on a fake smile for her lover.

“King… You’re back early. Everything go okay with your deal?”

“Cut the small talk.” With a nod to his head, King has the two demons holding me, encased in flames. I feel the lick of heat hit my face and arms as they burn to ash beside me.

“Well, there’s no need to be dramatic.” Morana pouts at the ashed demon remains.

“You tried to steal something that belongs to me.”

“I was getting her away from those foolish alphas for you, you should be thanking me.”

“Is that right?” King gives her a bored look, not falling for it one bit.

“Of course, it is. What would I want with a little spoiled brat?” She sneers at me.

“Maybe it was to offer her to the rival vampire clan?”

Morana’s eyes widen slightly before she covers it with a nervous chuckle. “What a preposterous delusion. I’d never betray you. Stop this foolishness and let’s be on our way.”

With the click of King’s fingers, a tall lanky man with a greying beard saunters into view, his smug smirk aimed at Morana.

“Hello,Morana.”

Morana narrows her eyes before giving King a confused look. “I’ve never met this man before in my life.”

“You weren’t saying that last time we met. An endless supply of blood, you said. Could have her for as long as we wanted.”

King looks to the shifter to his left who resembles a line-backer on steroids. He shakes his head confirming whatever silent question King asks.

“It looks like you’ve outlived your usefulness.”

My heart picks up as King’s warlocks enclose around Morana, energy balls at the ready. Even after all she’s done, my stomach still turns at the thought of her no longer being around.

“Wait. Wait!” Morana’s eyes widen as she backs up, realising what King’s about to do.

King doesn’t call his men back, ignoring her pleas. She should know by now how cruel he is.

“I’ve been loyal to you all these years. I’ve played my part and kept her in line. I just wanted more time with you. She’s taking so many years from us. So much time wasted. I just wanted you to myself. Just for a bit.”

I feel like someone sucker punched me in the stomach. Here I am still worrying over what King’s going to do to her and she’s about to hand me over to be bled dry.

There is one thing she’s right about.

I am too fucking naïve.

Clenching my jaw against the gag, I stare right at her. Seeing her true colours for the first time, I give her no more of my compassion or time.

I can’t keep trying to make her out to be someone she isn’t, just because I hoped for it.

“But… but… you love me…” Morana’s childlike voice reaches my ears but still I focus on everything she did, every betrayal and deception.

I would not let her break me again. She isn’t worth it.

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