Page 425 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Jazmyn takes a sip of her tea. “What about you? Now that King’s gone, what’s the plan?”

I lean back in the chair, a small smile on my lips. “I don’t know.” I glance out at the clear blue skies and the bustling city below. Such a contrast to Manhattan, where it’s desolate from the aftermath.

“I’ve lived most of my life in a cage and most of it has been about trying to escape… to be free. But I don’t think I ever really thought about what it would mean, because now that I have it, I don’t know what to do.”

Or I have too many things I want to do that I can’t just choose one.

I want to experience all the little moments I missed growing up. I want to go to a park and have a picnic with the guys. I want to walk through different cities and explore all they have to offer. I want to travel. I want to see the world. I want to make as many memories as possible with my mates. I want to carve out a spot in the world that I can call my own.

And I want to findmebut with my mates by my side.

She reaches out and squeezes my hand, a soft look in her eyes. “Start off small and work your way up. And I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

Wait… “You’re staying?”

Jazmyn laughs at my excitement. “For now, yes. But even when I go, I won’t be far, and I’ll only ever be a portal away.”

“True.” I laugh, realizing my stupidity. Sometimes I forget just how powerful we all are and all the crazy things we can do.

A rush of unfamiliar energy enters the room making my smile drop. I and Jazmyn jump up just as a large portal appears. I pull my powers to the surface just as Rielle steps through, the portal closing quickly behind her.

I sigh in relief, as my racing heart starts to slow. Rielle opens her mouth to speak when she notices Jazmyn.

“Can we have a moment? It’s important.”

Jazmyn hesitates, looking at me. I give her a smile. “It’s fine.”

Jazmyn sighs, narrowing her eyes on Rielle before glancing back at me. “If you need anything, just call.”

She heads out just as Rielle walks over to me, a frustrated look on her face.

“What’s up?”

She starts pacing back and forth, as if she can’t sit still, before she turns back to me with a frown.

“Why hasn’t King been brought back to the Underworld to be absorbed? I thought I made it clear how important it was for the balance to be fully restored.”

Everything around me slows down and stops.

This can’t be happening. He’s dead. I know it. I was there… But I passed out before I saw him take his last breath.

But still… my mates, they would’ve said something. I just assumed…

My heart gives a heavy thump at the thought of King escaping once more.

He’s weak. If we find him soon, we can— The guys storm into the room, all wearing angry faces as if they’re ready for a fight.

They ignore Rielle and come straight over to me.

Kai pulls me to him. “What’s wrong?”

“Rielle said King’s not in the Underworld.” I pull back to look into his eyes. “Did he escape?”

Rielle sighs. “No, because he was never brought there.”

I frown looking at her. How is that possible? “What are you talking about?”

She gives my mates a pointed look. “Your mates never brought him there. I was in a different realm in the Underworld when you and your mates went to the core. I thought he was also absorbed when you released the energy back into it. But the balance is still off and that can only mean one thing… King is still alive.”

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