Page 75 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

No movement.

Leaning down, I check his pulse, making sure they’re not dead before hauling their heavy asses to the side.

Out of breath, I take a minute to shake out the cramps from my arms before moving to the next one.

Once they’re out of view, I pocket the empty vial, not wanting anything to lead back to Jazmyn and get to work picking the lock.

I doubt Kaladar was worried about a better lock. If, by some chance, a thief got past the guards, the protective spell would be sure to kill them.

Problem is, he never factored me into his little security measures.

Hearing the little click, I head inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. I brace myself for the imminent pain, ready for it this time, but still aware it will be no less painful.

It never is.

The effect of the spell hits on impact. It shoots across my body, sending razor-sharp waves throughout me, forcing me to the ground.

Fuck, that hurts!

Kaladar must have modified the spell.

It feels more violent this time, making my body convulse and bend into awkward angles. The sickening crunch and burn of my bones makes my stomach twist and turn. I take deep breaths, forcing the nausea to pass, but it does nothing to ease the pain.

This too will pass.

As it always does.

Concentrating on my deep breaths once more, I focus on the thought of Luna being free, until finally, my ability kicks in.

Slower than usual, I feel the edge of pain ebb away, giving way to sweet relief.

I wipe away any blood from my nose and mouth and wait a moment for the dizziness to pass before attempting to sit up.

Kaladar put an extra kick in this spell. It felt double the punch of the last one, my body taking longer to recover and heal.

I’d have to be careful around him. I have a feeling he is testing me somehow.

Knowing I can’t wait around any longer, I push through the remainder of dizziness and force my body to move. Dragging myself up, I head down the hall, passing the lounge to the hall where the concealment spell is. Stopping in front of the plain white wall, I send up a silent prayer, hoping this works.

“Revertum.”

Time pauses, crawling along until finally, the wall shimmers, revealing the hidden door.

Glancing around quickly, I take a deep breath and push it open.

Luna is curled up on a small mattress. Her frail body reminds me of Alana and how much weight she had lost the last time I saw her.

“Is it time?” Her frail voice is raspy and broken.

“Luna?”

Her eyes go wide as she scrambles back away from me.

I reach a hand out, pleading with her. “I’m not here to hurt you. I promise. I’m here to get you out.”

She shakes her head, her eyes unfocused with a panicked gleam. “You’re lying. You always lie. This is another one of your tricks. I’m not going to fall for it this time.”

How the hell am I going to get her to trust me, a complete stranger? Gods only know what Kaladar has been showing and telling her.

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