Page 145 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

She glances around again as if she might find something that will give her a clue to what just happened.

“What about those men? Who are they, and when did you learn to fight like that?”

“I don’t… know…” She looks at me, her eyes telling me she’s just as confused and scared as I am. I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight.

We stay like that for a while until her body stops shaking and we both calm down.

Rubbing my arm, she pulls back to look at me. “Let’s… Let’s clean up and get to bed. You don’t want to miss out on going with those boys tomorrow.”

I can’t go, not now that she needs me to help her figure out what’s going on. I shake my head. “No, I need to stay here and help—”

“No. No, you’re going. You’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

“But, Mom—”

“This was… nothing. I’ll be fine.” She gives a forced smile and starts cleaning, telling me to drop the subject. But I can’t stop seeing her with the cold look in her eyes.

Something in my stomach twists and turns at the thought of it happening again.

“Everything will be fine,” she mumbles, more to herself than me.

By the time we’re finished cleaning up, it’s late. I know I’m going to hear it off the boys tomorrow for not sleeping enough, so I head straight to bed.

Closing the bedroom door behind me, I turn, spotting a shadow near my window. I freeze. My stomach drops when the shadow grows and moves forward. I step back, ready to head straight to Mom when a voice calls out.

“Kiarra? Kiarra, it’s me,” Kai whispers.

“Kai?” I take a tentative step forward, the tightness in my chest easing.

“It’s me.” Hearing his voice, I make my way to the window.

I push it open, and he climbs in. “What are you doing here?”

“I just… had a feeling you might…” He shakes his head, frowning. “I don’t know… need me?”

He glances around the room, his frown deepening before his eyes find mine. “I’m not making sense, I know.” He releases a harsh breath. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Without thinking about it, I lean forward and wrap my arms around him, letting his scent of warm flames surround me.

Without a second thought, he hugs me back. “Hey? What happened?”

I pull back, glancing over at the door. “My mom, she…” But what was I supposed to say? That she turned into a ninja and took out a group of men? It didn’t make any sense and just made me sound crazy.

“What is it?”

“Something happened with her…”

“What?”

“I don’t know. It’s doesn’t make sense.”

“We’ll keep an eye on her. Don’t worry.”

His promise makes something in my chest warm. “I’m glad you came.” I give him a small smile.

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “We’re family.”

Heading over to my door, he peeks out, looking around before shutting it and turning around. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

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