Page 3 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Safe?

“Will we be back for my birthday?”It’s my thirteenth birthday this weekend, and the guys promised me a surprise. I didn’t want to miss it.

She stops what’s she’s doing, coming over to me. Leaning down, she rubs the side of my cheek, bringing a smile to my face.

My mother was beautiful. Long dark hair and green eyes that remind me of those jewels that shine. Many say I look like her.

“We have to go away for a bit, but you’ll see the guys again someday. I promise.” I frown, not wanting to be away from them for too long. They were my best friends.

“Mom?”

“Come Kiarra, we need to leave now.” Taking my hand, she pulls me down the hall.

A shadow walks out, surprising us. “Reyna?”

My mother jumps, squeezing my hand, but relaxes when she sees who it is.

“Alana, it’s just you.”

I look up to find my mother’s friend, a soft smile on her lips. Alana had become part of the family these last couple of years and was always there, watching out for us.

Like a fairy godmother, she appeared when we needed her the most.

Alana and my mother murmur about something when I spot another shadow down the hall. One taller and darker. It sends goosebumps up my arms.

“Mom?” My voice is small and terrified of the tall, dark form in the doorway.

“Who is that?”

My mother’s body turns stiff, seeing the dark figure too.

“It’s okay, honey. It’s all going to be okay,” she whispers to me, but I can hear the tremor in her voice. She’s just as afraid as I am.

I pull on my mother’s arm just as I’m yanked back, a rough hand placed over my mouth, as someone drags me backwards out through the hall.

“No!” My mother whips around to reach out and grab me, but I’m too far away.

“Did you think you could escape me?” The dark shadow comes into view.

King.

The horror on my mother’s face mirrors Alana’s.

“Just let her go and I’ll go with you.” Her voice gets quieter the further the man drags me away and around the corner.

“It’s too late for that.”

She screams out just as a thump hits the floor. My body freezes before thrashing wildly. I bite and kick and scrape my nails down the man’s arms, trying to get away and back to Mother. He grunts, dropping me for a moment.

I rush back toward her, finding her lying on the floor. Alana is crying somewhere but I can’t go to her yet.

“Mom?”

She’s not moving. Why isn’t she moving?

Her eyes no longer shining, stare blankly ahead.

No!

---