Page 24 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Jared narrows his dark eyes on me, a glint of danger shadowing his features.

Apparently, self-preservation isn’t my thing as I continue forward.

Jared deals in drugs and blood. His products sell well across the city. Or at least, that’s what I’ve heard.

I’ve snuck into his vile apartment many times to steal a couple of his products for witches who want to pull off some dark spells. It’s earned me a nice few trades, helping me get that bit closer to the end goal. It also helped me get a nice stash for other little potions I need from Jazmyn.

The vampire girl gets up, blocking my exit. She moves closer, forcing me to take a step back and into Jared.

“Just a little taste,” the psycho coos.

“Little? I want to drain her dry,” Jared says to her, his eyes roaming my body.

“Back. Off.” I feign being fearless.

Jared’s smirk turns up a notch. “I bet she tastes as good as that fiery temper.”

“The fighters always do,” Creeper agrees, reaching out to grab my arm. I jerk back forgetting about Jared. His cruel chuckle hits my ears along with his cold breath.

The psycho steps forward, a glint of darkness in her eyes as she zeros in on the rapid pulse in my neck.

Fuck. She was going to bite me. I hated when they drained me dry, feeling so weak with how exhausted I’d get. But damn them if they thought I would go down without a fight.

I clench my fists ready to fight my way out when a dark voice full of menace surrounds us.

“Touch her and I’ll make sure you stay dead.” Kane, a demon walks down the hall towards us.

My tense body slightly relaxes, knowing I have a powerful ally on my side.

Kane is not someone you want to piss off. A higher demon, with a shitload of power and connections and who most of King’s associates listen to.

“Come on Kane, she’s a tease and you know it. Someone needs to show her, her place.”

“And I’m guessing, you’re the one who’ll show her?”

“Well—”

Kane’s eyes flash a crimson red, his skin shifting just under the surface.

“If I see you sniffing around her again, I’ll personally make sure you remember the smell of your charred flesh when I flay it off you.”

Jared blanches at Kane’s threat, narrowing his eyes at me before heading in the opposite direction with his pissed off companion.

Kane relaxes, his demon retreating, showing his deep dark onyx eyes as they focus on me.

“I heard you met with the five alphas of Manhattan?”

I did more than meet with them, but I wasn’t going to tell Kane that. A flash of heat hits me as I remember the feel of their talented hands and mouths against my skin. Shaking off the haze of lust trying to take over, I focus back on Kane.

“Something like that.”

“Just be careful. Kai isn’t what he seems.” He frowns crossing his arms.

At the mention of Kai, I pause. “What do you mean?”

“He’s not just a hound of hell. He’s… more.”

“Subtle doesn’t look good on you. Spit it out.” I raise a brow.

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