Page 45 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

I push against the barrier holding me prisoner, wanting to open my eyelids and see who it is.

My body feels heavy and exhausted, like it’s a weight being dragged under water.

Opening my eyes, I find myself on the floor of King’s room once again.

“She’s awake.” The gruff voice is one of King’s goons, Tyler or Tim. I couldn’t remember, my brain still too fuzzy to think past King’s last session.

Both men glare down at me, irritated I haven’t started moving yet. Not even a glint of compassion or empathy in their expressions.

Not that I expected it.

King was stronger. Those black cords were something I hadn’t seen before. I needed to hurry with my plan. If he was getting stronger, that couldn’t mean anything good.

With this new blocker, he must have something planned. I needed to get out of here, and soon. I was too close to the finish line to let King win.

My energy barely there, I attempt to get up, failing miserably before lying back down, closing my eyes for a moment.

“Hurry the fuck up. I want to get out of here and can’t leave until your sorry ass gets out.”

I jolt awake, forgetting about the two dicks in the room. The other guard chuckles, seeing my wide eyes.

Hiding my glare, I work on getting my body to work faster.

Damn, that blocker was much stronger. My wounds are still not fully healed, even now. My skin wore a layer of thick dry blood, my hair matted and clothes dirty. It had to be at least a couple of days since King was here.

After a few more failed attempts, I finally make it up, my legs shaking, my vision spotty. I waver before catching myself, neither of the goons jumping in to help.

“Fucking finally,” one of them mutters.

I take a minute to balance myself, the shooting pain splintering through every nerve at any slight movement.

Hearing a growl, I focus on getting moving and away from the two heartless dicks. I push past the pain and use my muscle memory to get out of here.

Outside of the room, the other guards ignore my stumbling, broken body to laugh at some joke.

Slowly shuffling down the hall, I only make it so far before I have to take a quick break. Leaning against the wall, I take a few breaths before starting again toward one of the staff bathrooms. The blood and grime on my clothes and body was too thick to just throw on new ones.

I couldn’t afford another session like today. It feels like King takes another piece of me each time. How many did I have left before he takes them all?

Ignoring how hollow I feel, I make quick work of cleaning off all the blood, leaning over the sink to wash out the matted blood from my hair.

After what feels like hours, I get rid of most of the blood, looking half presentable.

My body aching in protest, I look into the mirror finding an ashen face, as the pain leaks through my appearance. I lean against the sink, waiting for the swift blaze slashing my back to ease.

After a moment, I push through it knowing I need to get back to my suite before anyone sees me, my vulnerable state a beacon to their depraved nature.

Heading back out into the hall, I find a vent with my hidden supplies and change as quick as I can. Moving down the hall, I keep my head down but an eye out for anyone wandering about.

I grit my teeth against a swift slice of pain that makes me pause.

Just a little further.

Pushing forward, I turn the corner when I glance up, cursing my luck.

Axel spots me, his eyes narrowing as he picks up speed, heading towards me like a man on a mission. His frustration and anger aimed straight at me.

“Where have you been? We’ve—” He stops himself.

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