Page 76 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“Please, just leave me be,” she begs, her voice breaking.

My heart breaks along with it, only imagining what she must have gone through, and knowing all too well of the depravity of monsters that come to play in the night.

But I couldn’t take my time trying to gain her trust. We needed to leave. Now.

“Luna? The guys sent me to help. Luka and Jax? They’re waiting for you.”

She frowns, questioning the truth of my words.

I could see the doubt in her eyes, but it’s the slight glimmer of hope that makes me think I have a chance to get her to trust me. If only for this moment.

“It’s true? They’re here? They came for me?”

“Yes, I promise, but if we don’t leave now, we won’t ever get out of here.” Luna still hesitates, glancing from her cot to the door.

“I know you don’t trust me, and I realise how hard it is to give that to someone after what you’ve been through… Believe me,” I implore with as much emotion as I can.

“But those guys love you and they need you right now, so please… Please, trust me long enough to get you back to them.”

“You care for them?”

I hesitate at her question, knowing it holds much more meaning to me than she’s asking.

“Yes, and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t get you safely back to them.”

Luna stares at me, her gaze reminding me of Luka when he sees past the bullshit mask I wear.

After a moment, I’m about to say fuck it and drag her out of here when she nods her head, slowly agreeing.

“Okay… I… I’ll go with you.”

Tension I didn’t realise I was holding releases from my shoulders. Cautiously, I ease my body forward and reach a hand out to help her up.

Still hesitant, but with a hopeful glint in her eyes, she reaches out and takes hold of my hand.

Pulling her up, I hold most of her slight weight until she can get her balance. Making our way to the door, I glance out, making sure there’s no one around before moving forward.

Once we shut the door, it shimmers and disappears behind us, covering our tracks.

“The guards?” Luna’s quiet voice draws me to her face. I give her a reassuring smile.

“The guys have it covered.” She mirrors my smile, her own a little awkward, most likely from not being used in a while.

“If this is really happening and not another illusion or game, thank you. For helping them and coming for me. I… I didn’t… I wasn’t going to last… much longer.”

I give her hand a squeeze, not able to reply with words. Knowing only too well how hard it is when the darkness comes, and you can’t find a way out.

We come around the corner, past the lounge, and head towards the main entrance. The scent of basil, rosemary, and ash fizzles around us.

“What about the spells? Kaladar has powerful protective spells. I saw what he can do…” She shivers, a look of horror on her face.

“Don’t worry, they’re… deactivated.”

“How?” Luna frowns, looking over my face.

I shake my head, not wanting to get into it now… or ever. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s just get out of here.” We could be on borrowed time, Jax’s distraction only working so long. Kaladar’s men could be back any minute.

As if I’d summoned trouble alone through my internal worrying, a loud roar makes us both jump.

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