Page 7 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

I stagger once more before standing up straight. Of course, he would have measures in place to make sure everything went according to his plan.

I rub my thumb along the thick gold band, hoping it works as well as it is supposed to.

Jazmyn hasn’t let me down yet.

“Someone will be along soon to confirm the agreement has been settled. I expect to hear results.” He chuckles, turning around and heading back in the direction he came, his giant lackeys following close behind him.

It was time.

I swallow the bile rising in my throat. Taking another deep breath, I steel myself for what was about to happen.

My body would not be mine tonight, but this would not define me. I was stronger than this.

I look at the doors as the chain begins to unravel.

This was just a hitch in the plan. If I didn’t go through with it, Alana would suffer.

I steady my heartbeat, controlling my body and mind to become detached from what was about to happen. I let myself grow numb as my gaze drifts blankly ahead.

The doors open wide, and I take an apprehensive step forward.

CHAPTER 3

Imove into the small foyer as the doors slam shut behind me, making me wince.

Squeezing my eyes tight, I exhale heavily. Pushing my shoulders back, I raise my head.

No matter what happens when I walk into this room, I will survive this. This would be a small glitch in my overall plan. It meant nothing. After today, I would forget about this moment and move on.

Feigning indifference, I move into the main room and pause, looking straight ahead. From my peripheral vision, I make out five figures. Five very large and imposing tall figures. I could feel the power they radiated in their presence alone.

Taking one last deep breath, I turn my head and look right at them.

And freeze.

What the fuck? How was this possible?

How were they here?

The guys. My childhood friends.

Could it really be them?

No, it couldn’t be. They would never come here. Not now, after so long.

But… there they were, standing right in front of me.

Why were they here?

My best friends… Once upon a time.

My gaze flitters from Kai’s familiar sea green to Jax’s cool turquoise eyes. Axel’s deep hazel eyes to Rion’s golden amber flames.

From here, I can still see the small scar above Luka’s eye, remembering the moment like it was yesterday. Catching fireflies shouldn’t be all that dangerous, but Luka wanted to get me a nightlight, even if it meant climbing a crazy warlock’s house to catch them. He was lucky to make it out alive, his shadow wolf not yet awakened to heal his injuries.

A spear of elation shoots through me, seeing each of their familiar faces.

It was them. I was sure of it.

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