Page 84 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Hoping Axel would be the smart one here, I look at him, but I’m stunned to find him wearing a similar expression. But it’s his eyes that stand apart from the others. A look so dark they promise nothing but bloodshed and violence.

Knowing they won’t listen to my pleas, I turn my frustration and anger toward them all.

“You’re stubborn idiots. You’re all asking to get killed!”

“We’re not going to be the ones to die here, princess,” Axel replies, shocking me silent with the vicious promise in his voice. The nickname somehow becoming more of an endearment than an insult.

“There has to be a way to get you out.” Kai frowns, looking to Rion.

Rion nods his head in reply. “All spells can be broken, but we’ll need to find the caster. Depending on the power used, we may need to create a concoction that unravels the threads that bind the spell together. It can be tricky and complex and will end up a disaster if not done right.”

That’s exactly what I had done. The caster, an old and powerful witch, had created a spell just for me, at King’s request.

It had taken me months to find out small snippets of information about the spell she cast. Each time she visited with King only gave me so much time to gain slight pieces of information before it would raise suspicion.

With the unknowing help of a few of the other witches, I had found what I needed. The type of spell used and ways I could go about unravelling it.

I should have been out of here a year ago, but the ingredients the spell used were extremely difficult to get hold of. Not only because I couldn’t step foot outside the hotel, but because most items were expensive. The kind you’d sell a kidney or your first born for.

My little breaking and entering business in the hotel helped fund most of it, but it had taken a while.

Kai shares a thoughtful look with Rion while Axel keeps an eye out. “We have a few contacts that owe us a favour. They might be able to get us what we need.”

Doubtful.

I was on the verge of selling my soul to get a few of the items, and not just metaphorically. That backstabbing demon wanted my actual soul.

It was lucky Kane intervened when he did or I’d be in the underworld right now, slaving my existence away as an underling to some higher up demon.

An uneasy energy runs through me, making me glance around for anyone coming this way. Staying out in the open like this and discussing an unlikely course of action will get them nowhere.

I have a plan. Not that they knew that. One that had been worked out down to the smallest detail. I didn’t need anyone coming in to save the day. Not anymore.

Becoming the heroes of our own story is a much better ending than waiting on some prince charming to save the day.

“Just forget I said anything and get out of here.”

Neither Kai nor Rion acknowledge I’d even spoke; Axel merely rolls his eyes as he continues to be our sentry.

The restless energy inside me grows, reaching a peak. Someone’s coming. I don’t know how I know, but I know we need to get out of this hall now.

“We need to get out of here.”

Axel gives me a bored look. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you.”

“No, I mean, we need to get out of this hallway, right now!”

The panic in my voice makes Kai and Rion turn towards us.

“What—”

One minute I’m standing beside the guys and the next I feel a light pulling sensation in my stomach and I’m in Kai’s arms as we flash into the nearest room.

Axel and Rion follow just as fast. Damn shifter speed.

“How did you… Put me down!” I grit out. I wasn’t some fucking damsel.

“Shh! They’re coming.”

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