Page 188 of Red Ruin

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It’s a death sentence.

Unless you find a compatible Guide.

Or…happen to imprint?

I carve my little gift for the Guide who smirked at Iris.

Beyond my shield, the sniveling sack continues to run his mouth.

He’ll waste away, trying to balance the drag of the array.

Will he sacrifice himself to save his partner?

Or will Kyorgos forsake their bond and drain his little lover as his sanity frays?

What a treat for us all.

I draw blood circles and keep my ear cocked, waiting for Iris to call me home.

We’ll watch the show together.

CHAPTER45

IRIS

S-class magic rattles my teeth.The Deathguard shifts their feet.

From their formation, a Sentinel mutters. “Should we stop them?”

“Of course we stop them!” the Guide-squirrel shouts, jittering like an agitated ball.

“Go ahead,” I offer. “I’ll handle things here.”

I’m not stepping one baby toe closer to the fight that keeps ringing Remy’s shield like a gong.

Bursts of hellfire and shadow whisper at the edges of my senses, but Vhex and Remy aren’t rampaging or calling for help.

Their energy stays tight.

It’s focused on revenge.

My insides flutter with a confetti of mixed emotions.

I never would’ve asked them to go after Kevan.

But also?

I’m not asking them to stop.

Kevan won’t die.

A lich has a hundred ways to resurrect.

A lichkingprobably has a thousand.

I turn my focus to the Deathguard. Ten squads wait in crisp, black and white uniforms. Their cold weapons are sharp but well-used.

Technically, I know every member.

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