Page 221 of Red Ruin

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The conversation can’t continue, anyway. The earth-drill roars between Simms’s hands.

Loud and fast will have to work.

The lich king’s power hangs so thick, we never had a chance of sneaking up on him.

My ears hum when the sound finally cuts.

Tan and I join the Sentinels around the rim of the fresh pit. It’s black and misty with spectral energy.

A chill rises through my feet.

“There’s a straight drop into the caves,” Simms says, pulling Tan close.

“Can anyone sense anything?” I stretch my soul-silks as far as I dare, but after a few chilly feet, I hit some kind of magical wall.

“Nothing,” Remy says. “My shadows are blocked.”

Vhex sneers down the hole. “He’s down there. Fucking bastard is suppressing my bloodline.”

“Can you still fight?” I ask.

Vhex laughs. “It’s just a corpse. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

Right.

Nothingcould stop Vhex from fighting.

I strap my glaive to its loop on my pack, freeing myself to take Vhex and Remy’s hands.

They clasp back, warming my fingers.

I move to the edge of the hole. “We’ll go first.”

Tan nods. “Be careful.”

Two very different souls coil around me, unafraid. Their wings follow—one set velvety black, the other made of flames that light the walls below.

The pit is too narrow for them to unfurl. Instead, their wings curl protectively around my shoulders.

Together, we jump into the dark.

CHAPTER52

IRIS

Airwhooshes.In free-fall, my stomach bottoms out.

That flip-flop feeling twists with Vhex and Remy’s emotions.

The guys feel strangely tight. They’re ready forsomethingin a chaotic way that I can’t stop myself from trying to untangle.

“We’ll be okay,” I murmur.

My voice is lost in the fall, but I know they feel my heart as I smooth their souls. Their silks butt against me like wolf pups, all warm and welcoming, hooking me in and pulling me deeper.

Pressed between them, I’m totally protected.

I grip Remy’s lapels.

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