Page 81 of Red Ruin

At worst, I’ll do what I always do—run and save the Sentinel myself.

I tug Remy’s sleeve. “Cast a shadow barrier around the Guides, then take us down.”

Remy’s magic goes jagged despite my non-stop guidance. He winks us to the ground before I can figure out why.

We pop out in the middle of the clump of Guides.

Cherise whirls, ready to cleave my skull with both axes.

Remy’s shadows stop her swing before I have to dodge.

Her eyes widen, then she sags. “Thank fuck. We’re drowning.”

“Where do you need me?” I flinch against a wave of heat as Vhex attacks. His glee bleeds through our lingering bond.

Remy seals himself to my back. His silks surround me, cutting off Vhex’s hold.

“Barrier,” I remind him.

Hishmmvibrates my shoulder blades. A smoky circle blooms around our feet and expands until a dome covers the struggling Guides.

Cherise isn’t the only Guide wearing a layer of kobold spatter on her white uniform. Glistening with sweat, she leans against her axe pole.

While she and her unit catch their breath, I clutch my throat against a flash of pain.

Remy’s silks buck and strain. Eyes flashing full black, he licks his lips.

It finally clicks.

Kobold blood.

That’s why Azrids fight in masks.

“Breathe this.” I press my wounded forearm to his nose. “Stay with me.”

“Yes.” Remy inhales my blood, shuddering so hard that his pupils shake. “I shall.”

Clutching my arm, he takes shallow licks at my oozing blood. Ignoring the tickle of his spit, I keep working at his knots.

He’sreallynot all there.

I’ll give him more personal guidance as soon as we deal with this fresh mess.

“Warden?” I twist awkwardly, realizing she hasn’t answered.

Cherise and ten other ragged guides gape, star-eyed.

Are they okay?

Sentinels and Guides fuck in the field all the time. A little arm-sucking shouldn’t turn their heads.

It must be the shadow pants?

I’d rather wear Remy’s power than bare my ass.

“Cherise?” I ask again.

“Sorry.” The warden shakes herself alert. “Nevin’s squad went to reinforce the west wall, but I couldn’t spare them any support Guides. Can you jump in?”

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