Page 13 of Red Ruin

As his emotions shift from god-complex euphoria to stupid confusion, I work my side of the Guide-Sentinel bond and calm his chaotic magic.

I ignore the addictive, love-at-first-brush entanglement of our super-friendly souls.

It’s the same with every Sentinel.

Even though the connection is a false high, guiding always feelsso fucking good.

I love knowing how desperately Vhex craves my healing. Even better—I love feeling him react.

Realizing I’m helping with his pain.

Anchoring into my body, more and more desperate to claim andkeepby permanently tying our souls.

I remind myself not to believe the lies.

I’m just doing my job.

Iris Ashbourne, disposable multi-tool.

It takes a while before Vhex realizes he’s failed to bind our souls.

“Why?” he asks, so confused that his eyes fade from crimson to bubblegum.

I pinch his ear between my nails.

He jumps, and his hands slide, giving me a window to wiggle out of his arms.

“Such a good question.” I’ve been with Kevan and his obedient Deathguard Sentinels for so long that I forgot what happens when a rogue Sentinel sniffs me out as a match.Instant cling. “Why would you try to imprint a Guide you’ve never met before? And without asking? We’re not compatible like that.”

“Bullshit.” Vhex follows my attempt to retreat, splashing bits of kobold. “You were fuckingmadefor me.”

I keep him at arm’s length. “Do you even remember my name?”

“Wife.”

I shudder. “It’s Iris, and I’m not made for you. I’m made for everyone.”

“Iris,” Vhex rolls the name around his mouth, ignoring all the important parts of what I just said. “Wife.My Guide.”

The red of his eyes deepens as his magic pulses.

I wince.

Is it too late to transfer to a different guard?

I dodge Vhex’s reach. “If you’re the reason I spend my first day writing reports, I’m never guiding you again.”

“You’re new?” He asks, tilting his head like a cobra. The deep raspberry shade of his scattered hair promises he’s toxic.

I lick my lips, trying to erase his lingering flavor.Dark berries and smoke.He needs more guiding, but for now, he has to get it somewhere else.

After forever on that train and a fire-bath in magic, I’m sweaty and drained. I need a nap and a long shower before I can deal with Satan’s sexiest unicorn.

“I’m transferred. Not new.” With Vhex on my heels, I go after the backpack that I tossed. “Where’s your unit?”

“What unit?”

Sighing, I pull my pack off a rubble pile. “Your Guide handler? Your support Sentinels? Didn’t base dispatch a team when you radioed to report the kobold attack?”

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