Page 101 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Moving slowly, until I’m just above them, I pull out two vials and a small, round black ball. Placing the ball beside me, one vial slips, clanging in the vent before I have time to catch it.

My heart stops as I freeze waiting for the guards below to look up.

Gruff laughter makes me jump just as jeers and grunts sound out below.

Fuck. That was close.

Releasing a harsh breath, I grab the vials, making sure I don’t fuck this up again.

Two vials are half full. One a shade of blue, the other a light green. Popping the lids, I pour the green into the blue, lightly swirling to mix them.

Waiting a minute, I count to ten, hoping it works. I only get one shot with this. A few drops of the main ingredient had cost me three months of side jobs and trades.

After a couple more tense seconds, the vial turns purple, easing my tense shoulders.

Using a sleeper bomb to knock the guards out would have been a hell of a lot easier, but they require you to be closer to your target and only work within a certain radius.

If another guard comes into the hall when I’m getting her out, we will be fucked. It’s a chance I’m not willing to take, not with Alana’s life on the line.

This little genius spell that Jazmyn made up will syphon some of my energy and use it to create a loop, reverting back a few minutes and concealing what I’m about to do.

When I unleash this, I have a couple of minutes where the guards should be frozen to get Alana out before it starts the loop.

Looking down at the guards, I wait for an opening and drop the vial between the vent holes.

One guard whips around, hearing the smashed vial, the others quickly following. Just as they raise their weapons toward the vent I’m in, the potion kicks in, freezing them in place.

Time to go.

Pulling the vent open, I jump down, landing on the balls of my feet. I dash through the frozen guards until I’m at the front of the door.

Using the black ball, I slam it into the lock, swiftly moving back a few feet and covering my head.

Three… Two….

I don’t make it to one before a loud bang rings out, exploding a large hole where the lock once was. Knowing I don’t have much time, I rush forward.

A scream shouts out as I come through the smoky aftermath.

“It’s okay, it’s me.”

“Kiarra?” Alana’s eyes are wide with fright.

I rush over to her and embrace her, her willowy form nothing but skin and bone.

“It’s time.”

“Now? But King…”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. We don’t have much time; we need to go.”

“Yes, of course.” Alana sways on shaky legs, a weak smile on her face.

Putting an arm under hers, I help her move as we head out of the small room.

“How did…” Alana startles at the guards.

“We have to go. The spell only freezes them for a couple of minutes before time loops back.”

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