Page 105 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Chaos erupts around us as pink smoke slithers out, knocking the nearest guards out cold.

Yanking my top up over my nose and mouth, I help Alana do the same before I grab her and my bag, pulling her through the opening of guards and race as fast as I can to get her out of there.

Running like our lives depend on it, I drag Alana most of the way until we make it through the throng of large crates to the other side of the docs.

Glancing behind me, I take off my bag and give it to her.

“Go, there will be someone waiting at the boarder of the city. Tell them your name. They’ll be able to help you.” I push her forward, keeping an eye behind us. Kaladar will catch up soon.

“Wait, what about you?” Alana frowns, taking the bag.

“I’ll buy you some extra time.”

“Kiarra, no!” Her eyes are wide as she shakes her head.

“It’s okay. Maybe one day we’ll meet again, but for now you need to go. Live your life and be happy. Please.”

She had to go. If I’m going back, I need to know she’s safe. That she will be far away from King, living a full life of happiness and laughter.

“I can’t leave you here, not with him. He’s a horrible, sick man.”

Don’t I know it, but I’ve lasted this long. I can do it again. Can’t I?

“I’ll be fine. Go, please, or this all will have been for nothing.”

Hesitantly, she nods her head. I pull her in for a quick hug, trying to remember her comforting fresh floral scent to keep it with me.

Reluctantly, I release her. “Go.”

She nods, turning to go. I watch until she’s out of view before heading back around the edges of the docs, keeping watch for any of Kaladar’s men.

She is safe; she has to be. She will get the life she should have always had.

In the end, it wasn’t all for nothing. This moment right now is what I need to focus on. Whatever happens from here on out, I can breathe knowing she’s somewhere out there, somewhere living a full life. Those dreams will tide me over until I figure another way out from King.

Turning my focus to the present, I have to figure how to get past Kaladar and his men and make it back to the hotel before the spell wears off.

And then there are the guys. Where are they?

I’m glad they’re not here considering what happened, but I need to know they’re safe.

Maybe I can search for them?

I glance around before pulling out my phone, stopping when I realise my old one has Kai’s number in it.

Rough hands grab me from each side, dragging me out into an open area.

I kick and fight, but it’s no use. The two guards tighten their rough hands around me, making me wince from the sharp bite of pain in my arms.

Succumbing for now, I glance around, sending up a final prayer that Alana made it out and is far away from here.

Please. Please let her be safe.

Kaladar smirks, seeing my defeated look.

“Bring her here. I have something she might want to see.”

What?

---