Page 115 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“aax.” His name is a mangled gurgle on my lips as I struggle to speak through the blood.

Jax jumps into action, reaching out to try to soothe me, assuming I’m the one needing comfort.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay baby girl, we’re going to fix this.” His hands are shaking badly as he brushes back the sticky, blood-filled hair from my face.

Pulling the end of his top, he gently wipes away the blood from my chin and lips.

“We got you. We’re going to look after you. That fucker will pay for this!”

No! A bolt of dread shoots through me at his words.

Kaladar and his men will destroy them, and if not them, then King will find a way.

They need to get out of here, now. If anything happens to them, I couldn’t…

My mind can’t go there. Not now.

Not ever.

“You… shu.. n’t… ave… om.”

A tremor of violence works its way down his body. A glint of pure rage shadowed in his eyes.

Leaning in, he levels his dark eyes with mine. “Let me make myself very clear. We. Are. Not. Leaving. You.” Each word is bitten out, daring me to question his decision.

“Not a chance!” Kai gives me a look of steel before turning to Jax.

“Hold her, this will hurt.” Kai gives me a sad, guilty look before laying his hands on my stomach.

“Pl... ease…. Go,” I plead with them both. They can’t stay. King will kill them if he gets his hands on them.

Again, I push for them to leave.

“Go.” My voice comes out a bit stronger this time as my ability works its way through my throat, the blood still dribbling out of my mouth.

Jax holds me down as gently as he can, a determined look set in his eyes.

My eyes widen as a fire ignites in my stomach, ripping a gurgled scream from my mouth.

A scorching blaze, so intense my eyes roll back to my head, my body attempting to arch away from the pain.

“Hold her!”

Jax's hold on me tightens, the pain so intense, I don’t know where it starts or ends.

It comes in waves, spreading around my back and down my legs.

Make it stop, I beg the Gods. Just for a moment.

Please, no more.

But the Gods ignore me, like so many times before.

“I’m sorry, baby… I’m so sorry.”

I hold on to the feeling of Jax’s arms around me and his deep voice. He starts to hum a song, the tone of his voice a soothing balm, helping me fight off the darkness a little longer.

After what feels like hours but is probably only minutes, the fiery blaze eases, leaving behind nerves so sensitive, I feel every slight brush, every movement.

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