Page 313 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

I take his hand and hold it close while looking straight at him. “You don’t kill innocent people, Rion. You fight for what you believe in and take care of your family. Each one of us would do the same without thinking twice. We all choose to fight for something none of us are willing to lose. That choice doesn’t make you a monster and it never will.”

Warmth floods his eyes as he smiles. “Thank you.” He pulls me closer, placing a kiss on the side of my head. “How do you feel?”

“Much better.” I chuckle, curling into the side of his body, my body now boneless and utterly relaxed.

“Good.” He nuzzles my neck, pulling me closer. I bask in his warmth, happy and content when water splashes from somewhere in the distance, popping our little serene bubble.

We both tense up before glancing over at the water.

“We should get going.”

Rion nods, placing a kiss on my forehead. Finding his clothes, he brings mine over before throwing on his trousers.

I have my top on when he bends down and cleans me using his vest. His smirk grows wicked as he slowly swipes the soft material along my core.

He adds a bit of pressure to the next swipe, making me gasp. I narrow my eyes on him and his growing smirk. “If you keep that up, we won’teverget out of here.”

He chuckles, before throwing the vest to the side and helping me up. Bending down, he places a kiss on my thigh before helping me into my jeans.

It takes a bit of wiggling with them still wet, but eventually I get them on. I glance over at him as he picks up his shirt and throws it on, his eyes never leaving mine as he buttons it.

Rion smiles, giving me a knowing look before dipping his head and placing a soft kiss on my lips. He pulls back looking at me like I’m everything.

Hiseverything. And I feel the exact same, with all of them.

“Come on. Let’s go find the others before I reconsider staying here and having my way with you again.”

He turns to go but I stop him, an idea coming to mind. “Let me see if I can sense them.” With my abilities still bubbling inside me, just not as intense anymore, I focus and reach out to the rest of my mates, quickly sensing them nearby.

“They’re close.” Opening my eyes, I focus on the spot and see a long passageway leading in their direction. “Let’s go this way.”

With a tight grip on Rion’s hand, we follow the long entrance out. After a couple of minutes we finally spot a light, moving toward it until the cave opens out to a whole other world.

One that is desolate and barren of any living thing.

CHAPTER 5

We both move further out of the cave and get a better look at our new surroundings. The barren land is like a desert that looks as if it goes on infinitely in every direction.

There are two suns above, one in front and the other behind us. The heat coming from each is probably why the land is barren and completely parched from any nourishment.

I take a step into this dark world, pausing when loud shrieks hit my ears.

Wails of the lost souls echo around us, each one drenched in pain and sorrow. Something on the ground catches my eye. I move closer to it and watch as dark shadows crawl along it making me shiver.

I share a look with Rion as we move further out into the desolate land. We only make it a few steps before we hear voices calling out.

Turning to my left, I release a breath as I watch the rest of my mates moving toward us, coming out of another cave further down.

“They all must be connected.” Rion tilts his head, glancing along the long wall of the cave-like structures behind us.

Seconds pass before Kai has me in his arms, holding me tight. “Are you okay?”

I share a smile with Rion. “We’re fine.”

Kai releases a harsh breath, squeezing me tight one last time, before releasing me and moving over to Rion.

Jax and Luka take his spot, both holding me and hugging me just as tight. “I’m fine guys.”

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