Page 80 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

Pulling back, he thrust the knife down into my thigh, making my body jolt from the impact.

Before I have time to think about the pain, bolts of energy strike me like thunder, making me grunt from the weight of it. My body feels like I’m touching a live wire, as bolt after bolt hits me over and over.

I grit through the sharp flames stretching across my body, knowing pain was an old friend. One who visited frequently.

For a moment I shrink into my mind, looking to the future, and the endless possibilities, full of promise. I just need to push through this moment right now.

I need to fight for that future, the one Alana and I would have together.

This moment would fade like every other one, leaving behind an invisible scar no one would find.

Kaladar was someone who wanted to be in control, always. Just like King, he thought he could break me. But his control is just an illusion, one he attempts to seize through power and pain.

I may bleed and break from his beatings, but my mind will forever be my own.

Luna would be safe with the guys. Alana would soon be safe, and that’s what truly matters. Not this moment right now. Not the pain, nor the fear or doubts.

I would get through this. Just like always. My body would heal, the broken bones, bruises and cuts would disappear as if they were never there.

Time would move on, just like it always has, and I would get past this, one day at a time.

Kaladar strikes me again, the impact of his powers pushing me into the ground. I stay there, unable to move once more, as I wait to heal, my ability working overtime to fix the worst of it.

The sadistic look in Kaladar’s eyes is hopeful that I have given up. But I would never yield to him or King, or anyone who wanted me as their puppet. I would soon be free, and they would never get near me or Alana ever again. I would make sure of it.

Pulling myself out of the small dark pit that grows around me, trying in vain to drag me down, I get one hand under me and against the floor, and then another, before pushing my weight up.

I demand myself to continue. To fight.

Luna may be free, but Alana was still a captive here. There was no one else to fight for her.

Get up!

Pushing harder, I grit through the pain and will myself the energy to keep going.

Shoving myself up, I get to my knees, hearing Kaladar’s amused chuckle.

Gritting my teeth, I push again, swaying as I stand up on shaky legs.

The sound of a pop cracks through the air. A moment passes before I feel the sharp burn spread at the side of my stomach.

Glancing down, I watch a deeper red expand and run down my jagged white bloodied top.

He shot me.

Kaladar’s loud chuckle spills out around me. Swaying from the loss of blood, the sound comes from everywhere.

Stumbling backwards, I find the wall and grab hold of its strength to keep me up.

“King would have my neck if I killed you here and now, but a little bullet wound will do you no harm.”

I wanted to scream out, but my mouth no longer obeys. Blood leaks out of my lips, dribbling down my chin.

Swaying on my feet, I call upon my power, begging it to heed my call and push past its constraints to help heal me faster.

Energy bubbles up inside me as if hearing me. A slither of power drags and pushes over me, trying to heal the most serious damage first.

It’s a sluggish process, but slowly, my power pushes and pushes until I can breathe and move once more.

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