Page 83 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Kai reaches out to take my hand again, but I move another step back.

“I can’t.”

“We don’t have time for this!” Axel’s voice raises. I glance around, hoping he hasn’t just given up our spot.

“Keep it down! Just go, I’ll be fine.”

“We’re not leaving without you, so get your ass over here and let’s get moving.”

I try to calm my rising anger, knowing there’s a lot they still don’t know about me. They didn’t know the hotel was my gilded cage or that I couldn’t leave. The time for explaining long gone. Besides, they were running out of time. Each minute wasted was another minute Kaladar took control over the hotel leaving them and Luna with no way out.

The only way I was getting out of here was through my plan with Alana, and that wasn’t now. Even if I somehow had another way out, there was no way in hell I was leaving her with King.

“I can’t!” I plead with them, begging them to try to understand there was more to it.

“Leave, please. Before Kaladar finds you all.” I take another step back, hoping they take the hint.

Axel advances toward me, his presence meant to be intimidating. “Move it, princess, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you out of here myself. Kicking and screaming the whole way if I have to!”

“Like hell you will!” Bracing myself, I subtly glance at the exits, figuring out a quick getaway if I have to.

If they try to force me from the hotel, the spell King has placed on me will alert everyone to our position, making them and me vulnerable.

“Why are you so damn stubborn? Just listen to us for once in your fucking life!”

Axel and Kai edge forward, ready to take my flighty ass down.

“Stop!” Rion’s no nonsense tone sounds out around us, pausing their advance.

“Ry? You better have a good reason why you just gave her another minute to try to make an escape,” Kai grits out, the hard look in his eyes demanding a good explanation.

“I think she means she can’t physically leave the hotel. She’s tied to it somehow.”

Kai and Axel look from Rion to me with varied shocked expressions. Something flashes in Kai’s eyes, promising violence.

“Is that true?” Kai asks, his voice dangerously low, demanding I not lie to him.

“What the hell?” Axel loses some of his ire, looking baffled.

How would they ever have known what King’s true nature was? To the world, he was a generous man. Powerful, gifted, as many would say, and treated everyone with kindness.

But here in the Cardinal Three, we knew the truth. King was cruel and, yes, powerful but only because he somehow stole it and twisted in into something dark. He had followers who would kill in his name and powerful supes who would do his bidding without question.

Trust no one and do what you must to survive. That has been the rule I have lived by since being brought here.

Nowhere was safe when you lived in the Cardinal Three.

“Why would King keep you here?” Kai asks, his commanding tone leaving no room for debate.

I look away, not able to stare any of them in the eye. I didn’t need their pity. Luna was safe with them now. They weren’t stuck here. They had no reason to stay.

“There’s a lot more to this you’re not telling us, isn’t there?” Kai grits out.

“And I’m guessing it has something to with King?” He shares a sharp look with Rion. Rion nods confirming his silent question.

They were starting to get suspicious and that would only make them targets. I couldn’t let that happen. I swallow the lump in my throat, nearly choking out my next words. “It doesn’t matter. Just get yourselves out of here before Kaladar gets another warlock to spell this whole building. Then there truly will be no way out for any of you. Everything we just accomplished will be for nothing. So please, leave.”

“We’re not leaving you here.” The determined look in Kai’s eyes told me I would get nowhere with him. Turning to Rion, I see Kai’s mirrored expression.

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