Page 96 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

King will soon be back, and our torture session would once again commence.

My breathing becomes shallow as the room tilts and fades. My chest tightens, caving in on itself as the boa around it constricts my airflow, crushing my airway.

I dip my head, placing it between my legs as I try to get control of my breathing and the oncoming panic attack.

I can’t do this.

How do I keep going with no way out?

The light that had formed at the end of my dark tunnel, shrivels up to become nothing but a black hole of fear and horror.

There is no way out, not anymore.

My thoughts turn darker, seeing no way out. No relief from the pain, the hopelessness, the torture.

I can’t die. That is never an option. Not even if I beg for it. King has tested every limit he thinks I may have. Human and supe alike, neither works. I will always heal.

I will never find a way out.

For me, there is none.

My downward spiral begins to grow the longer I think about my future, or lack of one.

The darkness that grows around me threatens to start the cycle once again.

Squeezing my eyes tight, I grab onto any shred of hope available in the sphere of my hazy thoughts.

Alana.

The slight spear of hope was knowing that Alana would soon be free. Free from the torment and pain she never deserved.

At least there is that.

I focus on that thread, pulling it until it unravels and unfolds in front of me.

Yes. The plan will go ahead. Months of planning and preparation will not go to waste.

My sacrifice would not be for nothing. Two lost souls would escape King’s clutches once and for all. That had to mean something.

My breathing slows down, the darkness releasing its hold over me.

Maybe I was never meant to be free. Maybe this was part of my punishment for not being able to save my mother. For all the pain Alana has suffered over the years, all for sticking by me.

I would accept this, for now at least. Who knows, maybe another way out could be possible?

I force a small smile on my face. It feels stiff and awkward when I feel anything but happy, but it helps. A little.

Once the guys leave with Alana and Luna, they will all be safe and out of reach of King and Kaladar. I will make sure of it.

Having everyone I care about far away from here is a comforting thought. It is enough to tide me over and keep my downward spiral from enveloping me whole.

Yes, Alana will be free. Free to live the life she has always deserved.

She’ll finally have a future.

Just one without me.

CHAPTER 21

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