Blood and Ruin (Blood and Ruin Series Book 1)

After the guys leave, I throw back the rest of my cold coffee and take a quick shower. Once I’m out, I scour the fridge and cupboards for anything to eat.

Finding a half-broken granola bar Axel managed to miss in his search, I wolf it down and head out.

I move in the direction of Kaladar’s penthouse which ironically is on the other side of the hotel. If the guys knew how close he was, they’d blow a fit and end up dead in their search for the girl.

I pass the guards on the main floor, making my way to the west side of the hotel and Kaladar’s base.

The guards see me pass, their leery glances following me as I go. As usual, none of them question my whereabouts or where I’m heading.

Nearly all of King’s lackeys know of my caged status. They assume my position here is set in stone and let me go unnoticed. They may not know what King’s sessions entail but they are aware of King’s ill treatment and assume my wings have been clipped, that I’ve been permanently gilded to the hotel.

But no matter how broken my wings were, my mind would never belong to King. No matter what he might think.

Coming up to the entrance to Lord Silas’s floor, a pure-blooded vampire with no morals and a shitty attitude, I spot a couple of his fledglings talking to a maid.

Lord Silas owns the sub-penthouse below Kaladar’s. It has outdoor space with direct access to the floor above and a way in for me.

Heading back around the corner, I move towards the side exit. Using the service entrance, I make my way outside. There’s a fire-shoot just before the start of Silas’s outdoor area. I use it to climb up onto Kaladar’s outdoor garden.

I look down at the moving cars, feeling a sense of freedom I haven’t felt in a long time.

The people move about like ants, walking around with ease. Not worrying about where they go but having the freedom of choice to do so when they please.

My body itches to jump down and join them.

But not only was it a stupid fucking thought, it was an insane one as well. Even if the jump wouldn’t kill me, King’s special little tag would make sure I begged for it.

I shiver remembering the last time, the endless torment etched into my body like scorched flames.

Looking down once more, I promise myself I will join them.

Soon.

Focusing on my task at hand, I climb up the shoot, peeking over the edge to make sure no guards are visible before pulling myself up over the ledge.

Crouching low, I conceal myself behind one of the large, planted trees Kaladar has spaced out around the outdoor pool.

Kaladar had the whole fucking penthouse to himself. Anyone on King’s good side received only the best.

Looking around, I see everything is luxurious and over the top. Large glass windows surround the penthouse revealing a large open area inside. A giant white leather sofa encircles a small black cocktail table. The black bespoke fireplace has a huge ostentatious art piece above it making me wonder for Kaladar’s taste.

Deep red velvet upholstery with custom designed furniture finishes off the modern look with thick white posts reaching up to the barrel-vaulted ceiling.

I move closer keeping an eye out for any guards, breathing a sigh of relief when I spot none.

Moving towards the glass door, I look inside making sure it’s empty before checking the handle.

It’s locked.

But that’s not an issue. Everyone protects this place using spells, but no one thinks to invest in a fucking lock. Though I suppose, it would be the last thing they would need with the security and spells in place.

Lucky for me, I’m invisible to everyone here.

Taking out my tool kit, I get to work.

After a couple of minutes, I feel the key line up along the track giving way to the turn I need. I hear the click, unlocking the door, and just like that, I’m in.

Well, halfway there.

A familiar whiff of rosemary and basil invades my senses, telling me there’s a protective spell in place. One more potent and powerful than the one on my door, but with a hint of something else. Something dark.

An electric energy in the air makes every hair on my arm stand up just before a ripple of power flutters over me.

Damn it. This was going to be strong and one that fucking hurt.

Glancing around, I quickly find an empty area before bracing myself.

The pain lashes out like a whip, striking me down. I grit through the pain, holding in any sound that may slip my lips.

I bite down on my lip hard, watching as the bones in my hands bend and crack.

Splinters of sharp pain shoots through them. I can feel liquid run down my lip from biting too hard and breaking the skin.

Still keeping myself as quiet as possible, I drag myself behind one of the giant white posts, just as my stomach begins to twist and turn. The feeling of acid burning a hole through it takes over as the spell works its way through my body, trying to destroy me from the inside out.

After what feels like hours but is more than likely only a couple of minutes, my ability finally kicks in, slowing the spells process.

Tremors wrack my body as I continue to pant and take deep breaths as my organs regenerate and bones and muscles knit back together.

Pain is temporary. This will pass; it always does.

I repeat the phrase like a mantra until I’m through the worst of it.

Just a couple more minutes.

This type of spell had to have been created by Kaladar himself. I knew it would be a bitch.

Any normal person would be dead by now.

Lucky me, I’m nowhere near normal.

Just as the last bone fuses back together, I hear movement from my left. Scrunching myself up tightly, I peek out from my spot to see where the sound has come from.

One of Kaladar’s men has a plate full of food. It looks like he’s heading down to the end room, but he stops midway, facing a wall.

“Revertum.” After a few seconds, the wall shimmers and shifts, revealing a concealed door. He steps in, the door disappearing behind him.

I keep an eye out, tucking myself in when a guard comes near but he never stops by me.

After a few minutes the door appears with the guard. He has his back to me talking to someone inside. There’s an empty plate in his hands.

Just as the door is about to close, I catch a glimpse of who they have hidden inside.

I spot the back of a woman’s head. She’s small, smaller than me. Her dark brown hair is matted and greasy. Her clothes are worn and dirty, like she hasn’t changed in days.

There you are.

Just before the door fully closes, she turns around and looks out. The look of longing and despair in her eyes is enough to burn a fire in my veins.

Her eyes remind me so much of Luka’s, so soft and vulnerable. No wonder they care so much for her. She looks so delicate and fragile; I want to wrap her up and keep her safe myself. She’s a little older than I would’ve expected but being held captive can age your soul much faster.

No one deserves to be treated like a prisoner.

It has to be her.

I send her a silent promise, that I will get her out of here, no matter what.

I duck down as a couple of new guards show up, replacing the one that is on. Looking down at my phone, I take note of the time of security changeover, observing less men on just before I showed up.

I take one last look at the locked door, silently promising a swift return. To hang on just a little longer.

Glancing back around I inch my way back towards the outdoor garden, using the large white posts as cover.

Heading towards the glass door and used spell, I glance back once more. Seeing no guards around, I relax.

Just as I think I’ve made it out without being caught, I turn and run into the man himself.

Everything about him screamed money. From his slick black hair to his expensive clothes. The large gold pendant around his neck would fetch me a hefty price if not multiple trades.

Kaladar grabs my arm squeezing it tight as he yanks me toward him. Towering over me, his dark hazel eyes narrow on me. Looking at me with those soulless eyes so many of King’s men seem to have.

“What have we got here?”

His men surround us, coming out of nowhere, blocking me in.

Shit!

“What are you doing sneaking about?” His hand tightens painfully.

“I wasn’t sneaking anywhere, I live here.” I blink up at him, wearing my doe eyed look.

“I think I would remember having a roommate like you.” His smirk holds no amusement.

His eyes travel down my body, dilating the more he stares, making my stomach churn.

“I live in the hotel; I assumed no area was off limits. I’ll know better for future reference.” I try to pull free, but his tight grip holds me still.

“Oh, I couldn’t have that now, could I? After all, you said it yourself. This is your home.”

This would never be my home, but I wasn’t about to correct him on specifics now.

As he reaches his hand towards my face, I cringe back slightly, his tight hold not letting me move far.

Pulling me closer, he runs his thumb down the side of my face. “Now. Are you going to tell me what you’re really doing here?”

I push down my revulsion towards his touch and give him an innocent look. “I was going for a walk. I didn’t realise this side was off limits.”

“How did you get past the door security?”

I continue my doe-eyed look. “Security? I didn’t know there was any.”

“I said how!” he growls out. I wince at his biting grip.

“I just walked in. As I said, I didn’t see any of your men.” Not a lie. Well, not wholly. Using the service entrance and fire-shoot bypassed most of them.

He narrows his eyes on me before zooming in on his men. “That so?”

His men shift awkwardly, avoiding his gaze. I feel a moment of guilt for throwing them under the bus, but then remember they’re all sick and twisted anyway.

I needed to get the hell out of here and fast.

“Maybe they were taking a break?” I ask innocently.

Kaladar growls dismissing his men. “I’ll deal with you all later.”

Kaladar turns his attention back to me. “You’re King’s girl, aren’t you? The one he parades about.”

I keep my mouth shut, not telling him I’m nothing to King.

He takes a piece of my dark hair, twirling a finger around it before yanking it hard making me wince.

“He told me all about you. He said that you can heal from almost anything?”

Looking me over, I stay silent. It’s no secret that I can heal, not among King’s trusted men.

“Is that true?”

His beady eyes trail down my body as he tuts. “The things I could do to you.”

He licks his lips, continuing his perusal. “I hate it when they break so easily, but you won’t, will you?”

I ignore him, giving him a look of disgust before turning away and trying to take my arm with me.

He pulls me back, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him. “Maybe I’ll ask King for some alone time with you.”

I hold back my revulsion at his words, knowing every one of them to be true.

Kaladar is a powerful dark warlock. Keeping him happy would get King what he wants, what he always seems to want. More power and control.

I try to break free, but he keeps hold of my hands with a tight grasp. “Pretty, pretty. Such a pretty little thing.”

His eyes dilate as he looks over my body once more before moving back to my face. “You know… you have your mother’s eyes.”

At the mention of my mother, I freeze. “Wha—

“She was just like you, had the same fierce independence and fiery temper.”

I grind my jaw, biting my tongue. “Oh, the innocent act will never work on me. I see your true nature and it is exquisite.”

I ignore the nausea turning my stomach and focus on the little bomb he just dropped. “How did you know my mother?”

“Oh, we go way back. Old friends she and I.”

Ice enters my veins at his words. No. He’s lying. My mother would never be friends with someone like him.

A slimy smile spreads across his face. “She didn’t tell you?”

“I doubt she would ever trust someone like you.”

His rasps a chuckle. “Just as feisty as her as well I see.”

He smiles nodding to himself. “Good. All the more fun to break you.”

He moves in close, his warm breath sliding over me. “Just. Like. Her.”

“You didn’t…” I start but stop. To say the words out loud and get an answer I didn’t want to hear made the ice expand throughout my body, turning my mind numb.

“I didn’t what?” Kaladar says raising a brow. A cruel smirk grows as he watches me.

“Let me take a guess… I didn’t… break her body until it was nothing but bits of bone?” His vicious chuckle echoes around me, the sound grating on my ears as I try to focus on one thing to pull me out of the numbness spreading over me like a heavy blanket.

“No? Then how about… I didn’t bleed her dry and use her blood for sacrifices?”

I blanch, a jolt shooting through the numbness pausing its advance. Kaladar barks out a laugh at the expression on my face.

“Unfortunately, your mother was nothing more than King’s whore. No one got close enough to her to do anything but look.”

A breath I didn’t realise I was holding, releases like a rope around my neck. That sick fuck. He was messing with me this whole time. He didn’t do any of those horrible things to her.

The numbness eases, retreating slowly.

“And what a beauty she was. I would have liked to keep her as one of my pets.”

The ice melts, sizzling as it makes way to nothing but fire and rage reminding me why I was here in the first place.

The guy’s girl. Another one of his so-called pets .

I see red and nothing else, coming to, to finding Kaladar wiping a bloodied nose, his raspy chuckle echoing around the room. It does nothing to ease the rage still burning inside me.

I aim a punch at his throat but it’s sloppy, and he sees it coming a mile away, yanking both my hands behind my back and turning me around.

“Ah, a fighter.” Leaning in beside me, he licks his bottom lip.

“I love it when they fight and you’ll fight, won’t you, Kiarra?”

A shiver of revulsion slides down my back. I bite my tongue not giving him an answer. My emotions too heightened, too full.

I couldn’t continue to be foolish and do anything rasher. That girl would pay for my reckless behaviour. I couldn’t live with myself should anything happen to her.

He grabs my chin once more turning my head to him. The angle strains my neck but still I stay silent.

“Oh yes, I can see it in your eyes. You’ll fight to the very end or should I say the end for now.”

There’s a frantic gleam in his eyes as he thinks of all the sick possibilities.

“Would you heal from a fatal wound? I never got to play with your mother, King kept her all to himself.” He gives me a deranged pout. “But you won’t be like that will you, Kiarra?”

A slight bit of relief fills me with his words. Confirming what he just said; my mother was never his captive. Not that King was any better.

“Would you bleed out if I cut you here?” Kaladar runs a hand across my throat, squeezing it a bit before moving on.

I continue my silence, not giving him anything.

He hums to himself giving my hands a tight squeeze. I wince knowing they’ll bruise but heal soon enough. “I guess we’ll have to wait and find out now, won’t we?”

Releasing me, he pushes me forward. “Run along now, we’ll be seeing each other very soon.”

I whip around, wearing a glare full of rage.

“I’m betting on it. We’re going to have so much fun you and I.” The look in his eye promises another meeting. One I don’t think I could avoid if I wanted to get the girl out.

Keeping a watchful eye on him, I make my way out of there as quick as I can, Kaladar’s eyes following me.

Using his front entrance this time, the guards sneer as I move quickly pass them. I keep my head down, using the lift to head straight to my floor.

Once the lift opens, I head straight to my suite and unlock it. Slamming the door closed, I place the chain and bolts in place.

Leaning against it, I try to calm my racing pulse by taking deep breaths but all I can smell is him, all I feel is his touch.

I need it gone.

Placing the spell in place, I head straight for the shower, needing to wash away my time with Kaladar.

Stripping off I jump in, letting the scalding water run over me. The scorching temperature does nothing to warm the deep cold that has settled inside me.

Tired.

I’m so fucking tired of it all. Of everyone trying to take pieces of me and everything being so damn fucked up.

I turn the heat up, hoping it will burn away some of my tainted soul. It had to be tainted if my life was this fucked up.

I pick up the loofa and start scrubbing. My skin turns red and raw within minutes.

Why did everything have to be so fucking difficult? Why couldn’t I just get one goddamn break?

Six years and I just want to take a full breath without feeling like I’m suffocating. Like King’s hand isn’t constantly around my damn throat, squeezing every last drop of air.

When does it end?

I let the water wash away the last of my worries and stress before pulling myself together. There are too many people counting on me. I can’t break down now.

Kaladar is just as sick and twisted as King, I can see it in his eyes. I had no doubt he would be prepositioning King for time with me, nor would King object.

I was nothing more than a movable piece on his board of twisted games. One that he could trade when I became useful and use when he became bored.

Kaladar was just another piece joining King’s board. I would deal with him like I did everything else.

One step at a time.

I scrub harder, my skin turning a deeper shade of red.

Kaladar’s cocky and presumptuous attitude could be used to my advantage. Like all men who think they are better than all the rest, they fell just as hard when pushed enough.

I go over and over everything I learned today, the previous plan expanding and forming into something more until it’s the only thing I can think about and see.

Jax and the guys should be able to cause a big enough distraction to call on the help of Kaladar and his men. It should buy me enough time to get back into Kaladar’s place and get the girl. Once I got her, the guys could get her out of here and someplace safe.

Yes, this could work.

The plan solidifying in my mind settles the panic and melancholy inside me. Focusing on each piece slowly wipes away the feeling of Kaladar’s breath and touch, becoming just another messed up memory.

I drop the loofa, letting the warm water run over my face.

Whatever happened, I would make sure that girl is free. No matter the outcome for me. He wasn’t King, he didn’t know the ways to make sure I was down for a while or have the means to prolong my healing.

Getting the girl away from Kaladar, far outweighed the consequences, should I get caught. King would punish me yes, but I still have enough time. I would heal and then me and Alana could focus on our main goal.

To get out of here once and for all.