Blood and Ruin (Blood and Ruin Series Book 1)

I open the deadbolt to find each of the guys with arms full of food. Each look brighter than yesterday, though Luka still wears his shadows like armour. He gives me a small smile.

“We brought breakfast.”

Jax raises his bag of food as he lets himself in. The delicious smell drifts past me, making me consider eating something this early for once, instead of the dark coffee I usually just have.

Rion is carrying a few bags full of groceries giving me a smile before making his way to the kitchenette.

“And then some,” I murmur. The rest of the guys follow Jax in, paying me no mind as they move past me.

“Make yourselves at home, why don’t you?” I shut the door behind them and turn to find Jax on the large lounge chair, spreading food out on the small coffee table in front of him.

Axel, Kai and Luka follow Rion and start unpacking.

I stare at them, frozen on the spot, wondering what the hell is going on?

“Why are you putting food in my cupboards and fridge?”

“We’re growing boys, we need food for planning.”

I shake my head and ignore the crazy going on to focus on my barely warm coffee. By the time they’re done, most of the cupboards and fridge are full and there’s a large spread on the coffee table, enough to feed a party.

“That’s a lot of food.” They look at me like I’m crazy.

King doesn’t pay me or allow me the privilege to have a job. At least one that King knows of. I take little errands here and there in the hotel and club from Jazmyn or Kane, but apart from the glitzy clothes and apartment, I’m dead broke most days.

I tried selling some of the things King bought, but he found out and made sure I paid for stealing from him.

I didn’t try again.

Sipping my lukewarm coffee, I watch as they dig in. The relaxed atmosphere reminds me of before, when everything wasn’t so fucked up and confusing.

Jax waves me over. “Come on, dig in before it gets cold.”

He frowns, looking around before finding a paper plate and starts filling it with a mountain of food.

“We didn’t know what you’d like so got a bit of everything.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “You got me food?”

Axel smirks, chuckling to himself. “Does King not let you eat?”

I look away from him, seeing how close to the truth Axel’s words are.

Rion’s eyes narrow on me, a hard look in his eyes.

Why does he always seem to catch me at my weakest?

“It’s just breakfast,” Jax says. His smile is warm as he continues to pile on more food. How much does he think I can eat?

“Kiarra—”

Kai starts, the look in his eyes similar to Rion’s. A look I knew would bring more trouble than it’s worth. I needed to hide my emotions better.

“Let’s get down to business.” I move beside Jax, sitting on the armrest.

The guys share a look. “We’ve looked into Kaladar’s whereabouts or some sort of base, but like you said, he just disappears, and no one knows where he goes.”

“He must be using portals,” Luka says.

“That would take a lot of power, he’d need to have help,” Rion says. Always thinking one step ahead. Kaladar wasn’t just powerful through influence, he had the power to back it up. Not many warlocks and witches can open portals, but when you had power like Kaladar and the backing of King, opening or creating one was child’s play.

“We should be able to track it.”

Luka shakes his head. “You’d think that, but the city cloaks most powers. I can’t pick up anything beyond you lot. And that could be because you’re part of my bond.”

“Shit.”

Jax hands me the colossal plate of food, distracting me. I clear my throat, murmuring a thank you.

As I stare at the food, Jax gives me a strange look. I dig in, not wanting them to think I was losing it.

“Maybe we could head back to the club and try digging for a bit more information?”

The desperation in Luka’s voice reminds me why they’re here and what I found out last night after they left.

“No need, I think I found her,” I mumble around a mouth full of food.

The guys freeze, sharing a stunned expression.

Jax’s head whips to me, his mouth hanging open as he stares at me in shock. “What the fuck?”

“You couldn’t have started with that?” Axel sneers.

Rion frowns. “That was quick.”

I didn’t want to admit to them that their kindness had shocked me silent, and I was grasping at straws, trying to keep my fucking hormones under control. Instead, I tell them the first thing that comes to mind.

“I’m still half asleep. You distracted me.” I shrug, trying to play it off like it’s nothing.

Jax’s grin is wolfish, his pupils dilated.

I slap him across the head. “Not that kind of distraction.”

“Well, if you want—”

“Focus, Jax.” Rion’s gaze follows me.

“When did you find her? We only mentioned Kaladar to you yesterday.”

“I told you, I have contacts.” I avoid his gaze, inspecting my food.

Rion cocks his head, his eyes narrowing on my lie.

“It doesn’t matter, let’s go.” Jax wolfs down the rest of his food, gets up and moves towards the door. Luka stands up, ready to follow him.

I give them a look of disbelief. “We can’t just go in headstrong. We need a plan.”

Jax’s expression is incredulity, his voice breaking when he speaks. “That thing is a sick and twisted piece of shit. We need to get her away from him, now.”

I feel his pain as if it were a physical entity, but common sense wins out. We need to be smart about this, smarter than I was yesterday.

If we go in without a plan, we could fuck up everything and Kaladar could end up taking her somewhere we’d never find her.

“It won’t do any good barging in. And that’s even if we get past the spelled door.” Jax growls, flashing forward to punch a hole in the wall.

Great, something else to fix. I narrow my eyes on him, giving him a dirty look. Seeing my glare, he looks back at the large gap in the wall and grimaces.

His grin is lopsided. “I’ll fix it.”

Luka goes over to comfort him. “We’ll get her out bro, don’t worry.”

My heart clenches, feeling tight. It’s clear they really care about this girl. I need this plan to work. It’s the one thing I can do for them before I leave with Alana.

I clear my throat of emotion before continuing. “She’s being held in one of the most secure buildings in the city. There’s round-the-clock guards, including shifters and high-level warlocks. They’re all highly trained and have the backing of the witches should they require it. The building itself is spelled, concealing everything behind the erected barrier outside. You won’t find out anything unless you’re on the inside first. But then there are more guards and spells to deal with.”

“Fuck,” Axel grumbles. “How the hell are we supposed to get past all that, unnoticed might I add? They could move her around and we wouldn’t even know.”

An air of hopelessness settles over the room, descending into silence. Kai catches my eye, a thoughtful look on his face as he holds my stare.

“You have a plan, don’t you?”

The guys perk up, all looking at me with a mixture of reluctant reverie.

I nod, confirming Kai’s theory. “I should be able to get to her, but I’ll need your help.”

Luka’s reply is immediate. “We’re in. Whatever you need, it’s yours.”

“Good, because I think we need to move quick.”

“You think he’ll move her soon?”

“Not from anything I’ve seen. I’ve just got this… feeling we need to get on this quick.”

Rion’s narrowed gaze cuts right through me. “He’s here, isn’t he? This is the building?”

How does he always do that? Are basilisks fucking psychic?

Rion continues, oblivious to my baffled expression and inner ramblings. “It makes sense, with what we went through alone to get here. There are guards and spells everywhere and everything is off limits. You haven’t had enough time to look elsewhere, especially in the timeframe you’ve had.”

The guys turn silent, gaping a look at me before exploding. My silence telling them everything they need to know.

Jax is the first one to jump the gun. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! What the fuck are we waiting for then?”

“What the hell?” Luka looks confused and slightly hurt, but I knew telling them before finding out Kaladar’s security would be a mistake.

I knew they would want to go in headfirst and, unlike me, they wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.

Well, if I hadn’t kind of been caught by Kaladar.

Besides, I was used to working on my own. Telling them my every move was not something that came automatic. Not anymore. It’s not something I’d have to get used to either. We’d both be going our own ways soon. The thought makes my stomach turn.

“Do any of you have a picture of her?”

Jax shakes off the last of his anger, pulling out his phone. Angling it to me, he shows me a stunning woman with long chestnut hair and bright blue eyes. Nothing like the dull, empty ones I’d seen, but it was her alright.

“That’s her. Luna,” Luka says.

“Yeah, that’s her,” I confirm. The others turn quiet, listening in.

“You really saw her? She’s okay?” Luka sighs, a glint of hope in his eyes.

“I did. It’s definitely her.” I don’t mention the state she’s in, not wanting to remove the sliver of hope from his eyes.

The guys start bickering amongst themselves. I drown them out, waiting for them to get over their senseless arguing.

Finding their girl was half the problem, which is now solved. If they shut the fuck up and stop listening to the sound of their own voices, I could tell them the plan.

The despairing look of Luna’s deep blue eyes flash before me. I need to get her out of there and away from Kaladar as soon as possible.

Unlike Alana, we can move quick with this. King has a lot more precautions in place, especially when it comes to me. If he gets wind of what we’re doing, she’ll be gone forever.

Kai’s roar sounds out around us, halting their quarrelling. “She said she has a plan. Give her a chance to tell us.”

Axel raises a brow, giving me an agitated look. “Well?”

I shake my head, not in the humour for a verbal spat with him at the moment.

“There’s a private room on Kaladar’s floor, that’s where she’s being held. It’s spelled and heavily guarded. All higher-level shifters and a couple of warlocks.”

“And you know this how?” Rion’s gaze narrows on me. I avoid it looking to the others.

“That doesn’t matter right now.”

“Like hell it doesn’t,” Axel declares, but I ignore him continuing on.

 “What matters is we’re going to need to cause some sort of distraction. It’s going to have to be something big enough that King’s men will call in the help of Kaladar’s guards.”

“Even if we can cause a big enough distraction, how are you going to get into Kaladar’s quarters?” Luka asks.

“It won’t be a problem, trust me.”

“How?” Kai pushes.

“I live here. Most of the guards allow me to roam wherever I want. Finding me anywhere in the hotel isn’t much of a suspicion.”

“What do you mean by allow you?” Fuck, Rion misses nothing.

“I just mean, I can go wherever I want without standing out.” I ignore the look he and Kai share.

“And what of the protective spells? Kaladar must have some high-level ones in place,” Kai asks.

“They don’t work on me.” I pick up my cold coffee, not able to look them in the eye when I lie. It’s not that the spells don’t work on me, it’s that they can’t kill me with my ability, but they didn’t need to know that.

“How is that possible?” Luka asks.

 “It’s just the way my ability works.”

Rion, the ever perceptive one, narrows his eyes on me. I know he knows there’s more to it, but it’s not worth the time wasting on minor specifics. We were running out of time. If Kaladar gets a whiff of anyone going after her, everything will be ruined.

“You never told us what that was? Your ability? You left before we found out.”

Most supes are born with their abilities. That or they receive them at puberty. I was a late bloomer, or at least that’s what it felt like. I’d never really hurt myself. The guys were always too overprotective growing up. So, my healing ability was never known to us.

I couldn’t tell them now, not with the look Rion is giving me. He knows something is up with all of this and knowing him and his ability to notice every little thing, he’d figure it out. And right now, all that mattered was getting Luna and them away from here, and King.

The rest I would work out by myself.

“None of this matters. What matters is we have a way to get her out. Do you want my help or not?”

I wasn’t trying to give them an ultimatum, but I couldn’t have them digging into this any further. I’d figure a way to get her out myself if it came down to it.

“Of course, we do.” Luka steps up beside me. “We just want you to be safe as well.”

“I’ll be fine.” I always am.

Luka nods. “Okay.”

 “The distraction will need to be big. You’ll need to go all in.” I look to Jax, knowing he would be the one to think up something wild and crazy.

“I’m sure you can come up with something doable?”

Jax’s answering smile is full of wicked intent. “Create some havoc and mayhem? Right up my alley, sweetheart. Consider it done.”

“Good.” I nod.

“What about Kaladar?” Kai asks.

“Leave him to me,” I tell them, not expecting their reaction.

“Hell no!” Jax looks at me like I’m crazy.

“Not fucking happening.” Kai growls, giving me a look that could make a demon piss himself.

“Did you not hear the part about him being fucking twisted?” Jax’s words were laced with anger and irritation.

Not as twisted as King. The words were on the tip of my tongue but would never be set free. Not when I was still tied to my own cage.

I wave them off. “As I said, I’ll be fine. I know how to deal with men like him. I can distract him long enough for you to get your girl out.”

“She’s not—” Luka starts.

“And what, exactly, will you be distracting him with?” Axel snarls, gold speckles pulsing in his eyes.

I clench my fists as anger hardens my heart.

“Not with what you’re implying. I’m not a fucking whore!”

“He didn’t mean—” Luka starts, holding up his palms as he tries to diffuse the situation but we both know what Axel meant.

“He did!” I seethe. The sneer Axel gives me stokes my rage and frustration toward them all and the situation we’re in.

“I’m not going to fuck him or anyone else for that matter.” Meaning the assholes in front of me.

The glare I send them is cutting.

“Kiarra—”

Kai starts, but I’ve had enough. I’m not who they once knew. They’re lacking a few brain cells if they think they can swoop in and make demands.

“No, none of you know anything about me, not anymore. Don’t assume these past couple of weeks have shown you anything real.”

“What do you—” Rion starts. My big fucking mouth says too much again. I try to rein in my anger, but it’s no use.

Axel scoffs, looking around. “From where I’m standing all I see is a spoiled little princess who can’t get her way.”

“Well, try moving because you’d be fucking wrong!” The look I give him portrays too much of how I really feel. My hopelessness and pain from the last few years leak out. I can see it in the slight frown that forms as the anger leaves his eyes.

Knowing I’ve fucked up once again, I rein it back in, trying to calm my racing heart.

The last few days catch up to me and Axel’s comment was the fucking cherry on top of it all.

“What—”

“If you want this done, we’re doing it my way. It’s either that, or you can figure it out yourselves,” I say with confidence, knowing every word is a lie. I’m getting Luna out of there with or without their help. They could go fuck themselves and their assumptions.

The atmosphere in the room turns, fury tearing through it like a volatile storm. The guy’s tremble with rage, their beasts all coming to the front as their heated gaze lands on me.

Ignoring them, I continue, hoping they’ll get out of here. Not because I’m scared, but because of how their heated looks make me feel.

“We’ll do it this weekend. King will be away then. It’s our best chance,” I tell them, avoiding their gaze.

“Fine,” Kai grits out. “But afterwards we’re having that talk. And this time, you’re not running away from us.”

My head whips up to glare at Kai and his crazy demand. Like fucking hell we are.

“I’m not—” I start, but Kai’s eyes pulse red, stopping me as they draw me in, holding me hostage. Stepping closer, his ashy scent full of silent storms and flames surrounds me.

“You will. This isn’t over. It never was. You’re ours, Kiarra. You always have been.”

Kai gives me one last look full of heated promises before turning to the others.

The guys end their silence, demanding Kai listen to reason.

“We’re not letting her—”

“Like hell—”

“Enough! She said she can do this, let her. We’ve got nothing else.” The look Kai gives them shuts them up quick but the rage in their eyes thickens the air around us, promising violence.

Axel grits his teeth, turning away. They head out of the room, but not before each sends me a fierce look. One filled with the promise of punishment. The type I would enjoy every minute of.

A shiver works its way down my back, the heat in their eyes lighting my body on fire making me feel like I’m bipolar.

I couldn’t have them. Not now, not ever…

Fucking hot-headed alphas.