Page 20 of Secrets of Ruin

Heart hammering, Kaylia felt the pressure of air building against her palms as she worked to gather the element. Before she could do much more than feel it against her, the ophidians seized her hands, grasped her fingers to cease their movement, and yanked them above her head.

“Stop it!” Brokk exploded.

“Open his door,” the emperor commanded.

Kaylia’s eyes widened as the emperor’s words came back to her. When he first uttered them, she’d been more focused on trying to devise a plan to get free, but now they sank into her panicked mind…

“But you’re so depleted now, you’d probably drain the next woman you fucked until you killed her. You won’t be able to stop yourself from doing so.”

And what better show would it be than to watch him kill her?

Kaylia started to struggle in their grasp before going limp. She didn’t want to die; every part of her rebelled against it, but they were going to put her in with Brokk.

She’d finally hold him and have his arms around her again. And while the emperor was probably right that he was so weak he would drain and destroy the next woman he had sex with, but not her.

If she was certain of anything in this forsaken place, it was that. The vampire part of him would protect its consort, and the man would not lose the woman he loved.

More ophidians donned the thick metal gloves before slithering with the key to Brokk’s cell. They held the poles before them like jousting rods, keeping them at the ready as they approached Brokk’s cell.

Brokk’s eyes burned a fiery red as they opened the cell door and jabbed the poles into the small space until he retreated from the gate. The ones holding her slithered toward the opening.

When Brokk’s eyes met hers, dread emanated from them as he realized what was happening. The ophidians jabbed the poles at Brokk again, pushing him back as the others carried her to the doorway, lifted her off the ground, and threw her inside.

Unable to keep her feet under her, she tripped and staggered forward before her still-not-quite right ankle gave way, and she fell to the ground. Behind her, the door clanged shut with an air of finality.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Fear crept like a spider up Brokk’s spine. Its numerous legs scratched his skin as the hair on his arms rose, his mouth went dry, and the dark fae screamed to finally be sated.

She’s here!

The one he’d craved so badly since being dragged in here—the one who could ease and infuse him with power like no other.

The one he loved… and could very well kill if he went anywhere near her.

Slowly, Kaylia lifted her head, and her striking gray eyes met his as her hair fell across her face. Goose bumps broke out on his flesh, and blood flooded his cock.

Ever since entering this place, he’d dreamed of holding her again, but not like this, and not in this pit with the ophidians looking on in amusement. Plus, the emperor was right; he might kill her if he took her now.

Brokk hadn’t given much thought to what would happen and how he would replenish the dark fae when they escaped this place. He’d been too focused on surviving the torments unleashed on them and trying to figure out how to get free—something he’d failed to do.

And now, the problem of how he’d strengthen himself again was being taken from him by the creatures he loathed most in this world. He was too drained, depleted, and out of his mind to go anywhere near Kaylia.

Then her scent hit him; that sweet aroma caused saliva to fill his mouth as his dick grew harder. Her scent wasn’t as strong as before they entered this place, but it was still there, and he recalled what it was like to have it envelop him as she pressed her body to his.

He had to stop this, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from her as the ophidians moved away but didn’t leave the room. None of them would miss this show.

They’d trapped a deer with a starved lion and were eager to watch the bloodbath sure to unfold. They anticipated a good time.

He already loathed that she was so bared to them and they could see every part of her. He’d give anything to cover her up, shield her from them, and protect her from these assholes.

To have them watching them was something he couldn’t stand. He wouldn’t allow it.

Not to mention, what he’d do to her should never be done to anyone… especially Kaylia.

Brokk didn’t realize he was edging away from her until his back connected with the wall. Slowly, Kaylia rose, and her shoulders went back as she stood proudly before him.

Her body wasn’t as lush as before they entered this place, and they’d left scars on her belly and back, but she was still so unbelievably beautiful and his. Every part of him screamed to possess her again, to ease his hunger, but he didn’t go any closer.