Page 127 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Then she started running.

With her legs and arms pumping, she barreled across the chamber. She was about halfway to the end when a roar came from above, and Rabin crashed through the ceiling in a shower of stones and bricks. She screamed and covered her head, weaving back and forth. When she felt the warmth of his moist breath on her neck, she nearly tripped.

She swerved as a giant boulder dropped in her path and she went flying, arcing through the air for several feet. She landed, skidding against the floor as it tore at her knees and elbows.

All she could focus on was the sound of Rabin’s snarls and the crush of falling stone. She looked up as a giant chunk plummeted from above. She screamed again, rolling over as it landed inches from her head.

She lay on the ground with her heart nearly pumping through her chest. But she couldn’t stop.

Pushing up, she raced for a tunnel as her foot caught on a piece of debris. She tripped and stumbled, losing her momentum. After recovering, she started running as Rabin roared again. Then came the swipe of his claws tearing across her back. It burned. She screamed. The sound filled with agony.

She stumbled again, crashing into a fallen piece of the roof before recovering and doing her best to ignore the pain ripping through her body. Weaving back and forth to avoid the obstacles in her path, she finally reached a tunnel where she collapsed to her hands and knees and watched as the floor turned into… stone.

Fuck. She’d chosen the wrong one.

Her vision blurred, her head spun, and she stared between her hands for several seconds trying to orient herself. It felt like she was going to pass out. Then a crash roused her back into the moment.

Rallying her strength, she stood and dashed for the next tunnel. Rabin was fighting through the rubble, trying to reach her, and he lunged, snapping his massive jaw. She flattened herself to the wall, screaming as his teeth came so close she could see the tiny imperfections marring their surface.

When he reared back to take another bite, she ducked and collapsed into the next tunnel. As her hands pressed to the floor, it transformed into more mosaic tiles, and she almost fainted again. This time with relief.

The cavern shook as Rabin slammed into the wall, causing her surroundings to shake and more rocks and debris to fall. If she wasn’t careful, he might trap her inside.

She sucked in three deep breaths. Her back felt like it was on fire, and the pain was making the edges of her vision blur.

But she gathered her flagging strength, pushing up on her feet. With each movement, she could feel the gush of her blood soaking her shirt and pants.

Rabin crashed into the wall again as the doorway began to crumble.

Limping away, she wove through the dark tunnels while his roars grew more and more distant. Occasionally, she reached down as her back screamed with agony to ensure she was still heading in the right direction. When the sound of Rabin’s roars dissipated, she allowed herself to slow down.

Winding deeper and deeper into the tunnel, she came upon a soaring underground cavern. In the center was a large, crystal-blue pool, reaching to the edges save the small rocky beach where she stood.

Coming to a stop, she planted her hands on her knees and inhaled ragged breaths, wondering if it was safe to drink.

Her stomach rumbled as she realized how many hours it had been since she’d eaten. Slowly, she approached and touched the surface. It rippled softly, making barely a sound. At the far end of the cavern, she could see where the path continued. Approaching the shallow edge, she crouched down with a groan and pressed her hand to the bottom of the pool.

She was only partially surprised when the floor transformed into the same field of colorful tiles that had become her signpost. Exhaling a weary breath, she dropped her head and willed her pulse to settle.

Her entire back was both throbbing and numb. She peered over her shoulder, trying to gauge the damage Rabin had caused. All she could tell was that it fucking hurt. She needed bandages, and she needed to clean herself up.

Tentatively and with great difficulty, she stripped out of her clothing. Every moment ached, sending fire across her back. Teeth gritted, she dipped a toe into the pool. Creeping forward, she scooped up a handful of water and sipped it up.

It slipped down her throat, and she drank her fill before slowly submerging herself beneath the surface. She couldn’t help squeaking when her wounds hit the water as another wave of intense agony pulsated over her skin. Hissing through her teeth, she swished back and forth, attempting to clean off the blood and dirt.

Once done, she did her best to wash her clothing before laying it all out to dry. As she exited the pool, gooseflesh rose on her skin. She rubbed her arms, her teeth chattering. She’d give anything for a warm blanket right now.

Instead, she found a soft patch of moss that would have to suffice. She dropped to her knees and crawled over it, lying on her stomach to give her back a chance to breathe.

Exhaustion quickly overcame her, and she drifted off into a troubled sleep.

FORTY-TWO

Rabin’s mind was a sinking cavern of dark halls and corners. He couldn’t seem to focus. All he could see was red. Rage and hate and anger. He wanted to kill and rip and shred.

He wanted her.

He wanted to sink his teeth into her flesh and taste her blood. He wanted to tear her apart piece by piece and then crunch through her bones.