Page 159 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“Careful, Father. It’s not a good idea to insult me when your pet’s safety hangs in the balance.” Lio flexed his fingers, making a show of it. “Just think of all the ways I’ll use these hands on her body. But, I must go and collect her first. Do you think she will come willingly? I cannot wait to watch your family trade her for you, all in the hopes that I’ll be honorable.”

He could barely think for the sudden sense of helplessness setting in. If Lily presented herself to Lio, she’d be helpless against him.

No—not helpless. She still had her voice. A needle of hope pierced through his despair, bringing warmth to his cold, tingling limbs. Did Lio know of her ability? Had he seen it in Laurent’s memories? Or had he been too preoccupied by everything else. The thought of Lio watching their private moments, watching how he’d touched the woman he loved, nearly sent him into a jealous fit of rage.

“Keep your filthy hands off her,” he snarled. “She will never want you.”

“Oh, but I can be so persuasive. Do you think she loves you? I almost hope she does. People do crazy things for the ones they love. I’m sure I can be very persuasive on that front.”

“You offered them a trade.”

That trade was his only hope. If Lio took Lily and released Laurent, he could find a way to use that to his advantage. To free Lily. He hated to think of what Lily might be willing to do if Lio tried to use Laurent’s safety against her, to force her into something.

Lio laughed. “I don’t intend to let a single one of them walk out of here alive. Bardanes and his family will make sure of that. They’ll leave the girl for me, of course. And perhaps your precious Zola. I think the five of us will enjoy playing together, don’t you?” Lio’s eyes flicked toward Marco’s limp form. Laurent couldn’t bear to look at his second. “Well, the four of us. I don’t think Marco’s going to make it. Shame.”

“When I get out of these chains, I’m going to⁠—“

“Don’t—finish that sentence.” Lio sped forward, his body a blur of motion, before sinking his teeth into Laurent’s throat. With the ruby nearly touching his skin, his heart all but stopped. The feel of his spawn’s fangs in him felt wrong in so many ways. He stiffened, then pain exploded. Lio intended for it to hurt, sucking his sire’s life from his body.

What little energy he’d regained fled with every drop of his blood.

Lio manically laughed as he pulled his teeth free. “Tasty,” he breathed, then sped off. His only relief was the feel of his heart as it weakly thumped back to life with the absence of the ruby.

He sagged, his body trembling. His head was a heavy weight, hanging limp and downcast. His eyes blurred, the floor swimming in and out of focus. What he wouldn’t give to hear Lily’s voice one more time, to feel her hands on his skin. To be held in her embrace. He wanted it more than anything—her comfort.

Was this to be his end?

Months ago, he would not have cared. Might have even accepted the fact. He’d lived so long—endured so much. His long life stretched out behind him, a woven tapestry of actions, many of which shamed him now to think of. Perhaps he deserved this.

But others did not.

“Marco?” He whispered his second’s name, straining against the effort to turn his head, hoping Marco might stir. He had no way of knowing if he was still alive. If so, he’d need blood immediately⁠—

A loud crash sounded somewhere upstairs, accompanied by shouts. It came with a soft awareness of Lily’s proximity. For the first time in his long years, he felt a crushing sense of dread that had nothing to do with his own survival. She’d come for him, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to protect her.

42

The address Lio had provided led to an abandoned church on the edge of Genia. It had clearly fallen into disrepair long ago, its windows boarded up, the gray stone stained black with water damage. It had a basic square shape, with a roof that rose to a point. A belfry jutted up the side, but there wasn’t a bell anymore. A tall chainlink fence circled the perimeter with caution signs that warned trespassers to keep out.

I shivered against the cool dawn. The sun was only just peeking above the horizon, painting the sky a wash of pinks and oranges. Even now, the sound of city traffic was ramping up to a loud hum, though it was much quieter in this dilapidated part of Genia.

“Stay close,” Zola warned from beside me. “And don’t worry about me, no matter what happens. I can take care of myself.”

“She knows,” Hassan answered for me. Probably because he knew that if Zola mother-henned me one more time, I was going to have a meltdown. My entire body was clenched tight, and a dull ache had formed between my eyebrows. I pressed the spot, trying to ease the ache.

We’d gone over the plan more than once.

Hassan took me by the shoulders, looking me directly in the eye. “Use the element of surprise. Besides your voice, it is your biggest weapon.” I nodded. “Stay alive. Do what you need to, to get him out of there. But if it boils down to your life or his⁠—“

“Don’t you dare, Hassan,” I hissed.

His expression hardened. “Laurent has lived a long, full life. He would never forgive us—or you—if you saved him only to die.”

I nodded and shifted my wrists, already chafed from my restraints. There was a small bow on the underside. I could simply tug the end and free myself. Until then, I was Zola’s prisoner.

Hassan nodded before disappearing into the shadows with the others. Zola pulled me out into the open. She held me by the arm, her grip just short of painful. I adopted a frightened expression, willing myself to feel it. I couldn’t just look afraid, I needed to be afraid, to smell afraid. Memories of my torture with the witches made everything I felt genuine.

My steps were heavy. Time seemed to slow as we approached the crumbling edifice. I wanted to rush in and end this, but equally wanted to turn and flee.