Page 164 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

His low cry built in his throat. He couldn’t—wouldn’t kill her. She wasn’t even trying to pull away, to stop him. His gaze darted to her face, to the fluttering of her lids. Her legs buckled.

No.

A low chuckle came from the other side of the room as Lio watched. “Looks…like you…can’t restrain…yourself.” Lily’s commands were wearing off.

His heart pounded with terror—not because of Lio, but because he was close to losing her. He supported her weight, keeping her upright. With the strength he’d gained from her blood, he gave a roar, ripping his lips away. His chest rose and fell, a desperate cadence.

“Why didn’t you stop me?” he breathed, looking down at her dazed expression. She only blinked, staring up at him. What he saw there made him go still. There was so much emotion in her gaze, but mostly pride.

It had been a test to see if he could stop on his own. He thought of all the times he’d failed with other amplifiers. The difference between now and then was his love, knowing he would rather die than hurt her.

He gently lowered her to the ground, kissing her lips, then stood and ripped his chains free with a burst of strength. Her blood surged through him, giving him the power he needed, amplifying his abilities, allowing him to heal at an accelerated rate. His movements were a blur as he descended upon Lio. His creation screamed as he plunged his clawed hand into Lio’s chest. He wrapped his hand around Lio’s heart.

He didn’t pull—not yet.

“Fa-Father,” Lio sputtered, still fighting against Lily’s compulsion.

“I wanted to make you suffer,” he growled, hate welling up inside him, warring with the fondness he’d once felt for this creature. “I wanted to make this painful. But it isn’t your fault I created you.” With that, he tugged against the beating organ in his grasp. Lio only had time to gasp before his heart was ripped free, then discarded. His eyes dimmed, then his body shriveled.

Above him, the walls shook again, fragments of stone and mortar raining down upon the undercroft. Even if he wanted to, there was no time for revenge. Lily had lost too much blood and Zola was still unconscious.

He needed to get them to safety.

He wiped his bloodied hand on Lio’s clothes, giving his son one last disappointed look, then returned to Lily. “Drink, little flower. Hurry.” He didn’t have much to give, still not fully healed, but he bit into his wrist and put it to her lips. She took a few mouthfuls before turning her face away to refuse more. Color returned to her cheeks.

“I’ll need you to be strong for what comes next,” he warned.

He looked Zola over. She was a mess, but she’d survive. He’d need to carry her. Marco was…lost. He didn’t allow himself to dwell on that matter. Hoisting her into his arms, he looked at Lily.

“Can you walk, love?”

“Yes,” she breathed, shakily getting to her feet.

“Good. I need you to be our shield as we get her out of here.”

“Bardanes has his people here,” Lily told him as they ascended. “At least, I think. That Bardanes female from the ball, she’s the one who let us in.”

Sounds from the nave grew louder, almost thunderous. It was a wonder the building hadn’t already collapsed. “Yes. I will handle them once I’ve gotten you safely away.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I want to stay and fight, Laurie.” She began fishing around in her pocket.

“Lily,” he warned. They reached the top of the stairs and he turned to her. In the dim light, she looked frail, worn. Probably no better than he looked.

“I can use my voice,” she assured him. He recognized her look of determination. But there was still the matter of Zola. “And this.” She showed him a small vial—a potion she’d gotten at the night market. “It will make enemy eyes slide right past me. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.”

Indecision gripped him. “All right, but we must get Zola out first. Are you ready?”

She popped the cork on the vial and downed its contents, grimacing. As soon as she nodded, he kicked open the door to the nave.

44

Complete chaos surrounded us. I sucked in a breath, trying to make sense of the blurred bodies flying back and forth. I couldn’t distinguish friend from foe. I placed one hand against Laurent’s back and the other against Zola, hoping the potion’s invisibility would encompass them too. There was no telling how long it would last, but hopefully long enough to get us outside.

“This way,” Laurent said, his voice raspy. He’d regained much of his strength, but not everything. There were still parts of him that hadn’t healed. I didn’t dare tell him how tired I was from the blood loss. Giving him my blood felt right, even knowing it was a risk. I trusted him completely, even if he’d been worried he might kill me.