Page 64 of The Ruin of Gods


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My attention is drawn to the stone, which now glows a bright crimson. The gold filigree edging, as well as the bail, fade away until there’s nothing left but the faceted jewel itself.

Ariman holds it up, rays of scarlet light shooting from the facets and playing across Rune’s bare chest. I gasp when Ariman suddenly thrusts both the glowing orb and the Blood Stone toward Rune… actually slams them right into the center of his chest. A bright light flashes and the orb is gone but I can still see the red gem pulsing under Ariman’s fingers.

Rune’s head falls back and he groans as if in great pain, his fists clenching tight. The stone glows impossibly brighter, more light streams shooting out of each facet and coloring the walls of the dark cave.

Rune’s face contorts in agony and Ariman screams, reeling backward. He holds his hand, now scalded red with blistering skin.

My eyes slide to Rune’s chest and I’m stunned to see that the Blood Stone is stuck there. No, more like recessed in with pink puckered skin around its edges.

It’s become a part of him.

The rays of light draw back into the gem and it pulses… turning dark, then light, then dark again.

Like a heartbeat.

Rune sucks in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, his fists unclenching. His head raises, gaze pinned on Ariman, and a smile breaks slowly across his face. “It worked.”

Ariman doesn’t seem surprised and inclines his head as if to say, “You’re welcome.”

Rune claps his hands together and rubs them with a gleeful smirk. “Now, let’s get to the real fun.”

His eyes come to me and I struggle against my bonds, even though I know it’s hopeless. While Ariman moves to the end of the stone slab where my head rests—that foul snake watching me with hunger—Rune comes to the side. My attention flicks back and forth between the two of them, knowing I’ll scream if one of them touches me.

“The timing is critical,” Rune says.

“I’m well aware,” Ariman replies, irritation in his voice.

Rune’s eyes blaze with unholy power. “Then what are you waiting for?”

Ariman nods and moves closer to me. He bends and places his hands on the sides of my head.

I thrash, trying to dislodge his touch. “What are you doing? Don’t touch me.”

His hands clamp hard, preventing me from moving. He bends over me so when I look up, his face hovers close. As he stares at me, he directs Rune. “Get on top of her.”

Those words make me fight with all my might. “No!” I scream, thrashing as Rune climbs on top of the altar and straddles my thighs. “Get off me.”

“Relax, Zora,” Rune murmurs as he places his hands on the stone at my shoulders and bends over me. “I’m not going to take what you think I’m going to take. At least not right now.”

I buck hard, catching him by surprise, and almost dislodge his body, but he doubles down by sitting upright. All his weight goes on my thighs and I’m pinned flat. His own hands hang loose at his sides as he stares down at me.

There’s no lust or desire for my body and I’m grateful. Rather, there’s an unholy light in his blue eyes making him seem a bit unhinged.

Except he’s not. He’s rational and confident in his course. The glow of the Blood Stone dims and brightens, dims and brightens, as if he’s hungering for something.

I’m startled when one of Ariman’s hands moves from the side of my head, fingers trailing down my neck until they press over where the snake bit me. The puncture wounds have long healed, but the minute he touches that spot, my skin burns.

Ariman lifts his gaze to Rune. “Are you ready?”

Panicked, I demand, “Ready for what?”

I’m ignored, and Rune nods. The gem in the center of his chest glows more intensely, no longer dull in its rhythmic beat. It gets so bright I can’t look at it directly.

That’s okay because I’m sidetracked by a sensation within my body. It feels like an awakening and at first, I don’t recognize what it is.

But then, it slowly clicks into place.

My powers are returning and Ariman must be doing something to reverse the effects of Valshour’s venom. I don’t know if he knows that’s what’s happening, but I’m not going to worry about what-ifs. I’ll be ready to launch whatever I can as soon as it’s available to me.

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