A Rip of Realms (A Shade of Vampire #39)(5)

Where the collapsing building hadn’t killed them, the fire shortly would. It seemed to be worse at the lower levels of the castle, but with the entrances and exits blocked, those left alive would soon suffocate or be burnt alive.

The guard hurried back to the portcullis. I continued my search with the two remaining guards, starting to edge around the right side of the castle where the damage was the worst. The towers had all collapsed, one leaving only the iron staircase jutting out of the foundation of the keep, burnt and twisted, but still standing.

I started to focus on the piles of rubble. The first two contained nothing, but as I moved closer toward the side entrance, a large, built-up pile caught my attention.

“Ruby!” I ran closer to the pile of rocks, seeing a group of humans trapped inside along with the distinct, hunched-over figure of Tejus.

“Help me move these!” I called to the guards. Then, realizing that the three of us wouldn’t move fast enough, I commanded, “One of you go back and get more help—anyone who’s able-bodied!”

I could see that Tejus had built a barrier that was covering them all—but how long he could hold it up, I didn’t know. He was obviously syphoning off the humans to keep it in place, and if any of them grew too weak…

I started to throw the rocks back, moving the top ones first. Shortly, footsteps hurried to my aid. Three more guards and two ministers launched themselves at the pile, helping me heave off the worst of the rubble.

As we moved a dented iron spike, three large gray stones tumbled off the barrier. Then Ruby peered out at me, dusty and soot-streaked, but smiling.

“Shortie!” I breathed, grinning at her weakly.

She waved, knowing I wouldn’t be able to hear her through the protection of the barrier. I kept removing the stones, smiling at her reassuringly, but I felt sick. That had been too close for comfort—I had almost lost her again, and where I should have felt relief, instead a knot of anxiety twisted in my gut. The danger was getting worse, seemingly at the same rate that my feelings for Ruby were intensifying. The thought of losing her was becoming more and more agonizing.

Most of the kids were huddled together on the ground, while Ruby was kneeling up against one of the fallen rocks, anxiously monitoring our progress as her energy was syphoned. Tejus kept still, focusing on keeping that barrier in place, with Hazel lying next to him. She wasn’t moving.

We cleared off the top of the stones, creating a nest-shaped crater in the ground where nothing would be able to fall on the humans once the barrier was removed. Tejus checked it was safe, and then, with a sigh of relief, he let the barrier fall.

“Hazel needs help,” Tejus barked the moment the barrier came down. I nodded, turning to one of the ministers, who reluctantly edged his way down into the pit and over to Hazel.

“Do I get more white knight points?” I joked feebly with Ruby as I put out an arm to help her up. Her fingers closed around my hand, and she grinned.

“Yeah, you get more points.”

She looked back, watching the guards carry Benedict and then Yelena out.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Benedict decided to be a hero.” She rolled her eyes. “I think he feels like he’s got a lot to make up for—especially when it comes to Yelena.”

I nodded. In his position, I would feel the same way.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” she breathed, turning her attention back to me. “Did the earthquake affect the Fells as well?”

“It did, but…well, some of us survived.”

She nodded.

“Memenion?” she asked.

“Gone.”

Ruby closed her eyes briefly, taking a moment. “He was a good man,” she whispered. “Like Varga.”

She flew against my chest, her arms wrapping around my waist. I returned the hug, resting my lips against the crown of her head. A small sliver of jealousy unfurled within me—I hated that she still thought of Varga, that it still caused her pain to think of him. It was irrational. He had rescued her from the ice fires, after all. If anything, I should be grateful to the sentry. I thought when he was revealed to be an Acolyte, it would have tainted her memories of him. Clearly not.

“What are we going to do now?” she murmured against me, and I could feel her warm breath heating up my chest.

“I don’t know exactly,” I replied. “I need to speak to Tejus. I don’t know how many kingdoms were destroyed, or how many villagers, ministers and guards are going to be homeless now. Perhaps we can find shelter somewhere else.”

The prospect was a gloomy one. I didn’t know which kingdoms would be truly safe for us—of those that were left. Or if we’d be welcome at any of them, if they were still standing.

“I need to stay with Benedict and Hazel.” Ruby released her grip, looking up at me with worried eyes.

“They’ll be moving everyone out of the castle grounds,” I replied, watching as the guards helped more of the kids out of the pit. Benedict and Hazel were being carried off toward the outskirts of the gates. “Go. I need to speak to Tejus.”

“Okay.”

Ruby leaned up toward me and I kissed her, sinking into the familiar sensation of her pliant lips. Instantly I felt drugged. Varga, the entity, the destruction of Nevertide all faded away to nothing.