Page 123 of Eternal Ruin

He let out a stunned breath. “What?”

She met his eyes without flinching. “I want you to leave.”

A nasty laugh tore from his throat and he gave a deep fake bow. “As you command.”

The moment he stormed away, Kidan rushed inside, wincing as the house peeled her emotions from her.

Breathe, she told herself.You will only useAseractiuntil you master the house.

The wind whipped the garden door back and forth and a figure appeared from the distance, parting the leaves of a tall tree. Her chest tightened. Susenyos would stay by her side as he’d vowed to do.

But the way this shadow walked was different—not as fluid, and entirely too straight, the glint of metal on his arm.

Kidan took a step back, into the safety of the house, reaching for cold strength. Her fight with Susenyos faded from her mind and her heart encased itself in iron.

Two menacing eyes latched on to her. Disheveled like he’d clawed his way out of the grave, with a mad gleam to his eyes.

Samson, free from prison, was here.

“Heiress, tell me you have the mask before I rip out your throat.”

43.

KIDAN

Kidan. GK was close to her mind, shouting. Leave. Now!

But there was nowhere to go. Kidan retreated deeper into the protection of the house.

The twisted words fromAseractiembraced her with the arms of a statue, made her see reason.

“How did you get out?” she asked without blinking.

Samson crossed into the hallway, revealing the rigidness of his frame, the claws from his left hand tearing out of his fingers. Dimly, she recognized he was violent, but if she said the right words, she could survive his wrath.

He was beyond reckoning, words pushed through gritted teeth. “The mask.”

“I don’t have it yet.”

Samson began to lunge but she quickly said, “I can give you something else.”

His pupils flared. “The only thing I want is the mask and Susenyos on his knees. Tell me how to hurt him.”

One of his claws, black-tipped and deadly, lifted her chin so she stared into his starless eyes. They were entirely devoid of light. Something tragic must have happened to destroy his soul like this.

“I want an answer or I will bring the devout boy’s head back to you today.”

GK’s voice had disappeared again, and without his guidance, Kidan fell further into nothingness.

A swishing sound, like dresses around ankles, sounded from behind. The scent of warm bread reminded her of weathered hands and kind words.

Etete was in the corridor.

“Let her go.” Etete’s words came out firm, yet her breath trembled. She was afraid, yet wanted to protect Kidan. It reached a hidden part of Kidan. Mama Anoet was gone, as was Mahlet, the only one left was this woman who cooked for her, and gave her advice she ignored.

What was a mother but this?

No.GK returned, shattering through the House Locking,Aseracti, shouting this time.Don’t do this.