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“Raven, wait up.”
I stiffen at the sound of Leila calling out Raven’s name, who comes to a stop, making Brax grunt. He’s in his usual spot up front, turning with a huff and his arms folded over his chest. His glare deepens, and I know that she’s not alone.
“Don’t say a word,” Brax rumbles under his breath, earning an eye roll from our woman.
“I know,” she snips back before her friend rushes to a stop in front of her, Grave two steps behind her.
I want to pummel him into the ground. I don’t know what for, we haven’t figured out that part yet, but if Rhys is telling us not to trust him, it’s for some pretty epic reason. Only time will reveal the truth to us. The quicker, the better.
“Are you all okay?” Leila asks, her gaze flicking over each of us, but it lingers a hint longer on Eldon, Zane, and me. “I’ve been worried.”
My eyes narrow at the added concern, but as much as her words make me want to scoff and call bullshit, her pupils only shimmer with worry. There’s no double meaning there that I can detect, but I could be completely off base.
“They’re fine. We’re all doing okay,” Raven answers for all of us, and Leila takes a step closer. That on its own is fine, but it means Grave inches closer too, and that instantly pisses me off.
“Are you sure?” Her eyes land back on mine, her eyebrows pinching. “Have I pissed you all off in some way since I last saw you? Because I’m definitely getting that vibe.”
I sigh. I need this to be over, and I need Grave to be as far away from Raven as possible. “Unfortunately, we’re stuck in our thoughts, Leila, sorting through shit that’s taking its toll,” I grunt, unable to keep the annoyance from my voice. “We need to find an end to this madness that has Raven locked under Erikel’s sights. Anything you could have done to piss us off doesn’t reach the same level as that. Sorry.”
She gulps, nodding lightly as she takes a step back. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs, and any other time, I’m sure I may have cringed at my tone, but fuck if I give a shit right now.
“That’s harsh, man,” Grave states, slinging his arm around Leila, who leans into him. I don’t respond to him. I can’t. My thoughts and desire to question this fucker are too close to the tip of my tongue. So instead, I glare at him.
“Nobody asked you,” Zane hollers from behind me, showing less control than me when it comes to this guy, but before anything can be said, Leila quickly waves her hand in surrender.
“No. No, it’s fine. You’re right. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Keep that fucker away from my woman. Thankfully it’s only a thought and not blurting from my lips.
“No, but if there is, I’ll ask,” Raven promises, a smile on her face that doesn’t quite meet her eyes as she flicks her stare to Grave’s hand on Leila’s shoulder.
“Okay. I chased you down to confirm there’s a meeting tonight,” Leila adds, taking a step back.
“Nightmares Guild?” Raven clarifies with a frown, and Leila nods. “Why now? It’s been forever.”
“I don’t know. My contact with my father is minimal, but he managed to snap the words at me in passing earlier, and this is the first chance I’ve had to tell you,” she explains, and Raven nods in understanding.
“Usual time?” Eldon confirms, and Leila nods again. “Thanks for the heads-up. We’ll meet you there.”
Without another word, he steers Raven away from her friend and continues down the pathway to our house. Brax keeps his strides long as he keeps upfront and my hand remains in hers as we leave Leila and Grave without a backward glance.
“None of that makes sense,” I murmur when I’m sure we’re far enough away.
“What?” Raven asks, peering up at me.
“That Fitch is suddenly happy for her to waltz around with Grave and not be under his thumb. Especially after the confrontation they seemed to have before Erikel summoned everyone to the cave system.”
Raven sighs, lips twisting in thought. “Not much makes sense these days.”
“Agreed. We’re going to have to start wielding some extra special magic to piece this fucked up puzzle together because I sure as shit am confused with all of it,” Zane states, remaining a step behind us, and I hum in agreement.
Eventually, some of this might make sense. I’d love for all of the information to fall into place, but I’d take just some at this stage too.
We remain in our thoughts as we turn down our path, a comfortable silence clinging to us until a glint of gold shimmers by our front door and my steps halt.
My breath hitches despite my best efforts to remain unaffected. I saw him earlier with Burton, playing the dutiful warrior he is, and the memories of when I last saw him came flooding back to me. I’ve tried to keep them tamped down, but it’s harder than I had hoped.
Betrayal. That’s all I see right now when I look at this man.
