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RAVEN
Fingers stroking through my hair rouse me from my sleep. The grogginess clings to me like a second skin, but evaporates as soon as I blink my eyes open to find Zane looking down at me. A smile spreads across his face as he continues to wake me and, despite my immediate tiredness and usual cranky morning vibes, I smile back.
It takes a moment for me to remember where I am. We all left Zane to sleep last night once Creed put together some food, but the second I was done, I curled up on the sofa at Zane’s feet again and I must have fallen asleep. There certainly wasn’t a blanket covering me, though. Someone must have draped it over me once I passed out.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, sluggishly pushing to sit up and face him.
“I feel amazing. I just need to remove the bandages and see what it looks like underneath. Want to help?”
“If it’s still gruesome and the fabric tries to stick to your skin, then definitely not.” I cringe at the thought, making Zane snicker at me.
Tentatively reaching for the end of the bandage, I slowly start to unwind it, my movements getting more cautious as I get closer to his wound. Much to my relief, other than the remnants of the ointment still clinging to the fabric, I find nothing else.
Letting the material flutter to the floor, I mindlessly run my hand over the healed skin in complete shock. I did it. I actually healed him.
“Thank you,” he rasps, placing his hand on mine, and I look up to meet his gaze.
“You’re welcome.”
With his gaze locked on mine, he gently grabs my hand from his chest and lifts it to his mouth. His lips pepper over my fingers and knuckles, sending a promising shiver down my spine, and I gasp at the contact.
“Are you ready for today?” Zane’s words cut through the desire coursing in my veins, reminding me of exactly what lies ahead.
I gulp, unable to hold back the nerves as I gently shake my head. “Not even a little bit.”
His brows crease and I get the sense that he wants to comfort me and guarantee a path out of the Gauntlet, but it’s impossible. I’m not going to stand out for showing no powers or abilities. Many have entered with only psychic power and I’ll look no different than them. The only issue is a lot of them have died. It bewilders me why they would even do this because I imagine a lot of the psychic abilities are powerful, just not physical, which a lot of this task demands.
“Where are the others?” I ask, hoping to change the subject as I slip my hand from his hold and sweep my hair back off my face.
“Probably outside training.”
I turn to glance out of the full glass doors to find all three of them doing some kind of cardio or lifting weights.
“Do you guys do that every day?”
“Pretty much.” He continues to smile at me, his gaze roaming over me appreciatively, and I feel a blush coming on.
“Why am I getting the feeling I’ll be roped into that if I survive today?”
“Youwillsurvive today.” His nostrils flare as he bites the words out. Not angrily, but in a show of determination. I try to cling to that level of surety, but it’s harder than I want to admit. “Besides, the handbook explains everything, even morning exercise,” he says with a pointed look, and I laugh.
“I’ve read your damn handbook, mister.”
He swipes a hand over his mouth, trying to hide his grin, but it’s pointless. “You have?”
“I have.” Mischief flickers in his eyes as I point to the actual thing on the table.
“And what do you think?”
My tongue sweeps out over my bottom lip, excitement rushing through my body as I shake my head at him. “I think you’re a menace.”
I barely finish my last word before my back is flush against the sofa again and Zane is hovering over me. Only, this time it’s not a gentle smile on his face. It’s a heated gaze filled with desire and want.
“Once today is over with, the party included, you, me, and that handbook, are going to be well acquainted with one another. Agreed?”
My thighs clench as I nod. “Agreed.”
I just hope he’s right about today. Because despite my growing fears and wavering strength, I can’t bring myself to ask for help.
