AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Not going would mean putting on a spectacle that he would likely enjoy, but there’s some weight behind what Eldon’s saying. Sebastian is never going to lead me anywhere good, I know it.
“Professor, who informed you of the meeting?” I ask, not yet rising from my seat.
“Sebastian did. Now, hurry along. The quicker you go, the quicker you’re back.” She claps her hands for me to get a move on but I’m still uncertain.
“Yeah,Sis, let’s speed this up. I have shit to do too,” Sebastian grunts from the door, making the professor gasp.
“Sebastian, language,” she scolds, but he doesn’t care.
Feeling eyes on me, I sigh, rising slowly as I throw my bag over my shoulder.
“It’s a set up, Raven,” Zane murmurs, irritation morphing his features as he slams his hands against the table and stands too. “Professor, I’ll escort her,” he starts, and she immediately shakes her head.
“You’ll do no such thing,” she retorts. “Take a seat, Mr. Denver.” His nostrils flare, indecision warring within him.
“It’s okay, I won’t be long. I’m fine.” I know my reassurances fall flat and as I glance at the other Bishops, I can tell they’re feeling the exact same way as Zane. Brax included.
Glancing at Leila, she nibbles nervously on her bottom lip and I can’t handle the unnerving vibe stemming from Sebastian’s presence. I’m sure he’s loving it.
“I’ll be fine,” I reiterate once more before marching toward the door.
Sebastian takes off before I reach him, always trying to place himself one step ahead of me. I don’t ask where we’re going. It’s not worth my breath and he either won’t answer or will give me some bullshit response.
He leads the way down the long, marbled hall, through the main entryway, and along the west wing of the building. He doesn’t slow until we’re approaching the medical center and my eyebrows start to pinch in confusion.
“Why are we here?” I finally ask, relenting against my better judgment as he raps his knuckles on one of the blue doors.
“I’m just the messenger, Raven. Papa’s here to take you away.” The sinister smile that spreads across his face infuriates me.
“I call bullshit,” I bite back. This might have been what I was asking for when I first got here, but hell, a lot has happened since then. Leaving isn’t what I want. I know that instantly. Not when I’m learning so much. The Elivin Realm is nothing like I thought it was. There is death lurking in all corners of this life. People are dying to protect the outposts while those suppressed in Shadowmoor are fighting just to survive. As much as I hate the latter, I would rather die for a cause than simple existence.
“You can call it what you want, Raven. He’s here, Mama too. I hope you weren’t getting attached to anything. Or anyone,” he adds with a smirk, winking at me as he knocks harder against the door.
I shake my head, a sneer on my lips as I get ready to lay into him, but the door finally swings open and it’s Mama standing on the other side. My heart sinks, horror at her presence slashing at my insides as Sebastian salutes her.
“Tell Papa I did his bidding. Next time, he can leave you at home,” he grunts and my mother says nothing, just takes his wrath before he storms off.
I don’t understand where his anger and hatred stems from. If it was new, a sudden shift because we left for fourteen years, then I might get it a bit more, but he was like this before we left.
Once he’s out of sight, I twist my lips and turn to my mother. The pity in her eyes is instantly evident and it does nothing to calm the turmoil rising up my spine.
“What’s going on?” I ask, shuffling my bag up my shoulder. She offers me a tight smile as she opens the door wider and steps back into the room but nothing more.
“Come in, Raven.”
To anyone else she would sound soft and delicately spoken, but I can sense the unease in her tone, the cracks in her confidence.
“Not until you tell me why I’m here and what the medical department has to do with it,” I demand, remaining frozen in place as her gaze drops.
“Because your mother asked you nicely. I can use the alternative route if you wish.” My gaze whips to Abel, who stands behind my mother. His lips form a thin line, his eyes boring into mine as he waits for me to follow his command.
I’m not entirely sure what the alternative route is, but if the grimace that takes over my mother’s face is anything to go by then I’m probably not going to like it. Exhaling, I glance down the corridor, confirming no one else is here to rescue me before I reluctantly step inside the room.
I remain by the door, taking in my surroundings as I try to figure out what the hell is actually going on. There’s a medic bed against the far wall and the wall directly to my left is lined with cabinets filled with potion ingredients.
“Why are you here?” I ask, glancing between the pair of them as mama inches closer to the bed and papa rolls up the sleeves of his shirt.
“To see you,” my mother murmurs, the tight smile not reaching her eyes as she twists her hands.
