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I cock my brow at him, the silent question registers on his end and he nods at me.
This is the room from his vision.
At least that piece of the puzzle is arranged. Now we have to go through all of their bullshit to figure out why we need to be here to begin with.
“Eldon Rhodes, Brax Carlsen, Creed Wylder, Zane Denver, and Raven Hendrix.” My gaze whips to the guild member stepping forward, our names hot on their lips. “You have been summoned forward to be inducted into the elite ranks of the Nightmares Guild.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say, “I’ll pass,” but I manage to keep my mouth shut. “This is a Guild built on blood, fueled by the enemy, and shrouded with darkness in order to achieve what others cannot.”
As they speak, more and more black suits and gold masks step forward, circling around us. One of them carries a large gold pot and places it on the table without a word before they rejoin the others. This is weird as shit.
“Do you agree to follow the values of the Nightmares Guild?”
I scoff as Eldon huffs. “You’re going to have to be a bit more specific with what we’re signing up to first, don’t you think?” I grin, pleased with his retort since he beat me to it.
Silence descends around us, the torches around the edge of the room dimming as the member speaking steps into the smaller circle we’ve been placed in, walking the perimeter and making eye contact with each of us.
“The Nightmares Guild does what is necessary for the people of our realm. We believe in a truer future for everyone, even those from Ashdale and Shadowmoor. The Nightmares Guild began as a handful of vigilantes whose bloodlines now trickle through the generations, each with the same goal; to rid the realm of the darkness that continues to claw at our very center.”
My brows rise, my intrigue piqued, and when I glance at Raven and my brothers, I see the same expression there too.
Why would Professor Burton, along with Zane’s father, a member of The Monarchy, be a part of this? If there was ever a telling sign that there’s more going on than we know, this is it. A startling reality comes to mind. We were caught coming back after sneaking off to Shadowmoor. Burton saw the determination in us to find answers, and this is seemingly the way we’re going to get them.
Perfect.
“Do you believe in something along those lines?”
Blinking up at the person peering down at me, my jaw tightens with their need to call me out specifically, so I shrug, uncaring.
“I’m in,” Raven blurts, and my eyes dart to hers. The second they mentioned that they wanted an equal realm for everyone, Shadowmoor included, I knew she would be fully committed. She will forever be attached to a place that treated her like shit, made her life Hell, and carved away at her every day. On the surface, she’s strong, resilient, and unwavering. That remains the same underneath too, but she also cares, whole-fucking-heartedly, without a drop of need for anyone to care back.
She was made to be a vigilante.
“Anyone else?” the slightly distorted voice asks, glancing around at the others before settling back on me. Raven’s acceptance triggers the rest of us, a resounding yes murmuring past each of our lips. “Excellent. Rites of passage and challenges will present themselves along the way, but for now, to begin your induction and acceptance into the Nightmares Guild, repeat after me. Follow your heart, find solace in the shadows, and take down the dawn.”
Raven’s eyes widen, making me pause, but her lips move without pause and I quickly follow to keep up with her. “Follow your heart, find solace in the shadows, and take down the dawn.”
As the last word echoes around us, the light completely evaporates, drenching us in darkness. Only the soft sound of steps can be heard around us until a small flickering reappears, and only one member stands before us.
Ignoring them for a moment, I fixate on Raven. “What was that look before you spoke?” I ask, and she gapes at me for a second, her gaze flicking to the member for a second before she shakes her head at me.
Reluctantly, I take the hint, wiping a hand down my face as I try to gather my thoughts.
“Are you here to guide us out or show your face?” Zane grunts, rising from his seat as the member stands by the table.
It’s almost as though they’re considering what to say, if anything at all. I’m ready to ignore them altogether and get the fuck out of here, but as I stand, the member turns to face Raven head-on.
One tentative step toward her and my spine stiffens.
Sebastian. If that’s him, I’ll fucking kill him before he can get within arm’s length of her. My feet are already moving, refusing to fail at my own vow, but I stumble to a stop when the black hood is dropped and the mask is discarded.
It’s not him, but the look on Raven’s face has me unsure whether she would feel the same if it was.
“Hey, Raven.”
Leila.
EIGHTEEN
RAVEN
