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“What now?” Brax snarls, clearly thinking the same as me, but Burton pays him no mind as he plants his hands on his hips and looks at me.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. But you saved a lot of people.”
I shake my head, not wanting to hear what else he might have to say. Stepping out from my guys, I move toward the professor. “The only reason I did it was for him.” I point to where Creed stands a step behind me without looking. I need this man to know I mean exactly what I’m saying right now. “I’m not a hero, and I have no intention of becoming one, so don’t expect me to start changing who I am.”
Standing taller, my shoulders rolled back, I breeze past him without a backward glance. The only confirmation I have that the Bishops are still with me is when we make it outside and Zane sighs.
“Fuck, that was hot.”
“Shut up, Zane,” Eldon retorts quickly, but the snicker in his tone tells me he’s not in complete disagreement with his friend.
All of the carriages have gone and, to our left, gateways are lined up. Those who can escape flee swiftly, while other students are left sobbing beside them, unable to follow their familieshome. Most of them don’t even look back to console their children. They’re just gone.
Spinning to face Brax, I part my lips, but Zane speaks first. “Get us home, Stoneman.”
Brax rolls his eyes at the nickname thrown his way, but he still waves us to a quiet corner, hidden in an alcove of the academy building, where he creates his own gateway. I step through without hesitation, both relieved and worried at the familiar sight of our home that comes into view around me.
My feet hurt from not wearing shoes, but I feel too antsy to sit on the sofa and ease the discomfort. Creed steps past me, almost as though he’s in a trance as he comes to a stop at the glass doors at the back of the house, looking out into the darkness.
“What now?” Eldon asks as Zane flops down on the sofa to my right, but I don’t know how to answer him. My forehead crinkles with worry as I take the necessary steps toward Creed, desperate to pretend my own anxiety doesn’t exist so I can focus on him.
“Are you okay?” I ask, knowing it’s a pointless question, but I need to hear his voice in some way.
He tucks his hands into his pant pockets and continues to stare outside. “I don’t know what I am.”
Fuck. My heart clenches, threatening to take my last breath as helplessness claws at me, but I tamp it down, keeping my attention on him.
“I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.” I reach up to tuck his hair behind his ear and he glances at me out of the corner of his eye as a heavy sigh rumbles from his chest.
“That’s the issue, Raven. I don’t feel anything. I’m just… numb.”
“We don’t have to just accept this, you know. We can demand answers, a war, whatever we want,” Brax states, and Creed instantly shakes his head.
“We can’t act rashly.”
Fuck. Wouldn’t we all like to, though? Direct all of the pain and anger we're feeling inside at those who deserve it.
“Tomorrow is a new dawn. You know we’ll face everything together,” Zane murmurs, his words empowering in comparison to his usual humor, making my chest puff out.
“Why does it feel like we’re going to be waking up in the pits of Hell?” Brax asks, rubbing at the back of his neck, and I can’t help but agree. The anticipation of what comes next, after being completely blindsided, is twisting me in knots.
“Maybe we should try and sleep. We’re going to need all of our energy for whatever’s next,” Creed says, turning away from the window to place his hand on my back, and I immediately lean into his touch.
Everybody agrees with him as I nibble on my bottom lip. It’s only when onyx eyes peer down at me that he notices I haven’t responded. “What’s wrong, Raven?”
I feel like a fool saying it, but damn…
“Can you guys stay with me? I don’t want to be alone.” Not when I exhibited the magic I’m capable of. Not to some people I trust either, but to everyone. Friends, family, and enemies alike. I just made myself their weapon whether I like it or not.
Without missing a beat, all four of them say the same word in sync with one another, confirming that, with them, I’ll get through anything.
“Always.”
THREE
RAVEN
Darkness seeps into my vision, painting everything black as the ground disappears beneath my feet, and a vortex swirls me around.
