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“Is there anything of use?” Brax asks, quirking a brow at her, and she shrugs.
“I can do some more research, Brax. I can’t make decisions for us.” She turns to face me head on, nodding as she exhales slowly. “I trust that to be your role.”
NINETEEN
BRAX
After Genie’s unexpected visit this morning, Raven shook off the lingering effects of her bullshit and got on with the day like it wasn’t a goddamn tree that hit her. I think that’s why she holds me captive despite my best efforts to keep her at arm’s length. It’s all gone to shit and I know it. Admitting it hurts more than I would like, but fuck, it’s the truth.
I’ve never met anyone in all of my life who continues to get back up every time they’re knocked down quite like she does—both metaphorically and physically, if the tree to the head this morning is anything to go by. She doesn’t cower, she doesn’t hide away, she doesn’t let a single hurdle keep her down.
Even now, as we head down the hallway, her shoulders are back, her head high, and her strides purposeful. She has an inexplicable presence that I can’t even put into words. I should have known I never stood a chance against her. Arm’s length may not be working anymore, but letting myself hunt her down, stake my claim, and take what’s mine makes up for it.
Today, my issue isn’t the fact that this damn woman has me twisted up in knots.
No.
It’s the fact that classes are relatively… normal.
There hasn’t been a single glimpse of Erikel or any of his men. I have no fucking clue what that means or where they might be, but the reality is, ifwe’regetting peace from them, someone else is paying the price of their presence. Likely on a grander scale. Which will be an issue for us in the near future, I’m sure.
Despite the impending doom, it’s a relief. Not enough for my guard to drop, I’m on pins and needles, but when we step into our final class for the day to see it’s an actual tutor instead of some fucker from Basilica, I heave a sigh of relief.
The moment I realize it’s Figgins, my gaze drifts to Raven. Her eyes widen as she freezes in the doorway, her knuckles white as she clings to Zane at her side, and her brain short circuits for a moment before she’s scurrying between the desks to speak to her.
There’s no question what topic is at the forefront of her mind.
Ari and the magical creatures in the forest.
Figgins is supposed to be the professor in charge of all of that shit, so she has some explaining to do. Intrigued to watch my girl in action, I don’t bother to follow her up to the front. Instead, I take my usual seat and get comfortable.
“Professor, I need to talk to you about something,” Raven blurts as she plants her hands on the desk between her and Figgins. The latter quirks a brow at my girl, likely questioning her rudeness, but Raven doesn’t back down as she holds her stare.
“That will have to wait until after the class.”
Raven’s already shaking her head before Figgins finishes speaking. “I need to talk to you about Ari and the other creatures who—”
“Miss Hendrix,” Figgins shouts with a gasp, cutting Raven off, and my spine stiffens, ready to jump to my girl’s defense ifnecessary. “I said we can discuss this after class,” she repeats, and Raven stands tall.
She straightens her blazer and purses her lips as she glares at the professor. “We can discuss this now and I will keep my expectations of you low, or we can wait until after class is done with and I’ll be holding you accountable for more. Waiting until the end of the class will cement your dedication.”
Hot. As. Fuck.
No one should look that good when they’re being that demanding, but Raven has a way about her.
Figgins looks around the classroom, twisting her lips as she considers her options. After a few moments, she sighs, nodding. “Have it your way, Raven. Let’s take this outside.”
I’m out of my seat in a flash, my brothers along with me as we hightail it back into the corridor. Figgins regards us for a brief second but clearly sees that we’re not going to budge on this, so she closes the classroom door behind her and turns to face Raven.
“What seems to be the issue, Raven?” she asks, lacing her fingers together as she stares expectantly at my shadow.
“Where do I begin?” Raven snaps back, already fuming and ready to cause mayhem. “Ari is trapped inside the fucking forest you force them all to be in but I can’t ask you to let him out without demanding the others be released, too. Not only are you putting his life at risk, but you’re also putting everyone else in danger because there are creatures in there we know nothing about.”
“Raven, I know every creature in there. The academy has always operated this way. It’s not going to change because your familiar doesn’t like it,” Figgins grumbles, which only makes Raven’s eyes widen further with anger.
“You don’t know, do you?” Raven rasps, her jaw ticking as her hands clench at her sides.
“Know what?”
