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Well then.
“What was the point of even calling a meeting?” Grave mumbles under his breath, and the answer is clear. He simply wanted to know what we knew with regard to topics he deems important. The fact that he just left instead of directing us into a training session only confirms it’s not Burton anymore.
The rest of the members disperse, including Leila, who lets Grave lead her out.
“What do we do now?” Eldon asks, looking as helpless as I feel, and it’s Raven who answers.
“We need to reach out to Rhys.”
TWENTY-SIX
RAVEN
We tried to sneak into Lyra’s office on the way back last night, but there was no answer and the door was locked. It was worth a shot, even if it was a miss, and we will get to try again this morning before classes start.
“Are you sure we can’t all go?” Eldon grumbles, swiping his hair back off his face as he pants. The weights are long forgotten, placed at his feet as he gives me those puppy dog eyes.
“Hey, this wasn’t my idea, remember?” I retorted.
“No, it was mine. Eldon will get over it. He’s just being a pussy,” Brax grunts, continuing to lift his weights without breaking a sweat.
“No, he’s not. I’ve seen the most exquisite pussy in all of my life, and it definitely doesn’t look like this doofus,” Zane states with a grin as he throws his arm around my shoulders.
“Of course you’re all smiles; you’re the one going with her while the rest of us stay here,” Creed adds, planting his hands on his hips.
“Again, blame Brax. This was his idea, and as much as you might not like it, he’s right,” Zane blasts back quickly, pulling me tighter to his side.
When it was clear we would have to try again this morning, Brax felt it was better for the two of us to go so we didn’t draw as much attention to ourselves as the five of us together would do. For Mr. Protective himself to say it only confirms it’s the right choice, whether we like it or not.
“Fine, but Brax can sleep on the end of the bed tonight for coming up with such bullshit,” Eldon concedes, and I bite back a smile.
These fucking men.
“Quick, let’s go, Dove, before he changes his mind,” Zane whispers, his lips pressed against my cheek, and I shiver, nodding in agreement.
“We’ll meet you outside Lyra’s office in an hour. Behave,” Brax orders, giving me a pointed look before capturing my chin in his grasp and crashing his lips to mine. He rips away from me far too quickly, his eyes darker than they were a moment ago, and I’m left breathless.
“Yeah, what the big, bad gargoyle said,” Eldon adds, cupping my cheek as he kisses me more delicately, but he still steps back more quickly than I would like.
Creed is quick to fill the space he leaves behind, grabbing my tie as he pulls me closer, and Zane’s hold on me loosens. “Seriously, keep your wits about you. I want you safe, Raven. Always.”
His words shouldn’t make me hot, yet here I am. He kisses the corner of my mouth, moving before I can even remotely kiss him back. Acting fast, I grab the front of his t-shirt, pulling him to me this time as I mold our lips together.
Heat tingles over my cheeks and down my spine and I have the pleasure of releasing him far too soon this time. His onyx eyes are wide, his jaw tight as he juts his chin toward the door. “Go, before I change my fucking mind.” The snap to his tone only makes me hotter and I nibble on my bottom lip as Zane steersme through the patio doors, across the living room, and out of the front door as quickly as possible.
Zane laces his fingers with mine as we head up the winding pathway, which is a lot quieter than usual due to how early it is. The sound of the breeze rustling the leaves on the trees is all we can hear as we get closer to the main building and it’s almost serene.
If I was to close my eyes, I could be anywhere. No enemies, no skinwalkers, nothing. Unfortunately for me, my eyes are open and having to face reality. A reality I hope is over soon. We need to update Rhys on everything we learned last night and pray they’re close.
“How are you feeling after last night, Dove?” I look up at him with my eyebrows raised, and he smirks. “I know you’ve said you’re okay one thousand times already, but I don’t want you to brush over how you’re feeling,” he adds, knowing me far too well.
I sigh, focusing on the path ahead as I think. “Honestly, I feel numb to it. My heart hurt when I saw Sebastian and heard what they were saying. The thought of him being under some kind of magic changes things. No matter how much I don’t want it to, it does. Is that silly of me?”
“Of course not. The reality of the situation is twisted. You didn’t have the best memories of him before you got here, but then he’s been nothing but a motherfucker since you stepped foot on campus. That can’t be erased, believe me; my desire to put him six feet under hasn’t changed in the slightest, but knowing that something else is at play makes me pause. Only time will tell how that will pan out,” Zane explains, and I nod in agreement.
It’s far less black and white and a whole lot more gray than it was. It’s hurting my head.
Zane suddenly stops beside me and I freeze beside him, confused by what’s going on, until he nods in the distance.
