10. Raven

TEN

RAVEN

One day swirls into another as the week goes on, and the grueling new atmosphere at the academy takes hold. Each lesson seems to be turned up a notch, becoming more ruthless than it was before.

Darker, harder, more sinful.

The Basilica Realm is certainly making its impact and it seems no one higher up in the Elevin Realm is really sure how to react so we’ve been left to deal with it. On the other hand, I also haven’t had to revive anyone since the beach, and I’m taking that as a win.

Staring up at the ceiling, I notice the emptiness around me. I’m alone, tangled in the sheets, and a little warmth still remains from where the guys were lying. It may be the weekend now, but I know without even looking that they’ll be outside training. They slowed down their training when we joined the Nightmares Guild, but they’re right back at it harder than ever now that Erikel and his men are in control.

Burton has remained out of sight, Fitch along with him, while the other professors quiver in Erikel’s presence and scurry to follow his every order. Everything is upside down, and I don’t know where to aim my anger for the most effective result, but the one thing that has been working me up the most is prominent in my mind this morning.

Ari.

Something isn’t right. I know it.

There’s no use in me lying here worrying about it when I could be on my feet figuring it out. With a heavy sigh, I kick the sheets off and crawl to the end of the huge bed that now fills my room. My oversized tee falls to mid-thigh as I stretch out at the foot of the bed before heading for the backyard.

Stepping into the lounge, it’s not hard to spot them, spread across the lawn, their muscles bulging, hair damp, and skin glistening in the morning air.

Hot.

Hot. Hot. Hot.

I take my time, admiring the view before me as I make my way to the patio doors. Goosebumps swoop over my skin as I watch them, just like they did the first time I walked into the house to find my new housemates. I’m more obsessed with them now, though, and more willing to admit how they make me feel.

The moment I open the door separating us, each of them looks up at me. Creed is the closest, arms folded over his chest as he sits on the floor, ready to continue his workout while offering me a soft smile. Zane is a step behind him, hands on his hips as he pants, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Eldon and Brax drop the weights in their hands to the ground with a thud as they both take an instinctive step toward me.

“What’s wrong?” Eldon asks, leaving me to gape at him for a second as I process his question.

“What?” I finally manage, folding my arms over my chest as my eyebrows furrow.

“It’s written all over your face,” Brax grunts, pointing at me like that will help clue me in on what my face looks like. If it’s clear, though, I may as well get straight to the worry on my mind.

“Something is wrong with Ari. I don’t know what, but the fact that I haven’t seen him since Erikel’s attack at the ball is concerning. He’s usually quick to react when he senses my panic.”

“He’s your familiar, Raven. You know him better than any of us,” Creed states, rising to his feet.

“He did appear at the outpost when she was in danger. Fuck, he saved us all at the time,” Zane confirms. “And when she went to Haven Court, he was here almost instantly once she returned. So distance can’t be the issue.”

I nod along with everything he says as Eldon cuts the remaining distance between us. His hands grab my waist, squeezing in comfort as I tip my face up to meet his gaze.

“What are you thinking?”

“Honestly, I think he’s either back in with the other creatures, trapped in the forest, or worse,” I mutter, scared of the words I know are on the tip of my tongue.

“What could be worse?” Brax asks, and a shiver runs down my spine.

“That he doesn’t think we’re in danger with Erikel.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely worse,” Creed agrees, standing beside Eldon in front of me. “Which means we’re going to the forest to check, aren’t we.” It’s not a question; he already knows the answer. I can see it in his eyes, but I still nod in confirmation.

“Fine,” Zane declares with a sigh. “But I want it to be known that I was two sets away from sneaking back inside and plowing you into the mattress, Dove.” He appears on Eldon’s other side with a pout on his lips, and I laugh.

“That can be my reward later,” I say with a smirk, my core clenching at the promise as Zane presses a kiss to my cheek.

“I like the sound of that.”

Eldon holdson to my hand tightly as we step through Brax’s gateway. I’m sure Zane isn’t the only one who would happily stay back at the house, tangled in the sheets for the entire weekend. As much as I would like that too—fuck, I would like it a lot—my fear for Ari comes first.

Ever since we met, he’s put me first; I owe him that.

Nothing else seems out of the ordinary as the rest of the Bishops join us, so we silently make our way toward the tree line like last time.

“Does anybody else find it crazy that, from here, the forest looks completely empty, but we’ve been in there. We know what lies beyond the trees and shrubs; you just can’t see them,” Zane rambles, his eyebrows rising as wonder lifts the tone of his voice.

“It’s crazy that we thought the academy keeping them locked up here was the worst of our worries,” Creed retorts, making me scoff as Eldon’s hand flexes around mine.

“Can you hear him?” Brax asks, and we all refocus on the reason why we’re here.

Shaking my head, I sigh. “No, I’ve tried to reach out to him, but he said that would only be possible when my magic strengthened. I was hoping since I was aware of the mirror magic that it would be possible, but apparently not,” I admit, defeat clinging to me like a second skin.

“Why don’t you try again now? Just in case it was a proximity thing,” Eldon suggests, and we come to a stop. Nibbling at my bottom lip, I nod slowly, trying to find the strength to try again.

“Ari?”I close my eyes, trying to hear anything at all, but nothing comes. “Ari?” I attempt again, hoping and praying, but only silence greets me. Heaving a heavy sigh, I turn to the others with a shake of my head.

“It’s okay, Dove. If Ari said it would happen, it will. It’s just going to take time.” Zane smiles, attempting to reassure me, and I take it, trying not to let myself get too down about it.

Turning to face the tree line, I call out his name again, only this time, I say it out loud. “Ari?”

A breeze flutters out of nowhere, rustling the leaves on the trees.

“It’s not safe.”

“Ari?”

“It’s. Not. Safe.”

I frown, glancing around in search of him, but I can’t see him anywhere. It sounds like him, only darker, and I don’t like the way it makes me feel.

“Can you hear him?” Creed asks, and I nod in acknowledgment, repeating Ari’s words to them as I continue to search for him.

“What isn’t safe?” Eldon presses himself against my side at my question, taking up a protective stance.

“You being here. You need to leave. Now.”

“Ari, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. I’m worried.”

Silence greets me for so long that I’m sure he’s gone, but if he thinks I’m going to just let him walk away, he’s in for a surprise. Taking another step toward the forest, I’m halted when he shouts in my mind.

“No.”My heart races as his silhouette appears in the distance, his telltale feathers peeking out. Instinctively, I go to take another step toward him, but he barks his disapproval in my mind again. “Don’t.”

“Ari, you need to explain to me what’s going on,” I insist, swiping a hand down my face.

His head dips, a pang of sadness swirling in my gut, the feeling coming from him before he mutters, “I’m trapped in here.”

“I assumed that might be the case. But that doesn’t mean I can’t come and see you. Then I can go and find Professor Figgins. She’ll let you out.”

“No, it’s not safe for Gia. I chose to be in here.”

“Why isn’t it safe for Gia?” My chest tightens, my own fear combining with his and swirling like a destructive tornado inside of me. I can just make out that he’s shaking his head, but that’s not good enough. “Ari, tell me now, or I’m coming in.”

“It’s not safe in here for you. I’m not sure if the magic has been shifted in the ward, so you could be trapped here too.”

“Fuck.”

“What’s going on?” Eldon asks, releasing my hand to caress my arm, and I quickly reiterate Ari’s concern. “Shit.”

“Tell me what isn’t safe, Ari. I can’t help if I don’t understand.”

“Erikel didn’t come alone. He brought his own creatures with him.”

The tremor in Ari’s voice makes me gulp. “And I’m guessing the creatures aren’t just misunderstood like you guys.”

“Creatures far worse than you can imagine. So you have to go, and I have to protect Gia while trusting in these fuckers to protect you,” he grunts, nodding toward the Bishops.

“I’m safer in their hands than anyone else’s,” I state, believing every single syllable. I may have gone through life alone, never trusting anyone else to keep me safe, but I trust in them. I believe in us.

For Ari to believe that, too, he needs to know I believe in him and trust in his knowledge of these creatures that I’m unaware of. “I’ll find a way to get you all out, Ari. I promise it. You, Gia, everyone. I won’t allow Erikel to get you guys as well.”