6. Raven

SIX

RAVEN

If any of these fuckers die, I’ll bring them back just to kill them myself. Erikel’s men are just as crazy as he is if they think they can manipulate and control me at their will.

My chest clenches with a sense of panic nestling deep into my bones. I knew they would make a point of me being a necromancer, but not in this way. Not so stupidly and wastefully.

Before I can even consider giving the guy in the middle a piece of my mind, a siren blares, echoing around us and rustling the trees as birds take flight in every direction, trying to avoid the impending danger coming their way.

Every other student takes off as fast as they can, running full out into the forest, glancing over their shoulders every few seconds to see if they’re being chased. The energy is practically static around us, anticipation running high as Erikel’s men smirk with triumph. They know they’ve stoked the fears of the students, which gives them more control.

“I don’t want to, but we should join them. We can think about this more when we’re out of sight,” Eldon states, and as much as I don’t like the idea of it, I know there’s no better alternative.

I nod, unable to use any words, before turning for the tree line like the others and taking off. Only, I don’t glance back over my shoulder to check the enemy’s proximity. Instead, I settle into my magic, hoping like hell I’ll be able to sense any of their abilities coming my way.

Leila remains wordless at my side. I’m shocked that her father didn’t pull her from this class. He’s been so overprotective in other areas that it’s surprising he would allow her to potentially die at their hands.

Rushing past the first line of trees, shrills of panic squeak from some of the students around us as they stumble over protruding tree roots, while others pant with every breath. We continue deeper into the forest until the deep-green leaves block out most of the sunlight, leaving it even darker than usual.

“Over there,” Leila says, pointing toward a fallen tree with its roots sticking out in every direction. I follow after her, which, in turn, has the Bishops doing the same. She slows as we near the tree, bracing her hands on the bark as she catches her breath. “With the hole left in the ground, I can ice us in and create a protective barrier. There might only be space for two, though.” She keeps her eyes fixed on me, making it clear who the second person is, but I shake my head.

“Not a chance in hell is she being separated from me,” Zane grunts, grabbing my hand. Leila’s eyebrows furrow with concern, but I offer her a reassuring smile.

“Do it for you. Do what you need to do to be safe and we’ll find you when the time is up,” I state, watching as she worries at her bottom lip. She nods nervously and I take a step back.

“Are you sure? I can stay with you guys,” she offers, but Zane shakes his head.

“What you’re going to do will work to protect you. Do it quickly before we continue on,” he orders, and she nods with a sigh as she steps down into the exposed ground.

It takes her a few moments to get comfortable before a thick layer of ice forms over her, sealing her inside. Then another, and another, until she’s built her own mini fortress. I give it an extra beat before I take a step back, and Brax takes off, guiding the way as we continue deeper into the forest.

A scream ripples through the air from behind us, making me pause as the telltale sound of flames whipping in the wind follows before a tree sets alight, flashing in an array of oranges and reds. Laughter sounds out a moment later and Erikel’s men can be heard in the distance.

“One down, how many to follow?”

Fuckers.

Zane squeezes my hand, silently urging me to continue on, and we quickly fall into step again.

“If we can find somewhere less trodden and as quiet as possible, I may be able to focus my magic and try to hide us,” he states, and my eyes widen as I glance up at him while continuing to hurry along. “Leila had a good idea, it just wasn’t big enough, and there was no way I was trusting you in someone else’s hands when I’m right here,” he states, repeating his thoughts from earlier.

“Do you think you can expand your magic to make all of us invisible?” Creed asks, and I finally catch on to Zane’s idea.

“I think so,” he replies confidently, leaving me speechless.

“Over here,” Brax calls out, waving us forward, and we move even quicker. Eldon gets to him first, with Creed a few steps behind him, leaving Zane and me bringing up the rear when I’m suddenly knocked off my feet and my hand slips from his.

I hit the ground with a thud, the wind completely knocked out of my sails as I stare up at the leaves blowing in the breeze in a daze. Pressing my palms into the earth beneath me, I take a stuttering breath and try to rise, but it’s like I’m pushing against a vortex of wind that is pinning me in place.

“Raven!” I can hear the Bishops holler my name, but I can’t see them, which spikes my worry and adrenaline all at once.

Surely it can’t be Erikel’s men. If there’s one thing I took from their little speech, it’s that I won’t die at their hands because they need me. Unless they want to hold me in place so I can be their weapon, but why not do that sooner?

Attempting another, deeper breath, I try to push against the invisible force on top of me, but it’s useless until I see the smallest string of magic dancing above me. Focusing on the small thread, I follow it all the way to a tree off to the left, where I find the culprit behind this.

“Sebastian,” I holler, hoping to alert the Bishops as the pressure falls heavier on me. “It’s Sebastian,” I repeat, trying to lift my hand so I can touch the string of magic, but they’re dead weight at my sides.

Fuck.

Why is he even here? This isn’t his class.

Clenching my eyes shut, I channel all of my strength into my arms, desperate to grasp his magic in my hands. When I can’t even move an inch, I snarl in frustration, blinking my eyes open to a grunt that echoes through the trees around me. I catch sight of Eldon flying through the air before he slams into the tree to my right with a thud, and my heart clenches.

What the fuck?

The move was too quick for me to catch the trail of magic, but my gut tells me it’s still Sebastian I need to be concerned with. Anger at Eldon being hurt fuels me, vibrating through my veins as I try to move again.

Glaring at Sebastian, I notice another trail of magic lingering around his head and trailing off deeper into the forest where I can’t see. What the fuck is that about? It doesn’t matter. What matters is getting out of his hold.

His eyes cast back to me, a smirk on his lips as triumph flickers across his face.

I don’t just hate this man, my blood, my supposed family. I fucking loathe him.

My nostrils flare as I fail to hide how he affects me when he topples forward with force, smashing into the ground face first as the weight holding me down suddenly disappears.

Scurrying to my feet, I don’t bother trying to wipe the dirt from me as I take off in his direction. That’s when Zane appears out of thin air, a step behind the motherfucker, with a smug grin of his own spreading across his face.

“Someone’s helping him,” Creed states, falling into step with me. “I was trying to get into his mind, but it was impossible, like there was a wall there.”

Fuck.

“That must have been the trail of magic I saw hovering around his head,” I explain, almost tripping over a fallen branch in my hurry.

Zane remains in his stance and I catch a glimpse of Brax barreling toward Sebastian, but I freeze on the spot, remembering Eldon’s slumped body against the tree. Spinning, I turn and instantly sag in relief when I see him racing toward me.

I slip on a damp patch of moss when I turn back to Sebastian in time to see Brax slam his fist into his face. I hear the crunch of his nose breaking beneath Brax’s stone fist, but it’s clear that’s not enough for my gargoyle as he continues to pummel him with hit after hit.

Shit.

“Brax, no!” I shout, but I go unheard.

Rushing toward him, I go to grab his shoulder, but Creed quickly intercepts. “You’ll get hurt.”

“It will hurt me more if he kills the fucker and I have to bring him back.”

The slamming stops, the groans from Sebastian garbled as Brax looks over his shoulder at me. His eyes are vivid. One brown. One green. Both wild with rage. “I warned this asshole if he attempted to come at you again, I’d kill him,” he grunts, and I drop to my knees beside him.

“I know, you’re as unhinged as this guy,” I murmur, blindly pointing at Creed behind me.

“That guy got to kill that dick in Shadowmoor,” Brax remarks, his jaw ticking as his thick stone fingers ball into fists again. He remains over Sebastian, desperate to have his blood staining his hands.

“If you do it now, it won’t be permanent.”

“How would they know he was here?” Eldon interjects, making Brax nod eagerly. Clearly, neither of them are thinking straight.

“Because we know he’s with Erikel, just as his men are. How else would he know where to find us?” My heart races in my chest as a scream rings out in the distance. Sadness prickles its way to the surface and I know my magic is aware of another life gone.

Looking down at Sebastian, I push up to my feet. “He doesn’t deserve the possibility of my magic helping him.”

Zane grabs my hand, instantly dragging his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. “She’s right. We need to get the hell out of here.”

I wait with bated breath as Brax stares down at Sebastian squirming beneath him, blood splattered across his face and his nose completely out of place. With a heavy sigh, my gargoyle rises to his feet, returning his fists to flesh and bone once again before he stalks off.

Another yelp of pain rings out around us, hastening our pace. If I knew I could face these fuckers and not have to revive them, I would, without question, but I really don’t want to give them the satisfaction. Although, they do deserve to be knocked down, and I would relish in the wonder of being the one to do it.

I can’t help but peek back over my shoulder at Sebastian, only to find him rolling to his side. I scan the area, expecting the person who helped him avoid Creed’s magic to come to his aid, but he’s still all alone.

When you’re toxic to the world, and the time comes, the world will be toxic to you too.

Zane squeezes my hand at the same time Eldon laces his fingers with mine on the other side. I don’t know how they’re expecting me to run like this, but thankfully, it’s because Brax is heading into a small caved area. Slowing to a brisk walk, I falter at the opening to the slightly hidden structure among the trees and shrubbery.

“Doesn’t it feel a little too good to be true that there’s a cave here?” I ask, and Brax glances back at me with his brow cocked.

“I wasn’t aimlessly walking through the woods, Shadow. I was getting us here.”

Oh. Well. That makes sense then, I guess. I thought we were just blindly going with it like everyone else seemed to be.

I feel Creed right behind me, his lips by my ear. “Inside, Raven.”

Nodding, I follow Brax’s lead, and as we get deeper into the dark space, a flame appears in Eldon’s palm, glowing bright enough to light the way. When we reach the end, I glance back at the entrance. It’s still visible from here, barely, and with the way the shadows cascade around the stone walls, I don’t think you would even be able to see the glow of light from out there.

“Zane, can you try to cover our tracks while we’re in here as well?” Creed asks. “I’ll sit somewhere and focus on trying to hear anyone coming.”

“We’re not going to hear footsteps from inside here,” I state, and the smallest smile touches the corner of his lips as his onyx eyes shine.

“I’m going to be listening for thoughts, Raven. Not footsteps,” he clarifies, and I nod dumbly. Apparently, adjusting to academy life is easier than remembering that we can use magic when life and death aren’t on the line. I’m not used to thinking outside of the box like that, and that’s where I need to adjust.

Zane brings my hand to his lips, softly kissing my knuckles before he moves a little more toward the opening. Eldon presses his lips against my temple. “I’ll go and give him some light while he focuses, Little Bird.”

The pair of them mumble between themselves about how Zane is going to project his invisibility to cover us all while Creed gets comfortable against the rock wall that curves to my left.

Rubbing my lips together, I turn back to Brax to find him staring at me. I don’t know whether it’s because the light from Eldon’s flame is farther away, making it dimmer over here, or if his facial features have darkened as he takes me in.

His feet are planted shoulder-width apart, his neck muscles bunched, and his fists are clenched at his side. “I want to go back there and rip his fucking throat out,” he snaps, making me sigh.

“I know that, Brax. Believe me, I feel it too, but hear me when I say now isn’t the time.”

He takes a measured step toward me. “That doesn’t change the fury burning in my soul.”

“I’m sor—”

“I need him to know that you’re mine, that when I threatened his life, I meant it. I need him to know that I will protect you, no matter what, that you will find safety in me, in us, like you never found in them.”

Fuck.

My throat bobs, my breath lodged in my lungs.

“He doesn’t deserve to know any of that,” I rasp, unable to tame my racing heart.

His tongue peeks out, sweeping over his bottom lip as his gaze somehow darkens further. “I fucking know that, but I want him to anyway. For me, for my selfishness, my stake on you,” he states, taking another step toward me. “Now, since you stopped me from having that, you’re going to have to give me something else.”

Rolling my eyes, I wave him off. “Whatever, name it, and when we get back to the house, you can consider it done.” If any man can go from beating someone bloody to killing me with sweet words that consume me, only to piss me off a split second later, it’s him.

“No, Shadow. I want that pussy. Now.”

My jaw drops as I gape at him, repeating his words in my head again and again, certain that I didn’t hear him right, but in the next breath, he’s tugging at the waistband of his shorts to reveal his hard, long length.

“We’re being hunted, Brax. Hunted like fucking animals, now isn’t the time.”

He shrugs. “It’s either this or I get to go back out there and kill him.”

I shake my head as I gape at him. “That’s extortion.”

The corner of his mouth tips up as he takes another step toward me, using his magic to remove his shorts, discarding them to the side without care. “And yet you’re still wet for me.”

“I…”

Fuck, I can’t even finish that sentence because it would make me a liar. My thighs became slick with need as soon as he started rambling on about what he wanted his statement to Sebastian to represent. His words made my throat grow dry and my pussy drip. He knows he has a hold on me, pulling me deeper, bringing the darker side out of me to play at the most random of times.

“Tick-tock, Shadow. I don’t mind the hunters finding us while I’m dick deep inside of you, but that’s up to you because I sure as shit am not stopping until I fill you with my own desire.The clock’s ticking.”

Fuck just my pussy being wet, I’m a damn puddle.

Glancing over at the others, they’re in their own little world protecting us, which should make me feel guilty for even considering this. But damn, his cock is on display and I want to chase away my demons on the end of it.

I sink to the ground in the next moment, the stone beneath me biting into my knees, driving exhilaration through my veins. But as I open my mouth, hinting for him to let me feel the weight of his cock on my tongue, he shakes his head.

“No, Shadow. I’m fucking feral right now and I won’t hold back any longer. I want to feel the slickness of your pussy as I stretch you.” Holy fucking shit. “On all fours, and get rid of your clothes.”

“You get rid of them,” I mutter, unable to soften the short sharp breaths making my chest rise and fall rapidly.

“No. Show me that you want this. Show me by following my orders.”

Fuck. I would call him insane, but his words are like a siren call.

With my eyes locked on his, I use my magic to discard every piece of material clinging to me. At the same time, he pulls his t-shirt over his head, continuing to challenge me with his gaze.

I take my time turning, the stone sharp against my palms as I lean forward, bracing on all fours as he requested. I’m trembling, and it’s not from the chill in the air. It’s from the need thrumming through me. My hair cascades over my shoulder as I glance back at him, ghosting over my skin like a soft caress. His eyes rake over every inch of me, heating me on the spot. He drops to his knees with a thud, reaching for my hips a lot more delicately than I expect.

“You’re taking your time after the big game you just talked,” I tease, earning myself a glare as his grip on my skin tightens.

“The prey doesn’t usually bait the hunter when it’s vulnerable, Shadow,” he murmurs, spreading my thighs a little more as he nudges the tip of his cock against my folds, and I gasp.

We really should be focusing on the enemy right now, but it’s impossible when he’s like this; all-consuming and unwavering.

“Get to the feasting, and we’ll find—” My words are cut off, forced into a moan that rumbles my chest as he thrusts inside of me in one swift move. It almost burns, he’s spreading me so wide, so fast, and I almost fall forward, but one of his hands comes around my stomach, holding me in place as he stills. I try to catch my breath as he gives us a moment to adjust, but it’s not long enough.

He eases out until only the tip remains, making me gasp at the loss before he slams back into me harder and faster. His hand on my stomach shifts to my shoulder, holding me in place, and he doesn’t stop this time, slamming into me again and again.

“Fuck.” I can barely see with the sex haze fogging my vision combined with the frantic movement, but I spy Eldon’s eyes across the space, watching us with awe.

It reminds me of the day he fucked me in the classroom to prove a point, just like Brax is now, but the main point it proves, time and time again, is that they’re mine.

All. Mine.

Brax’s fingers dig into my skin on the brink of pain, surely leaving bruises in their wake, but I crave it. His thrusts are on the verge of brutal as he takes and takes, my tits bouncing with every slam of his hips against my ass.

“Don’t you fucking come, Shadow,” Brax bites as my core clenches around him, pleasure rippling through my limbs as the tingle of my climax threatens to wreck my body.

“I’m not going to be able to hold it back even if I wanted to,” I pant before his hand comes down on my ass cheek with enough force to have me crying out in a mixture of pain and pleasure.

“This isn’t about you, Shadow. Don’t. Fucking. Come.”

This motherfucker. My hands ball into fists against the stone beneath me. I want to yell at him, give him a piece of my fucking mind, but it all falls short when Creed shouts, “People are near, very near, and time is almost up.”

Fuck.

I’m so fucking close.

“Don’t even think about it,” Brax grunts, slamming into me more vigorously as his dick forces the cadence of my every breath. I feel the moment he hardens to stone inside of me, I sense the moment he pulses but doesn’t spill his pleasure, but most of all, I feel his victory in getting what he wants.

I don’t know whether I like him or hate him right now.

Which, deep down, is a lie because I know it’s neither of those. It definitely starts with an L and still finishes with an E, but it leaves me way more choked up.

My orgasm still tingles at my nerve endings as he retreats from my core, making me moan with raw need. “You can’t leave me like this,” I plead, perspiration clinging to my skin.

He steps around me, grabbing my chin and pulling my gaze to meet him head-on. “You get to come on my dick after I get to slay that fucker,” he snarls, making me gasp.

“I don’t know when that will be.”

“Then neither do I.”

Gaping at him, I take a second to focus once again and quickly rush to my feet. “I hate you,” I bite.

He’s in my face in an instant, his hold on my chin tighter than before as he crowds my space. “No, you don’t. Just like I don’t hate you, but we’re not ready for that yet. So, for now, we’ll have to settle on a little delayed gratification.”