29. Zane

ZANE

It’s not hard to find Creed after he sauntered out of Professor Figgins’s classroom like it had been him who was balls deep inside Raven. He’s waiting in the main entryway of the building, back pressed against the wall and his foot kicked up against it.

The entire show between Raven and Eldon was fucking spectacular. There’s no other word for it. Watching her go from a ticking time bomb to a writhing bundle of need was something special.

The entire start of the class was a complete clusterfuck. Who even plans an ambush like that? Genie, of course. But what was she actually trying to achieve? I don’t understand. I don’t think I ever will, either. She’s a fucking fool.

“Did I miss anything fun?” Creed muses as he falls into step with us as we approach, and my eyebrows rise in surprise.

“Who died and made you funny?”

Eldon chuckles beside me and Raven smirks as her cheeks redden under Creed’s gaze.

“I can be funny,” he grumbles, shouldering past me to place himself next to Raven, and I glare at him.

Motherfucker.

“No, you can’t. Don’t bullshit the bullshitter.” I nudge him with my shoulder as Raven giggles, making me relent.

Stepping out into the mid-afternoon sun, I’m ready to kick back, relax, and spend some much-needed downtime with my girl.

“Hey, I have to go and find my father, but I already know that a meeting has been confirmed for tonight. Ten o’clock. Do you want me to come get you guys or meet you at the steps again?” Leila casually asks like she didn’t just spoil my nighttime plans. I may be able to spend some time with Raven, but now this will be hanging over our heads.

“Come get us. Or we can come to you? Don’t go out there on your own. It’s not safe,” Raven answers, and Leila shrugs.

“I’ve done just fine so far,” she muses. “But sure, I’ll stop by your house twenty minutes before ten so we’re not late. And don’t worry, I’ll mention the compound to my father too,” she adds before heading off without a backward glance.

The five of us continue toward our house, but instead of our usual formation around Raven, we hunch together a little closer. The fact that Brax doesn’t take off in front like usual instantly tells me there’s something on his mind.

“Spit it out, big man,” Raven sings, giving the gargoyle a pointed look.

“Are we trusting her now?”

Raven rubs her lips together in thought. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not declaring myself a good person, and I definitely don’t have all of the answers. I’m just taking her at face value right now. She hasn’t done anything shady since revealing herself in the Guild and I can use all of the allies I can get. Especially when I have Sebastian and Genie making plays at me.” I nod in understanding while Brax doesn’t reply.

He’s far more black and white and definitely more cutthroat. If it were his friend, Leila would have been cut off by now, potentially even dead. I’m surprised he hasn’t invaded her mind, despite what Raven said.

“It sounds like a plan to me,” Eldon states, and tension eases in Raven’s shoulders.

“I hope so.”

Silence blankets the five of us as we continue down the path, the crowd thinning out the further we go. The second the front door clicks shut behind us, I sigh in relief that we’re cut off from the rest of the world. Even if it is just for a little while.

“What’s the plan for the next couple of hours?” Raven asks, stepping further into the room before turning to face us.

“Seeing if my dick fits in your pussy as snug as a glove?” I offer, and she smirks, but Creed clears his throat, ruining my chances as he points toward the patio doors at the back of the house.

“I have a feeling the griffin out there has other ideas.”

Following his line of sight, there is, indeed, a griffin staring expectantly at the house. Without missing a beat, Raven drops her backpack and rushes toward him. The rest of us slowly follow.

Having a familiar is a rarity that is to be cherished, and we’re trying to give her the space to learn and grow with hers, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be pissed off that I have to share her with someone else.

When she came back on Friday, she was heartbroken, revealing a softness to her I hadn’t seen before, and now she’s determined to take on the weight of that burden. I get it, I do, but she’s wearing herself thin.

Stepping outside with the others, I hold back, watching and listening to their one-sided conversation. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have Ari in her head like that, but watching her interact with him melts me. She’s soft, gentle, and caring. Her walls are completely down since she can sense his emotions and I long for that level of connection with her.

A few moments pass before Ari takes off to the sky as Raven turns back to us.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, my brows furrowing as she folds her arms over her chest, almost hiding behind them.

“No. Apparently, the third years had Gauntlet practice today and they lost six of the minotaurs.”

Until three days ago, that wouldn’t have mattered to me, if I’m honest, but now, seeing the pain on her face angers me to no end.

“Maybe you and Ari could show us the compound this week? And if we don’t really get any information from Fitch, we could always try Lyra or something,” I offer, thinking out loud and hoping something will stick.

“Thank you,” she whispers, stepping into my outstretched arms and burying her head into my chest.

If I hadn’t vowed it before, I vow it now.

I will protect this woman at all costs. Always and forever.

* * *

Dressedin my favorite black cloak and golden mask, we trudge through the shadows of the academy grounds with Leila as our guide again. Even though we haven’t seen so much as a glimpse of anyone, she still keeps us off the main pathways, just in case.

As much as we need to be a part of this damn Guild, I need some rest. The academy building grows closer and we’re heading down the narrow steps in no time. The hum of chatter echoes around us as we make our way into the Lair, where everyone is waiting in black-on-black combat gear.

Leila guides us to a table in the far corner, where a neatly folded pile of clothes awaits each of us. Using our magic, we transition from our casual clothing to the black combat pants, long-sleeved black top, and lace-up black boots provided. To finish it all off, we’re each provided with a black knitted hat.

“What’s tonight about?” Raven asks, glancing at Leila, who shrugs in response.

“No clue. Nothing is ever really explained in advance. It’s all about trust and being blindly guided through the craziness,” she replies, waving her hand around.

“Fantastic.” Raven sighs as she resecures her hair tie.

“I did manage to learn from my father that it’s Professor Figgins who tends to the compound of magical beings. I know it’s not much, but it’s a positive, right?”

Raven smiles tightly. “Thank you. At least we know who to be looking out for.” She doesn’t mention that we’re going to speak to Lyra as well, as we discussed earlier, but she accepts the help. I guess this is what keeping someone at arm’s length looks like.

“Everyone, gather around.” We follow Burton’s voice to the center of the room where everyone else is waiting. Genie and Sebastian are whispering together on the other side of the group while the rest of the members focus on Burton. “If everyone can summon your swords, please.”

His request surprises me, but I do it, just like everyone else. I frown down at the metal in my hands and it takes me a second to realize that the last time I had hold of this was the night of the Shadowmoor attack. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet as if no time has passed at all. It’s bizarre.

“Do any of you guys find it weird that we haven’t had these out in any of Figgins’s classes since the night at the outpost?” Raven murmurs, frowning down at her blade, and my eyes widen at the realization.

“I think everything is weird these days,” Eldon grumbles, making me smirk despite the circumstances.

“We could be reading too much into it,” Creed offers, and Raven hums in agreement, but it doesn’t ease the crease between her eyes.

“If you would like to follow me, we’ll be combat training tonight,” Burton orders as a gateway appears beside him. He steps through it first, leading the way.

“The mottos are confusing me as well,” Raven murmurs as she stays close to my side.

“Which mottos?”

“What does Burton say after every gathering within the school?”

“Follow the sun, destroy the shadows, and survive another dawn.”

“And what does the same man make us say when we enter the Nightmares Guild?” she pushes, and I take a second to recall what I said as we step through the gateway.

“Follow your heart, find solace in the shadows, and take down the dawn.”

She nods in approval. “My mother whispered those exact words to me the day they forced me into the medical center and removed the magical barrier from me. I didn’t understand it when she did, and if I’m honest, I don’t understand them now, but it’s odd to me that Burton leads the school with one motto while swearing us into the Guild with similar words that feel so different at the same time.”

She has a point. I don’t know the answer, and she knows that. She’s just venting to me, but it still causes a stir in my chest.

Looking around at where we are, there’s nothing but perfectly cut green grass for what feels like miles. Not a tree, shrub, house, or anything else in sight except for the moonlight glowing down upon us.

“Tonight, I want the fourth years to ensure they pair off with a younger member of the Guild. We’re going to be doing the battle sequences that we discussed earlier,” Burton states as the nearby fourth years nod in agreement.

“You, come with me,” a girl murmurs to Raven, and my back instantly stiffens. Is this a ploy to get her away from us? I’m not the only one to think it, either. Brax, Creed, and Eldon all step forward as well.

“Hey, are you the girl who works at the uniform store?” Raven asks, completely oblivious to the concern rippling around her, and the girl nods.

“I remember you too. Raven, right?”

“Yeah. How long ago did you graduate?”

“Two years ago. I took the mundane job so I could commit myself to the Guild.”

“Nice, what’s your name again?”

“I don’t usually give that out, for obvious reasons,” the girl states, waving her arm around. “But it seems you’re in the Guild now. So, I’m Florentine.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Florentine. Are you about to whip my ass?”

“You better believe it.”

Raven strolls off with her new-found friend while the four of us gape at her in confusion.

“If you fuckers are going to actually get some work done tonight, I’ll take one of you. Let’s go.”

I frown as I glance around to find the source behind the backhanded comment, only to see the guy who was dancing that night with Leila. Searching for the girl in question, she’s already slipped off with a fourth-year girl, so I take the asshole’s offer.

Spinning the handle of my blade, I follow after him as the others pair off, too. Once we’ve given ourselves a good amount of space, he spins to face me with his blade aimed in my direction.

“How are your blade skills?”

“Good,” I confidently reply, and he smirks.

“We’ll see about that, shall we?” He charges toward me without wasting another second, barely giving me a chance to defend myself, but I do, much to his disappointment.

Taking a step back, I plant my feet shoulder-width apart and tighten my grasp on my blade. This time, when he comes toward me, I’m ready and poised. The clang of metal on metal echoes around us as our swords clash over and over again. He’s fast, but I’m faster, and as his face gets redder, his moves get sloppier.

I let him lead the movement, footwork and all, until he takes a bit too long lifting his blade and I thrust mine toward him instead. He deflects with a startled look in his eyes, his emotions clearly getting the better of him as he defends each blow. It doesn’t take long for the tip of my sword to be pressed against his exposed neck, and he gulps, his Adam’s apple working overtime as he glares at me.

“I thought you said you were good,” he grunts, knocking my blade away with the side of his hand, and I let it drop to my side as we both take a couple of deep breaths.

“I am,” I grunt, beads of sweat already dancing down my spine, and I can’t deny that a zing of excitement goes along with it.

“No, that was phenomenal. I’m the best swordsman in the Guild. What’s your name again?”

A hint of surprise touches the corner of my lips as I stare at him. “Zane, Zane Denver.”

It’s his turn to look shocked this time. “As in Monarch Denver?”

“That would be my father,” I reply with a nod, which he mimics.

“I’m Grave. I have a family member who is a part of The Monarchy as well. Please tell me they put a blade in your hands from a young age, too, and it’s not just some weird rite of passage for my family alone,” he grumbles, making me smirk.

“That would be a correct assessment. It’s your grandfather, right? Monarch Richardson.”

His brows furrow. “How do you know that? I don’t make it public knowledge.”

“Which is exactly why I make it my knowledge,” I retort. “No one who goes around bragging about their lineage to The Monarchy is worth shit, in my opinion. Although, someone who beds a girl and goes around bragging about that is also low on the totem pole.” I don’t care if we’re besties with Leila or not. I don’t want this guy thinking he’s similar to me if he pulls stunts like that.

“Wait, what? When did I do that?” He scrubs the back of his neck, genuinely confused. At least he gets the hint that I’m referring to him.

“Leila Fitch.”

“Wait, what? No, I didn’t. How does anyone even know about that?”

My gaze narrows. “Maybe I misheard, but that’s what it sounded like when she spoke of you after the party the other weekend. It seemed like everyone knew about it afterward.”

“But all I did was dance with her. See? This is why I keep myself to myself and don’t deal with other people’s bullshit, man.” The truth is in his eyes. He’s completely bewildered with the drama spilling from my lips and now I feel like a fool.

“Ignore me, I clearly have no idea what I’m talking about.” He takes the offer and we jump into another bout of attacks, taking turns on offense and defense. We push harder and longer with every pass, and it’s true: I’ve met my match with him.

When we take another break, gulping down as much water as possible, I decide to ask a question that’s been playing on my mind since we learned the Guild existed. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why is it called the Nightmares Guild? Like, why Nightmares?”

A dark smile grows across his face. “Because we’re the Guild that gives the nightmare creatures of our realm and beyond their nightmares.”