32. Raven

RAVEN

Every morning, I wake up with something new on the agenda. Every morning, I wake up with a to-do list longer than the day before. Every morning, I wake up wondering what’s next on the horizon. But above all else, I wake up every morning wanting my men more and more desperately than the day before.

After Creed mentioned mirror magic last night, we got home and I passed out in bed with Eldon. I don’t even remember offering my lips for a goodnight kiss, I was just done. Lights out. But still, no shadows, so we’re taking the wins where we can.

After classes are done today, the first thing on my to-do list is to play around with the idea of mirror magic to see if there’s any truth to Creed’s theory. Then we need to seek out Lyra to see if we can get any information about the compound, as well as going shopping for new freaking clothes for another ball I have no interest in attending for the departure of some guy I don’t even care about. I just have to make it through classes first. Like that isn’t exhausting all on its own. Then, I’ll have the fantastic company that is my parents. The same parents who keep fucking me over.

Using my magic, I lazily put my uniform on before fixing my makeup and letting my hair fall in loose tendrils down my spine. No amount of magic can make the ache on your scalp go away from tying your hair too tight, so I’m going to have to deal with the irritation of it being around my face today.

I step into the lounge with my backpack slung over my shoulder to find my men patiently waiting. None of them are distracted, though. They’re all leaning against the back of the sofa with their gazes fixed on where I’m standing. The way Zane’s eyebrows have risen so high in surprise has me shuffling nervously from foot to foot.

“What’s going on?” I blurt when I can’t take it anymore.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Eldon states, rubbing at the back of his neck, and I roll my eyes.

“I mean, those looks on your faces.” I wave my hands at them with a pointed glare and it’s Creed who relents first.

“Well, we thought it might be a nice idea later, when we go dress shopping, to get some food while we’re out.”

My eyes widen in surprise. Of all the things I thought he was going to say, that wasn’t one of them. “Oh, okay.”

“Like a date,” Eldon clarifies, making my chest swell with a mixture of surprise and excitement.

“A date,” I repeat like a damn fool as Brax pushes off the back of the sofa to take a step toward me.

“Yeah.” He comes to a stop in front of me and I eagerly nod.

“Sounds good.”

A smirk spreads across his face, replacing his usual scowl for a whole five seconds. “Perfect.” He cups my chin, my next breath lodging in my throat. “Let’s get these lessons over with for the day so we can get to the good stuff, yeah?” I fail to nod again as he presses his lips to mine in a deep kiss that has my toes curling in my academy-issued shoes.

All too quickly, he’s gone, but the space he vacates is quickly replaced by Creed. He shakes his hair out of his eyes as he cups my opposite cheek, capturing my mouth in a sensual kiss that makes my temperature skyrocket. He pulls away far too soon, leaving me lightheaded as he smirks at me.

Eldon and Zane shove at each other to try and get to me next and I wind up sandwiched between them, Eldon at my front and Zane plastered to my back. Both of their lips pepper over my face and my hands clench the front of Eldon’s blazer as a groan slips from my mouth.

“Okay, fuckers. Let’s get going before we’re late,” Creed orders, but neither of them moves, making me pant between them. I’m ready to screw it all and stay here. I want to come apart in their grasp. Desperately.

“Soon, Dove,” Zane whispers against my ear as if hearing my thoughts. His fingers flex at my waist, coiling the need inside of me even tighter before he disappears, Eldon too. Leaving me to helplessly and hopelessly gather myself, the promise of a date hanging in the air between us.

* * *

The sky is stilldark outside, not a glimmer of sun peeking through the gloom, and it feels like a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders. I can’t shift the feeling it gives me and that just frustrates me more. Maybe I didn’t realize how much I’ve come to rely on the sunshine to perk me up since I got here. The sky is a reminder of Shadowmoor and the thought of it twists my gut.

We’ve been lucky enough to avoid Erikel and his students all morning, but I know it’s not going to last. I don’t have good luck like that. I tend to get the, yay, you’re not dead yet kind of luck. Awkward and uncomfortable situations follow me around like an omen or something.

“What are you thinking about?” Eldon nudges my shoulder with his as I take another bite of my lunch.

“Nothing specifically, just basking in the gloom,” I admit, and he tuts.

“Nope, not on my watch. My little bird needs to keep her head clear. If we choose to let all of this shit weigh us down, we’ll have no chance of surviving, nevermind succeeding.” He cocks his brow and I roll my eyes at him.

I hate it when he’s right. I hate it even more when he’s smug about it. So, instead of responding, I stuff my mouth with the last forkful of risotto on my plate, but he already knows he’s won.

“Are we going to see if we can catch Lyra now, before lunch ends?” Creed asks from across the table, and I nod, mentally ready to tick it off my list of shit to do today.

“Everything okay?” Leila asks, concern wrinkling her brows as she glances at me.

“Yeah, I just have some more questions about the compound and I’m hoping she might be able to offer some insight. Then, if not, the next person to speak to is Figgins. I just get the feeling she’s going to be the hardest to speak to about it since she seems to run it.”

“Good idea. Need me to come?” she offers, but before I can respond, her father calls her name with an air of urgency. Glancing around the room in a panic, I spot him by the double doors at the other end of the hall. I point him out to Leila and she quickly rises to her feet. “Nevermind, sorry,” she murmurs, grabbing her backpack and racing toward him.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to thank her for offering, but she’s already gone.

“I wonder what that’s about,” Zane muses, turning back to face me, and I shrug.

“Since she didn’t look worried, I’m going to leave her to it and not add anything else to my plate right now,” I admit, and Zane nods in understanding.

“Good plan.” I look at Brax, who is observing me over the rim of his glass, but he doesn’t say anything else and neither do I. The second he places the glass on the table, the five of us stand without uttering a single word. Sometimes, it’s weird how naturally in sync we are, but I think that’s because I’ve never felt anything even remotely like this before.

Brax steps in front, marching through the dining hall like a man on a mission, and I rush to keep up with him, with Creed and Eldon at my side and Zane a step behind me. I scan the room, watching for Genie and any bullshit she may try to throw at me, but I don’t see her. Or Sebastian, for that matter. Maybe they’re off entertaining each other, but I quickly tamp down that thought as a sliver of bile threatens to fill my mouth.

The crowd of students in the hallway is small since most are still in the dining hall, and by the time we reach the main entrance, there’s no one around at all. Let’s hope that means Lyra isn’t too busy.

I frown as I approach the door to her office, noting that it’s sitting slightly ajar. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it like that. It’s always closed. I still raise my hand to knock, not wanting to show up to ask for a favor, only to piss her off before I even get started. But before my knuckles hit the wood, Brax catches my wrist. Turning my scowl his way, he shakes his head and taps his ear with his free hand.

Listen, he mouths, and I strain my ears to hear over my thundering heart as he slowly releases my hand.

“Excellent. This is exactly what we needed.”

“Of course.”

Two people are talking on the other side, two familiar voices, but neither of them belonging to Lyra. I think… is that…

“Sebastian,” Creed whispers in my ear, adrenaline coursing through my veins. It is, but who is he speaking to?

“Everything is in place. The plan is foolproof. Now we must all play our parts, son, and the rest will fall exactly as it should.” Son? But that doesn’t sound like my father.

Glancing over my shoulder, I come face to face with Zane, who mouths the one word I was really hoping he wouldn’t.

Erikel.

I should have fucking known my brother was up to no good. My hands clench at my sides and my nostrils flare with anger.

“And the other thing we discussed?” Sebastian asks, making me strain even more as I lean closer to the door.

“All set. I told you; get me in here and there will be endless power at your feet. I’m a man of my word.”

My jaw goes slack with horror as the realization hits me hard. Sebastian. He let them in? How? And, more importantly, why? What is this all about?

“Good, but remember, my father mustn’t know,” Sebastian insists, eradicating the next question on my tongue. If Sebastian is involved with this man, then I was sure Abel would be too, but he can’t be.

What the hell is Sebastian up to?

I’m ready to barge through the door and demand answers, but hands suddenly grab my waist and lift me off the floor. “Not now, Shadow. Not yet,” Brax breathes, taking a step back from the door, then another, and another.

I want to fight him, kick and scream, demand he put me the fuck down, but deep down, I know he’s right. Even if I don’t want him to be.

Fuck.

He doesn’t release me until we’re around the corner, the presence of other students acting as a buffer for him as my feet touch the floor.

“Don’t be mad at him, Dove.” I glance at Zane and exhale heavily.

“I’m not mad at any of you guys, and I know Brax did the right thing.” I swipe a hand down my face. “I’m mad that Sebastian would have the fucking audacity to do that. I’m mad that I don’t have any answers for what he’s doing or why, but most of all, I’m mad that I’m related to him. His blood runs through my veins, too, and it infuriates me.” My chest harshly rises with every breath and I can’t contain it.

Instead of going to Lyra to hopefully get some answers, I’ve ended up with more questions. This is the story of my fucking life.

A bell chimes in the distance and everyone starts moving around us, heading to their next class, and I reluctantly fall into step with them. I’m done with today.

Trudging to Fitch’s class, I’m ready to be in my fitness clothes and training so I can burn off some of this excess energy, but to my surprise, when we get there, he’s directing everyone into a classroom.

Leila is already in her spot and I take the seat beside her, dropping my bag to the floor with a thud.

“Any luck with Lyra?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“She wasn’t there,” I explain before pointing at the door. “How come we’re in here today?”

She grimaces. “That’s why my father called for me. He didn’t want them to get a view of our training, so it’s class work.” She nods to the far left of the classroom and I turn with a frown, which deepens when Erikel and his students come into view.

Fuck. My. Life.