34. Raven

RAVEN

My fingers glide over the black, shimmering rhinestones and crystals that cover my dress. A shiver runs down my spine and my core clenches at the memory of the last time I wore it. Does it really count as wearing it if I tried it on for a brief moment before my men shattered my body and wrung me dry?

This time, at least, I’ll be wearing the ensemble for a little while longer. I’ve opted to wear a pair of black peep-toe heels, smokey eye makeup with a deep red lipstick, and my hair braided back into a chignon with a few loose tendrils framing my face.

The store also had a matching black rhinestone purse, which I snatched up. Not that I made eye contact with the girl as she recommended it; I was too busy riding the afterglow wave and I didn’t want to spoil my fun by worrying if she heard or not.

A knock sounds from my bedroom door, and before I can answer, it swings open and Zane peeks his head around the frame. His hazel eyes pierce mine and his tongue slips out as he takes me in.

“Fuck, Raven.”

Slowly walking toward him, I smile. “If you’re offering for us to stay here and do that instead, I’m all in.”

“I wish,” he mutters, opening the door further as I approach. “But my father already reached out through the shell to make sure I was on my way.”

“Shell?”

“Yeah, the emergency communication,” he explains, pointing over his shoulder like that explains it all. “Weren’t you given one too?”

I frown, thinking back to when I got here, but I definitely don’t recall being given one. Is Abel a member of The Monarchy? Technically, but he’s not a Monarch. All I got was a spoonful of my father’s bullshit followed by an envelope from Lyra with my new life inside it. But I remember tipping the contents of that out too and there was nothing there.

“Um, no. I don’t think so.” I wave him off at the same time Eldon hollers my name from the lounge.

“Ready?” he asks when I come into view, and I shake my head.

“No, do you want to stay here with me instead?” I pout, hoping it will work, but the second he shakes his head at me, I know I’m not getting out of this.

“Come on. Let’s go. The quicker we get there—”

“The quicker we can leave. I know,” I interrupt with an eye roll, and he reaches for my hand, halting me in place before I can make it to the door.

“What I was going to say was the quicker we get there, the quicker we can say goodbye to these unwanted guests and come home so I can fuck you straight into next week. Sound good?” His thumb runs over my knuckles, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now, get that hot ass in the carriage. I want every fucker there tonight to know that you’re ours. Well, mine at least,” he adjusts with a grin as he grips my hand tighter and leads me to the waiting carriage.

Brax is already outside, his strong, wide frame outlined by the limited moonlight. Creed rushes out a step behind us, along with Zane, and it’s not until we’re all seated in the carriage that I realize they’re all wearing the exact same outfit: black suits with crisp white shirts, black ties, and black shoes.

It’s crazy how they can all wear the same thing yet look completely different. Brax still looks like he’s about to unalive someone. He’ll just look delicious as he does it. Zane looks like he’s about to address a damn nation, while Eldon looks one smirk away from dropping every girl’s panties in all his playboy glory. Creed, on the other hand, looks deep in thought, like the words to a fairytale or folklore song are being crafted in his beautiful mind.

I’m lost in my appreciation for my men as we travel, arriving at the main academy building all too soon, and I instantly regret not pep-talking myself on the way here instead of ogling the goodies on display.

Brax exits the carriage first, offering me his hand as he steps out, which I take with a murmured thanks.

“I’m nervous about my parents being here,” I add without prompt, but I feel like if I don’t say it, it will be left building inside of my chest before I eventually explode.

“They are,” Zane responds before Brax can even turn to look at me. A stone hits hard in my gut and my nerves turn to all-out anxiety.

“How do you know?”

“When my father called, he mentioned that he ensured we’ve all been put at an extended table. Together.”

“We?”

“All of us,” Brax clarifies, his hand still clutching mine as we follow the trail of other guests into the venue. I think this is the most public display of affection he’s shown me that doesn’t involve beating someone. I don’t want to spook him, so I keep my lips shut as I look up at him, waiting for him to explain. “And our parents. It will be one big happy time.” His amusement at the situation is at a zero and I’m right there with him. But if Rhys is there, I’ll feel a little safer, I’m sure.

The crowd proceeds inside until we appear at the same double doors that lead to the ballroom where the last event was held. I’m still undecided on whether the events here are a good idea. The last time I was inside these four walls, I was definitely overwhelmed by my parents and brother, but once we got out of here… that ended up being a night of a lot of firsts between me and my men.

If that’s the same selection on the menu tonight, then maybe an hour or so with unwanted family members might be bearable.

“Did your father know if Burton will be here?” I ask, and Zane shakes his head. We should assume he’ll be here, but since he’s been completely absent the past few days, we can’t be certain.

“We can only assume, but there hasn’t been anything mentioned.”

After hearing Sebastian’s conversation with Erikel, or the little we did, at least, we’ve been searching for Burton ever since. I haven’t heard or seen Lyra either, which has me even more concerned. I’ve even spoken to Fitch, but still, there’s been nothing. I just couldn’t bring myself to give the details to him. I don’t know why. I want to see Burton. No one else will do unless he doesn’t show up today, then we’re going to need options. Like Rhys, he’ll help us.

I hope.

Speaking of the man, it’s like he heard his name in my thoughts and summoned himself. He’s waiting by the doors, talking with two men and a woman I haven’t seen before, but they look to be hanging from his every word. I have to remember this man is very high up within The Monarchy, highly regarded, and a big influence. It’s weird that he’s all of those things while also being Zane’s father and my most recent savior when my parents were being… themselves.

Maybe tonight might work out well for me to have a moment alone with my mother to understand her side of things. She clearly wasn’t happy with what Abel was doing, but why wasn’t she openly stopping it? What don’t I know? What can’t I see?

“Raven… are you okay?” Rhys’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I hadn’t realized I’d zoned out. I hadn’t even paid attention to the fact that we stopped.

“I’m fine, sorry. I’m all up in here when I should be more alert,” I admit, tapping my temple, and an understanding smile spreads across his face.

“It’s understandable. Do you all want to follow me?” He takes off, side by side with Zane, without another word, and I squeeze Brax’s hand tighter for support. Creed steps up to my free side, placing his hand on the small of my back while I feel Eldon’s presence right behind me.

I spot the table from a mile away and internally cringe. It looks huge and obnoxious in the center of the room, right between the podium that’s been set up and the entry doors. It’s like everyone else’s seats have been placed around it. It’s commandeering the whole room and it’s all my fault with my batshit crazy parents and their drama forcing Rhys to take these measures.

My mother notices me first, her smile spreading from cheek to cheek when she sees me. She’s up from her seat and darting the remaining steps between us in the blink of an eye, enveloping me in her arms a moment later.

Her hold is so tight, I’m short of breath, and I find myself hugging her back just as strongly as a weight is lifted from my shoulders.

“My darling girl,” she breathes against the side of my head, rocking me slightly from side to side.

“Mama,” I whisper, hating that I still lean on her despite everything she’s kept from me, all the secrets she’s been hiding. But no matter what, her arms are always comforting, and that must mean something, I’m sure.

Leaning back, she glances from Brax to Creed then over my shoulder to Eldon with a smile. “I’ve been hearing a lot about everything going on. Even Professor Burton came by. He mentioned you have a familiar, Raven. A familiar! That's amazing, and a griffin no less. Unbelievable. How are they?”

“He’s great, thank you.” As much as he’s not all that great, I don’t want to get sidetracked with another one of my issues when she holds the secrets to another. “We must talk, Mama. There’s so much I don’t understand.”

She cups my cheek, a sadness darkening her eyes as she nods softly. “Soon, my love. For now, let’s be the fake-ass chirpy Hendrixes, agreed?”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Did you just say fake-ass, because that’s… are you even my mother?” Her chuckle wraps around me, warming my heart. By soon, I hope she means tonight because I can’t keep waiting. I try to clarify that fact with her, but she’s already dragging me toward the table.

Glancing over my shoulder, I find Brax, Creed, and Eldon all staring at me with concern etched into their features. I force a smile, but it does nothing to their stance as they reluctantly follow after us, greeting their own families.

I startle when my mother pulls out the seat between her and Abel, nudging me to take it. My nostrils flare with annoyance as I do, my father’s presence on my left stiffening my spine, but if he notices, he doesn’t seem to care.

“Raven, how are you?” I turn to him with a stone face, which makes his smile spread wider. “Professor Burton was talking about how you have a familiar now. A—”

“Griffin, yeah, I’m aware. What should I expect from you with regard to that? Are you going to steal him? Hurt him? Use him as a weapon?” I cock my brow, not wanting to deal with his bullshit, and for once, the smile on his face slips.

“Raven, that’s not what—”

“That’s not what, Papa?” I bite, not caring that I’m cutting him off after everything.

He sighs heavily, leaning back in his seat with a hint of defeat slumping his shoulders forward, and that’s when I remember Sebastian is sitting on the other side of him. My pointed stare turns into a glare that he returns. Good. The feeling’s mutual.

“Raven, dear, how are you? I told Rhys that we wanted to be close to you so we could chat, but it seems men don’t really listen,” Eldon’s mother says with a chuckle as the chatter around us gets louder. “We really must plan a ladies’ day. The three of us. Me, you, and Evangeline. It’s been too long.”

That… actually sounds like a good idea. My mother alone with no interruptions or unwanted listeners? Yes, please.

“Count me in,” I reply, smiling wide as servers approach the table offering out drinks. Glancing around the room, I try to see if I can spot Burton. Both of my parents have mentioned him and I would really like to discuss the fact that Sebastian was meeting with Erikel in secret.

“Have you had much interaction with the leader from the Basilica Realm?” my father asks, his voice lower than usual, and I whip around to face him, expecting him to be deep in conversation with Sebastian, but to my surprise, it’s me he’s looking at.

My eyebrows pinch in confusion, but as much as I don’t want anything to do with this man, intrigue forbids me from stopping the conversation. “Erikel?” I clarify, just to be sure, and he nods.

“Very little. He was in one of my classes the other day, but otherwise, only at the gathering announcing his arrival.” I let the fact sink in, and I’m sure I’m seeing things when I see him sigh in what looks like relief. Surely not. “Why?”

“Why what?” he asks. The shutters quickly fall back into place on his face and I sense Sebastian looking between us.

“Why would you ask that?”

“No reason,” he murmurs, reaching for the glass in front of him. It’s a murky brown color and strong if the grimace on his face is anything to go by.

If he’s going to try and leave me in the dark, I can direct the conversation elsewhere if necessary. “What about you, Sebastian? Any interactions with the Basilica guests?”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a sneer, like he would love nothing more than to set me on fire, but instead, he attempts to be civil. “None. Why would I waste my time with lowlifes like that?”

“Sebastian, you mustn’t say that,” Mama interjects, and he glares.

“You lost the right to tell me what must and mustn’t be said a long time ago,” he grunts, snatching the glass from Papa’s hands and downing the rest himself.

Well, this is going to be an eventful night. I’m sure of it.

Glancing around the table with wide eyes, I send silent, pleading looks to each of the Bishops sitting around the obnoxious space, watching my family drama unfold. I might be asking for whatever was in my father’s glass at this rate.

“Good evening, everyone.” My head spins to the podium where Professor Burton stands. “Before the food is served, I wanted to say a few words.” The room goes quiet, all of the chatter around us coming to a stop as he holds everyone’s attention. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, we are gathered this evening to celebrate our surprise guests from the Basilica Realm. Erikel, Ruler of the Basilica Realm, and a select few of his students from Shadowgrim Institute.” He continues on about how fabulous it’s been to entertain them all week and I start to drown him out when my focus shifts to my father, who seems to be leaning incredibly close to me.

“Raven,” he mumbles under his breath, making me freeze. Of course, he chooses this moment to throw something at me, I should have fucking known. “Raven,” he repeats when I don’t give him attention quick enough or acknowledge his existence.

Desperate to get him to shut up, I glare at him out of the corner of my eye, enough for him to see the deathly stare. “What?” I hiss, my body locked and ready for whatever crap he’s going to throw at me.

He leans in closer, pausing a beat before he speaks. “Just know that for every ounce you hate me, I love you ten times more.”

Just… what?

I frown, my pulse ringing in my ears as I turn to face him head-on, but he’s focused on the podium. My mother taps my thigh, trying to get my attention, but I’m stuck in place.

Why did he say that?

What the fuck does that mean?

My breath comes in short, sharp bursts as I begrudgingly turn back to the podium in time to see Erikel approach Burton. “Please, a few words from our guest of honor,” Burton insists, taking a step back to give him all of the spotlight.

“Thank you so much for having us,” Erikel says with a rasp, like the words taste wrong on his tongue as he spits them out. “Coming to Silvercrest Academy has been a dream for far too long, but I’m pleased that after all this time, I’m here.” His gaze scans the room, committing each and every person to memory. “But, it’s with mournful news that I have to announce the gem that is Silvercrest Academy, and its surrounding city, will no longer stand so tall and bright among the darkness.”

I sit straight and stiff in my seat, hanging off of his every word. Each of my men glance my way from across the table, uncertainty and confusion flickering in their eyes as it does in mine.

“I’m sorry, Erikel. Whatever do you mean?” Burton asks, politely stepping forward with a light chuckle. A glint of silver flashes between him and Erikel and a moment later, Burton screams in agony.

We watch in horror as Professor Burton’s blood runs crimson down the blade as he falls forward, the sword slicing through him even more as gasps and screams ring throughout the room.

I’m on my feet before I even realize it, kicking my heels off without a passing thought, but when I get both feet on the ground, I’m suddenly locked in place, unable to move.

Panic kicks in as I stare at a manic Erikel, laughing down at his victim before turning his attention to his audience.

“Friendly visits are for friends. I am not, nor will I ever be, a friend, companion, or ally of the Elevin Realm.” I try to take a deep breath as his words unravel. Whatever lies he’s twisted up in are rushing to fill the room now, to his delight. “The only reason we’re here is for control and power. A war, if necessary.” His cloak drops to the floor, spilling over Burton with complete disregard, to reveal the same outfit underneath that his students are also wearing.

Arms out wide, he takes a deep breath and hollers at the top of his lungs; at the same time, the magic holding me in place is lifted. “Bring in the Battalions!”

Doors crash open with a boom from behind as hysteria echoes around us. Soldiers storm the room, led by a giant of a man dressed in golden armor with copper and crimson stains. Black eyes consume the room, instilling fear into every person present. Every person but one.

I know those eyes. I know them without a doubt. Gasping over my shoulder, I seek out my quiet and observant love as one word passes his lips.

“Father?”