20. Zane

TWENTY

ZANE

Warmth cascades over my right side and my fingers splay out over soft skin. Peeling my eyes open, I find a mess of pink and black hair draped over my shoulder, an arm sprawled over my chest, and a delicate thigh hooked over me.

Raven.

Fucking, Raven.

Peace at last. A feeling I wasn’t sure I would ever experience again, and now here it is. Reality rears its ugly head, reminding me that the battle isn’t over. The war technically hasn’t even begun.

Glancing across the rest of the ridiculously big bed, I spot Eldon pressed against Raven’s back and Creed stretched out on the other side of him. Brax, however, is nowhere to be seen. He could possibly be with his parents, but for now, while I’m reaping the rewards of Raven’s slumber, I’m going to assume that he’s okay.

As if sensing my thoughts, the bedroom door swings open and the grumpy gargoyle fills the open space. His eyes fall on Raven first, tracing over her from head to toe before they settle on me.

“Come,” he grunts, waving me toward him, but I shake my head.

“Why would I want to leave my spot?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. I’m sure he would be asking the same thing if our roles were reversed, but the situation isn’t the other way around, so all I get is one of his signature deathly glares.

It seems time hasn’t changed this asshole’s consistent rough demeanor, but I try to give him the benefit of the doubt since he’s taken such good care of our girl.

“Just move your lazy ass,” he snips, and I shake my head.

Fucker.

“Listen, I don’t give a shit what you want or need me for. I’m not leaving⁠—”

“I’ll come too,” Raven murmurs, interrupting what would surely have led to an argument. Any irritation with the asshole is quickly forgotten as I turn to glance down at her with a smile.

Pressing my lips against her temple, I tighten my arm around her shoulders and bask in her presence for a second longer.

“We can just pretend to be asleep and he might leave us alone,” I offer, earning a chuckle from my dove as Eldon and Creed stir awake.

“The look on his face tells me we’re not getting out of this one. Let’s go,” she states, kissing my cheek before shuffling to the end of the bed.

I fold my arms behind my head, happy to watch her as she prances across the room, heading for the bathroom. The door closes behind her with an effective thud, leaving me to pout.

“What’s up, man?” I ask, and Brax just rolls his eyes at me.

It seems I’m going to have to go and see for myself.

Standing, I use my magic to dress in a pair of sweatpants and a fitted tee, just in time for Raven to step back out in a similar outfit, but she looks way fucking hotter.

I watch her in awe, from the loose tendrils of hair that frame her face to the cuffs of her sweatpants. This woman. This fucking woman.

“You’re wasting time,” Brax grumbles, opening the bedroom door wide, interrupting my appreciation of her again.

I sigh, slapping my hands at my sides. I’m aware I probably look like a cranky toddler, but I don’t care. “What time? You’re not sharing anything.”

“Zane?”

I still, the familiar voice traveling up the stairs, catching me by surprise. I glance at Raven first, and the small lilt to the corner of her mouth confirms it belongs to who I think it does.

Rushing down the stairs, my heart hammers in my chest as my father comes into view. The peppered hair at his temples looks more gray than usual, and the bags under his eyes weren’t there the last time I saw him.

Fuck.

“Pops,” I breathe, launching myself at him.

He envelops me in his arms and I squeeze him back, thankful to be able to see my father in the flesh again. We rock from side to side for what feels like forever until I finally lean back.

“It’s so good to see you again, son. It’s so good to see all of you,” he breathes, patting my shoulder as he glances at the others too.

Everybody joins us at the bottom of the stairs, where we’re then led into the kitchen and hot cocoa awaits us. My father’s hand remains on my shoulder as we take our seats. His presence makes up for the fact that Creed and Brax bundle Raven between them.

“There’s so much to discuss,” Marieta says, getting comfortable in her chair.

My father nods in agreement. “I’ve missed you both dearly. You’re right. There’s a lot for us to go over, but for now, let’s focus on the main points before I’m called away,” he insists, patting my shoulder one final time before reaching for his mug.

Raven and my father, both with me, completing me in a way I can’t explain. It’s everything.

“What have I missed with you?” I ask, intrigued.

The disappointment flares in his eyes as he turns to me. “We believe Erikel has a connection within The Monarchy. I’m trying to root them out.”

“Burton,” I correct, and his eyes widen.

“It’s confirmed? We know it’s Burton?” he asks, sitting taller.

Burton, Erikel…

Erikel, Burton…

It’s giving me a fucking headache.

“Yes.”

“It’s definitely intertwined,” he insists. “Everyone I’m in close contact with is trying to act on the students’ behalf, desperate to bring them to safety, but something or someone is holding back on pulling the trigger.”

My hands clench in my lap, anger creeping up my spine. Of course there is. Nothing is ever easy or simple in this damn life.

“We need to figure it out. I want nothing more than for this bullshit to be over. I’m done with this war and it hasn’t even started yet,” I grumble, and my father nods knowingly.

“I agree. I did mention my concern about someone to Brax and Raven the other day, but I’m sure you guys have been through a lot. I want you to be cautious of Grave Richardson.”

As we take in the information, my eyes widen along with Creed’s and Eldon’s.

“Sorry,” Raven murmurs, wincing at the fact that she hadn’t passed the information on. But my father was right; we’ve had enough going on already. I’m sure there are other things we haven’t discussed yet.

I shake my head at her, the apology not necessary, as a beeping sound comes from my father’s suit jacket. He frowns as he digs it out, instantly rising to his feet after he’s glanced over the words.

“What’s going on?” I ask, following suit.

My father’s eyes fall to Raven’s instead of mine. “I have to leave. I’ve just received word that your father has managed to break free.”

Raven’s hand falls to her chest as she gapes at him, nodding dumbly while panic dances in her pretty eyes. “Of course,” she murmurs, wiping her hands nervously down her thighs as she stands.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay,” he continues, looking at me. He takes my hand, pulling me in for a half hug as he pats my back, swiftly moving around the table to embrace the others, including Marieta and Peta.

“Thank you for coming, Rhys. I can’t wait to catch each other up to speed,” Peta says with a tired smile before my father comes to a stop in front of Raven.

“I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this,” she breathes.

“Don’t apologize. Especially when you brought my boy back to me,” he replies, bundling her in his arms for a beat longer than the others. “Are you going to return to the academy?” he asks, glancing over each of us.

“I think we have to,” Raven states, wriggling her fingers at her sides. “He’s only going to hunt me down otherwise. It’s the how we need to figure out, along with explaining where these guys have been,” she adds, tension rising in the room.

“If you need me, you know how to reach me. Stay in contact,” he insists, heading toward the door, but he doesn’t step over the threshold before he spins, pointing a finger at Brax and Eldon. “Oh, and you two better be prepared for Eldon’s mother’s wrath. I’ve kept her up to date, so she knows you’re safe, but she said that’s only until she gets her hands on you.” He winks before sauntering out the door as the pair of them groan in sync.

“Ah, shit.”

The familiar settingof the Gauntlet arena comes into view as I dust off my pants. It feels odd as fuck to be back here, of all places, but not as weird as slipping through the gateway that leads here. The compound was derelict, with no magical creatures in sight, but it feels more eerily quiet here.

The dim sky outside reminds me of how tainted Silvercrest Academy is becoming. Strange colors loom above, reminding us of the darkness that threatens to destroy us. The gloomy vibe only worsens in here, shadows casting over the stone steps as tiny dust particles float in the air.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here. It’s giving me the creeps,” Eldon grumbles like we haven’t just been surviving in the fucking Realm of Shadows.

I smirk, rolling my eyes, but the smart comment on the tip of my tongue is cut short when Raven slips through the gateway, quickly followed by Brax. Everywhere she goes, she takes my attention with her. There was no denying it before. Now, it’s even worse.

Being here again, not just at the academy but at the Gauntlet specifically, resonates deep inside of me. It’s like we’re here for the first time again, facing the sirens. My heart clenched when she was in there, leaving me helpless and rendered useless. It was in that moment, though, in what feels like forever ago, that I saw her transition before my eyes, revealing the survivor beneath the harsh exterior she put out as a defense to hide behind.

That was then. Her survival instincts have only increased since, as much as I wish they hadn’t. But along with that has come more confidence, more power, and a truer understanding of what she’s capable of and what she’s destined to achieve.

Being at her side through all of this is the greatest honor.

“Are you okay?” she asks, waving her hand in front of my face, and I shake my head, quickly realizing that I zoned out.

“I’ll be better with you under my arm,” I reply with a wink. Even though she rolls her eyes at me, she relents and slips beneath my arm with a contented sigh.

Eldon is already waiting at the steps, ready to get the fuck out of here, and once I start toward him with Raven at my side, Creed and Brax follow.

It doesn’t seem to get any brighter as we step outside, taking the path back to our house. We’re more alert, that’s for sure, but as we bypass the academy building and head down the quieter walkways to the houses, we don’t come across anyone.

Odd.

Although, it’s been a minute since I’ve been here. This could be the new normal now, I don’t know, but the frown pinching between Raven’s eyebrows tells me she seems surprised too.

“How are we going to explain how you got out and the five of us returned?” Creed asks when we don’t come across anyone, and Raven shrugs.

“I’m just going to go with the shadows.”

Brax’s pace quickens and he appears a moment later on her other side. “Then he’ll think you can control them.”

Apparently, that’s not something we want.

“I can’t think of another reason, can you?” Raven replies, lips twisting in thought, and the grumpy asshole shakes his head.

“There’s potential that the three of us could hide out at the house,” I offer, glancing down at my dove to see her frown even deeper.

“We are not hiding,” Eldon states, glancing back over his shoulder. “Raven needs all of us around her at all times. If that means we have to come up with some bullshit reasoning, then so be it.” There’s not a single ounce of doubt or question in his tone. He means every word, and hearing them solidifies my agreement.

At least I put an alternative offer out there.

“Besides, we’re not unseen,” Creed mutters from behind, but I don’t turn back. My gaze whips up and I see three people in the distance, one of whom is Sebastian.

My spine stiffens, my anger bubbling to the surface.

He may have helped Raven free us, but the promise she had to offer in response pisses me off.

To my surprise, he seems to lock eyes with each of us for a split second before settling on Raven. A look passes between them and he nods, as if confirming he held up his end of the bargain. Then he distracts the other two students with him and they continue in the direction they were heading.

We move the rest of the way in silence, Sebasitan’s presence seemingly leaving us all to fester in our thoughts until we turn down the path to our home. The familiarity of it doesn’t offer any sense of comfort, not that it ever truly did, but it feels even more foreign now.

Eldon unlocks the door and swings it open with a grunt but comes to a stop before stepping over the threshold. Tension heightens around us as we peer over his shoulder and understanding quickly takes over.

The place is trashed.

T-R-A-S-H-E-D.

I drop my arm from around Raven and step past Eldon to enter the lounge. The sofas are tipped, the coffee table is upended in the kitchen area, and the dining table and chairs are scattered across the garden with broken glass from the patio cascaded over them.

Someone seems to have had a good time at our expense.

“I’m going to assume you didn’t leave it like this,” I murmur, glancing over my shoulder to see everyone else stepping inside.

Brax and Raven can’t even summon a response that reconfirms my thoughts.

“Shit,” Raven gasps, hand flying to her chest as her eyes grow wider. My veins pulse with adrenaline, ready to act on whatever has her worked up. “The emerald gate,” she chokes out, and Brax is bounding across the mess toward Creed’s room before she can move.

The door slams against the wall as he whirls inside, but a moment later he’s in the doorway shaking his head. “Gone.”

“Would it still remain if…” My words trail off and Raven’s jaw falls slack.

“It’s likely gone, but do you think they could have found it?” she asks, and Creed steps up beside her shaking his head.

“It disappeared between us at the cave because it didn’t feel safe. If someone was coming here with bad intentions, I don’t believe the gate would have stayed here,” he insists.

“Someone is going to pay for this,” Brax bites, hands fisted at his sides.

There’s a lot of shit that needs repaying at this stage, and I’m more than eager to get started on that list.

“What do we do now?” Eldon asks, waving his hands around, and I take a deep breath, my mind, body, and soul settling on what’s to come next.

“We tidy this place up, rest, eat, and prepare, because come tomorrow, mayhem begins.”