7. Raven

SEVEN

RAVEN

Fitch parts the sea of students remaining, not bothering to glance back to see if I’m following. He knows I will, even though I know with certainty that my parents aren’t awaiting me.

I don’t have to say a word to Brax. He’s at my side, so pretending to want to face whatever awaits me alone is pointless. He’s never going to leave my side. This morning proved that.

He slugged those fuckers effortlessly, and I’m not embarrassed by the fact that I’d much rather be back at the house, on my knees, licking at his scuffed knuckles before I get another taste of his cock, showing my appreciation in the best way I know.

That will have to wait for now. Instead, we have the joy of discovering whatever bullshit awaits us.

I use my mind to call out to Ari, praying to hear his voice again, but nothing comes. I feel him in my gut, though. Our connection is still there, which is a relief, but I’m confused as hell with what’s changed overnight. I was hoping to ask Figgins, but she disappeared with the students when Fitch made his public declaration.

“Where are we going?” I ask, speaking a little louder than necessary, but it’s clear he’s not waiting around and I would like to pepper him with questions on our way.

He doesn’t offer a response, which pisses me off. A quick glance out of the corner of my eye at Brax reveals that he looks even more irritated than me. He grips my hand like a vice, storming toward Fitch, forcing me into a jog as I work to keep up with him.

We don’t slow until we’re in front of Fitch, and even then, he doesn’t stop, but it’s a little easier to keep in step with him.

“Where are her parents?” Brax grunts, and Fitch rolls his eyes, distaste wafting from him.

“They’re waiting in Erikel’s office,” he bites back, clearly not wanting to offer us any kind of insight.

Asshole.

“Why?” I push, refusing to relent.

“Because.”

“Because, what?” I grind out, nostrils flaring.

“I. Don’t. Know. But I’m sure you’ll find out once we’re there,” he grinds, hands clenching at his sides.

It’s no secret that Professor Fitch can be an epic ass, but this isn’t his usual approach with me or the tone he uses. It either leads back to Erikel or Leila. Thinking of the latter, I redirect my questions. He’s going to lead me to my impending doom whether I like it or not, so I may as well try to get what I can out of it.

“Where’s Leila?”

His steps falter a little as he glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “My daughter’s whereabouts are not of your concern.”

“Your daughter is my friend. I think we can both agree that the academy isn’t the safest place to be at the moment, and her welfare is important to me.” I want to add that I know he’s a scheming asshole. With or without Erikel’s magic putting him under his command, there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

He stops suddenly, forcing us to do the same as he glares at me. “My daughter has been made more than aware that she needs to avoid falling under your spell at all costs, Miss Hendrix.”

What the fuck does that mean?

“What have you done to her?” Every word vibrates in my chest as I stare deep into his storming eyes.

His chest rises and falls harshly with every breath he takes, glaring down at me like the lowly peasant from Shadowmoor I am. He parts his lips, fire raging in his eyes, ready to attempt to put me in my place, but he’s interrupted by the door beside us swinging open.

“Raven, honey.”

I freeze. I would know that voice anywhere. But how?

Turning slowly, my eyes widen when I find my father standing in the open doorway. I glance around him, startled that we are, in fact, outside of Erikel’s office, or Burton’s old office, whichever way we look at it.

The usual navy Monarchy-issued attire fits my father as perfectly as ever. Polished brown shoes don his feet and his peppered hair is swept back off his face. His eyes glisten, his smile reaching wide across his face.

“It’s been too long. Come.”

I peer up at Brax for a moment, trying to get his read on the man before us, but he gives nothing away, waiting for me to take the lead. I glare at Fitch before I step through the doorway, my back stiffening when the door closes behind us with a hard thud.

My father takes a seat on the long brown leather sofa and I take a tentative seat in the chair across from him. Brax sits beside me, dragging the chair closer to me, refusing to let go of my hand as my father leans forward, bracing his arms on his knees.

Clearing my throat, I falter under his intense stare. “Where’s Mama?”

He waves his hand, smiling even wider as he maintains eye contact.

I’m certain with all that I am that it’s Erikel beneath the façade. It’s a good one, I’ll give him that, but as much as he can look every inch of the man my father is, the mannerisms are off. Especially his attempt at using a term of endearment with me. My father has never called me honey a day in my life.

“We can talk without her for once, can’t we?” he muses, making my muscles bunch even more. We’ve talked a lot without my mother’s presence these past few months. It’s the whole reason I’m here.

I rub my lips together, unsure how to proceed. I can’t reveal the fact that I know it’s not my father, that it is, in fact, Erikel, because it’s too soon to expose him yet. A part of me also wants to know what he thinks he’s going to achieve with this little meeting.

Squeezing Brax’s hand, I steel my spine and take a seat across from the imposter before me. Brax is reluctant to release my hand, but he eventually does, dropping into the spot beside me.

“We don’t need an audience,” my father says, peering at Brax, who grunts in response as he nestles further into his seat, ignoring the dismissal.

“He stays. You know he always waits with me,” I offer, forcing a smile to my lips as my father nods, but the distaste remains. Definitely not my father. He’s met Brax once before, and it wasn’t in this kind of setting. “What brings you here without Mama?” I ask, crossing my legs as I assess him.

My heart races, but I bite it back, acting as normal as my nerve will allow.

He clears his throat, adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket. “I managed to call in a favor. I know there’s been a blocker between students and parents and I wanted to check in on you and make sure you’re alright under the circumstances.”

I can’t decide whether to try to ruffle his feathers by bad-mouthing the fuck out of Erikel to see his reaction or fall pliant like I’m sure he hopes.

“How do you think she’s coping? She’s trying to come to terms with her abilities. Abilities you subdued for so long, and before she can get a handle on them, she’s used as a tool in somebody else’s war.” Brax’s jaw tenses as he grunts his disapproval, unknowingly choosing the direction we’re going to take the situation.

My father runs his tongue over his teeth, adjusting in his seat as he glares at my gargoyle. “I did what I felt was necessary to protect my daughter. Maybe if she hadn’t grown a soft spot for you and your friends, then she would never have allowed such a wise man as Erikel to use that Wylder boy as leverage over her.”

Fucker.

Wise man, my ass.

Nobody can toot their own trumpet like Erikel. That’s not going to change now under someone else’s form.

I feel Brax’s irritation rise, pulsing around him in waves. As much as I would love to see him take this fucker to town, I know I need to take control before things go sideways.

“Well, you’ve seen I’m fine with your own eyes, Papa.” The name for him burns my tongue, but if I’m pretending, I may as well be as committed as possible. “Was there anything else you needed?”

“Raven, you haven’t answered my question.” He taps at his chin as he looks me over from head to toe. “Are you okay here?”

The brazenness of this man. He clearly wants to know my thoughts on him, like a fly on a wall in a restricted room. He’s a damn leech that won’t relent. I shrug. “I’m fine. Surviving. Just as I always have. Now is no different. With or without you, I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

I see the sparkle in his eyes, the unspoken challenge. It’s a real glimpse into the cynical eyes of our unwanted leader.

He nods, pursing his lips as he makes no effort to move. “Where is the Wylder boy? I expected to see him as well.”

Ah.

That’s what this is about.

He wants to know the whereabouts of Zane, Creed, and Eldon.

Fuck.

I should have known. He couldn’t get the information from me, so he’s willing to take the forms of others to get it. What a rookie mistake. Of all the people to glean that information from me, my father sure as shit wouldn’t be one of them.

The reality is, I have to give him something, and I only have a split second to decide.

My face falls to my open palms, shielding away from the man opposite me as I take a deep breath. A cry bursts from my mouth, croaking into a sob as I slip from my seat and crumble to my knees.

My lip wobbles, my show becoming a reality as my emotions rush to the surface. “Papa, I can’t…I can’t…you need to help me. Help us. I-I d-don’t know where they are.” I drop my hands to my lap, tilting my face up to the man posing as my father, watching as he traces the tears tracking down my face. “Erikel took us to Ashdale to…find the Potens Ruby. We separated in hopes of finding it more quickly, but they never reappeared and he made us leave before we could find them.”

My nostrils flare, willing the raw pain and tears to retract, but it’s impossible.

I’m raw. I’m vulnerable. I’m theirs. And if that means acting like this as a distraction in front of the enemy, then so be it.

My father shifts uncomfortably in his seat, toying with the tie around his neck as he frowns. “What do you mean? Everyone should have been accounted for.”

I shake my head. “They weren’t, Papa. Now I don’t know what to do. I can’t sleep. Worry plagues me. I’m sinking in a world that I’m not ready for.” I almost cringe at myself. My tears may be real, but the words coming from my mouth aren’t, and I worry I’m working it too hard.

“Raven, come,” Brax murmurs, reaching for my hand and pulling me to his side. I take the seat beside him once more, looking down at my lap. “Can you help us or not?” he adds, talking to the imposter, who doesn’t instantly respond.

I take a deep breath, and another, and another, before looking up through my lashes at him. I find my father’s eyes locked on me, his eyebrows furrowed and lips drawn tight.

Finally, he clears his throat, rising to his feet. “I’ll demand Erikel take another look around the caves,” he states, stunning me. If he hadn’t outed himself already, he did then because I only said Ashdale. I didn’t mention any caves.

Hiding the realization from my face, I swipe at my tears and stand. “Thank you, Papa. Thank you.”

He nods once. Sharp and short before storming from the room without a backward glance.

Goodbye to you too.

“What the fuck was that about?” Brax murmurs, but I shake my head, not wanting to talk in here in case we’re being watched in any way.

Turning to look at him, I squeeze my arms around his waist. His arms drape around me, holding me close as he breathes me in. “Please get me the fuck out here,” I whisper against his ear as I brace on my tiptoes.

Wordlessly, he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the door.

Back out in the corridor, we still don’t speak, putting as much distance between us and Burton’s old office as possible. When we come to a stop in front of the classroom we’re supposed to be in, I consider whether it’s worth even joining now.

As if sensing my indecision, chairs scrape across the floor and students begin to disperse and I realize the day’s first class is already over.

We weren’t gone that long, were we?

Instinctively taking a step back, we let everyone filter around us until Leila comes into view.

“Hey, where were you guys?” she asks, hooking her backpack over her shoulder. Her gaze flickers between the two of us, neither of us having an answer for her. Is she herself or another imposter? “What?” Shaking my head, I start down the corridor, Brax at my side as Leila hurries to keep up with us. “What am I missing?”

I rub my lips with uncertainty and Brax takes the lead instead. “When we were in Silvercrest High, what house were you in?”

I frown, but keep my mouth shut.

“What house?”

“Yeah, your team. Red, yellow, blue, or green? Which was yours?”

She rears her head back, clearly as confused as I am. “I was yellow, just like you. Why is that relevant right now?”

“Who was our head professor?”

Uncertainty continues to dance in her eyes as she glances at me, but I have nothing to offer, so she returns to Brax.

“Professor Wallace.”

Brax exhales, turning his attention to me. “You’re good. She’s…her.”

Bewilderment morphs into surprise as understanding washes over me.

“What does that mean?”

I wince as I turn to Leila. “It means he was making sure you weren’t someone pretending to be you.”

“Why would somebody do that?” Her steps slow, but I quickly reach out, hooking her arm with mine as I pull her along with us.

“Because that’s why we weren’t here.”

“Fuck. Are you guys okay?”

I nod, despite the swirling panic inside of me confirming that, in fact, I’m not. But that’s something for me to break down later. Not in the presence of others. I’ve already released some of my vulnerability in front of someone I didn’t want to this morning. That’s my limit and I’ve already surpassed my comfort with it.

“I’m good. Let’s get to the next class, shall we?” I offer, and even though I can see the indecision on her face, she agrees.

“Was my father okay with you?” she asks, and my nose crinkles.

“As okay as possible.” I’m quickly reminded of what he said on the way to seeing my father about how Leila now knew to keep me at arm’s length. Maybe I should still be cautious with what I divulge until I know what he meant by that. “Are you free tonight?”

“Uh, I kind of had plans with Grave, but⁠—”

“No, no. You’re good. Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is clear. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course. Is your father okay with that?” I know he’s made his feelings known. That’s why she was so sullen in the courtyard the day I pointed fingers at her, thinking it was her who revealed that The Monarchy was coming, when it was, in fact, Creed and his father.

A flash of gold passes in front of my face, as if thinking the thought made him appear. Looking up, I’m not surprised to find the crimson-stained gold armor blocking my path.

As if I need anything else today.

The three of us come to a stop, letting the other students walk around us as the golden warrior glares down at me. The sight of his eyes makes me want to scream, the familiarity of their deep color making the distance between Creed and me more and more noticeable.

“Follow me.” His grunt is an order, but Brax doesn’t move an inch, squeezing my hand tighter.

“No.” Brax sounds bored as he stares pointedly at Creed’s father.

“I’m not asking. You can continue to class,” he adds, pointing at Leila, who gapes at him like a fish out of water for a moment before turning to me.

Sighing, I smile at her. “You’re good. I’ll meet you there, okay?”

She purses her lips, searching my eyes for something. I don’t know what, but she seems to find it as she nods, joining the other students down the hallway.

The golden warrior turns for the closest exit, not glancing back to see if we’re following or not.

“Is today over yet?” Brax grunts, reluctantly following after the asshole, and I hum.

“I wish.”

We follow him outside, where it quiets, watching as he continues to the left, hovering by a shallow archway. I release Brax’s hand, folding my arms over my chest as I come to stand face to face with Creed’s father.

“Where is he?”

I roll my eyes. I’ve already been through this once today. If Erikel thought sending this fool to try and get any further details from me, he’s mistaken. Yet again, the issue is that they don’t know that we fucking know.

“Well? I said where is he?” he snaps, and Brax instantly growls.

“Watch your fucking tone.”

The two of them stare each other down, the air around us quickly becoming volatile. Sighing, I cut to the chase. “We haven’t seen him since the caves. I just told my Papa the same thing and he promised to encourage Erikel to go back and search for them.” The panic in my voice isn’t as forced this time, and I slam my lips shut, hating the way vulnerability seeps from me so easily.

His brows gather as he stares down at me. “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t care if you do or don’t. I want him home; I want all of them home. I would never willingly choose to leave him or the others anywhere. You know that. You saw what I was willing to sacrifice for him before, don’t try me now,” I grunt, beyond irritated that it’s not even lunchtime and my day is spiraling so epically.

He takes a step toward me, eradicating any remaining distance between us, but Brax manages to slip between us without touching the warrior.

“Lay a hand on her and I’ll snap your fucking fingers,” he seethes.

A slight grin of amusement drags across his face as he assesses Brax. I’m expecting him to throw his weight around and take the information from me without care, but to my surprise, he takes a step back, dragging a hand down his face instead.

“I love my son. More than anything else in this world. More than he loves you or you him. I don’t care about any of that. Just him. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe. Even from you. If I find him in any harm because of you, I’ll bury you myself.”