Cursed Shadows (Silvercrest Academy

Book 3) Kc Kean
Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebookmass.com/product/cursed-shadows-silvercrest-academy-book-3-kc-kean
/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant
download maybe you interests ...

Cursed Shadows 1 (The Dark Fae) Quinn Blackbird

https://ebookmass.com/product/cursed-shadows-1-the-dark-fae-
quinn-blackbird/

Stolen Mate (Shadow Cursed Book 3) Jessica Wayne

https://ebookmass.com/product/stolen-mate-shadow-cursed-
book-3-jessica-wayne/

The Warrior's Curse (Cursed Blood Book 3) J.D. Monroe

https://ebookmass.com/product/the-warriors-curse-cursed-blood-
book-3-j-d-monroe/

A Cursed Throne (After The Fall Book 3) D.M. Simmons

https://ebookmass.com/product/a-cursed-throne-after-the-fall-
book-3-d-m-simmons/
Vengeful (Brutal Academy Book 3) Maggie Alabaster & Jo
Bradley

https://ebookmass.com/product/vengeful-brutal-academy-
book-3-maggie-alabaster-jo-bradley/

Shadows of Timber Creek (Timber Creek Series Book 3)

S.J. Chaynie

https://ebookmass.com/product/shadows-of-timber-creek-timber-
creek-series-book-3-s-j-chaynie/

An Unkindness (Academy of the Ravens Book 3) Mazzy J.

March

https://ebookmass.com/product/an-unkindness-academy-of-the-
ravens-book-3-mazzy-j-march/

Genesis Academy Boxset: The Complete Series, Books 1-4

(Sacred Stones Universe Academy Series Book 3) Barbara
Hartzler

https://ebookmass.com/product/genesis-academy-boxset-the-
complete-series-books-1-4-sacred-stones-universe-academy-series-
book-3-barbara-hartzler/

Beautiful Ascension: Dark College Romance (Edgewood

Academy Elites Book 3) P.H. Nix

https://ebookmass.com/product/beautiful-ascension-dark-college-
romance-edgewood-academy-elites-book-3-p-h-nix/
CURSED SHADOWS

SILVERCREST ACADEMY
BOOK 3

KC KEAN
 COPYRIGHT © 2024 KC KEAN

www.authorkckean.com
Published by Featherstone Publishing Ltd
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author
acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referred to in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The
publication/use of these trademarks is not authorised, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Cover Designer - Dark Imaginarium Art

Editor - Encompass Editing Service
Proofreader - Sassi Edits
 CONTENTS

1. Raven
2. Raven
3. Raven
4. Raven
5. Creed
6. Raven
7. Raven
8. Eldon
9. Raven
10. Raven
11. Brax
12. Raven
13. Creed
14. Raven
15. Raven
16. Creed
17. Raven
18. Raven
19. Brax
20. Raven
21. Raven
22. Raven
23. Zane
24. Raven
25. Creed
26. Raven
27. Eldon
28. Raven
29. Raven
30. Raven
Afterword
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by KC KEAN
RECKLESS SOULS
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
To taking strength from within, slaying those demons, and smearing your name in their blood.
Boss bitches just got lethal.
“One day, you will see yourself how we do, and it’s going to be magnificent.”
 ONE
RAVEN

M yacross
gaze slowly shifts back and forth between two sets of onyx eyes, both framed with even blacker hair. Emotions flicker
Creed’s face with every passing second as time slows to a near stop.
Did he just say what I think he…
“Father,” he repeats, his brows furrowing as the word falls heavily from his tongue.
There it is again. I definitely heard what I thought I heard, and this man, this warrior, is exactly who I believe him to be.
How is that possible?
I gape back at the leader of the Battalions, as Erikel called them, taking in his golden armor, which is stained with crimson
and copper patterns, each patch deeper than the last.
A pained gasp rattles in my ears, audible over the rest of the academy’s panic and dismay, and I turn my gaze once more,
but this time, it’s not to check on Creed; it’s his mother. Her hand is plastered to her chest, tears tracking down her high
cheekbones and dripping from her chin without care. Her eyelids flutter across her brown pupils over and over again, like she
can’t believe what she’s seeing, no matter how long she stares.
Erikel cackles, garnering everyone’s attention once again as he spreads his arms out wide. “Excellent. It seems at least
some of you are familiar with my monster. Now, how this next part goes will determine how the rest of your… lives unravel.”
His wicked grin connects with every single person in the hall. It somehow makes the scar that runs down the right side of his
face stand out more, reminding us all of the many layers of this man we know nothing about.
Who did we let into the academy?
No, who did Sebastian let through those gates?
The whimpers and sobs of fear ebb as we wait for him to continue, but the tension and anxiety only intensify in the air
around us.
With every passing second, my pulse thuds wilder in my ears. I can feel the adrenaline in my veins, body zinging with
magic as I catch a glimpse of Professor Barton’s lifeless limbs splayed out on the floor at Erikel’s feet. Erikel’s fur cloak is
draped over him, hiding most of the blood, but it doesn’t disguise the lifeless gray hue of his eyes.
How do I help him?
It’s not a matter of if. My magic is drawn to him, desperate to heal his soul and bring him back to the land of the living. I
instinctively attempt to take a step toward him again, but my bare feet are still rooted to the floor.
Frowning down at the marble beneath my toes, I exhale slowly, trying to focus on where the magic is coming from. It’s not
as easy to see it, morph it, and play with it when my adrenaline is running so high and my heart is thundering in my chest. It’s
not giving me the usual ability to focus, hone in. Instead, I’m scattered and overwhelmed.
My nostrils flare in irritation at my lack of ability, but another sob parts Creed’s mother’s lips, garnering my attention once
again. She can’t take her eyes off the warrior at the entrance to the hall, flanked by the Amayans—the faceless men—stoking
fear into everyone’s hearts. Creed is right there with her, dripping in pain, tarnished with horror, and helpless in the face of a
reality none of us believed to be possible.
Continuing around the table, I snarl when I see a smirk teasing the corners of Sebastian’s mouth. I want to slaughter him
with my bare hands and never give him a chance to come back. He deserves to rot in whatever pit he falls in. Our parents stare
at Erikel with apprehension in their eyes and I can’t decide if it’s mixed with surprise or anticipation of knowing what’s to
follow.
Eldon stands protectively beside his mother, the frustration of also being locked in place evident on his face as his mother
squeezes his hand tight. Zane stares his father down, who remains stoic and unfazed as he waits with bated breath to see what
will come from Erikel’s mouth next. Brax, however, is plastered against my back. I don’t even know how or when he got there,
but he’s there in all of his protective glory.
 Taking a deep breath, I set my sights on Barton but speak to Brax. “I need to save him.”
“Save who?” His chest rumbles at my back, calming the rising heat of magic spreading through my veins.
“Barton.”
“It’s too much of a risk,” he grunts in response, and I shake my head as discreetly as possible, careful to make sure Erikel
isn’t watching us. But he’s too busy relishing in the fear he’s injecting into the room.
“She’s right.” My gaze slowly shifts to Rhys, who doesn’t look away from Erikel either as he interjects. Zane looks at me,
though, confused by the words from his father’s mouth.
“It’s too much of a risk,” Brax reiterates through clenched teeth.
“He’s too influential. Everything hangs in the balance if he dies tonight. All hope will be lost.”
“But they’ll know,” Brax spits, his anger warranted but rocketing far higher than my own, and it’s me we’re talking about.
Rhys finally takes his eyes off Erikel to find mine. Sympathy crinkles the corners of his eyes as his lips set in a grim line of
disappointment.
“I will save you all from death tonight if you can complete one simple task. I want someone to step forth and heal your
faithful leader, Professor Barton.” Erikel’s voice echoes around us. I know what’s coming.
Fuck.
The glint in his eyes. He knows. He fucking knows. He just doesn’t know who, exactly, can aid him.
“The buzz of a necromancer has been zinging through The Monarchy for weeks. If the fuckers from the Basilica Realm are
here for something, it’s for that reason alone,” Rhys states, sending a shiver down my spine as I feel both of my parents’ eyes
spin to me. I don’t pay them any mind, though. I keep my gaze locked on Rhys’s as my veins burn with the reality I’m now
facing.
The undertone of Erikel’s threat is clear. Either the necromancer steps forward, or people start to die. Do I want that on my
shoulders?
“You can’t heal a dead man,” someone hollers from another table, earning a thrum of murmurs of agreement along with it.
Erikel chuckles like he was waiting for such a blatant statement. We’re playing directly into his hands, just like he wants.
“I believe your statement to be true. That is, unless you’re a necromancer.”
I try not to react, but my muscles stiffen at the way the word sounds on his tongue.
“A necromancer? There is no such magic here,” someone else adds, and as much as I try to keep my chin up, it’s harder
than I expect.
“You’re wrong. My little soul dancer has until the count of ten to make a decision before the next victim feels the wrath of
my warrior.”
Fuck.
“Release the magic holding our feet, otherwise no one can help,” Rhys declares, turning his attention to Erikel with a sigh.
“Ah, The Monarchy finally speaks. How delightful. Aren’t you going to challenge me?”
“I don’t think that would be wise of me, do you? I think it’s clear to everyone here you have us at your mercy,” Rhys
replies, cocking a brow at the villainous man who sneers with his chest puffed out, pride clinging to every inch of him.
“Ten… Nine… Eight…”
He doesn’t even bother to reply to Rhys, redirecting his attention to hunting down the necromancer. Hunting me.
“Hmm, what can we do to incentivize our ultimate healer? Maybe we should bring a victim forward for our warrior to cut
down, make the situation all the more real? ” Everyone remains silent except for the sound of metal clanging along the floor as
the golden warrior steps forward. “Seven… Six… Five… Hmm, maybe we should have him kill his own son. You, step
forward,” he snarls at Creed, and a moment later, the weight holding my feet in place is lifted.
My eyes dart to Creed, who takes a tentative step forward, and I do the same, trying to stop him even though he’s farther
around the table, but Brax’s arm around my waist stops me in my tracks.
“Let me go,” I bite under my breath as Brax pins me to him.
“Who wants to see my fearsome warrior slay his own son? Four… Three…”
“Let me go right now, Brax. He’s here for me.”
“You’re right, he’s here for you, but that doesn’t mean he gets to have you.”
My breathing hollows out as panic dances over my skin, making the hairs on my arms stand on end. “I won’t let him kill
Creed.”
“Raven…” My mother’s voice cuts through the air, barely more than a whisper, but it’s enough to interrupt Brax and me.
My gaze locks with hers for the briefest of moments, an array of emotions flashing in her eyes before pain stains her pupils
to almost black.
“No takers? Have it your way, then. Stand right here for me. We want to make a show of this,” Erikel instructs Creed, who
looks directly at me as he follows the order. He shakes his head ever so slightly, but he must be confused as fuck if he thinks
I’m just going to let this happen.
I’m not a savior. I’m not a hero, and I have no intention of being one. I’m selfish. I’m greedy. But most of all, I’m in love.
With Creed. With Eldon. With Zane. With Brax. And no man, woman, nor beast is going to take what belongs to me. I will slay
every other fucker here. I don’t care. Just not them.
“It’s me.” Brax’s arm tightens as the words pass my lips, but there’s no taking them back now. Not as Erikel stares at me
with excitement, even through the hint of caution that flickers across his face. “I’m the necromancer,” I add, tilting my chin up
as I lock eyes with him.
“Are you? Or do you not want to see this boy’s blood painted across the floor?”
Shaking out of Brax’s hold, I take a step toward the podium, moving past my parents, who keep their mouths shut as
everyone’s gaze follows my every move. I don’t stop until I’m beside Creed, my hand blindly finding his through the haze.
“You’re here for me.” The words are like lead on my tongue.
“For you.” Erikel peers down at me, intrigue flashing in his dark gaze. I keep my shoulders back as I stare him down,
refusing to falter under his presence. “Show me.”
I nod. “I will, but first, I want Creed and three other men from that table safely extracted from this room.”
Erikel laughs, head tilted back as the sound echoes around the space.
“You don’t get to make demands here. You do as I say, and if I find out you’re lying, I’ll kill you for wasting my time.”
My mouth opens, ready to bite back, but Creed squeezes my fingers before I can. “You know we won’t leave, Raven. It’s a
lost cause.”
Erikel takes a step back, extending his arm in the direction of Barton as one of the students from Shadowgrim Institute steps
forward and drags the fur cloak from his body. Blood frames Professor Barton from head to toe, a thick layer outlining his limp
body, and the smell singes my nose as I cringe.
It’s too late to back out now. I either reveal myself or die for faking it. Creed releases my hand and I carefully sink to the
floor in my long, black-sequined dress. The rhinestones dig into my knees, biting into my skin, but I ignore it as I move to place
my hands on Barton’s back. Before I can touch him, the student flips him over and yanks the long blade from his body,
splattering blood across my face and arms.
“Hey,” Zane growls, and I hear a commotion coming from the table I was seated at moments ago, but I keep my gaze
focused on Barton.
Now lying on his back, his face looks gaunt and gray. I press my palm against his chest and my magic comes alive inside of
me, desperately wanting to mend the broken pieces at its touch. Against my better judgment, my eyes fall closed and the purple
orb inside of me tingles from the tips of my fingers right down to my toes.
Silhouettes dance across my vision and an inaudible murmur rings in my ears as my breath lodges in my throat. I feel warm,
like I'm basking in a soft glow on a summer morning, before it’s gone, leaving me cold and depleted.
Blinking my eyes open, I find Barton lying beside me, the color returning to his face and his chest slowly rising and falling
as his heart beats once more.
“It really is you,” Erikel murmurs in bewilderment, eyes wide as he gapes down at the professor. An evil grin spreads
across his face as elation prickles among his men, both students and his battalion. A strange level of excitement and joy at my
show of magic that doesn’t sit right with me somehow.
Not when I just laid myself bare, exposed myself to the enemy, and did exactly what I’ve been avoiding. But I would do it
all again in a heartbeat to keep Creed safe.
Erikel crouches down beside me, gripping my chin in a painful hold as he stares deep into my eyes. The chaos and noise
elevate around me, but I can’t focus on anything but the black pits of his eyes. Not a single ounce of warmth glows within him,
even his fingertips are icy cold.
“Rest up, little soul dancer. I’m going to be taking everything from you.”
 TWO
RAVEN

“O urSchool
goal here tonight has been achieved. Please, go home and rest. There’s a lot to prepare for in the coming weeks.
will continue as normal, just with a few… adjustments,” Erikel declares, releasing my chin and staring out at
the crowd.
Wait… what?
My eyebrows pinch with confusion as he steps back, his students flanking him on either side as he claps his hands together
and disappears before our very eyes. Eldon, Zane, and Brax rush to my side, dragging me to my feet, but my eyes are set on
Creed, who stands in the same spot he did earlier. His gaze is fixed on his father, Erikel’s warrior, who is staring right back at
him.
My heart beats hard in my chest as the warrior takes a moment to search out Creed’s mother, the world stopping as they
stare at one another, but it’s over too quickly as he spins on his heels and leads the rest of Erikel’s battalion back through the
double doors. The second the wood slams shut behind them all, hysteria breaks out across the room.
“We need to get out of here,” Brax grunts against my ear, his hands on my shoulders as the sea of students and their families
disperse around the room.
A grunt of pain reaches my ears and I look down to see Professor Burton lifting himself to a sitting position. He presses his
palm against his chest, where the wound that killed him had been moments ago, as a confused look takes over his face.
I don’t have the energy or patience to catch him up to speed. I saved him. Someone else can deal with this part.
Eldon’s hand finds mine and I meet his eyes with a half smile, hoping to look less overwhelmed than I am, but I know he
sees right through the attempt. Realization over what I just did is kicking in and the results of that are taking their toll on my
body.
“Raven? Raven!” Mama appears before me a second later, tears filling her eyes with worry. Her hands clasp either side of
my face as she tries to pull me in, but Eldon and Brax aren’t willing to let go. “My darling girl.” Tears fill her eyes but not a
single drop falls down her cheek.
“How long have you known?” Abel demands, appearing behind her a moment later, and I shrug. Despite his earlier bullshit
statement, which was something along the lines of, “You might hate me, but I love you more,” I still don’t trust him. Not one bit.
“Step back before I make you,” Brax bites, his hands dropping from my shoulders and grabbing at my waist as he pulls me
back against him, effectively moving me far enough away from my mother that her hands fall dramatically at her sides.
Abel rolls his eyes, silently calling his threat worthless, but he doesn’t move closer as I expect him to. Instead, he wipes
his hand down his face and glances out at the crowd as they hastily filter through the double doors.
“We should probably be doing the same,” Zane states, his shoulder brushing against mine as he steps into my right side.
“Fat chance of that,” Abel mutters, his brows furrowing as he continues to watch the mass fight over who is getting out first.
“How are we even going to get out of here? The academy is no longer safe.”
As if hearing his concerns, another parent by the doors turns and hollers, “The gateways are open. We’re free to leave, but
no students can pass through.”
The room drowns in silence for a split second before all Hell breaks loose and parents start wading their way through the
crowd faster, plotting their own escape and leaving their children here to suffer.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I shouldn’t. But for some reason, I always expect better of people. Is that my version of hope?
Clinging to the fact that people will be better, do better, try harder? Fuck if I know, but I don’t like the taste of disappointment
on my tongue either way.
“What’s going on?” Zane asks as his father appears, offering Burton a helping hand and pulling him to his feet.
“He’ll want us to spread the news but keep the students captive,” Rhys explains, making my gut clench. After what I just
revealed, that’s never going to end well for me. I know it.
 Burton scratches his head and turns to face me. Despite wanting nothing more to do with the man right now, I still can’t help
myself. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve been better,” he admits. “I’m sure I’ll get there, but you have a lot of explaining to do.”
I feel Zane, Brax, and Eldon tense at his words, which ratchets up my own nerves. But before I can respond, Rhys beats me
to it. “No, she doesn’t.”
He wraps his arm around Burton’s shoulders and steers him toward the far corner of the room without a backward glance.
My shoulders sag with relief.
“Seriously, let’s leave. Now,” Brax grunts, his hands flexing at my waist, and I nod.
“Surely there must be a way I can take you home with me,” Eldon’s mother states, appearing in front of us. “I can’t leave,
not if you can’t,” she insists, and my heart clenches. “Are you okay?” she asks, stepping around my parents to look at me.
How ironic that it’s not my own parents asking me that, but someone else’s. Despite the appreciation for her question, I
don’t have the ability to form an answer for her. There are so many concerns sitting on the tip of my tongue, but she doesn’t
need to hear them. So, instead, I settle on glossing over everything. “I’m okay.”
“Mother, you need to leave. The sooner, the better. We’ll be okay. We’ll figure this out together,” Eldon insists, releasing
my hand to envelop his mother in his arms for a brief moment. I watch her almost go limp in his arms, worry getting the better
of her, but the grip she has around him shows her strength through it all, clinging to him like her life depends on it. All while my
parents stand and watch.
“Creed,” Zane calls out, garnering his attention. He turns on the spot with his onyx eyes glossy and confused. “You need to
say goodbye to your mother, help her get home, and then we can regroup back at the house.”
He nods once, Zane’s words kicking him into action as he strides toward the table where his mother is still sitting. I don’t
hear what he says to her, but she rises to her feet a moment later with a sniffle.
“We should do the same, Evangeline,” Abel states, and my mother’s gaze cuts to mine.
“But, Raven.”
“It’s fine, you need to go. Hurry,” I insist. If she tries to stick around, I won’t be able to focus. It’s almost like I’d be taking
care of her and not the other way around, and I don’t need the responsibility of someone else right now.
Abel places a hand on the small of her back and encourages her toward the door. He doesn’t glance back at me or seek out
Sebastian. He’s just as focused on himself as he’s ever been.
“Let’s move,” Eldon orders, squeezing his mother’s arm one last time before he takes my hand again, and the five of us start
moving, bypassing the students and families hovering in the hall who are wailing for help like they don’t have magical abilities
themselves. Not that anyone actually threw them around to defend our academy—or realm, for that matter—but I guess they
must have known we didn’t stand a chance. Not with the battalion waiting at the doors too.
We’re so fucked.
“This is all your fault!” Genie appears in front of me, pointing her finger in my face as her own scrunches with ugly tear
tracks down her cheeks. Her confidence wanes as her bottom lip wobbles, but I don’t get a chance to push back at her outburst
before she’s turned into ice before my very eyes.
I blink at her a few times, making sure I’m actually seeing what I think I’m seeing, but it’s not until a flash of blonde
appears beside the ice sculpture that I realize it’s Leila.
“I’m sorry, I just… fuck her.”
“Yeah, fuck her,” Zane repeats, pumping his fist in the air triumphantly, easing the tension around us. Just a little.
“Thanks,” I murmur, sidestepping the icicles that hang from Genie’s still-outstretched finger.
“It’s no bother.” She glances around as if searching for someone, maybe her father, but after a moment, her gaze falls back
to mine. “I think you guys better get out of here. Who knows what tomorrow will look like after you just exposed yourself to
him.”
I nod numbly, my mind unwilling to consider anything past this very moment. I’m sure it will come alive later when I try to
go to sleep, then it won’t just be the shadows dancing in my vision. It’ll be all of my thoughts and the worst possible outcomes
that come with them.
The five of us move in sync once again, almost reaching the door before a breathless Burton appears in front of us. What is
it with everyone wanting to get in my way?
“What now?” Brax snarls, clearly thinking the same as me, but Burton pays him no mind as he plants his hands on his hips
and looks at me.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. But you saved a lot of people.”
I shake my head, not wanting to hear what else he might have to say. Stepping out from my guys, I move toward the
professor. “The only reason I did it was for him.” I point to where Creed stands a step behind me without looking. I need this
man to know I mean exactly what I’m saying right now. “I’m not a hero, and I have no intention of becoming one, so don’t
expect me to start changing who I am.”
Standing taller, my shoulders rolled back, I breeze past him without a backward glance. The only confirmation I have that
the Bishops are still with me is when we make it outside and Zane sighs.
“Fuck, that was hot.”
“Shut up, Zane,” Eldon retorts quickly, but the snicker in his tone tells me he’s not in complete disagreement with his friend.
All of the carriages have gone and, to our left, gateways are lined up. Those who can escape flee swiftly, while other
students are left sobbing beside them, unable to follow their families home. Most of them don’t even look back to console their
children. They’re just gone.
Spinning to face Brax, I part my lips, but Zane speaks first. “Get us home, Stoneman.”
Brax rolls his eyes at the nickname thrown his way, but he still waves us to a quiet corner, hidden in an alcove of the
academy building, where he creates his own gateway. I step through without hesitation, both relieved and worried at the
familiar sight of our home that comes into view around me.
My feet hurt from not wearing shoes, but I feel too antsy to sit on the sofa and ease the discomfort. Creed steps past me,
almost as though he’s in a trance as he comes to a stop at the glass doors at the back of the house, looking out into the darkness.
“What now?” Eldon asks as Zane flops down on the sofa to my right, but I don’t know how to answer him. My forehead
crinkles with worry as I take the necessary steps toward Creed, desperate to pretend my own anxiety doesn’t exist so I can
focus on him.
“Are you okay?” I ask, knowing it’s a pointless question, but I need to hear his voice in some way.
He tucks his hands into his pant pockets and continues to stare outside. “I don’t know what I am.”
Fuck. My heart clenches, threatening to take my last breath as helplessness claws at me, but I tamp it down, keeping my
attention on him.
“I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now.” I reach up to tuck his hair behind his ear and he glances at me out of the
corner of his eye as a heavy sigh rumbles from his chest.
“That’s the issue, Raven. I don’t feel anything. I’m just… numb.”
“We don’t have to just accept this, you know. We can demand answers, a war, whatever we want,” Brax states, and Creed
instantly shakes his head.
“We can’t act rashly.”
Fuck. Wouldn’t we all like to, though? Direct all of the pain and anger we're feeling inside at those who deserve it.
“Tomorrow is a new dawn. You know we’ll face everything together,” Zane murmurs, his words empowering in
comparison to his usual humor, making my chest puff out.
“Why does it feel like we’re going to be waking up in the pits of Hell?” Brax asks, rubbing at the back of his neck, and I
can’t help but agree. The anticipation of what comes next, after being completely blindsided, is twisting me in knots.
“Maybe we should try and sleep. We’re going to need all of our energy for whatever’s next,” Creed says, turning away
from the window to place his hand on my back, and I immediately lean into his touch.
Everybody agrees with him as I nibble on my bottom lip. It’s only when onyx eyes peer down at me that he notices I haven’t
responded. “What’s wrong, Raven?”
I feel like a fool saying it, but damn…
“Can you guys stay with me? I don’t want to be alone.” Not when I exhibited the magic I’m capable of. Not to some people
I trust either, but to everyone. Friends, family, and enemies alike. I just made myself their weapon whether I like it or not.
Without missing a beat, all four of them say the same word in sync with one another, confirming that, with them, I’ll get
through anything.
“Always.”
 THREE
RAVEN

D arkness seeps into my vision, painting everything black as the ground disappears beneath my feet, and a vortex swirls
me around.
Disoriented, I don’t know which way is up as shadows begin to spill from the vortex one at a time, getting larger and
more prominent with every passing breath. I open my mouth to tell them to stop, but nothing comes out. They’re
uncontrolled, unrelenting, and manic.
My heart races faster and faster as I try to calm the impending doom that looms over me. It squeezes my chest so tight,
I’m sure I’m about to pass out, but just as I expect to fall into nothingness, my magic comes alive in my veins. The purple
orb inside of me grows until my hands whoosh out at my sides, palms up as if to stop the madness.
“Stop!” I yell, my vision clearing as an odd sense of calmness washes over me. Finally, I take a deep breath, and the
largest shadow of them all comes racing toward me. It reaches for my face, but before it can touch me, my eyes ping open
and I startle awake.
My palm falls flat against my chest, my heart racing just as fast in real life as it was in my dream. Looking up at the ceiling,
I try to loosen the constricting grip that the shadows have on me. The sheets shuffle beside me, startling me from my thoughts,
and I tilt my head to find Zane’s sleeping form.
The memory of last night comes rushing back. After everything that happened, we decided it was better to be together than
in our separate rooms. Which is why I now have a new bed that’s been adjusted to suit all of us in my room. On the other side
of Zane lies Brax, and when I glance to my right, Eldon and Creed are spread out, too.
None of them raised any concerns when I asked for us to sleep together, fear clawing at me at the thought of being alone,
and to my surprise, I managed to fall asleep quite easily. Staying asleep, however, seems to be another issue. A recurring one
that clings to me whether I like it or not.
Taking a deep breath, I try to let my eyelids fall heavily again, but the fresh wave of adrenaline heating my body is making
it nearly impossible. Movement on the far wall catches my attention and, a moment later, the room is drenched in shadows and
dark silhouettes, just like my dreams.
They dance along the walls, over the bedsheets, and over the ceiling. There’s no sound, there never is, but if there was, I
can only imagine a murmur of giggles or snarls, both leaving me uneasy with the unpredictability this all brings.
It’s strange watching them. It’s like I can’t breathe, but at this exact moment, I don’t feel scared by their presence.
“Are you okay, Dove?”
I startle at Zane’s question, glancing back at him with a tentative smile.
“Yeah, I just…” My words trail off as I wave my hand around the room, looking back at the outlines swooping across the
ceiling.
“What?”
My eyebrows pinch in confusion and I turn to look back at him. Realization washes over me, and I gulp. “You can’t see
them, can you?”
His hand reaches for mine, squeezing in comfort as the puzzled look remains on his face.
“See what?” Two words, and it’s all the confirmation I need. I clench my eyes closed, taking a deep breath. “Raven?” he
pushes, still unsure of what has me all twisted inside.
“The shadows, the silhouettes, the darkness. You can’t see any of it.”
“Where?”
I pry my eyes back open to look at him in the darkness of the room. “Everywhere.”
“Where is everywhere?” he asks, concern rich in his voice.
I wave my hand around the room. His eyes trace every inch of the space, but I know he doesn’t see any of it.
 “Do you feel like you’re in any danger?” he finally questions when he’s swept his gaze over the room enough times to know
that he can’t see what I see.
“No.”
“Are we assuming it’s connected to your magic? We know it’s a struggle for necromancers, the darkness I mean, is this it?”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I consider his question and, in reality, it’s the only viable explanation. It all started after I
saved Brax. It became less frequent in the past week or so, but having healed Burton last night, they’re back in full force. I
finally nod and his hand clenches tighter around mine. “Then we have to trust in it.”
“After last night, I don’t want to think what will happen with my magic, how dark and twisted my dreams and reality will
become at the hands of Erikel,” I admit, the words flowing from my mouth without pause. It’s the first time I’m letting the truth
ring in my ears, and I can’t say I like it.
“After last night, Dove, I love you more than ever.”
I gulp, his strong words stealing my breath until I manage a rasp. “Why?”
He shifts to his side, releasing my hand to cup my chin. I turn to face him, too, nestling my hands against his chest between
us.
“Because you exposed yourself for one of us. No other reason than that. Not to be painted as a warrior goddess on some
bullshit white horse riding in to save the day. But you laid yourself on the line for Creed, just like any of us would do for you,
which is why it doesn’t bother me that I mention love and you don’t say it back.”
Guilt twists my gut, disappointment in myself getting the better of me, but he has to understand. I’ve never uttered that word
in my life. Not to my papa when I was small, not to my mama. No one. Plus, growing up in Shadowmoor, there was no desire
to grow attached to anyone because death was waiting just around the corner. I guess that’s the same here too, but the four of
them left me no choice.
I feel it. I know I do. It warms my chest and makes my heart skip a beat, but saying it out loud? I don’t know how.
“It doesn’t bother you?” I ask, my voice heavy with clogged-up emotions, and I watch him shake his head as his thumb
strokes across my cheek.
“I would love to hear those words slip from your lips, Raven, but your actions always speak louder. That’s all I need. Now
sleep, I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”

EXHAUSTION CLINGS to me as my limbs unwind from the fetal position, stretching in every direction as a low groan bites
past my lips.
Fuck, I’m tired.
The memory of Zane’s words last night before I drifted back to sleep wrapped in the safety of his arms warms my heart as I
blink awake, only to find the room empty. Not a single one of my men is filling the bed with me. Yet, despite its size, it feels
snug and cozy with the remnants of their scents still clinging to the sheets.
Sighing, it feels strange to hear a hint of contentment in the noise in comparison to the usual frustration, and I curl deeper
into the sheets. A beat passes when the bedroom door creaks open and Eldon appears in the open space.
“Good morning, Little Bird. How are you feeling? Zane mentioned you had a bit of a rough night, so we wanted to let you
sleep as late as possible.”
I smile at him, taking in his shirtless appearance, appreciating the way his shorts hang loose at his waist and the added
ruffles to his hair that make me want to run my fingers through it.
“I’m good.” And I am. Right now, at least.
“Good. Breakfast is ready, come and eat with us.”
My stomach predictably chooses that moment to groan with hunger. Kicking the sheets off, I crawl to the end of the huge
bed before sitting on my ass and swinging my legs over the side. “Fuck, Little Bird. Watching you crawl like that does things I
can’t even explain.”
I grin at him while wagging my finger. “I’m in my badass independent era right now. If you ask me to crawl to you like a
good girl, I will likely tell you to fuck off. Mention it again next week and I might just want to feel the bite of the floor against
my knees.” I wink and his head falls back with a groan as he readjusts his cock, the outline more than visible through his shorts.
“You’re a fucking menace. Get out here. Now.”
He gives me a pointed stare as he tilts his head and I stand, quickly cutting the distance between us so he can wrap me in
his arms. I cling to his warmth, letting him fill my energy back up with a single touch before he leads me toward the dining
table where the others are seated.
Brax is already digging into the eggs and bacon on his plate. Creed is shuffling it around with his fork, taking the occasional
mouthful, while Zane seems to be talking away on some kind of device. Eldon pulls my chair out and I take my seat, the cool
touch of the chair against my exposed thighs making me shiver.
I really need to start wearing more than just an oversized tee, especially since it seems to be getting cooler around here.
Eldon presses a kiss to my temple before dropping into his seat beside me and I take a bite of the bacon on my plate as I
listen to Zane speak.
“Honestly, Pops, you did the right thing. We need to be looking at this situation from both angles. That involves someone
being on the outside and someone being on the inside.”
“I would rather it was me on the inside and you farther away from the danger.”
Of course he would. Rhys has always seemed hands-on and loving with Zane, I can’t imagine him wanting to leave his
child in such a vulnerable position.
“I know, but we didn’t get to pull the strings on this one. The enemy never gives us a choice. You know that.”
“I know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.”
“None of us do, Denver, but that doesn’t stop us from fighting,” Brax states before taking another forkful of egg.
“Morning, Brax. Is everyone else there too?”
“Yeah,” Zane confirms with a nod, even though his father can’t see him.
“And Raven?” Rhys asks.
“She’s here too.”
“Good. Let me talk with her.”
Zane offers me the device without another word and I can’t deny the slight tingle of anticipation as I take it from his grasp.
“Hi,” I breathe, my voice quiet, and Eldon places his hand on my thigh, filling me with more confidence.
“How are you this morning, Raven?”
“I’m good.”
“For now,” Rhys states, completing the sentence based on his own conclusions, and I can’t say that his assumption is
wrong. “I’ve put some feelers out and ensured that Burton is prepared to go to the lengths I am while I’m not there. We want
you as protected as possible, but we can’t guarantee any outcome, so I need you to be completely alert and on guard at all
times. None of us have any history with Erikel, so we don’t know how he operates, but from what I’ve seen so far, he’s
unpredictable.”
“I agree,” I murmur, my chest tightening at the memory of last night again. “What did you mean about Burton? About him
going to the lengths you would?” I feel stupid asking, but nothing makes sense to me right now, either.
“We protect you at all costs, Raven. All. Costs.”
My heart races as my gaze locks on Zane’s. Rhys's words sound just as solid as his son’s did last night. It’s clear where he
gets his intensity from.
“Why?” I breathe, needing to hear from his lips that he’s not trying to protect me so that I can become a weapon for him
instead. I know that’s not the case with complete certainty, but I need to know his reasoning.
“Because my son says so.”
 FOUR
RAVEN

“A rereconfirm
we supposed to continue classes as normal? Like yesterday didn’t happen at all?” I ask, needing to hear Zane
for the hundredth time. I’ve never heard so much bullshit in my life, but if that’s what Erikel declared
yesterday, then that’s what we’ll all do now as his puppets.
Fuck.
“Dove, you know the answer to that. Now, we need to head out before we cause any more of a stir.”
My eyebrows rise at his statement. “I wasn’t aware I had caused a stir already.” I drop my hands to my hips as I give him a
pointed look, but my efforts are completely lost on him.
“So you don’t think the fact that there’s a necromancer on campus is going to cause mayhem?” He cocks his brow back at
me, and I wave him off.
“He’s right, Shadow. Genie had to be the first to try and knock you back last night, of course, but what is startlingly real to
everyone at the academy now is that there is someone undoubtedly more powerful than them. And I don’t mean Erikel before
you try that crap,” Brax states, making me pout.
I don’t like feeling outnumbered. Especially when I’m not the one in the right.
Fuckers.
I look to Eldon and Creed, who are hovering at the front door, and when they choose to look anywhere around the room but
at me, I know they’re siding with Brax and Zane. Typical.
Sighing dramatically, I run my hands over my academy-issued blazer and skirt. “Fine.” Before I can say another word, a
knock sounds from the door, sending a shiver of uncertainty down my spine as the Bishops stiffen, their eyes sharpening as they
become more alert.
Eldon nods for me to move out of sight from the door, only grabbing the handle once he’s sure I’m out of eyesight.
“Hey, where’s Raven?” My shoulders sag in relief at the sound of Leila’s voice and I rush to Eldon’s side. She smiles when
she sees me, a sense of ease seemingly washing over her features.
“Sorry, I know we haven’t really been doing this lately, I just…” Her words trail off as she waves her hands at her sides.
“No, you’re good,” I reply as I step over the threshold to walk beside her.
“I’m surprised Daddy has let you out of his sight,” Brax blurts, making my eyes widen in surprise as the Bishops swarm us.
Leila doesn’t miss a beat, though, she simply nods toward the end of our pathway to reveal Professor Fitch waiting. There’s a
deep scowl on his face, his arms are folded over his chest, and I’m sure there’s an extra weapon at his waist that I’ve never
seen before. “Well, then I’m surprised he let you steer from the path and come down here instead of playing it safe and heading
straight to class,” Brax relentlessly continues, but again, Leila brushes him off with a shrug.
“It was on Burton’s orders.”
Damn.
My chest clenches at the realization that they’re definitely taking this as seriously as Rhys said they were. I don’t even
know what to say, so I opt to say nothing, falling into step with Professor Fitch as we take the pathway toward the academy.
The dark and muted sky continues to mask the usually pretty clouds and I can’t help but wonder if this has something to do
with Erikel. I don’t recall it ever being like this until he got here.
No one speaks, not even Leila as she keeps close to my side. A few students move around us to get to class, too, each one
side-eyeing me like I’ve either slapped them in the face or hurt their feelings somehow. I’m already desperate for today to be
over. I think I would rather handle Erikel than this drama. I don’t owe these people anything and I’m more than willing to aid
them in fucking off out of my sight.
As we near the double-doored entrance into the academy building, the crowd thickens and our steps slow. Once we’ve
integrated into the gathered student body, it doesn’t take long to realize what the hold-up is.
 Erikel.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He’s blocking the entrance with the students he brought with him, making it impossible for anyone to get past. The students
are wearing the same uniform as they’ve been in every day, a complete contrast to our blazers and pressed pants or skirts.
Instead, they look ready for the Battalion with their black-on-black outfits and sheaths.
“Good morning, Basilica,” Erikel projects, sending an overwhelming burst of fear across the crowd. He’s not in Basilica,
not now, and he knows it. This is just another part of his elaborate plan and I have no care for it.
Shouldering through the crowd, Creed grips my hand, trying to pull me back a step or two, but the man of the hour locks
eyes with me and the fake smile on his face becomes more genuine.
“My little shadow dancer, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’m not your anything,” I bite, nostrils flaring with an instinctive bout of anger. My rage only seems to fuel his delight,
which, in turn, makes me even more furious.
“We shall see,” he murmurs, waving his hand for the sea of students between us to part. Without a word, they do, but once
the pathway is clear between us, not one of us moves closer to the other. “You’ve seen little of this world, I assume.”
I don’t bother with a response as I continue to look at him with a neutral expression. The anticipation and worry kick up a
notch around us with every passing second, but no one dares move. I’m quite sure there are a few people present who aren’t
even breathing at this moment.
The student to his right flexes his biceps, stretching out his back as he eyes me. I catch the movement out of the corner of my
eye, but I still don’t move. I’ve spent long enough being in uncomfortable positions. I’m more than happy to bask in awkward
silence.
“Are we done here?” The student to Erikel’s left asks, rolling his neck as he glances at his leader, and Erikel’s mood sours.
Not at his student, though, at me. His lip curls in anger as he takes a step toward me, a ring of gasps echoing around us as
everyone watches him. Erikel doesn’t inch any closer, though. That one step is all he’s willing to take, but it’s still one more
than me.
“You’ll do as I say. You’re my little puppet,” he grunts, pointing a slightly crooked finger in my direction. “I know exactly
who to hurt if you don’t follow my orders,” he adds, his eyes glancing from one Bishop to another, and my gut clenches at the
foolishness I displayed last night.
Fuck.
I never should have let him see my weaknesses, but I was caught up in the moment, in ultra-protective mode, and there’s
nothing I can do to change that now.
My teeth grind as my shoulders stiffen, but I keep my mouth shut, not giving him the taste of my anger that he so desperately
seems to crave. He tugs at the ends of the cloak at his shoulders as he addresses the sea of people.
“Classes will continue as normal for now. You’re dismissed. Until I call for you.” His eyes find mine once more and the
threat is clear. However, something tells me that the threat is going to become a promise quicker than I would like. “You may
find the topics have shifted slightly,” he adds, a knowing smirk on his face, irritating me even more.
“And Burton?” someone asks from the crowd, and Erikel smirks.
“Is still breathing. For now, at least.”
I’ve never detested someone more than I do this man right now, and that’s saying something when there’s Abel and
Sebastian to consider. Thinking of Sebastian, I glance around the crowd, but he’s noticeably absent. I can't decide if that's a
good or bad thing. Genie, however, is leading the students into the academy as Erikel steps aside.
“All I want to do is set him on fire and watch him burn until all that remains are a few embers flickering in the wind,”
Eldon snarls, and I nod eagerly in agreement. I could get down with that, but it’s already clear that it’s not going to be as simple
as that. You don’t come barreling into the Elevin Realm’s most prestigious academy without pre-empting their magical
abilities.
“Soon,” I promise, eager to get the hell out of here. Instead, we fall into step with the other students filtering into the
academy. We’ve barely reached the doors when the thunderous sound of metal hitting stone vibrates and echoes around us, and
a moment later, Erikel’s warrior appears before us. He’s still dressed in his golden armor, stained with an array of red hues,
and his gaze is fixed on Creed.
“Follow me,” he rasps, turning to the right and walking around the outside of the academy building. The five of us instantly
follow after him. I can see the uncertainty on Creed’s face, but I’m sure there are a lot of questions he’s got building up inside.
We don’t make it two steps, though, before the warrior glances back over his shoulder with a deathly stare that casts over
each of us before settling on Creed.
“No. Just you.”
 FIVE
CREED

I wasJust
eight years old when they stood on my doorstep and declared my father was gone.
gone.
Along with his squadron. Decimated, unidentifiable, that’s what they told my mother. I remember hearing the words as
though it had happened months ago. That’s what I get for being a curious child with silent and stealthy footsteps that allowed
me to go unheard so I could eavesdrop and observe anything and everything I wanted.
Seeing him yesterday was like an arrow to the heart; one of complete awe for five whole seconds. I’d recognize his
presence anywhere. The way he dominated a room by simply breathing. It was like he had never left at all.
But he had. And with the enemy, no less.
Now, he’s standing a few steps before me, demanding I follow him alone, and as much as I want to cause a scene, demand
this man explain everything to me in front of anyone willing to watch, the other part of me is that same eight-year-old boy that
followed this man around like his shadow.
Glancing over my shoulder, my gaze falls to Raven first, watching as anger taints her cheeks pink and her fists clench at her
sides. Fuck. She’s everything. It was clear last night that I don’t deserve her and what she did for me; how she willingly
exposed herself to keep me out of harm’s way.
I’ll never deserve her. Ever. But that won’t stop me from keeping her anyway. I’m just going to have to give her every piece
of me and more in return.
“I’ll be okay, Raven. I’ll meet you guys in class.”
Her eyebrows pinch at my words and she moves to take a step toward me, but Eldon swings an arm around her shoulders
before she can get too far and guides her toward the double doors. I don’t move an inch until she’s in the academy building
along with my brothers. Only then do I turn back to my father to find he’s continued moving.
I don’t rush to catch up with him. I’ve been unknowingly waiting for over ten years. He can wait an extra ten seconds.
He doesn’t choose to slip inside anywhere. Instead, he stays out in the open, coming to a stop under a large oak tree.
My heart starts to race as I get closer, my chest tightening like a vice as I stand head-on with him. The awe I have cherished
in my soul over the memory of this man is tainted by the realization of who and what he is now as I look up at him. I know I’m
struggling to see the difference in him. Looking into deep onyx eyes that match my own, he’s the man I loved deeply for as long
as I can remember, but when my gaze travels down the length of him, taking in his crimson-stained gold armor, I know he’s not
the man who left.
He’s always been a soldier of the Realm, a well-respected man among The Monarchy for the efforts he put into protecting
Elevin. Yet he’s here with the enemy, ready to take down the academy that proudly stands on the lands he once fought for. I
don’t understand. I don’t think I ever will. But that could likely be because I’m still locked on to the fact that he’s here.
Breathing. Alive. Real.
When my eyes reach his once again, he grinds his jaw and the wrinkles around his eyes deepen for a brief moment.
“Creed.” My name is raspy on his tongue.
“So you do know who I am then,” I state, a glimmer of Raven’s sass rubbing off on me as I cock a brow at him.
“My loyalties may have changed but my knowledge of my family has not.”
What the fuck is that supposed to mean? His loyalties changed? When? Why? How? Questions spin in my mind but I can’t
piece my thoughts and feelings into any semblance of a question that might help me understand.
“We were told you were dead,” I grind out instead, still hearing my mother’s sobs in my thoughts. From that fateful day ten
years ago, and last night too. Her hurt and pain at this man’s actions reverberate inside of me.
“I assumed as much.”
I scoff. “You assumed, huh? And that makes it all okay?” Irritation claws at my insides, fury trickling down my spine as my
magic zings through my veins.
“Unfortunately, Creed, there is more to this world than just our feelings.”
“Have you always spoken so cryptically? Or is this a new thing you’ve picked up in the Basilica Realm?” I snap, desperate
to reach out and shake some damn sense into this man.
“I didn’t bring you aside to discuss emotions, Creed.”
My nostrils flare as I try to take a calming breath, but it’s futile. “I don’t know what else you would expect from me. If you
don’t care about how you made everyone feel when you played dead for the past ten years, then please, enlighten me as to what
it is you would like to say.”
His arm creaks as he adjusts his stance, hands flexing at his sides as he looks off into the distance for a second before
settling back on me. “My loyalty lies with Erikel and the Basilica Realm. Your presence here doesn’t change any of that. You
need to stay in line, follow orders, and not get in the way of what it is we’re here to do.”
“What are you here to do?” I ask, still desperately wanting something… more from him.
“That’s irrelevant. Do as I say. Otherwise, your death could be demanded. At my hands.”
His pupils shrink just a fraction, it’s barely noticeable, but I see it. Despite all his big talk, he fucking cares. He must.
Otherwise, why would we be having this conversation right now?
“Would that not hurt you at all? Killing your only child?” I want to spell it out to him, make him feel something, anything,
more than this. I’m burning on the inside, he deserves to feel that too.
“Let’s hope we don’t have to find out,” he retorts before taking a step away from me, dismissing the conversation before it
can go any further. I don’t move, watching as he leaves, but after he takes a few steps, he glances back to look at me. “You
would be safer away from the necromancer too.” He doesn’t wait for my response. He continues to walk away just as easily as
he seemed to last time.
Safer away from the necromancer? From Raven? Never. That’s exactly where my loyalties lie. Fuck Basilica. Fuck Elevin.
Fuck Silvercrest. My loyalty, my everything, it all rests with her and my brothers.
Swiping a hand down my face, I spin back to the main building and notice Erikel in the far distance, watching me. He was
obviously watching the interaction between my father and me. Why? I don’t know. Maybe he is monitoring his trusty sword, but
he doesn’t have anything to worry about. That man is Basilica’s mighty warrior more than he is my father.
Maybe it would be better if he really was dead. Then, my heart could still idolize my childhood hero instead of tearing it
all to shreds in the form of the man standing before me.

SILENCE ECHOES in my ears as my pulse flickers harsh and fast. The company of just the air around me once brought solace
and calmness, but today, it’s turned the walk to the locker room into a war in my mind.
Chatter and murmurs quickly eliminate the silence claiming me as I head inside. A few of the guys glance in my direction
but no one says a word. Zane spots me first as I stop beside him, pressing my thumb into the hanger as Eldon’s eyes catch mine.
I can sense the worry and concern around them, but I don’t have it in me to console them right now. Instead, I focus on
getting changed. Thankfully, my brothers give me the space I need to do so, but I should have known it wouldn’t last much
longer. The second I’m ready to head out, Zane steps in front of me so I have to meet his stare.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” I grumble with a sigh, the irritation clear in my voice.
Zane’s eyebrows furrow deeper as he plants his hand on my shoulder but I shake him off. “You know you can always—”
“I said I’m fine,” I interrupt, in no mood for his pep talk.
“That’s cool, man,” Eldon says calmly, appearing beside Zane. “I get it, it’s all a lot to take in and none of us can imagine
what you’re going through right now. It’s going to take a minute for you to figure it out for yourself before you can even piece it
together to share with us. So, you can be gruff and shit with us, that’s all good.” I don’t respond but my shoulders relax ever so
slightly. “But what you don’t get to do is use that same tone with Raven. We all know she’s going to be worried, as she’s a
protector. She’s going to want to make everything okay for you.”
“I wouldn’t,” I balk, my muscles bunching at the thought.
“I’m just being sure,” Eldon states, patting my shoulder before taking a step back.
Fuck.
Turning for the door, I head out without a backward glance. Using the smallest reprieve of silence to get my shit together
before I see her. As if sensing herself in my thoughts, her gaze latches on to me the second I step outside. A ray of light peeks
through the clouds for the first time in days and lands right on her.
It intensifies the worry in her blue irises as her eyes pinch. Leila is talking beside her but her words are completely lost on
Raven, who is solely focused on me. I stride toward her, almost barreling her over as I come to a stop, cupping her cheek as I
invade her space.
Eldon is right. No matter what I’m feeling, Raven doesn’t deserve any of my wrath or misplaced anger.
“I’m okay,” I breathe, attempting to calm her concern. “He just wanted to be clear where his loyalties lie,” I admit, the
words falling from my mouth without thought, but now that they’re out there, swirling between us, I’m not upset about it.
“With them,” she murmurs, a statement, not a question, and I nod in agreement.
Her hand finds mine at my side, squeezing tight as I stroke my thumb over her cheek. The rest of the students around us
disappear. It’s just me and her, basking in a little ray of sunshine for the smallest of moments, but it clenches my heart.
“We’ve got you, Creed. Always.”
“I know.”
She pushes up on her tiptoes and caresses my lips with her own. My soul settles, my body relaxes, and a different kind of
need takes over me, but she’s stepping back far too quickly for me to turn it into more.
I couldn’t give a shit who is around us right now.
I just need her.
“Let’s go,” she murmurs, tugging at my hand, and we fall into step with my brothers and Leila.
Following the crowd, we head toward the patch of grass that is framed by the forest at the side of the lake. Murmurs fade to
silence and a different kind of tension washes over the space.
“Where’s your father, Leila?” Brax asks, and we all turn to look at her. It’s only then that I notice her eyes are a little red,
but before she can open her mouth, a clap garners everyone’s attention.
Five of the students from Basilica’s institute stand in a line, dressed in their usual gear that almost seems like armor.
“Let’s get this class started, shall we?” the guy in the middle calls out, a sneer tipping his lip up.
“Where’s Professor Fitch?” Genie asks, more curious than anything, with a smile teasing her mouth.
“This is no longer his class,” he states, and I quickly glance at Leila, who is staring down at the grass.
“Then whose is it?” Genie presses, making the guy in the middle sneer even more, but the other student to his left smiles
wide.
“Ours.”
“And what does that entail?” Zane hollers, arms folded over his chest.
“You clearly need some more battle experience, and your poor excuse of a gauntlet isn’t up to it.”
“What do you have planned instead?” Zane pushes, eager for them to get to the point.
“A hunt.”
“A hunt?” Genie echoes, uncertainty washing over each of us as we wait for a better explanation.
“Yeah. You need to survive one hour in the forest without being killed by one of us.”
“You’re going to kill us?” Genie screeches, hand flying to her chest as she takes a step back.
“Yeah.” Gasps echo around us and Raven’s hand clenches tighter around mine. “But don’t worry, we’ve got a necromancer
to bring you back to life again and again so we can continue the chase until your sixty minutes are up.”
 SIX
RAVEN

I fcananymanipulate
of these fuckers die, I’ll bring them back just to kill them myself. Erikel’s men are just as crazy as he is if they think they
and control me at their will.
My chest clenches with a sense of panic nestling deep into my bones. I knew they would make a point of me being a
necromancer, but not in this way. Not so stupidly and wastefully.
Before I can even consider giving the guy in the middle a piece of my mind, a siren blares, echoing around us and rustling
the trees as birds take flight in every direction, trying to avoid the impending danger coming their way.
Every other student takes off as fast as they can, running full out into the forest, glancing over their shoulders every few
seconds to see if they’re being chased. The energy is practically static around us, anticipation running high as Erikel’s men
smirk with triumph. They know they’ve stoked the fears of the students, which gives them more control.
“I don’t want to, but we should join them. We can think about this more when we’re out of sight,” Eldon states, and as much
as I don’t like the idea of it, I know there’s no better alternative.
I nod, unable to use any words, before turning for the tree line like the others and taking off. Only, I don’t glance back over
my shoulder to check the enemy’s proximity. Instead, I settle into my magic, hoping like hell I’ll be able to sense any of their
abilities coming my way.
Leila remains wordless at my side. I’m shocked that her father didn’t pull her from this class. He’s been so overprotective
in other areas that it’s surprising he would allow her to potentially die at their hands.
Rushing past the first line of trees, shrills of panic squeak from some of the students around us as they stumble over
protruding tree roots, while others pant with every breath. We continue deeper into the forest until the deep-green leaves block
out most of the sunlight, leaving it even darker than usual.
“Over there,” Leila says, pointing toward a fallen tree with its roots sticking out in every direction. I follow after her,
which, in turn, has the Bishops doing the same. She slows as we near the tree, bracing her hands on the bark as she catches her
breath. “With the hole left in the ground, I can ice us in and create a protective barrier. There might only be space for two,
though.” She keeps her eyes fixed on me, making it clear who the second person is, but I shake my head.
“Not a chance in hell is she being separated from me,” Zane grunts, grabbing my hand. Leila’s eyebrows furrow with
concern, but I offer her a reassuring smile.
“Do it for you. Do what you need to do to be safe and we’ll find you when the time is up,” I state, watching as she worries
at her bottom lip. She nods nervously and I take a step back.
“Are you sure? I can stay with you guys,” she offers, but Zane shakes his head.
“What you’re going to do will work to protect you. Do it quickly before we continue on,” he orders, and she nods with a
sigh as she steps down into the exposed ground.
It takes her a few moments to get comfortable before a thick layer of ice forms over her, sealing her inside. Then another,
and another, until she’s built her own mini fortress. I give it an extra beat before I take a step back, and Brax takes off, guiding
the way as we continue deeper into the forest.
A scream ripples through the air from behind us, making me pause as the telltale sound of flames whipping in the wind
follows before a tree sets alight, flashing in an array of oranges and reds. Laughter sounds out a moment later and Erikel’s men
can be heard in the distance.
“One down, how many to follow?”
Fuckers.
Zane squeezes my hand, silently urging me to continue on, and we quickly fall into step again.
“If we can find somewhere less trodden and as quiet as possible, I may be able to focus my magic and try to hide us,” he
states, and my eyes widen as I glance up at him while continuing to hurry along. “Leila had a good idea, it just wasn’t big
enough, and there was no way I was trusting you in someone else’s hands when I’m right here,” he states, repeating his thoughts
from earlier.
“Do you think you can expand your magic to make all of us invisible?” Creed asks, and I finally catch on to Zane’s idea.
“I think so,” he replies confidently, leaving me speechless.
“Over here,” Brax calls out, waving us forward, and we move even quicker. Eldon gets to him first, with Creed a few steps
behind him, leaving Zane and me bringing up the rear when I’m suddenly knocked off my feet and my hand slips from his.
I hit the ground with a thud, the wind completely knocked out of my sails as I stare up at the leaves blowing in the breeze in
a daze. Pressing my palms into the earth beneath me, I take a stuttering breath and try to rise, but it’s like I’m pushing against a
vortex of wind that is pinning me in place.
“Raven!” I can hear the Bishops holler my name, but I can’t see them, which spikes my worry and adrenaline all at once.
Surely it can’t be Erikel’s men. If there’s one thing I took from their little speech, it’s that I won’t die at their hands because
they need me. Unless they want to hold me in place so I can be their weapon, but why not do that sooner?
Attempting another, deeper breath, I try to push against the invisible force on top of me, but it’s useless until I see the
smallest string of magic dancing above me. Focusing on the small thread, I follow it all the way to a tree off to the left, where I
find the culprit behind this.
“Sebastian,” I holler, hoping to alert the Bishops as the pressure falls heavier on me. “It’s Sebastian,” I repeat, trying to lift
my hand so I can touch the string of magic, but they’re dead weight at my sides.
Fuck.
Why is he even here? This isn’t his class.
Clenching my eyes shut, I channel all of my strength into my arms, desperate to grasp his magic in my hands. When I can’t
even move an inch, I snarl in frustration, blinking my eyes open to a grunt that echoes through the trees around me. I catch sight
of Eldon flying through the air before he slams into the tree to my right with a thud, and my heart clenches.
What the fuck?
The move was too quick for me to catch the trail of magic, but my gut tells me it’s still Sebastian I need to be concerned
with. Anger at Eldon being hurt fuels me, vibrating through my veins as I try to move again.
Glaring at Sebastian, I notice another trail of magic lingering around his head and trailing off deeper into the forest where I
can’t see. What the fuck is that about? It doesn’t matter. What matters is getting out of his hold.
His eyes cast back to me, a smirk on his lips as triumph flickers across his face.
I don’t just hate this man, my blood, my supposed family. I fucking loathe him.
My nostrils flare as I fail to hide how he affects me when he topples forward with force, smashing into the ground face first
as the weight holding me down suddenly disappears.
Scurrying to my feet, I don’t bother trying to wipe the dirt from me as I take off in his direction. That’s when Zane appears
out of thin air, a step behind the motherfucker, with a smug grin of his own spreading across his face.
“Someone’s helping him,” Creed states, falling into step with me. “I was trying to get into his mind, but it was impossible,
like there was a wall there.”
Fuck.
“That must have been the trail of magic I saw hovering around his head,” I explain, almost tripping over a fallen branch in
my hurry.
Zane remains in his stance and I catch a glimpse of Brax barreling toward Sebastian, but I freeze on the spot, remembering
Eldon’s slumped body against the tree. Spinning, I turn and instantly sag in relief when I see him racing toward me.
I slip on a damp patch of moss when I turn back to Sebastian in time to see Brax slam his fist into his face. I hear the crunch
of his nose breaking beneath Brax’s stone fist, but it’s clear that’s not enough for my gargoyle as he continues to pummel him
with hit after hit.
Shit.
“Brax, no!” I shout, but I go unheard.
Rushing toward him, I go to grab his shoulder, but Creed quickly intercepts. “You’ll get hurt.”
“It will hurt me more if he kills the fucker and I have to bring him back.”
The slamming stops, the groans from Sebastian garbled as Brax looks over his shoulder at me. His eyes are vivid. One
brown. One green. Both wild with rage. “I warned this asshole if he attempted to come at you again, I’d kill him,” he grunts,
and I drop to my knees beside him.
“I know, you’re as unhinged as this guy,” I murmur, blindly pointing at Creed behind me.
“That guy got to kill that dick in Shadowmoor,” Brax remarks, his jaw ticking as his thick stone fingers ball into fists again.
He remains over Sebastian, desperate to have his blood staining his hands.
“If you do it now, it won’t be permanent.”
“How would they know he was here?” Eldon interjects, making Brax nod eagerly. Clearly, neither of them are thinking
straight.
 “Because we know he’s with Erikel, just as his men are. How else would he know where to find us?” My heart races in my
chest as a scream rings out in the distance. Sadness prickles its way to the surface and I know my magic is aware of another
life gone.
Looking down at Sebastian, I push up to my feet. “He doesn’t deserve the possibility of my magic helping him.”
Zane grabs my hand, instantly dragging his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. “She’s right. We need to get the
hell out of here.”
I wait with bated breath as Brax stares down at Sebastian squirming beneath him, blood splattered across his face and his
nose completely out of place. With a heavy sigh, my gargoyle rises to his feet, returning his fists to flesh and bone once again
before he stalks off.
Another yelp of pain rings out around us, hastening our pace. If I knew I could face these fuckers and not have to revive
them, I would, without question, but I really don’t want to give them the satisfaction. Although, they do deserve to be knocked
down, and I would relish in the wonder of being the one to do it.
I can’t help but peek back over my shoulder at Sebastian, only to find him rolling to his side. I scan the area, expecting the
person who helped him avoid Creed’s magic to come to his aid, but he’s still all alone.
When you’re toxic to the world, and the time comes, the world will be toxic to you too.
Zane squeezes my hand at the same time Eldon laces his fingers with mine on the other side. I don’t know how they’re
expecting me to run like this, but thankfully, it’s because Brax is heading into a small caved area. Slowing to a brisk walk, I
falter at the opening to the slightly hidden structure among the trees and shrubbery.
“Doesn’t it feel a little too good to be true that there’s a cave here?” I ask, and Brax glances back at me with his brow
cocked.
“I wasn’t aimlessly walking through the woods, Shadow. I was getting us here.”
Oh. Well. That makes sense then, I guess. I thought we were just blindly going with it like everyone else seemed to be.
I feel Creed right behind me, his lips by my ear. “Inside, Raven.”
Nodding, I follow Brax’s lead, and as we get deeper into the dark space, a flame appears in Eldon’s palm, glowing bright
enough to light the way. When we reach the end, I glance back at the entrance. It’s still visible from here, barely, and with the
way the shadows cascade around the stone walls, I don’t think you would even be able to see the glow of light from out there.
“Zane, can you try to cover our tracks while we’re in here as well?” Creed asks. “I’ll sit somewhere and focus on trying to
hear anyone coming.”
“We’re not going to hear footsteps from inside here,” I state, and the smallest smile touches the corner of his lips as his
onyx eyes shine.
“I’m going to be listening for thoughts, Raven. Not footsteps,” he clarifies, and I nod dumbly. Apparently, adjusting to
academy life is easier than remembering that we can use magic when life and death aren’t on the line. I’m not used to thinking
outside of the box like that, and that’s where I need to adjust.
Zane brings my hand to his lips, softly kissing my knuckles before he moves a little more toward the opening. Eldon presses
his lips against my temple. “I’ll go and give him some light while he focuses, Little Bird.”
The pair of them mumble between themselves about how Zane is going to project his invisibility to cover us all while
Creed gets comfortable against the rock wall that curves to my left.
Rubbing my lips together, I turn back to Brax to find him staring at me. I don’t know whether it’s because the light from
Eldon’s flame is farther away, making it dimmer over here, or if his facial features have darkened as he takes me in.
His feet are planted shoulder-width apart, his neck muscles bunched, and his fists are clenched at his side. “I want to go
back there and rip his fucking throat out,” he snaps, making me sigh.
“I know that, Brax. Believe me, I feel it too, but hear me when I say now isn’t the time.”
He takes a measured step toward me. “That doesn’t change the fury burning in my soul.”
“I’m sor—”
“I need him to know that you’re mine, that when I threatened his life, I meant it. I need him to know that I will protect you,
no matter what, that you will find safety in me, in us, like you never found in them.”
Fuck.
My throat bobs, my breath lodged in my lungs.
“He doesn’t deserve to know any of that,” I rasp, unable to tame my racing heart.
His tongue peeks out, sweeping over his bottom lip as his gaze somehow darkens further. “I fucking know that, but I want
him to anyway. For me, for my selfishness, my stake on you,” he states, taking another step toward me. “Now, since you
stopped me from having that, you’re going to have to give me something else.”
Rolling my eyes, I wave him off. “Whatever, name it, and when we get back to the house, you can consider it done.” If any
man can go from beating someone bloody to killing me with sweet words that consume me, only to piss me off a split second
later, it’s him.
“No, Shadow. I want that pussy. Now.”
 My jaw drops as I gape at him, repeating his words in my head again and again, certain that I didn’t hear him right, but in
the next breath, he’s tugging at the waistband of his shorts to reveal his hard, long length.
“We’re being hunted, Brax. Hunted like fucking animals, now isn’t the time.”
He shrugs. “It’s either this or I get to go back out there and kill him.”
I shake my head as I gape at him. “That’s extortion.”
The corner of his mouth tips up as he takes another step toward me, using his magic to remove his shorts, discarding them
to the side without care. “And yet you’re still wet for me.”
“I…”
Fuck, I can’t even finish that sentence because it would make me a liar. My thighs became slick with need as soon as he
started rambling on about what he wanted his statement to Sebastian to represent. His words made my throat grow dry and my
pussy drip. He knows he has a hold on me, pulling me deeper, bringing the darker side out of me to play at the most random of
times.
“Tick-tock, Shadow. I don’t mind the hunters finding us while I’m dick deep inside of you, but that’s up to you because I
sure as shit am not stopping until I fill you with my own desire.The clock’s ticking.”
Fuck just my pussy being wet, I’m a damn puddle.
Glancing over at the others, they’re in their own little world protecting us, which should make me feel guilty for even
considering this. But damn, his cock is on display and I want to chase away my demons on the end of it.
I sink to the ground in the next moment, the stone beneath me biting into my knees, driving exhilaration through my veins.
But as I open my mouth, hinting for him to let me feel the weight of his cock on my tongue, he shakes his head.
“No, Shadow. I’m fucking feral right now and I won’t hold back any longer. I want to feel the slickness of your pussy as I
stretch you.” Holy fucking shit. “On all fours, and get rid of your clothes.”
“You get rid of them,” I mutter, unable to soften the short sharp breaths making my chest rise and fall rapidly.
“No. Show me that you want this. Show me by following my orders.”
Fuck. I would call him insane, but his words are like a siren call.
With my eyes locked on his, I use my magic to discard every piece of material clinging to me. At the same time, he pulls his
t-shirt over his head, continuing to challenge me with his gaze.
I take my time turning, the stone sharp against my palms as I lean forward, bracing on all fours as he requested. I’m
trembling, and it’s not from the chill in the air. It’s from the need thrumming through me. My hair cascades over my shoulder as
I glance back at him, ghosting over my skin like a soft caress. His eyes rake over every inch of me, heating me on the spot. He
drops to his knees with a thud, reaching for my hips a lot more delicately than I expect.
“You’re taking your time after the big game you just talked,” I tease, earning myself a glare as his grip on my skin tightens.
“The prey doesn’t usually bait the hunter when it’s vulnerable, Shadow,” he murmurs, spreading my thighs a little more as
he nudges the tip of his cock against my folds, and I gasp.
We really should be focusing on the enemy right now, but it’s impossible when he’s like this; all-consuming and
unwavering.
“Get to the feasting, and we’ll find—” My words are cut off, forced into a moan that rumbles my chest as he thrusts inside
of me in one swift move. It almost burns, he’s spreading me so wide, so fast, and I almost fall forward, but one of his hands
comes around my stomach, holding me in place as he stills. I try to catch my breath as he gives us a moment to adjust, but it’s
not long enough.
He eases out until only the tip remains, making me gasp at the loss before he slams back into me harder and faster. His hand
on my stomach shifts to my shoulder, holding me in place, and he doesn’t stop this time, slamming into me again and again.
“Fuck.” I can barely see with the sex haze fogging my vision combined with the frantic movement, but I spy Eldon’s eyes
across the space, watching us with awe.
It reminds me of the day he fucked me in the classroom to prove a point, just like Brax is now, but the main point it proves,
time and time again, is that they’re mine.
All. Mine.
Brax’s fingers dig into my skin on the brink of pain, surely leaving bruises in their wake, but I crave it. His thrusts are on
the verge of brutal as he takes and takes, my tits bouncing with every slam of his hips against my ass.
“Don’t you fucking come, Shadow,” Brax bites as my core clenches around him, pleasure rippling through my limbs as the
tingle of my climax threatens to wreck my body.
“I’m not going to be able to hold it back even if I wanted to,” I pant before his hand comes down on my ass cheek with
enough force to have me crying out in a mixture of pain and pleasure.
“This isn’t about you, Shadow. Don’t. Fucking. Come.”
This motherfucker. My hands ball into fists against the stone beneath me. I want to yell at him, give him a piece of my
fucking mind, but it all falls short when Creed shouts, “People are near, very near, and time is almost up.”
Fuck.
 I’m so fucking close.
“Don’t even think about it,” Brax grunts, slamming into me more vigorously as his dick forces the cadence of my every
breath. I feel the moment he hardens to stone inside of me, I sense the moment he pulses but doesn’t spill his pleasure, but most
of all, I feel his victory in getting what he wants.
I don’t know whether I like him or hate him right now.
Which, deep down, is a lie because I know it’s neither of those. It definitely starts with an L and still finishes with an E, but
it leaves me way more choked up.
My orgasm still tingles at my nerve endings as he retreats from my core, making me moan with raw need. “You can’t leave
me like this,” I plead, perspiration clinging to my skin.
He steps around me, grabbing my chin and pulling my gaze to meet him head-on. “You get to come on my dick after I get to
slay that fucker,” he snarls, making me gasp.
“I don’t know when that will be.”
“Then neither do I.”
Gaping at him, I take a second to focus once again and quickly rush to my feet. “I hate you,” I bite.
He’s in my face in an instant, his hold on my chin tighter than before as he crowds my space. “No, you don’t. Just like I
don’t hate you, but we’re not ready for that yet. So, for now, we’ll have to settle on a little delayed gratification.”
 SEVEN
RAVEN

I can practically feel my heartbeat in my core, and this asshole is talking about delayed gratification. I can’t decide whether
throat-punching him or kneeing him in the balls will make me feel any better, but at this stage, it’s worth a try.
His breath fans over my face, his closeness overwhelming my senses, and I’m desperate to forgo attacking him and fall into
his embrace instead. But this is Brax. That’s not how this works. And despite how pent up and electric my body feels, I know
he means exactly what he says.
With my gaze fixed on his, falling under the usual spell of one brown, one green, I smile. “Zane,” I call out, trying to keep
quiet, but I have no idea where he is.
Brax sees the glint in my eyes and knows what I’m up to. “He’s too busy keeping us invisible, Raven. Try again.”
Wetting my bottom lip, my tongue brushes against the tip of his thumb. “Eldon.”
He’s already shaking his head. “He’s the one with the little flicker of fire, remember?”
I pout, narrowing my eyes at him as I call out to another of my men. “Creed.”
“Is listening to nearby thoughts, Shadow. You’re all out of luck and orgasms, it seems.” The smirk that spreads across his
face has the ability to somehow make him look even more rugged and gorgeous, and I fucking hate it.
A soft breeze along my back sends a shiver down my spine, followed swiftly by a warm presence. “Say the word, Dove,
and I’ll make us all visible and put my hands on you instead,” Zane offers, making my core tighten even further.
That is oh-so-fucking tempting, but until the siren sounds to confirm the end of the class, I need to remember where we are
and how vulnerable I already made us by stripping down to nothing at Brax’s command.
“I would love nothing more,” I breathe as Brax’s grip on my chin tightens in warning. “But right now, I should probably get
dressed and focus on what we’re actually supposed to do. I can come all over your cock later.”
Stepping to the side sharply, Brax’s grip falls and I turn to see Zane raking his eyes over my naked body. His eyes are
darker, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip, and I’m about to go back on the very words I just said. Until his eyebrows suddenly
furrow and he goes to reach out and touch me before remembering if he does, it will likely drop his magic. “You have two
strands of black hair now, Dove,” he murmurs, confusing me for a second as his words settle in.
Two black strands?
“One for me, and one for Burton,” Brax states, and my chest clenches.
“What does it mean?” I breathe, but the look he gives me makes it clear he doesn’t have the answer to that. Not yet, at least.
“I’ve got some people coming up fast. They might not catch us before the siren, which is due to go off at any moment, but
we need to be prepared to fight,” Creed announces, his voice somehow staying low yet traveling around the space clearly.
Springing into action, I quickly use my magic to dress, exponentially reducing the time of the mundane task. I resecure my
hair in a ponytail and head toward where the others are gathered near the entrance of the cave.
A few beats pass before I hear footsteps among the trees, the snapping of twigs underfoot as murmured voices grow louder.
My hands flex at my sides and I channel all of my energy into watching for any tendrils of magic drifting in the air.
I’m usually an act now and worry about the consequences later kind of girl, but my magic isn’t outwardly aggressive until
someone comes at me with their magic for me to turn on them, so I’ve got to bide my time.
“They had to have gone this way. I’m certain of it.” Sebastian. I would know his voice anywhere. It’s like a fork being
dragged along porcelain, a groan from the pits of Hell and the sound of someone obnoxiously chewing with their mouth wide
open all at once.
“I don’t know if I’ve already mentioned it or not, but your brother is a cunt,” Eldon grunts from beside me, the flame in his
hand lowering to nothing more than an ember.
I fake gasp, placing my hand on my chest. “Sebastian? Never. He’s the brother of my dreams.”
“You mean nightmares,” he quickly retorts with a grin, and that one little jolt of happiness from him eases the growing
tension in my chest.
“He wishes.” I wink at him playfully at the same time a siren blasts in the distance, signifying the end of the lesson.
“Do you want me to hold out or drop the magic now?” Zane asks, coming to stand on my other side.
“Drop it,” Brax states. “We’re not hiding from them. We’re just playing along with their little game.”
I can’t explain why, but his words fill me with a boost of confidence, swirling more adrenaline through me as I roll my
shoulders back. It’s clear the moment Zane drops the magic because his arms are around me a moment later, draping me in his
scent and peppering kisses at my neck.
“I said we weren’t hiding, I didn’t say we could relax,” Brax grunts, whacking Zane in the arm, but he only chuckles in
response.
“Let’s get out of here,” Creed murmurs, a tiredness flickering in his eyes as he nods for us to follow after him.
I slip out from between Zane and Eldon, rushing to keep up with him, but I skid to a stop when Sebastian appears through
the trees with Erikel and two of his men.
Fuck.
He brought out the big guns. Why would Erikel waste his time being here?
His dark gaze falls on me instantly, the scar down his face crinkling as he smiles. “Come, you have work to do,” he rasps,
beckoning me forward with the tip of his finger.
“No.” I widen my stance, solidifying my connection to the ground beneath me, like that will make a difference. If he wanted
to lift me off my feet right now, I’m quite sure he could.
“It wasn’t a question.”
“I don’t care what it was. I’m not going to clean up the bloodbath your men created.”
At the mention of his men, the two that were present earlier when the class was announced step forward. They don’t make
it two steps before they drop to the floor, hands clutching their heads as they writhe in pain.
My eyes widen in surprise and I quickly assume it’s Creed when I see the flicker of magical wisps coming from his
direction, but I don’t want to turn and draw attention to him.
“Nice work, Mr. Wylder. Why don’t you take a shot at mine too,” Erikel goads, smirking at Creed. Following his line of
sight, I watch as Creed’s magic redirects to Erikel himself, but before it can touch his target, the magic morphs in the air, and
it’s Creed on his knees in pain. His scream burns my soul, his cry forever fueling the darkness inside of me as I rush to his side.
“I’ve trained much longer than you, Mr. Wylder. I recommend you work on blocking your own mind as well as strengthening
your gift.”
Sebastian chuckles at Erikel’s statement and I turn to glare at both of them as Creed’s cries soften but don’t stop altogether.
I glance over my shoulder at Brax, Eldon, and Zane, the anger clear on their faces, and I know it’s my fault they’re dealing
with all of this. I also know this isn’t going to stop until I fall into line, just as he wants.
My nostrils flare as I take a step toward the enemy, my body hating every moment of giving in to this man. But maybe I have
to see things differently. Maybe I need to be closer; maybe I need to bend to his will so I can take down his defenses and bleed
him dry.
I don’t fucking know.
I’m not thinking anything through. I’m running on my heart and emotions, something I’ve never done before, but now it’s all
I can do.
“Lead the way.” The words burn my tongue but come out fiercer than I feel.
“Raven,” Eldon warns, and a part of me wants to pretend like I didn’t hear him, but I feel like that would only give Erikel
and Sebastian another form of satisfaction, and I refuse for them to have that as well.
Looking back at him, I see the anger and worry clearly in his eyes. “We knew this was coming,” I murmur, my gut twisting
with the truth. So much has happened in such a short time, but there was no avoiding it. My gut twists even harsher with another
thought, and a bout of worry stiffens my spine. “Please, don’t worry about me. Find Ari.”
I turn back to Erikel with that, snarling at the smug look on his face as I storm past him and Sebastian with no real clue
where I’m going. It’s not far into the tree line, though, where I see a gateway waiting, and I head in that direction.
My racing thoughts seem to keep circling back to one thing with every step I take.
Ari.
If anyone or anything could have potentially stopped Erikel’s attack on the academy last night, it would have been him. Or
he may have attempted to, at least. Where was he? That’s not like him at all.
Coming to a stop at the gateway, I glance over my shoulder to check how far back Sebastian and Erikel are. I have a
moment, a brief one, to focus elsewhere, and I close my eyes to try and sense the magic within me that connects me to my
familiar.
It’s weak, but it’s there. I don’t feel pain, just a slight tingle of rage and irritation, but it’s not strong enough for me to be
certain.
The memory of Ari mentioning that one day we would be able to talk into each other’s minds flashes in my head and I
wonder if I can project into his from this distance, but a blunt force from my left sends me tumbling forward and through the
gateway before I can even think.
My hands and knees are greeted with sand as I land with a grunt on the other side. One day I might actually fucking walk
through one of these, but at this point, it doesn’t seem all that likely. Sebastian steps around me and I glare at the back of his
head, hoping it might make him combust, but that doesn’t seem to be the case today.
I rise to my feet, brushing off the sand as I look around. We’re at the edge of the huge lake where Fitch had us do the water
challenge, but it doesn’t look like it did back then. Not with the row of dead bodies lined up beside each other.
Bile burns the back of my throat, the reality of what I’m here for making itself very clear.
Eight.
Eight students lined up with paling skin, lifeless eyes, and the pall of death clinging to them like a shroud. As much as I
don’t want to be Erikel’s slave, none of these students deserved this. Does that make it my responsibility to save them, though?
That’s not what I signed up for. I can’t carry the weight of that. I believed we didn’t allow necromancy magic to keep the
balance in the realm. That’s what we were always taught. In Shadowmoor, no one would ever dream of harnessing such power.
It was spoken of as almost a folklore myth at best. Now, I’m wondering what other facts I’m missing.
Erikel steps around me as the small group of his men move back from their huddle and look from their leader to me. “Bring
them back,” he states, waving a hand at the limp students.
“I can’t right all of your wrongs.” My chest aches already, my magic tugging at me to find a way to save them, which
instantly has sadness creeping up my spine and through my limbs, consuming me.
I drop to my knees beside the first student on the end, darkness clinging to me as I become nothing more than a vessel for
my magic. It’s more than a tingle from my orb this time; it’s consuming.
Shadows flicker across the back of my eyelids as whispers block out any other sound around me. I feel like I can’t breathe
as a sense of warmth takes over, just like it did with Burton. My hands blindly land on the first student and my body shakes
with the sudden onslaught of power before I wind up cold and depleted. I sag, hearing the first beat of their heart.
“Another,” Erikel orders, triumph in his voice, and I can’t move or even open my eyes to see. Instead, the sadness
intensifies, the darkness sweeping deeper into my mind.
I know the moment another body is thrust in front of me, and my body completes the same little ritual. Breathless. Warm.
Icy. Empty.
Again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again.
Breathless.
Warm.
Icy.
Empty.
I can’t speak. I can’t think. All I can do is feel anguish in every muscle, pain in every bone, and desperation in every breath
I take.
Until the world shifts to complete darkness. Claiming me for itself.
 EIGHT
ELDON

A nger coils in my veins as Raven is once again forced to use her powers in an attempt to protect one of us. That’s not how
this is supposed to go. We’re supposed to protect her, and we’re failing.
What she doesn’t notice as she rushes off into the forest is that we’re stuck in place, unable to move our feet a single step to
stop her. Calling out her name a moment ago also granted me the punishment of my voice being lodged in my throat, so I
couldn’t yell out to her again. I can’t turn to look at the others, but since none of them race after her, I can only assume they’ve
been affected in the same way.
I keep my gaze fixed on Raven, watching as she comes to a stop by a shimmering gateway. Irritation winds tighter inside of
me as Erikel takes his time to get to her, but just as he approaches, Sebastian ups his pace, knocking Raven off her feet and
sending her tumbling through the gateway.
Motherfucker.
My head pounds, my heart aches, and my gut twists in agony.
The moment Erikel steps through the gateway, it vanishes and the magic keeping me in place relinquishes its hold. I fall to
my knees as I lurch forward before quickly taking off for where the gateway once stood. Twigs snap and grunts follow and I
can only assume it’s my brothers, but I can’t turn away from my target to confirm.
Not a single remnant of them remains and a snarl bursts from my lungs, rumbling in my throat as the ground shakes beneath
my feet. Turning, I find the others just as feral as me. Brax has almost completely turned to stone, his magic uncontrollable
when faced with the enormity of his fury. Creed’s eyes are darker than ever, his power searching for their trail of its own
accord, and Zane looks like he’s wound so tight he’s going to combust.
“Where the fuck did they go?” Zane bites, spinning on the spot, hoping and failing to find the answer we all seek.
I do the same, coming up just as empty, until my eyes catch movement back where we were a few moments ago. “I don’t
know, but those fuckers might,” I grunt, pointing at Erikel’s men, still on the ground after writhing in pain at the hands of Creed.
Without another word, the four of us charge at the two guys who are slowly climbing to their feet. Creed doesn’t bother
throwing his magic at them. Going for them mentally won’t be enough. I want to feel their flesh break open beneath my fists as I
pull the answer from them.
Just as they get steady on their feet, I charge, hitting the closest one in the gut with my shoulder, sending us both skidding
through the mud.
“What the fuck?” he shouts before I grapple to pin him to the ground and smash my knuckles into his face. The grunt from
his lips offers little gratification, so I do it again and again before I grab him by the throat and bring his bloodied face to mine.
“Where the fuck is she?” The fucker splutters and laughs through crimson-stained teeth, igniting further chaos inside of me.
“Creed, you ready to fuck with his head?” I holler, channeling the heat of my magic into the palms of my hands. I smell the
burning at his throat before he cries out in pain, matching the high pitch tone of the fucker Brax has in his hold, rattling him
around like a ragdoll.
“Stop, please, make it stop,” the asshole pleads in a hoarse voice, but I don’t hear a location being tossed about, so I don’t
offer the sorry fucker anything more than an extra few degrees of heat.
“Enough.” The boom comes from behind me, and I turn with a scowl firmly etched into my features to find Professor Fitch
standing with his arms folded over his chest.
“Fuck off,” Zane says with a scoff, but Fitch just shakes his head.
“I know where she will be, and you’re wasting your time here instead of going to help her.”
Dropping my hold on the asshole beneath me, I’m on my feet and striding toward him before he’s finished speaking, as are
my brothers. He holds all of our attention. I swear I saw this man yesterday. He looks to have aged ten years overnight, but that
isn’t my concern at the moment. I need to get to Raven. Now.
 “Where is she?” Zane demands, but I shake my head. We haven’t got time to waste on doing this ourselves.
“Take us to her!” Fitch’s gaze lands on mine as my hands clench at my sides, my demand hanging in the air for the longest
second of my life.
With a single nod, he spins on his heels and takes off for the same spot Raven had been moments earlier. Despite being
focused on getting to my girl, I can’t help but notice that his usual uniform of choice has some new additions. He’s wearing
weapons and daggers around his waist like a woman would wear dainty rings on her fingers. Only, these accessories are far
more deadly.
We shouldn’t take his extra precautions lightly, not when he’s been thrown from his teaching position. It’s on the tip of my
tongue to ask what the deal is with that when a gateway appears and my thoughts are refocused on what’s most important.
My little bird.
I don’t offer the Professor another glance but trust in his gateway as I barrel through without care, stumbling slightly when
my feet hit the uneven sandy ground. My heart races in my chest at the sight of Raven on her knees, her usual pink hair sporting
far more strands of black than the two that had been present in the cave.
Two of Erikel’s men drag a student to their feet from in front of her, and I watch in slow motion as she slumps to the ground,
sand puffing around her from the force. Creed barges my shoulder as he kicks into action first, racing toward our girl as I hurry
to catch up.
Brax snarls from a step behind me as Zane stumbles to his knees in the fine grains at our feet while Sebastian and Erikel
watch with a glint of amusement.
“What the fuck have you done to her?” I bite, dropping down beside her as Creed rolls her onto her side.
“What she was made to do,” Erikel replies with a hint of humor lacing his words. His shoulders rise, ready for the
challenge he knows is coming, but I just snap my teeth. He looks deadly with his fur cloak draping down over his back, but I
bet this fucker would lose a third of his bulk without the cloth covering him.
“She wasn’t made to be your puppet,” Zane grunts, ready to charge, but as much as I want to burn the world down around
my pink-haired raven right now, I need to focus on her instead. She looks pale, her chest falling in short, sharp breaths, and I
need to make sure she’s okay.
“Maybe not to begin with, but she is now,” Sebastian replies, earning a chuckle from Erikel, and I have to grind my teeth
together to keep my mouth shut. Instead, I focus on Raven’s features, dragging my thumb over her face as I add a little heat to
my touch.
“That’s enough. Take her home.”
The order comes from Fitch with far more conviction than I would expect from a man in his current position.
“That might not be what I want,” Erikel snarls, his humor vanishing as Fitch sighs, coming to a stop beside us.
He stands by Raven’s feet, placing himself just between her and Erikel in an almost-defensive pose. “You have us all pliant
enough. She needs to rest,” Fitch states, folding his arms over his chest in the same stance he took with us earlier.
Keeping the temperature in my fingers low but present enough to hopefully have a warming impact, I glance across the short
space to where Erikel and Sebastian stand. The latter sneers, like a feral dog waiting for its owner to let them go wild, and I’m
beyond ready to put the fucker down.
“I’ll send for a healer if Erikel feels one is necessary,” Sebastian snarks.
“Like hell, you will,” Brax bites, channeling his own crazed and untamed beast at the enemy. “We’ll take care of her.”
“No, you won’t.”
This is about to turn into a dick-measuring contest, and although I know we’ll win, I can’t waste any time with it. Glancing
at Creed, who has his fingers rubbing at Raven’s temples, I see the same thoughts flashing in his eyes.
A simple nod in agreement between us has us both rising to our feet, only I have Raven in my grasp. She’s limp in my arms,
which only adds to my worry as Creed spins to shield us from Sebastian and Erikel.
Fitch doesn’t even bother to look over his shoulder at us as he speaks. “Boys, figure it out. Use Brax’s gateway. No one
else’s.”
I don’t stand around and wait to be told twice. Running from a fight is not my usual choice, and I’m not likely to do it again,
but I need to tuck my pride into my pocket and save it for later so I can save my girl.
Brax is at my side, a gateway appearing a moment later at his touch, and we’re moving through the space as Sebastian starts
to shout. Thankfully, his words disappear into nothing as we appear in our home. It feels like an eternity since we’ve been here,
even though it’s barely been two hours.
“Get her on the bed. Zane is going to bring a healer, Creed stayed with him so none of us are moving around alone,” Brax
explains as I move toward Raven’s bedroom. I open the door with my magic, taking a moment to revel in the sight of the huge
bed as I step inside before carefully lowering her to the freshly made sheets.
“Where the fuck was I when you guys were organizing who was going where?” I ask. “I don’t recall the conversation,” I
add, and he shakes his head as he crawls up the bed on the other side of Raven.
“There wasn’t one. It was a look.”
 A look.
Well, that explains it all, then.
Barely any time passes before the sound of the front door opening interrupts my anxious thoughts as I continue to stroke
Raven’s cheek in comfort. More for me than her at this stage. Zane and Creed step in a moment later, with Grave, another
member of the Nightmare Guild. My brows rise in surprise, but I don’t utter a word as he steps further into the room, his own
eyes crinkling with concern.
“What happened?” he asks, dropping to his knees at the side of the bed as he runs his hands over the length of Raven
without actually touching a single inch of her.
“Erikel,” I mumble, unsure if we should trust this guy with anything, but it’s going to be public knowledge, so what does it
matter at this stage?
“So it’s true then, everything that happened last night. She’s a necromancer?” I purse my lips at his statement, unsure
whether to just kill him now or torture him for any form of judgment aimed her way. But before I can express my concern to the
others, he continues. “I’m sorry she’s being used like this. That’s not what anyone deserves, especially not with her level of
power.”
“Carry on,” I breathe, focused on his hands as he runs them down her arms and over her chest again. His gaze flickers to
mine for a brief moment before he swallows sharply.
“Sorry, it’s just that my grandfather always told me stories of necromancers, how they danced with the light, made the
world a beautiful place, and chased away sorrows by bringing balance to the realm. Until power became too corrupt, of
course. That fucked everything up for everyone. As I’m sure Erikel plans to do.” I’m not really sure what to say back to that,
but he seems genuine enough so I decide to allow him to keep breathing for the time being. After a few more moments, he leans
back, pushing up to his feet and brushing off his academy-issued pants. “There’s nothing to heal. It seems to be magic
exhaustion. She just needs to rest and she should rejuvenate on her own.”
He doesn’t hover, heading for the door with Creed right behind him while I remain helpless and useless at her side. A
silence casts over the room as Creed re-enters, and we all stare at her with bated breath.
“We can’t allow this to keep happening,” Brax states after a while, and I immediately nod in agreement.
“What do we do?” I ask, eager to protect her by any means possible.
“I don’t know, but we need a fucking plan, and now.”
 NINE
RAVEN

I blink my eyes open, confusion clouding my vision for a brief second as I figure out where I am… in my room. There’s not a
dead body in sight, and I heave a sigh of relief.
“Dove, you’re awake,” Zane murmurs, pulling my gaze to his where he lies beside me. A soft smile turns the corners of his
mouth up as he rolls to his side, propping his cheek on his palm while he strokes a hand down the side of my face. “You were
starting to make me worry.”
“I’m getting pretty good at that,” I reply with a smirk, and he shakes his head at me.
“I’m going to add it to the housemate handbook; no more making me worry.” My heart warms and a sense of calmness
washes over me. Although, it doesn’t seem to ease the ache that has my limbs heavy and lethargic at my sides.
Refusing to let the tiredness get the better of me, I press my palms into the sheets beneath me and push up to a sitting
position. I instantly feel lightheaded and my stomach clenches.
“Oh fuck,” I groan, fighting harder against the ache in my muscles and bones to stagger to my feet and rush to the bathroom.
I barely make it to the toilet before bile burns up the back of my throat, and I vomit.
Heave after heave; it’s never-ending. Watery eyes distort my vision as I wretch, and I’m suddenly aware of a hand at my
back. Small circles are drawn against my academy shirt as I cling to the porcelain. Only when I’m certain nothing else is going
to come up do I take the towel that’s at my side and wipe my mouth. Even then, I can’t bring myself to look behind me.
“This is so embarrassing,” I mumble, not wanting to open my eyes.
“Dove.” The palm at my back continues to draw circles as another hand cups my cheek. “I can’t, for the life of me, figure
out what the fuck you have to be embarrassed about.”
Of course he wouldn’t.
“My insides just left me and you witnessed it. I need a minute to gather myself, brush my teeth, and get over the cringy
feeling clawing at my chest,” I admit, which somehow earns me a chuckle.
“Open your eyes, Dove.” I shake my head, even as he taps his fingertip at my temple. “Open up.”
“No.”
“Come on, Raven. It’s just me.” Doesn’t he understand that’s my whole point? I don’t need any of these guys seeing me like
this. “Don’t make me get the others in here and force us to pry your eyes open,” he threatens, and my eyes ping open so I can
glare at him, earning myself another chuckle.
Fucker.
“Now, can I have a minute?” I grumble, and he shakes his head.
“You’re beautiful, Raven. When you’re in your sexy dresses with your hair and makeup done. You’re beautiful when you’re
bare-faced and sleeping. And you’re beautiful when you’re exhausted with magic strain and vomiting into the toilet.” I roll my
eyes, but he grips my chin, trying to cement the truth on his tongue. “You want me to kiss you right now to prove it?”
I balk, eyes wide as I try to lean back. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
“Don’t hide from me, Dove, not even with this, because I’ll continue to push until you see yourself the way I do. Your
magic was depleted from reviving all of those students, your body is tired, and the fact that all you’ve done is vomit is
impressive if you ask me.”
He’s insane. He has to be.
Pleased that he’s pleaded his case, he releases his hold on me and rises to his feet with his hand extended for me to take.
Relenting, I place my palm in his and let him tug me to my feet. Chest to chest, I breathe him in as he presses a gentle kiss to my
forehead.
After a moment, I take a step back and turn to the vanity, catching sight of myself in the mirror. I’ve definitely seen better
days. Speaking of…
 “How long was I out?” I ask, curious if I’ve lost more time than I think.
“A few hours. We’re still on the same day if that makes you feel any better,” Zane answers with a soft smile.
Exhaling, I turn on the faucet and splash water on my face before brushing my teeth the mundane way. Even then, they don't
feel clean enough, so I do it again. Once I’m satisfied, I take in my reflection again and notice more patches of black hair
twisted in with the pink in my ponytail. Letting the ends down, the pink cascades over the darkness as I stare at myself.
Damn.
There are definitely more than two strands now. Channeling my magic, I try to turn them pink again, but just like last time,
nothing happens. Zane offers me a reassuring smile in the mirror as I brace my hands on the vanity. I don’t even need to ask
what he thinks about the black strands. He’ll probably declare black his new favorite color in honor of them.
The reality is, it’s clearly not going anywhere, so I can either get mad about it or embrace the hell out of it. They’re only
noticeable when my hair is up; when it’s down like this, the pink does a pretty good job of hiding it.
With my mind made up, I pull my hair back and secure a hair tie at the top of my head so the swirl of pink and black is fully
on display.
“That’s my girl,” Zane murmurs, eliminating the space between us to wrap his arms around my waist. I bask in his hold,
letting his warmth heat me too, until a knock sounds from my bedroom door, garnering our attention.
Stepping through the open bathroom door, I find Creed popping his head around the doorframe with a grim frown on his
face. When his gaze lands on mine, the wrinkles ease a little and he attempts a smile. “Hey, Leila is outside. They’ve called a
Nightmares Guild meeting. Are you up for it?”
My eyes widen in surprise. “They’re going to attempt that, even now?”
“Seems so,” he replies as Zane reaches for my hand.
“It’s whatever you feel up to, Dove.”
“Oh, we’re going. I just need two minutes to change, then we can get the hell over there. Somebody needs to help make all
of this make sense to me.”

FUCK the Nightmares Guild’s desire for black cloaks and golden masks. I’m over that fetish. If anything, the garish shit will
only draw attention to us. Instead, I’m dressed in a pair of black pants, with a fitted, long-sleeved sweater tucked in and my
combat boots laced up. My pink hair is pulled back into a low ponytail as I cling to Zane’s arm, watching in awe and wonder
as he masters his invisibility magic.
Just like earlier, he’s projecting over more than just himself, and I can see the tendrils of magic drifting over us with every
step we take as we all remain quiet so Zane can focus.
The paths are mostly clear, and any time we do hear footsteps or see a shadow approaching, we step off the well-trodden
path and wait patiently for them to pass before we continue on. One thing that does remain the same is the suffocating air and
feeling of impending doom that we’ve been dealing with since the day Erikel and his men from the Basilica Realm came into
our lives.
I can’t put a finger on exactly what it feels like, but it’s coiling deep in my stomach, swallowing me with a sense of
darkness and unwavering pain that I can’t fully grasp.
As we near the academy building, we take to the grass as we make our way around to the back in search of the steps down
into the basement. Once we’re halfway down, I watch as Zane’s magic slowly dissolves around us until we’re no longer
protected from sight.
I reach for his hand, silently squeezing my appreciation, and manage to catch a glimpse of his smile in the dim, candlelit
staircase.
Brax leads the way, as usual, and when we move into the wider corridor, Eldon steps up to my left, placing his hand on the
small of my back while Creed protects us from behind.
The usual flicker of gold catches my attention as we step into the main room, the table standing prominently in the center
while other members of the Nightmares Guild huddle in small groups, mumbling about everything and nothing. But the room
goes silent when we approach, all eyes on us as my gaze shifts from one group to the next.
One guess at what has their attention… the necromancer in the room.
Me.
It’s notable that no one’s outwardly snarling at me, ready to hurt me, but their stiff shoulders and the way their eyebrows are
raised makes it clear they’re ready to act against me if necessary. I would have rather they all had those ugly as fuck gold
masks on so I didn’t have to see any of their expressions, but it seems everyone has forgone them tonight.
My men stand strong around me, ready to retaliate if needed, and I despise the standoffish vibe that’s filling the room
because of my presence.
 “Is there a problem?” I ask, my words echoing off the walls as my heart thunders in my chest, waiting for a response. “If
anyone has one, I think it would be a good idea to cut to the chase now so we don’t waste any time,” I add, continuing to scan
my eyes around the room.
“It shouldn’t be so hot when she just calls people out without even considering anything more than the answer she’s waiting
for,” Zane murmurs to Eldon over my head like I’m not standing here, and my ball of inferno eagerly nods in agreement with his
friend.
Assholes.
Now isn’t the time.
“I believe, Miss Hendrix, that there are people present in this room who have never knowingly stood so closely to a
necromancer until now. Some have spent all of their lives in fear of the dark magic they’ve heard stories about, and others may
have family members who have died at the hands of such abilities. So you may have to forgive a few of them for their
uncertainty, but luckily for you, they have seen you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in training already. They watched you
come back from the wreckage at the Shadowmoor Outpost. They know you went back out into the wild in search of answers to
that attack, but more so, rumors travel fast, and they know that you were magically drained today at the hands of Erikel and his
men, bringing eight students back from the dead.”
Burton steps into the light from his spot at the edge of the room, hiding in the shadows yet fully aware of everything going
on around him. A few students nod in agreement as he comes to a stop beside the gold table, his eyes locked on mine.
“There’s a lot of tension in here,” I mumble, brushing over the praise that was clear in his little speech, and he nods his
head knowingly. In my defense, everything he listed in the past doesn’t affect the present for me, and that’s exactly what we
need to be focused on. Then, the future can become more of a consideration.
“You would be correct, but not because of you. Because of the situation we find ourselves in.”
I nod, not wanting to argue and make this seem like it’s all about me and the tension I’m feeling, because he’s right, the
situation we’re now in is fucked all the way to Hell and back and we need to find a way out.
Taking a step toward the table, the Bishops follow, but I don’t speak until I’m standing directly across from Burton. “So
what are we going to do about our current situation?”
“I’m glad you asked,” he remarks with a small smile, like he wasn’t bleeding to death yesterday. “Sebastian was just—”
“Sebastian?” I interject, my spine stiffening at the mere mention of my brother, but if Burton notices, he doesn’t let on.
“Yes, he—”
“No. No. Backup. Sebastian is here?” I snarl, anger burning through my veins as Burton waves and throws his arm out to
where he was moments ago to reveal the asshole that, unfortunately, shares the same DNA as me.
“Little sis,” he says with a smirk, stepping closer, but Brax quickly cuts him off from getting too close.
“Sebastian can’t be trusted,” I state, watching Brax closely because I know he wants to slay my brother where he stands,
and as much as I don’t want to stop him, I also don’t want to lose the potential allies within the Guild for rash behavior.
Burton shakes his head. “Sebastian is our ally, Raven. You may see him at Erikel’s side, but that’s because we placed him
there.”
No. I refuse to believe it.
“But he’s the reason Erikel is here to begin with.”
I can feel everyone staring at me like I’m foolish, but I know I’m right. Whatever Sebastian has twisted in his favor is
working on them, and I need to prove him wrong.
“Have you got any proof of that?” Sebastian smarts, smirking wider as Genie moves closer to him. I can’t deal with this
bitch today. But none of that matters because I don’t have any proof. All I have is the conversations I’ve overheard.
Conversations that I’m certain Sebastian will be able to twist to his advantage.
“I heard you talking to Erikel the other day where Erikel said, ‘I told you; get me in here, and there will be endless power
at your feet. I’m a man of my word.’ Was that right? Or was I a word or two off?” I challenge, knowing I’m right, and even
though I can see the anger brimming in Sebatian’s eyes, I can also see the cogs turning in his head to paint this in a better light
for him.
“Sebastian?” The question comes from Professor Fitch this time, who takes a step forward but makes sure Leila stays
exactly where she is.
“I’ve never had a conversation like that with Erikel, or anyone else for that matter, but if you would rather believe a newer
member over me, then go for it.” Sebastian takes a step back as Burton’s gaze flickers between the two of us before he sighs
and settles his attention on my brother.
“Sebastian, come, of course, we take your word. Let’s discuss today’s events, shall we?”
Without a backward glance, the two of them leave while I stand helplessly gaping at them. “Someone’s got to be fucking
with me. This can’t be happening, surely,” I mutter under my breath, and before any of my men can even attempt to reassure me,
it’s Fitch who steps up close to me.
“Nightmares are as cliché as nightmares are dreams themselves. We keep our friends close and our enemies even closer.”
 TEN
RAVEN

O neseems
day swirls into another as the week goes on, and the grueling new atmosphere at the academy takes hold. Each lesson
to be turned up a notch, becoming more ruthless than it was before.
Darker, harder, more sinful.
The Basilica Realm is certainly making its impact and it seems no one higher up in the Elevin Realm is really sure how to
react so we’ve been left to deal with it. On the other hand, I also haven’t had to revive anyone since the beach, and I’m taking
that as a win.
Staring up at the ceiling, I notice the emptiness around me. I’m alone, tangled in the sheets, and a little warmth still remains
from where the guys were lying. It may be the weekend now, but I know without even looking that they’ll be outside training.
They slowed down their training when we joined the Nightmares Guild, but they’re right back at it harder than ever now that
Erikel and his men are in control.
Burton has remained out of sight, Fitch along with him, while the other professors quiver in Erikel’s presence and scurry to
follow his every order. Everything is upside down, and I don’t know where to aim my anger for the most effective result, but
the one thing that has been working me up the most is prominent in my mind this morning.
Ari.
Something isn’t right. I know it.
There’s no use in me lying here worrying about it when I could be on my feet figuring it out. With a heavy sigh, I kick the
sheets off and crawl to the end of the huge bed that now fills my room. My oversized tee falls to mid-thigh as I stretch out at the
foot of the bed before heading for the backyard.
Stepping into the lounge, it’s not hard to spot them, spread across the lawn, their muscles bulging, hair damp, and skin
glistening in the morning air.
Hot.
Hot. Hot. Hot.
I take my time, admiring the view before me as I make my way to the patio doors. Goosebumps swoop over my skin as I
watch them, just like they did the first time I walked into the house to find my new housemates. I’m more obsessed with them
now, though, and more willing to admit how they make me feel.
The moment I open the door separating us, each of them looks up at me. Creed is the closest, arms folded over his chest as
he sits on the floor, ready to continue his workout while offering me a soft smile. Zane is a step behind him, hands on his hips
as he pants, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Eldon and Brax drop the weights in their hands to the ground with a
thud as they both take an instinctive step toward me.
“What’s wrong?” Eldon asks, leaving me to gape at him for a second as I process his question.
“What?” I finally manage, folding my arms over my chest as my eyebrows furrow.
“It’s written all over your face,” Brax grunts, pointing at me like that will help clue me in on what my face looks like. If it’s
clear, though, I may as well get straight to the worry on my mind.
“Something is wrong with Ari. I don’t know what, but the fact that I haven’t seen him since Erikel’s attack at the ball is
concerning. He’s usually quick to react when he senses my panic.”
“He’s your familiar, Raven. You know him better than any of us,” Creed states, rising to his feet.
“He did appear at the outpost when she was in danger. Fuck, he saved us all at the time,” Zane confirms. “And when she
went to Haven Court, he was here almost instantly once she returned. So distance can’t be the issue.”
I nod along with everything he says as Eldon cuts the remaining distance between us. His hands grab my waist, squeezing in
comfort as I tip my face up to meet his gaze.
“What are you thinking?”
 “Honestly, I think he’s either back in with the other creatures, trapped in the forest, or worse,” I mutter, scared of the words
I know are on the tip of my tongue.
“What could be worse?” Brax asks, and a shiver runs down my spine.
“That he doesn’t think we’re in danger with Erikel.”
“Yeah, that’s definitely worse,” Creed agrees, standing beside Eldon in front of me. “Which means we’re going to the
forest to check, aren’t we.” It’s not a question; he already knows the answer. I can see it in his eyes, but I still nod in
confirmation.
“Fine,” Zane declares with a sigh. “But I want it to be known that I was two sets away from sneaking back inside and
plowing you into the mattress, Dove.” He appears on Eldon’s other side with a pout on his lips, and I laugh.
“That can be my reward later,” I say with a smirk, my core clenching at the promise as Zane presses a kiss to my cheek.
“I like the sound of that.”

ELDON HOLDS on to my hand tightly as we step through Brax’s gateway. I’m sure Zane isn’t the only one who would
happily stay back at the house, tangled in the sheets for the entire weekend. As much as I would like that too—fuck, I would
like it a lot—my fear for Ari comes first.
Ever since we met, he’s put me first; I owe him that.
Nothing else seems out of the ordinary as the rest of the Bishops join us, so we silently make our way toward the tree line
like last time.
“Does anybody else find it crazy that, from here, the forest looks completely empty, but we’ve been in there. We know what
lies beyond the trees and shrubs; you just can’t see them,” Zane rambles, his eyebrows rising as wonder lifts the tone of his
voice.
“It’s crazy that we thought the academy keeping them locked up here was the worst of our worries,” Creed retorts, making
me scoff as Eldon’s hand flexes around mine.
“Can you hear him?” Brax asks, and we all refocus on the reason why we’re here.
Shaking my head, I sigh. “No, I’ve tried to reach out to him, but he said that would only be possible when my magic
strengthened. I was hoping since I was aware of the mirror magic that it would be possible, but apparently not,” I admit, defeat
clinging to me like a second skin.
“Why don’t you try again now? Just in case it was a proximity thing,” Eldon suggests, and we come to a stop. Nibbling at
my bottom lip, I nod slowly, trying to find the strength to try again.
“Ari?” I close my eyes, trying to hear anything at all, but nothing comes. “Ari?” I attempt again, hoping and praying, but
only silence greets me. Heaving a heavy sigh, I turn to the others with a shake of my head.
“It’s okay, Dove. If Ari said it would happen, it will. It’s just going to take time.” Zane smiles, attempting to reassure me,
and I take it, trying not to let myself get too down about it.
Turning to face the tree line, I call out his name again, only this time, I say it out loud. “Ari?”
A breeze flutters out of nowhere, rustling the leaves on the trees.
“It’s not safe.”
“Ari?”
“It’s. Not. Safe.”
I frown, glancing around in search of him, but I can’t see him anywhere. It sounds like him, only darker, and I don’t like the
way it makes me feel.
“Can you hear him?” Creed asks, and I nod in acknowledgment, repeating Ari’s words to them as I continue to search for
him.
“What isn’t safe?” Eldon presses himself against my side at my question, taking up a protective stance.
“You being here. You need to leave. Now.”
“Ari, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. I’m worried.”
Silence greets me for so long that I’m sure he’s gone, but if he thinks I’m going to just let him walk away, he’s in for a
surprise. Taking another step toward the forest, I’m halted when he shouts in my mind.
“No.” My heart races as his silhouette appears in the distance, his telltale feathers peeking out. Instinctively, I go to take
another step toward him, but he barks his disapproval in my mind again. “Don’t.”
“Ari, you need to explain to me what’s going on,” I insist, swiping a hand down my face.
His head dips, a pang of sadness swirling in my gut, the feeling coming from him before he mutters, “I’m trapped in here.”
“I assumed that might be the case. But that doesn’t mean I can’t come and see you. Then I can go and find Professor Figgins.
She’ll let you out.”
 “No, it’s not safe for Gia. I chose to be in here.”
“Why isn’t it safe for Gia?” My chest tightens, my own fear combining with his and swirling like a destructive tornado
inside of me. I can just make out that he’s shaking his head, but that’s not good enough. “Ari, tell me now, or I’m coming in.”
“It’s not safe in here for you. I’m not sure if the magic has been shifted in the ward, so you could be trapped here too.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s going on?” Eldon asks, releasing my hand to caress my arm, and I quickly reiterate Ari’s concern. “Shit.”
“Tell me what isn’t safe, Ari. I can’t help if I don’t understand.”
“Erikel didn’t come alone. He brought his own creatures with him.”
The tremor in Ari’s voice makes me gulp. “And I’m guessing the creatures aren’t just misunderstood like you guys.”
“Creatures far worse than you can imagine. So you have to go, and I have to protect Gia while trusting in these fuckers
to protect you,” he grunts, nodding toward the Bishops.
“I’m safer in their hands than anyone else’s,” I state, believing every single syllable. I may have gone through life alone,
never trusting anyone else to keep me safe, but I trust in them. I believe in us.
For Ari to believe that, too, he needs to know I believe in him and trust in his knowledge of these creatures that I’m
unaware of. “I’ll find a way to get you all out, Ari. I promise it. You, Gia, everyone. I won’t allow Erikel to get you guys as
well.”
 ELEVEN
BRAX

I can see her pain, feel her anguish, and if I lean in close, run my nose up the column of her throat, I’m certain I’ll catch the
scent of rage at the world crumbling around us. It has me twisted up inside. Everything is going to complete shit, but that’s my
life, it’s always been a downward spiral. Raven, though, she doesn’t deserve this and I don’t know how to fix it.
Wordlessly, we step through my gateway and into our lounge, misery clinging to the air around us. Raven takes a seat on the
sofa, a sigh parting her lips as her head falls into her hands. I hate her feeling like this, but even more so, I hate her wallowing
in it. She might not be, but the knot forming in my chest tells me otherwise and I can’t shake the feeling. Which can only mean
one thing.
I need to do something about it.
She needs a distraction. Fuck, we all do. Ari isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and our first point of contact needs to be
Professor Figgins, who isn’t going to be so easily accessible over the weekend, so we’re at a standstill.
Creed flops down onto the opposite sofa, directly facing Raven with his own quiet look, which I know will be linked to his
father on top of all this. I don’t know how I would feel if I found out my father was a weapon for the enemy after believing him
to be dead, and I’m not going to try to, but I know he needs us right now. Eldon slumps down beside Raven, his hand stroking
up and down her spine comfortingly, while Zane paces back and forth, running his hands through his hair. He’s a solver, too, but
the puzzle laid out before us isn’t easy.
Feelings and emotions are all tangled and I sure as shit don’t know how to handle my own, nevermind anyone else's.
My hands clench at my sides, irritation creeping through my bones at the unsolvable situation placed before me. We’ve
spent all week running on adrenaline under Erikel’s new rule and I want to forget about it all. I want all of us to.
“We can’t just sit here worrying all weekend,” Zane blurts, and I cock a brow and fold my arms over my chest as I stare at
him, waiting for him to continue. This fucker is going to think out loud and I’m intrigued to hear what he has to say. He paces
back and forth a few more times before raking his fingers through his hair as he spins to a stop. “I can reach out to my Pops and
see what he knows on his end with regards to… all of this,” he rambles, throwing his arms out to the side. “But I don’t think
our lives are going to magically go back to how they were over the weekend.” He sighs, his mind going a mile a minute as his
brows furrow.
“Or…” The encouragement comes from Raven, who looks at him with a hopeful glint in her blue eyes.
“Or we forget all of this bullshit, like literally, and just fucking be us without worrying for the rest of the weekend, or until
the end of today at least.”
We all stare at him in surprise as he nods lightly, as if his own words are fueling his decision to push for the latter. Which
actually does sound appealing. But even I know that I can’t be selfish with the decision-making here; really, it has to come
down to Raven and Creed. Raven more than Creed from my standpoint, but only because she does things to my fucking soul,
and I’m a sucker for her mere existence.
“When you say forget…” she breathes, staring at Zane with a hint of wonder mixed with uncertainty drifting in her eyes.
“I mean, make Creed work his magic,” he explains, tapping at his temple. “I know it’s not as simple as that, and we
wouldn’t want to leave ourselves exposed, but I like the thought of having nothing to worry about when we’re so helpless right
now.”
Pursing my lips, I consider the bigger picture. What would we need in order to do this?
The house would need to be on lockdown. We wouldn’t be able to go outside, not even into the yard, that’s vulnerable. The
memory of the Guild taking us only a few weeks ago is a stark reminder.
“What does everyone else think?” Raven asks, pulling me from my thoughts, and that’s an instant tell that she wants to do
this.
“I think we could make it work for the day,” Creed answers, and a shimmer of excitement seems to spread across her face.
 “What do we need to do?” she continues, bracing her elbows on her knees as she looks at each of us, making sure she has
all of our attention.
“Brax,” Eldon calls, nodding at me like he knows damn well I’ve already started to go over all of the aspects.
“We can’t leave the house, not even to the back yard,” I state, pointing to the full glass wall. “I would also tint them for the
entire time, just to be safe, and I would place two gateways at both entry points so if someone did manage to get in, they would
be transported somewhere else the moment they crossed the threshold.”
“What else?” Zane asks, a grin spreading over his face at the fact that his plan is coming together.
“One of us will have to remember, because I don’t think Creed’s magic comes with a timer.” I look to Creed and he nods in
agreement. “But otherwise, I think we’re covered. We’ll still have our magic if anything becomes a problem.” I shrug, failing to
downplay the hint of excitement flowing through my veins. “I’ll also be the one to remember.”
Zane claps his hands before rushing across the room and slapping me on the back. “You’re awesome, man.”
I roll my eyes at him. I don’t care if anyone thinks I’m awesome.
That’s a lie. I care if she does. I just don’t like leaving myself exposed.
“So we’re doing it,” Raven murmurs, lacing her fingers together in her lap.
“If that’s what you want, Shadow.”
Her eyes meet mine, a slow smile trailing over her lips as she nods. “Just for today, I want to forget all of our problems.”
“And what are we going to do instead, Little Bird?” Eldon asks, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.
“Eat, laugh, and fuck.”

RAVEN’S HEAD falls back against the sofa as she laughs wholeheartedly from her belly. It’s so intoxicating I’m close to
grinning along with her, but I catch myself at the last second. I’m happy to admire her from afar right now.
My cock doesn’t like that decision, though. Nor does it like the fact that I declared delayed gratification on her sweet pussy
until Sebastian is dead. Even now, I’m wondering if I overshot my mouth, but fuck, I won’t go back on my word.
Lacing my fingers together, I brace my elbows on my knees and keep my gaze fixed on her. None of them are aware of the
troubles swirling around us, none of them seem to know anything else exists except the five of us in here, and it’s almost…
serene.
I’ve done security checks on all the entry points and triple-checked my gateways as discreetly as possible, so I don’t burst
their bubble. They were occupied with baking cakes and eating pizza earlier, but now they’re relaxing on the sofa like we’re
normal. This is probably the hardest I’ve ever had to blend in before in my life, but it’s still amusing to watch.
“I bet you’ve never embarrassed yourself with your magic,” Raven says with a soft chuckle, pointing at Eldon, who just
recalled the time she made food with her magic and forgot to create the plate for it.
“Please, I’ve embarrassed myself more times than I care to admit,” he retorts, his gaze drifting to mine, and I shake my
head, fighting off another grin. “Tell her, Brax. Tell her it’s true.”
Raven’s bright blue eyes swoop my way, eager to hear the story to back up Eldon’s words, and I’m a sucker to deny her,
even if it embarrasses me too. “There was the time he wanted to go swimming and he was adamant he could figure out our
swimwear,” I state, making Zane chuckle as he sits on the floor by Raven’s feet.
“Please tell me you flashed everyone, because that would be priceless and I would need to see a reenactment,” Raven
giggles, and I shake my head, wishing that’s what it was.
“We wish,” Creed says with a smirk as Eldon swipes a hand down his face to try and hide his pink cheeks. “Instead, Eldon
had been fixated on the popular girl at school in her little pink two-piece, and the next thing we know, we’re all fucking
wearing them as well.”
Raven claps a hand over her mouth, attempting to smother the burst of laughter on her tongue, but it’s impossible.
Amusement swirls around the room, intoxicating each of us as she laughs at our expense.
“Wait, how old were you guys?” Raven asks, looking specifically at Eldon.
“How old? Dove, it was less than twelve months ago. None of us get our powers until we’re eighteen,” Zane explains, and
I watch as Raven’s lips purse.
“Do I know her?”
The four of us look at Raven in confusion. “Know who?” Eldon asks, his hands no longer hiding his face.
“The girl.”
It takes me a second to understand where she’s going with this, and I decide to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the front-row
seat to Eldon fucking it all up for himself.
“Dotty Bramwell.”
“Does Dotty go here too?” I can practically taste Raven’s jealousy, and the strength it takes to bite back my smile gets
harder and harder with every passing second.
“Does it matter?” I ask, earning a deathly glare from my pink-haired shadow as I stoke the fire brewing before me. But
before she can answer, Zane cuts in.
“Dotty died the first week of having her powers,” he admits, and Raven’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. I watch the
slight cringe as she looks down at her lap, likely feeling foolish for being so green with jealousy just moments earlier.
“Now I feel bad.” Raven pinches the bridge of her nose, instantly flustered, and I’m just as quickly irritated by the fact that
it’s completely uprooted the lighthearted vibe that was rocking the room.
Maybe I should have stepped in earlier and redirected the conversation before her jealousy got so potent, but it’s too late to
change that now. What I can do is redirect everything from now on so it doesn’t continue to gut my good mood.
I cut the distance between us in three strides, eating up the space just as hungrily as I want to feast on her.
“I didn’t think green was your color, Shadow,” I breathe, crouching in front of her.
She rolls her eyes, knowing exactly what I’m talking about. “It isn’t.”
“Are you sure about that? It’s shimmering in your eyes, and I’m certain the ends of your hair are changing too,” I tease. Her
pout and forced glare send a jolt of desire to my cock, fueling the embers already burning with need for her.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her splayed pussy ever since she agreed to forget all of her troubles while
demanding food, fun, and fucking. My three new favorite words that all begin with an f.
“You’re an ass, Brax.”
I smirk at her poor attempt to snap at me, which only irritates her more. I think I like driving her crazy just as much as I
enjoy hearing her scream. I want to hear the latter. It just can’t be at my touch. That’s not going to make this any less fun at all.
Planting my hands on both of her thighs, I squeeze, making her glare narrow even further. “Do you want me to spank your
ass and see if you want to call me that again?”
She leans forward, jutting her chin up as a flicker of defiance shines in her eyes. “I said, you’re an ass, Brax.”
“Ohh, someone’s feisty today,” Zane says with a snicker as I swoop my hands to her hips and flip her over, earning me a
yelp.
Her ass is up in the air, her face smushed into the back of the sofa, and my cock is hard as hell. Before she can come at me
with that tongue of hers again, I slap my palm against the globe of her ass. The sweet sound of her muffled groan has me
shaking my head in disbelief.
She’s an enigma. A teasing, wanton little brat who wants me to fucking spank her just as much as I want to do it.
“That sound is from the soundtrack of my dreams, man,” Eldon states, a moan lilting his voice as Raven pushes off the
cushions to smirk over her shoulder at us.
She’s our undoing. There are no truer words than that. But if she thinks I’m going to play her game where she acts like a
brat and gets what she wants, then she’s in for a surprise. Squeezing her thighs, I lean forward and sink my teeth into her ass
cheek, just deep enough to force a squeak of surprise from her before I rush to my feet and take a step back.
The pout is right back on her lips and I smirk. “What do you want, Raven?”
“To come.” Her response is immediate, along with the shake of her hips.
“Do you want everyone all at once or one after the other?”
Her eyes widen, her jaw going slack as she drags her gaze from Creed to Eldon, then Zane, before settling back on me.
“Two at a time,” she finally answers, cocking her brow.
Of course, she had to throw another scenario at me. The challenge is clear in her crystal blues, but that will work in my
favor too. With a sweep of my hand, her clothes are gone, along with my own, and her eyes quickly drift to my cock that stands
prominent and eagerly pointing in her direction.
“If you don’t let me join in on this one, I’m going to come before I get a chance,” Zane states, stepping forward with his
clothes completely gone too, and protection secured around his dick.
Nodding, I turn my attention back to Raven. “On the coffee table,” I order as I step toward the wooden furniture. It’s the
perfect height.
I expect another bout of defiance from her, but to my surprise, she rises to her feet, swooping her hair into a hair tie as she
sways her hips with every step. Without any further commands, she climbs onto the table on all fours, looking up through her
lashes at me with need shining in her eyes.
Taking two steps, I stand right in front of her, the curve of her lips perfectly in line with my dick as I wrap my fingers
around my length. Her eyes track every move as I notice both Creed and Eldon silently move to get a better view. Their time
will come and they know it. She’s so willing, so eager, so needy, it’s addictive.
“No prep, guys. I want to stretch our Raven and leave her aching in the morning.”
No one argues with my demand and Raven’s teeth sink into her bottom lip hungrily.
“Use me,” Raven pants, and I groan, my head falling back as my eyes drift closed. She hasn’t even touched me yet and my
toes are already tingling with desire.
“If you say so, Shadow,” I breathe, glancing down at her through hooded eyes as I nudge my cock against her lips.
 “I do, but I want to hear you,” she whispers, her breath floating over my sensitive head before I push past her lips and feel
the warmth of her mouth around my dick.
“Fuck,” I hiss as she takes me to the back of her throat. She swallows around my length as she cups my balls, and any
question of who is in control here is gone.
Raking my fingers through her hair, she hums around my cock as I tighten my grip. When she leans back to take a breath, I
give her two short pants before I thrust into her mouth, grappling for control between us as ecstasy ripples through my bones.
“That’s it, Shadow. Fuck,” I groan, giving in to what she wants as she swallows around my cock again. Her hums around
my length shift to garbled moans as she pauses, and I look down the length of her to see Zane balls deep in her pussy. “That’s it,
stretch your sweet pussy around his cock, Raven. Fit him perfectly,” I rasp, watching her skin start to blotch in pink patches.
Hot. As. Fuck.
“Damn, Dove,” Zane groans, giving her a moment to adjust around his length.
“Don’t pause. Fuck her.”
Zane’s eyes flash to mine, a reply likely on the tip of his tongue, but it’s quickly shut down when Raven shakes her hips
ever so slightly. I know I’m rougher on her than the others, but she fucking loves it. She may like their softer approach too, but
right now, she wants to be claimed, and who are we to deny her?
He moves so fast I’m not sure he’s moved at all until she jolts around my cock, gagging at how deep I am briefly before he
pulls out and does it again. Her hand drops from my balls as she braces herself on all fours, letting Zane thrust into her pussy as
I claim her mouth.
Back and forth she takes it, takes everything we give her as our moans mingle in the air and turn up the heat.
“Fuck, I’m going to come,” Zane groans. His breath coming in short pants.
“Take her over the edge with you,” I demand, tightening my hold on her hair as I relentlessly fuck her mouth.
Zane changes his angle slightly so he can reach around to swirl at her clit, but Creed beats him to it, teasing her folds, and a
moment later, she’s screaming around my cock, eyes rolling to the back of her head as she comes apart at the seams.
“That’s it, Dove. Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chants, embedding himself in her core as she sags between us. Only my hold on her
hair keeps her up as her arms give out and Zane’s head lulls forward as he catches his breath, but I’m not done with her.
“Switch out. Now,” I bite, nodding at Eldon. I like Creed playing with her clit right now, and I want Eldon to chase her
over the edge too.
Without a word, he slips protection over the end of his cock and fills the space Zane stumbles from a second later.
Raven moans around my length as she adjusts to the new dick between her folds. “How quickly can we make her come
again, El?” I ask, my gaze on my shadow as she peers up at me through half-mast eyes. “I want her choking on my orgasm as
she feels her own. Can you make that happen?” I ask, challenging my friend, who nods eagerly. He has no idea how close I’ve
been since we began, but I can hold on a little longer.
“I want her creaming all over my cock in the next sixty seconds,” he retorts, gripping Raven’s hips tight as he slams into
her, making her jolt on my dick again. Fuck, sixty seconds could be more than I can handle at this stage.
“Make it happen.” I keep my gaze fixed on Raven’s as I fist her hair and take control of her mouth, no longer keeping in
tandem with Eldon.
She wants to be used. I can do that.
Creed at her clit, Eldon at her core, and Zane gaping from the sidelines; it all fades into the background as I focus on her
and her alone. My balls tingle, the warmth of her mouth bringing me to the edge time and time again as she becomes pliant.
“Fuck. Fuck, Shadow,” I rasp, my chest tightening as pleasure floods my veins.
The words on my tongue have her eyes drifting closed as she moans around my length, and I shatter into an abyss as rope
after rope of my release paints the back of her throat. Her entire body tightens, coiling like a spring until she explodes along
with me.
A pleased smile tips the corner of my mouth as I try to catch my breath, my cock still twitching at the back of her throat as I
drag out every ounce of my release.
“That’s it, Little Bird, squeeze my dick,” Eldon groans as I take my cock from Raven’s mouth but keep my hands fisted in
her hair to hold her in place.
“Take over, Creed. She needs two to hold her up,” I grunt as Raven stares up at me in a sex-fueled daze.
The moment Creed’s cock is against her lips and his hands are in her hair, I take a step back and appreciate the wonder that
we’re all addicted to. I want to drop to my knees and take Eldon’s place at her pussy, but my gut tells me that goes against my
word.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want her to be drenched in euphoria, though.
“Fuck, I can’t last, Raven. I’m so close,” Eldon moans, breaking my thoughts, and I glare at him.
“You’ll hold the fuck out until she comes one more time,” I growl, not waiting for a response as I spin to Zane. “You. I want
her clit fucking raw in the morning. Make her detonate.”
Crouching down beside Creed, I’m acutely aware of how close I am to his dick, but I don’t care. I want to be staring into
her eyes when she falls apart again. Zane falls to his knees by her waist and does as I demand, finding her little pink nub as she
groans with every thrust from Eldon and Creed.
She’s the center of my world, consuming my vision as I see her and only her. A second, a minute, an hour, I don’t fucking
know how much time passes. But I know the softness in her eyes, despite the force of my brothers, I know the tremble in her
shoulders when she’s close, and I know the smallest, sweetest moan that slips from her lips as she climaxes. All while her eyes
remain fixed on mine.
For one moment, she got to forget.
For one moment, I’ll remember everything.
 TWELVE
RAVEN

M yheavy,
limbs ache in the most delicious way as I stir, stretching my arms over my head as a yawn parts my lips. My eyes are
my breathing still labored, and my temperature is high with the body heat coming from the guys I know are lying
beside me. If they’re still beneath the sheets with me then it’s too early to be waking up.
My mind begs for me to settle back down again and drift back into an unmemorable dream, but my eyes have a different
idea as they blink through the fog involuntarily, and the second I’m able to focus, I see why.
Shadows.
Everywhere.
Silhouettes dancing across the walls, along the bed sheets, and over my men as they sleep beside me none the wiser. My
heart rate accelerates, but the fear doesn't come like it usually does. Once again, I’m left speechless, watching them in their all-
consuming ways, wondering what the fuck is actually going on.
I try to focus on just one, following it around the window, over the far wall, and down the bedroom door, but it quickly
disappears among the others before I can track it any further. Pursing my lips, I consider rolling to my side, but it’s as if I’m
held in a trance with my arms still above my head. However, the stretch is long forgotten.
My chest tightens as a tingle of apprehension creeps through me. What do they want from me? A sudden onslaught of
memories perilously cascade over me as I fall victim to the reminder of yesterday and the days that came before it.
The memories we ignored, the despair we hid, the truth we clouded, all for a moment of tranquility. Fuck was it worth it.
The ache between my thighs and the tightness of my jaw is a lasting recollection of our antics, but the dismay at all of the pain
and anguish rushing through me once again hurts like a bitch.
Brax must have had Creed lift the magic when I fell asleep, which I’m grateful for because the way the thoughts run through
my mind now, fast and unrelenting, I can’t help but wonder how I ever managed to fall asleep before. My chances of falling
back asleep with these shadows dancing along my walls are extremely low, leaving me to wallow in thoughts of Erikel and
Ari.
A bad situation always has the ability to get worse here, and it’s embarrassing that I sometimes think otherwise.
Groaning from my left distracts me, but all I can do is peer out of the corner of my eye, unable to turn my head as the sound
becomes more panicked. By the third husky moan that melds into a snarl, the shadows disappear as if startled.
My body becomes my own once again and I scramble to see what’s going on. Rolling to my side, I prop my face on my
palm as I stare at Eldon writhing beneath the sheets. His brows are furrowed, his jaw tense, and the muscles in his neck are
bunched. Yet he’s asleep. His head thrashes from side to side, making the cord in his neck protrude with anger, and I tentatively
place my palm against his cheek.
I have no idea if waking him is a good idea or not, but I can’t stand to leave him in distress like this. No matter the
consequences.
“Eldon?” I whisper, unsure of what I’m actually doing, as I try not to alarm the others. “Eldon?” I stroke my thumb across
his cheek and the thrashing stops, but the way his face continues to scrunch up tells me he’s still deep in his dream. His name is
on the tip of my tongue, but before I can murmur it, his eyes ping open and his body stills.
He frowns up at me, disoriented, as he tilts his face. “Raven?”
“Hey, you were having a dream of some kind, I think,” I explain, avoiding the word nightmare for some reason, but he
knows what I’m referring to.
“Come lay down. I’m sorry for disturbing you,” he breathes, pulling me against his chest and draping his arm around my
shoulders.
I nestle into him, relieved he’s okay, as I melt against his body. “Is everything okay?” I ask, tipping my head up to meet his
gaze as he swipes a hand down his face with a sigh.
 “I’m not so sure it was a dream. I think it was more of a vision.”
“A vision?”
He nods, taking another deep breath before he turns to face me head on. “Yeah. I’m trying to think how to best explain it.”
He looks up at the ceiling, his eyes scrunching closed every so often, and I try to give him the space he needs to think. “It’s
dark, cave-like, and cold. So fucking cold.” A shiver seems to ripple through him as he speaks, making me tense a little.
“There’s a platform in the distance, something shimmering gold, and my gut feels relieved to see it.”
“Can you make out what it is?”
“No.” The disappointment is clear in his tone as he tightens his hold on me in comfort, more for him than for me.
“It’s okay; I’m sure it will come to you. It always does.” My attempt to reassure him earns me a tired smile. “Maybe we
should start a mood board for all of your visions so we can try to solve them and piece them together as a team,” I add, and his
smile grows before he presses a kiss to my temple.
“That sounds like the perfect plan, Little Bird. Thank you. But for now, snuggle with me. You need the rest.”
His calmness and ease seems to seep into me. My earlier thoughts are nonexistent as I focus on him instead. Feeling his
heartbeat beneath my palm, the world becomes dark once more.

SLEEP MAY HAVE CLAIMED me again, but not for long enough. Out in the crisp morning air, I’m wishing I’d stayed beneath
the sheets. The only thing keeping me out here is the joy of watching the Bishops workout.
It’s not something I usually get to see. I’m either hiding in bed or working out with them, whereas this morning, I get to
enjoy the view.
So good. So, so good.
Brax’s muscles flex with every breath as he uses the weights, likely oblivious to my watchful gaze. I didn’t think I could be
so attracted to a back, but here we are. Eldon works out beside him, but he’s facing me, his pecs bunching together every few
moments, accompanied by a wink everytime he catches me looking. Creed is the closest to me, doing what I’m sure is his two-
hundredth sit-up, with only the smallest beads of sweat gathering at his temple. Zane, however, has a thin layer of perspiration
clinging to every inch of his skin as he runs short sprints back and forth across the lawn.
I never knew sweat could be so appealing. Watching all of the deliciousness is exhausting on it’s own, I can’t imagine how
draining it is to simply exist and be that fucking hot.
With my legs crossed, I run my fingers through the blades of grass, and other than enjoying the view, I can’t stop thinking
about my magic. Not the necromancy, but the magic that comes with it. As if sensing my thoughts brimming back to the surface,
Creed sits up and shuffles closer to me so his legs frame either side of me.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear as his onyx eyes pierce mine.
“I’m thinking it might be a good idea for me to start working on my mirror magic,” I admit. “I don’t want to end the week
with my whole head covered in black hair as I bring people back from the dead again and again, while ignoring the importance
of the abilities that also come with it.”
“You don’t want to be defenseless, Raven. I understand that. We’ve got a bit of time now if you want to dive into it before
we leave.”
I gape at him, speechless for a moment as I bask in the awe I feel for these men. I mention my thoughts, and not even a
second passes before they’re willing to put everything on hold. For me.
It’s not because of my new-found magic either. They were like this before all of that. They were like this when I thought I
was a Void. I scoff at the word that tainted my life before coming here.
Void.
It’s weird to look at me now. In such a short space of time, everything has changed.
“Raven?”
I blink, focusing on Creed again as I nod eagerly. “Please, that would be great.”
“Perfect.” He stands, offering me his hand to pull me to my feet, and my toes curl into the grass, keeping me grounded as I
nervously glance around.
I don’t know what it is, but whenever I’m practicing my magic, I get this nervous butterfly feeling in my stomach and it
never seems to wane.
“Want to start with me, Shadow?” Brax asks, discarding the weights as he turns and gives me his full attention.
“Uh, yeah?” I’m aware it comes out as more of a question than the confident answer I was going for, but a moment ago this
was just a thought, and now we’re digging deep into it. I just want to magically have the hang of it without facing failure. I feel
like I’m sinking in enough of that already.
His big hand engulfs mine, pulling me away from the others as the two of us stand closer to the cliff’s edge. The breeze
picks up a little, ruffling the hem of my oversized tee as I nervously cling to him.
“Do you want to try mind magic again or do you want to see if you can go full gargoyle?” he offers, cocking a brow at me
as I consider my options.
The mind magic was natural last time, I’m sure it would be easy enough again, but really, Creed was right. This is about
feeling defenseless, and the thought of turning my fist to stone is exactly what I’m in need of.
“Gargoyle,” I breathe, and Brax’s grin spreads wide.
“Good answer, Shadow.” He releases my hand and takes a step back.
Without a word of warning, he turns to stone. Not just his arm; but head to toe. His shoulders somehow manage to widen,
his fists clench at his sides, and he slowly cracks his neck from side to side. The last time I saw him in full gargoyle mode, a
blade pierced his back at the hands of the Amayans. There was never a moment to appreciate his true beauty.
His eyes, one brown, one green, darken yet glitter under the morning light.
“Take your time, Raven. Focus on the magic,” he rasps, his stone lips moving and making me gape more.
Clearing my throat, I shake out my arms in hopes that it will help me focus on what I’m supposed to be doing instead of
ogling him. I close my eyes as I take one final breath before settling my gaze on the wisps of magic dancing over his skin. It
almost looks like electricity zapping around him since the magic is coming from every inch of him instead of just one single
strand.
I take a tentative step toward him, my fingers extended in his direction, excitement dancing over my skin as I touch the
strand of magic. My arms go heavy at my side, dropping me to my knees with a grunt as I hear the guys behind me call out my
name, but I shake my head.
Fuck.
I just need a second.
My eyes squeeze shut as my fingers plead to release the tendrils of magic, but I’m not falling at the first hurdle. I refuse.
Exhaling, my nostrils flare as I take another deep breath, working my way through each inhale as I slowly wiggle my fingers.
It’s strange. They’re thicker, heavier, slower… but stronger.
Blinking my eyes open, I glance up at Brax, who is standing patiently before me. There’s a softness in his eyes, a silent
understanding, and it fills me with the strength I need to push on.
I nod, more in confirmation to myself than anything else, but he tilts his head at me in response, encouraging me on.
Curling my hands into fists, I press my stone knuckles into the ground and push up onto my feet before taking a big breath
and standing tall. Everything begs me to slump back to the floor again, my head light and my vision slightly blurred with
disorientation, but I breathe through it, gulp after gulp. Brax and the others remain silent, giving me the time I need to learn and
adjust.
Slowly, oh-so-fucking-slowly, my shoulders relax and my arms sway slightly from side to side as I clench my fingers
tighter around the strand of magic transforming me. Taking my time, the magic drifts over me, the initial weight that knocked me
off balance slackens, and I can manage a little better.
“Just high-five me for today, Shadow,” Brax murmurs, lifting his stone hand for me.
Two minutes ago, I would have laughed in his face, but as the magic tingles up past my elbows, it doesn’t seem so
unachievable. Wetting my bottom lip, I take what feels like my one-thousandth deep breath before I raise my right hand. It feels
good until I get three-quarters of the way up to his and I start to falter, my body straining in the strangest way, but I grit my teeth
and push through it until I feel his palm against mine.
It’s the briefest moment before I drop my hand back to my side, releasing the tendrils of magic in my grasp.
“Fuck, Dove. You smashed it,” Zane hollers as I hear someone clapping behind me too, but my gaze is fixed on Brax. I
don’t know why I’m seeking his approval, but he is the gargoyle, after all.
“You did good, Shadow. I can’t deny that I’m impressed with the fact that you even managed a high-five too.” My body
tingles at his approval on top of Zane’s. “But I think you might need to save any more mirror magic until later because classes
start in thirty minutes.”
My eyes widen in surprise and I nod in agreement.
That clearly took me a lot longer than I realized.
Lips press against my temple as I’m pulled in against a firm chest and I look up straight into Eldon’s eyes.
“You are a badass, Little Bird. A. Bad. Ass,” he says with a smirk as he pulls me toward the patio door, and I shake my
head at him.
I honestly don’t know what the fuck I am, but I’m starting to like it.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
of bears, which would make the following of their trails unpopular with
sphexes. And Roane seized upon the idea and absorbedly suggested
that a sphex-repellent odor might be worked out, which would make a
human revolting to a sphex. If that were done—why—humans could
go freely about unmolested.
"Like stink-bugs," said Huyghens, sardonically. "A very intelligent
idea! Very rational! You can feel proud!"
And suddenly Roane, very obscurely, was not proud of the idea at all.
They camped again. On the third night they were at the base of that
remarkable formation, the Sere Plateau, which from a distance
looked like a mountain-range but was actually a desert tableland. And
it was not reasonable for a desert to be raised high, while lowlands
had rain, but on the fourth morning they found out why. They saw, far,
far away, a truly monstrous mountain-mass at the end of the long-way
expanse of the plateau. It was like the prow of a ship. It lay, so
Huyghens observed, directly in line with the prevailing winds, and
divided them as a ship's prow divides the waters. The moisture-
bearing air-currents flowed beside the plateau, not over it, and its
interior was pure sere desert in the unscreened sunshine of high
altitudes.

It took them a full day to get halfway up the slope. And here, twice as
they climbed, Semper flew screaming over aggregations of sphexes
to one side of them or the other. These were much larger groups than
Huyghens had ever seen before—fifty to a hundred monstrosities
together, where a dozen was a large hunting-pack elsewhere. He
looked in the screen which showed him what Semper saw, four to five
miles away. The sphexes padded uphill toward the Sere Plateau in a
long line. Fifty—sixty—seventy tan-and-azure beasts out of hell.
"I'd hate to have that bunch jump us," he said candidly to Roane. "I
don't think we'd stand a chance."
"Here's where a robot tank would be useful," Roane observed.
"Anything armored," conceded Huyghens. "One man in an armored
station like mine would be safe. But if he killed a sphex he'd be
besieged. He'd have to stay holed up, breathing the smell of dead
sphex, until the odor had gone away. And he mustn't kill any others or
he'd be besieged until winter came."
Roane did not suggest the advantages of robots in other directions.
At that moment, for example, they were working their way up a slope
which averaged fifty degrees. The bears climbed without effort
despite their burdens. For the men it was infinite toil. Semper, the
eagle, manifested impatience with bears and men alike, who crawled
so slowly up an incline over which he soared.
He went ahead up the mountainside and teetered in the air-currents
at the plateau's edge. Huyghens looked in the vision-plate by which
he reported.
"How the devil," panted Roane—they had stopped for a breather, and
the bears waited patiently for them—"do you train bears like these? I
can understand Semper."
"I don't train them," said Huyghens, staring into the plate. "They're
mutations. In heredity the sex-linkage of physical characteristics is
standard stuff. But there's been some sound work done on the gene-
linkage of psychological factors. There was need, on my home
planet, for an animal who could fight like a fiend, live off the land,
carry a pack and get along with men at least as well as dogs do. In
the old days they'd have tried to breed the desired physical properties
into an animal who already had the personality they wanted.
Something like a giant dog, say. But back home they went at it the
other way about. They picked the wanted physical characteristics and
bred for the personality—the psychology. The job got done over a
century ago—a Kodiak bear named Kodius Champion was the first
real success. He had everything that was wanted. These bears are
his descendants."
"They look normal," commented Roane.
"They are!" said Huyghens warmly. "Just as normal as an honest dog!
They're not trained, like Semper. They train themselves!" He looked
back into the plate in his hands, which showed the ground five and
six and seven thousand feet higher. "Semper, now, is a trained bird
without too much brains. He's educated—a glorified hawk. But the
bears want to get along with men. They're emotionally dependent on
us! Like dogs. Semper's a servant, but they're companions and
friends. He's trained, but they're loyal. He's conditioned. They love us.
He'd abandon me if he ever realized he could—he thinks he can only
eat what men feed him. But the bears wouldn't want to. They like us. I
admit that I like them. Maybe because they like me."
Roane said deliberately:
"Aren't you a trifle loose-tongued, Huyghens? I'm a Colonial Survey
officer. I have to arrest you sooner or later. You've told me something
that will locate and convict the people who set you up here. It
shouldn't be hard to find where bears were bred for psychological
mutations, and where a bear named Kodius Champion left
descendants! I can find out where you came from now, Huyghens!"
Huyghens looked up from the plate with its tiny swaying television
image, relayed from where Semper floated impatiently in mid-air.
"No harm done," he said amiably. "I'm a criminal there, too. It's
officially on record that I kidnaped these bears and escaped with
them. Which, on my home planet, is about as heinous a crime as a
man can commit. It's worse than horse-theft back on Earth in the old
days. The kin and cousins of my bears are highly thought of. I'm quite
a criminal, back home."
Roane stared.
"Did you steal them?" he demanded.
"Confidentially," said Huyghens. "No. But prove it!" Then he said:
"Take a look in this plate. See what Semper can see up at the
plateau's edge."

Roane squinted aloft, where the eagle flew in great sweeps and
dashes. Somehow, by the experience of the past few days, Roane
knew that Semper was screaming fiercely as he flew. He made a dart
toward the plateau's border.
Roane looked at the transmitted picture. It was only four inches by
six, but it was perfectly without grain and in accurate color. It moved
and turned as the camera-bearing eagle swooped and circled. For an
instant the screen showed the steeply sloping mountainside, and off
at one edge the party of men and bears could be seen as dots. Then
it swept away and showed the top of the plateau.
There were sphexes. A pack of two hundred trotted toward the desert
interior. They moved at leisure, in the open. The viewing camera
reeled, and there were more. As Roane watched and as the bird flew
higher, he could see still other sphexes moving up over the edge of
the plateau from a small erosion-defile here and another one there.
The Sere Plateau was alive with the hellish creatures. It was
inconceivable that there should be game enough for them to live on.
They were visible as herds of cattle would be visible on grazing
planets.
It was simply impossible.
"Migrating," observed Huyghens. "I said they did. They're headed
somewhere. Do you know, I doubt that it would be healthy for us to try
to cross the plateau through such a swarm of sphexes?"
Roane swore, in abrupt change of mood.
"But the signal's still coming through! Somebody's alive over at the
robot colony! Must we wait till the migration's over?"
"We don't know," Huyghens pointed out, "that they'll stay alive. They
may need help badly. We have to get to them. But at the same time
—"
He glanced at Sourdough Charley and Sitka Pete, clinging patiently
to the mountainside while the men rested and talked. Sitka had
managed to find a place to sit down, though one massive paw
anchored him in his place.
Huyghens waved his arm, pointing in a new direction.
"Let's go!" he called briskly. "Let's go! Yonder! Hup!"
 IV
They followed the slopes of the Sere Plateau, neither ascending to its
level top—where sphexes congregated—nor descending into the
foothills where sphexes assembled. They moved along hillsides and
mountain-flanks which sloped anywhere from thirty to sixty degrees,
and they did not cover much distance. They practically forgot what it
was to walk on level ground. Semper, the eagle, hovered overhead
during the daytime, not far away. He descended at nightfall for his
food from the pack of one of the bears.
"The bears aren't doing too well for food," said Huyghens dryly. "A ton
of bear needs a lot to eat. But they're loyal to us. Semper hasn't any
loyalty. He's too stupid. But he's been conditioned to think that he can
only eat what men feed him. The bears know better, but they stick to
us regardless. I rather like these bears."
It was the most self-evident of understatements. This was at an
encampment on the top of a massive boulder which projected from a
mountainous stony wall. This was six days from the start of their
journey. There was barely room on the boulder for all the party. And
Faro Nell fussily insisted that Nugget should be in the safest part,
which meant near the mountain-flank. She would have crowded the
men outward, but Nugget whimpered for Roane. Wherefore, when
Roane moved to comfort him, Faro Nell contentedly drew back and
snorted at Sitka and Sourdough and they made room for her near the
edge.
It was a hungry camp. They had come upon tiny rills upon occasion,
flowing down the mountain side. Here the bears had drunk deeply
and the men had filled canteens. But this was the third night, and
there had been no game at all. Huyghens made no move to bring out
food for Roane or himself. Roane made no comment. He was
beginning to participate in the relationship between bears and men,
which was not the slavery of the bears but something more. It was
two-way. He felt it.
"It would seem," he said fretfully, "that since the sphexes don't seem
to hunt on their way uphill, that there should be some game. They
ignore everything as they file uphill."
This was true enough. The normal fighting formation of sphexes was
line abreast, which automatically surrounded anything which offered
to flee and outflanked anything which offered fight. But here they
ascended the mountain in long lines, one after the other, following
apparently long-established trails. The wind blew along the slopes
and carried scent only sidewise. But the sphexes were not diverted
from their chosen paths. The long processions of hideous blue-and-
tawny creatures—it was hard to think of them as natural beasts, male
and female and laying eggs like reptiles on other planets—simply
climbed.
"There've been other thousands of beasts before them," said
Huyghens. "They must have been crowding this way for days or even
weeks. We've seen tens of thousands in Semper's camera. They
must be uncountable, altogether. The first-comers ate all the game
there was, and the last-comers have something else on whatever
they use for minds."
Roane protested:
"But so many carnivores in one place is impossible! I know they are
here, but they can't be!"
"They're cold-blooded," Huyghens pointed out. "They don't burn food
to sustain body-temperature. After all, lots of creatures go for long
periods without eating. Even bears hibernate. But this isn't
hibernation—or estivation, either."
He was setting up the radiation-wave receiver in the darkness. There
was no point in attempting a fix here. The transmitter was on the
other side of the Sere Plateau, which inexplicably swarmed with the
most ferocious and deadly of all the creatures of Loren Two. The men
and bears would commit suicide by crossing here.
But Huyghens turned on the receiver. There came the whispering,
scratchy sound of background-noise. Then the signal. Three dots,
three dashes, three dots. Three dots, three dashes, three dots. It
went on and on and on. Huyghens turned it off. Roane said:
"Shouldn't we have answered that signal before we left the station?
To encourage them?"
"I doubt they have a receiver," said Huyghens. "They won't expect an
answer for months, anyhow. They'd hardly listen all the time, and if
they're living in a mine-tunnel and trying to sneak out for food to
stretch their supplies—why, they'll be too busy to try to make
complicated recorders or relays."
Roane was silent for a moment or two.
"We've got to get food for the bears," he said presently. "Nugget's
weaned, and he's hungry."
"We will," Huyghens promised. "I may be wrong, but it seems to me
that the number of sphexes climbing the mountain is less than
yesterday and the day before. We may have just about crossed the
path of their migration. They're thinning out. When we're past their
trail, we'll have to look out for night-walkers and the like again. But I
think they wiped out all animal life on their migration-route."

He was not quite right. He was waked in darkness by the sound of

slappings and the grunting of bears. Feather-light puffs of breeze
beat upon his face. He struck his belt-lamp sharply and the world was
hidden by a whitish film which snatched itself away. Something
flapped. Then he saw the stars and the emptiness on the edge of
which they camped. Then big white things flapped toward him.
Sitka Pete whuffed mightily and swatted. Faro Nell grunted and
swung. She caught something in her claws. She crunched. The light
went off as Huyghens realized. Then he said:
"Don't shoot, Roane!" He listened, and heard the sounds of feeding in
the dark. It ended. "Watch this!" said Huyghens.
The belt-light came on again. Something strangely-shaped and pallid
like human skin reeled and flapped crazily toward him. Something
else. Four. Five—ten—twenty—more....
A huge hairy paw reached up into the light-beam and snatched a
flying thing out of it. Another great paw. Huyghens shifted the light
and the three great Kodiaks were on their hind legs, swatting at
creatures which flittered insanely, unable to resist the fascination of
the glaring lamp. Because of their wild gyrations it was impossible to
see them in detail, but they were those unpleasant night-creatures
which looked like plucked flying monkeys but were actually something
quite different.
The bears did not snarl or snap. They swatted, with a remarkable air
of businesslike competence and purpose. Small mounds of broken
things built up about their feet.
Suddenly there were no more. Huyghens snapped off the light. The
bears crunched and fed busily in the darkness.
"Those things are carnivores and blood-suckers, Roane," said
Huyghens calmly. "They drain their victims of blood like vampire bats
—they've some trick of not waking them—and when they're dead the
whole tribe eats. But bears have thick furs, and they wake when
they're touched. And they're omnivorous—they'll eat anything but
sphexes, and like it. You might say that those night-creatures came to
lunch. But they stayed. They are it—for the bears, who are living off
the country as usual."
Roane uttered a sudden exclamation. He made a tiny light, and blood
flowed down his hand. Huyghens passed over his pocket kit of
antiseptic and bandages. Roane stanched the bleeding and bound up
his hand. Then he realized that Nugget chewed on something. When
he turned the light, Nugget swallowed convulsively. It appeared that
he had caught and devoured the creature which had drawn blood
from Roane. But Roane had lost none to speak of, at that.
In the morning they started along the sloping scarp of the plateau
once more. During the morning, Roane said painfully:
"Robots wouldn't have handled those vampire-things, Huyghens."
"Oh, they could be built to watch for them," said Huyghens, tolerantly.
"But you'd have to swat for yourself. I prefer the bears."
He led the way on. Here their jungle-formation could not apply. On a
steep slope the bears ambled comfortably, the tough pads of their
feet holding fast on the slanting rock, but the men struggled painfully.
Twice Huyghens halted to examine the ground about the mountains'
bases through binoculars. He looked encouraged as they went on.
The monstrous peak which was like the bow of a ship at the end of
the Sere Plateau was visibly nearer. Toward midday, indeed, it looked
high above the horizon, no more than fifteen miles away. And at
midday Huyghens called a final halt.
"No more congregations of sphexes down below," he said cheerfully,
"and we haven't seen a climbing line of them in miles." The crossing
of a sphex-trail meant simply waiting until one party had passed, and
then crossing before another came in view. "I've a hunch we've
crossed their migration-route. Let's see what Semper tells us!"
He waved the eagle aloft. And Semper, like all creatures other than
men, normally functioned only for the satisfaction of his appetite, and
then tended to loaf or sleep. He had ridden the last few miles perched
on Sitka Pete's pack. Now he soared upward and Huyghens watched
in the small vision-plate.
Semper went soaring—and the image on the plate swayed and
turned and turned—and in minutes was above the plateau's edge.
And here there was some vegetation and the ground rolled
somewhat, and there were even patches of brush. But as Semper
towered higher still, the inner desert appeared. But nearby it was
clear of beasts. Only once, when the eagle banked sharply and the
camera looked along the long dimension of the plateau, did
Huyghens see any sign of the blue-and-tan beasts. There he saw
what looked like masses amounting to herds. But, of course,
carnivores do not gather in herds.
"We go straight up," said Huyghens in satisfaction. "We cross the
plateau here—and we can edge down-wind a bit, even. I think we'll
find something interesting on our way to your robot colony."
He waved to the bears to go ahead uphill.

They reached the top hours later—barely before sunset. And they
saw game. Not much, but game at the grassy, brushy border of the
desert. Huyghens brought down a shaggy ruminant which surely
would not live on a desert. When night fell there was an abrupt chill in
the air. It was much colder than night-temperatures on the slopes.
The air was thin. Roane thought confusedly and presently guessed at
the cause. In the lee of the prow-mountain the air was calm. There
were no clouds. The ground radiated its heat to empty space. It could
be bitterly cold in the nighttime, here.
"And hot by day," Huyghens agreed when he mentioned it. "The
sunshine's terrifically hot where the air is thin, but on most mountains
there's wind. By day, here, the ground will tend to heat up like the
surface of a planet without atmosphere. It may be a hundred and forty
or fifty degrees on the sand at midday. But it should be cold at night."
It was. Before midnight Huyghens built a fire. There could be no
danger of night-walkers where the temperature dropped to freezing.
In the morning the men were stiff with cold, but the bears snorted and
moved about briskly. They seemed to revel in the morning chill. Sitka
and Sourdough Charley, in fact, became festive and engaged in a
mock fight, whacking each other with blows that were only feigned,
but would have crushed in the skull of any man. Nugget sneezed with
excitement as he watched them. Faro Nell regarded them with female
disapproval.
They went on. Semper seemed sluggish. After a single brief flight he
descended and rode on Sitka's pack, as on the previous day. He
perched there, surveying the landscape as it changed from semi-arid
to pure desert in their progress. His air was arrogant. But he would
not fly. Soaring birds do not like to fly when there are no winds to
make currents of which to take advantage. On the way, Huyghens
painstakingly pointed out to Roane exactly where they were on the
enlarged photograph taken from space, and the exact spot from
which the distress-signal seemed to come.
"You're doing it in case something happens to you," said Roane. "I
admit it's sense, but—what could I do to help those survivors even if I
got to them, without you?"
"What you've learned about sphexes would help," said Huyghens.
"The bears would help. And we left a note back at my station.
Whoever grounds at the landing field back there—and the beacon's
working again—will find instructions to come to the place we're trying
to reach."
Roane plodded alongside him. The narrow non-desert border of the
Sere Plateau was behind them, now. They marched across powdery
desert sand.
"See here," said Roane, "I want to know something! You tell me
you're listed as a bear-thief on your home planet. You tell me it's a lie
—to protect your friends from prosecution by the Colonial Survey.
You're on your own, risking your life every minute of every day. You
took a risk in not shooting me. Now you're risking more in going to
help men who'd have to be witnesses that you were a criminal. What
are you doing it for?"
Huyghens grinned.
"Because I don't like robots. I don't like the fact that they're subduing
men—making men subordinate to them."
"Go on," insisted Roane. "I don't see why disliking robots should
make you a criminal. Nor men subordinating themselves to robots,
either!"
"But they are," said Huyghens mildly. "I'm a crank, of course. But—I
live like a man on this planet. I go where I please and do what I
please. My helpers, the bears, are my friends. If the robot colony had
been a success, would the humans in it have lived like men? Hardly!
They'd have to live the way the robots let them! They'd have to stay
inside a fence the robots built. They'd have to eat foods that robots
could raise, and no others. Why—a man couldn't move his bed near a
window, because if he did the house-tending robots couldn't work!
Robots would serve them—the way the robots determined—but all
they'd get out of it would be jobs servicing the robots!"
Roane shook his head.
"As long as men want robot service, they have to take the service that
robots can give. If you don't want those services—"
"I want to decide what I want," said Huyghens, again mildly, "instead
of being limited to choose among what I'm offered. On my home
planet we halfway tamed it with dogs and guns. Then we developed
the bears, and we finished the job with them. Now there's population-
pressure and the room for bears and dogs—and men—is dwindling.
More and more people are being deprived of the power of decision,
and being allowed only the power of choice among the things robots
allow. The more we depend on robots, the more limited those choices
become. We don't want our children to limit themselves to wanting
what robots can provide! We don't want them shriveling to where they
abandon everything robots can't give—or won't! We want them to be
men—and women. Not damned automatons who live by pushing
robot-controls so they can live to push robot-controls. If that's not
subordination to robots—"
"It's an emotional argument," protested Roane. "Not everybody feels
that way."
"But I feel that way," said Huyghens. "And so do a lot of others. This
is a big galaxy and it's apt to contain some surprises. The one sure
thing about a robot and a man who depends on them is that they
can't handle the unexpected. There's going to come a time when we
need men who can. So on my home planet, some of us asked for
Loren Two, to colonize. It was refused—too dangerous. But men can
colonize anywhere if they're men. So I came here to study the planet.
Especially the sphexes. Eventually, we expected to ask for a license
again, with proof that we could handle even those beasts. I'm already
doing it in a mild way. But the Survey licensed a robot colony—and
where is it?"
Roane made a sour face.
"You picked the wrong way to go about it, Huyghens. It was illegal. It
is. It was the pioneer spirit, which is admirable enough, but wrongly
directed. After all, it was pioneers who left Earth for the stars. But—"

Sourdough raised up on his hind legs and sniffed the air. Huyghens
swung his rifle around to be handy. Roane slipped off the safety-catch
of his own. Nothing happened.
"In a way," said Roane vexedly, "you're talking about liberty and
freedom, which most people think is politics. You say it can be more.
In principle, I'll concede it. But the way you put it, it sounds like a
freak religion."
"It's self-respect," corrected Huyghens.
"You may be—"
Faro Nell growled. She bumped Nugget with her nose, to drive him
closer to Roane. She snorted at him. She trotted swiftly to where
Sitka and Sourdough faced toward the broader, sphex-filled expanse
of the Sere Plateau. She took up her position between them.
Huyghens gazed sharply beyond them and then all about.
"This could be bad!" he said softly. "But luckily there's no wind. Here's
a sort of hill. Come along, Roane!"
He ran ahead, Roane following and Nugget plumping heavily with
him. They reached the raised place—actually a mere hillock no more
than five or six feet above the surrounding sand, with a distorted
cactuslike growth protruding from the ground. Huyghens stared
again. He used his binoculars.
"One sphex," he said curtly. "Just one! And it's out of all reason for a
sphex to be alone! But it's not rational for them to gather in hundreds
of thousands, either!" He wetted his finger and held it up. "No wind at
all."
He used the binoculars again.
"It doesn't know we're here," he added. "It's moving away. Not
another one in sight—" He hesitated, biting his lips. "Look here,
Roane! I'd like to kill that one lone sphex and find out something.
There's a fifty per cent chance I could find out something really
important. But—I might have to run. If I'm right—" Then he said
grimly, "It'll have to be done quickly. I'm going to ride Faro Nell—for
speed. I doubt Sitka or Sourdough would stay behind. But Nugget
can't run fast enough. Will you stay here with him?"
Roane drew in his breath. Then he said calmly:
"You know what you're doing. Of course."
"Keep your eyes open. If you see anything, even at a distance, shoot
and we'll be back—fast! Don't wait until something's close enough to
hit. Shoot the instant you see anything—if you do!"
Roane nodded. He found it peculiarly difficult to speak again.
Huyghens went over to the embattled bears. He climbed up on Faro
Nell's back, holding fast by her shaggy fur.
"Let's go!" he snapped. "That way! Hup!"

The three Kodiaks plunged away at a dead run, Huyghens lurching

and swaying on Faro Nell's back. The sudden rush dislodged Semper
from his perch. He flapped wildly and got aloft. Then he followed
effortfully, flying low.
It happened very quickly. A Kodiak bear can travel as fast as a race
horse on occasion. These three plunged arrow-straight for a spot
perhaps half a mile distant, where a blue-and-tawny shape whirled to
face them. There was the crash of Huyghens' weapon from where he
rode on Faro Nell's back—the explosion of the weapon and the bullet
was one sound. The somehow unnatural spiky monster leaped and
died.
Huyghens jumped down from Faro Nell. He became feverishly busy
at something on the ground—where the parti-colored sphex had
fallen. Semper banked and whirled and came down to the ground. He
watched, with his head on one side.
Roane stared, from a distance. Huyghens was doing something to
the dead sphex. The two male bears prowled about. Faro Nell
regarded Huyghens with intense curiosity. Back at the hillock, Nugget
whimpered a little. Roane patted him roughly. Nugget whimpered
more loudly. In the distance, Huyghens straightened up and took
three steps toward Faro Nell. He mounted. Sitka turned his head
back toward Roane. He seemed to see or sniff something dubious.
He reared upward. He made a noise, apparently, because Sourdough
ambled to his side. The two great beasts began to trot back. Semper
flapped wildly and—lacking wind—lurched crazily in the air. He
landed on Huyghens' shoulder and his talons clung there.
Then Nugget howled hysterically and tried to swarm up Roane, as a
cub tries to swarm up the nearest tree in time of danger. Roane
collapsed, and the cub upon him—and there was a flash of stinking
scaly hide, while the air was filled with the snarling, spitting squeals of
a sphex in full leap. The beast had over-jumped, aiming at Roane and
the cub while both were upright and arriving when they had fallen. It
went tumbling.
Roane heard nothing but the fiendish squalling, but in the distance
Sitka and Sourdough were coming at rocketship speed. Faro Nell let
out a roar and fairly split the air. And then there was a furry cub
streaking toward her, bawling, while Roane rolled to his feet and
snatched up his gun. He raged through pure instinct. The sphex
crouched to pursue the cub and Roane swung his weapon as a club.
He was literally too close to shoot—and perhaps the sphex had only
seen the fleeing bear-cub. But he swung furiously.
And the sphex whirled. Roane was toppled from his feet. An eight-
hundred-pound monstrosity straight out of hell—half wildcat and half
spitting cobra with hydrophobia and homicidal mania added—such a
monstrosity is not to be withstood when in whirling its body strikes
one in the chest.
That was when Sitka arrived, bellowing. He stood on his hind legs,
emitting roars like thunder, challenging the sphex to battle. He
waddled forward. Huyghens arrived, but he could not shoot with
Roane in the sphere of an explosive bullet's destructiveness. Faro
Nell raged and snarled, torn between the urge to be sure that Nugget
was unharmed, and the frenzied fury of a mother whose offspring has
been endangered.
Mounted on Faro Nell, with Semper clinging idiotically to his shoulder,
Huyghens watched helplessly as the sphex spat and squalled at
Sitka, having only to reach out one claw to let out Roane's life.
 V
They got away from there, though Sitka seemed to want to lift the
limp carcass of his victim in his teeth and dash it repeatedly to the
ground. He seemed doubly raging because a man—with whom all
Kodius Champion's descendants had an emotional relationship—had
been mishandled. But Roane was not grievously hurt. He bounced
and swore as the bears raced for the horizon. Huyghens had flung
him up on Sourdough's pack and snapped for him to hold on. He
bumped and chattered furiously:
"Dammit, Huyghens! This isn't right! Sitka got some deep scratches!
That horror's claws may be poisonous!"
But Huyghens snapped, "Hup! Hup!" to the bears, and they continued
their race against time. They went on for a good two miles, when
Nugget wailed despairingly of his exhaustion and Faro Nell halted
firmly to nuzzle him.
"This may be good enough," said Huyghens. "Considering that there's
no wind and the big mass of beasts is down the plateau and there
were only those two around here. Maybe they're too busy to hold a
wake, even! Anyhow—"
He slid to the ground and extracted the antiseptic and swabs.
"Sitka first," snapped Roane. "I'm all right!"
Huyghens swabbed the big bear's wounds. They were trivial,
because Sitka Pete was an experienced sphex-fighter. Then Roane
grudgingly let the curiously-smelling stuff—it reeked of ozone—be
applied to the slashes on his chest. He held his breath as it stung.
Then he said dourly:
"It was my fault, Huyghens. I watched you instead of the landscape. I
couldn't imagine what you were doing."
"I was doing a quick dissection," Huyghens told him. "By luck, that
first sphex was a female, as I hoped. And she was just about to lay
her eggs. Ugh! And now I know why the sphexes migrate, and where,
and how it is that they don't need game up here."
He slapped a quick bandage on Roane. He led the way eastward, still
putting distance between the dead sphexes and his party. It was a
crisp walk, only, but Semper flapped indignantly overhead, angry that
he was not permitted to ride again.
"I'd dissected them before," said Huyghens. "Not enough's been
known about them. Some things needed to be found out if men were
ever to be able to live here."
"With bears?" asked Roane ironically.
"Oh, yes," said Huyghens. "But the point is that sphexes come to the
desert here to breed—to mate and lay their eggs for the sun to hatch.
It's a particular place. Seals return to a special place to mate—and
the males, at least don't eat for weeks on end. Salmon return to their
native streams to spawn. They don't eat, and they die afterward. And
eels—I'm using Earth examples, Roane—travel some thousands of
miles to the Sargasso to mate and die. Unfortunately, sphexes don't
appear to die, but it's clear that they have an ancestral breeding place
and that they come here to the Sere Plateau to deposit their eggs!"
Roane plodded onward. He was angry: angry with himself because
he hadn't taken elementary precautions; because he'd felt too safe,
as a man in a robot-served civilization forms the habit of doing;
because he hadn't used his brain when Nugget whimpered, in even a
bear-cub's awareness that danger was near.
"And now," Huyghens added, "I need some equipment that the robot
colony had. With it, I think we can make a start toward making this a
planet that men can live like men on!"
Roane blinked.
"What's that?"
"Equipment," said Huyghens impatiently. "It'll be at the robot colony.
Robots were useless because they wouldn't pay attention to sphexes.
They'd still be. But take out the robot-controls and the machines will
do! They shouldn't be ruined by a few months' exposure to weather!"
Roane marched on and on. Presently he said:
"I never thought you'd want anything that came from that colony,
Huyghens!"
"Why not?" demanded Huyghens impatiently. "When men make
machines do what they want, that's all right. Even robots—when
they're where they belong. But men will have to handle flame-casters
in the job I want them for. There have to be some, because there was
a hundred-mile clearing to be burned off. And Earth-sterilizers—
intended to kill the seeds of any plants that robots couldn't handle.
We'll come back up here, Roane, and at the least we'll destroy the
spawn of these infernal beasts! If we can't do more than that—just
doing that every year will wipe out the race in time. There are
probably other hordes than this, with other breeding places. But we'll
find them, too. We'll make this planet into a place where men from my
world can come—and still be men!"
Roane said sardonically:
"It was sphexes that beat the robots. Are you sure you aren't planning
to make this world safe for robots?"
Huyghens laughed shortly.
"You've only seen one night-walker," he said. "And how about those
things on the mountain-slope—which would have drained you of
blood and then feasted? Would you care to wander about this planet
with only a robot bodyguard, Roane? Hardly! Men can't live on this
planet with only robots to help them—and stop them from being fully
men! You'll see!"

They found the colony after only ten days more of travel and after
many sphexes and more than a few staglike creatures and shaggy
ruminants had fallen to their weapons and the bears. But first they
found the survivors of the colony.
There were three of them, hard-bitten and bearded and deeply
embittered. When the electrified fence went down, two of them were
away at a mine-tunnel, installing a new control-panel for the robots