Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

33. Chapter 33

Chapter thirty-three

Raven

I feel my body ache when I try to move, then my eyes spring open. The first thing I see is a wood beamed ceiling, before I shift my eyes to see Locke’s face. His human face.

I dart up, bringing my hand to my cheek on instinct. Hitting the dirt like I did hurt like a bitch.

“Here.” Locke hands me a bottle of water, then takes a seat beside me.

He doesn’t have a shirt on. Just a pair of loose jeans and bare feet. His body is a work of art and that happens to be my area of expertise, so regardless of the latest events, I still can’t pull my eyes away. The silence between us is tangible as I take a sip of water then face him.

“Are you ok?” He asks.

His hand reaches up to cup my jaw, but I flinch away.

He winces at my reaction. Like it hurts him to see me this way. Shirt torn, skittish, and I can only imagine my face.

“What happened?” I ask.

“What do you remember?” He counters.

“Cut the bullshit. You seem to keep showing up when I’m in a crisis, and tonight…” I push to my feet and begin to slowly pace next to the coffee table.

Flashes.

Images.

“Then…...you.” I toss my hands up.

Say it, Raven.

“You were a giant fucking wolf, Sullivan.”

His eyes hold mine, glowing as he stands. “Raven, listen to me.”

“No. I’m not crazy. I know what I saw.” I point my finger

“Raven.” He says again, stepping into my space. “Baby, breathe.”

I don’t even realize I’ve stared to panic, my chest rising rapidly, my breaths quick. He lifts my arms up over my head, lacing his finger with mine.

I take a deep breath, then blow it out as I drop my forehead to his chest. This makes no sense. It’s impossible.

“I’m sorry. You’re not crazy,” he whispers.

After another deep breath, I lift my head. “I don’t understand. It’s a myth. It’s not real.”

The sounds of bickering come from the porch as Declan comes in carrying a passed out Presley over his shoulder.

“What the hell is this?” Locke pinches the bridge of his nose.

Declan flashes a look at me. “She wasn’t exactly cooperative.” He continues past me. “Had to move to desperate measures.” He throws a wink in my direction. “And would you please tell Autumn that I didn’t seduce this poor girl," he scoffs.

A girl with beautiful auburn hair comes in behind him, a scowl across her face. “What’s the emergency?”

She stops just short of the living room, her eyes bouncing from me to Locke. I watch Declan travel down to his wing with Presley in tow.

“Is she safe with him?” I ask. “Is he a…...” I flick my wrist at him.

“A wolf? No,” Locke answers.

“He’s a vampire,” Autumn says cooly as she approaches us.

“A what?” I gasp.

I go to move past Locke, but he catches me by the waist. “She’s safe, Rae.”

Autumn ventures closer and stops in front of me. “Who am I checking out?”

“The girl with Dec and Raven.” His arm tightens around my waist, the touch so comforting it’s confusing.

The man was a wolf an hour ago.

I think I’m having a mental breakdown.

“Sure thing. Nice to meet you, Raven.” She smiles, her eyebrow slightly lifting at Locke.

“The Princess is fast asleep.” Declan comes strutting down the hall. “And there may possibly be an unconscious neighbor.”

“Great,” Locke mumbles.

Before I can speak again, the front door opens, and two guys walk in.

“You called?” The guy with the long dark braid asks.

“We have a situation,” Locke says, his eyes narrowing on the other man, who I’m just now recognizing as the man outside of my apartment building.

“A situation," I scoff. “Wow.”

“This is serious, Raven. You were almost killed tonight. This is my team.”

“Team?” I try to pry from his death grip. “You literally teach mythology.”

“Hey, I’m Hendrix.” The tall man with a shaved head steps to me and offers his hand.

Where the hell did he come from?

A low growl sounds from behind me and Hendrix steps back. “Woah, dude.”

“Don’t touch her,” Locke stays so calmly it’s almost eerie.

“Oh, fuck," The guy with the black hair mutters. “You got to be kidding me.”

My head starts to ache, a dull throb starting at the back of my head.

When I attempt to step away, he spins me around. “I will explain everything. I promise. I’m still me.”

His eyes are sincere, but my logic is fighting. It’s screaming this is insane. Unnatural.

“I want to check on Presley.” I swallow.

His eyes search mine for a moment before he finally nods his head and lets me go.