Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

35. Chapter 35

Chapter thirty-five

Raven

W aking up this morning didn’t change a damn thing. I laid motionless in one of Locke’s guest bedrooms with Presley still snoring next to me. I was hoping I would wake up with clarity. That I would wake up and realize everything I saw was a hallucination. A fabrication of my mind. But deep down I know it was real. And deep down for some foreign reason I can’t even begin to explain. I’m not afraid.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I land on the polished wood floor and stretch my arms. Standing to my feet, I carry myself across the room to the restroom and splash some water on my face. My breath is probably horrific, so I pull open the cabinets and search in hopes that Locke is one of those complementary people that leave toiletries for overnight guests.

Bingo.

I tear open the toothbrush and brush my teeth before pulling my hair up into a messy bun. Feeling halfway refreshed, I slip out of the door and walk down the long hallway. I’ve counted at least seven bedrooms on my journey back to the kitchen. If he’s going to traumatize me, the least he can do is feed me.

When I make it to the threshold, the scent of bacon and eggs filter through the air and my stomach rumbles.

“Hungry?”

I lift my eyes to find Locke behind the kitchen island, scrambling some eggs.

“You heard that?” I cross over to a barstool.

“Shifters have enhanced senses. Smell, sight, hearing.” He uses a spatula to deposit some eggs onto a large white plate. “I heard you walking down the hall.”

I nod and watch the way he moves. He’s shirtless. His forearms flexing with every action he takes in preparing breakfast. I take the moment to study the ink on his arms. It almost appears tribal. I follow the design up to his shoulder where a stunning wolf is displayed. Blacks and grays mixed with strokes of white in its fur.

“You can ask anything, Raven,” he interrupts my thoughts. “I won’t lie to you.”

I lean on my elbows, resting my chin in my hands. “I need food and caffeine first.”

After we both ate breakfast, I was just about to begin our uncomfortable conversation when Declan made his entrance. This was the first time I hadn’t seen the man in a suit.

“Raven.” He dips his chin and opens the fridge.

“Morning,” I murmur as I watch him closely.

I remember Autumn saying he was a vampire, but he looks human to me. The sun was even shining on his skin, and he wasn’t the least bit effected. No sparkles or nothing.

“I’m so freaking late!”

I jolt in reaction to Presley’s shriek coming from behind me.

“I have an appointment that I cannot miss.” She shuffles over to me barefoot, her silver wedges dangling from her fingertips. “Oh. Bacon.” She snatches a piece from my plate and stuffs it into her mouth. “So good.”

I lift a brow as she swallows. “Where are you going?”

“What do you mean?” She asks as she slips on one of her heels.

“Appointment?” I hand her my glass of juice after she puts on the other shoe.

She takes a big gulp then drops it back in my hand. “It’s nothing.” She flicks her wrist. “But I can’t believe our apartment is under evacuation.” She fluffs her hair. “Some chemical situation.”

I frown, then glance over at Locke who has his eyes narrowed on Declan. Declan shrugs when my gaze meets his before he reaches for the coffee pot.

“My Uber should be here.” She swipes across her phone screen, then her eyes land on Locke.

“What are you doing here?” She looks at me. “Why is Professor Locke here?” She whispers, like neither one of them can hear her.

“This is my house, Presley.” Locke crosses his arms.

Her eyes move to Declan. She trials them down his tall frame, then back up before dropping her phone in her purse. “You ditched the suit.”

“I can ditch these too if you ask nicely.” He smirks.

She rolls her eyes and faces me. “I got to go. We can discuss this….” She nods her head slightly in the direction of the two men. “Situation later.”

“Alright,” I call out as she leaves.

Planting my palm on my forehead I let out a deep and defeated sigh before I meet the attention of a confused Locke and a smug Declan.

“I need to see it. I need to know I’m not crazy.”