Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

42. Chapter 42

Chapter forty-two

Locke

F lames. Small flames are scattered throughout the room. The candles along the dining table, the ones along the entry table, and the ones placed sporadically around the house. I remember Angeline’s words.

She’s special.

“You got a clapper or something?” Presley looks to Declan. “And what is wrong with your teeth?”

“Shit,” I grumble.

“Pres.” Raven widens her eyes and starts to her. “I thought you were going to wait for me?”

“I heard a commotion.” She bounces her eyes around the room. “What is going on?”

Kingston moves closer. “She doesn’t need to see this.”

“What do you mean?” Declan slips off his suit jacket.

“The less she knows the better.” Kingston swipes at a small drop of blood on his chin. “We can discuss why in private.”

I watch Raven try to explain to Presley it was just a misunderstanding. My eyebrow lifts at Declan, indicating what he needs to do.

An odd expression passes his features as he looks over to Presley.

“Dec, I need you to handle it.”

He shakes his head, traveling towards her with forced movement. She gasps when he steps closer, lifting her chin to look into her eyes.

“What you saw here was two men having a disagreement. Nothing more. No flames. No teeth. Go back to your room and go to sleep.”

His voice is even and stern, but I notice the soft caress of his thumb against her chin.

Presley blinks, then stifles a yawn.

“I’ll leave you to handle this, Raven.” She gazes up at Declan. “I’m just going to go crash. Night.”

Presley leaves the room, and my friend that I’ve known for almost a century, points a finger at me. “Don’t ask me to do it again.”

He storms off, yanking his shirt from his pants as he goes down the hall.

“I don’t like it either," Raven says. “I can’t lie to her, Locke.”

“I know it’s hard, but until I can figure out what’s going on, we need to keep her in the dark,” Kingston adds.

“Why? What’s Presley have to do with anything?”

“Vance Aldridge has been holding meetings with Malikiah.” Kingston levels me with his eyes. “They just brought Elias in right before the gala. Something’s brewing. I just can’t figure it out.”

“Who’s Vance?” Raven frowns.

I run a hand through my hair. This won’t be any easier for her than the other bombs that have been dropped on her tonight.

“Presley’s father.”

“You know what? I need a minute.” Raven turns, but I catch her by the wrist.

“Go to my room and take a hot shower.” I reach up and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “Then I want you in my bed.”

“Locke,” she starts to argue.

“Raven.” My alpha command slips through, vibrating my chest with the sound of her name.

She snaps her eyes to mine. “Ok. Fine.”

I watch her walk away, long enough that I’m still staring at the empty hallway.

“It’s the worst isn’t it?” Kingston says. “When they walk away. That fear in the pit of your stomach. The possibility of something happening to her.”

I close my eyes, still feeling the rage of finding out the woman who puts this fucking curse on me was his fated mate.

“Tell me about Charlotte,” I grit out.

“She was my mate. Knew it from the moment I met her. Malikiah found out what she was, then like he always does, used it to his advantage before he commanded me to stay away from her.” He pauses to reign in his emotion. I’ve never seen him show a shred. “He brought her in and made it sound like it was initiation, but as soon as he got what he wanted, he threatened to kill her if I didn’t give her up. Said he wouldn’t have his bloodline tainted.”

“So, you gave her up without a fight?” I shake my head. I could never give up Raven. Never.

“He was the alpha.” His voice is hoarse. “It nearly killed me. But I did it to protect her. I made her a promise the day she left. She knew I would outlive her, so I promised to keep her lineage safe. Her family. She married a decent man. He was human. No ties to our world. They had Lillian. It fucking gutted me to watch her have his child, but I would come a few times a year to check in. She never saw me, but I always saw them.”

“That must have been hard.” I press my palms down on the back of the couch. “You disobeyed Malikiah.”

“I did. It’s because of him that I lost her. Because of him I lost a chance at a brother. And now, he’s putting Raven in danger. I’ve been waiting for the right time to take him out, Locke. But I can’t do it alone. He may be my father, but he’s a murderer.”

“He killed my father,” I state.

“I know. I didn't find out until years later.” He moves his eyes to the floor. “And I’m sorry. I truly am.”

Glancing around, I let out a sigh. “I need to take care of Raven. Her life has been flipped upside down in a matter of days. My team can help, but I need a few days to get everyone on board.” I let a smirk tilt at my lips. “They don’t particularly like you.”

He nods. “That’s fair.”

“But before then, I need to know what I’m dealing with. With Rae being what she is, and with her being my mate.” My hands clench. “That curse didn’t just fall away. I wasn’t supposed to find her, but I did. That makes me question a lot of things.”

He nods. “I understand. Do what you got to do.”

“Thanks.”

We stare at each other, not yet a team, but not complete enemies. It’s odd. But I won’t fully know where he stands until Malikiah is eliminated. Then he will earn my trust.