Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

48. Chapter 48

Chapter forty-eight

Raven

I stand in the opening of the patio, watching a partially naked Presley, and an almost fully clothed Declan tumble into a heap of limbs.

“What the hell is going on here?” I snap.

Presley laughs hysterically and shoves Declan off of her.

“It’s twister.” She points to the large white plastic mat beneath them, dotted with different color circles.

“I don’t remember that game involving taking off your clothes.” I stomp over to Declan. “What did you do to her?” I hiss.

“I didn’t do anything.” He stands. “Ask the Princess. It was her idea.”

I lift an eyebrow at Presley. “Is that true?”

“To be honest I thought I was better at it than this. I was just trying to get him out of that suit.” She laughs again, as she grabs her shirt from the floor. “Besides, he owes me.”

“Owes you?” I turn to Declan.

“Yeah. I helped him get something from the hospital.”

Declan’s body goes rigid as Presley steps into her pants. “It’s fine, Raven. It was just a game.”

I was just about to lay into Declan for obviously taking advantage of Presley’s giving nature but Locke, who I didn’t even know was here, speaks before I can.

“Declan.” His voice holds a tone I haven’t heard.

Declan grabs his suit jacket. “Don’t.”

Locke narrows his eyes. “I’m calling a meeting. Now.”

Declan hesitates, his eyes holding Locke’s before her briefly flickers them to Presley’s, then he’s gone.

Literally.

“That was…” Presley blinks. “Wasn’t he just…here?” She shakes her head. “I must be dizzy.”

She bends to pick up the mat and put it back in the box.

“You want to go out tonight?” I ask.

“Sure. I have no obligatory duties for the parents.” She tosses the box on the couch.

“I’m Frankie.” Frankie holds out a hand to Presley.

I would usually think nothing of it, but now that I know what she is, I watch her face.

Presley smiles, and Frankie returns it, but I pay close attention to her eyes. They don’t widen in surprise like when she met me. It’s another emotion that has a weird sensation in my stomach igniting. Sadness.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You own The Brew House, right?” Presley asks.

“Yeah, you been in?”

“Of course. It’s one of my favorites.”

“Sweet. We’re going tonight. Drinks on the house.” She winks.

She glances down at her outfit. "Just let me change really quick."

Presley leaves to change, and right when I think we're in the clear. I hear it.

“You aren’t going anywhere.” I feel Locke’s gaze on the side of my face.

“Locke, come on.” Frankie rolls her eyes.

“I’m not comfortable with it,” he counters.

“Well, I am.” I wave my hand. “Training went well.”

“See," Frankie backs me.

“There’s still a threat and I won’t be in town tonight.” Locke reaches for me. “I can’t be sure you’re safe.”

He’ll never agree. Unless.

“What if someone tags along?” I let him catch my hand and bring it to his lips.

“We’re just going to The Brew House for a couple of hours. She needs practice," Frankie reasons.

“But the men who were after her may still be in the area. It’s risky.”

“There haven’t been any threats in days. You’re overreacting," I scoff.

He grits his teeth, and I feel a twinge in my chest partnered with the need to comfort him. It’s weird. And new.

“I need this,” I whisper.

Because I do. I need a night of normalcy. Well, as normal as a witch can get.

“Fine. Hendrix will go.”

Hendrix. The bald guy. Perfect.

“And Callum,” he adds.

Frankie narrows her eyes. “Locke.”

“You do it my way or no way at all.” He pulls me into him. “Behave. And both of you.” He shoots a pointed look to Frankie then at me. “Please be discrete.”

I grin and press a quick kiss to his lips. “Yes sir.”