Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

62. Chapter 62

Chapter sixty-two

Raven

“ S ix hundred thousand.”

I close my eyes. No. Please no.

“Seven.”

The numbers keep climbing as I stand in the middle of a black ring, a light shining down directly on top of my body.

“Eight hundred thousand.”

I can’t see faces, just black windows. At the top of the staircase is a set of double doors that lead down to the arena floor.

My heartbeat is erratic, and my breaths are coming quicker as my soul cries out for Locke.

Where at you, Sullivan? You always said you’d come back to me.

“One million.”

I want to vomit.

Where is Kingston?

“Going once?” A voice comes over the loudspeaker. “Twice?”

Before he can announce I’ve been sold, the double doors fly open, cracking against the steel walls. My eyes catch onto the figure standing in the doorway. A beautiful creature. All golden fur and honey eyes. Locke. My Locke.

I reach down to slip off the stilettos I was forced to wear before I sprint up the staircase.

I hear commotion, screaming, fighting, gunshots. It’s complete chaos when I hit the top, my hand diving into Locke’s thick fur. With a quick lick to my cheek, he turns, darting towards the hallway. I follow on instinct as he weaves his way through the people. I have no idea where we’re going, I just keep my bare feet slapping against the concrete.

I'm a step away when a vampire jumps onto Locke's back, his fangs ready as he prepares for the attack. The move was so sudden, I barely had time to react, before a gunshot rang out. The vampire's painful screech filled my ears like nails on a chalk board before he disintegrated onto the cold concrete.

“Raven!!!!” I hear my name being roared through the hall.

I pump faster, my legs burning as we slide around a corner.

It’s Elias. The anger in his voice is tangible.

“Kill him.” I can hear the demand, but I don’t know who he’s referring to.

Not until a silver bullet flies past my ear, almost hitting Locke before he lunges, slamming hard into a wall. His whimper pierces my heart, and the veil lifts, offering me that emotion, that power that I need to protect him.

I skid to a stop, my body shielding his as I narrow my eyes on a piece of free wood laying in the middle of the floor I squint, chanting my command over and over in my head, clinging to the anger of someone trying to kill the man I love.

Not today. He's mine.

I can see the silhouette of Elias at the other end of the darkened room. His grin is devious as he rolls his neck back. Like he’s won. Like I'm an easy target.

“Raven.” He takes a step. “Let’s make a deal.”

Come on. Lift. Burn.

The wood begins to rattle along the floor, the lights flickering as I keep my focus ahead.

Another step.

Come on.

Another.

Burn.

Just as he leaps forward, the piece erupts into flames, flying off of the concrete and straight into the chest of Elias.

My father.

The agonizing sound of his groans fill the warehouse as people scatter, bursting towards the exit. I turn to face Locke, my hands frantically grabbing at his fur.

“We need to go,” I yank.

I look deep into his eyes. I see him. He’s there. But the low growl that filters out tells me it’s not over. I slowly turn and gulp when I see who stands a few feet away.

Malikiah.

In wolf form.