The Raven Series 2 (23 page)

I plunked down in front of the vanity, a mash-up of feelings. There was no way I could get in front of all those people, not when I could barely keep my lip from trembling. More than a thousand times I’d played over in my head what would happen when I saw Zane again. As much hot water as we might be in, the real thing exceeded my dreams. And I couldn’t wait to get through this night. I wanted to spend time with Zane without the guilt lingering over our heads.

A creak in the wood floors interrupted my thoughts. My lashes lifted, and Zander’s face appeared behind me, a nervous smile on his lips. He cleared his throat. “Wow. You look amazing.”

I’d actually completely forgotten about the whole makeover I’d been forced to endure. “Thanks,” I mumbled. My foot started to tap on the floor.

“He was here, wasn’t he?” Zander asked, no beating around the bush. It was one of his stellar qualities.

I nodded.

“Shit,” Zander swore under his breath. “I thought I felt him. Are you okay?” He knelt down in front of me, his hands covering mine. Before I could open my mouth, he turned my wrist around, revealing my mark…except it was no longer a solo white raven. There was a crow’s black wingspan, shadowing behind mine.

“I need to tell you something,” I said, because the silence was torturing me, but by the wounded expression that sprang into his eyes, he already knew what I had to say. “I know the timing really sucks, but it just happened. I didn’t plan for it. I’m sorry.” A lump formed in my throat and my body went numb.

He took a deep breath. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I knew in your heart, this was what you longed for.”

“It doesn’t change that I was engaged to you.”

Standing, he took a seat on the edge of the window seat. “We can both agree you were never really mine. Not in the sense a fiancée should be. Everything about our engagement was forced and ass backward, but it’s the reaper way. Kissing you was sort of like kissing my sister’s best friend.”

My lips curved. “So it wasn’t just me?”

“I think we’ve known all along we’re nothing more than friends. I’m proud of you, but…I don’t think the sectors will share my opinion.”

I rolled my eyes. “That we can agree on.”

“It might be wise to keep this on the down low, at least until after you’ve been officially sworn in as the White Raven.”

“You’re suggesting we continue our engagement?”

“Yes, for the time being. It will allow us to figure out how to prevent sector-wide rebellion,” he said.

I was glad to still have Zander on my side. He had a strategic mind that would be an aid in this battle. “You’re right. But I can’t ask you to do that.”

He propped his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. “You didn’t ask. I suggested. And it is your responsibility to do what is best to keep the balance.”

As logically as his proposal was, I felt as if I’d already taken advantage of Zander. I didn’t want to continue to use him, but what choice did I have? “And they aren’t going to figure it out?” I asked.

“Not unless you flash that mark on your wrist.”

Searching the vanity, I found what I was looking for and slipped it over my hand. “Nothing a bracelet can’t hide,” I replied with a soft smile.

“Exactly.” He fumbled with something in his hand. The lamplight caught a glimmer of silver. “I guess we won’t be needing this,” he said, holding a delicate ring between his fingers.

“Is that—?”

He nodded. “It’s been in my family for centuries. And even under the circumstances, I want you to have it. It’s fitting as I have a feeling you’ll be a part of my family one way or another. It’s nothing elaborate,” he added when I opened my mouth to protest.

Standing up, he dropped a small, silver ring into my palm. The metal was cool and pulsated with energy. It wasn’t a normal ring, but I shouldn’t have expected one. Turning it over in my hand, I noticed there was an inscription on the inside. The letters weren’t a language I could read. “Zander, I can’t—”

His fingers clasped over mine, closing my hand over the ring. “You can. I want you to have it. The idea of you being my wife scared the ever loving crap out of me.” Inhaling, he raked a hand through his hair, shoving it out of his eyes. “But you being my sister-in-law, that has a certain ring to it.”

I held the ring between my thumb and pointer, twirling it as it caught the soft light. “It’s beautiful. What does it say?” As I stared at the metallic gleam, my choice began to sink in.

“It translates to circle of infinity,” Zander said.

“This is meant for your wife. It would be wrong of me to take this.” I handed the tiny yet intricate ring back to Zander. He was reluctant to take it, but I insisted. I could be just as stubborn when it mattered. As sweet as the gesture was, I would never be his wife.

He tucked the pretty bauble back into his pocket. “Have it your way. You ready?” he asked, looking at the clock.

It was time. The coronation. Ugh. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” The dread I was feeling quadrupled. No matter how many ways I told my mind I could do this, my body screamed
no, no, no
.

He sensed my reluctance. “I’ll be by your side.”

“Someone’s going to have to keep me from running,” I mumbled.

He chuckled. “Try not to set anything on fire or start a riot.”

“I can’t make any promises.” Knowing how my life was going lately, anything was possible. “You know, it’s not too late to change your mind about going forward with this risky plan. I don’t want to put you in any danger.”

“I wouldn’t think of it. Besides, I could use a little excitement in my life. Zane doesn’t get to have all the fun, you know.”

It was arguable that I had too much excitement.

Chapter 25

A glowing, blue-white ball hovered overhead, illuminating the room and the occupants that filled it, the elders from each sector along with the overlords. Roarke was there with Zane and Zander at his side.

I walked into the circular room with stained glass windows, reminding me of a church. Conscious of each step, I told myself not to trip. In the center of the room was a raised platform. A wooden stand was sat on top with carvings—a bird from each sector.

Clop. Clop. Clop.
My heels clattered against the floor, echoing in the room as I walked to the middle of the raised step. I twined my fingers and waited, unsure what to do next. It wasn’t like I’d had a dress rehearsal or anything.

Then a man with a withered face turned to me, a frail smile on his dry lips. “Piper Brennan,” he spoke as he glided up the stairs, two ghastly bodyguards following behind him—the divine. He regarded me like a spider eyeballing an insect in its web.

My unease shot up ten notches. There was something almost frightful about his voice, and I didn’t understand the need for the goonies, unless of course they were there for my protection. But I wasn’t so sure that was the case.

At the sight to the two guards on either side of me, Zane stiffened. I sensed his muscles coiling beneath the skin and his power drawing to the surface. It put me on edge. Something had spiked his alarm, but I didn’t know what it was. I peeked to my right as inconspicuously as I could and glanced at Zane. It was like reading a blank page, nothing but hard lines and wariness.

Keep your wits,
I told myself.
Something must be amiss.

I drew in a quiet breath as my stomach contracted with apprehension.

The divine’s soulless gaze peered at my face. “You are the last bloodline of the Raven and have rightfully returned home to take your place.”

I kept a straight face when I wanted to wince. There was a scary texture to the divine’s skin that had my heart pounding. He cleared his throat, and I realized he was waiting for me to do something. I stepped forward, feeling completely out of my element. There was so much history and power standing before me. I felt like if I made the wrong move, someone would shank me in the back.

His thin mouth pulled into a smile. “Meas a thaispeaint.”

I blinked at him. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “What did you say?”

The divine sighed and, for a moment, lost his formal tone. “Still so naïve.”

The divine frowned at Zane, looking momentarily indignant. “I trust you will teach her better in the future, Death Scythe.”

“Here we go,” Zane mumbled.

I glared.

“Pay your respects to the divine,” the guard beside me hissed in my ear, giving me a small push forward.

Zane moved closer, drawing weary looks from the guards. “What she might lack in understanding, she makes up in power by tenfold,” Zane said, masking his anger beneath.

The guards regarded him gravely.

The divine wasn’t amused. “Watch yourself. Step out of line again and you’ll be escorted out.”

“I’d like to see your goonies try.” Zane leveled a flat sneer in the divine’s direction.

I swallowed, and under the stark gazes of the overlords, I approached the podium. It was like third grade all over again when I was supposed to give a speech before the school auditorium. Unlike the third grade, running wasn’t an option. I didn’t know what to say or what to do.

I dropped into a clumsy curtsey and prayed it was a satisfactory custom.

“The Sectors welcome you, Piper Brennan, daughter of Rose,” the divine said in a stiff, formal voice.

I blushed under the eyes of the most influential reapers.

“We are here to ensure the Raven legacy continues, and it falls to you to keep the longevity and purity that the Ravens have had for centuries. Do you agree to uphold the rules? Do you understand your actions will be held by the accountable?”

The divine made me jumpy and uncomfortable. “Yes,” I squeaked, thinking I might hurl.

“By the order of divine, the sectors, recognize you as their supreme,” he rasped. “And in doing so, it is your duty to keep command among the reapers.”

I drew in a sharp breath. This was it. There was no going back. There was, however, a brief flicker of fear, but also hope and longing. I actually wanted this.

Shock of the century.

The divine approached the podium, suddenly solemn. His eyes momentarily met mine, before he picked up a golden pen. Not any ordinary pen, a horn of light beamed from it. With a quick flick of his wrist, I watched as he scratched over the paper. The ink glowed a vibrant red, cooling only slightly when his hand lifted from the page.

I went into a trance, lured by the magic of the ink. Even the aged paper seemed to have unworldly properties calling to my blood. The divine held the pen in the air for me to take. I stared at the slim writing utensil with curiosity and apprehension. In my fingers, white tendrils curled down around it. The cool metal throbbed under my grasp. Such a small, frail thing, yet it packed so much power.

And I understood. Once I signed my name, I was bound by the power residing in the ink to uphold my promise. I lifted my other hand and ran my fingers down the paper. I wondered where I could get my paws on some, curious what would happen if I sketched on it. I had a hunch it would be enchanting—a masterpiece this world had never seen…and never would.

The divine cleared his throat again. “Time is of the essence, Your Highness. I will have your signature.”

I choked.
Highness?
I’d only just been inducted into this supreme position and they were already putting me on a pedestal.

I’d had enough of the nicknames. “Piper. My name is Piper.”

The divine looked confused, and Zane’s lips twitched.

Good grief, this was a disaster. I rubbed my arms, wearing a thoughtful expression. My feet felt like lead as I shifted my weight, a tightness in my stomach. I glared down at the contract, my name jumping off the page in multiple locations.

Could I really do this, be a reaper, leave my world behind? I wasn’t a warrior like Zane. I was a brainiac like Zoe. I certainly had the power, but could I control it, wield it like Rose had?

As much as a part of me thought I was nothing special, I knew it wasn’t true. I was the White Raven. I was the key to preventing a war. I was Zane’s perfect half. And I was more than I thought I was. All I had to do was sign the contract.

“I’m ready,” I whispered. With an unsteady grip, my hand swept over the paper, and magic trembled in the air. A surprising heat transmitted down my arm. I looked at Zane for reassurance.

He closed his eyes, and I swear he let out a
whoosh
of relief. When they opened, the blues of his irises were like snowstorms, windy and frosty. I knew he would do whatever it took to protect me.

I turned to Zander, casting him a helpless glance. “I’m sorry.” Time froze, and Zander’s expression went blank. Nothing showed on his face or in his eyes. “I can’t pretend.”

There was a chorus of gasps from the elders, and the room seemed to close in around me. A chill shot through my stomach. I had not planned this, but now that I’d made the decision, I didn’t know what to do next. My blurry gaze met Zane’s, begging him to get me the hell out of here. Pronto. We were about two seconds away from chaos erupting like an active volcano.

He reached me in two long strides. “Let’s go, princess.”

Panicked, I stared at him. He slipped a hand under my elbow, and his touch offered instant comfort. I’d missed that feeling.

The elders were whispering and talking among themselves. Any minute I expected something awful to happen. I hated when I was right. As Zane and I turned to bolt, shit hit the fan—a hallow shit-fest to be exact.