Raven's Desires (Night Hunters) (27 page)

Raven walked into the Dark Corner Café twenty minutes early. There were kids all over the place. Some were eating while others talking and laughing. Wow, they’d even extended the right side and built a small dance floor.
Nice improvements
. The metallic music streamed through many speakers set up around the building. Teenagers were jumping around on the dance floor having a great time.

A flash of light hit Raven hard enough that she had to close her eyes. Just for a brief moment she saw herself being tossed in the air, hitting the wall where the new dance floor was.

“Oh my god! Raven? Is that you?” A female’s voice yelled over the music.

This female with light red hair and dark green eyes ran up to her, wrapping her arms around her. Raven tensed, ready to push her off her but she waited to see if this female had her mixed up with someone else. Really, she couldn’t, because she called her by her name.

“I’m glad you are happy to see me, but I don’t know who you are.”

The lady released her then took a couple of steps back. She looked at her closely.

“It’s true, you really don’t remember me?”

Raven shook her head. “No. I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are.”

“I’m Veronica, Veronica Anderson. We were like best friends years ago. How could you not remember me? What’s happened to you?”

Raven shook her head. “I don’t remember. I’m sorry, but maybe you have me mixed up with someone else.”

Raven turned to walk away from the female.

“Wait,” Veronica said then gripped her arm. “You are Raven Nowles aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“And Kristian is your mate?”

“Fuck no. That man will rot in hell.”

Veronica frowned at her. “This is crazy.”

“You said we were friends long ago, just how old are you?”

“Can we talk in private for a moment?”

Raven didn’t see any harm in it. She followed Veronica to the back of the café.

Veronica closed the door and offered her a seat on the couch in the office. She leaned against the desk staring at her for a moment.

“God, if you aren’t the Raven I know, you look just like her.”

“I don’t remember a lot of things before I met Alec. Things here and there, but not much about my baby years.”

“Don’t think I’m crazy for asking this but you are not human, are you?”

Raven inhaled, “What are you?” Raven asked, ignoring her question.

“You know, Raven. You tell me.”

Raven stood from the chair, and walked up to the woman.

“You were once human, very human, but now you are a Shadow Demon. How is that? What Shadow Demon would change a human?”

“Let’s just say that I have a great master who changed me.”

“Why would you become one?”

“Raven, have a seat.” She waited until Raven sat back down before continuing. “You were kidnapped years ago by someone, I don’t know who or what. They said that you died in your parent’s house fire. The police found three burned skeletons and that drove Kristian insane and he killed some humans. At the time I didn’t know what Kristian or Shane was
—
I found out later when this guy Simon came to me the night you disappeared. I didn’t believe him at first, but he showed me things I never thought possible. He told me he would give me eternal life if I promised to run some businesses for him. This is one of them. I come around every now and then to check in on the place.”

“I don’t know how true this about Kristian and I, but I never knew Kristian before I met Alec.”

“You really don’t remember? You were falling in love with Kristian. Shane and I couldn’t get you two out the bed that day before all hell broke loose.”

“I don’t believe what you are saying. and not to jump around a lot, but why did this Simon guy change you? Was he fully demon? Reason I ask is, you rarely run into a hybrid Shadow Demon. They didn’t even have sex outside their race.”

“Simon was lonely. Very lonely. The night I cried over you being dead he said he felt my pain from miles away and came to me. His intensions were to comfort me and make me forget him but things happened, we started seeing each other, and then we had the most incredible sex I ever had. I thought being with Shane was over the top
—
Simon showed me differently.

In the heat of passion Simon changed me. He wasn’t ashamed of changing, me but he knew his kind wouldn’t really accept me for a while. I accept that and he pays me well now to take care of his property. Just until his kind can accept me as one of them.”

“Is Simon around?”

“No. He’s here and there. If he wants me, he summons me. But besides that, we talk daily and I inform him on my whereabouts.”

“Nice. This is something new to me.”

“Yes it is. So, are you going to get Kristian out of jail now that you are back?”

“Why should I? He killed humans.”

Veronica watched her closely. “Raven, I know that something has happened to you, but you and I both know that Kristian did not kill those people…”

“Raven!” Alec’s voice made her jump. “Come out now!”

“Who is that?”

Raven didn’t answer
—
she walked to the door were Alec stood. He grasped her arm and pulled her out the café.

“What is it?”

Alec stopped when they were far away from the café.

“I don’t want you talking to that shadow demon. She’s an outcast and she can’t be trusted.”

“I figured that.”

“What did she tell you?”

“Something about knowing me and me being in love with Kristian.”

“Do you believe that you were ever in love with him?”

Raven didn’t know what to think anymore, but she knew that Alec has always been there for her and she loved him dearly. Yes, they’d framed Kristian, but he deserved it.

“I don’t know what she speaks of.”

Alec let out a deep breath then smiled. “Good.”

“How did you know she was talking to me?”

“I know everything about you, Raven. And you know I’m always around. But in this case, I had to drop Erica off here and I felt you here but didn’t see you. When I sensed that half breed I came looking for you.”

“Do you know her?”

Alec turned away from her and shook his head. Was Alec lying to her?

“Now, go back and find the witch and warlock and whatever you do, don’t listen to what that shadow demon says. She would have you thinking things that are not true.”

Raven nodded then made her way back to the café.

* * * *

Nikhil Blackburn, Kristian’s father, paced in front of his wife. Julie watched her mate in distress over their son. Nikhil swept his long, black hair behind his ear, still pacing.

Kristian was due to return home the month before, and he still had not. They had never kept close tabs on Kristian due to many not knowing that he was a prince, and that kept him safe. Kristian did send them his number a few years back, and he picked up when they called him, but now his cell had been disconnected and they didn’t know his whereabouts. Like her husband, she worried where he was.

“It’s been over a hundred years, where is he? I sent message for him many months ago. I want him back here, now!”

Nikhil’s black eyes turned red like molten lava. She knew that her mate was very upset. It was close to time for his coming out party where he would marry the lovely Serenity Zamora. She had been raised to love and honor their son and now her family was ready and here they were without a son to present to her.

A knock came from the door’s entrance. The two guards standing on each side of the double doors looked up to Nikhil. He stopped pacing and raised his hand, letting the guards know to open the door.

Julie drew in a breath as the air around them chilled when the shadow demon walked into the room. He was tall, very tall
—
he had to be at least six feet two. He had silver eyes that glowed in the darkness of the room. His long silver hair touched the middle of his back. This man was so pale that he looked like death
—
he was death, as so many called him.

“Donavan Levy,” Nihil spoke first.

Julie sat on her throne, watching, not speaking, as she had learned to do over the years.

“It’s a pleasure that you allow me in your presence, your majesty.”

Donavan knelt down when he reached to Nikhil.

“No need to kneel, Donavan.”

Donavan nodded, then stood.

“I bring you word of your son and the tragedy that’s taking place in the Eastern time zone.”

“What of my son?”

Donavan looked away just for a moment. “He is in Arcadia.”

Julie rose from her chair when she heard that her son was in a filthy prison.

“How long?” Julie asked.

Nikhil turned to her, fangs extended in dominance. Julie knew that when he conducted business she did not speak unless asked a direct question. But at this moment she didn’t care. She wanted to find out about her son. She exhaled and sat back in the chair.

Nikhil turned back to the man.

“What is he in there for, and how long has he been in for?”

“He has been there for ten years, sir. He was accused of killing several humans.”

“My son killing humans? I don’t think so. He would never do anything like that.”

Donavan shook his head. “No, sir, he wouldn’t. I think that Arthas Solomon and his wife were bribed to make Kristian fall.”

Nikhil snarled. “Are you sure of this allegation? Be sure, because I will kill him myself.”

“Yes. That part of the state is out of control. There have been reports that a hybrid Shadow Demon has been made.”

Nikhil shook his head. “Guards, arrange a flight to Meadville and have a meeting set up with Solomon the moment I get there. After that, I will go get my son out of jail. You will join me, Donavan.”

“Yes, sir.”

Donavan turned and walked out of the room.

“Are you sure it’s safe for you to go?” Julie asked her mate.

Nikhil had a lot of hits out on him, that was why he stayed in the comfort of their home. So many wanted power and they felt that if they had Nikhil kidnapped or even killed, they would get just that.

Julie stood when Nikhil walked up to her. “I’m sure. I will bring our son home. Safe and sound.”

Julie leaned in and kissed her husband. “Be safe. Please.”

“I promise you.”

* * * *

Jessica walked into the café to see Raven on the dance floor, dancing in a crowd of people. They were surrounding her, cheering her as she moved. She moved with grace. Each movement looked to be made for Raven’s body. Raven had on a very short black shirt that barely covered her stomach, along with dark blue jeans and a pair of black sandals.

She wondered where Joseph had run off to. He’d said he would meet her here, but he was nowhere in sight. Raven looked past the crowd and waved for her to come join her. Jessica smiled, then walked up to her.

Raven grabbed her hand, and spun her around as the music tempo slowed. Most of the group left the dance floor, leaving a few couples to dance. Raven pulled her close until their bodies touched. Jessica shivered when Raven placed her arms around her. Raven was toned. Looking at her, she seemed like a regular teenager with a regular body but touching her, Jessica could feel just how toned she was.

“Nice,” Raven spoke over the music.

“Yes, it is,” Jessica said as they moved to the music.

“You tell me you are fucking dike also,” Anthony Blake said from beside them.

Raven immediately released her and turned to Anthony.

“What did you just say?” Raven asked.

“I asked were you a pussy licker also?”

Raven looked at her for a moment as the music in the jukebox died.

“What if I am? What does that have to do with you?”

“It does, because this freak of nature here is always converting the fine ass females into fucking pussy lickers.”

“Hey,” Raven screamed and pressed her hand to his chest. “Don’t talk about Jessica that way or you will regret it.”

Jessica turned around, looking at the people as they stared at them.

“It’s okay, Raven. They don’t understand.”

Raven shook her head. “It’s not okay, Jessica. You can’t let this asshole walk over you. Now apologize to her.”

Anthony looked around, laughing with others who thought it was funny that Raven was protecting her.

“I guess she has got to you already. So you’re protecting your pussy.”

“Last time I’m going to ask. Say you are sorry.”

Anthony walked up to Raven. “Fuck you, dike.”

He turned and laughed again.

Raven chuckled. “See you at the dentist later.”

“Huh?” Anthony questioned.