B.O.E.- Chapter 13: Raven

 Raven?”

Raven heard his voice but didn’t respond. She didn’t move. She was staring at the dash but not really seeing it.

The ride back to the mansion was quiet and only took a few minutes but her mind had raced with enough thoughts and questions to last the rest of the month.

*What are the chances the Doc found a solution? What if it doesn’t work? What if it kills me?*

Raven felt them stop moving as he killed the engine. Damn ‘what if’s were going to kill her before any of her father’s enemies could.

“Raven?” His voice finally broke through the cacophony and she turned to him, face still under control. “Are you ready?”

She could hear the caution in his voice as if he was trying not to worry her. As if he could help with that. She quickly checked her heart rate to make sure it was slow and steady. Her face was still relaxed and she was sure she looked bored. She could tell they had made it back and reached for the door without answering him.

Raven got out of the car and closed it as his massive form moved to her. She mentally sighed that he was sticking to her side as they moved through a door to the rest of the house.

“Shall I take that for you, miss?” Luther quickly moved to them.

Raven was about to say no but the servant continued,

“The Doctor awaits you in his wing if you would like to meet him,”

Raven felt her muscles move automatically and handed the servant her backpack. “Thanks,” she muttered and he smiled at her warmly.

The servant moved away and Raven stared down the hall, suddenly feeling the air heavy.

“Lead the way,” she glanced toward Isaac, who was staring at her.

He nodded once and began to move forward. She followed as he led her through the hallways… or were they corridors? She tried to pay attention to anything else except where they were headed. She watched Isaac move in her periphery and noticed the knives he had strapped to him. She made out a few throwing stars and could see a gun holster. He was armed tonight but he wasn’t armed yesterday… was he? She should have been paying attention.

*He probably doesn’t trust me after yesterday’s conversation,* she thought.

Raven frowned slightly. Why did that bother her?

*I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to get cured and get the hell out,* she reminded herself. *I need to get back out there. For Anise.*

They got to the Doctor’s door and he held it open for her.

Repeating her last thought, Raven moved passed him to the brightly lit room.

“Ah, greetings again, Ms. Raven,” the Doc moved to them quickly.

“Hey,” she gave him a quick nod, her eyes sliding over a few sharp medical instruments. “Will it work?”

The Doc shifted uncomfortably and his eyes glanced over to Isaac. “After extensive testing, the results seem promising. I would like to conduct one final quick exam by taking a bit more blood.”

Raven sighed and held out her arm. “Go ahead.”

The Doc chuckled and bent her arm back in, holding her hand. “Just a pinprick this time is sufficient.”

Raven let him extend her finger as he lifted the little device. She recognized it but couldn’t steel herself against the quick prick. She gasped and jerked softly. “Sorry,” she forced herself to relax and kept still.

“Be back in a moment,” the Doc quickly collected a drop of her blood and gave her a cotton ball to press onto the wound. He moved away quickly to a microscope.

*I hate those damn things,* Raven growled to herself as she looked anywhere but at the giant beside her. She stared at her quivering finger uneasily. Her hand would be useless for her Quick Points method and she’d have to rely mostly on her right. For now. *Why’d he have to use that finger anyway?*

“You seem nervous about something,” Isaac noted beside her and she instinctively pushed down her thoughts and controlled her body.

“Do I?” she asked back and heard him sigh.

“Raven, you don’t have to pretend. I know this isn’t easy but it’d get better if you’d begin trusting me. Even if just a little.”

“You’re asking me to just grant something that has to be earned?” Raven met his yellow eyes questioningly but could find no frustration this time. He was being absolutely sincere.

“What can I do to earn your trust?” he asked softly and Raven felt as if she should trust him on a trial basis at least. She thought about it for a second but couldn’t come up with something he could do to earn her trust. She’d never had this sort of thing happen to her before.

“Oh, dear,” she heard and immediately whirled around to the doctor.

“What?” she was about to ask but Isaac’s voice had asked instead.

“Ah, Raven, do you wish I speak to you in private about the treatment?” Dr. O walked back to her, looking grave. She didn’t hear Isaac say anything so she guessed it was her choice.

“Just tell me,” she sighed.

The doctor blinked before regaining his composure. “The treatment is based on treating the toxin through a type of radiation so our goal is to isolate it and dissolve it for this cannot be surgically removed. The test subjects I used to experiment had already succumbed to the toxin so the results were… messy. Yet the blood sample I took from you showed promising results after being exposed to a lower dose of treatment,” the doctor paused before continuing. “What I also found was that the treatment will need to be consistent and there will be pain involved.”

“Type of radiation,” Raven repeated. “Does that mean you’re putting me through chemo?”

“Almost. You will have to be exposed to radiation to increase the toxin’s effect before the rest of the treatment dissolves it.”

Raven couldn’t speak for a second. She didn’t like this. Unfortunately, she had to try it… for Anise. “What are the side-effects?”

“You will not lose your hair, if that is a concern. You will, however, lose motor functions,” Dr. O said and she felt really cold. “Only for movement, I assure you. The treatment will leave you very weak where you won’t be able to move. You’ll sleep for hours afterwards so it’d be best to do this in the early morning. When you wake, you may experience nausea, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and feel very sensitive to the touch.”

Raven felt slightly dizzy without the treatment already. She was going to be obsolete due to all this. Curse that night in the park!

“I can set up a hospital bed here, if you wish, so you may rest after the treatments,” the doctor offered.

Raven thought about it for a second. They were just under the first floor. Here, she’d be exposed. Here, she could be attacked if anyone with the same training as herself found a way through the yard. Her enemies could be hunting her now…

“Actually, can you give us a second?” Raven asked and the doctor walked away with a nod. She turned to Isaac, who was watching her with a confused expression. She knew she couldn’t stay here. Not only was there no bathroom for the possible vomiting session but waking up to all those medical instruments at fault for her condition would be an absolute nightmare.

“Look, this is horrible for me to admit but I’m a little nervous about the side-effects,” Raven forced herself to say and took a deep breath to continue before Isaac could respond.  “And I don’t want to wake up with all those knick-knacks being the first thing I see so… I was wondering if… since I’m going to be so weak I can’t move… and considering your vampy strength… if you could…” she couldn’t do it. *God, I’m so pathetic!* “Um, forget it.”

“No, go on. If I could what?” Isaac urged helpfully and Raven avoided eye contact.

“If you could move me to my provided room instead,” she forced on. “And possibly… stand guard.”

“I would be honored to watch over you,” Isaac said with a slight bow that made her feel worse about having ever asked.

“Thanks…” Raven immediately turned away to walk up to the doctor, suddenly eager to get through the treatment to forget this moment. “Ok, doc. Let’s do this.”

“If you are ready, please remove all electronics or metals on your person including your shoes and lie on the stretcher,” the doctor instructed and indicated the stretcher that slid into the machine.

Raven took out her cell phone and the cell phone Isaac gave her. Then she removed her necklace that she always hid under her shirt, feeling very naked. She placed them in a metal container the doctor indicated to. Then she undid her boots and placed them beside the table with the rest of her things. Then she moved, barefoot, to the stretcher and laid down, feeling very uneasy. She felt something hook around her right wrist and tighten.

With a jerk, she raised her head to watch the doctor strap her right wrist,

“Hey, what—”

“I’m sorry, miss. This is to ensure you do not move a muscle while in the machine. Believe me, it will be necessary,” the doctor said and began to move to her right ankle next.

Raven had the sudden urge to kick the doctor away, untie herself and run the hell outta there when she noticed Isaac was now at her side. She met his eyes and found herself feeling calmer about the situation as the doctor continued to strap her down. She stayed still and forced the same control onto her face, masking her turmoil.

Finished, the doctor rolled over a metal table with three needles on it. Raven pushed down her fear of needles and tried not to look. She always hated needles and immediately refused when her father wanted her to apply Botox to her face in order to manipulate her features.

The doctor wiped the side of her neck with a sanitation wipe and then picked up a needle, saying, “This is the first of three stabilizers that you will need because of the level of radiation. This first one I must inject into the main spot of concern.”

Raven knew what he meant and steeled herself, trying to keep relaxed. “Do it,” she ordered.

She could see the doctor near his hands to her and held her breath when she felt the needle push into her throat with a small burn. She felt him inject the stabilizer and inhaled as it burned more. She didn’t feel the needle slip back out so much as see the doctor’s hands move away. The stabilizer was still burning and it was slowly increasing.

“This won’t cause brain damage, will it?” Raven felt herself ask as the burn moved up her jaw and down to her collarbone.

“None whatsoever,” Dr. O said with a soft chuckle she wanted to hit him for. Next, he wiped the inside of her right arm before applying a second needle there.

As the burn continued to spread from her neck, Raven felt another start at her right arm.

“Is this shit supposed to burn?” she asked next as the second burning sensation moved to her fingers and up her arm.

“Normally, I’d say no. Yet, in your circumstance, the toxin is making this burn,” Dr. O said as he moved around her to her left arm and began to wipe it clean for the last needle.

When the two burns met at her shoulder and began to wrap around her right breast, she felt herself start to lose patience with it and nearly fought the restraints so the third needle wouldn’t inject more of this pain into her. But Raven forced herself to hold on as the doctor injected her once more and her left arm started to burn.

Raven had a strong inkling that if she wasn’t strapped down, she’d be clawing at herself to stop this fucking burn spreading through her.

“Now, I would wait a minute before inserting you into the machine but I have a distinct impression that the stabilizer is spreading quickly,” the Doc said to her right.

“What the fuck gave you that clue?” Raven asked as the two burns met in the middle of her chest and began to spread down her body and fill her head.

“You’re sweating and gripping the straps,” he replied calmly and she could hear the whirr of a machine starting up.

“Aren’t you a fucking Sherlock?” she snapped as her temples nearly exploded. Her neck, precisely where she’d cut herself, was the epicenter of the burn. It hurt there the most.

“Raven, you know he’s trying to help you,” Isaac’s voice scolded her. She would have laughed if she wasn’t busy trying not to scream.

“You could’ve fooled me,” she grunted as the burning sensation pooled around her abdomen and slowly spread on.

“Let me know when it gets to your legs,” Dr. O said patiently.

Raven tried to breathe through it as the pain pounded in her temples and the burning sensation attacked both her thighs at the same time. “There,” she panted, straining against the straps holding her. The burning nearly cramped her shin muscles but she pushed a finger deep into her thigh muscles, tripping the nerve to numb her legs. She would not add muscle cramps to this already annoying pain.

“Alright, I’m going to insert you into the machine so try your best not to move while you’re in there,” Dr. O instructed and Raven felt the gurney tremble as he pushed it. Forcing herself to remain still, Raven watched as she entered the machine and listened to it start up again.

*I hate this. I hate this!* She yelled in her mind, realizing the machine was like the one used for CAT scans if a bit tighter. She wouldn’t have been able to move much even if she wasn’t strapped in.

“I’m going to turn on the radiation for thirty seconds,” Dr. O’s voice said. “Don’t move.”

Raven would have yelled at him to stop wasting her time when the lights around her turned on and the burning that filled her turned into an inferno. Forcing herself to stay still, Raven took deep breaths and gripped the straps for all she was worth. The inferno got worse and there was a ball of pure agony at her throat.

Sound was filling the machine.

It was horrible and full of pain and she wished it would stop as it rung in her ears.

It took her a second to realize that she was screaming.

Quickly slamming her mouth shut, Raven felt her eyes stream with involuntary tears. She was panting now in pain and getting weaker by the second. She felt tired suddenly and her heart was beating so fast, it might just give up in all this madness. She closed her eyes and the simple action felt amazing. She suddenly didn’t care about her heart stopping. If it did, she’d be calm and relaxed. She’d be at peace away from all this pain. Away from obligations. Away from people trying to kill her. Away from having to always fight.

*Anise*!

Raven snapped her eyes open.

The lights of the machine shut off and she felt herself grow extremely dizzy as the doctor pulled her out of the machine. Her body didn’t feel like it was on fire anymore but she was sure that it was smoking.

*That was not thirty seconds…*

She felt the darkness begin to creep over her but she had to stay awake. If she gave in to sleep, she might never wake up. She felt so close to just giving up.

Distantly, she was aware of two male voices speaking near her and of someone placing a finger on her throat but their words didn’t make sense. She tried to say something but only let out air. The overhead lights were too bright; she couldn’t see anything.

Her eyes had closed again.

Next thing she knew, everything hurt so horribly that she wasn’t sure if she blacked out or just couldn’t concentrate on what was happening. Her head swam like she was moving too fast and she felt her world spin.

Then everything was gone.

B.O.E. - Chapter 12: Isaac

 ***W**HO IS SHE?* Isaac thought as he stood outside her door. He made his way back to his room and paced. *How could a human be such a puzzle? It’s like she’s lived lifetimes in only decades!*

Isaac went over her words, trying to find something off. Everything she said sounded plausible. Connor could attest to her activities even if he couldn’t pin her with evidence.

He remembered her heartbeat upon seeing Connor. It was racing; she was scared. When they got into Damian’s study, her heartbeat was calm and controlled. How could someone control their heart like that? What else could she be capable of?

Isaac thought over her words in Damian’s study.

*Had she really been kept in the dark her whole life? Had she really trained to protect her sister or for other reasons? She was comfortable killing but why would numbing his arm make her uncomfortable? How had she learned to do that?*

The questions continued to assault his mind and he could feel a headache begin to grip his temples. He considered that this many headaches so often were bad for his health as he reached for the box on his bedside table. He should probably get the Doc to check him out as well while he was here.

The doorknob to his room suddenly rattled and was followed by a heavy thump of a knock. With a growl, he moved to it and yanked it open.

Zeke didn’t bother with an invitation and pushed passed him into the room.

“Welcome, brother mine,” Isaac sighed, slamming the door shut.

Zeke paced back and forth, growling and a deep glare on his face. “We should kill her.”

Isaac froze, grateful to be blocking the door but also glancing longingly at the box of smokes he hadn’t indulged in. “Your reasoning?”

Zeke pegged him with a frown. “Are you mental? Did you hear what she said in there?”

Isaac met his gaze, unmoving. “Yes, I did. She trained herself to protect her sister from kidnappers. She has to give her sister blood transfusions every month because of her disease.”

Zeke scoffed. “You honestly believe any of that?”

Isaac shrugged. “She has no reason to lie to us.”

Zeke growled and looked ready to slam him against the wall. “Can you look me in the eyes and say you honestly believe she trained to fight like that by *herself*?”

Isaac didn’t answer for a second, fighting with himself for unknown reasons. “No.”

“She wouldn’t even tell us why her sister is so compromised,” Zeke’s large hands fisted. “If Anise is her sister. She could be lying about that too.”

“She’s her sister. It was the first thing she said to me after accepting our help. Said Anise needed protection,” Isaac rubbed his temple.

“What else did she tell you?” Zeke asked suspiciously.

“In confidence?” Isaac met his darkening eyes and sighed again. “Their father has a lot of debts. Seems like kidnapping Anise is a message about time running out to pay back.”

“And Raven took it upon herself to eliminate their debts,” Zeke growled.

“She is only acting to protect her sister,” Isaac froze. He noticed Zeke’s eyes widen.

“Feeling a kinship, brother?” he asked curiously.

Isaac crossed his own arms now. “The human lives until we know how the Doc’s treatments will affect the toxin. We could use the knowledge against the *disciples*.”

He watched Zeke let out a long sigh before his posture changed completely.

“Brother, I appreciate how you’ve had my back for centuries. I honestly wish I had gotten control over the feeding frenzy a lot sooner and had not hated myself so much after the transition. I wish I had made things easier for you,” Zeke started but Isaac held up a hand.

“I do not resent you, Z. You found your path and you’ve gifted me a beautiful niece for my efforts. I would kill every *disciple* I find for her,” Isaac grinned softly. “My responsibility with Raven is merely to fix a mistake I made and save an innocent from a terrible fate. I feel no kinship for the human nor do I care about her troubles outside of those that may affect us. We have a duty to the realms.”

Zeke eyed him closely before nearing slowly. “I will not lose you, brother. If she becomes a threat to you, I will kill her myself.”

Isaac met his brother’s gaze for a moment before glancing away uncomfortably. “I am not used to your warm sentiments.”

Zeke chuckled then. “I have become a family man. You are my family. I will defend what is mine at all costs.”

Isaac smirked at him.

“I believe I’m due this century,” Zeke continued.

Throwing all caution to the wind, Isaac grabbed his brother’s arm and pulled him into a hug. Zeke returned it before they both let their arms drop. The men cleared their throats and stepped away, glancing at the walls as if the paint were new.

Finally, Isaac moved around his brother to the box of smokes. “If that is all, brother dear,” he grinned at the sound Zeke made at that. “I have an entire day planned.”

Zeke scoffed. “Laying here and hot boxing your bedroom hardly seems productive.”

Isaac picked up a roll and the lighter. “I actually find it very productive.”

Zeke didn’t reply as Isaac lit the roll and took a deep hit. Isaac breathed out a thick puff of smoke and sighed.

“I feel uneasy, brother,” Zeke sighed. “I feel as if a change is coming.”

Isaac side-eyed him. “I thought Liam was the psychic in the house.”

“Do not jest! This feeling of unease didn’t begin until Raven snuck into our lives. Something doesn’t feel right,” Zeke ran his hand through his growing hair. “I fear the worst.”

Isaac took another drag before turning to him. “We will handle it. One human against us? She may be formidable but even she won’t win.”

Zeke sighed heavily. “For our sakes, let’s pray I am wrong about her.”

Isaac watched his brother leave and shut his door.

With a frown, he slid out of his boots and went to lock the door. Then he went to his closet to toss his clothes into the hamper, eyeing himself in the floor length mirror. He’d never really glanced at it unless he had an injury to stitch up. Yet there he was. Tan skin, his muscles prominent as they stretched his skin, thick neck, golden eyes staring back. His hair was pulled back into a low bun but as he released it and let his thick locks cascade over his massive shoulders, he could see why females flocked to him.

Except Raven.

He took another drag from the roll as he moved away from his closet in only his underwear. He threw himself onto his bed and took another drag. His brother’s words joined the swirl of colliding thoughts in his head as the smoke finally began to affect.

*Why am I so invested in Raven?* He thought as he stared up at the ceiling. *What did she lie about? How did she learn to fight like she does? Should I be more careful around her?*

He realized that he hadn’t worn a single weapon on his person today. He’d been alone with Raven twice and hadn’t even kept a safe distance. He was too comfortable around her but… was it because of her?

Isaac frowned. Raven left him more questions than answers and on the rare moment she let down her guard, she immediately closed off again. She was afraid to drop her guard, to not show weakness or emotion. She seemed to only care about one thing: Anise.

He shifted in his bed as he finished off his cigarette.

He nearly reached for another one when he remembered he’d promised Raven that they’d go to her apartment to pick up the last of her things. He sighed and relaxed into his pillows. He’d at least be able to get a nap in now that the smoke had relaxed his mind. Now he could focus on sleep and not how her green eyes eyed her surroundings until she looked at every detail. How her hair flowed over her shoulders like ink. How she had to tilt her chin up to make eye contact with him, giving him a closer look at her pink lips.

**I**saac heard his phone alarm go off and reached over to turn it off. It was six p.m. He got up and went to his closet to change. He eyed his weapons and decided on a shoulder gun harness with a magnum on both sides. Then he slid some throwing knives into the slits of his favorite jacket for a stealthier approach- should he need it.

If the *disciples* were still after Raven, he’d have to be extra careful they weren’t walking into an ambush.

He walked out of his room and went straight to Liam’s room. He knocked and waited for the purple eyed vampire.

When he did open up, he gave Isaac a weird look. Like he was looking through his soul. “You want the phone for Raven,” he stated and moved into his room before Isaac could nod.

Isaac watched as Liam returned with the cell phone in hand and handed it to him. “It’s got everything?”

“I have already programmed it with our numbers along with her sister’s. I also hid three trackers on it. We’ll be able to trace it wherever it is,”

“Three?”

“One is within the phone’s own programming. Raven is resourceful but I don’t think she’ll find all of them,” Liam shrugged.

Isaac gave him that one and pocketed the phone. “I’m taking her to her apartment tonight before the Doc calls with news. Are any surprises waiting for us?”

Liam tilted his head, his purple eyes flashing. “Not that I’ve seen. You should speak to Connor. He’s been doing drive-bys since the night she escaped. He’s at the gym. Seems Raven got restless after breakfast.”

Isaac stared and walked away from the psychic, those eyes piercing his back.

He went downstairs and down the very familiar route he usually took to the gym they had on property. As he neared the swing doors, he could hear two people grunting as if sparring. He pushed through the doors and turned to the sound. He watched as Connor threw a very precise punch at his opponent but she ducked and tripped him. He neared the mat slowly as Raven waited for the cop to get up and attack her again. Connor’s moves were full of power, as he obviously put his muscles behind his attacks, but the male was glistening with sweat and panting. Raven was dancing around his attacks, redirecting them, and seemed entirely unbothered.

In fact, she almost looked like she was enjoying herself.

Isaac could see the sparkle in her eyes as she redirected the cop’s strike. When she jumped back to dodge the cop’s sudden kick, he could swear he saw the tiniest smile before she ducked into a sweep. Connor hit the mat on his back again and Raven straightened up to stand over him.

“You’ve improved,” she noted as Connor stayed there on the mat, catching his breath.

“Jesus, woman… you haven’t hit me once,” he sat up with a slight grimace.

Raven smirked softly with a shrug. “Just wanted to see if it was true.”

Connor cursed and struggled to stand up. “What now? Rematch?”

Raven shook her head. Then she pivoted and sharply turned to fully face Isaac.

He could swear it was like she was stabbing him with just her eyes.

“I was about to look for you,” Isaac said in her silence. “Both of you, actually.”

Connor stretched his back and moved forward. “Hey, Isaac. Was just showing her the gym. What’s up?”

Isaac raised his eyebrow at the cop. “You got balls, cop. Sparring with Raven without any of us to back you up?”

Connor waved at Raven. “We’re planning to hash it out, actually.”

Raven neared them and crossed her arms. “I wanted to see his improvement. Not much of a hash out when I have to hold back too much.”

Isaac could tell she was impressed with the cop. Somehow it put a sour taste in his mouth. He cleared his throat to keep the sudden growl down. “I’ve got your new cell phone that has our numbers and Anise’s,” he handed the phone to Raven and turned to Connor. “You’ve been keeping an eye on her apartment, right?”

Connor nodded and Isaac could feel Raven eyeing them. “It’s been quiet. I think the disciples decided to leave it after Raven got away. I haven’t seen anyone in or out.”

Isaac met her eyes. “You still wanna go get some of your things? Luther wouldn’t mind setting you up with a whole closet full of new stuff.”

Raven seemed to think it over before answering. “No, I need my vitamins. They’re prescription so I should continue the routine. In case the treatments work out.”

Isaac figured she’d say that. “If you’re ready, we should go now. Before the Doc comes in later.”

Raven nodded and Connor sighed gratefully.

“I’m hitting the showers,” he picked up a towel and moved away. “We’ll set up a date later.”

Isaac watched Raven smirk softly before closing off again and he quickly turned away to hide his sudden frown. He led her to the garage and chose an SUV. He slipped into the driver’s seat while she settled in beside him.

As soon as her door closed, he caught her scent. The lavender was still there but slightly covered by her own scent. She was perspiring after her match with Connor but very faintly. She smelled amazing. Being trapped in a sealed car with her was going to be torture.

Isaac pulled out of the driveway and practically sped over to her apartment as the sun set behind them.

“Wait, the sun is still out,” Raven muttered, eyeing him.

“This car’s windows are UV resistant. Low level sunlight doesn’t hurt us in here,” Isaac explained as he drove.

Raven didn’t speak again until he drove up to her apartment building.

“Go around the block again,” Raven said.

Isaac turned to her but she was looking around them. He did as she said and began to pull back toward the front.

“Don’t park here. Park around the corner,” she instructed, eyeing something over her shoulder.

Isaac did as told and reached for the keys to turn off the engine.

“Leave it on,” Raven muttered. “I’ll be quick.”

He killed the engine and turned to her with a frown. “You’re not going up alone, Raven.”

Raven shrugged and got out of the car. He followed her as she went to the front and entered the common room. He let her lead the way to the elevator and push her floor’s button. They silently went up but he couldn’t stop focusing on her scent.

As he kept inhaling, he found himself wanting to bury himself in her hair.

*Get a grip*, he scolded himself and schooled his face as the doors opened.

Raven strode to her apartment door where she stopped. She tilted her head as if listening for anything inside. He didn’t need to focus so intently; if he did, he’d be able to hear her heartbeat. He watched as she reached for the doorknob. He knew she figured the intruders hadn’t bothered to lock her door and he agreed with her. Though the thought made him nearly push her aside to go in first. He fought the urge as she opened her apartment and let the door swing wide open.

The air in her apartment was cold but her living room was empty.

Even in the darkness, evidence of the fight was still everywhere; The flipped over coffee table, the sofa cushions thrown around, the broken table near the kitchen. Near the back of the apartment, books and drawers were also thrown about.

Raven entered her apartment without making a sound and eyed every corner, including the rafters overhead. He wondered if they had ambushed her from above. She never mentioned details of that night to him.

“Clear,” she whispered before swiftly moving toward her bedroom.

Isaac followed after closing and locking her front door, equally as quiet. He waited as Raven opened her bedroom door and covered the door as she went in to check her bathroom next. They didn’t bother turning on the lights.

“It’s empty,” she reported a little louder.

“We still shouldn’t stay long,” Isaac looked around at the clutter in her room. Her clothes were lying messily and rumpled on the bed and floor. There wasn’t much and the torn open drawers looked empty. Even the bed’s mattress was thrown aside.

Raven came out of her bathroom, holding a container of pills. “There,” she looked around the room too, her expression hardening. “They’re really thorough.”

Isaac turned to her. “What were they looking for?”

Raven shrugged, eyeing her stuff on the floor. “Probably anything they could use to track me.” She bent down and picked up a backpack. She threw the pills in it and opened her closet.

Isaac watched as she reached to the very back of the wall where he barely made out a box in the shadows before she pulled it out. She opened it and he watched her load her backpack with guns and a few blades. Eyeing the backpack, Isaac could feel his mind threatening to overload with questions he wanted to ask. But he knew she wouldn’t answer so he moved back out of her room and toward the living room.

After a few seconds, Raven followed and moved toward the kitchen. She opened her refrigerator and took out an oat milk carton, fitting it into her bag. Then she went through a few cupboards to pack a few snacks and returned to his side.

That’s when he noticed why the apartment was cold; through the kitchen was a broken window. There was no glass on the inside so he guessed something was thrown out.

“Ready,” Raven moved back to him.

“That’s all?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“I don’t need much,” Raven shrugged.

“You don’t have anything that could spoil in there?”

Raven shook her head. “I usually ordered take out. The rest is canned food.”

“What about the apartment?” he asked.

Raven seemed to think about that for a second. Then she motioned toward the window, “Well, my deposit is gone and I’ve been paying in cash. I will send an email to the landlord to end my contract.”

Isaac stared. “You don’t plan to return?”

Raven met his eyes with a frown. “If I survive the treatments and don’t become a *disciple*, I can find a new one.”

He could feel his jaw clenching at how casually she talked about just uprooting and moving on. He forced his yap shut and only gave her a curt nod. Then he let her lead the way out of her apartment. He locked the door after himself and they made their way to the elevator.

“I noticed you didn’t pack much clothes,” he pointed out and watched her reaction as they stood a foot apart.

“You said Luther could set me up with more,” she shrugged.

He could tell she was uncomfortable but couldn’t figure out why. “What happened to your window?”

Raven’s lips stretched in a small smirk. “It’s how I got away from the *disciples*.”

Isaac stared at her. “You jumped out of the window?”

Raven nodded and actually looked a little proud. “It was the only exit they weren’t ready for. It hurt less than I thought it would.”

Isaac let her walk ahead of him when the elevator opened and followed. He shook his head to snap out of his surprise at learning of her escape route. Except, he was more surprised that he felt oddly proud of her. He unlocked the car and got back into the driver’s side. “Any other stops before heading back?”

Raven eyed the clock on his dash before thinking over something. She winced and shook her head, glancing away as if not wanting to answer.

Isaac turned on the engine and tried again, “Where to?”

Raven met his eyes with a blank expression. “Shouldn’t we get back to get the Doc’s prognosis?”

“He’ll call me and we can head back,” he watched something flare to life in the depths of her green irises. “Where did you want to go?”

Raven eyed the dash again. “I wanted to see Anise. She’s probably not in bed yet.”

Isaac nodded once and drove toward the college. He pulled out his cell and dialed Ruben, who had watch that night.

“Before you ask, yes I am at the college,” Ruben answered quietly.

“Good, we’re coming in for a visit,” Isaac answered.

“We switching shifts?” Ruben asked curiously.

“No, the Doc should have news tonight so we gotta head back. We’ll be there for fifteen,” he looked to Raven who nodded.

“The kid’s at her desk with headphones on,” Ruben reported.

Isaac hung up. “You should call her or something. She’s got headphones on.”

Raven pulled out her old cell phone and quickly sent a text. She received a reply just as they arrived and he pulled into the parking lot closest to the girl’s dorm.

“She can’t see you,” Raven said when he’d unbuckled his seat belt.

Isaac killed the engine and turned to her stern gaze. “She won’t.”

“I don’t need a sitter,” Raven frowned, opening her door.

Isaac used his speed to get out of the car and around to her just as she slammed her own door shut and turned. He watched her shoulders tense before immediately relaxing when she met his eyes. “Deal with it. I cannot allow you to be compromised.”

Raven frowned up at him. “You my handler or something?”

He could tell she didn’t like the idea but wasn’t about to explain the situation here. “Or something.”

Raven sighed and masked her expression again. “Just don’t be seen.”

He bit back his retort as he followed her to her sister’s dormitory and stayed around the corner while she knocked on the door.

“Hey, Ray,” a soft voice welcomed her.

“Surprised?” Raven asked, her voice sweet and nothing like he’d ever heard from her.

“A little but you have weird hours,” the soft voice replied.

“You gonna let me in or is Susan gonna have a fit?” Raven asked.

“She’s not back yet. Went to some party across campus,”

The door shut and he moved closer to it.

Anise’s room was at the end of the hallway on the first floor. The hallway was lit by the moonlight from the giant window right by the door. He understood Raven’s urgency to get surveillance on the girl; this was a very exposed setting.

He leaned on the wall beside the door, trying not to eavesdrop but he could hardly help it. When would he get another chance to learn about the woman who gave him migraines?

He picked up on their laughter and focused.

“How are you?” Raven asked before he heard her gasp. “What happened??”

“Relax!” Anise grumbled. “Just a paper cut. I’m fine.”

He could hear a rapid heartbeat before it slowed. It was Raven’s.

“Are you sure?” she asked, her voice betraying her worry. “How long was the bleeding this time?”

“Only a few hours,” Anise answered with a sigh. “Relax. I’m fine.”

Isaac heard the heartbeat slow back to normal as Anise continued,

“We went to the café like three days ago, why the sudden visit?”

“I missed you,” Raven’s voice replied softly and Isaac froze.

“Gross!” Anise giggled and he heard Raven join in.

“Fine, the truth?” Raven sighed. “I found work as a masseuse at a hotel.”

“Seriously?” Anise squealed.

“Yeah but downside is, they want me to transfer between hotels in shifts,” Raven continued. “So I won’t be in my apartment often. You’ll need to call me so I can tell you if I’m home or not.”

“Are they providing you a room if you stay over?”

“Yup,” Raven confirmed.

“Wow, that sounds so great,” Anise sighed. “Does that mean I won’t see you this weekend?”

Isaac could hear the disappointment in the girl’s voice.

“No,” Raven sounded equally disappointed. “We’ll have a movie night soon though.”

“That’s fine. Midterms are in like three weeks so I should study my ass off,” Anise answered. “Oh, wait… the appointment.”

He felt the heartbeat pick up again.

“You did set it up, right?” Raven asked, her voice a bit stern.

“Yeah but…”

“Hey,” he heard Raven’s voice suddenly turn gentle; as if she was talking to the most precious thing in the world. “I know needles freak you out. I know you hate doing this alone. If I can make it, I’ll be there with you. If not, we can talk on the phone like that one time.”

God, if he had a beating heart, he was sure it’d break.

“Deal?” she asked and he heard the girl’s muffled reply. “Okay. I should go. I don’t wanna keep you up. What time is your first class tomorrow?”

Anise sighed heavily. “Ugh at seven in the morning.”

“Quit whining,” Raven scolded playfully. “You only have this and next year. Then you get to graduate and fail at being an adult.”

He heard a soft slap before he felt the air leave his lungs. *Sweet Goddess!* Raven was laughing; loudly and sincerely laughing.

“I’m so not gonna miss you,” Anise grumbled as Raven settled.

“I still love you, Ani,” she replied sincerely.

Their footsteps moved closer and Isaac used his speed to quietly make it around the corner again just as the door opened.

“Yeah, yeah,” Anise mumbled.

“What, you’re not gonna say it?” Raven teased, sounding slightly hurt.

“No,” Anise replied definitively.

Next, he heard the girl squeal again and peeked around to see Raven’s arms around the girl’s middle, hugging tightly.

“You’d better or you’re gonna have an early bedtime,” she warned.

Anise grunted as she struggled in her sister’s hold. “Get off!”

“That doesn’t sound correct,” Raven answered. “Try again.”

“I hate you,” Anise gasped.

“Guess you’re going to bed sooner than you thought,” Raven’s arms tightened.

“Fine!” Anise gasped in air. “I love you too!”

Raven still didn’t let go but her arms relaxed. “I’m not gonna see you for a while so you’d better make sure I remember it.”

Isaac felt himself grin. He’d done this same thing to Zeke centuries ago. Before they had transitioned… when they were kids. Zeke wouldn’t give up his favorite toy so he’d forced him through suffocating hugs.

“I love you,” Anise sighed and Raven dropped her arms.

“I’ll text you tomorrow. Get some sleep,” Raven ordered. “And lock the door.”

Anise agreed and closed her door.

Raven didn’t move away until they heard the lock on the door. Then she took a deep breath and turned to the window, looking up at the dark sky. He waited, not daring to move, as she finally turned and moved back toward him. When she turned the corner, he followed her outside and back to the car. Yet as soon as they closed their doors,

“How much of that did you hear?” she demanded.

Isaac met her frown and tried to hide his own guilt. He should not have been listening. “Only the last part in the hallway. I tried to ignore the rest.”

“Tried?” she repeated dangerously.

*I keep forgetting she’s good at picking up information. Fucking moron!* He casually started the engine, trying to act like her stare didn’t bother him.

“I wasn’t trying to listen in,” he muttered.

“But you did,” she wasn’t asking.

Before he could reply, his phone rang and he quickly answered it, grateful for the escape.

“Doc?” he asked.

“Greetings, Master Isaac,” the Doc answered. “You had wished I call you about my results. Is Ms. Raven there with you?”

“She is,” he glanced at her narrowed green eyes as he pulled out of the lot. “We’re headed back in.”

“Good. I had hoped to share my findings with both of you at the same time,” the Doc said.

“Is it good news?” he asked as he sped them back toward the house.

“I would much rather speak to both of you,” the Doc insisted.

Isaac fought a growl and hung up without a word.

“What’d he say?” Raven asked, the venom in her voice gone now.

“He wants to speak to us both,” he answered.

Raven settled back in her seat and didn’t speak.

He shot her a quick glance and saw the mask back in place.

B.O.E. - Chapter 11: Raven

  **Y**OU!”

Raven flinched as the big bald guy with a clean face and bulgy muscles pointed at her. He wore a dark brown leather jacket over what looked like a white muscle shirt. She noticed he was still wearing the same regulation uniform pants and steel toed boots and guessed he just got off work. His face, once handsome enough to seem non-threatening, was now contorted in growing rage.

“I know you!” his eyes narrowed slightly as he examined her face.

She knew who he was too and raised her hands in peace, keeping her own face neutral despite the chill in her spine. “Look—”

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Raven took a step back but he advanced one, his intent clear on his face. “Don’t try it, cop. Think first.”

His muscles tensed. “You’re a criminal. You killed people!”

Raven saw the other muscle heads enter the room and knew this was going to be very unpleasant. She should have checked the perimeter but here she was, like a deer caught in the headlights. All because she let her guard down for thinking over her conversation with the doctor.

“Connor? What’s up, man?” the one named Ruben asked.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Connor demanded, pointing at her.

“Hey, easy,” Isaac moved to stand beside her. “She needs our help.”

“She needs the fucking needle,” Connor glared at her.

“Back up a bit,” Wyatt tried, his hands up as if to broker peace. “What is your deal? Raven’s been cool… so far.”

Raven snickered in her mind before seeing the cop’s eyes glaze over.

“Raven…” Connor repeated and she could practically see his wheels turning. “Raven… Keller?”

Raven sighed. *Shit.*

“The girl who we interviewed? The ‘witness’ to the murders was the actual killer?” Connor growled. “You made me a laughing stock. You ruined my rep and made my life hell.”

Raven felt everyone’s eyes on her and masked her emotions. She weighed the option of lying her way out of this but quickly dropped it when she considered they had probably known this creep for years. She took a deep breath before finally answering, “They were murderers and kidnappers.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to kill!” the cop shouted as the Brothers froze, eyeing her.

“I did your job,”

“You took a life!”

“What’s the difference between you and me? A stupid uniform?” Raven pointed out.

“I don’t kill people for money,” the cop snapped.

The Brothers shifted slightly.

“You’re a hit woman?” Wyatt asked curiously, moving away to face her better.

“No,” Raven immediately answered. “I’m not an assassin or a bounty hunter or a cop gone rogue. I only protect one innocent and sometimes make change out of it.”

Isaac glanced away from her for a second. “Anise Jensen.”

Raven felt her eyes widen as she turned to him. Then she immediately controlled her expression again.

“The one person the *disciples* can use against you. Your reluctance to meet Connor,” Isaac rubbed his temple as he added everything together.

“I think you need to fill us in on the score, Raven,” Liam muttered.

Raven took a deep breath. “Look, I was dragged into your world and had to know your score. If all this goes south, I’ll be happy to take it to my grave. But my life is not consequential.”

“You know us but we can’t know you?” Isaac growled suddenly.

“You know I need your help and you know that I’m not gonna attack you because it’d be stupid of me,” Raven met his golden eyes, half-pleading. “You’re asking me to open up to a bunch of creatures about something that affects an innocent girl who knows nothing about any of this. And her family. Don’t force this on me.”

“If we have to?” Liam asked next.

Raven felt her shoulders tighten. “Then I’ll have to leave. Hopefully things go well enough for me to settle my affairs before I’m found.”

“You’d rather die than let us know you?” Wyatt asked, his brow furrowed. “Is your life that horrible?”

“My life is *my* business. While my life doesn’t affect you directly, I won’t relay it for anyone,”

“I will,” Connor growled and she rounded on him.

“Go ahead, cop. You barely figured me out and no one wanted to listen to you. You only care about what I did but not *why* or how I did it,” Raven sneered.

“Oh, I’ll keep digging now that I know your name,” Connor neared menacingly. “I’ll learn everything. Perhaps I’ll ask Anise Jensen. I’d love to hear her explain her involvement in your murders. I’ll put her away if I have to.”

Raven neared him quickly and glared into his face, fighting the urge to lay him out. “You leave her out of this.”

Connor’s eyes widened and she froze. Her voice had taken on a deeper tone beneath her normal one and growled out of her throat like its own entity.

Still, she didn’t back down.

“Enough!” Isaac growled suddenly. “Both of you need to stand down.”

“Oh, c’mon, Isaac. I’m interested in seeing a mortal fight,” Wyatt grinned mischievously.

“Oh, I don’t think the cop wants to throw that punch again,” Raven cooed and watched his face turn even redder. “Wanna tell them how long it took you to get out of the hospital?”

“I’ve learned a few moves since then,” Connor nodded toward Liam.

Raven hummed. “Then you might be worth my time. I have a few seconds to spare.”

“Connor. Raven.”

Just their names made them turn to Zeke as he appeared from thin air, leaning on a pillar.

“You’re both tough for humans but you’re not gonna prove it here. We’ll discuss this with Damian,” he growled, eyeing them dangerously.

Raven stared at the vamp whose golden eyes were darker than Isaac’s. *What else can these giants do?*

“Why are you even here?” Connor spat at her, not backing off.

“She’s turning into a *disciple*. We’re trying to reverse it,” Liam answered, moving behind him.

“*You’re* the innocent?” Connor let out a laugh as she frowned at him. “I think that’s called karma.”

“I’m glad my torment brings you joy… just like all those prostitutes under the bridge did,” Raven snapped back and he reared a fist back.

Before he could swing, Liam was there to stop it and pull him backward.

“We will go to Damian,” he muttered and Connor sighed loudly.

Raven felt Isaac standing right behind her as Liam ushered the cop down a hall. The other three stood around her, watching her with tense expressions. They were ready for her to resist.

Isaac’s huge hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped slightly. She glanced at him and met his darkening eyes. His expression was closed off enough but she still read confusion and mistrust. It hurt her more than she ever knew would be possible from someone other than Anise. She felt herself relax in defeat and let him push her down the hallway, following the other two.

He led her into a large room with a single desk at the far back. The walls were lined with old books and scrolls. There were no seats in front of the desk but the giant behind it had his own large throne.

“What is this about?” he growled, eyeing them all with black eyes.

*Crap,* she thought as Isaac pushed her to the center of the room and removed his hand from her shoulder. She faced the Vampire King as the cop stood to her side. She was grateful the idiot was keeping his distance because the urge to permanently silence him was almost too much to control. She realized that the only reason she wasn’t going berserk on these idiots had moved back to lean on the wall to her right, his eyes heavy on her skin.

Yet somehow his presence was comforting… despite this shitty situation.

*It’s because he’s always around, isn’t it?* She wondered, keeping Isaac in her peripheral. *Because he got me into this mess in the first place.*

When the others all filed in and shut the door, it was like a gong to a gladiatorial pit.

“She’s a criminal!” the cop pointed his fat finger at her again.

“Why are you a disgraced cop, again?” Raven asked snidely, facing him.

“Because I was hunting a murderer when she was right in front of me!”

“Or your stalker-like obsession with women was finally flagged,” Raven snapped. “What was your last obsession named again? Elizabeth?”

“Shut up, both of you,” Damian growled, standing up.

Connor turned to him and they met gazes for a moment before Connor glanced at the floor, his face red. Raven watched their exchange, noting how Damian wasn’t moving.

Then the King sighed, “Connor, go first. What’s your deal with Raven?”

“She’s a murderer. She’s killed dozens of innocents and faked her own kidnapping…”

Raven snorted but met Isaac’s eyes and quieted down.

“She’s ruined my career by making it seem as if I was chasing a ghost. She’s crazy.” Connor finished.

“Raven?” Damian turned to her.

“I’ll admit I’ve killed but they were *not* innocents,” Raven shot a look at Connor. “They were rapists, murderers and kidnappers. I’m not crazy. I was hired to protect one person. A *real* innocent.”

“Who?”

Raven froze and didn’t reply for a second. “Anise Jensen.”

“The college student?” Damian frowned. “Why would you be hired to protect her? What is your connection?”

Raven took a deep breath and let it out heavily, hating how the cop was intently watching her.

“Raven,” Isaac sighed from his position. “You have to tell them.”

Raven glanced at him and grit her teeth. He met her gaze and crossed his arms, silently demanding her acquiescence. She figured she owed the giant and muttered, “She’s… my sister.”

The cop’s jaw fell while the room froze.

“You’re hired to protect your sister?” Rue asked.

“Sort of,” Raven crossed her arms.

“Explain,” the cop demanded and she glared at him.

“Raven,” Damian pressed when she didn’t answer.

“You… I…” Raven sighed. “When you looked me up, you found minimal information. That’s because I technically don’t exist. I’ve been homeschooled, kept inside a lot and I don’t even have health insurance. If you had looked into hospitals, you would have found some record of a Jane Doe fitting my description with extensive injuries. They have me filed as a frequent visitor… probably. I trained after Anise was kidnapped the second time. It took the police a week to find her and she was so weak and scared. They weren’t even trying! They told us that it’s near impossible after the first twenty- four hours.”

“It *is* impossible,” Connor defended.

“After that, I could find her within hours of a kidnapping!” Raven rounded on him, angrily. “What were you guys doing? Fucking hookers?”

Connor’s hands fisted but Damian raised his hand to stop him.

“Why is Anise kidnapped?” Damian asked her. “Why is there such interest in her?”

Raven fidgeted. “I can’t tell you.”

Protests began again and Raven shouted,

“I’ve told you as much as I can. Drop it!”

“Fine. Why are you the deterrent to her kidnappings?” Damian asked, breaking through the cacophony. “There are other methods that could be taken. Safe houses. Witness protection?”

“She’s got a life here. She’s in college. She can’t just uproot and leave,” Raven muttered, fisting her hands at her sides, tightly.

“Isn’t her safety a bit more important than her college experience?” Wyatt asked.

“She could change her appearance, her name. She’d be free and safe,” Rue continued.

“She’s anemic!” Raven blurted out and felt her nails dig into her palms. “She has Von Willibrand’s Disease. She needs blood transfusions every month. My blood.”

The room grew quiet again.

“You think I was panicking about turning into some soulless monster?” she turned to Isaac. “I was already watching her grow weak and unable to get up from bed, hooked up to countless machines until finally the plug is pulled because it’s too expensive to keep her alive. Without me, she’s dead. Dead from the cuts and bruises caused by the kidnappers and dead from not being able to get to my blood. Her blood doesn’t clot. That’s why she needs mine. And now I can’t give it to her.”

He looked shocked. “Raven…”

Wyatt interrupted then, “Couldn’t she get blood from…”

“We’re O neg,” Raven sighed turning to him next. “I’m a perfect match and I’ve been freezing my blood for a while. In case something happens to me while trying to save her from kidnappers. I guess now it’ll give them time to find another compatible O neg donor if I do turn into a *disciple*.”

“You should have told us the score, Raven,” Liam muttered after a second.

“It’s not your business,” Raven growled, turning back to the King. “I have the situation handled enough. The only glitch is this *disciple* thing. I swear it won’t affect you in any way save for getting me out in the open.”

The King frowned. “The men you’ve killed…”

“I acted to protect her and those fuckers deserved it,”

“They had families!” Connor growled softly.

“They gave up that right when they messed with mine,” Raven rounded on him again. “You gonna get high and mighty on me, cop, cuz you have the badge to hide behind while roughing up criminals during your investigations? Or when you went hooker calling? You took too long and I got the job done. She’s alive because of me.”

Connor glared.

Damian was rubbing his temples as he sat back down. “Until I met Eliza, I never had much respect for humans. Yet, this is a matter where I would respect a murderer… or murderess. Doing what you can for the one you love. For an innocent.”

Everyone stayed silent to listen to him.

“You’ve basically given up your life to protect your sister,” Damian said, looking to Raven, who waited for him to continue. “Your business is your business. Is Anise Jensen still in danger?”

Raven sighed with a nod. “There’s still people after her. I haven’t been able to disband all enemies but I’ve been keeping tabs. If they move, I’ll know and I’ll have to get out there.”

Damian nodded. “We’ll help with nightly stakeouts while you’re here. If we can stop the *disciple* toxin then you’ll be free to leave and continue your protection. If not, we can’t keep watching over a human.”

“I understand,” Raven nodded once.

“You’re actions while defending yourself and your sister are inconsequential to us,” Damian stated and turned a steady gaze to the cop. “Connor, let go.”

Connor growled before sighing loudly. He nodded once and held out his hand to Raven.

Raven eyed him.

“I don’t like you but learning that girl is your sister sorta changes things for me,” Connor said. “I lost family. If I could do what you do, I woulda.”

Raven took his hand and shook it. “Sorry about your rep. Your methods were crude but you actually got shit done. You were close to figuring me out. I feared you.”

“Well, ain’t that something,” Connor smirked and they let go.

“Good,” Damian sighed. “Raven, the doc said he’d have news tomorrow and hopefully, you can begin treatment. You should get some rest.”

The tension in the room lifted somewhat with that statement.

Raven heard the door to the room open again as the giants stared at her. She could practically feel their shift in mood. “Thanks, Shades,” she muttered and about-faced to head right for the door, not looking at any of the giants as they watched her leave. She was nearly down the hall when thoughts of escape crumbled.

“We need to talk,” Isaac’s voice growled at her shoulder.

Raven sighed but didn’t speak. She led the way back toward the room they had provided for her, walking quickly. She knew he was keeping up but secretly wished he’d just use his speed to meet her there. The silence was driving her crazy. She opened the door and strode into the room, turning to find him closing her door. She straightened up and crossed her arms, waiting.

Isaac just stood there, staring at her.

“What?” she finally asked a few seconds later.

“How much of what you just said in there was true?” he asked.

Raven froze. No way could this guy detect her lies… again. She had control in that situation. The park was a different story. “What?” she asked, letting her confusion show.

“You didn’t mention this disease to the doctor when he’d asked about your condition,” Isaac began. “Now, it’s suddenly life threatening. Is that even true?”

Raven met his eyes steadily. “The Doc only asked about me but if you must know; our father has the gene. For some reason it skipped me but Anise got it. I got to grow up healthy and she has to avoid anything that could damage her skin. Her blood is like water.”

He stared at her for a second. “Why is your sister kidnapped?”

Raven sighed. “You’re not going to let it go, are you?”

His eyes narrowed and gave her the answer.

“Our dear old dad racked up a few debts while Anise was in and out of the hospital. He was never able to pay them back. They’re getting more and more impatient. I got stuck cleaning up his mess,” Raven answered through clenched teeth.

“Where is he now?”

Raven shrugged. “I don’t know.”

He sighed and narrowed his eyes again. She met his gaze without blinking until he continued, “Why didn’t you share that information back there?”

Raven fidgeted under his watchful gaze. “Because I… He’s messed up a lot but he was just trying to keep Anise alive. He didn’t mean for it to bite us in the ass. It’s not a proud moment for any of us and talking about it to a bunch of strangers is embarrassing.”

Isaac was still staring at her seconds later before he finally blinked and glanced away. “We’re putting our necks on the line for your chance at a cure. You can’t keep information this big from us. Not if you want any of us to trust you.”

Raven nodded but kept her mouth shut. Unless forced again, she wasn’t planning on sharing any more information with anyone. Not even this golden eyed Adonis.

“Get some rest. I’ll come for you tomorrow so we can go to your apartment before the Doc has news,” Isaac moved to the door and left without another word.

Raven finally sighed and let her shoulders relax.

*Well… that went well*, she turned to face the giant bed to find some pjs already laid on it. *Jesus that Luther guy is good.*

She changed into the silky emerald green pajama pants and the thin smooth matching spaghetti strap top. The pajamas were cool on her skin and oddly relaxing. She realized that she hadn’t even eaten dinner and was already so damn sleepy. Skipping a meal wasn’t unfamiliar to her. She’d had to do that once or a hundred times before but not noticing was the weird part.

Climbing into the center of the giant bed, she slid under the covers and laid her head on one of the pillows.

*Dear God, is this memory foam?* She wondered as her muscles relaxed without her.

Within seconds, she was sound asleep.

B.O.E.- Chapter 10: Isaac

 Isaac went back to his room and half-slammed the door shut after leaving Raven’s room.

How could a female be this infuriating? He had offered his services to her, offered her nothing but help, asked only for a little trust and got shut down.

He couldn’t fathom what kind of growing up she’d had to be like this as an adult. It was as if she grew up trusting no one but her sister. He wondered if her sister knew how difficult Raven could be. He hardly knew anything of her father. The one time she’d spoken of her father, she mentioned he wouldn’t be questioned alive so he could only discern that he was also as strong willed as her.

Isaac reached into his box and lit up a smoke. He shouldn’t have talked to her like that. He should have had more control.

He moved to his bed and sat down, leaning on the bed post as he puffed. He really could be an asshole. But he’d had his own shit to deal with; looking out for Zeke, losing his leg… only to have him act like a tortured, ravenous idiot for centuries until finally Bonnie came along and ended the madness for both of them.

Isaac sighed.

He and Zeke were twins so of course they had fallen for the same female. But her sights were set on his brother and he lost out-right. In the end, she was the best thing to have ever happened to Zeke. His hair was growing out, his bone-thin body was growing huskier, he was starting to come out and be more sociable with the House. He seemed like he was on the verge of becoming normal and Isaac was beginning to feel a sense of peace.

Then Raven came along.

And his headaches returned.

Isaac thought back on his centuries of experience with women. Few enough to count but when he offered even the slightest attention to a female, it was never denied. It was as if the women were happy to submit to him. He’d even found the odd gem here and there and courted humans. He was not blind to his looks, women would swoon.

But not Raven.

He noted how she’d look at him as if trying to see beyond his appearance. As if searching for an underlying threat or weakness. She was like a predator, eyeing everyone like prey. He had never seen someone behave like this. Except Zeke. Or a freshly awoken vampire.

Isaac noted how she’d looked at him after noticing his leg. He expected to find pity or something soft. Instead he found a silent question and even apprehension. She didn’t feel sorry about his leg but seemed a little threatened by it. He wanted to ask about that but it was difficult just to say a few words to her!

He spent the next few hours in his room and finished off two more cigarettes. His nerves were finally quiet and he felt the headache subside.

Then his cell phone went off.

“What?” he growled, answering it.

“Doc’s here,” Liam answered.

Isaac stood up and headed for the door, hanging up. He met up with the two as Liam led him up the stairs. “Hey, Doc,” he greeted and the thin vampire bowed his head.

“At your service, Master Isaac,” he smiled and his keen eyes glanced around curiously. “I understand you have the female in question. Might I see her?”

Isaac nodded and led the doctor toward Raven’s room. “I must warn you. She’s been a little difficult.”

“I imagine learning she’s becoming a soulless creature isn’t easy,” the Doctor smiled reassuringly. “We shall tread lightly for today.”

Isaac nodded as they reached her door and knocked. They waited. He wasn’t prepared for the sight before them.

When Raven opened the door with a soft frown, her hair was wet and smelled like lavender. Her cheeks were a little flushed and the clothes were simple but hugged her figure well. She’d forgone wearing a bra and he suddenly felt restrained. Something about this whole thing suddenly felt like they had intruded upon something private and he didn’t like the doctor seeing her like this.

What the hell is happening? He shouted in his mind as he forced himself to speak out loud, “Raven, this is Doctor Omundson. Doc, this is Raven.”

“My pleasure, Miss Raven,” the doctor offered his hand and Raven took it after a pause.

Raven opened the door wider and leaned on the doorpost, crossing her arms. “Do you have news for me?” she asked and Isaac watched the Doc glance between them before answering her,

“Actually, there is a final step we must take before we continue. The Brotherhood has been kind in allowing me a workspace here within this mansion and I have set up a little examination room, if you will. I had hoped to meet you to ask if you would follow me there. I need to collect some samples of your blood to examine before we begin treatments.”

“Will you know if the treatments will work?” she asked softly.

“I should know by tomorrow. Then we can continue with our next steps,” Dr. O nodded.

“Do you know what the treatments will be like?” Raven asked.

“I can’t have a definitive answer without testing your blood first,”

Raven shifted slightly, readjusting her arms. Isaac felt his eyes zero in and forced himself to look beyond her breasts. Her forearms were bruised; defensive wounds.

“Fine. Let me get my—” she began to turn away but Isaac felt himself reach forward and grab her wrist. He pulled her back and raised her arm, eyeing the bruises. They were already turning green but the purple shade was holding strong. He looked beyond her arm to meet her glaring green eyes.

“You going to add to the collection or you gonna let me go?” she asked, her voice tinged with malice.

Coming to his senses, he slackened his grip and let her slip her arm away. She moved away from him and went to grab her cellphone.

“Lead the way,” she neared again but gave them a wide berth. Unfortunately for her, they both waved her through the door first. She slid past him and he caught another whiff of her lavender scent before following them.

He wondered why he’d gotten so worked up at her bruises. She was a fighter. She’d fought the disciples in her apartment. It made sense.

They followed the Doc back down the stairs to the right wing and down a long hallway. The Doc opened up a pair of double doors to reveal the workspace they’d allowed him. It was wide and brightly lit, although windowless. He’d asked for a number of medical instruments and he walked them to a stainless-steel table.

“Now, Ms. Raven. If you would have a seat, I will draw some blood and run those tests,” the Doc instructed calmly.

Raven took a seat and the doctor wheeled it closer to the table so she could lay her arm on it. She flipped her arm palm up to give him access to her veins.

“Vamps don’t drink from humans, right?” she asked, eyeing them both.

Isaac felt himself smirk. “We consider human blood a last resort.”

“I would never endanger my patients,” Dr. O stated as he set up a few vials and a needle beside her arm.

Raven didn’t respond but watched closely as the Doc picked up a rubber cord and tied it around her bicep.

“Now, do you have any preexisting medical conditions?” he asked casually. “Heart and the like?”

Raven shook her head. “I’ve always been healthy.”

 “Are you taking any medications?” he asked as he worked.

“Just some vitamins which I left back at my apartment. How impossible would it be to go grab those?” Raven glanced at Isaac.

“I’ll go with you tomorrow night so you could bring anything else you need,” Isaac promised and she nodded, glancing away quickly as the doc picked up a needle.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“Uh… medroxyprogesterone acetate,” she mumbled and the Doc froze.

Isaac watched as he cleared his throat.

“Uh… Master Isaac… If I may have a few words with my patient?” he inquired and Isaac glanced between them. He nodded and quickly left the room. What the hell was medroxy-blah-blah?

Isaac waited outside and leaned on a wall, frowning. Then he pulled out his cell phone. He had to google whatever that drug is to make the Doc so uncomfortable. He couldn’t remember the full word and wondered why she hadn’t just said the common name. All medications had them, right?

After a few minutes, the door opened and Raven stepped out. She took a deep breath before turning to him, flexing her bandaged arm slightly.

“You know a way back through this maze?” she asked and he straightened up.

“Follow me,” he led her back up to the main landing.

Suddenly, she froze behind him and he stopped to look at her. Her green eyes were focused on another man who’d entered.

He watched Connor’s face suddenly burn a deep shade of red as he eyed Raven. The waves of malice radiating off the male were surprising. He’d known Connor to be a rational human with a level head. He was dependable when his services were required. Right now, he looked ready to kill.

Isaac turned back to his intended target. Raven was quick to recover from her initial shock and she met Connor’s stare head- on. She almost looked annoyed when she should be bothered by the man’s glare. He was staring daggers at her and she was calm.

What is happening?

B.O.E.- Chapter 9: Raven

Raven thanked the butler and entered the bathroom when he’d walked away. She was again struck by the elegance of the room and couldn’t believe she was actually in it. She locked the door and stood at the sink. She washed her hands and splashed some water on her face before drying off. Sure, she had just made a tiny scene but this was too much!

Vampires eating actual food.

An immortal human.

A King vampire and a Queen who can command something and it’s forced onto the listener. Human or not!

Raven stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was only human. There was nothing supernatural about her. She had the pressure-point technique she’d created (Quick Points) but anyone with proper training could duplicate it. Especially if they had photographic memory… like her sister.

Raven sighed.

Her father had been smart to train her in private. Anise was in advanced classes and other extracurricular classes to get a scholarship into a college so she had no idea. If she had seen just one of her training days, Anise would have been able to fight like her too.

The hours and years that her father had spent training her were cruel and horrible hard work. She often wondered if her father still loved her whenever he put her in life-threatening situations. But then when she’d survive, he’d hug her for so long that her doubts were put to rest. Then he’d continue her training. His lessons were engraved into her memory,

Never stop, Raven. There’s always room for improvement. Don’t get soft.

Raven suddenly remembered when she had the bright idea of joining a massage therapy course in a community college and nearly laughed. Her father had been so against it that she’d had to make a five-page report on the benefits behind the class before he consented. Thus, her Quick Points was born and she became an efficient killer.

He was so proud.

Her knuckles suddenly tingled as she remembered the training for that. Punching solid brick had to be the worst part.

She leaned onto the sink, rubbing her temples as she remembered her tenth real test of the Quick Points. Isaac. Poor, Isaac. His expression at having lost all motor skills of his arm was horrible and chilled her to the core. His fear flooded her and she felt so cruel having done that to him. She had put that fear into him. She was just as a monster as he and now, she was even turning into a monster!

She was crying.

Raven gasped as she pulled herself back together.

Again, she washed her face.  She was strong. She could face any obstacle and overcome it. She had to. She had to keep Anise safe and to do that, she had to fix her own problems. This was something she excelled in better than her technique.

Ready, Raven took a deep breath and opened the restroom door to step out. She could do this, she chanted to herself as she closed the door. She looked up and froze to find Isaac leaning on the wall a bit further up the hall. He had his good leg folded over his prosthetic ankle and his massive arms crossed, staring at the carpet. He seriously looked like the warrior type and she found herself staring at him for a count of five before blinking.

Forcing herself to step toward the behemoth sized man, Raven reminded herself to play it cool and not like she had just had a moment of pure freaking out. He looked up and she met his yellow eyes head on… even though he was taller.

“How are you?” he asked.

Raven shrugged as nonchalantly as she could. “Fine. Why?”

He blinked at her. “You’ve been in there for twenty minutes.”

Raven fought the blush from her face. “Whoops.”

“Are you sure you’re fine?” Isaac asked. He emphasized the word like he didn’t believe her but wasn’t going to press the issue.

“Yes, quit asking,” Raven snapped. “Now that breakfast and introducing me to the others is over, can we discuss what our next steps are?”

Isaac looked her over quickly as if trying yet again to figure her out before he sighed. “Follow me,” he said and led her up a flight of stairs and down an elegant hallway with a door every ten feet. At the very end, he opened the door and allowed her into the room first.

Raven fought her gasp as she entered a magnificently huge bedroom with giant windows and a King-sized canopy bed with a thin white curtain. The floor was wood but the area surrounding the bed was carpeted.

“This will be your room,” Isaac explained in her silence. “Here, let me show you where the closet is.”

Raven followed him deeper into the right of the room. He indicated toward double doors and Raven opened it. She stared at a large, empty walk-in closet. “I don’t think I’m going to need this much space for clothes. But for all things weapon-like, it’s perfect,” Raven said.

“We have something different for that purpose,” Isaac said and went to the wall beside the closet. He pushed at a groove in the wall and opened it.

Raven couldn’t stop her gasp this time to see a display case already equipped with the basic weapons: a hand gun, a few blades, a harness, extra ammo, a wet stone, and throwing stars. She recognized her own gear already polished and added to the collection.

“That’s more like it,” Raven said with a smirk as she reached for a blade.

“Not yet,” Isaac said, pushing her hand away and closing the door. Then he steered her toward a door at the opposite end of the room, to the right of the bed. He opened it and Raven walked into the largest bathroom she’d been in years.

“Alright, now I’m impressed,” Raven admitted as she went to the large tub set into a foot-high platform. The faucet was a large hole in the wall with a spout to let in a waterfall of water. It was beautiful. She picked up a bottle of body wash and sniffed in a gust of lavender with a sigh.

“I wouldn’t have figured you to enjoy amenities such as this,” Isaac’s voice said, intruding on her euphoric moment.

Raven placed the bottle back quickly, recollecting herself, “I’m not used to so much. In my apartment, I only had a bar of soap and 2-in-1.”

“Yes, I noticed how bare your apartment was,” Isaac said. “Why is that?”

Raven turned to him. “Weren’t we going to discuss next steps? I’d also like to figure out Anise’s protection.”

Isaac nodded after a pause and led back to the room where she saw two very cushiony chairs with a low table in between. Isaac pulled out a cell phone and spoke into it quickly in a language she didn’t understand before gesturing for her to take a seat first.

Raven took the furthest seat before he sat down opposite her.

“Now, what did you want to discuss?” Isaac asked, putting the phone away.

“What sort of protection will Anise be getting and how often?” Raven asked immediately.

“We cannot go out in sunlight… yes, Hollywood’s gotten that right,” Isaac said with a sigh when she raised her eyebrows. “So, we are going to put the cop on the job while the sun is up.”

“A cop?” Raven asked, suddenly apprehensive.

“We have a few cops on our payroll. He’s… ah, one of us,” Isaac said. “His name’s Connor and he couldn’t join us for breakfast but you’ll meet him later.”

“…Sure. Sounds great,” Raven just nodded to be polite. She didn’t want to meet this cop and she could tell he’d noticed her reluctance.

“He’ll be on the job in the daylight hours and when it’s night, we will take turns. You’ll need to give us her complete schedule and where her likely places to go are,” Isaac added.

Raven sat up, “If you want to go now, we can.”

Isaac smiled ruefully. “No, we can’t. It’s about four in the afternoon right now.”

Raven slumped with a soft “oh”. She had been looking forward to seeing her sister safe at college. Guess she’d have to wait. “Why isn’t the sun shining in here if it’s still early?” she asked, glancing toward the windows behind her.

“We have special shutters that will shut out light automatically so at sundown try not to get frightened of the sound they’ll make,” Isaac said. “There’s a code pad on the outside of the main door that will deactivate that. I’ll give you the code in a bit.”

“Disciples aren’t sensitive to daylight, are they?” Raven asked and watched Isaac frown.

“No, no they’re not,” he said. “You’re not a disciple yet. You won’t be.”

Raven tried to be assured by his words but it was hard. “What are the treatments going to be like?”

“I have no idea. This is the first time this sort of thing has happened. The doctor can answer your questions on that when we call him in later tonight. For now, try to remain calm,” Isaac said. “He has already been briefed on this since the night in the park so he’s been doing research and experimenting.”

“Experimenting?” Raven asked and watched Isaac’s eyes suddenly grow dark.

“On a few test subjects we had acquired for him,” he said softly. Raven felt that she shouldn’t ask more on the matter so she changed the subject.

“You think he’s gonna have good news for me?” she asked and his eyes returned to their bright yellow.

“I hope so,” he sighed. “He’s the best doctor around so if he’s got nothing, we’re pretty much on the clock.”

Raven nodded and felt her head suddenly grow heavy with a headache. She didn’t allow herself to show pain or weakness or distress. She was stronger than that.

“I know you are frightened,” Isaac said softly and she met his eyes, surprised. “You do not have to hide from me.”

“Hide what?” Raven stupidly asked.

“Your true feelings,” Isaac said. “You are in no danger here.”

“What makes you think I’m hiding anything?” Raven asked, watching his face closely.

He sighed and rubbed his temples before answering with a bit of annoyance, “Fine, don’t talk to me but I know you’re scared. You’re in a new, strange world with creatures you didn’t know existed. You are infected with a virus that is slowly spreading through you and you have to rely on complete strangers to get a chance at a cure. You’re only human. There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be scared out of your mind,” he paused and Raven took a deep breath for him, surprised and feeling his words sink in. “But until you want to open up and talk to someone, I won’t waste my time trying to make you.”

Raven didn’t know how to respond, not having met someone like Isaac before. How could a man born for battle be so outspoken? Or was she just so cold?

“And yet, I would be honored if you came to me for help,” Isaac said.

Raven didn’t answer and Isaac stood up after a second. He went to the wall at the foot of the bed and pushed at a second groove to open it up and reveal a TV.

“We’re going to give you a cell phone with all our numbers on it and you are allowed to call your sister. Only her,” he said. “If you need me, I’m three doors down the hall.”

He moved to the door and left without a glance back.

Raven remained seated, surprised by what had just happened.

She leaned back and thought about it for a second. She didn’t need to open up to anyone here. She’d rather tell Anise everything than these giants. But then she’d freak out and want to be around her every day, forsaking her education and her own life.

Raven sighed, silently faux cursing her sister.

She didn’t need to open up. Her father had taught her that.

Raven stood up and went to the weapons cabinet on the wall. She grabbed a Gurkha and then went into the bathroom, removed her clothes, filled the tub with hot water and the lavender bath salts and submerged herself into the warm bubbly mess. She sighed, and forced herself to finally relax. She had locked the door and had a weapon just in case. She could allow herself a moment of peace.

Raven hit the side of the tub, pinning the Gurkha between two tiles.

Why did Isaac have to be so intuitive? Yes, she was freaking out. Yes, she had a bunch of stress. Why couldn’t he just deal with the fact that this is how she coped; by hiding it all away until the situation was handled?

She didn’t want to tell him about herself, especially not about her Quick Points. She hoped she didn’t have to stick around long enough for them to find out anything about her. She already had enough to deal with. Having to fight off a bunch of muscle clad vampires would be hell.

Looking at her bandaged hands, Raven undid the material to check her healing process. Her knuckles needed to air out but they also needed to be cleaned. She slowly submerged her hands into the soapy water and hissed as they stung angrily. She finally checked her side and saw the large bruise that had formed there. Pressing lightly, she concluded that her rib was not broken.

Raven softly rubbed her knuckles clean under the water and checked herself for any other injuries. There was definitely bruising around her stomach from the punches and one on her chest from a boot. Her side was the darkest one and second only to the ones on her forearms. Defensive wounds from all the blocking she’d done.

Leaning back onto the side of the tub, Raven closed her eyes with a sigh. She sunk down until the water lapped at her collarbone. She focused on meditating for a while, listening to the silence around her and imagining her life different. She was in a Jacuzzi at a tropical resort surrounded by leaves and trees and vines. She heard a soft knocking sound and turned to see a toucan clicking its giant beak. Then she imagined someone coming up to her with a drink. A well-muscled man, shirtless, wearing low track pants to reveal as much of his defined muscle as possible. He bent down to hand her the drink and she looked up into his yellow eyes. “Miss?”

Snapping her eyes open, Raven quickly checked her surroundings to make sure she was alone. Then she relaxed with a frown. What was that? Why was Isaac in her imaginary moment?

“Miss?” came a voice from the other side of the door. “I’m sorry to intrude. I came to inform you that the doctor shall arrive within the hour.”

So soon? Raven frowned and suddenly realized the water was a lot colder than before. Had she fallen asleep?

“Thanks,” she called out and heard the butler move away again.

With a sigh, Raven got out of the bathtub and let the water run down her body. She’d forgotten to grab a towel. She carefully made her way to where a towel hung and grabbed it to dry off, careful with her knuckles. She leaned over to start on her hair once her body was dry and turned to the mirror. She took in the scab on her lip and the one on her eyebrow. There was a slight bruise on her jawbone but it looked worse on her pale skin. She eyed it and realized if she hadn’t turned with that punch’s momentum, it would have dislocated her jaw.

Raven wrapped the towel around herself and forced her mind away from what-ifs. She left the bathroom and noticed the fresh clothes laid out on the bed. She neared and took in the simple black short sleeve shirt and jeans. They were her size. How did they know that?

She quickly changed into the clothes, surprised to find underwear had also been provided. She noted her own cellphone was also on the bed but didn’t pick it up just yet. Just as she brushed her hair out, she heard a knock at the door.

This was it.

 

B.O.E.- Chapter 8: Isaac

 RELIEVED to hear her say the words he’d been hoping for, Isaac smiled widely. “Then if you swear not to attack anyone or leave, you may explore the mansion.”

“I have… I need protection for someone,” Raven said quickly as if making herself speak before something told her not to.

“Who?”

“If the blondes… disciples… are as cruel as you say they are, there’s only one person who they can use to get me out in the open,” Raven breathed a heavy sigh before continuing. “Anise.”

“Anise Jensen? The college student we found?” Isaac asked. “How can she be used against you?” he asked when she only nodded.

“She’s my sister,” Raven muttered softly, not meeting his eyes.

Isaac somehow felt she was telling the truth and grunted in consent, “We will have someone on the job.”

Raven nodded and picked at another melon cube.

“Is there anyone else who needs protection?” Isaac asked and she shook her head. “A boyfriend?”

She froze for a second. “I haven’t been dating lately.”

“Your parents? Friends?”

“I have no friends,” Raven responded with a small ironic smile. “And my father would not be taken alive if they did find him.”

Isaac stared at her for a second, trying to figure her out. This woman was so strange. She was nothing like the other humans he’d met. Even if he didn’t particularly try to get to know them. For one thing, she seemed perfectly comfortable eating on the hard ground and had asked about torture tools during her interrogation.

“So, I can’t leave?” she asked suddenly and he stared.

“What?”

“You said I could explore the mansion as long as I didn’t leave,” she met his eyes and he could swear there was a threat somewhere in those green irises.

He shook off the feeling. “I meant it as a precautionary measure to not lead anything back to us. You’re not a prisoner, Raven.”

She eyed he room before meeting his gaze again. “I do actually have to go somewhere. Consider it an appointment that I have to keep for forty-eight hours every month. If I miss it, suspicions will grow about my whereabouts.”

Isaac considered her. What is this? It sounds like a contingency plan in case of death… that’s something a soldier would do in the field.

“We could have a car take you wherever you need to go and pick you up afterward,” he nodded.

“I would prefer going alone,” Raven crossed her arms.

“Why?”

“I have business,” she answered shortly. “It won’t endanger you and your… brothers.”

Phury stared.

Raven suddenly sighed and dropped her arms. “Look, I just want to keep my life as normal as possible to not draw suspicion. You said you don’t want anything drawn to you. The least I could do is try to uphold my end of the deal since you’re helping me. I need to tie up loose ends in case this falls through and I die.”

Isaac considered her logic before noting how calmly she spoke of her death. “We will do what we can to prevent that.”

Raven nodded and reached for another melon cube.

“You know what? C’mon,” Isaac moved into a crouch and picked up the tray before straightening up. “I knew you’d be hungry but I can’t stand the sight of you eating on the floor.”

Raven stared at him curiously, fluidly standing up herself before he offered his hand to help her. She looked at him straight in the eyes for a second before looking away quickly. She nodded once and he led her to the door in the wall. He knocked three times and it opened. He stepped out and, balancing the tray in his other hand, held his left hand to her.

Reluctantly, she took his hand and he led her out of the questioning room. He watched her stiffen as she was suddenly surrounded by muscle. She looked at each Brother for a long time, no one saying anything before she released his hand and held her hand out to Damian.

“You look big, tough, and scary so I guess you’re in charge here,” Raven said when he looked confused behind his wrap-arounds.

“You’re not wrong,” Damian said and shook her hand. “My name is Damian.”

Raven let out a small laugh as she surveyed the others. “All of you are going to have exotic names too, aren’t you?”

“And ‘Raven’ is so common?” Wyatt snapped and Raven turned to face him.

Isaac felt her surprise as she laid eyes on him and saw her shoulders soften. Guess his affect on women hasn’t worn off, he thought bitterly.

“Fair enough,” she said with a smirk. “What’s your name?”

“Wyatt,” he said and shook her hand next.

“So Isaac, Damian and Wyatt,” Raven said pointing at each as she turned away from Wyatt. “You’re what? Will?”

“Close. I’m Liam,” he didn’t shake her hand, not even with his glove on, and bowed instead.

Raven followed suit, not having bothered to even raise her hand. He briefly wondered how she knew not to.

“Rubin,” Rue said next, shaking her hand.

Raven went over their names again, getting each one right.

Isaac felt a draft and turned to see Z walking to them. He handed Rue the tray and was going to head his brother off but with a sidestep, Z took his place in the circle around Raven. He managed to stand beside him and saw the moment when Raven turned and her eyes fell on him.

Immediately she faced him fully, her body stiffening. She examined Zeke from head to boots and back again, taking in the scar. Then he watched her relax, surprised.

“And you are?” she said, hands behind her back.

“Zeke,” Z growled. “What’s the matter, human? Afraid of how I look?”

If she answered yes, Isaac wouldn’t be surprised. Sure, Z had put on weight and muscle but his people skills were horrible and his face wasn’t all that kind yet.

“Not really,” Raven responded. “Compared to the others, you’re no ray of sunshine but I’m more afraid of Shades,” she jerked her thumb over her shoulder at Damian, who (to his surprise) smiled. “Nice scar by the way.”

She didn’t mean this as a taunt but Isaac felt his brother’s body stiffen. He grabbed his brother’s shoulder on reflex to stop any form of attack if he needed to.

“Well,” Raven’s voice said and he glanced to see her look from him to Zeke, extremely surprised. He had underestimated her ability to deduce information. Liam was right, she was smart.

“Raven, you must be hungry,” Damian said suddenly and Raven turned back to him. “You didn’t eat anything.”

“Oh, right,” Raven said and suddenly her stomach growled loudly.

The Brothers chuckled as she smiled bashfully at them.

“Follow us and we’ll take you to the kitchen. We were about to sit and eat too,” Damian said and led them off.

Raven shot him a curious glance and Isaac nodded silently. Isaac stayed behind with Zeke as Raven followed them. When they were out of earshot, Isaac looked at Z, who pulled out of his grasp.

“I don’t like her being here,” Z said with a growl. “I’m actually starting to agree with Damian. She could be a danger.”

“Liam said he would find a way to help us reverse the change. And the Doc said he’d help too,” Isaac said. “We’ll be fine.”

“Know this, if disciples knock on our front door, I’m going to kill her whether or not she is human,” Z said. “And not even you can stop me.”

With that, he walked to the kitchen. Isaac followed after a second.

The reversal was going to work. Raven was going to be human again. We will help her out of the mess he put her in.

He kept chanting to himself before entering the kitchen. Luther had taken the tray from Rue and had the new table already set up with places. They had to get a new table after the female additions and Zeke. Now with Raven, it was a good decision.

“Oh wow, a full table… uh…” Raven murmured suddenly, standing beside the chair that Luther had pulled out for her. “I’m not interrupting or intruding?”

“Oh no, it’s no problem,” Eliza replied with a big smile from her seat beside the King.

“Because you know, I don’t mind eating from that cell,” Raven said with a nervous laugh as the others took their seats.

“That’s nonsense,” Eliza said and with a wave of her ringed hand, added, “Sit.”

Isaac felt himself practically collapse into the chair at Raven’s left as she fell onto the end seat and Wyatt took the seat to her right. He looked around to notice a few others glance around bewildered too. Then Damian cleared his throat and everyone turned to him.

“It was an Order,” he said with a fond smile at his now blushing Queen. “We’ll have to practice with that more.”

“Sorry, everyone,” Eliza said as Luther set a plate of breakfast in front of her and Damian.

“An order?” Raven’s voice asked, slightly annoyed.

Isaac turned to her to explain. “Damian is our King and Eliza is his Queen. When they command with authority, it’s hard to fight their will sometimes.”

He could see the wheels still turning in her head as she grasped her situation. Then her eyes snapped back to meet his.

“You haven’t told me everything,” she said and although it didn’t sound accusatory, it still made him feel defensive.

“Only what you need to know,” he snapped and before Raven could respond, Luther set a plate in front of both of them.

Then everyone began to dig in.

Raven examined everything as if trying to detect fraud or poison. When she took her first bite of the stuffed to the rim omelet, the expression on her face was one he’d never forget. She ate two more big bites, already finishing off two-thirds of it, before taking a swing of coffee.

“How are you finding everything, madam?” Luther asked her.

“This is delicious. The dash of oregano and lemon juice you added to the egg gives it a nice tangy feel. You’re amazing,” Raven said.

Isaac glanced at the butler to find him staring at Raven as though surprised. After a few seconds, in which Raven finished off her whole plate, she finally noticed and looked at the old man.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m sorry for the disrespect, miss, it’s just… no one had ever guessed my secret ingredients before,” Luther’s eyes seemed to water a little as he continued to look at Raven. “Are you trained in the culinary arts as well?”

Raven stalled for a moment, a blush barely coming to her cheeks before it disappeared and she answered, “Uh… no. No, I just like food and have really good taste buds.”

The servant walked away with a wide smile as if having found a new hobby.

“So, Raven,” Wyatt said suddenly, making her swirl around to look at him, her beautiful hair flying. “How are you doing? You know in dealing with all this?”

“You mean how am I dealing with the fact that I made a bad choice in walking through the park one night and got mixed up in a fight of creatures I knew nothing about only to be infected with a toxin that is slowly turning me into a soulless monster while currently having breakfast with a bunch of beefed up vampires?” Raven asked back in one breath. Isaac was quite aware that everyone, including himself, was now staring at her as if expecting her to get hysterical at any moment when she said, “Oh, I’m peachy.”

That made a few of them burst into a little laughter.

“You truly are a feisty one, aren’t you?” Wyatt said with a smile. “I mean, Isaac told us of your fighting style. It totally freaked him out.”

Isaac smiled ruefully at Wyatt as Raven gave him a quick glance.

“I take it you’re a hand-to-hand type, right?” Wyatt asked.

“I can use a weapon if I have one on hand but those are last resort depending on the sitch,” Raven responded. “I just prefer hand-to-hand.”

“How many opponents have you faced and beaten?” Wyatt asked, his plate already clean too.

“I’ve lost count,” Raven replied swiftly as the Luther came to take their plates.

“I’ll have another, Luther,” Wyatt said and the butler bowed.

“Oo, we can have seconds?” Raven asked and Luther turned to her.

“If you would like another, madam, I’d be happy to serve,” he said and Raven nodded. The servant bowed again and took the plates.

“An eater too, huh?” Wyatt said with a smile. He cracked his knuckles and his neck. “Finally, some competition.”

Mary slapped his bicep. “Be nice,” she whispered.

“Wait, so you’re a vamp too?” Raven asked her.

“Oh, no.  I’m human,” Mary said, training her grey eyes on Raven’s green ones. “It’s a long story but I’m kind of immortal now.”

Raven’s jaw had dropped but she recovered when Luther brought their second helpings. Without removing her eyes from Mary, Isaac watched her turn to him slightly.

“I’ll explain later,” Isaac assured her. “Just breathe ‘til then.”

Raven gulped once as if nervous. “I want my stuff back.”

“No,” Isaac said with a smile when she snapped her eyes at him. Her expression wasn’t angry or violent. It was confused and a little scared. It suddenly hit Isaac’s insides. This was her real face. She wasn’t masking herself for a second. She really was trying to hold on by a thread.

Suddenly, her expression closed off again and she was back to being tough and nonchalant. 

“When will I get my stuff back?” she asked, digging into her new omelet.

“Probably after we eat. But you can’t use it here, of course,” Isaac answered, examining her face. No trace of vulnerability was visible anymore. She was very good at hiding. He suddenly wondered what kind of life she’d had to live in order to be so skilled.

“I know,” Raven said, taking another deep swing of coffee.

“Well, you have very interesting unarmed technique. I’d like to see how well you’d spar against me,” Wyatt said.

“I said to be nice,” Mary whispered to him.

“It’s no problem,” Raven interjected. “He seems very confident in being able to beat me because I’m a human. Or because I’m a woman.”

“I’m actually more curious to see your fighting style up close,” Wyatt said quickly when Mary gave him a look.

“I’m sure everyone is but I don’t want to demonstrate on you,” Raven said solemnly. “Or on anyone else.”

Wyatt froze. “Why not? You used it on Isaac.”

Isaac remembered that night and was surprised to see Raven blanch.

“It was self-defense,” she said in a monotone, staring at her plate after a quick glance at Isaac.

“Yeah, but it was satisfying, right?” Wyatt urged. “Landing a single hit and getting that kind of result? Where’d you learn to—”

“May I use the bathroom?” Raven asked quickly and Luther walked up before he could respond.

“Of course, madam, follow me,” he said with a bow.

Isaac watched as Raven let him take her by the hand and lead her out of the room. He felt confused as he stared after her. What had just happened?

He turned back to see Mary slapping Wyatt’s bicep again.

“What did I say?” Wyatt asked.

“I told you to be nice. She’s had a rough day,” Mary scolded.

“Yeah, this can’t be easy for her,” Eliza said from the other end.

“Poor Raven,” Bella murmured besides Zeke, who hadn’t looked up from his own plate. “Maybe someone should speak with her.”

“She’s strong. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Rubin said with a small wave of his hand.

Isaac didn’t add to the conversation. He wondered if Raven was truly fine or if she needed more help than they realized. He’d seen someone close off and bolt like that before… yet now Zeke had a family to care for. Raven didn’t seem to be particularly close to her father and had asked for only her sister to be guarded. What was she hiding?

After a few minutes, Raven had not returned and he abandoned the last of his breakfast.

Isaac went to the hallway leading to the bathroom Raven was in and checked through the security footage of the house. She hadn’t left yet. He put the phone away and leaned on the wall, crossing his arms. He wanted to give her space to sort out whatever she needed but, being responsible for her, he couldn’t allow her to just wander about alone.

Perhaps I could give her a tour of the house? The parts she was allowed to see.

She might not want to right now, considering her freak out.

Perhaps just her room then, he thought. The room was prepared after all and her stuff had been moved there.

Decided, he waited. Yet all the while, he wondered what kind of life she’d had.