B.O.E.- Chapter 21: Raven

 Raven felt the world spin but wasn’t sure if she’d moved a muscle. She became aware of the soft mattress and pillows before the blanket suddenly grew uncomfortably warm. She shoved off the blanket but the world spun even faster. She took a deep, slow breath to force her eyes open and stared up at the ceiling for a minute. She was covered in sweat and moving felt like gravity itself was pushing on her. Still, she forced herself to slowly roll over the side of the bed to stand and make her way to the bathroom; unable to walk in a straight line.

Stupid, stupid, Raven, her mind scolded as her temples began to pound. She locked the door and quickly made her way to the sink. She wasn’t sure she could blame the hangover for her sore thigh muscles or her knees. She noticed the red mark on her neck as her mind suddenly remembered why she was so sore:

 

His hands pushed her face down onto the carpet, her arms still secured behind her and her ankles separated on the brace so she couldn’t kick. “I can’t forget your collar.”

Her insides froze as he fastened the thin leather strip around her neck before grunting as he pulled her up slightly with it. She gasped in air before her weight tightened the strap further, cutting off her air.

“Is that too tight?” he whispered behind her.

Her insides began screaming warnings at her. She tried to remain perfectly still but he jerked his grip and the strap tightened again. She let out a garbled shout before he loosened his hold, letting her fall onto the carpet again. She dragged in air before he yanked her up again.

“You feel that, Raven?” he growled behind her. “This piece of leather means you belong to me.”

She grunted as her cheek hit the carpet again. She panted for air and let out a soft whimper of relief… right before he pulled her up again. She felt her body begin to panic struggle before he let her hit the carpet again.

“Please…” she gasped for air.

“Now answer me,” he growled. “You left your apartment... The one I've been paying for. Where have you been staying?”

He yanked her up again and his lips tickled her ear. She let out a garbled whimper as her lungs screamed for air again. She heard herself gurgle in response before he let her go again. She panted; her eyelids growing heavy.

“At a safe house… had to leave... enemies found me… I lost their trail,” she replied breathlessly.

“Is that why you asked me for extra eyes on Anise?” he asked and she nodded. His grip tightened on the strap around her neck and she felt the world begin to fade. “You’d better not be lying to me, Raven.” Kurt released her and she dragged in a last breath before being swallowed by the dark.

 

With a shiver, she focused on the faucet and felt her stomach suddenly lurch. Clamping her mouth shut, she dived for the toilet and managed to open it before she heaved. When she finally stopped, she flushed and fell back on her ass on the cold tiles, panting.

That asshole, she crawled toward the sink and gripped the counter top to pull herself to her feet. I'm going to kill him slowly. She watched the water flow into the drain. Then she turned it off and moved to the shower.

A few minutes later, she dried off and pulled on clean clothes. She needed to get down to the kitchen before the giants did. She hoped they had the ingredients she needed for her personal hangover cure elixir. Hasn’t failed me yet, she thought as she slipped on a comfortable pair of sneakers and walked out of her room.

She made her way down the same flight of stairs as last night, opting not to banister slide this time. She turned at the bottom and eyed the door she’d entered. She tiptoed closer and pressed her ear to it. She could hear deep snoring from inside. Did they fall asleep in there? Are they hung over? She wondered as she tiptoed away toward the dining room. The kitchen had to be connected to it, right? She made her way to the swing door that the servant had taken their empty plates before serving seconds and entered a giant kitchen with dark wood cabinets, grey marble counter tops and stainless-steel appliances. She noticed every inch of it was spotless as Luther was chopping away across the island in the middle. She let the door close behind her but before it made a sound, the servant whirled around and lowered his knife.

“Good afternoon, miss Raven. I’m afraid you’re a bit early for breakfast,” he greeted with a soft smile. “Would you like me to make you something or would you rather wait for the Masters?”

Raven shivered at the word and waved his offer away, “I just wanted to make a quick blended drink.”

“Not a problem,” he moved to a cupboard and pulled out a blender for her. “Would you like me to assist?”

“It’s fine. I got it,” Raven shook her head as she neared the servant, eyeing him when he stared at her for a second longer.

Luther quickly turned away and continued chopping. Raven let her eyes wander over him, trying to figure out something about him but her groggy mind wouldn’t cooperate. She began to reach for the fridge when she glanced at what he was cutting. Then she eyed the other ingredients he had laid out and her arm dropped.

“Something wrong, miss?” he intoned, turning to her.

Raven kept her eyes on the cutting board, “Are you human?”

“No, miss,”

Raven met his grey eyes and masked her expression, “Can you read minds?”

Luther chuckled heartily, refocusing on his chopping. “What gave you such an idea?”

“I came here for those same ingredients,” she indicated the board.

“These are merely items for breakfast, miss,” he smiled softly.

Raven crossed her arms and regarded him. “What exactly were you going to make with chopped tomatoes, ginger, avocado, oranges, spinach, nuts, coconut water and bananas?”

He froze and she could tell his mind was working.

Loaded oatmeal, she thought and quickly ran through a few other wrong answers.

“A loaded oatmeal, miss,” he turned to her with wide eyes when she smirked.

Lying to me right now isn’t going to work, she thought.

He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I would prefer if that fact remained between us, miss Raven.”

Raven picked up the cutting board and began pouring the ingredients into the blender according to her recipe. She capped it and blended the ingredients together into a thick red shake. She needed a way to strain the chunks and glanced around to see Luther already holding a small mesh strainer and a glass over the sink. She poured the juice into the strainer and set the blender back in place as he handed her the glass. She still didn’t answer as she sipped the shake with a sigh.

Finally, she met his patient gaze and nodded. “I’ll keep it quiet as long as you never share whatever you read from my mind and let me help you with breakfast after today.”

He grinned, visibly relieved, and nodded. “I have misjudged you for the second time, miss. I hope you will accept my deepest apologies.”

Raven shrugged, sipping her drink and feeling a lot better. “Whatever.”

“Would you like me to prepare more ingredients for you, miss?” Luther asked.

“You know how I spent my night, don’t you?” Raven asked and he nodded. “Do vampire’s also get hangovers? Are you a vampire?”

“I am not a vampire but yes, they are susceptible to a hangover if they indulge too much,” Luther nodded.

“I should make this for them. It’s partially my fault they’re still knocked out,” Raven sighed and he chuckled.

“I am sure they will be most appreciative,” he began to chop more tomatoes as she finished her glass.

Together they prepared three more glasses and he set them on a tray.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go deliver it? I could stay here and do the dishes since you cut the ingredients,” Raven argued as he handed her the tray.

“This is your invention and idea, miss Raven,” he shook his head. “You needn’t fear them for they surely fear you.”

Raven heard herself laugh and she turned to the swing door just as it opened. Her eyes zeroed in on a pair of golden eyes and froze, the chill in her spine making her smile fade. Goddamit, she cursed angrily as she and Isaac kept eye contact.

B.O.E.- Chapter 20: Isaac

 Isaac watched as Raven hooked her arm on the bedpost, her knees giving out slightly so she’d lean onto the mattress behind her. He almost moved forward, thinking she was falling, when she looked up at him again.

“You said I had nice hair,” she mumbled and he froze. “Well, you have nice eyes.”

Isaac stared, unsure of what to do. “Thank you?”

She smiled lazily at him. “You’ve been watching me since I got here. Why?”

“I was ordered to watch over you while you stayed here,” he replied, eyeing her carefully. “Are you okay?”

“Is that the only reason?”

He stared, his nerves oddly flaring. What sort of answer is she hoping for? “I volunteered,” he answered.

“Why?” she asked, her head tilting.

“I take responsibility for getting you in this mess,” he watched as she oddly looked sad.

“I guess that’s true,” she sighed.

“Why do you ask?” he watched her sway slightly.

“I don’t know. I don’t exactly date so having some guy be all protective feels weird,” she shrugged.

Isaac froze as her words rattled his mind. His Brothers had said the same thing to some extent. Crap, he cursed to himself. “Sorry,” he muttered.

“No, it’s fine,” she suddenly grinned. “It’s sort of… nice.”

He shifted his weight as a chill ran down his spine. He didn’t know how to respond.

“I don’t wanna make it awkward…” she continued quickly. “Just wanted to tell you that I appreciate it. Even if it seems like I don’t.”

Isaac glanced away from her for a second. She must be very drunk, he thought and oddly, that disappointed him. Maybe I can use this…

“So, you don’t rely on Anise?” he asked.

Her eyes blinked at him as she remembered her words. “Oh… pfft, like I could,” she let out a laugh. “She’s too… pure.”

He noted her suddenly sullen look. “Everyone’s gotta have a confidant. Your father?”

Raven rolled her eyes and leaned onto the bedpost, her arms clumsily crossing across her chest. “My father… his favorite phrase is ‘Trust no one and no one can spill your secrets; friends are a weakness.’ I only send him a letter if I’m desperate.”

Isaac stared for a second before glancing away, realizing his hands were fisted. What kind of man would raise their child like this? He had to continue this conversation before she fell asleep from being so damn drunk. Then he’d have a talk with Liam. “And your mother?”

Raven suddenly snapped her head to him, a frown on her face as she fiddled with her locket. “What about her?”

Isaac noted her unease but pressed on anyway, “Did that necklace belong to her?”

Raven bowed her head before taking a deep breath, “She gave it to me when I was four. I don’t usually take it off except to shower. It has a picture of us when I was a baby. She gave one to Anise before she…”

Isaac stared as her eyes watered suddenly and she turned away to wipe at her tear. He felt a sudden urge to move forward but froze as she turned back, her eyes still watery.

“It’s not something I’m used to talking about,” she sniffed and gave him an accusatory look.

Isaac raised his hands in peace, “I’m sorry. I imagine it’s a painful memory.”

She relaxed and resumed her original position; leaning against the bedpost. “How old are you? Like a century?”

“Four,” he corrected and watched her eyes widen.

“And your parents?” she asked.

Isaac glanced away. “We haven’t spoken to them in a long time. They prefer it that way.”

Movement made him glance back to see her begin to slump.

Racing forward, he caught her before she hit the floor.

He felt her shift and watched her turn to lean on him, pressing her face against his chest. He tensed as he felt her warmth seep through his clothes. He heard her sigh and suddenly felt very constricted in his own clothes. He froze as her body relaxed, molding to his perfectly.

Goddess on High, he grit his teeth to control a sudden urge in his gut.

“Raven,” his voice was gruff and he prayed she couldn’t hear it. He shifted enough to glance down to see her eyes had closed and noticed she was breathing deeply.

She’d fallen asleep.

He hooked his arm under her knees and picked her up to lay her at the center of her bed. He lifted the blanket and draped it over her after removing her shoes. He moved away quickly and watched her for a second, making sure she was still asleep. Her words replayed in his mind.

There is no chance this woman could wish to know me, he thought. She is a killer… a hardened warrior. Just like me.

He glared at the floor. He could still feel the warmth of her body on his. How perfectly she fit into his arms.

Glancing at her peaceful face once more, he dragged himself away to the door. He had planned to hit the gym before he found her on the stairs but now all he wanted was a shower. A long and cold shower.

Under the water, he thought over her answers. Trust no one… friends are a weakness... What kind of man would instill these lessons into their own daughter? With this kind of mentality, she would have had a lonely life. She only had to rely on her father and her sister… maybe that’s what he wanted. But why?

Isaac wondered about her father but there was no way she’d answer his questions. She hardly answered him now that she was drunk. Maybe he could get her to open up about her mother. She seemed fond of those memories despite them being painful. If she meant what she said about teaching the Brotherhood some of her technique, maybe they could get her to open up a bit.

Still, he had to give Liam, Wyatt and Ruben a piece of his mind… for fun.

B.O.E.- Chapter 19: Raven

That night…

Dammit, Raven searched through every inch of her room, pushed every panel, and yet nothing could give her what she wanted. She wished she didn’t have to resort to this, but without another choice, she tucked her tank top into her pants and walked to the door. After a hell of a three days and checking to make sure Anise was okay, she needed this.

Raven shut her door and swiftly moved to the stairs. She sat on the banister to slide down. Before she hit the bottom, she leaned back and managed to flip onto her feet. She straightened and heard noises from the door behind her. It was more than one voice. The laughter she heard was what made her move forward before she thought otherwise.

She froze, hand outreached. Her original plan was to ask Luther for help. Why was she standing here?

Before she could leave, the door opened.

Raven froze and stared into a pair of purple irises as a giant hand closed around her wrist (and forearm), yanking her in.

“Raven?” Wyatt sorta welcomed.

Raven straightened up and glanced around to meet Wyatt’s, Ruben’s and Liam’s eyes. She eyed the glasses of amber liquid that each vamp held and closed off her face for one she hoped was mocking, “What’s a girl got to die from to get a drink around here?”

The three chuckled and Liam gestured her toward a love seat sofa in front of Ruben. Raven took the farthest corner, facing the door as he sat beside her, swirling his glass.

“What’s your fancy?” Wyatt asked, turning to a shelf with an assortment of glass bottles.

“Guess,” Raven challenged playfully and was rewarded by ‘oo’s and chuckles. She liked these three; they didn’t stare daggers at her just for standing… unlike Zeke and Damian.

“Oh, a challenge, ay?” Wyatt leaned toward her, his eyes calculating.

Raven met his gaze, unmoving.

“You’re not a whiskey kind of lady,” Wyatt deduced and Raven smirked.

“Correct,”

“I believe you’d like something in the tequila variety,”

Raven frowned thoughtfully. On any occasion where she felt at home, she’d say yes. But now, surrounded by vamps and after what she’d had to live through, she’d go for something efficient. “Nope,”

Wyatt stroked his chin while the other two smirked at them. “A vodka gal, huh?”

Raven nodded. “Yup,”

Wyatt pumped his fist victoriously, “Alright, then. Lady’s drink of choice?”

“You know what? Surprise me, bartender,” Raven leaned back into the cushions as the other two stiffened with a hiss.

“Not a smart move,” Ruben warned.

“Wyatt tends to load his mixes,” Liam muttered, sipping his.

Raven eyed their glasses. “You’re both drinking straight whiskey on the rocks, no?”

Ruben chucked and leaned forward, offering his drink.

Raven took his glass and sniffed it under their gazes. She could smell the orange zest on the rim and the brown sugar at the bottom. She took a quick sip, the acrid liquid smothering the sensitive sides of her tongue. She felt it burn down her throat as she handed the glass back and merely cleared her throat as she settled back in the cushions. “Not that horrible,” she said and their eyes widened. “I was expecting more.”

Wyatt bounced excitedly as he moved back to the bar shelf.

“I hope you know what you’re signing up for,” Liam sighed beside her.

“If that drink is any indication, I shouldn’t be worried,” Raven smirked and received more ‘oo’s.

“If words could kill, I’d be a dead man,” Wyatt joked as he offered her a glass with dark rose liquid. Raven took it and sniffed it.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, vamp,” she muttered and he chuckled.

Raven took a sip and felt the immediate burn. It coated her mouth in a spicy perfume and lit a trail down her throat as she swallowed. The liquid then lit a fire in her gut and she welcomed the shivers in her spine. The burn felt like it was cleansing her from the inside. With a sigh, she relaxed and saluted Wyatt, who was watching her. “Well done, vamp. I’ll ask for more when I’m done.”

Ruben shook his head with a smirk as Wyatt moved back to take a seat.

“Holy shit, woman,” he sighed.

“What?” Raven eyed the group and took another sip. “I can’t drink?”

Liam was the first to speak. “You’re cut differently from the other humans we’ve met.”

Raven sighed. “I guess that’s true.”

Ruben cleared his throat. “Speaking of, I’m a little surprised you’re here with us.”

Raven stared and decided to use sarcasm, “Um, I’m getting treatment for the toxin in my veins?”

Ruben’s eyes flashed before he outright laughed at her joke. His laugh sounded hearty; as if it came from his non-existent belly. “You know I mean you hanging here with us.”

“Oh, I was pulled in,” Raven nodded toward Liam.

Liam raised his drink, “She was looking for this. I figured we could help.”

Raven stared at him. How the hell does he know that?

Wyatt leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “And for my services, I would ask but a small favor from you.”

Raven met his eyes and raised an eyebrow, forcing the cold feeling in her gut away. “I’m going to ask what before I agree.”

Wyatt grinned mischievously, “Teach me some of your moves.”

Raven froze.

“Your technique is unique and so damn fluid,” Wyatt continued quickly. “It’s impressive and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“And he’s gone all over the world to learn different styles,” Ruben added in helpfully.

“I would be honored if you would teach me,” Wyatt continued.

Raven thought about it for a second. Teaching him the basics to her technique would open her up to see what skills these vamps had. Know your enemy to destroy your enemy, her father had taught her but these guys weren’t her enemy.

Couldn’t hurt to learn more though, Raven thought. She sat up and looked Wyatt over, “Just you?”

Liam shuffled and she turned to him. “Actually, I had hoped to ask you to teach me as well.”

Raven met his purple eyes before glancing at the silent Ruben.

Ruben swung back the last of his drink and took a deep breath, “I’m interested too.”

Raven slowly nodded before raising her glass. “I owe you giants so… yeah. I’ll teach the Brotherhood a few moves.”

Wyatt stomped his foot, “Yes!”

Liam swirled his glass around with a small smirk. “Thank you.”

“I am quite excited,” Ruben said softly.

Raven took a deeper swing of her drink and let the burn wash through her. “A few rules? No super speed, no extra mega strength and no biting.”

Wyatt smiled widely, his fangs peeking at her. “Perish the thought.”

Raven narrowed her eyes before masking again and taking another sip. She could feel the drink begin to affect her and relax her muscles. She drained the last two gulps and raised the empty glass. “Could I have another?”

Wyatt nodded and took her glass before also taking Ruben’s.

“Pace yourself,” Ruben’s eyebrows were raised. “You are smaller than us.”

Raven eyed them. “Are you on your firsts?”

Liam shook his head. “I’m on my third. Ruben is now going on his second.”

Raven glanced at Liam for a second. “Your third?”

Liam gave his glass a small sad smile. “I tend to stop after my fifth.”

Raven felt her eyebrows shoot up. She took back her glass from Wyatt and took a sip. Then she shifted enough to get a better look at the purple eyed vampire, who leaned back into the sofa cushions as if to let her get a better look. She eyed him from head to steel-toed boot. “What’s your deal?”

One of his eyebrows perked up with a slight smirk. “What do you mean?”

Raven crossed a leg over the other as she played with the condensation on the side of her glass. “You’re not as muscled as the others so your thing has to be technical… or mental?” she guessed and noticed how Ruben took in a breath.

“You are dangerously close to insulting a very terrifying man,” he warned.

“Am I?” Raven asked but her eyes never left Liam’s.

Liam’s smirk grew. “No, you’re not.”

Raven took a swing from her drink again.

“You are welcome to speculate about me all you wish,” Liam continued. “I will tell you if you are correct.”

Raven glanced at Ruben and Wyatt, noticing they had their full attention. She looked back to Liam to see him staring at her just as intently. She knew the drink was affecting her but not enough that she couldn’t still control it and herself. She placed her mask back on and eyed the vamp in front of her. “You’re the one who set up my provided cell phone,” she accented this by pulling out the phone in question.

Liam nodded. “I did.”

Raven smirked. “I imagine you copied it to monitor how I use it.”

His eyes flashed but he shook his head. “I did not.”

“Yet the phone had a tracker on it,” Raven set the phone on the low table between their shared seat and Ruben.

Liam’s eyes had widened. “I’ll admit to that.”

Raven kept her muscles relaxed as she continued, “So you’re the techy guy of the group. You set up the security cameras outside and I’m guessing the alarms inside.”

Liam’s grip on his glass tightened a bit but not enough to break it.

“That’s why you’re not as muscle bound. You use your head,” Raven concluded.

Liam stared at her for a count of five before he chuckled. “Alright, you’re good.”

Raven smirked and took a victorious sip of her drink.

“Try us next,” Wyatt said excitedly. “Usually, I’d expect this from Liam but oh, his face was so priceless.”

Raven repeated his words in her head. So Liam can deduce information too?  But how in the hell did he know I wanted a drink before I stepped in here?

She turned to Wyatt and eyed him next. She took in his celebrity appearance and well-toned arms, noticing how they balanced his massive chest. He suddenly leaned back in his seat and she noticed his flat stomach with ab muscles. There was a little fold to his middle but nothing too noticeable. She looked up at his face to take in the jawline and the sparkling eyes.

Raven leaned on the armrest, resting her head on her palm. “Really?”

“Whatcha got?” Wyatt challenged with a grin. “I’m intrigued.”

Raven heard the others snicker. “What if I’m right?”

“I’ll let you know,” he promised.

Raven blinked and looked down at her glass. “I’m scared if I offend you that I won’t get a refill.”

“I swear you have nothing to worry about,” he reassured after a chuckle.

Raven fought her own smile. “Okay… you have a lady.”

Wyatt’s grin faded as he frowned, “You knew that already. You’ve met Mary.”

Raven lifted her head from her hand to point at him. “Even if I didn’t, it’s written all over your middle.”

The others laughed as he frantically checked his stomach.

“You’ve probably prided yourself on your model looks for years before she came around and changed that. You haven’t really kept up with old habits,” Raven continued as he frowned at her. “You act like a lady killer and will flirt but she owns you.”

Ruben was laughing loudly now.

“Anything else?” Wyatt asked, somber now.

“You’re probably a lefty so I’ll fix my training to suit you but you’ll need both if you wanna master my technique,”

“You’re ambidextrous?” Liam asked curiously.

“Only when I have to be,” Raven took a sip of her drink before meeting Wyatt’s eyes again. “The first thing you asked me about was my technique. The fact that you asked me to train you and the way you did it means you’re curious but also a true fighter. You probably remember all the fights where you almost lost, searching for a way to improve. You’re always improving.”

Wyatt raised a giant arm to rub the back of his neck, his muscles relaxing but his cheeks suddenly getting rosy. “You’re good,” he let out a long breath as he brought his arm back down. He leaned forward in his seat, bowing to her. “Full marks.”

Raven took a full swing of her drink as the others also congratulated her.

“Impressive,” Liam nodded.

Raven met his eyes and felt her own narrow at him. He grinned and met her gaze, giving nothing away. He wants to hide? That’s fine, she steadied her face as well before turning away.

“Ruben’s up,” Wyatt pointed at the giant.

Ruben raised his free arm, palm open. “Nope! No, thanks. I think I know myself pretty well.”

“Oh, c’mon,” Wyatt urged.

Raven eyed the giant as she raised her glass to her lips. She noticed the thin silver chain link around his neck beneath the flannel lapels. A small delicate shape pushed slightly against his thin shirt and she made out the shadow of a curve. A heart maybe? That’s odd for such a flannel wearing lumberjack, she thought as she took a quick sip amidst their chatter. Then it hit her like a gut punch as her own necklace shifted on her neck.

She looked down again, leaning forward to rest her forearms on her knees. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled and froze when they quieted down.

“What?” Wyatt asked.

Raven looked up and glanced between the three giants before letting her eyes meet Ruben. “I’m sorry,” she repeated and watched his expression begin to wince. She sat up and smirked, “But I’m two for three. You like those flannel shirts way too much.”

Wyatt chuckled and soon Ruben joined in, looking relieved.

“You’ve worn like six different ones since I’ve gotten here,” Raven continued. “It’s not even that cold yet.”

Ruben grinned at her. “I like the material.”

Raven drained her drink and raised the empty glass at Wyatt, “So, do I get another one?”

Wyatt took her glass, “Yes, miss. You’ve earned it.”

Raven met Ruben’s eyes as he walked away to refill her glass. She gave him the smallest of nods and he tilted his glass to her. Wyatt returned with her refill and Raven quickly spoke before he could, “So, wanna share your most embarrassing fight stories?”

“Why should I?” Wyatt challenged with a smile.

Raven played coy, “Well… I could try to speculate or you choose what you want me to know.”

The color drained from his face slightly as he weighed his choice.

“Will we know yours?” Liam asked.

“Sure,” Raven tilted her head. “But you have to finish that. I don’t like matching you when you’ve had a head start already.”

The other two oo’ed.

“Deal,” Liam drained his drink and leaned over to hand it to Wyatt. “Ruben?”

Ruben sighed and drained his own glass. “I think we’re going to be in trouble tonight.”

“Lady’s orders,” Wyatt smirked as he went to refill their glasses.

The rest of the day was spent with the giants sharing their tales of battle and interrupting each other to fact-check. Raven actually felt relaxed and the last seventy-two hours were momentarily erased. She managed to keep her third glass partially filled while the others consumed more without noticing. She could feel herself at a perfect level of intoxication by the time her eyes felt droopy.

Raven excused herself and drained what remained of her glass, hoping she could make it up the stairs to her room before it hit her even harder. She left the room as they bade her goodnight and leaned on the wall after closing the door. She took a deep breath to steady her swimming head. Then she pushed forward to catch herself on the banister.

Glancing down both sides of the empty corridor, she felt herself laugh softly.

I like those giants, she followed the banister around to the staircase and began to slowly climb. But I like that giant bed more.

The world see-sawed for a moment and she froze, gripping the banister tightly. When everything steadied, she continued her way up.

I think I shouldn’t have finished that last one, her mind scolded as she stopped again. How many more stairs are left?

“Raven?”

Raven looked up.

Isaac was standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at her curiously.

Oopsy, her eyes travelled down from his golden eyes to his lips and then lower still to take in his thin sleeveless deep red shirt. It hugged him well but she wondered if it was the shirt… or his muscles pushing against the material. He wore grey sweatpants and she had to tear her eyes away before she began thinking about that too much.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Peachy,” Raven answered and could hear herself slur. Craaaaaap, her mind sang.

“Are you… drunk?”

Raven couldn’t stop her sudden giggle but managed to stifle it. She swayed suddenly and grabbed the banister at the same time something grabbed her arm. She looked up at Isaac as he stood not a foot away. His brow was slightly furrowed but honestly, he still looked so damn handsome.

“Um… thanks,” she mumbled and his grip relaxed slightly.

“Why…” he sighed through his nose. “Where were you?”

“You mean where was I drinking?” Raven used the arm he refused to release to point at the door by the base of the stairs.

Isaac’s frown deepened. “Liam…” he growled.

Raven grinned slightly. “Is that his favorite room or something?”

“Something like that,” Isaac’s eyes looked her over again. “C’mon. The stairs are dangerous for you right now.”

Raven couldn’t argue before he helped her up the stairs and toward her room. “If you’re mad about me being alone, I wasn’t. Wyatt and Ruben were there too.”

Isaac turned to her just outside her door, his eyebrows up in surprise. “Why would you think that?”

Raven shrugged. “You won’t let me go.”

Isaac looked at her arm as if realizing he was still holding her but didn’t let go. “I’m making sure you don’t fall.”

Raven didn’t reply as he opened her door and pulled her in.

“I’ll tell Luther to bring up some water,” he grumbled.

“I have water,” Raven pointed to her bedside table where she had a few water bottles.

“How much did you have to drink?” he asked and Raven heard herself giggle again. This time she noticed his frown fade a little as he watched her.

Why is he so close to me?

Raven shrugged a little. “Enough,”

“How often do you drink?”

“Not often,” Raven used her free hand to count down. “It’s been… like five minutes.”

“Five minutes?”

“Since you’ve been holding me,” Raven answered with a smile and he dropped his hand.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

Raven waved his apology away and unsteadily made her way to the bedside table. She picked up a bottle and broke the seal, drinking half of it.

“So… what made you decide to join them?” Isaac asked and she noticed he’d crossed his arms.

“What’s with that?” she pointed her finger at him. “Are you mad that I spent time with those guys instead of you?”

He frowned. “Why do you keep saying that?”

Raven eyed him carefully… well, as carefully as she could right now. His muscles were tensed as if he was trying not to do something, his frown was back and his eyes were practically melting into her.

He couldn’t be… jealous, could he? Her mind danced in circles. Why would he be? *gasp* Does he like me? No… that couldn’t be it.

“I was going to ask Luther to find me a bottle of something,” she started as she set the waterbottle back on the bedside table. “When I got to that door, Liam literally pulled me in. Then I just hung out.”

“Hung out,” he repeated.

“They wanted me to use my skills to figure them out. Liam’s the tech support of your group and Wyatt is the pretty fighter who’s gaining weight because of his lady,” Raven reported and watched his lip twitch a little. “Am I accurate?”

Isaac shifted his weight. “Yeah.”

“Cool,” Raven leaned onto one of the bedposts with a smirk. “There’s something I wanted to ask you, though.”

He eyed her. “What?”

Her grin faded as she thought of Ruben’s necklace. “What’s Ruben’s story?”

Isaac glanced away quickly. “You didn’t use your skills on him?”

Raven hugged herself and reached up to her own necklace. “He didn’t want me to… but I did notice something.” She watched his eyes zero in on her locket as she fiddled with it.

“I’m sure he’d like to keep that to himself,” Isaac grimaced slightly.

Raven eyed him and met his eyes when he looked back at her. She read the pain in his eyes and felt it hit her too. She shouldn’t push the issue. Then she remembered something else, “Oh, crap. I left my new cellphone on the table.”

“Pretty sure you’ll get it back tomorrow,” Isaac said and he tilted his head. “Have you used your skill on me?”

Raven felt her face blush but couldn’t control it now. “Not really,”

“Not really?”

“Well, I noticed Zeke is your brother… your twin?” she watched him nod before continuing. “But I don’t really want to figure you out like that.”

He dropped his arms. “Why not?”

“Where’s the fun if I learn everything about you at once?” she admitted.

“You wish to know me,” he concluded and she could hear his voice change slightly, becoming softer.

Raven glanced down at her shoes for a quick second before peeking up at him. She couldn’t meet his eyes and cleared her throat. “Just a little bit… maybe…” she took a deep breath to steady herself but the world suddenly moved without her and she grinned. “Jeez, Wyatt’s a decent bartender… I haven’t felt like this in a while.”

She glanced at Isaac to see his eyes practically swimming as he stared at her. “What?”

“I figured you hated having to confide in me,” he stated.

Raven felt those words hit her hard. Before she could speak, she pressed her pounding temple with a groan. “Yeah, I guess I do come off as a bitch, huh?”

Isaac’s eyes widened. “Sort of.”

Raven let out a laugh as her temples settled. “Sorry,” she started, noticing how he was watching her with surprise. “I’m not used to… relying on others.”

He nodded slowly. “I’ve noticed.”

Raven felt the world fade around her, giving her a sort of tunnel vision. Crap those drinks were strong, her mind grumbled as she looped an arm around the bed post to stay standing. Goodnight.

The world dimmed completely and she was floating in darkness.