Chapter Five : Blood and Lies
1050 Words
RAVEN
The moment I step into Kade’s estate, I realize I’ve made a mistake.
A huge mistake.
The place isn’t a house. It’s a fortress.
The city's perimeter is enclosed by high steel walls. What's left of the city now? The area is patrolled by armed guards, their sharp stares looking down, fingers moving as they stand close to their weapons. My skin is penetrated by the scent of might, a powerful presence that thickens the air.
I don't belong here.
I can't stay here.
With my voice in a low pitched and tense state, I turn towards Kade. "This isn't happening.".
He doesn't break stride. Is unable to blink his eye.
I grit my teeth. “Bullshit.”.
He stops.
His golden eyes gradually blend into mine as he slowly turns towards me, with the ability to read my thoughts and cover up any distractions I may have.
He has a clear understanding of my thoughts. Why?
I swallow hard.
I've been standing here for the first time in three years, and the sight of him lingering on my mind is like clockwork. It feels like eternity. He's the same as Kade, who is the ruthless and untouchable Alpha with power.
But there's something else now.
Something darker.
Something that I haven't decided on a name yet.
I push myself to remain steadfast. "I'm not staying in this place.".
Kade's smirk is slow. Dangerous.
He asked, "Where are you going next?".
I press my lips together. I loathe the fact that he has an argument. Once I was back into his world, I placed a goal on my back. The Crimson Fang pack is not a threat, and Luca's life is in danger.
Kade knows it.
And worse?
And I know, he knows.
I can't come up with a response, but he has pierced through the tension.
Smooth. Sharp. Laced with amusement.
She's running, that girl.".
I freeze.
The sound of my head hitting the ground and my heart crashing against me causes pain.
The grand staircase is occupied by a woman at the top, with one hand resting leer on the banister. Tall. Gorgeous. Deadly.
Everything about her elicits a sense of danger, from the way she holds herself like kingly surveying her realm to the slow and calculated way her eyes seem to scan my perception.
Long dark hair flowing over one shoulder, perfectly crafted, not a single strand at variance.'... Wearing a slim black gown that stays in place, reaching the top of her hips, is paired with high stilettos that blend perfectly with the marble floor.
She's stunning.
She's lethal.
With her lips smirking, it would indicate that she was in the middle of something.
She's not my friend.
My stomach twists. Who the hell is she?
Kade overlooks the burning question in my eyes. Almost without a care in her view. Instead, he turns towards me with an uncharacteristic voice.
“Go to your room, Raven.”.
"I'm glancing at him and thinking, "Why me?".
“We'll talk in the morning.”.
And just like that—.
He turns and walks away.
Leaving me alone.
With her.
Silence prevails as the silence fades.
The woman's head tilt causes her dark eyes to light up with amusement. As she descends the stairs with grace, her feet finally start to move on the marble floor.
Click. Click. Click.
I refuse to move.
Stay silent and not be the primary speaker.
No matter who I am, she is clearly hoping for me to squirt. Why?
Prior to granting her happiness, I will pass away.
She stops just feet away, her lips twitch. "I've been wondering when you would open up your eyes again.".
My eyes are narrow. "You must have mistaken me for someone else." What follows? How do I respond?
She laughs softly. With a gentle tone. “Oh, I’m not sure.”.
The air changes as we move through it.
I should ask her name. Would it be advisable to inquire about her identity, reason for being here and why she appears to have no memory of me? Why is that the case.
But I don't.
Because suddenly, I already know.
Kade won't have to inform me.
Don't need an introduction.
The way she moves and looks at me makes everything seem comprehensible to me.
The presence of this woman in Kade's estate is not just a random event.
She's important.
She's trusted.
And worse?
She's been here.
For a long time.
A smoky, unsettling feeling runs through my mind.'
I ignore it. Bury it.
I raise my head I don’t think we have met.
Her expression becomes more mellow, as if she's aware of what I'm thinking.
She whispers, "Oh Raven, you're out of bounds.".
I took your place.”.
I go rigid.
The words shouldn't mean anything. They should not attempt to hit as hard as they do.
But they do.
And the worst part?
She knows it.
She detects the tingling across my face, which she drinks like fine wine.
I place my hands over my fists. "I'm not sure what you think you've taken, but I can guarantee you have done it.".
She ends our conversation with a smile. "Sleep, dear.". I'm just making conversation.”.
I hate her.
Her voice, smirk, and tendency to make me feel like I'm not even here.
It bothers me that she's present here.
In his house.
Like she belongs.
With a gentle step forward, her aroma is potent and powerful, filling my lungs with druglike intensity.
As she leans in, I feel the heat of her breath touching me.
She becomes silent.
If you were me, I'd sleep with one of my eyes open," she says.
I don't move.
I don't breathe.
She smiles with satisfaction as she walks past me, disappearing into the shadows of the estate like she's always been there. ".
I don't turn.
I don't watch her go.
The twilight of my fingers is making me anxious, as I desire to break something.
I clench my jaw.
Force myself to take in the anger that is brewing inside me.'"...
I was aware that my return would be a risky decision.
My ignorance was a barrier to understanding.
I just didn’t realize how much.
- Writer
