Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Raven

Raven was struggling to understand how he could still be awake. She could barely pull herself out of bed. She needed to think of a way to handle this situation, and quickly. Her best option was to deflect.

She knew she couldn’t beat him in a physical fight. And then there was the issue of Laro waking up. Plus, she still didn’t know where the ships were.

“You broke the rules tonight,” Raven said.

“I didn’t do anything of the sort.”

“You put a gun in my mouth. I said no guns,” Raven said.

He looked puzzled. “I didn’t fire it.”

She studied his face. He seemed genuinely confused.

“So you would’ve shot Laro?” Raven asked.

“No, just a warning shot. But he has a placement test coming up, and you said no guns.”

They were all completely crazy.

“This is knife play,” he said, pointing to the scar on his face. “What we did was—psychological. You were never in danger. I apologize.”

She rubbed her forehead.

“Why are you in my bag?”

She clenched the keys. “Checking if the gun was re—”

He grabbed her wrist and squeezed until her hand opened, revealing the keys. His eyes widened.

“With keys?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Isn’t it in a safe? After what you just said, you probably sleep with it under your pillow.” She smiled.

He frowned. “How else would I get to it quickly in an emergency?”

Her jaw dropped. “I was joking. Are you serious?”

“I take Laro’s safety very seriously.”

“Not when you could accidentally shoot yourselves,” she said, standing up. “Keeping it in the nightstand is good enough.”

Raven glanced at General Fleu. His gaze was intense. Her plan wasn’t working, and he hadn’t made a move to take the keys.

He was probably hoping she would keep them. Then he could find out where the keycards were or, worse, wait for her to make copies.

She handed him the keys.

“All this to see a gun? For someone as combat-ready as you?” he asked, putting them in his pocket.

“It’s either face it or have a long drink. I’d rather let some memories stay buried.”

That was true. Raven didn’t like being reminded of the war, her mother’s death, or everything else that happened that night.

During training, she had to use guns to pass the class, but most nights, she drank to forget the bloodshed. After passing the course, she never used her issued gun, and she took up blades instead.

Raven was even good with swords, a lost art like the drunken fist style.

General Fleu nodded. “I could smell fear, but also excitement. You’re a strange one.” He reached to his lower back and extended the gun to her.

A ringing filled her ears as her hands started to shake. “Can’t I have a drink instead?”

“Not as brave as you thought?”

“I thought I had more time to build up some courage.”

“Your time is running out, but it will be sooner if you continue to put Laro in danger,” General Fleu said, putting the gun away.

“What are you—”

He raised his hand. “Do you know what they’re risking to have you here? What will happen to them if they’re found out?”

“All of which could be solved easily,” Raven said.

If they were breaking the rules to keep her here, they could break them to free her just as easily if they wanted to.

“I said the same thing, but he refused to turn you in.”

Raven glared at him.

“Return the keycards and stop being selfish. Enjoy the fact you have two men fighting for your affection and are willing to lose everything for it. If you continue causing trouble for us, you and I will take a long drive.”

She rolled her eyes. From what she knew, he wouldn’t even get close.

“I can beat Laro and Arenk. General Dhol is the only obstacle, but unlike the others, he cares more about his duty than any being,” General Fleu said.

“I know that from personal experience from when he destroyed everything I owned. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him: I don’t have them, but I will make more of an effort to escape from now on.

“I will always be blamed when something goes wrong, or I could be pushed aside at any moment for another. What kind of life is that?”

“Better than what you would have if anyone else had found you instead.”

“I want mo—”

General Fleu grabbed Raven by the front of her face. Her hands shot up, trying to pry loose his grip.

“You’re lucky they found you. All this backtalk wouldn’t fly with anyone else.” General Fleu’s grip tightened. “This is your only warning. I won’t let you bring him down with you. I will do what needs to be done, even if it earns me his hate,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Am I clear?”

Raven gave him the finger and a deadpan stare. She understood perfectly. She would have to get rid of him. How would be a problem for tomorrow.

He smiled. “Excellent.” He pushed her to the floor.

She rubbed her face, trying to erase the feeling that lingered.

“Touch my things again without permission, and I’ll cut off your hand,” he said, picking up his bag.

Raven didn’t move until she heard the door close. She could feel the gray hairs sprouting on her head. That was too close.

Raven was getting too reckless, but nothing would get done if she didn’t take any risks, or it would take years, years she didn’t have.

General Dhol was the last one she wanted to try, but he could help her get close to General Hokji again. Raven had an idea of what General Hokji wanted.

Just the thought alone made her want to gag, but if her first plan failed, there wouldn’t be a choice.