Chapter 67: Chapter 67

Raven

Raven had lost all sense of time since she’d discovered the truth about Tori. It was a reality that was hard to swallow, even now. If it wasn’t for Valdis, she doubted she’d have the strength to get out of bed, let alone leave the suite. But he needed her.

She suspected Soi-Ji had brought Valdis into her life for that very reason. He was crafty like that.

“You’re terrible at training him,” Soi-Ji said, yanking his shirt from Valdis’s mouth.

“He doesn’t chew up my stuff.”

Valdis chased after Soi-Ji, barking and snapping at his heels.

“Valdis,” Raven called in a gentle voice.

His attention immediately shifted to her, and he scampered over on his short, stubby legs. He was small for his breed.

“You can bring him to Solstice tonight. Hopefully, he’ll be as protective around other men as he is with me.”

“I don’t think I’m up for it. I’ll stay in,” she said.

She wasn’t sure if it was the news about Tori or the stress of knowing she’d betrayed everyone to save her sister, only to find out she was dead.

All night, a dull pain throbbed in her lower belly and back.

“You know you can’t stay in. We’ll go for a few hours, then come straight back.”

“I’m still waiting to talk to the commander, like you promised,” she said.

“And you will, the next time he calls,” he said.

***

The ballroom was decked out in a dark theme this time. Not that it mattered much, considering the room was practically pitch-black, save for the candles casting a dim glow in certain areas.

She guessed it was a masquerade party from all the masks. For once, the men were as scantily clad as the women. The room was filled with a mix of so many scents that it gave her a headache.

Valdis wasn’t too thrilled about his space being invaded. He nipped at anyone who got too close for his liking. Soi-Ji navigated through the crowd, returning with two drinks.

“Are you feeling any better?” he asked.

“Not really,” she said, quickly finishing her drink.

The pain only intensified as the night wore on.

“Just another hour, then we—”

“Excuse me, sir. You’re needed upstairs for a moment,” a guard interrupted.

Soi-Ji gave her a look she couldn’t quite decipher.

“Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”

He vanished into the crowd, heading toward the elevator. It wasn’t long before a few people started to linger nearby, close enough to catch her attention but far enough to avoid Valdis.

She gave Valdis plenty of slack on the leash. A sharp, stabbing pain caused her to drop her cup, startling Valdis.

Thinking the pain had passed, she bent down to pick up the cup, but the pain returned, stronger than before.

Raven made her way toward the elevator. Soi-Ji could be mad all he wanted, but she needed to lie down. Just as her fingers brushed the button, rough hands pulled her into the darkness.

The darkness gave way to a few candles. Her scream was stifled before it could even leave her throat. The leash was yanked from her hand, and Valdis was shoved into a closet.

There were at least five of them. It was hard to recognize any of them with their masks on.

“The damn beast bit me,” one complained.

“Quit whining and hurry up before he comes back down,” another said, his grip on her arms tightening.

“I drew first.”

She recognized that voice. “Captain Oito?”

The man chuckled and removed his mask. It was him.

“I brought some of the herbs we picked out,” he said, reaching into a pouch on his waist.

He held the black leaves to her lips. Raven just stared him down. Her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. Captain Oito grabbed her face and started forcing the bitter leaves into her mouth.

He clamped his hand over her mouth and nose. She kicked and struggled, but the wave of sharp pain returned. There was no way to breathe or escape.

“Swallow all of it,” Captain Oito ordered.

Her lungs started to burn, and she swallowed. Then she remembered this particular herb took effect within minutes. According to the herbalist, it would induce a euphoric feeling.

But instead, it was a mix of euphoria and pain. Something wet trickled down her leg.

“That wasn’t so hard.”

Captain Oito ran his hand up her leg and stopped at her opening. He pulled back his hand, and his fingers were smeared with red. That wasn’t listed as a side effect.

Maybe she had just gotten her period.

“Get her on the floor and turn on the lights,” Captain Oito commanded.

Once she was on her back, her dress was lifted, and the parts she could see were soaked in blood.

Captain Oito glared at her. “You both kept this a secret.” He looked at the group. “We need to go. None of us want to take the blame for this.”

Without another word, they cleared out of the room, leaving Raven confused but relieved. It was painful to stand, but she managed to, and she freed Valdis from the closet.

As she left the room, another wave of pain hit her. Raven had to lean against the wall for support.

“Raven,” a voice whispered.

Down the dark hallway, a pair of amber and green eyes glowed. They closed in quickly, revealing themselves. Unfortunately, the happy reunion was cut short when they saw her dress.

“Are you okay?” Laro asked.

“Who did this?” Dhol demanded.

Valdis was on high alert and started barking wildly.

“Quiet, all of you,” she huffed. “I’m fine. I just started—”

The pain brought her to her knees.

“You’ve never had pain like this before?” Laro asked.

“We can figure that out later, but right now, let’s get her to the ship,” Dhol said.

“Ship? What ship?”

“We’ll explain on the way, but right now, our window of opportunity is closing.”

They carried her and Valdis through the halls until they reached a stone panel. Pressing on it, the panel slid open, revealing a pathway. The winding tunnel ended at a treeline.

The palace was aglow behind them.

“I don’t see why I should leave,” Raven stated.

“Well, I can think of three good reasons for you to go. Want to hear them?” Dhol countered.

“But the king said—”

Suddenly, a powerful pressure surged near her backside, triggering an intense need to relieve herself.

“Put me down this instant!” Raven shrieked.

“We’re nearly there, just a bit more,” Dhol reassured her.

As they reached the clearing, the ship came into sight. Tears streamed down her face as they carried her on board. Dhol gently laid her on a bed in the back, his face turning grave as he examined her.

“Is this the reason you’re refusing to leave?” Dhol questioned.

“What is it?” Laro inquired, craning his neck to look over Dhol’s shoulder.

“It’s—a head.”