Page 75 of Raven's Dawn

Illusions are all within these halls.

It may have looked like the sky, but it wasn’t. It was a portal that would get me the hell out of here.

So, like the others, I stepped into it.

27

RAIN

It was anticlimactic. I took a step forward, into the sky, and I landed on the ground outside the first archway we had walked through. We all did.

Laila and Jeremy were already embracing one another, as were Connor and Naomi. Amara and Iliantha already found a few benches to sit on.

And all three of my guys pummeled me.

I didn’t know if it was exhaustion or the drugs, but I couldn’t tell who was who at first. Warren’s arms were cold this time, so I knew they belonged to him. Ezra’s were no different, and Graham’s skin was hot against my own. All six of their hands traveled over me, checking me for injuries.

Ezra landed on my wrist, pulling it out to inspect. “What happened here?”

“I killed a kelpie,” I said. “A couple kelpies, actually.”

“Really?” Graham asked, cocking his head to the side. “Was it hard?”

It wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t admit that. Not after he had made me feel so small, so incapable, earlier.

“No, it was pretty routine.” A careless shrug, one that I hoped came off genuine. I gestured to the blood and muck all over me. “This is the worst part. I feel disgusting.”

“But you’re alright?” Warren asked, trailing a finger down the torn flesh.

“It’s healing, so?—”

“At a bizarre rate, for a Witch,” Caeda said.

I hadn’t realized she was nearby. Granted, I had just been happy to see my guys and be out of that place. But she was only a few feet away and drawing closer, eyes glued to that slice up my arm.

“A Fae didn’t heal you. Otherwise, it would’ve mended entirely.” She grabbed my arm, studying it. With squinted, focused eyes, she cocked her head to the side. “I didn’t think much of it before, but I don’t feel an energy signature coming off of you. Almost as if you’re disguising it.”

I looked at Laila. She gave a short nod. I said, “Because I am.”

“And why would you do that?”

“Because I came here to stop the air an tagadh,” I said. “Since they kill for power, and I have a lot of it, it made sense to disguise it.”

Releasing my arm, she studied me a moment longer. Eventually, she broke the silence. “Wise indeed. We’ll speak more about it once you have rested.” She turned to the group. “You did well. The sun hasn’t risen, and you have made it out of the maze. All while intoxicated, hungry, and depending only on the women beside you.” Smiling, she lifted her hands and clapped slowly. “Quite a challenge, and you thrived. Congratulations. You’ve earned my respect.

“Now, as an apology for that torment, I’ve prepared you all rooms. Your army has been stationed in my army’s sleeping quarters for the night. Most of my men and women stay home between training and missions, so there’s plenty of room. Those of you present now will all stay in the castle throughout the day. In your rooms, you will find meals and drinks. None of them contain any substances, in case you are worried about that.

“Our agreement is intact. I will give you all the information I have on the air an tagadh. But only once you’ve settled into your rooms and gotten rest. There’s no need to discuss battles and politics when your energy is so spent. I will not argue about it, so don’t attempt to. Either you take the room and get your rest for the night, or you leave now and return tomorrow. That is when we will discuss what I know and what you know.” She gestured to a woman atop the staircase at the rear castle doors. “Alecia, show them all to their rooms. Two people per room, so make your decisions now.”

“I think I’ve gotten two hours of sleep in—What? Seventy-two?” Warren asked. “If anyone wants to stay up and talk for a while, I prefer they not be with me tonight. Or today.” He looked up at the dawning sky. “You know what I mean.”

“I’m quite tired as well,” Ezra said, looking between me and Graham. “I will need to feed later today, if you don’t mind, Rain, but for now, I just need rest.”

I saw what they were doing, and I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed by it or appreciated it.

Graham tucked an arm around my waist. “You and me then, my dear?”

I supposed so.