The Broken Raven - A Paradox Of Two Worlds Series Book 1

Chapter 68 - Clay

The week passes quickly as I sit there and listen to Brie and Logan discuss ways to lift the spell Raven is under. Raven enters, shakes her head, and walks to her room, interrupting our conversation. Brie and Logan exchange a worried look before turning back to me. "We need to figure this out soon," Brie says, her voice tinged with concern. "The longer Raven stays under the spell, the harder it will be to break."

"Maybe we should throw a party. It's how you got her attention before," Logan suggests. I raise an eyebrow at Logan's suggestion, unsure if it's the best course of action. "I don't think a party is the solution here," I say. "Her humanity is shut off. She has no emotions. What's a party going to do?" I look at them for answers.

"No, that's a good idea. Maybe we can have her feel her emotions if she sees other girls all over you." Brie agrees with Logan. "Go get everything ready, and I'll make sure she goes."

⁂

I make my way home and head up to my room. Time passes as I'm in my own world. I hear Logan walk in and start the music. I finally get up and make my way down the stairs, slumping down on the couch, waiting for her to arrive. The house is crowded with students as Brie catches my attention, but Raven doesn't seem to have any insights yet. Then, it dawns on me: peppermint.

I turn to face the door and watch as she enters and moves toward the dancing crowd. I get to my feet and follow her. She nods in response when I ask if I may join her. As we become immersed in the music, I draw her in and tightly hold her waist. I can see the goosebumps rising on her arms; I'm close to getting her back. The song finishes, and she looks at me, curiosity in her eyes but at the same time filled with hunger. I know that look—I was that look. But she walks away.

The first thing that comes to mind is to look for her at the end of the driveway. I go outside, and sure enough, she is sitting on the stone outside. I approach her and sit down next to her.

"Are you okay?" I ask her. She doesn't respond right away, but after a few moments, "Yeah," escapes her lips. We sit there in silence until she gets up and starts to walk away.

"Where are you going?" I shout after her. She turns around and gives me a small smile. "Home," she says softly.

I run up behind her; I'm not letting her go that easy. "I'll drive you. It's too dark to walk alone," I tell her; last time, she said yes immediately. This time she seems to be thinking it over, but finally, she agrees.

⁂

I take her home, offering to walk her up. She smiles and says, "Sure." We head upstairs, and I walk her to her door. "Are you coming in?"

"Yeah," I say. She heads to her room, and I follow. She starts to undress and is completely naked. She looks at me, a shocked look on my face.

"What? It's not like it's nothing you've never seen before." I laugh nervously, trying to play it cool. "No, it's not that. It's just that I didn't expect...this." She smiles and walks over to me, taking my hand.

"What happened to the girl I fell in love with?" My eyes searching hers. "The girl you fell in love with is gone," she whispers, pulling me closer. She puts her hands on my chest and says, "You smell good."

I back away. "Raven, this is wrong."

"Aww, are you nervous?" she says, biting her lip. Raven leans in to kiss me, but I turn my head away. "No, yes, I don't know." I stutter.

"Why? Do you want to play with me?" The sultry look she gives me is tempting. Maybe making love to her will kick-start her emotions.

"Screw it." I close the door behind me. "Finally, let the real party start." A wicked smile crosses her face. She presses me up against the wall with my mouth pressed against hers. No humanity Raven is an animal. Her heart races as she gives in to the primal desire. I turn her around and put her back up against the wall, my hands on each side of her above her shoulders.

"This is hot," she says. I can feel her body trembling with anticipation as I trail kisses down her neck.

"Ray, I love you. I need you back." She looks up at me, my eyes filled with longing and desperation. "Love—that's a strong word," she responds. My heart shattering at those words.

"Raven..." She cuts me off. "Just stop talking," she huffs. I can see the annoyance covering her face.

"No, how do you do that?" I question her. The girl I love would never act like this toward me or anyone.

"Do what?" A devilish grin crosses her face as she lets out a little laugh.

"Act like you don't care? Because I can't do that, I feel everything, including loving you." She pushes past me and grabs her robe, wrapping herself in it. "Ugghhh, mood killer."

She finally looks at me. "Oh, come on, what happened to the wild Clay, the one who wanted to make the good girl fall for the bad boy? The one who would do things to her that would send her into overdrive. The one who always knew how to hit the spot. The one who found me that cool September night?"

I stand there, thinking of what she just said. This is how she was with all her previous pawns, now I'm in their place. But I know better because I've made her love me. She loved me.

"You know, Raven, when I first met you, you were distant. That is, until I saw you dancing. I was caught in a vibe by the way you moved. I couldn't help the way I stared, like some mysterious force was leading me to you. I was hypnotised by the way your body swayed. I became lost in the music in your eyes and fell into the world you created."

I need to get to her somehow, so I press play on her sound system in her room and let the music flow. I step closer to her.

"Close your eyes. Let the music put you in a zone, relax and dance." I step closer and whisper, "Work your body." My hands are on her, and I see the goosebumps start to rise. Her breathing becomes heavy. She opens her eyes, and blue flames light them up. She pushes me away. "God, you're lucky you're hot. Good tactic. Now go away."

⁂

I sit in my car and wonder how I will get her back. I won't stop until she does, but she seems more closed off than before this time. I head home with a broken heart.

⁂

The following day, I wake up and look at the ceiling. I miss having her next to me. I miss her touch and her kisses — I miss her. She needs to find her way back to me. I get up and shower, then head downstairs. Logan and Brie are sitting in the kitchen.

"Coffee?" Brie asks. I take a seat at the table. "Yes, please." She hands me a mug, and we talk about last night.

"She's more closed off than she was before!" I throw my mug against the wall.

"Well, last time, jealousy was what got Raven to admit her feelings," Brie says. "That's right. Maybe you need to make her see what she is missing," Logan states. "NO!" I bark, "I'm not doing that. There has to be another way."

⁂

Another week goes by, and I watch her from a distance. Jamie has tried repeatedly to get her attention, but she doesn't give him the time of day. Friday after class, Logan, Brie, and I catch up to her.

"What's going on with you?" Logan asks her. I stand there, waiting for her answer.

"I'm looking out for myself. If you were smart, you would do the same." She walks away, and Brie grabs her arm. The flames grow in Raven's eyes. "Little tip, girl to girl. Don't piss me off." She walks away and heads to the pack that she now calls her own.