One-Shots // Book Compilation

• Foxes •

TITLE: The Nest
AU: Ravens are a Vampire Coven
WORDS: 5,229
COMPLETED: 10/31/21
UNIVERSE: All For The Game // Nora Sakavic

Each and every member of the Edgar Allan Ravens were keenly aware that what had happened to them was a terrible thing; well, everyone with the exception of Riko Moriyama. Standing on their court, each vampire eyed their scrimmage partner and prepared for a violent match. Coach Moriyama made them hold back when it came to actual games, but with one another, they were allowed to use all of their strength. It was a freeing feeling.

"Jean!" Riko shouted, the name echoing off the court walls and rattling the French boy's bones.

Jean Moreau ran his tongue over his fangs, which is something he found himself doing when he was anxious. Currently, he had every single reason to be worried. In the center of the court stood fresh blood, which was dangerous enough as is. Worse yet, it was Kevin's prodigy from Palmetto State University. Somehow even worse than that, this was Jean's current partner in the Nest.

Neil Josten.

Riko was yet to turn the boy, but that was only due to Jean's subtle manipulation; it couldn't last forever. As far as Jean was aware, Kevin wasn't really worried about what would happen to Neil after he was turned by Riko; instead, he was more concerned about what would happen once all the other Foxes found out. Particularly the psychotic goalie that they kept around. After all, taking care of one vampire was difficult enough, but two was going to be next to impossible for the team of misfits to handle. 

The ball landed in Jean's racquet, resulting in him spinning around, only to find Neil in a crumpled pile on the ground, a few other Ravens standing over him. Jean sighed, understanding that practice was over once Riko dropped his racquet. Everything was over. Neil Josten's life was over. He was to be converted, given a tattoo, and sent back to Kevin and Coach Wymack.

Jean never really gave it too much thought, but he knew that Kevin had to have known what was going to happen to Neil. But did anyone else? Or was Neil just going to go back to the Foxes as a vampire and pretend that nothing happened? As Jean stared down at the unconscious body that belonged to Neil Josten, he actually felt a form of dread well up inside of him. Never would he wish this upon someone. Never. All the Ravens had willingly allowed this to happen to them, but Neil wasn't really given much of a choice. Sure, he decided to come to Evermore, but only because that was the lesser of two evils that Riko had presented him with.

"Break!" The Master shouted, voice echoing off the court walls, verbally confirming that they were done. Jean proceeded to crouch down next to Neil Josten's body, analyzing how mangled one of the boy's arms were.

"Tell me he isn't dead," Riko's voice emerged from behind Jean, resulting in the boy turning and looking over at the King of Exy. Jean had become a master at keeping his face expressionless when standing before the King, then the two looked back down at Neil.

"I don't believe he's dead. He shouldn't be, anyways," Jean remarked as Riko nodded, turning his attention down towards the limp body.

"Wonderful. Help me get him down to my room," Riko demanded, leaving Jean no other option but to nod. Each of them wrapped an arm around Neil, lifting him up and dragging him down to the Nest, which was located just below the court.

The walk down to the Nest felt a million times longer when you were dragging a body with you; at least, that was what Jean believed. As they dragged Neil past the remainder of the Ravens, all they did was lick their lips at the scent of fresh blood. How Neil had survived this long at all was a miracle in it of itself; Jean didn't know the Ravens had that much restraint. Or maybe it was the fear of Riko that kept them at bay. Either way, it didn't matter anymore. Neil Josten was about to become one of them.