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

Chapter 21 - Clay

I feel bad for seeing Raven's expression as Sloane has her hands all over me. Why we are unable to express our feelings for one another is beyond me. I could have told her how I felt, and I know she's the one who stopped it all, but my foolish ego and pride got in the way. I feel like a complete moron for breaking her heart. I can smell peppermint filling the air as the wind whips about us, and I know she isn't far behind. I might be able to catch her before she departs. The screams then start.

"STOP!" I hear Raven's voice echo through the woods. I push Sloane off me and run, following her scent.

I'm filled with rage as Cain has his hands all over her as she struggles to keep him away. He is taken away from her by my hand, and I hurl him into the neighbouring tree. He stands up and gives me a direct lip punch. As my emotions take over, my eyes shine. As he strikes me once more, Cain chuckles. I spit blood and hurl him on the ground, repeatedly striking his head until he stops resisting. I run to Raven and leave him there, panting for oxygen. She's crying, and she's trembling. I remove my jacket and wrap her with it. I wipe her tears away as I cup her cheek.

"It's okay. I'm here". I assure her and kiss her forehead, "Let's get out of here." I wrap my arm around her, and she hides her face by my side. I open the car door and help her in, but she won't let go of my hand.

"It's okay, Ray. Here." I press the lock down on the door and quickly close it; she doesn't want to be left alone for a second out here. I get to my side and sit down, starting the car.

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I drive her home. I park out front of her place, unlock her door, and quickly rush to her side, helping her out of the car. "Hand me your keys." I gently ask her.

"I...I don't have them. I left with Brie". She sniffles.

"Okay, come with me." I take her hand and intertwine my fingers with hers. We walk up to the side of the building, and I pull her close.

"Do you trust me?" She nods, and I pick her up—one hand on her back, the other under her thighs.

"Hold tight!" I warn her. She tightly grasps my neck with her arms around it. I jump and land on her balcony after taking a single deep breath, her face still concealed in my chest. I take hold of the doorknob. I'm so glad it's open. I walk her inside as I lock the door behind me and close it. I place her on the bed, and I crouch down in front of her.

"Ray, you're safe now." I tell her, "I'm going to go, but I'll make sure all the doors are locked, and I'll call Logan to tell him what happened before I leave."

She doesn't say anything, and I don't care for my jacket at the moment, so I get up and walk away when she grabs my hand, stopping me.

"Please don't leave." Her lips quiver, and another tear escapes. "Please."

She places her head on my lap as we both sit down. My thumb dries the tears as I pull her hair out of her face and stroke her cheek. We remain in that position for a bit; after some period of silence, she finally sits up.

"Thank you." She says softly as she hands me my jacket.

I get up and walk to her dresser. Taking a wild guess, I open the first drawer and pull out an oversized t-shirt of hers.

"Ray, you need to change and clean up that cut on your shoulder. I can smell the blood from here." She gets up, walks toward me, grabs her shirt, and heads to the bathroom. I hear her wince in pain and walk in.

"Here, let me help you." I slowly lift her shirt over her head, grabbing a cloth and wetting it. "Turn around," I instruct her, and she does. I gently press the cloth on the wound, and she slightly jumps. I clean up the blood and ask where the bandages are. She points to the cabinet under the sink. I pull one out and cover the cut on her shoulder. I can't help but gently kiss her back.

"There you go," I say softly. She turns around as tears fall down her face.

"Please try not to cry." The scene makes my heart ache. I again brush the tears away with my thumb. I don't resist her when her lips come to find me. I'll be happy to kiss her if it makes her feel better. Pulling away, she stares down.

"Sorry," she says.

"It's okay." I quickly disappear into her room. She finally comes out and climbs into her bed.

"You're bleeding." She gets up and goes to grab a wet cloth. Pressing it against my lip. "Don't you have super healing? Why do you still have a cut on your lip and above your eye?" She asks me. It's cute; she doesn't know much about vampires or the supernatural world.

"Yeah, I have quick healing, but it will take more than 20 minutes to heal. I can already feel it fading away." I explain to her. She looks at my face once more, and her eyes widen as the massive wounds have now become tiny paper cuts.

"I'll stay here until you fall asleep."

"Can you stay the night? I don't want to be left alone." She looks away, her knees tucked into her chest.

"Ya, of course, I'll sleep on the couch."

"No!" She starts, "I mean, can you sleep in here with me?" She asks shyly.

"Ray, I sleep practically naked. I don't think that's a good idea. At least on the couch, I'll already be uncomfortable because of how tall I am." I let out a little laugh.

"Please, I don't want to be alone, I also think we can be mature and just sleep, plus I'm scared." I can feel the fear running through her veins. I'm not too fond of her feeling like this, so I don't hesitate to agree.

She turns over and faces the wall as I strip down to my boxers. I get under the covers and whisper goodnight; she does the same. I lay there with my arm behind my head, not wanting to close my eyes. I can't sleep unless I know she's sleeping. I look over at her and see her body tremble. I can tell she's holding back her tears. I make my way to her, pull her body close to mine, and hold her tight.

"Shhh, it's okay. I'm right here."

She nods and wipes her tears. "Thank you." She whispers. I pull her closer, my hand on her stomach. I can hear her heart racing. We lay there for what seems like forever. Eventually, she turns around and faces me.

"You're an amazing friend. Thank you for everything you did for me tonight". She says and quickly kisses me.

"You're welcome." I kiss her back.

"This isn't going to work, is it?"

"Why do you say that?" I question her, wondering where this is going.

She looks at me, and it dawns on me what she means. "Oh." is all I can say. I can't help but lean in to kiss her, pulling her body closer to mine. Her hand on my chest. She breathes heavily and says,

"We can't do this."

"I know." I look away.

She looks at me, her hand trailing down my chest, tracing the tattoo on my stomach. "One more kiss."

"One more." I kiss her hard.

She reaches her hand toward my boxers and grabs my length, caressing it up and down. She moans and gives me a stronger kiss as my hand touches her. We both let go and inhale deeply. I bring her close and kiss her on the head.

"Let's get some sleep." She nods and closes her eyes, cuddling into my side. I wrap my arm around her and drift off into a peaceful slumber, grateful for the warmth of her body next to mine.