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

Chapter 70- Clay

It's going to be more difficult than I anticipated. I need to play this right because she is quick. I'm trying to maintain my composure, but when I look at Jamie's smug face, I find it impossible. "Where is she?" I grab Jamie by his collar, pinning him to the wall.

"Don't know, you pissed her off. I'd be worried if I were you." He laughs. My hand tightens into a fist. All it needed was one swing for the satisfying snap of his jaw to be heard.

"What the hell, man?" One of his pack members shouts.

"He's a wolf, wait until a full moon, and he'll heal." Anger begins to seep through me as I shake myself off. I take a deep breath as I leave. I inhale the frigid air. I can now see why Raven enjoys the cold so much. Any sentiments you may have temporarily go numb. I'm shaken out of my thoughts when my phone goes off.

"Where are you?" I bark as I answer the phone.

"Where're my toys, Clay?" She barks back. I roll my eyes and let out a sigh, "Safe, away from you. You can't hurt them anymore." I respond. There's a pause on the other end before she finally speaks again.

"Oh Clay? Did you think I wouldn't have a plan B, and if that failed, a plan C, and, well, you know your alphabet, right?" She says with a chilling laugh.

"I will find you and stop you," I growl.

"But you won't be able to do it alone. You'll need help, and I doubt anyone will be willing to risk their lives for a lost cause like you." She taunts before speaking again, "I'll be waiting. Happy hunting." She laughs and hangs up the phone, leaving me with a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Brie and Logan emerge from the doors and walk toward me. "Where is she?" They both ask me.

"I don't know." I rub my head as I think, and then Brie begins to speak. "Clay, you've got to remember, she's half-witch, half-vampire," she says. "A half that is living to destroy," Logan adds.

I look at both of them, and my heart sinks. "And a half that is trying to survive," I finish. I close my eyes and mentally relive the conversation. It ought to have been obvious where she was from something in the background.

The wind.

The way the wind sounded around her was apparent. "She's at home," I tell them. "We're coming with you." Logan states.

"No! I need to do this myself. It's my fault we're in this position; if I had just stayed away, her humanity would be in check." I walk away from them and head to my car, taking my suit jacket off and throwing it in the back along with my tie. After starting the engine, I head to her apartment. Parked out front, I hesitate for a second; I'm afraid of what I'll walk into.

⁂

I exit and walk around the building to the side. I need only one leap to reach her balcony. I decide to open the doors, but nobody is there. I'm drawn to the noise emanating from the living room. As I proceed down the hallway after running my fingers through my hair, I find Raven leaning up against the wall with one of the wolves pressing up against her, her lips pressing against his neck. I halt completely in my tracks. My heart breaks for a split second as her eyes lock on mine; glowing brighter than ever. Then it hits me—the smell of blood.

"Raven, stop!" I shout.

"Too late." She says as she rips his head from his body. She licks her lips. "Want some?"

Anger takes over me, and I grab hold of her. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" My eyes glow, and my fangs protrude.

"Now that's the Clay I've been waiting for." She smiles and leans in to kiss me. I slam her back against the wall. "Look at that body there, Clay. Right now, you already bear accountability for one body. Continue attempting to fix me, and there will be another and another and many more," she says, her eyes fixed firmly on mine.

"This isn't you. The Raven I know wouldn't fucking hurt anyone, not like this." I'm pissed; so many emotions are taking over.

"Well, you took away my toys." She says, pretending to sound upset. "If you didn't do that, this would have never happened." I look at her. This isn't the girl I love. She pushes past me and lights the dead wolf on fire.

"Now, if you want to continue playing games, go ahead. Let's see who breaks first. You or me?" Her eyes narrow as she speaks, and her lips curl into a mischievous grin. I can feel the heat of the flames on my face as I realise that this might be the end for us.

I put my head down, feeling defeated. I know she will continue if we try to intervene again. "What we had meant nothing to you, did it?" I whisper, feeling a pang of hurt in my chest.

"You mean nothing to me, Clay." Her eyes locked on mine. Her words are cold as ice, sending shards into my heart. I couldn't believe the person I loved could say something so hurtful.

"Then why tell me you love me? Why tell me that I'm your only one and what we had was real?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Easy, I told you I loved you because it was a game. Now that it's over, I don't have to pretend." She walks closer to me, her eyes filling with curiosity. "But you still think it's real."

"Why are you doing this?" I question her, feeling numb at this point. She gives me a devilishly smug look. "Three reasons: you, you, and you."

I look away from her. What she said puts a dagger through my heart. So I give up. "If I promise we won't bother you anymore, will you promise not to kill another person or feed off them?"

She stands there as she thinks. "Deal." She smiles. I want to kiss her, but this girl is not my girlfriend in front of me.

"Done, I'll stay out of your way." I walk toward the door, feeling defeated. She's too far gone. I face her one more time. "Ray?" She looks at me. "I know somewhere deep down you know I love you, and I know you still love me."

"Everyone I've loved in my life has left at some point. I am the way I am because of that. I've gotten used to it. Now leave before you become victim number two." I close the door and walk away. As I sit in my car, tears come down my face. The only person I have ever loved is gone.

I shouldn't have gotten close to her in the first place.

⁂

When Brie and Logan try to get my attention after I arrive home, I ignore them and go upstairs. I lock my door and go to the bathroom to take a shower. The hot water cascades over me. What will I do next? She is much worse than I was when I lost my humanity. The only girl I care about is Raven, but loving her puts other people in danger. Before it's too late, we need to put an end to this. I step out of the shower, wrap the towel around my hips, and head to bed. I notice the blinking light on my phone and see a message from Raven.

If you ever want to have some fun, you know where to find me ;) -The text reads.

I throw my phone across my room. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I run my fingers through my wet hair. I lay back, staring at the ceiling, hoping this will all end soon. I replay her words in my mind.

–"Everyone I've loved in my life has left at some point. I am the way I am because of that. I've gotten used to it.–"

I sit up. Her mind is instructing her to fight us off. She does care about me; she simply can't seem to learn how to stop pushing me away. I lay there, thinking about tonight. There was no tug at her heartstrings, no desire to make things right between us. I was just another casualty in a world full of loss and pain. But I can't give up on her. Even if she pushed me away a hundred times, I know deep down that she needs me. I can't let her go through this alone. I'm determined to bring her back to me. I'll be her light in the darkness and her hope in the despair.