The Reaver Chronicles: Raphael (Book 2)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I was right, the week had dragged on and on, seeming as if it were never going to end. I was looking forward to my meeting with Blaze, but more importantly I hoped I could get another glimpse at Haven. She was the one who had been occupying my thoughts, her enigmatic presence lingering in my mind like a ghost. Even the disturbing intensity of our dream encounter couldn't dim the fascination I felt towards her. If anything, it only seemed to have fueled my desire.

Those fleeting seconds had been enough to leave a lasting impression, though. Her image was seared into my memory: the striking features, the piercing eyes, the wild tangle of red hair. But beyond that, I knew nothing. No hint of her personality, no glimpse of her values or motivations. She was a mystery, a cipher, and I found myself wondering what lay beneath her enigmatic surface.

I materialized at the clearing where I was to meet with Blaze again to finalize our deal. The scene unfolded with a sense of ritualistic precision, the Necromancer Soldiers appearing in a neat line, their dark forms standing rigidly at attention. The air was heavy with anticipation as they parted, the two soldiers in the center stepping aside to create a pathway. I expected Blaze, the King of the Necromancers, to emerge from the opening, his imposing presence commanding the space.

"Ave reginae ad omnes." My eyes widened in surprise as the Necromancer Soldiers' chant echoed through the clearing, their voices rising and falling in unison. Wait, all hail the Princess? I thought. I needed to work on my Latin, but I was sure that was what they just said. I felt a jolt of confusion, my mind racing to understand the sudden shift in proceedings.

And then, as if summoned by the soldiers' words, Haven emerged from the ranks, her red hair ablaze in the fading light. She moved with a quiet confidence, her eyes gleaming with a subtle power. But where was Blaze? I had been expecting to finalize our deal with the King, not... not face Haven alone. A shiver ran down my spine as our eyes met, the air between us charged with an almost magnetic tension.

Haven's beauty was mesmerizing, her dark outfit perfectly complementing her porcelain skin and fiery mane. The high-waisted shorts hugged her curves, while the crop top hoodie showcased her toned midriff. The skeleton hand flipping me the bird on the front of the hoodie added a touch of edgy rebellion.

Her hair cascaded down her back in luscious waves, reaching all the way to her hips, just as it had during our previous encounter. The dark makeup accentuated her striking features, making her eyes seem even more piercing and intense. A fitting outfit, I thought.

As Haven drew closer, her confident stride and sultry gaze only fueled the illicit thoughts that had already begun to simmer in my mind. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I struggled to rein in my baser impulses, to maintain a semblance of decorum in the face of her intoxicating presence. It was a losing battle, but I gritted my teeth and steeled myself, determined to keep my desires in check as I prepared to face her.

"Haven." I said as I bowed deeply. "Raphael." She replied. The gentle, angelic tones of her voice seemed to dance in the air, sending a shiver down my spine as I felt myself becoming increasingly entranced. "Where is your father?" I asked her. "He was caught up in some other business, so he sent me instead." She said, matter of factly. Her response was devoid of any apology or explanation, simply a flat statement of fact. It was as if she was merely conveying a piece of information, without any emotional attachment or expectation of a reaction from me.

I sensed a hint of detachment in her tone, a subtle suggestion that she was merely a messenger, rather than a participant in the negotiations. My curiosity was piqued. What kind of business could be more important than our meeting, and what did it say about Blaze's priorities?