Rise of the Raven - A Paradox of two worlds Book 2

Chapter 5 - Clay

MAY

My obsession with attempting to make Raven stronger has taken over as the nightmares keep me awake at night. The worst pain came from the fears of her suffering or of losing her.

Raven sighs, "I'm worn out." She needs to build up her strength, which I am aware of. The conflict with the outside world is still very much alive, in my opinion. But I don't tell her about my feelings and keep them to myself. I draw this exhausted woman near to me, who on the outside seems like your ordinary college student but on the inside is the most dangerous hybrid the world has ever known. I look into her sleep-deprived eyes and ask,

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes but-" I cut her off.

"Then we need to do this." I kiss her head.

"Clay, give the girl a rest. We've been at this for weeks, day and night. Both Ray and Brie are exhausted and so am I. I don't know how much more my body can take from all these beatings." I hear Logan speak from behind me. In reality, both girls have been working constantly, given how much I've pushed them. In fact, Brie has found that she has a little bit more power than she initially thought. I look down at Raven, who has a tired expression on her face.

"Fine!" I walk away from the group. As I walk I mumble, "I'm telling you guys what we went through wasn't the end."

"What did you say?" Raven asks.

"Nothing!" I shout and head through the doors, up to my room.

As I lay in bed, I recall some of my most recent nightmares. Nobody can see me or hear me, but it appears that I am there. I'm truly scared of it. I have the impression that I am asleep and that my spirit is somewhere cold. I can still plainly hear my own screams for mercy. Even though I close my eyes, I can still feel Raven approaching the door.

"Come here," I open my arms for her to come to me and she does, "I'm sorry, but after what we've been through, I'm just scared of what can happen." I tell her .

"I know, but it's over and if something does supposedly happen we will deal with it when the time comes like we always do." She kisses my cheek. I hope she's right. We lay there for a bit when she gets up and heads to the shower.

"Coming?" She asks as she walks away.

She is everything to me, brings me serenity, and serves as a distraction from the outside world. I spring up and go after her. We allow the hot water to run over our bodies as she pulls me close to her and kisses me. As soon as I put my hand close to her, I notice that her legs tense up before she releases. I let her get out of the intoxicated haze I seem to have her in all the time. She then gives me a kiss with great intensity. We lose ourselves in each other until the water gets frigid. While pounding on the door, Logan says,

"Come on guys, we need to get to Lia's."

Since the day she moved into the girls' former apartment, the girls have fulfilled their promise to Lia and Ms. Danielson that we would go over for dinner every Friday. As Raven completes getting dressed, I turn to see her, and she grins and takes my hand as we leave.

Logan and I have come to think of Lia as a second mother, and she frequently inquires about our lessons as we eat.  Which the girls find amusing. After helping Lia with the cleanup, we have a lengthy conversation.

"Raven, how are things doing with all the magic training?" Raven rolls her eyes and chuckles as Lia turns to face her and notes her obstinacy.

"I'm tired but he," She points at me, "Won't let me have a break"