Crowns Of Shadows

6: Raven

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I sat with my arms folded scowling at the blondie in the seat across from me. I sure as hell respected Conner after what just happened, but that doesn't mean I had to like it. He sounded exactly like my older brothers; demanding, loud, but there always was a point that got across.

I always hated when my brothers were right.

When Alex was right, it was everyone else's problem. He made it known when he was right. It was even worse when Lucianno joined in. No one ever caught a break, except for my parents. They always hated when my brothers boasted, they also hated noise, so I wasn't that surprised. The things I once found annoying, I missed.. I never thought I'd miss their arrogance.

I watched as John walked around the corner. My heart jumped in my throat, I swallowed it down, calming myself. My own heart rate sped up when I saw him. His dark brows raised seeing Conner, then he pivoted his body and looked back into the parlor where Damon had to have been sulking. Our gaze collided and his neck creeped with red. I couldn't help but notice that against his sun-tanned skin, the tip of his nose went red too. I admired him a bit more from afar. His features were sharp, his jaw was well defined, but.. I paused, mentally I was melting into him, but physically, I put on my best 'annoyed' facade. He sat in front of me, and glanced at me almost 'studying' him. He looked directly in my eyes, tilting his head seemingly mocking, I didn't care. I couldn't get enough of his eyes, no, I couldn't get enough of him.

I caught his eyes again, they almost looked as if they were a hunter's, keen for anything. They had the soft shades of chestnut; which made me see him more like the soft rabbit, and not the hunter. His eyes seemed to spiral with golden flakes that seemed to hold the world, and I couldn't understand how. When he looks at me, all I want to do is hold his gaze, to study every single feature, and detail in his auburn eyes. I ground myself only to find him glancing at my lips, I feel hot, like my hands and arms are burning from the inside, I force myself to look away. John laughs, and my eyes snap up, and my heart skips a beat. I could be gawking over this poor boy, but honestly, I don't even care. His laugh filled my ears, as a sound I would be perfectly okay with hearing for the rest of my life.

Conner clears his throat. I snap out of the little trance I'm in and glance up at him. John does the same, and to my surprise Conner's already looking at John. "J, I've got to talk to you." He glanced at me, and I understood, private conversation. I stood and walked towards the parlor, only to see Damon perk his head up, and sit up right. He'd clearly been slouching. I sat down across from Damon, having a clear view into the Dining room, specifically to where Conner and John sat. And no, that wasn't on purpose. I took the opportunity to analyze the things around me. For example, the walls looked thin, and wet, probably because they were, but they were made out of wood. I was surprised the second story was still standing. The air was nice, and filled with a breeze that felt like it shifted in pressure here and there. The floors were a bit messy, most likely because this delicate home was run by young boys. I give them credit for being able to live here for all these years. Now that the younger boy was asleep, and Eric in his bedroom, I was hoping to have a conversation with Conner, Damon, and John. I wanted to know why John was here, and not in his own nice warm house, tucked away in his snug bed, while his parents rested in the other room.

As I glanced around the room, I locked eyes with John, he had turned and looked at me while Conner spoke to him. I only just noticed when my eyes had made their way around the room.

"Hey." A voice sounded to my right, I glanced over then turned my full head.

"Hello." I said, gently. He sat in a posture that just didn't seem right for him. After a minute he dropped it. His elbows rested on his knees, and his legs spread, he held his head in his hands.