What Sleeps in Shadows

Chapter Twelve

Raven felt too many emotions all at once, to the point where it felt like it was overloading her system. There was greed, and envy, and lust, and pride, and wrath, all tangling together as each person wandered around the first floor of the massive estate. They were looking over everything, trying to figure out how someone like Bruce Wayne had come to amass such wealth, and whether or not his numerous children were tax write-offs. Raven could feel all of their desires sink into her like sharp claws, and they pulled at her skin and tried to rip her apart.

She took a shaky breath, swallowing a gulp of water in her crystal glass. Back at school it was easier to disappear into the shadows and wander away if she needed to, but every movement here felt watched. If she adjusted her hair or took a sip of water, it was like there were a hundred eyes watching her - who was this strange girl at the Wayne estate? What did she do to deserve being here? Who was she sleeping with? Slut. Whispers were raking down her senses and Raven could feel her powers start to surge, the demon inside her annoyed with their behavior. It wanted to show them the force which lay mostly dormant inside her soul, and remind all of them what happened when they underestimated her.

Raven reached into her hair and fixed a loose pin, feeling at least three people catch the movement. Even though she thought she was dressed modestly, she somehow still felt practically bare in this strapless black satin dress, and more than once she caught the curious eye of a grown man on her. They were salivating, wanting a piece of something they thought they were entitled to, or something they thought they could groom. Raven looked around the room for someone she knew, and Steph or Cass would have easily saved her if she needed it.

"You look uncomfortable."

Raven looked up to see Jason practically towering over her, the width of his shoulders nearly blocking out the light. He offered her a lopsided smile and stood next to her, his fingers wrapped around a crystal scotch glass. Almost immediately, she could feel the eyes of other men look away, as if they knew better than to try anything with a massive mountain of a man standing protectively next to her.

"Thank you." Raven let go of a quiet sigh and her shoulders dropped in relief.

"Don't mention it." His smile was softer now, understanding. "I could see those assholes from a mile away. Don't let them see you nervous, they prey on that, and while I have no doubt you could hold your own in a fight, I'd rather not cause a scene." He paused and grinned down at her. "But I'm not above a little property damage. Want me to go slash the tires on their Bentleys? It'll teach them a lesson."

Raven couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped, and she shook her head. "No, but thanks for the offer. It's almost sweet."

"Offer still stands if you change your mind. I'm fully prepared to completely inconvenience and annoy more than a few rich assholes." He shrugged and took a sip of his drink, his eyes scanning the crowd. There was a heartbeat's pause and Jason glanced over at her, a glint in his eye. "I'm surprised Dami isn't over here fawning over you. I thought the kid would be next to you all night, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of him."

"I... it's not like... you know we're not a couple, right?" Raven had felt like she had this conversation with everyone of Damian's family at least twice a day, and it was still so awkward to have. Especially after what had happened in the the library. Damian had barely spoken to her since then, and Raven found herself more often with Cass or Steph or Tim. They were easier to talk to anyway. "We're barely even friends."

He nodded, but was still smirking as if he didn't believe her. "So I've been told. By both of you, actually. And more times than I think I can count." He paused and look another sip of his drink, glancing back out at the crowd of people draped in silks and dripping with diamonds. "But you know that boy makes goo-goo eyes whenever you're not looking, right? I swear, his whole face lights up and he can spot you in half a second before you even enter a room."