Picking Petals:

Chapter 33: Loves Reaping

    Once we got a healer to watch over Josephine I looked for Berella immediately, before I could go through with any decisions. Berella wasnt with my parents, Orion and I searched the palace with little success i couldn't even find Rone. I made my way to Gregory's room, I didn't know what to do without Berealla or Rone, how could I make a decision? Gregory was at least awake enough to realize my wave of panic, "What is it?" he asked setting down an old book.

   "Berellas mother, she's Raven," I said breathlessly.

   "No," Gregory frowned, "That's impossible I've known her since a little boy."

    "There is no mistake, I dont think Berella knows," Orion said.

   "Of course she doesn't know," Gregory said giving Orion a ridiculous side glare. "We must find Raven, now."

   "We need to find Rone and Berella first," I insisted. "We can't just storm in there without Rones perm-"

    "Dont even finish that sentence," Gregory said his sober eyes blazing. "You are above us all, another second with Raven alive is another second for her to plot your death." 

   "It seems Josephine and Raven had made some sort of deal, without her Raven has no way of killing me."

    "She could easily compel a human to drive an iron stake in your heart," Orion said. "Gregory is right, Raven dies today. And that means you must chose the next creator, someone skilled enough to take down Raven once and for all."

   My eyes immediately went to Gregory, "What do you say old friend?" I smiled weakly, "We might burn each other alive, or well grow in the light," I riddled.

   Gregory only gave me a risky grin, "I guess I'm ready to make history," he shrugged wrapping his large arms around my neck, I forgot how much smaller I was then Gregory. It's easy to forget a lot now, all I can do is be in now.

   "Can this be saved till after Raven is dead?" Orion said glaring at Gregory suspiciously.

   "Gregory, gather all the tracks and Musho. The order is for them to surround Berellas home. Orion, you and I will go in alone."

   Gregory nodded, "We'll meet you outside of the palace, I'll try to spread the world of vacating that area."

   "Okay, excellent." I watched Gregory leave his room, fully awake and in charge. I looked to Orion who didnt seem a bit nervous at all, "What if she kills me?"

   "She wont," Orion said simply. "Raven is better with games, torture. Her place is in the outskirts, preying on the innocent, like a coward the moment she tipped the scales of balance was when she weakened herself. You and Gregory together have everything it takes."

   "I'm guessing you'll be watching?" I rolled my eyes.

   Orion gave a toothy pearly white smile, "And cheering of course."

   "Lets try to find Rone and Berella meanwhile," I said as we left Gregory's room. Something dark settled in my stomach, an odd torturous stirring feeling. My wings twitched uncontrollably and my horns seemed to grow over night by two inches. It was weird of Rone to be no where, for no one to know of his location, it wasn't normal.

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    I stood beside Gregory and Orion, a count of 125 Trax members behind us, weapons raised. "She's in there," Gregory said holding his iron stake tight in his hands.