Ashes of Revenge

Chapter 19: Possessions of the Past

Colt and Raven walked down the worn wooden floor in the tunnels. For a minute or so, the creaking of the floorboards was the only noise between them.

"So, what are these used for, exactly?" Colt asked as he looked around, the only light being that of a small lone window, showcasing the small dust particles drifting through the air.

"They are used to escort tha Royal family to safety. But it's mainly used for storage."

"How many people know about this?"

Raven shrugged. "Royal family? Fernando?"

They took a right at a split-apart section.

"What exactly did yeh do in here when yeh were a kid?"

"Nothin'." Raven shrugged. "I think I would just walk, maybe look at stuff they would put in here."

They ascended a small flight of rickety stairs. Turning down another hallway, they were met with a weathered wooden door. Raven grabbed the handle and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. Stepping back, she kicked at the door, making it jolt back an inch or two, but the structure held. Before she could set up again, Colt's boot collided with the door, and it flew open.

"Show off," Raven mumbled as she walked into the room that was filled with old paintings, rugs, books, and other random artifacts.

Colt followed her and looked around, trying to see if anything was of value.

Raven picked up an old, reddish sunstone colored book – her body numbing. Taking her burned hand and wiping off the dust, she read the golden title: THE BLUE FLOWER. Her finger traced the letters before she opened it to a random page.

Colt looked up from his random pile of things and over to Raven. She glanced at him and quickly tossed the book into the clutter.

She rummaged through the artifacts again, trying to sidetrack herself. Pulling back a giant painting of a Knight, she froze for a second at the picture that was behind it.

"Is it ok if I take this?" Colt held up an emerald necklace with diamonds around it.

Raven glanced away from the painting and up to him, recognizing it as one of her mum's. "Yeah, knock yerself out. Take whatever yeh want, an' yeh can sell 'em. I don't care." She didn't need any more reminders of her mum. She didn't want any more.

Colt tucked the necklace into his waistband before he unstrapped the latches on his red overshirt. He glanced over at Raven, who was still staring at the canvas.

Sensing his gaze, she shoved the first painting onto the ground. A thin cloud of dust arose and lingered in the air before it eventually settled.

They stared at the picture: Raven's old family. She focused on her mum's features, wondering if they were real. Colt was seeing her mum for the first time, and he couldn't believe the two of them were related. They looked nothing alike. Raven's mum had beautifully light chestnut hair and deep river blue eyes that somehow looked intense and yet loving. The face accompanied her features wonderfully, being a perfect shape for her hair and allowing her cheekbones to stand out.

It became evident to him that Raven had taken her dad's looks: mahogany brown hair and eyes with a stern set face. However, he was taken aback by the broad, light smile that rested on Raven's face along with the lack of burn marks. She rarely smiled, and the fact that no scars covered her skin was weird for both of them.

Raven had almost forgotten what she looked like without the extensive scarring. Her perfect, tan skin mocked her, and every burn on her body began to itch.