The Raven Four Books 1-3 - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,125
his face.
“You don’t have to show me around if you don’t want to,” I say, figuring that’s why he looks all grumpy. “You can just show me to my room. Besides, it’s not really even necessary to show me around since I won’t be here for very long.”
He shakes his head with annoyance. “When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours that you’re moving in with us?”
I cross my arms on top of the counter. “When are you going to get it through that thin head of yours that you guys can’t boss me around into doing stuff?”
“Thin head? That’s not even an insult.”
“Yeah, it is. Because I just made it one.”
“Yeah, in your own head.”
“So? It’s a very validating place. Thick, too.”
He stares at me like he has no clue how to respond. It’s a look I get quite often.
Finally, he must give up on trying to understand the inner workings of my twisted mind because he shakes his head, grabs his glass of orange juice, and starts for the doorway. “Come on; I’m going to show you around your new home.” He tosses me a little smirk that makes my lips twitch then strolls out of the room.
I flip the middle finger at him as I get up and walk after him. “This isn’t my house,” I say as I follow him down a wide hallway with red walls that are covered with framed photos I’m guessing Hunter took. They’re all beautiful scenes of landscapes and places I’ve only dreamed of seeing in person. And yet, in the beauty, shadows cast across them, like a darkness is hovering there, waiting to take over.
Just like how the boys’ faces looked in that memory I just had.
As Zay takes a sip of his juice, I discreetly study him, trying to pick up on the similarities between him and the boy with the raven on his shoulder. Zay has a scar on his face. Did the boy have a scar on his face?
I can’t remember.
Just like always.
“You know, you act like it’s some sort of huge punishment to stay here. But look the fuck around.” He waves his hand around at the many shut doors lining the hallway. “This place is awesome. You should consider it an honor to live here.”
“And that’s why I don’t want to live here.”
“Because this place is awesome?”
“No, because you act like it should be an honor to live here.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I’m tired of that feeling. Of feeling like I owe people something.” Of people lying to me all the time. Of feeling like I’ve gone crazy.
He processes what I said, his lips slowly curving downward. “You don’t owe us just because you live here. And I think we’ve told you that enough times by now.”
“You may say that now, but eventually, it’ll become a debt.”
“You’re wrong.”
“No, I’m right. I know the drill with these types of things. I’d be a guest here, which means I’d owe you. And you guys would take.” I lower my voice to a mutter. “Everyone always does.”
The look of pity that crosses his face lets me know I’ve said too much, revealed too much about me.
“But anyway, yeah …” I clear my throat. “I’m not going to move in with you, so no tour of the house is needed. You can just point me to the room I’m staying in, and I’ll go hang out until this whole lockdown thing is lifted.”
He slows to a stop in front of a shut door, but instead of opening it, he just stares at me. “You have trust issues. And whatever. So do I.” He steps toward me. “But here’s the thing, princess; if you’re gonna survive this hell hole of a town, you’re gonna need to trust Hunter, Jax, and me. Because, if you don’t, you’re gonna end up like Mary Lee B. lying in a Willow Tree.”
Um … What?
“What the hell is Mary Lee B. lying in a Willow Tree?” I ask. “Because it sounds like a nursery rhyme.”
“Oh, it is. But it’s a nursery rhyme that holds truth to it.” He starts walking again.
My interest is piqued, which I’m sure is why he brought it up to begin with. Whatever. I’m too curious to back off.
I hurry after him. “Well, how does the nursery rhyme go? And why does it hold truth to it?”
He downs the rest of his juice then places the empty glass on a nearby end