against his chest. “There was a new freedom. You belong with Mace. And I belong somewhere else.”
She tilted her head to look up at him, but he stopped her by holding her snug against his chest. The muscles beneath were rock hard, and she wondered if this was as difficult for him to say as it was for her to hear. A drop landed on her scalp in response. “Where, Raven?”
“There’s still a journey for me that involves Dr. Richmond. I’ve known it since the beginning, and now it feels imminent.”
Her science teacher. And the man who worked for Omega Corporation and Damon Vessler years ago.
She pressed closer into him. “Will you really go away?” She didn’t think she could bear it. And yet, she knew she couldn’t bear watching him hurt while she spent time with Mace.
“Who knows? Vessler’s reach is far. Maybe we’ll all be expected to help Richmond.”
Nikki pushed back to look at him. “You think Dr. Richmond is in danger?”
“If not now, soon. But Halflings never work alone, so if the Throne is expecting me to get more involved in Richmond’s life, the rest of the team is sure to follow.”
“The other Halflings and Will?”
He nodded. “And you.”
She hadn’t considered that.
“You’re a Halfling, Nikki. You’ve been drafted by the Throne, and have some pretty mind-blowing wings to prove it. You’ll be expected to fight.”
Her heart whooshed in her ears. For so long, everything had centered around her — keeping her safe, keeping her alive. Now, she was one more player on the field, and it was others whose lives were in danger. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to whoop or scream.
“That’s if pretty boy will let you fight.”
Nikki frowned. “He’s not in charge of me.”
“Ah, that’s the warrior I love to see.”
She rolled her eyes. He’d baited her. Easily. “You said Mace would challenge me.”
“He will, Nikki. He’ll make sure you stay at the top of your game. Don’t forget, you’re not out of danger yet. Vessler is still out there. He still wants you.”
She shrugged. “He gave his best shot and he didn’t break me. I’m not a dark creature like he planned.” A new feeling rose within her, a sense of supremacy, a strength she’d never known before. She wasn’t dark. “He can’t touch me.”
Raven flashed a scowl. “Don’t get cocky.”
She shook her head. “Not cocky, just sure. What can he do to me? He tried everything in his power to get me to turn. I beat the seeker, Raven. That means I beat Vessler.”
Concern closed over his features.
Nikki pushed off him, irritated that he’d be so quick to warn her after she’d just experienced such a victory.
Raven didn’t speak. He reached out and stopped her from moving away. Then he gripped her arms and looked at her as if he stared into her soul. For a long time, they stayed like that, and Nikki felt her irritation melting. Once the last shreds had peeled away, Raven pulled her into his arms.
And there he held her for a long, long time.
Chapter 13
Are you okay?” Mace asked as she folded the sleeping bag and tucked it into the backpack. She’d been cleaning ever since Raven broke their embrace.
Her hair bobbed in front of her as she nodded, but she didn’t trust her voice to speak. Mace crossed the cave to where she stood and gently took the backpack. He dropped it on the ground and cupped her face.
“Your eyes are red from crying.” He kissed her cheek on one side, then the other, and she melted into him. She didn’t want to. She wanted to feel nothing. It seemed an even worse betrayal to Raven to relish Mace’s touch. Raven. Her heart cracked yet again. How could one girl cause so much damage?
Mace glanced down the rock corridor leading deeper into the cavern. “Where is he?”
“Gone.” She hated her voice. “He said he’d let Will and the others know the seeker is dead.”
Mace’s face troubled. “Is he —”
“Okay? I don’t know.” Nikki pressed her lips together, wanting, needing to tell Mace what happened. “He spent last night listening to me talk about you. How much I love you, how much I need you. And whenever he’d try to bring the conversation back to himself, I got angry.” She watched as the horror registered on Mace’s face. Raven must not have given him all the details.
He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on her head. “Oh, Nikki. I’m so sorry. You didn’t