Page 141 of Raven

“No, Maddy. Find Raven. At the cave.”

“Cave?”

“Yeah, the one I told you ‘bout.”

Samantha walks in with a smile, her eyes instantly lighting up at the sight of the kid. “I got it, Mads. Go. Take a break. I’ll be here.”

In the front hall, Archer and Kat are already talking to Dr. Hodges.

Kat takes me aside as Archer keeps getting updates about Little from the doctor.

“Little is fine,” I say right away and tell Kat what I can.

“So, what’s Raven’s take on that?”

I shrug and avert my eyes. “He’s upset.”

She glances at Archer, then meets my eyes. “Siena, that girl you asked me about…”

“Doesn’t matter, Kat.”

“You asked. I have the info.” She lowers her voice. “She had mental issues before the Change.”

My eyebrows shoot up.

“That’s not something you want to discuss with anyone. No one, Maddy. Raven gets her medication that she can’t get without approval from doctors and psychiatrists. Her father is a senator and keeps it hush-hush.”

“So?”

“So, he has some ties with Raven. Otherwise, she and Raven are not involved, I don’t think.”

I’m trying to process the info when Archer clears his throat, walking up to us. He motions for Kat, and as if this is their code language, she nods. “I’ll go see Little.” She walks away.

“Maddy, listen,” Archer starts. “Whatever is going on with you and Raven?—”

“It’s—”

“Complicated,” we say at the same time. He smiles. “I know.”

It’s none of anyone’s business, and it’s annoying that these two suddenly are concerned about my personal life.

“He gave up quite a bit for you,” Archer says.

“Oh, yeah? What would that be?”

“Your father let you stay.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s a temporary thing. You don’t know my father. He is trying to play nice?—”

“Raven was the one who made the deal with him.”

I frown. “What does Raven have to do with it?”

“Again, everything. Didn’t your father tell you?”

Oh, that hurts. So, I was another deal. For Raven. For my father. And why am I not surprised that Dad tried to bargain something for me?

“He didn’t tell me anything about the deal,” I say bitterly.

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