Page 82 of Drop His Mask

Too much and too fast.

The vines of unconsciousness pulled him fully under.

Chapter 43

Healthy Dose Of Paranoia

Raven

Present Day

“You always were a spit-fire.” Geoff bared his teeth at me, at least those he had left.

He had aged…a lot since I had seen him last.

“At what point did you betray me?”

Geoff cocked his head, his dark blue eyes boring into my own. “Who says I did betray you? Are you not happier here than you were on the outside? We can’t hear everything throughout the game, but I have seen enough. You were reunited with Jayce, have madefriends, strong allies, and soon you will meet yourmissing piece.”

Geoff stood abruptly from his chair before marching to me. I tried to struggle against my restraints, but they held tight.

Is he going to go through all this just to kill me?

His disgusting breath fanned my face as he bent to my side and spoke into my ear. “I have one piece of advice. When you leave here, keep your cards close. Do not trust the rest of the world. They will offer you sweet lies because you are one of theircherished. But there is corruption among their ranks as well. After all, Violencia was formed from a single lie.”

I attempted to swing my head into him, but he backed away before I could.

“This isn’t going to end the way you think it will Raven. But you are exactly where you were meant to be. It took years to strengthen you, to prepare you for this fight, but now that you are in this game, it is only the beginning. Even still, you need to remember that you are no longer just Raven, you areShadow. Let them underestimate you and use it against them. I wish you well kiddo.” Geoff turned to leave.

Let who underestimate me?

“Wait! You haven’t answered any of my questions! How am I exactly where I am meant to be? What did you do? What is going on?” I kept screaming but he didn’t pause as he made his way out of the door. Leaving me in the bare space alone with just my thoughts.

What could have been hours later, my restraints released on their own, followed by the door swinging back open. Jumping from my chair, I attempted to ready myself for whatever was next. But it was the same guard as before, this time holding Levi around the arm.

“You have three minutes,” Felix advised before shoving Levi inside and slamming us shut into the space together.

“Levi?”

“Oh, darlin’.”

The bulky man rushed to me. He gave me a once over, checking for any notable injuries; he even lifted my shirt to check my side.

“It isn’t healing properly. You said you were okay. This is my fault.”

“Levi, it’s not your fault. You saved my life.” My hand covered his, pushing the material down. “It is healing, I’m taking antibiotics,” I grumbled. The pain was still there, but it was no longer sharp and stabbing, now it was dull and throbbing. Easier to ignore.

Levi shook his head, but didn’t argue. Carefully, he gathered me into his comforting arms. He leaned down, his nose brushing against mine. His amber eyes were speckled with cosmos of colors and they swirled with equal amounts of adoration and concern.

“If you say so.” He squeezed me gently into him. “I missed you.”

“It’s only been a day,” I attempted to joke, but it fell flat between us.

“A day in here is much longer than it has any right being. And 196 is a certified jackass, but he’s outnumbered, and he knows it.” He brought his lips to mine in a fast-searing kiss before separating from me. He reluctantly set me onto my feet before heaving a sigh.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know what to tell you. What you need to know and what should come later. But I spoke with my Sponsor.”

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