Page 21 of A Touch of Madness

“You didn’t have to,” Ravenna retorts, her voice edged with fondness. “You were practically begging for it, whether you realized it or not.” She looks at me, her expression softening. “He likes to downplay it, but Lucian has a knack for biting off more than he can chew. I’ve patched him up more times than I can count.”

“And yet you still let me through the door,” Lucian counters, his tone light.

Ravenna shakes her head, but there’s no malice in the gesture. “Because you’ve helped me just as often, dear, even if it wasn’t always graceful. You’ve pulled me out of more than a few fires—literally.”

Lucian shrugs, his smile fading slightly. “I believe that’s what friends do.”

The weight of the unspoken history between them lingers in the air, heavy with memories I can’t begin to imagine. There’s a bond here—one forged in fire, blood, and survival, if I had to guess.

Ravenna turns to me, her expression serious now. “Lucian may be infuriating, but he’s loyal. When he trusts someone, he’s all in. That’s not a trait you find often, especially in this world.”

“Don’t make me sound too noble,” Lucian says with a faint grin. “You’ll ruin my reputation.”

"Well let’s get down to business then,” she says. “I knew you two were coming tonight but I wasn’t aware it would be under dire circumstances; I thought we were just having a meeting about something simple—like humanity.” She chuckles, and even though this isn’t a light conversation, it makes me feel better. “However, you aren’t well,” she says, though it’s clear she’s already seen past the surface. Her gaze moves over Lucian, lingering on his bruised knuckles, though they are already healing, and the visible exhaustion weighing on him.

Lucian sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Not exactly," he mutters. "It’s been a long night."

Ravenna’s sharp eyes narrow with concern. "That much is clear,” she says softly, crossing her arms over her chest. "What happened?"

Lucian glances at me for a moment, before turning back to her. "Factions are at war. The Solstice Society has stolen blood packs—the packs our faction survives on. They’re preparing for something, but I don’t know what—aside from our total extinction. Vampires are already getting hungry…too hungry. Desperate. They aren’t used to going without. I had to stop an attack in the alley tonight—hence the blood.” He looks down at himself. “One of the Unbound."

Ravenna’s eyes flicker with a brief flash of recognition as she absorbs his words. Then, she lets out a small, almost inaudible sigh, her demeanor softening. She stands and moves toward the counter and grabs a glass of water, setting it in front of him. "And you’re still standing, I see," she says, her voice laced with a quiet admiration. "You’ve always been more resilient than most.”

He offers a tired but genuine smile, his expression lightening for a moment at her words. "That’s kind of you, Ravenna. But I think I’m pushing the limits of even my patience tonight."

Ravenna chuckles softly, the warmth of the moment settling between them. "I’ve seen the best of you, Lucian. There’s more to you than just the darkness."

Her words hang in the air for a beat, a mutual respect between them that neither of them have to voice, but that I can feel. It’s an unexpected softness between two beings who should, by all rights, be at odds. Though, when I told Lucian about starting work here, he was transparent about knowing Ravenna. He told me they’ve known each other for decades. That she’s always been kind to him, even when others in her circle weren’t.

I clear my throat, the silence growing too long.

“Well, now that we have all of that out of the way," I say softly, trying to break the tension. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me off the clock about this. I’m at a standstill with the Lara situation, and I don’t know where to turn." I shrug as my face falls, unable to contain my emotions for a second longer. Part of me thinks I could break down and start bawling at any moment—the other doesn’t know if I have it in me.

Ravenna’s gaze softens, her expression shifting from playful to serious in an instant. "I’ve been thinking a lot about this ordeal, dear,” she says, her eyes shifting from me to Lucian—then back again. “You’re carrying too much for someone so new to all of this.” A grim expression crosses her face. “I want to help you, and I’ve spoken to others who are willing as well. I just want to make sure this is the best choice foryouas well.”

I nod, trying to hold back the rush of emotion that her words bring. "I trust you," I say, my voice steady but tinged with desperation. "And I also trust myself and what I’m capable of, too. The best choice for me is to get Lara’s humanity back. I can’t... I can’t lose her. Not for good. I have to cling on to some hope that we can get her back."

Ravenna tilts her head, her eyes thoughtful as she studies me. "Restoring a soul is no small feat, Sylvie; I know I’ve explained that much. It’s not something that can be done without great consequence. We’re playing with fate, with life, with the order of things."

I lean forward, desperate. "But thereisa way. You can help me, I know you can."

Her lips curl slightly into a knowing smile, but her eyes remain serious. "There is one option. One ancient ritual that I’ve heard of, but it has... it has both worked and failed in the past. I can take you through the steps in time, but it won’t be easy. And the results are incredibly unpredictable."

I clench my fists in my lap. "I’ll do anything. If there’s even a chance…" I trail off.

“Very well,” she says. “We will move forward with setting up a meeting with my elders. I can’t guarantee anything, dear. But I can commit to helping you in any way I can—regardless of the outcome.”

I thank her profusely and reach over to give her a hug.

Lucian speaks then, his voice a low rumble, the weight of his exhaustion clear in his tone. "Not to interrupt your planning, but Ravenna, is there a way you can help with the blood shortage? Potions, or something? Anything at all? I will be indebted to you, of course."

Ravenna looks at him, considering his words. "You’ve always been resourceful," she says, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "And I’ve seen you push the boundaries of what’s possible. I might be able to brew something to help with the blood shortage for the time being, but it won’t be enough for long-term survival. Potions are a stopgap solution, nothing more." A wary look crosses her face. “But anything is better than if we start having a string of violent Unbound outbursts—or worse, if your faction starts going feral, too. Or even the high and mighty Ascendancy. I wish the three of you would learn to work together. You’d be so powerful if you were all on the same team for once.”

Lucian’s gaze darkens slightly, but he nods in understanding. "I know. Believe me, Dorian and I have tried. It’s like there is no getting through to them.” He hangs his head before adding, “And as far as the blood and your short-term solution…anything will help.”

Ravenna steps toward her shelves, moving with the practiced grace of someone who has seen more than their fair share of hardship—and who has helped more people than I’ve probably even encountered in my lifetime, judging by what Rebecca, Nicole, and Lucian have all said about her. "I’ll prepare something for you,” she says, grabbing a few herbs off the shelf. “Also, while I’m thinking about the meeting with the elders, Sylvie…” she trails off as she gathers things. “I suppose there isn’t much I can do to prepare you prior to the meeting. But like I’ve said, this won’t be a simple incantation." She brings the herbs back to the table and sets them down.

I swallow hard, my throat tight. "How will it work when we meet with them?”

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