The fledge said nothing.His silent tears kept flowing.Maxim had no idea whether he’d been heard, but Raven’s eyes were clear despite all those tears, and that was something.
Chapter 7
Ravenwasbackinthe passenger seat, back in the hunter’s car.He’s not one of…them.He’s okay.Probably.Wouldn’t have shown his face around campus if he were one of them.
“How’d you have Jason’s number?”he asked, not turning his head to look at the hunter.
“Why, he demanded I stay in contact.Back when he was still looking for you.He insisted I find you.”
Raven smiled, and he caught the faint reflection of his face in the window, not quite sure he recognized the expression anymore.“Running after me.Who does he think he is, my prince in shining armor?”
“Oh, I doubt he has such intentions.Should I text and ask?”
Raven turned.The hunter was sitting there, maneuvering through traffic with his phone in his hand.
Raven pointed.“That’s illegal.”
Maxim glanced at the device.“Inquiring about your roommate’s intentions?”
“Texting while driving.”
“Ah.Well, human police cannot fine a hunter for such things.”
“Abuse of power,” Raven mumbled before turning back to the window.“You got him to buy books for you.And then we just left.”
“You saw me text and leave a note.I will arrange for him to bring them by the house later.And they’re not for me, as such.They’re for a young werewolf child who’s very dear to me, and for a friend.He’s a collector of the fine art depicted in Kawaii Demon Hunter.”
“You sound too old to even know what that is.”
Maxim gasped.“You too, Brutus?Raven, you must not think such things!I am but a spring lamb of this age, truly!”
Raven wanted to respond, but exhaustion had her teeth in him.“Yeah.”
Maxim hummed.“You’re sure you brought enough clothing?Going shopping like Heath suggested is an option.On my credit card, of course.”
“No, I’m good.”
Maxim had packed the duffel, the very one Raven had carried into the shared dorm room when he’d started school.Maxim had asked what to pack and accepted Raven’s nods when it came to the clothes as much as his head shakes when he’d asked about the books.Raven had allowed his laptop and charger, but that was about it.He didn’t even know what he’d do with that laptop now.It was old; good for school but bound to crash.Raven didn’t know whether he’d have a use for it.
“Very well.Just know that you can change your mind.”
“Hmm.”
Raven was so tired, and traffic was slow.I’ll close my eyes, just for a second.
Someone reached for him, and Raven jerked awake, the half dream slipping off him like a filthy sheet.
“Shh, just me.”Maxim’s hands were raised in a gesture of surrender.“We’re home.”
“H-home?”
“Back at 43 Ruthaven.My home.Where it’s safe.”
“Oh.”Raven looked around.The parking garage was illuminated.Still, it looked scary with the concrete, the sharp edges.But I can move.They made it so I couldn’t move before.That gave Raven an idea.“C-can you compel me?”He looked at Maxim.“Can you do that to me?”
The hunter hesitated but then shook his head.“No, not with you.It might be done in the transitional period with some.But the blood you received—my blood—is too old to allow that.”
Raven sighed.“Too bad.”
