Levi’s eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring. “You mean Nightingale. You still haven’t explained where Jayce is. I understand that you are the man who saved Raven from Nightingale the first go round. I get that you kept Sparrow safe for years. But whatisn’tclear to me is how you became the fuckin’ Host,” Levi whisper-yelled, a vein bulging in his temple.
Oleks’s eerie, mucky brown eyes rippled as he whipped his attention to Levi. “Nightingale had a plan. Julian was simply her puppet. Just as I was Griffin’s. All of our strings were tugged on, for years, for this exact minute. For this instance. I imagine Julian didn’t know anything of Nightingale’s plans.”
“It sounds like you met her.” Julian narrowed his eyes at Oleks.
Oleks didn’t respond for several long beats. He rolled his lips between his teeth. When he finally spoke, his voice was husky, distant. “I knew her as Ana. She sent me to Griffin.” Oleks shook his head aggressively, as if he were attempting to rid himself of the thoughts forming. “I will go in search of Ivan, see if I can find any trace.” Oleks nearly jolted off the bed and out the door, causing both Julian and Levi to jump. It was the first time he had left Raven’s side since they made it onto this boat. Julian watched open-mouthed as he disappeared from view.
“Is that true? Did she not tell you anything?” Levi pressed, his concerned amber eyes meeting Julian’s.
“Nothing that served any purpose.”
Levi inclined his head accepting the answer. “I’m tired of seeing Raven like this. Is she going to be safe from here on out?”
Julian mulled the question over, pushing past the buzz of energy that expanded in his gut at what going to Grypheem would entail. At what he knew of the rest of the world.
Of their corruption. Of their evil. Of their hypocrisies.
Even through all of that, she was who they revered.
“She is what they considerSacred Cherished. It will keep her alive.”
Levi furrowed his brows. “But not safe.”
Julian didn’t answer, letting the truth sink between them. An anchor that held them in the space together. Both aware that while they had escaped from the games, they were in no less danger…
Julian focused on Raven’s breathing. He mimicked the rise and fall of her chest, forcing himself to relax. To not spiral.
The two men sat there for hours in that silence. In that weight.
Julian knew with certainty, once they left this boat, there would be no peace.
Chapter 3
Hope Is a Fleeting Feeling
Griffin
Present Day – Catastro Sea
Griffin hardened his shoulders as the rain pelted him from above. He stared off the boat to the east, but he couldn’t see more than a hundred feet through the storm.
His fingers gripped the banister tightly as the entire ship rolled over a particularly large wave. His stomach flipped with it. Around him, the crew worked meticulously, but he paid them no mind. An extra loud crash drew his attention to an empty section of the ship. A moment of panic as he feared the worst. That someone had fallen overboard. But he quickly shut it down, Raven was safe below.
“Brother.” The word distracted him from the noise and drew his attention. Drago’s approach had been masked by the loud crashing of waves and thunder roaring above.
I need to be careful. Ivan might be here. Somewhere. Even if all our attempts to find him have ended in failure.
Griffin hummed his welcome, his attention returning to the west,waiting. An instant later, lightning lit up the sky.
Confirming what he had sensed—another ship was out there.
His heart beat rapidly. He had more than his fair share of encounters with ships on his voyages to and from Violencia.
Drago followed his gaze. “I have an agreement with the people of Vanravara in place now. They should allow us safe passage. Their newest leader has a relationship withAnadil.”
Griffin pushed off from the banister, he wobbled but then his brother’s sturdy hand grabbed his shoulder, stationing him in place. “You made a deal with the pirates?” The question was hypocritical, but he didn’t care. “With Anadil?”
Drago used his free hand to wipe Griffin’s wet hair back. “You look exactly like our father with that expression on your face. He wore distrust as a mask for his own anxieties. Fear not, your sweetRavenwill be safe through our voyage.”
