RUN!
The word was clearly mouthed and Levi was set to do just that.
But he was too late.
“I see. The rumors are true.”
Levi set Raven down, placing himself firmly in front of her.
The High Priestess stepped into view from inside the room, staring down her nose at Levi.
This woman was terror wrapped in flesh, a snake that slithered under the disguise of skin.
Levi had met one other person that reminded him of the woman before him.
Ivan.
“A wanted man with a Sacred Cherished woman. And she’s covered in bruises.” The High Priestess moved until she was in Levi’s face.
He was aware of the priests surrounding them now, filing out of the room and encircling them, but he kept his attention on the woman before him.
The most obvious threat.
“High Priestess,” Drago’s voice came from behind, but Levi didn’t dare turn.
Levi kept his gaze on the High Priestess. Her translucent skin illuminating eerily as she raised her hand up to him.
“Drago. I told you I would be stopping by. I requireproof.Imagine my surprise when the cherished was not where she was meant to be. When yourlackeyattempted to stop me from entering. And now here the woman is with this neanderthal.Thisman was in the games. He should be behind bars, notwith the Cherished.”
Levi watched the Priestess’s face attempting to understand the emotions displayed there, but it was as if he were watching a sheet in the wind. Fluttering and flickering but still blank and empty.
“And so you have.” Drago’s steps approached.
Levi wrapped a hand around Raven from behind holding her to him.
“I will leave. But we are taking thismanwith us. He will be punished accordingly to his crimes.”
Levi stiffened as understanding pulsated through him. That he was going to be torn from Raven.
Was this Drago’s plan? An accident?
“No!” Raven shouted from behind him. She attempted to move, but Levi held her in place.
The High Priestess’s eyes lit up. “Was it consensual? Did you allow this man to claim you?”
“She did not,” Levi replied gruffly. He understood there was more at play than he grasped. That they were simply tools towards some political goal. “I will go with you willingly. She was not a part of this. I took her from Griffin and Julian as they slept.” There was truth to the words.
Levi turned around, staring down at Raven, attempting to convey a thousand words in the few moments they had.
Raven’s eyes were glassy, the come down from the drugs had already left her uneasy and he knew this would topple her further off the edge.
“I’ll be okay, darlin’. Stay safe,” he murmured, not daring to reach for her, to touch her again.
Large hands grabbed hold of his arms, wrenching him far away from her. He didn’t fight them. He watched as Dragostepped behind her, holding her shoulders, not allowing her to run.
The hood went over his head just as she toppled to her knees.
But Levi didn’t fight, he wouldn’t do anything to put her in danger. Even if that meant being taken from her, separated.
