The Ravenous Dark, page 47
"Because I’m leaving."
“We’re leaving,” Bailey corrected gently.
"What?" River balked. "But we know who's behind the curse. We'll put the Circe clan down and get the book, and then Ronan won't have to worry about being summoned anymore. Right?" When no one answered she asked again, her voice strained with desperation.
Ronan stood and tugged Bailey up along with him.
"I need space from this place and time to heal. Besides, there's no guarantee we'll secure the book. Magic has limits. I can only hope that if I put enough distance between me and the court, I will at least be out of its reach," Ronan explained kindly.
River's face contorted as if in pain. Bailey felt her struggle to wrangle her emotions. The effort left River's spine as stiff as metal and neck muscles in corded lines as sadness and distress undulated from her.
"Don't you think it will look strange or suspicious that you two are leaving?" River asked tightly.
"If anyone inquires or makes accusations, we'll simply ask that those present share the truth. We're soulmarks.” Ronan looked down at Bailey, his hand reaching up to brush away a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. “And we've decided to explore our relationship outside the confines of the court."
Bailey glanced back at River to witness the color leech from her face. River’s voice was quiet when she next spoke. "How soon will you leave?"
Ronan looked at Bailey. Their hands clasped one another tightly, and she gave him a reassuring squeeze and smile. No communication through their bond was necessary. Wherever he went, he knew without a doubt, she would go to. It was a sentiment he returned wholeheartedly.
Leaning his head a little closer to Bailey, he addressed her quietly. They might have reached a point of attunement that left him awestruck and humbled… but they’d learned the hard way what turmoil could come from assuming consent.
"I can have something arranged for us in a few hours' time. Is that all right with you?” Bailey nodded. “Can you be packed in that amount of time?"
"I can, with help." Bailey glanced at Stella and River expectantly until both girls uttered their agreement.
"Did I overhear correctly?" Jakob asked politely with Irina on his arm. "You're leaving?" Ronan nodded. "You're welcome in our home whenever you need shelter or friends," Fatigue lined his words, but his sincerity was undeniable.
"Thank you," Ronan said. "We'll return once things have settled down and the book is in your possession."
"Take your time," Jakob said.
The others came to say their goodbyes, until all that remained with the foursome was Deval. He quirked an eyebrow at them before folding down into Jakob's abandoned seat.
"I suppose that means you'll be taking off as well?" Deval aimed his question at River. She frowned at him, before shaking her head slowly. "No. I'm not going anywhere."
Bailey was stunned at the news and turned to her friend when the front door was thrown wide open. Jax dragged himself inside, his hair was a mess and eye bloodshot.
"What the hell happened to you?" River asked.
"Between being your anchor and my drinking since the start of this evening, I'm properly hungover," he snapped. Jax closed his eye and rubbed it with the heel of his hands. "I can hardly research properly while in my current state. I'm calling it a night and going to bed." His eye shot open before narrowing suspiciously on River. "You should be in bed after the magic you expended."
River scoffed. "I can take care of myself."
They stood in stalemate for only a few seconds before Jax relented and rolled his eye.
"I wouldn't leave yet," River called after him as he aimed for the stairs in the hallway off to the left. He slowed his gait and sent her a patronizing look.
"And why is that?"
"We've all just gotten our chance to say goodbye. Ronan and Bailey are leaving the court."
River's cool explanation drew Jax to a full stop. He turned, his gaze holding hers as a new type of tension built between them. River raised both eyebrows at him before placing a hand on her hip, daring him to call her bluff.
Jax's lips thinned briefly. Then he turned to Ronan. His countenance had gone from wary and mildly irritated, to something more guarded and vulnerable.
"Taking the honeymoon phase of your new relationship literally?" Jax's voice was the epitome of nonchalance.
"We're soulmarks," Ronan replied. Jax's eye dropped to their joined hands. His throat bobbed as he forced himself to nod.
Jax lifted his eye back to Ronan. "You're really leaving?"
"We are. We want time to ourselves away from the prying eyes of the court."
"Will you return?" At Ronan and Bailey’s confirmation, Jax softened and stood in quiet contemplation of the pair. "I'm happy for you, brother. I wish you nothing but good health and happiness on your newest adventure. Your presence will be missed—both of yours," he added quickly. A grin swiftly lit up his face as he turned his attention to Bailey. "The court is always so much more interesting with she-wolves running about. Alas, we'll simply have to make do with a witch among sorcerers until your return." With a courteous bow to his audience, Jax left with a parting smile that cut at Ronan's heart with its bittersweet countenance.
"I should leave too," Ronan told Bailey. "I need to arrange our travel and accommodations. Where would you like to go first? Would you like to stay in Austria for the coming winter or travel south to someplace warmer?"
For a moment, Bailey could do nothing but stare into Ronan's gray eyes. Unhampered adoration bore down on her making her feel wonderfully warm.
"Paris?"
Ronan leaned his face down to hers, until the tips of their noses brushed, and his breath blanketed her lips. "Paris," he agreed and closed the distance between them. The kiss was shallow and soft. Each gentle pass solidified their bond even further. "Come to my apartment when you've finished packing."
"Okay."
Ronan shuffled back and looked at Deval as he released Bailey's hand. "Would you mind staying up to escort Stella back to her quarters, and Bailey to mine when they're finished?"
"Not at all," the hybrid replied with an easy smile. Deval kicked his feet up on the coffee table and folded his hands across his abdomen. "I've got nothing but time."
Thanking him, Ronan pressed one more lingering kiss to Bailey's lip before leaving.
"Come on." Stella's hand brushed the small of Bailey's back. "Let's get you packed for Paris, and while we do that, you can break down everything that was said tonight into something I can understand. Oh! And tell me about this Otherworld."
"I second that motion. You can also explain everything soulmark related," River added with a pointed glare.
Bailey chuckled and took the lead. "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything. No more secrets."
5 Months Later
Paris was uncommonly charming when it rained. The streets gleamed under car and foot alike as the city carried on with its usual dedicated candor. Bailey and Ronan sat outside under the protective awning offered by Les Deux Magots, people-watching.
Bailey savored the briskness of the damp air. "Another beautiful day," she murmured before taking a sip of her hot chocolate. "Made all the sweeter knowing we can go back to court with the Vrana finally in possession of the grimoire."
A brief letter, written in Jax's familiar scratched scrawl, delivered the news earlier that morning and with it came a sense of great relief. No one expected the book's retrieval to take months, but there'd been a hiccup in Jakob’s swift course of action.
The Circe clan had been warned, and the grimoire hidden by magical means.
All signs pointed to the Lunar Court alerting them, but with no proof to back their suspicions they could do nothing. Nothing but race to find the grimoire before it fell into the wrong hands.
"Are you sure it's not the hot chocolate talking?" Ronan teased, as his fork sliced through their shared vanilla tart. Bailey smirked and lifted a shoulder coyly. Ronan chuckled. "I can't believe you continue to order that every time we come here."
"It's the best in the city. It’s the perfect consistency and too delicious to pass up. Want a sip?" Ronan shook his head and Bailey shrugged. "Your loss."
The patter of rain and ambient music comfortably filled the space between them. They couldn't seem to escape the City of Lights, unable to resist exploring its cobbled streets and irreverent late-night cafes. Bailey didn't mind. The slower pace of life was much appreciated, even if at the start it hadn't felt natural.
It took weeks to disentangle themselves from the Dark Court's way of life. The constant need to be on slowly shifting over time to just be. The reprieve was welcome and allowed them to grow closer together.
"When do you want to go back? Should we send a message to Ana or River?"
Ronan shook his head as he chewed. "Let's give it at least until the end of the month. I thought you might like to see the larger gardens now that the weather's better, excluding today, that is. Everything's just starting to come in bloom, and the city won't be inundated with seasonal travelers just yet. Besides, my last letter from Ana said things were running smoothly enough back at court. Didn't River's say the same?"
Bailey hummed an acknowledgment before taking refuge behind another long drink of her hot chocolate. Ronan eyed her knowingly.
"What is it?"
Bailey set down her mug with a sigh. "I don't know. Something about River and Stella's letters have seemed off the past few weeks." The corner of her lips tipped down. "Actually, it's been more like the past few months."
"Off how?"
"I can't put my finger on it, but maybe I'm reading too much into it? I know these past few months, River’s buckled down with Valdora to find the grimoire since Jax has been giving his focus to reversing Irina’s curse. But she just doesn’t seem present in her letters anymore.” Bailey rested her chin in the palm of her hand. She couldn’t tell if the shift in River’s correspondence was because they were growing apart because of the paths they’d chosen, or if River was shielding her from something.
Neither reason sat well with her.
"And Stella?"
Bailey chewed at her bottom lip. "Her letters are shorter than usual, which I suppose really isn't cause for concern. Deval and Nova started helping with her self-defense training."
"She's probably too tired to write," Ronan said with a chuckle. "As for River, it sounds like her focus might be freeing up now that the grimoire’s been found."
"I hope so," Bailey said in a wistful sigh, even as her brow furrowed with the worry she couldn’t quite shake. "What have your letters been like? No weird vibes from Ana or Jax?"
Ronan blinked. "I suppose they've been a bit sparser than usual and further in between, but I think that’s more to do with Ana wanting me to enjoy our time away. As for Jax, you said it yourself. He’s thrown himself into finding a way to reverse Irina’s curse.” Ronan grimaced. “I think his distance might come more from frustration with his lack of progress. He’s become rather short in our correspondence.”
“I’m sure he’ll figure it out in no time now that he has access to the grimoire,” Bailey said. "Has Ana mentioned anything about their hunt for the Wildings’ mysterious employer?"
Ronan shook his head. “Nothing, and there’s been no hint of a move being made against Stella either.”
Bailey relaxed in her seat after scooting it closer to Ronan. “I'm surprised the Wildings are even still a thing at court."
Ronan snorted. "I'm not. Their ability to weasel out of trouble by playing the 'don't shoot the messenger' card is truly a marvel."
"There are no weasel shifters in the Wildings last time I checked, so that makes it doubly impressive." Ronan smirked at Bailey's attempt to lighten the mood.
A cool breeze knocked a few strands of hair out from behind her ear. Ronan tucked them back for her, and they shared a softer smile between them. Placing her insecurities away, she inhaled deeply enjoying the scent of rain, baked goods, and over-ripened cherry blossoms.
The last scent drew Bailey up short as it grew stronger. It prickled at her memory for some odd reason and left Bailey scanning their surroundings subconsciously. A constant stream of umbrellas bobbed past them from either direction as a distant rumble of thunder seemed to shush her.
"Yes, I'm—oh!"
Both Bailey and Ronan lurched back as a passerby knocked into their table. Apologies spewed forth from the offender. Her lilting accent was a rush of velvet consonants and vowels that had become all too familiar to them in Paris. Bailey flashed an irritated look at Ronan before facing the woman.
She gasped. "You."
"Me," snarled Astrid vindictively.
The demoness wore a red beret that concealed her ox blood horns. She locked eyes with Bailey. A terrible and cruel smile lit up her face, and then she was blowing a blue powder in their faces.
Bailey and Ronan coughed and sputtered, lurching away from the powder, but it was of no use. With the smallest inhalation, it seemed to zero in on them, clogging their noses and mouths.
"Stay in Paris until summer's end. Everything is fine in the Dark Court. Everyone you love is safe. Everyone is fine without you there; if they weren't, they would tell you." Astrid's words wrapped around them, sinking into their blood, and burrowing into their marrow as the powder slowly cleared.
Their resulting coughing and sneezing fits drew the attention of the staff, which appeared a few moments later to check on their guests. Bailey and Ronan calmed after being presented with fresh glasses of water. Thanking the staff, they eyed each other with confusion.
"That was strange," Bailey said, clearing her throat and then finishing off her water. She felt oddly lightheaded, and her earlobes tingled. She rubbed them absently as she looked around at the passing people and cars.
"Very," Ronan agreed. "There must have been something on that last breeze." Ronan coughed into his fist and rubbed at his throat.
"What were we just talking about?"
Ronan's mouth opened to answer, but his mind drew a blank. He leaned back in his seat. "I can't remember. Weren't we talking about extending our stay? It's not as if anyone's in trouble back at court. Ana wouldn't hesitate to tell me if there was."
The tense line of Bailey's shoulders relaxed. She mimicked Ronan's posture and reached out to hold his hand. "I think that's a wonderful idea."
Ronan squeezed her hand. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Bailey said.
Their hearts filled with deep emotion that resonated through their bond. Bailey thought it was a strange sort of fairy-tale ending for them, but one she wouldn't trade for the world. They'd conquered their inner demons and found a love that constantly left her in awe.
Something stirred in her mind at the sentiment. Her wolf shifted a touch restlessly in her mind too, as if unsettled. Bailey shrugged it off as the cool spring breeze nipped at her cheeks.
If this isn't living, I don't want to know what is, she thought contentedly.
From across the street, Astrid watched with annoyed satisfaction as the soulmarks shared a kiss and continued with their afternoon. Reaching into her back pocket, she plucked out her phone and dialed her boss.
"It's done," Astrid said as soon as she heard the other line pick up. "Can I come home now?"
"Not yet," Kat replied. "We need you to keep an eye on them. The batch of memory powder is a new variant. If that little concoction doesn't stick, they'll come back in a heartbeat, and we can't have that."
"That's what you said the last three times," Astrid ground out through her teeth. “I’m tired of babysitting these two lovebirds. Send someone else to tamper with their letters and fuck with their heads.”
“… No.” Kat ended the call and tossed the cell phone onto the front passenger seat, before immediately starting the car and heading back to the Dark Court.
Her mentor, the Duke of Wrath himself, Irial, would be pleased to know Astrid—Kat rolled her eyes just thinking of the insipid bitch—was doing her job effectively. As would the Grand Duchess of Despair, who they were set to meet with upon Kat’s return.
Everything was falling into place, with only one or two hiccups to account for… such as the grimoire used to make their demon hybrid elixir now being in the Vrana’s hands. Kat’s grip tightened on the steering wheel in stifled outrage. They’d spent months upon months perfecting it, using the Roux’s pathetic initiation to first test the elixir, until finally seeing the fruits of their labor come to life in Irina Vrana.
Kat chuckled at the unexpected victory. They’d been after the banshee—and her time would come soon—but the female hybrid was a prize they wouldn’t cry over.
She came to a stop at a traffic light, her grip on the wheel loosening until she recalled the other hiccup they were contending with.
Jax Vrana.
He hadn’t stopped searching for a way to undo the elixir since the night of Irina’s glorious evolution. They’d been privy to his every attempt and subsequent failure, alongside much of the Vrana’s plans to re-establish order and peace in the court, thanks to the clever listening device in a small decorative of a raven.
Working so closely with the Wildings had been a gamble that had paid off at least in that sense. At present, their dealings with the Wildings were becoming a far more expensive gamble without their former leader and her prized lieutenants keeping them in line.
Kat’s thoughts circled back to Jax. If any sorcerer was capable of undoing their elixir, it was him.
Her lips punched together in a straight line.
Kat had recently overheard whispers of Irial working with one of their own to sabotage Jax’s efforts from the inside.
If you could even call Raphael a demon.
Her upper lip curled in disgust. It made sense to her now why Irial allowed the pissant to live, because his friendship—Kat gagged and slammed on the gas pedal, screeching through the light as it turned green and the following one red—with the sorcerer doubled their chances of succeeding with their ultimate plan to see their Lord ascend.
