“Fucking bastard.” she muttered. Ray didn’t open her eyes, just sighed deeply,
“Wanna tell me why you followed me, Vera?” she asked, her voice tired.
Shereallydidn’t want to fight today. But being next to Verana made her want to rip her own hair out. Fortunately, Verana didn’t look like she was in the mood to spar with Ray either.
“I was just following instructions.”
Ray’s eyes snapped open, a frustrated breath leaving her lungs as she sat upright and looked back into Verana’s cold eyes, “By Maya?”
Her gaze darted between Ray and Ira, narrowing as it landed on Ira, who had straightened in her seat and was playing with her bracelet,
“Yes.” She said, distracted. Verana’s brows scrunched, “Did you give her that?”
Ray hummed, “Of course.” She replied easily, her eyes narrowing as she caught the curious gleam in Verana’s eyes, “Don’t fucking bother her Vera.”
“ChristI won’t.” Verana snapped back, her sharp eyes rising to Ray’s as she glared back, “Who the hell do you take me for?”
Ray shrugged, relaxing in her seat. The sounds of the waves from far away crashed in on them, silencing any chance of conversation as the three of them sat there in brief solitude. Ray’s eyes shut on their own accord, maybe because of the cool coaxing wind or because of the soft pounding of her heart. She couldn’t really tell.
And with her closed eyes, her mind swayed.
The main event was in a day. All the preparations were done and handled by Verana while Ray looked at the announcement that would take place. Had perfected her stance, her posture for the entire world to see. People who hadn’t even heard her would know her name starting the event. It was a monumental change for both the Lions and Ravens.
It waseverythingRay could ever hope for.
Her thoughts wandered to the dress that had been handed to her. The way it so perfectly showcased who she was.
Whatshe had become.
An alliance that would shift the world’s perspective completely. And it would provide for the provided opportunity to–
“I heard from Maya.” Verana’s voice was low. Quiet enough to pierce through the atmosphere. Ray’s eyes opened slowly, almost lazily as she saw the other girl look out the window. Her dark hair swayed back lightly and Ray snapped up at the serious tone of her voice, “She wants me to find out more about the group.”
Her dark eyes turned to Ira and the younger girl stiffened. Ray’s gaze sharpened, her hand knocking against the table to attract Verana’s attention. Verana looked back at her in exasperation but Ray let her see the pure threat hidden in her eyes,
“You don’t talk to her without me.” She stated, her voice quieter than it had ever been. Verana’s body jerked back lightly, those eyes flashing with the sunlight as she glared back, “Youdon’tmeet her withoutme.”
She’d have to speed up the adoption process.
Ray’s frustrated eyes snapped to Ira’s, who was looking at her with something deep anddifferentin her face. As if noticing Ray’s surprise, Ira stiffened, her expression going stark as she turned away abruptly. Ray bit down on her tongue to hide the shot of hurt that washed over her and turned to face Verana instead.
But Vera had her eyes fixated on her phone, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Ray asked, her previous anger fading as Verana stood up from her seat and murmured,
“I have to take this.”
Ray hummed but leaned back in her seat, her brows furrowing as she saw Verana take a few steps away from the table and press the phone to her ear. Her frown only deepened as she heard the other girl snap into the phone,
“Speak.”
The other voice spoke, and Ray saw Verana’s brows rise, a flash of surprise and confusion flitting across her face. She saw her eyes shut tightly, and she pressed her fingers in the middle of her brows as she shook her head, “Wait,wait–”A pause, and grunt of annoyance,“Just spit it out.”
Ray waited, her heart thundering in her chest as she saw Verana heave a surprised breath. Her eyes snapped open suddenly, her hand dropping from her head,
“WHAT?”She screeched and both Ray and Ira jumped.
That’s it,Ray thought as she shot up from her seat and strode in Verana’s direction. She saw her coming and turned to face her, her shoulders taut as she listened to the voice murmuring furiously on the other end. Ray’s stomach dropped, her heart pounding in her chest as Verana pressed her lips together, a mix of horror and panic crossing across her face,
