Chapter 175
Elowen's POV
"You need me." My voice cut through the cold air of the cathedral.
I stepped forward. Away from Cassian's body pressed against the stone wall. My bare feet made no sound on the floor.
Raven's red eyes tracked my movement. That smile still played on his lips. The one that made my skin crawl.
"Am I?" he asked. His voice was smooth. Too smooth.
"Yes." I lifted my chin. "You need me. You need what's inside me."
I placed my hand over my belly. Felt the warmth there. The two tiny lives growing.
Tell him, Juno urged in my mind. Make him see.
"You need my daughter," I said. My voice was steady now. Stronger. "You need her to agree to this insane plan of yours. So stop pretending you have all the power here."
Raven's smile faltered. Just for a second. But I saw it.
"I could take the child," he said. His tone was light. Casual. Like he was discussing the weather.
"No." I shook my head. "You can't. Not without killing me first. And then what? You think a baby will bond with the demon who murdered her mother?"
Behind me, I felt Casper's pride surge through our bond. It warmed me. Gave me strength.
"Elowen..." Cassian's voice was weak. Strained. "Don't anger him."
But I couldn't stop. Not now.
"You played games with people's lives. You made Casper think he killed his own father. You let Luna Ella grieve. You—"
"Enough!" Raven's voice boomed. The shadows on the walls twisted. Grew darker.
But I didn't back down.
"I am not wrong though, am I?" I asked.
Silence.
Raven stared at me. His red eyes burned. But he didn't answer.
Good, Juno whispered. Keep pushing.
"You need my cooperation," I continued. "Otherwise, this whole plan falls apart. So maybe you should start treating me like a partner instead of a prisoner."
"Partner?" Raven laughed. It was a cold sound. Empty. "You think too highly of yourself, girl."
"Do I?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the one who needs something from me. Not the other way around."
Casper growled. Low and dangerous. "Let Cassian go."
"Not yet," Raven said. He didn't even look at Casper.
"Now." My voice was sharp. Final. "Release him. Heal him. Then we'll talk."
Raven's eyebrows rose. "You don't get to make demands of me."
"Watch me." I stepped closer. So close I could smell that metallic scent. Like blood and incense mixed together. "You want my daughter? You want me to even consider this nightmare you're proposing? Then prove you're not just another manipulative bastard."
Through our bond, I felt Casper's shock. His approval. And underneath it all, his fear for me.
"Besides," I added. My hand moved to my belly again. "If you hurt Cassian, if you hurt Casper, what makes you think I'll ever let my daughter near you? What makes you think she'll want anything to do with the demon who tortured her parents?"
That hit something. I saw it in Raven's eyes. The way they widened just slightly.
"Who is to say she would know?" Raven asked. His voice was quieter now. Almost thoughtful.
"What the fuck does that mean?" Casper's voice was a roar.
I held up my hand. Stopped him from moving. From doing something stupid.
"The truth always comes out in the end," I said. I kept my eyes on Raven. "Especially in a world where wolves can read thoughts. Where mates share bonds. Do you really think you can hide what you've done?"
Raven's jaw tightened. He looked away. Looked at Cassian pressed against the wall.
"Fine," he said. "I'll release him. But first, you agree to hear my full plan. All of it. By three o'clock this afternoon, you give me your answer."
"Deal." The word was out before I could stop it. "But I have conditions."
"Full of requests..." Raven's smile returned. But it looked forced now. "Aren't we?"
"They are not requests." I met his gaze head-on. "They are conditions. If you want me to even consider this, you'll agree to them."
"And if I don't?"
"Then you can kill us all right now," I said. My voice didn't shake. Even though my knees wanted to. "But you won't get what you want. You'll never have my daughter. You'll never have your revenge on Selene."
Raven's nostrils flared. "You play a dangerous game."
"I'm not playing." I took a breath. "Condition one: You heal Cassian. Completely. And you release him. Right now."
Raven stared at me. Long and hard.
Then he waved his hand.
Cassian gasped. Fell forward. Casper caught him. Held him up.
"Happy?" Raven asked.
I ran to Cassian's side. My hands touched his face. His chest. Felt for injuries.
"Are you okay?" I whispered.
He nodded. But his eyes were dark. Troubled.
"What's the next condition?" Raven's voice was bored now. Impatient.
I stood. Straightened my shoulders. Looked back at him.
"No harm is to come to them," I said. I pointed at Casper and Cassian. "From you. Or anyone associated with you. No magic. No tricks. No games."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll take my chances with Selene's judgment," I said. "At least she was honest with me. At least she didn't pretend to be something she's not."
Casper's hand found mine. Squeezed.
"You think Selene is better?" Raven laughed. "Oh, sweet girl. You have no idea."
"Enlighten me then." I tilted my head. "Tell me why I should trust you over her."
"Because Selene will do everything in her power to stop those children from being born," Raven said. His red eyes glowed brighter. "She will see them as a threat. A danger to her precious balance."
Cold washed over me. "What are you talking about?"
But before Raven could answer, Cassian spoke.
His voice was rough. Broken. But clear.
"A threat!" he said. He looked up at me. At Raven. "She will be a threat!"
Raven's expression changed. Just for a moment. Something flashed in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... worry?
"Yes," Raven said slowly. "Precisely."