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I shook my head. “Those aren’t mine. I’m not a raven anymore.”
He grabbed my wrist when I tried to pull the hilts out. “Thoseareyours. You earned them.” His eyes seared into mine, and I had to bite my lip to keep it from trembling. “Don’t let any of those assholes make you think otherwise.”
A tear escaped, leaking down my cheek, and I quickly swiped it away. I plucked a few items from my dresser and threw them into the bag before dropping it on my bed.
Fane held up the framed picture of Hawk and me. “You should bring this.”
“You were right about Hawk.” I took the frame and surveyed the two of us as we smiled under the tree in Forsyth Square. We’d made a pact that night to stick together no matter what. Apparently, that didn’t include becoming a nightworlder. “He never would have accepted me as a shifter.” I chucked the picture on the bed and dragged my hand over my cheeks to wipe away more tears.
“I didn’t want to be right about him.” Fane’s rough voice blazed through my unsettling thoughts, ripping them apart. His large, tattooed fingers wrapped around my bicep and drew me toward him. “I’m sorry.”
My vision blurred, and I choked back the lump growing in my throat. “I’m starting to realize if he knew the real me—with my dark secrets and all the horrors of my past—he wouldn’t have wanted that version, either.” I swiveled toward the window, staring at the giant oak we’d climbed a hundred times over the years. “Hawk liked the lie of me.”
Fane’s hand landed on my neck, his thumb stroking a line across my jaw while he turned me toward him. As his multicolored irises bored into mine, they swirled with something unreadable. After a few moments of heavy silence, he shook his head. “The real you is far superior to any lie.”
The air stuck in my lungs, and I couldn’t remember how to breathe. Before I could respond, he marched into the bathroom to grab my toiletries.
How could he be such a prick but know exactly what to say to make me hate myself a little less?
After packing a few more items, Fane tossed both bags on his shoulder. He gripped my chin to force my face toward his. “When we go out there, don’t look down. You keep your head up and don’t let them make you feel any less. They arenotbetter than you. Do you understand?”
Another tear slipped free, and Fane caught it with his thumb, wiping it away.
His features hardened even though his touch remained gentle. “Do you understand, Teague? I need you to say it.”
“I understand.” I took a shuddering breath. “I won’t look down. They aren’t better than me.”
Fane gave a curt nod and marched toward the door. “Let’s go.” He yanked it open, surprising the group of ravens crowding the hall. “Move out of my fucking way before I move you.”
Several stumbled back and plastered themselves against the walls to create a path for the deadly demon shifter.
I trekked behind him, my heart hammering and cold sweat leaking down my nape as they stared at me. Judging me. I’d crossed the invisible line between humans and nightworlders and joined the other side. They may not hate all nightworlders, but for all intense and purposes, I’d become the enemy.
When Fane realized I’d slowed to a crawl under my former allies’ glares, he reached back and grabbed my hand to pull me with him. And I went, my fingers tightening around his, solidifying my place across the divide.
ChapterTwenty-One
Nora openedthe door when we arrived at the Anders’ home in Mohan Wilds, and her soft, sympathetic smile had me stiffening. “Come in, you two.”
“What did you tell her, Maverick?”I asked through our mental link as we stepped inside.“Does she know I’m—was—a raven?”
“She already knew you were a raven. Nora is more perceptive than you think.”Fane closed the door. “Thanks, Aunt Nora. I really appreciate this.”
She waved her hand through the air, tossing her caramel locks around her shoulders. “You’re family. Of course you can stay.” When she tried to hug me, Fane stepped between us to head her off.
“Tate’s not comfortable with people in her space.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I awkwardly shifted on my feet. Fane knew so much about me, but I knew next to nothing about him.
Nora lifted her hands and backed away. “Oh, sorry. My momma wolf instincts are just kicking in.”
“Where’s everyone else?” Fane asked, plucking the other bag off my shoulder as we stood in the living room.
Everything looked the same since the last time we were here—light blue walls, white crown molding, and stairs leading up to a walkway that wrapped around the right side of the living room. For some reason, I’d expected it to have changed as much as I had these last few months.
“Preston’s in Athens at school, Ephraim’s at a summit meeting, and Dylan’s at a friend’s.” She smoothed the oversized lavender sweater that hung off her narrow frame. “I have your room all ready for you, Tate. Please make yourself at home, sweetie.”
My throat tightened at her kindness, especially compared to how the ravens had just treated me. “Thanks,” I muttered.
