Raven's Revenge: Paranormal Prison Romance (Paranormal Prison Series Book 2)

by Naomi Martin

“And all we have to do is risk our lives,” Elliot adds.

  Dora’s expression grows hard. “You had a choice. You didn’t have to fight,” she growls. “You chose this path.”

  “You don’t know who leadership is,” I say. “Do you?”

  Dora flips her hair over her shoulder and sniffs as she sits up primly. She’s never said she has a direct pipeline to leadership, and she’s never claimed to know who is actually pulling our strings. She’s in charge of this cell. Period.

  “No. I don’t. I get my orders and I’m expected to carry them out,” she confirms. “And when I give orders, I expect they’ll be carried out so long as you’re here.”

  The boys immediately shift into overprotective mode and start yelling and screaming at her, telling her that she can put her orders in some uncomfortable—though creative—places. Through it all, Dora sits impassively, looking almost bored with their tirades; the epitome of the cold, detached, completely unflappable vampire.

  She lets them vent until they run out of bluster and are left sitting there looking at her. A small grin flickers across her lips. “Are you boys finished?” she asks.

  They exchange looks but nobody says a word. She gives them a moment to speak, but none of them takes advantage of it, so Dora nods.

  “Okay, good,” she states. “Then may I please have the room? I would like to speak with Raven. Alone.”

  They open their mouths and start to protest, but I give them all a look and they fall silent again. I offer a smile.

  “It’s okay, guys,” I tell them. “I’ll just be a few.”

  They look at me, then at Dora, then back at me again. They clearly want to stay and argue, but I make sure they can tell by the look in my eye, I’d rather they didn’t. They catch my drift and grumble under their breaths as they shuffle out. The doors slide closed behind them and all three casually lean against the railing outside, letting me know they’re there should I need them.

  “They’re very loyal to you,” Dora remarks.

  I nod. “And I to them,” I reply. “I’m fortunate to have some amazing men in my life.”

  A wan smile touches her lips. “We should all be so lucky.”

  I can see the longing and loneliness in her eyes. It’s so deep and profound that I find myself hurting for her. There are plenty of good-looking, nice men within the ranks of the Breakers. And I know for a fact some of them would give their left nut to be with her.

  But, for whatever reason, she holds them all at an arm’s distance. She keeps herself above everybody. It’s not my business, though. If she wants to hook up with somebody, she will. And if she doesn’t… not my concern.

  She clears her throat and settles her eyes on me. Her gaze is so direct and piercing that it’s slightly unsettling, and it has little to do with the whole vampire thing. It’s just her natural state of being.

  “So,” I say, “this assassination… is it an order?”

  She frowns slightly and lets out a long breath. “No. It’s not an order,” she responds. “It’s a request.”

  “Why me?” I ask. “Was that your idea?”

  She shakes her head. “No, it was leadership,” she tells me. “As for why, it’s simple… you have abilities that nobody else has.”

  “That’s not true. You’ve got dozens of Elementals out there—”

  She cuts me off by shaking her head. “It isn’t a matter that needs to be handled delicately, Raven. If it was just a matter of killing him, we could send a vamp or a shifter. We need to kill him without leaving our fingerprints on it,” she explains. “If it’s known that a super killed him, it will only prove he was right to oppose us and anti-super sentiment will be at an all-time high. Just look at what 9/11 did to Muslims.”

  I trace small circles on the table with my finger, taking her words in. She’s not wrong about anything she just said. This is something that requires a velvet glove, not an iron fist. I get the need for discretion and keeping supernaturals’ fingerprints off of it, but I still can’t seem to wrap my mind around the fact that she’s asking me to commit cold-blooded murder.

  It’s not like this guy is out in the field killing people with his own hands. He’s a bureaucrat. A pencil pusher in a thousand-dollar suit. But I still don’t understand why she’s asking me to do something that requires a light tough. I’m not exactly known as a scalpel. Most would consider me to be something more akin to a chainsaw.

  I raise my eyes to Dora. “And why is it you think I can do this? You know I’m not known for my subtlety.”

  “I know you can be subtle,” she replies. “You just seem to prefer making a lot of noise and blowing things up.”

  A grin curls a corner of my mouth upward. I suppose she’s not wrong. Even the boys like to say I’ve got a flair for the dramatic at times. But I don’t know that I can do what she’s asking. I don’t know that I can ever be that subtle. Honestly, I don’t even know how to do what she’s asking.

  “So, how am I supposed to kill this guy without leaving a fingerprint?” I ask.

  “I’m not an Elemental, so I don’t know the specifics, but what little we know about Spirit suggests you can use it to affect a person’s mind or body,” she replies. “In theory, it should be possible for you to stop his heart with Spirit.”

  It’s an interesting thought. Spirit is the only element that doesn’t touch one of the physicals: earth, air, fire, or water. I’ve only ever really used it to amplify when using the other elements, or when I need to externally bind somebody. I’ve never actually tried to use a weave of Spirit internally on somebody before. But the more I think about it, the more I think it’s actually possible. But it would take a very light, very delicate touch.

  “That could work, I suppose,” I say. “In theory, anyway. But you’d be better off with somebody more used to working with Spirit.”

  “We’ve got two Spirit Elementals,” she replies. “Both of them are young and not nearly as strong as you.”

  “Dora, I don’t know how to do what you’re asking,” I admit. “I’ve never used Spirit in that way before.”

  “You know what they say, you should always try to learn something new every day,” she says with a chuckle.

  I look at her stonily, not finding any humor in it whatsoever. I will admit, though, learning to use Spirit in different ways could help me be more efficient on the field. But my mind keeps coming back to the thought of what she’s asking me to do.

  “I know this is a big ask—”

  “A big ask?” I cut her off. “You’re asking me to murder somebody.”

  “Somebody who hates you—hates us, Raven,” she counters. “Somebody who would murder you himself if given the chance.”

  “Does that make it right to murder them preemptively?” I reply. “This isn’t the same as fighting back against people who are shooting at us in the field.”

  Dora shakes her head. “I know what I’m asking of you is terrible. And I’m sorry I have to ask it,” she says. “But it’s necessary. I wouldn’t ask this of you or anybody else if it wasn’t.”

  I frown and look down at the table again, my mind churning with a thousand different thoughts. I understand the necessity of what she’s asking. It makes sense and is a sound strategy. It’s smart. But it doesn’t make it any easier for me to do this. On the battlefield, the enemies are nameless. Faceless. This is different.

  “Think it over,” Dora says. “But think fast. We’ve got a short window before he’s installed and if you’re not going to do it, we need to make alternative plans.”

  I nod and get to my feet. I look at her but can’t come up with anything to say, so I turn and head out into the comforting embraces of my boys. I glance through the glass doors and see Dora looking out at us, that expression of sadness blended with loneliness touching her features.

  Chapter Six

  Elliot

  “Do you trust her?” I ask.

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  I shrug. “I don’t fully trust
her,” I tell her. “Dora always seems like she’s got an agenda.”

  “Of course she does,” Raven replies. “But I don’t think she’s actually up to anything bad. She’s committed to the cause.”

  I nod and finish stacking wood into the firepit, then channel a thin flow of Fire to light the kindling. As the fire grows, the sound of the wood cracking and popping fills the air between us. The orange and red flames lick the air, sending shadows writhing around our small campsite. The blaze make Raven’s skin glow and her blue eyes sparkle like chips of sapphire. She’s simply breathtaking.

  “You’re getting better at controlling it,” she says.

  “I have a good teacher.”

  I drop down on the blanket next to her and lean back against the log. Tipping my head back, I look up at the sky, marveling at the thousands of stars that litter the velvety blackness above. It’s peaceful. When we’re out here, it’s not difficult for me to believe we’re the only people in the world.

  Every so often, she and I will come out here to camp for a night or two. As much as I love the guys, it’s nice to get away with Raven for a little face time now and then. It’s nice to get away from everything related to the Breakers and this war, and just enjoy one another.

  “Are you going to do it?” I ask.

  She’s quiet for so long I’m not sure she heard me, and I’m about to repeat the question when she looks up at me. I can see the indecision in her eyes. More than that, I can see her fear. Not that I can blame her for that. The idea of being sent on a mission—alone—to assassinate a sitting U.S. senator isn’t exactly a simple assignment. It’s fraught with risk. Perhaps even more risk than we take when we ambush their convoys.

  And it could very well end up with her dead. These people aren’t playing around when it comes to us. But, knowing that, I understand why the order was given to take this guy out. If he really is going to be heading up a committee that will have that much influence over policy regarding people like us, taking him off the board needs to be a serious consideration.

  All that said, selfishly, I don’t want Raven being the one to move against him. I don’t want her anywhere near that guy, or that fight. If I had my way, Dora—or whoever the leadership of the Breakers is—would be sending somebody else to do the dirty work. We risk enough as it is when we go out to attack the convoys.

  “What do you think I should do?” she asks.

  I arch an eyebrow at her. “Do you really need to ask me that question?”

  A rueful grin touches her lips. “I suppose not.”

  “I just feel like they’re using you, Raven,” I tell her. “You’re the strongest person in this camp and they know it. So, it seems to me they’re using it as justification to throw you into the most dangerous situations.”

  She frowns, then looks over at me. “But would I really be risking any more than you, Zane, Gray, or anybody else who fights?” she asks. “My life isn’t any more valuable than anybody else’s.”

  I shake my head. “I’m not saying it is. I just…”

  My voice trails off and I look away. I don’t really have an answer for that because, logically, I know what she’s saying is right. Her life isn’t inherently worth more. I look at her again, feeling the emotions roiling within me as strong right now as they day we met.

  “I know it’s selfish, but your life is more valuable to me,” I say softly.

  She lays a hand upon my cheek and gives me a warm smile. I know she believes in what we’re doing. I know she’s become almost militant in her belief that our people—supernaturals—need to be freed from the yoke men like Villa are trying to tie us to.

  But I don’t truly believe we will ever be completely free from it. People always fear that which they don’t understand, or those who are different. They fear it. Despise it. We’ve seen it play out in history time and time again. It’s just one thread in the fabric of human nature, I guess.

  “You’re going to do it,” I say. “Aren’t you?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t know,” she replies softly. “I’m struggling with this whole thing. The idea of assassinating somebody… it’s not sitting right with me.”

  “I don’t blame you,” I reply, and then I look at her for a long moment. “Listen, if you’re not comfortable with this, then you probably shouldn’t do it.”

  She lets out a breath, the expression on her face pained. Tormented. She turns and stares into the fire, the flames casting flickering shadows across her features.

  “I feel like if I don’t do this, though, and we let this guy take control of this committee, I’ll be allowing our people to be imprisoned and slaughtered by the thousands,” she says. “I feel like if I do nothing, I’m letting Villa and these bastards win. And they won’t stop until they’ve eradicated or enslaved our kind.”

  A long silence stretches out between us as we snuggle close together and enjoy the sounds of the forest. The song of night birds fills the air, the fire crackles and pops, and the sound of insects echoes around the forest that’s pressed close around us. It’s beautiful and tranquil. I could stay out here forever with Raven, leaving all thoughts of this stupid war behind us, and be happy.

  But I know that so long as Villa and his men continue to hunt us, there will be no peace. This war will continue until we either win our freedom, or we’re all annihilated.

  “I don’t want to think about it anymore right now,” she murmurs, nuzzling closer to me. “I just want to relax and enjoy this beautiful evening with you.”

  I slip my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to me, planting a kiss on the crown of her head. She looks up at me with a smile on her face that makes her look almost angelic. To me, she’s perfect. I lean down and press my lips to hers. Raven’s full lips part and she slips her tongue into my mouth, whirling it around my own.

  She bites my bottom lip, a flirtations gleam in her eyes, and my body instantly reacts. Fire is coursing through my veins and I kiss her again. Harder. Her soft moans are lost in my mouth as I pull her on top of me. She straddles my lap and leans forward, kissing and nipping my neck as she grinds herself against me.

  She pulls back and looks into my eyes, biting her bottom lip with a sultry gleam in her eye, and I feel myself growing impossibly hard. More than anything, I’m excited to see the old Raven coming back to me. To us. I haven’t seen that flirty light in her eye in months. More than just the sex, though, seeing that smile on her face and the warmth in her bearing again… that makes me the happiest.

  “You know, I don’t bring you out here just for the sex,” I say.

  “Liar. Yes, you do,” she says with a grin.

  “Well, I admit it’s nice to not have somebody listening in from a room away,” I tell her. “But I promise that’s not the only reason I like coming out here with you.”

  She starts to slide off my lap with a shrug and a feigned pout on her lips. “Well, I can always—”

  I cut off her words by pressing my mouth to hers, kissing her fiercely once more as I grab her by the hips, keeping her on my lap. As our tongues swirl languidly around each other, Raven starts to roll her hips, grinding herself against my swollen, stiff cock. The feeling of her pressed to me sends jolts of electricity shooting through my entire body.

  She raises her arms and I slide her hoodie up her body and pull it off, tossing it onto the log behind us. Her full breasts spill out into my hands. I lean forward, running the tip of my tongue around her pert nipple and she gasps when I pinch the other. She presses her breasts to my mouth and I lick and suck on her nipple, kneading her other breast, as she continues to grind herself against my thick staff.

  Raven looks down at me and gets to her feet with a wicked little grin on her face. She kicks off her shoes and quickly pulls her yoga pants down. Stepping out of them, she puts her leg up on my shoulder, grabs hold of my hair, and pulls my face to her. I lap eagerly at her center, pushing my tongue past her slick, swollen lips, relishing the taste of her.

  She hol
ds my head in place, grinding herself against my mouth, her moans drifting up into the trees as I lick and lap at her in a near frenzy. I feel her juices around my mouth and on my chin, and it drives me crazy. I can’t get enough of her.

  Grabbing her ass, my fingers pressing into her flesh, I pull her down harder on my face. I plunge my tongue as deep inside of her as I can, licking and lapping at her wetness, savoring her scent and her taste. I take her clit between my teeth and she gasps as I give it a firm nip.

  I slide two fingers into her as I suck on her bud, feeling a tremor pass through her body. Swirling my tongue around her clit, I drive my fingers into her, and a low, throaty moan passes her lips. Raven’s body tightens around me, her legs shaking as I continue to suck on her button, banging her hard and fast.

  A moment later, Raven pulls my hair hard, almost painfully, as she cries out. Her voice echoes around the forest, startling a small group of birds sheltering in a tree nearby. They take wing with a noisy flutter and cry, and Raven sinks down onto my lap again, her body limp, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

  “My God, you’re good at that,” she gasps.

  “Can’t help it. You taste too good.”

  She gives me a lopsided smile and gets to her feet. Reaching down, she offers me her hand.

  “Get up,” she orders.

  “I like it when you take charge.”

  “I know you do.”

  I do as she says, and she immediately sinks to her knees. She has my belt undone and my pants down around my ankles in the blink of an eye. I step out of them and kick them aside as Raven leans forward, taking my cock into her mouth. She tightens her lips around my shaft and starts to move her head up and down on me, gripping the base of my staff and working her hand in time with her mouth.

  I shudder and throw my head back, letting out a long, deep moan, my entire body wrapped in ecstasy. She thrusts her head and hand up and down on me vigorously, her grip on my shaft tightening even more. I feel my entire body growing taut. Raven works me over like she has something to prove and I feel myself hurtling toward the brink faster than I want. It’s been so long since she’s been this passionate, I want to savor this time together as long as possible.