Page 68 of Reaper's Quest

Or that. That’s definitely a possibility.

I chewed on the inside of my lip. “But the wording in the note suggests we’re all expected to leave together.”

Go home.

Isowanted to go home. Only I would forever regret leaving our task at the citadel incomplete.

“Maybe because he’s technically our chaperone?” Chace offered.

“Maybe.” Except didn’t the reaping always take priority?

I quickly scribbled a new note to my father and, exposing one of my secrets to Chace, summoned a crow (the raven did not come) using the crow caller, then I sent the message on its way.

Now we wait.

“Handy.” Chace pushed away from the wardrobe, his attention lingering on the summoning device. “What did you say?”

I flicked my gaze over him and then quickly away because…why? Why wasn’t he wearing a shirt?

I cleared my throat. “I asked for a date and time of extraction, just in case.” I slipped the crow caller into my side pocket, then I turned and stared out the window. “In the interim, I think it would be a good idea to try and locate this Valen individual.”

I glanced over my shoulder to gauge his reaction. I did not—did not—sneak another peek at his swirling ink…or moisture-kissed, naked chest.

He grunted, which I took as his agreement.

The intense glare that sparked in his eyes melted me like heated wax beneath his scrutiny. His attention left me hot, thrumming, frustrated, irritated, short of breath, and something else I didn’t want to explore.

His eyebrows arched, and my cheeks flamed. I turned to the sight outside the window, hoping to hide my face from him in case my cheeks blushed too brightly.

He left the room.

And with his departure, the weight upon my chest lifted, and I rediscovered the ease of breath his mere presence had managed to squeeze from my lungs.

But the pooling heat…Thatattempted to take ownership of my body and did not wane.

The next morning,heavy banging on my door pulled me from a restless sleep. Knocks paired with Aoes’s voice calling my name, once, twice, three times.

My body ached, and I fought to keep my eyes closed and limbs unmoving. My usual hour to rise had not yet arrived, had it?

I grumbled something unintelligible.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“Raven. It’s me,” Aoes said from the hallway. “Wake up.”

Mumbling a curse, I rubbed my eyes with my unbandaged hand and reluctantly forced myself upward.

Last night’s confrontation with Chace had taxed me and torn the energy from my soul. Even now, the weight of the exchange continued to confuse me, press my shoulders to the ground. Trust between us might be forever unattainable.

Gunn and Badden do not mix.

A new day and the vision of his disapproving silver-gray glower and strong set jaw still burned behind my eyes. Just as his half-naked body swam through my thoughts all throughout the night. That, and the sight, sensation, of us pressed together on the pub’s second story roof. Him sucking on my finger.

I wanted to pummel his face. And then dootherthings I’d never considered.

Surely, my hand couldn’t compare to his…

Reaping gods. I’m not right in the head.