The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The boy's thin arms were held down on the blood-draw table by two doctors, their hands gripping him like iron.

They weren't risking any wiggling. The force was harsh, pressing deep into his skin.

"It hurts..." the boy murmured, his small voice shaking as he tried to pull back without thinking,

"Zach, honey, it'll be done soon," a nurse said gently, her voice warm and comforting. "We just need a little of your blood to save someone. She's a wonderful, kind woman. You're not afraid of a quick pinch, are you?"

Zach Valor stopped moving when he heard her. That soft tone settled over him, and he quit resisting,

He tilted his head, his innocent face-like something out of a classic painting- looking up at her.

"Really?" he asked, his voice quiet but genuine.

The nurse locked eyes with him, those big, trusting eyes full of hope, and felt a stab of guilt.

But then she remembered the hefty bonus she'd get if Mrs. Grayson pulled through fast.

Pushing the feeling aside, she nodded. "Yeah, little guy. One quick sting, and that nice lady gets to live. You're the bravest kid I've ever met-no pain's going to stop you."

Zach's expression hardened with resolve. "Okay! If it saves her, I'm not scared."

him once that his big sister was gone for good-dead, no way to

to change it,

though? A little pain, and even if it wasn't his sister, he could save

he agreed, the needle stabbed into his thin

they'd

pain shot through him like a jolt, racing up his small arm and

His whole body flinched.

the doctors

on his lip, tiny teeth

stung his eyes, but he blinked

want to let

imagined saving her-the kind

already lost his own. He didn't want anyone else to feel

pain,' he told himself. 'I

blood kept flowing into the bag, and his lips turned

pain so intense he could've

bag was full, heavy with his

should we stop?" The nurse's voice

at

Zach's growth. Any more, and

it still wasn't enough for the