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."

had told him once that his big sister was gone for good-dead, no

to change it, but

if it wasn't his

the needle stabbed into his thin vein. Bright

make it quick, they'd chosen a big,

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

His whole body flinched.

of the doctors ordered, his voice

his lip, tiny teeth digging in to stop himself from

his eyes, but he blinked them

didn't want to let the

his mind, he imagined saving her-the

He didn't want anyone else to feel

just pain,' he told himself. 'I can

and his lips turned

against pain so intense he could've passed out. But he held

bag was full,

stop?" The

at the

taken enough to harm Zach's growth. Any more, and

it still wasn't enough for the