The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Amber didn't waste any more time with small talk. She flashed a quick grin and dove right in.

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Then she said, "This outfit's something my brother grabbed from the military. Rumor has it, a legend designed it-a young one not even twenty who shot up to general."

The second she finished, a gasp rolled through the crowd.

Someone spoke up, acting clueless, “A general before twenty? You talking about THAT guy? The one who might be the military's fourth in command?"

Amber blinked, thrown off. "Hold up, you actually know him?" she asked, sounding surprised.

"Holy-" someone blurted.

Her response pretty much confirmed it, and the room let out a collective gasp, mouths hanging open.

The person who designed that outfit was THE military legend!

While everyone stood there, stunned, staring at Amber, Raven and Hailey walked into the banquet hall.

It didn't take long for a classmate to spot Raven.

He blurted, "Hey, check it out! Her outfit's just like Amber's!"

Everyone turned to look at Raven at once.

Then they stopped cold.

It wasn't just close. Anyone could see it was the same exact design-same shape, same style.

Only Raven's looked like the upgraded version.

Amber's eyes locked onto Raven, her expression darkening fast.

She'd just bragged about how unique her outfit was, and now this nobody shows

up in something way too similar-nicer material, too. It felt like a punch

in the gut.

"Hold on," someone muttered. "Doesn't she look like that Raven girl who got sent to Bastion Prison a few years ago?"

Another voice jumped in, confident, "Oh man, it is her!"

The first guy frowned. "She's out of Bastion already? But... shouldn't a reformed convict like her be banned from a party like this?"

Amber's lips twitched, a flash of scorn in her eyes as she looked Raven up and down.

But then she put on a smile and strolled over to Raven.

"Hey, Raven," she said, her voice oozing fake kindness. "Out of jail already? Why didn't you let me know?"

Her eyes softened into a pitying look as she scanned Raven.

she added, "I heard things have been tough at home. If you'd told me, I'd have bought you a good

even tossed in, "That outfit-it's just something you picked up

got some nice clothes saved up. Way better than that thing you're

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Chapter 39

it in. Then she

the deal," she said, her tone steady and cutting. "Under Vyrdenia law,

caught wearing a military uniform gets at least

planning to sit

big hall fell in

went completely still, like

no one there knew Vyrdenia had a law like

knowing didn't stop them

play

snapped out of it, scrambling for

seconds later, he

crap, it's legit! Some guy got hit with three years last

crowd gasped

shocked face now showing a flicker of

their eyes on her, Amber finally

took a deep breath, forcing herself to settle down. She stared at Raven, her eyes full of

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you've never liked me, not since middle school. But even if you can't stand me, you don't have to wish I'd end up

tricking folks while dressed up. I'm

"Your brother gave it to you?

at Raven's steady tone,

"My brother's a colonel in

give you

"A colonel named Jennings,

at Raven's words, panic

eyes filled with tears almost instantly, like Raven's calm words had shaken her to her

same time, she shot a quick, sneaky glance at

her friend, picked up the hint and stepped

said, her voice cutting, "you're saying Amber could go to jail for wearing military stuff. What about you? If it's such a big deal, why

it?"

every eye in the room swung back

was pretty much Amber's, just a

civilians couldn't wear this stuff, she shouldn't be wearing

either.

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Chapter 39

puzzled stares, Raven's lips curled

a hint of

said I'm not military?" she

crowd blinked, thrown

words lingered, leaving them

made a fool of

she snapped back.

got out of Bastion Prison two days ago. How

raised an eyebrow. "Who says you can't join the