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.

have been tough at home. If you'd told me, I'd have bought you a good meal. No need

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

I've got some nice clothes saved up.

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16:28 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 39

Amber's outfit, taking it in. Then she let out a

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

a military uniform gets at least three

long you planning to sit behind

hall fell

second Raven's words hit, the room went completely

there knew Vyrdenia

stop them from putting it

added up-Vyrdenia wouldn't play around with something

guy snapped out of it, scrambling for his phone to

seconds later, he

guy got hit with three years last

crowd gasped

Amber, her shocked face now showing a flicker

eyes on her, Amber finally shook off her

down. She stared at

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not since middle school. But even if you can't stand me, you don't have to wish I'd end up in prison like

military status, tricking folks while dressed up. I'm

didn't flinch. "Your brother gave it to you?

at Raven's steady tone, a jolt of panic hitting

stammered, "My brother's a colonel in the military. His info's'

give you his

small nod. "A colonel named Jennings, stationed at Bastion. Shouldn't be tough

Raven's words, panic surging even

filled with tears almost instantly, like Raven's calm words

she shot a quick, sneaky glance at her

up the hint and stepped up, glaring

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,

it?"

every eye in

pretty much Amber's,

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

either.

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Chapter 39

curled into a slow, easy

carrying a hint of

said I'm not military?" she

crowd blinked, thrown

lingered,

felt like Raven had just made a fool of

she snapped back.

"Don't think I don't know you just got out of Bastion Prison two days ago. How could you be

"Who says you can't join the military from