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.

I'd have bought

you picked up

acting generous, she said, "Come on, I've got some nice clothes saved up. Way better than

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16:28 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 39

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

said, her tone steady and cutting. "Under Vyrdenia

a military uniform gets

you planning to sit behind

big hall fell in

went completely still,

one there knew Vyrdenia

stop

up-Vyrdenia wouldn't play around with something like

it, scrambling for his phone to

few seconds

it's legit! Some guy got hit with three years last year for the

gasped in

her shocked face now showing a

her, Amber

settle down. She stared at Raven, her

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

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

gave it to

steady tone, a jolt of panic hitting

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

give you

named Jennings, stationed at

Raven's words, panic surging even

Raven's calm words had shaken

she shot a quick, sneaky glance at her

hint and stepped up, glaring at

voice cutting, "you're saying Amber could go to jail for wearing military

it?"

hit, every eye in the room

pretty much Amber's, just a

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

either.

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16:29 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 39

their puzzled stares, Raven's lips curled into a slow, easy

a hint

not military?"

crowd blinked, thrown off

lingered, leaving them

Raven had just made a fool

she snapped back.

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

eyebrow. "Who says you can't join the military from behind