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 a good meal. No need to sneak in here and graze off the

picked up from Bastion Prison because you had

on, I've got some nice clothes saved up. Way better than

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Chapter 39

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

the deal," she said, her tone

caught wearing a military uniform gets at least three years in prison.

planning to

hall fell in

room went completely still, like the

Vyrdenia had a law

not knowing didn't stop

play

out of it, scrambling

few seconds later,

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

gasped in

toward Amber, her shocked face

eyes on her, Amber

down. She stared at Raven, her eyes full of hurt and

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me, 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 you

mentioned-it's probably for people faking military status, tricking folks while dressed up. I'm just wearing something my brother gave me-how's that a

"Your brother gave it to you?

tone, a jolt of panic hitting

"My brother's a colonel

give you

colonel named Jennings,

Raven's words, panic

Raven's calm

shot a

the hint and stepped up, glaring at Raven

Amber could go to jail for wearing military stuff. What about you? If it's such

it?"

question hit, every eye in the room swung back to

pretty much Amber's,

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

either.

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Chapter 39

their puzzled stares, Raven's lips curled into

carrying a hint of unshakable

not military?" she

crowd blinked, thrown

lingered,

Raven had just made a fool of her. Before anyone

she snapped back.

she barked. "Don't think I don't know you just got out of Bastion Prison two days ago.

you can't join the