The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Cassian's face did shift-just not how Isla wanted.

It wasn't warmth or interest; it was impatience, sharpening by the second.

His cool, distant eyes landed on her, and his voice sliced through like a knife, hitting her square in the chest.

"I didn't come here for this nonsense," he said, flat and to the point.

Isla's beautiful eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness as she listened to Cassian Lysander's heartless words.

Isla froze, her gorgeous eyes filling with shock and a stubborn refusal to buy it.

Her charm-something every guy around her fell for-felt worthless with this man. Normally, she'd just snap her fingers, and guys would stumble over each other to win her over. But him? No.

Is he so picky that I don't even make the cut?' That idea slammed into her, making her stomach drop.

But then she brushed it off-no chance.

Family? She was from one of Regalhold's top five.

Looks? She could outshine any actress and leave the other heiresses eating dust.

Skills? Top five at Regalhold Academy, hands down.

She was absolutely sure no woman alive could beat her at her own game.

And still, this guy wasn't biting. That's what really got under her skin.

Before she could sort it out, Cassian's patience ran out.

His sharp, icy stare locked onto her, practically yelling he was about to snap. "Where's the info I asked for?" he pressed.

Isla's little fists tightened as his words-completely ignoring her confession-hit home.

Then, like she'd settled on something huge, she pulled out a card the size of a tarot deck.

It gleamed green like crystal, with a classic wooden design carved right in the middle-a Starcard. She slid it his way.

"Cassian, this Starcard's for you!" she said, her voice perky with hope.

As she talked, her eyes stayed glued to his sharp, handsome face.

الحمد الله الله الله

She figured no matter how frosty he was, he couldn't ignore something this good.

But to her surprise, Cassian glanced at the Starcard, and not even a flicker of want crossed his face.

If anything, he just looked colder, darker.

"I'll ask one last time," he said, his voice low and edged with heat. "Where's SHE?"

Isla could feel the tension rolling off him, thick and risky.

13

www

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SEND THEr neck

fear jolted

spit out.

sweeping over

look her way, he turned and made a beeline for the

he walked off. Her failed confession still stung, but a spark of determination

Cassian's brush-off was just him

could play

she stuck with it, her charm

he'd regret shutting her down and trip

thought cheered her

for when Cassian didn't find Raven up there, took

up in the second-floor banquet

over

looking so beat down,

to Franklin, who seemed like he'd run out of

yourself," she told him coolly.

your messes, and that dream of yours-getting the Valor family into the big leagues? That's still doable." Franklin's head jerked up, a spark lighting in

to the top clans before he kicked it, he'd die with

a moment later, his look turned cautious

it gonna cost me?" he asked, voice

=

fought tooth and nail to get

just let

small smile. "I heard someone in the Valor family once unsealed a

thrown off by the

nodded slowly. "Yeah,"

beat, surprise and doubt mixing on

got a sealed Starcard on

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Chapter 67

only a few Starcards in

for now, wasn't something just anybody could

it back on

it?"

as he caught the silent

he met her stare

tell you how to unseal a Starcard, and you make sure the Valor family gets a solid spot among

stomach dropped a bit when she realized Franklin only knew the how-to, not how

despite everything Franklin had done to Ruth; and Ruth, however, still gave a damn about the Valor

how it was,

a quick

others in the room, then paused as he looked back

big shot," he said carefully. "I'm counting on you not bailing

in front of everyone to lock her in. She let out a quiet laugh. "Getting the Valor family into

wild,"

really do that?" another guy chimed

sucked in sharp breaths at Raven's almost smug

she could pull it