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

1/4

59%

+13

SEND THEr neck

raw fear jolted

spit out.

nod, his cold eyes sweeping over her once

her way, he turned and made

failed confession still stung, but a spark

Cassian's brush-off was just him being slow to

play

she stuck with it, her

did, he'd regret shutting her down and trip

thought cheered

find

in the second-floor banquet

glanced over

beat down,

Franklin, who seemed

told him coolly.

into the big leagues? That's still doable." Franklin's head jerked up, a spark lighting in his eyes as he stared at

the top clans before he kicked it,

moment later, his look turned cautious

gonna cost me?" he asked, voice

=

wasn't buying that Raven-someone who'd fought tooth and

just let old

heard someone

thrown off by the

slowly. "Yeah,"

a beat, surprise and doubt mixing

a sealed Starcard

2/4

+13

Chapter 67

were only a few Starcards in

useless for now,

it back on him. "You know how

it?"

eyes flickered as he caught the silent yes

he met her stare

"I'll tell you how to unseal a Starcard, and you make

realized Franklin only knew the

had done to Ruth; and Ruth, however, still gave a damn about the Valor family's

that's how it was, Raven

Franklin a quick nod. "Deal," she

in the room, then paused as he looked back

he said carefully. "I'm counting on

in front of everyone to lock her in. She let out a quiet laugh. "Getting the Valor family into Regalhold's top tier is a one-call favor

wild," someone

really do that?" another guy

crew sucked in sharp breaths at Raven's almost

nobody doubted she