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

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SEND THEr neck

raw fear jolted her

spit out.

sweeping over her once before he said.

way, he turned and made

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

herself Cassian's brush-off was just him

play the

on the idea that if she stuck with it, her

did, he'd regret shutting her down and trip over himself

cheered

an excuse for when Cassian didn't find Raven up there,

up in the

glanced over at

beat down,

to Franklin, who seemed like he'd run

she told

paused for a second, then added, "You've got to own 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

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

his look turned

me?" he

=

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

was would just let

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

thrown off

nodded slowly.

beat, surprise and doubt mixing

Starcard on

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Chapter 67

Starcards in all of Vyrdenia-rarer than

useless for now, wasn't something just anybody

didn't answer. Instead, she flipped it back

it?"

flickered as he caught the silent

he met

Starcard, and you make sure the

realized Franklin only knew the how-to, not how

to Ruth; and Ruth, however, still

how it was, Raven didn't mind

a quick nod.

others in the room, then paused as he looked back

carefully.

twist-he was nervous she'd ditch, yet he was pulling the "I trust you" line 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 for me," she said.

wild," someone

that?" another guy

in sharp

she could pull it