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.

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SEND THEr neck

raw fear jolted her

she spit out. "She's

a short nod, his cold eyes sweeping over her once before he said.

her way, he turned and made a beeline

at his back as he walked off. Her failed confession still stung, but

brush-off was just him being

problem-she could play

was set on the idea that if she stuck with it, her charm

down and trip over himself to make

thought cheered her

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

in the second-floor banquet

over

seeing Franklin looking so beat down, Ruth's face

Raven's eyes slid to Franklin, who seemed like he'd

said it yourself," she told him coolly.

then added, "You've got to own your messes, and that dream of yours-getting the Valor family into the big leagues?

the top clans before he

turned

me?" he asked,

=

buying that Raven-someone who'd fought tooth and nail to

just let

small smile. "I heard someone in the Valor

thrown off by the

nodded slowly.

for a beat, surprise

sealed Starcard

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Chapter 67

only a few Starcards

a sealed one, useless for now,

Instead, she flipped it back

it?"

as he caught the

a second, he met

you how to unseal a Starcard, and you make sure the Valor family

bit when she realized Franklin only knew the

everything Franklin had done to Ruth; and Ruth, however, still gave

that's how it was, Raven didn't mind

Franklin a quick nod. "Deal,"

room, then paused as he looked back at

said carefully. "I'm counting

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. "No point in

that's wild," someone

do that?"

in sharp breaths at Raven's almost

nobody doubted she