The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 75: The Presence In The Mirror

Chapter 75: The Presence In The Mirror

Isadora made her way back, cold and vulnerable, the tunic twice her size hugging her small frame.

The urge to rip the thing to shreds because it smelled like him was so tempting but that would leave her with nothing left to wear.

He probably did this on purpose knowing she couldn’t get rid of it.

The disgust she felt, the burn in her chest, she was on the verge of exploding. She let him have his way... and she was just as much responsible for it.

Her body did not listen to her.

The overwhelming guilt and shame attempted to drown her, she told herself she wouldn’t play his games but she played right into his fingers like he had engraved it in stone.

Her nipples were hurting, a reminder of everything she shouldn’t think about. They rubbed uncomfortably on the material and disgusted her further.

The sound of a croak startled her. Lifting her gaze she found a raven perching on the hallowed tree.

The sounds of flapping wings had followed her around ever since she made her way back. She guessed it was a bird but it was a raven—with silver eyes.

Is he watching her right now?

She raised a middle finger in a vulgar gesture—something she had learned from Serena back at Brookcrest and considered offensive.

She prayed to the seven olden gods he saw just how she felt and ate his own shit!

The raven tilted its head to the side in response.

Or maybe she was just throwing off a random raven. ’Sorry,’ she thought regretfully.

Hearing a branch snapping out of nowhere she veered her eyes in alert but it landed on Vanya.

She didn’t even hear her coming.

"Vanya."

Vanya nudged her chin at her, eyes observing her from head to toe. She looked different and was her tunic always oversized? Maybe she should pay more attention.

"I-I-I went out for a lookout, I thought I heard something."

Vanya raised an eyebrow in question but she wasn’t in the mood for questions, it was none of her business. She only awoke because she found Isadora missing, losing a teammate would not bid well for her.

That was the only important thing.

Vanya turned on her heels to walk back to the hallowed tree but she suddenly collapsed.

"Vanya!"

~♧~

The Raven Court

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Blood dripped from Kraven’s nose onto the stone basin. His rugged breaths filled the air.

He rested his hand on the stone and leveled his head, with eyes closed.

Loud sounds of a familiar heartbeat echoed through his ears as well as an image in his mind.

When he opened his eyes, the right eye, the sclera of it, darkened and his silver iris shone brighter.

The image became clear, but cloudy and it centered on Isadora walking through the eating woods, alone.

The look on her face rattled him but when she stopped and stared right at him without realizing it.

She gave a middle finger.

Kraven burst into a peal of laughter as the image dispersed. He shook his head, his body trembling with deep amusement.

"Maybe I should have killed her then..." he said glaring at the mirror in front of him, eyes staring back at him.

"Isn’t that what you want?" he mused before laughing again.

"I lasted an hour without you getting in my head, I should call that progress."

The mirror cracked and a piercing migraine came through Kraven’s head. His teeth clenched as he replenished in the pain before a wide smile stressed on his lips.

"You’re louder..." he murmured. "Too loud, I’m sure you’re thrilled the lock is useless."

He laughed again. "So, which will it be? Push me to the brink of bloodlust until I go mad..." He paused, in a thought. "...madder."

’Isadora’

His smile slowly faded.

"Say that again."

’Isadora’

"Stop it!" he growled. "I said stop it!"

"Lord Raven."

"Silence!" He stretched his hand behind him, the sensation of pressing against something jolted him back to reality.

With a dangerous glint in his eyes, he found Ekko behind him, his dark weaves wrapped around his neck.

Pain contoured Ekko’s expression but not once did he make a sound.

A deep frown carved on Kraven’s face. "You should be careful who you sneak upon, I might break your neck." As his mind wielded it, the pressure got tighter.

Ekko’s face turned paler, his hazel eyes wide and reminded Kraven of a certain little bunny.

Slowly the weaves retreated. "I’m not in the mood to break your neck," he said but the lust in his eyes contradicted his words.

Unshaken, Ekko said. "Your powers are growing." He rubbed his neck which had almost been crushed into bits by the dark weaves taking the shape of a hand.

"And it’s taking a toll on your body," he added as he followed the trail of blood from his master’s nose.

"This is just a slight inconvenience," Kraven replied as he mentally forced the shadows back and it suddenly became quiet.

He grabbed the towel to wipe his nose. "Are you here to report your mission?"

"Yes, Lord Raven. I traced ’Thornfoot the dirtbag’ dealings, the one he made before the pirate’s involvements"

"Go on."

"He did get gold but not just from the pirates."

"Who was the second party?"

"The Huntsmen."

Kraven chuckled. "Of course that bastard Aric was involved and still a coward."

Ekko gulped before he said. "In your five winters journey, you gained the name Reaper and came up on the top wanted list in the realm..."

"Are you scolding me, Ekko?"

"F-Forgive me, Lord Raven, this attention is not needed... yet."

"Do not worry about that... I intend to fix my mistakes," he said with a smirk, throwing a look over his shoulder.

"I would like to ask permission to handle this myself, you’re needed here in the court."

Kraven waved a hand dismissively. A silent message for him to leave

But Ekko did not move.

"What?" Kraven asked, irritatedly.

"You interfered with the hunt..."

"And?"

"You never had."

’Is this because of his prey?’ Ekko thought more confused by his master’s actions but chose not to question him further knowing he would get aggravated.