29. SENDING A SIGNAL

RAVEN

"I thought you weren’t coming," Rowena murmured as soon as I stepped into the hallway, the flicker of torchlight throwing shadows across her face. Her arms were folded, a slight edge in her voice, but I knew it wasn’t aimed at me—just nerves.

I exhaled, glancing behind me before shutting the door softly. "I had to wait until the guards changed shifts. Too many eyes tonight."

"Because of the ball," she said, nodding. "They're all pretending to be festive, but we both know they’re bracing for something ugly."

"Exactly why we need to be careful," I whispered, stepping closer to her. "You said you had something to tell me?"

She hesitated. Her fingers toyed with the edge of her shawl. "I’m thinking of sending a signal to Lucian."

My brows shot up before I could stop them. "Rowena…"

"Just listen," she hissed, her eyes darting around before she leaned in. "If there’s ever a time to strike, it’s when they’re distracted. Everyone will be in one place. The leaders, the guards, the council—"

"And innocents," I cut in. "Servants. Elders. Even kids might be around. Do you think Lucian will risk that kind of bloodshed?"

She bit her lip, hard. "I know he won’t want to, but he’s been waiting. Every time he gets close, they move the goalpost. He’s done playing nice."

"And what if it backfires?" I asked, my voice firmer now. "What if they see the signal and they’re ready for him? What if it’s a trap, and he walks right into it with his rogues?"

Rowena swallowed and looked away. The silence stretched.

"You’re right," she muttered finally, her voice smaller than I’d ever heard it. "The casualties would be too many. It’s too risky."

"But you’re still going to do it anyway," I said, reading her face like an open book.

She didn’t deny it. Her jaw clenched, and she nodded slowly. "I have to, Raven. If I don’t, and he finds out I had the chance… I’m not sure what that means for me."

"And what does it mean for me if I get caught helping you?"

"You won’t," she said, her voice sharpening again with that fire that always got her into trouble. "You’ve always known how to stay invisible. Just… stay invisible a little longer."

I stared at her for a moment, then sighed. "Just make sure whatever signal you send… doesn’t turn this entire place into a massacre."

She nodded. "I’ll keep it subtle."

"Subtle doesn’t exist with Lucian," I muttered as I turned away.

"And yet… you still care what happens to him," she called after me, a note of dry amusement in her voice.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

Later on, I went to Selene’s room to see what the girls would be wearing, especially since the ball was now the talk of the pack. I had every intention of staying in the shadows but Selene had sent word to me that she wanted me in her room and here I was.

“I still think the emerald one brings out my eyes,” Selene said, twirling slightly in front of her mirror as laughter erupted from the other girls sprawled across the bed and floor, fabrics and sequins glinting under the overhead light.

“That’s only because you’ve said it brings out your eyes for the past three events,” one of her friends chimed, holding up a shimmering gold dress. “You need to try something new.”

“Like yours? Please, you look like you’re trying to impersonate the chandelier,” Selene fired back with a smirk.

I stood by the door, arms folded, eyes calm, unmoving. My silence wasn’t noticed at first. It never was. Not until Selene’s gaze slid over to me, her brow arching in that familiar mocking way.

“And you, Raven?” she asked, taking a few steps closer, eyeing me from head to toe like I was some unshaped stone. “What are you wearing to the ball?”

I shrugged once. “I haven’t thought about it.”

Selene snorted softly, amused. “Of course not. You don’t exactly scream ‘ballroom elegance.’”

A voice rang from her left—her friend, the one with the honeyed voice that made even insults sound like compliments.

“Just give her something old, Selene. Or one of your black dresses. She blends right in with shadows anyway.”

The room erupted again in soft, biting laughter, but mine never joined. My fingers twitched at my side, fists slowly balling. I could feel the tightness in my jaw, but I said nothing. I let the wave pass, as I always did.

I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with Selene. “Give me anything you like,” I said, voice even, void of emotion. “I won’t be needing it for long.”

Selene blinked at that, some of the smugness on her face faltering, but she masked it quickly with another soft chuckle. “Oh come on, Raven. Don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a dress.”

“It’s never just a dress,” I murmured, turning my head to glance at the rack of gowns they had tossed aside like discarded skins.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” her other friend asked, frowning as she paused from her endless search for glitter.

I looked at her. Just looked. Long enough that her brows furrowed and she looked away first.

Selene crossed her arms, tilting her head. “You always say the most cryptic things, Raven. It's like you're living in your own little horror movie.”

I smiled—barely. “Maybe I am.”

There was silence for a moment. Uneasy. Thin.

But then Selene waved a hand, as if brushing off a fly. “Fine, whatever. You’ll wear what I give you. And try not to scowl so much. You’ll ruin all the pictures.”

I turned, hand on the doorframe. “Pictures won’t matter where we’re going.”

One of the girls snorted behind me. “What does that even mean?”

They laughed again, as I stepped out, quiet and composed, rage simmering low beneath my ribs like a sleeping serpent.

Soon, I thought. Soon, none of them would be laughing. Soon, they’d choke on the same air they used to mock me.

And they’d beg. They always do.

After that was settled, I knew I needed to get back to my duties. The more I stayed, the more tense I became and I didn’t want to do anything that would break me out of character, nothing at all.

“Can I go back to my room?” I asked.

They paused with Selene giving me a look, one I had no idea of but I didn't care at that moment. I just wanted to get back.

“Sure, I'll call you when I need you.” she said, ushering me away.

I nodded, taking my leave and as I walked away, I dreamt of the day when they would finally be under my shoes, begging for me to spare their lives.