I feel terrible about the suffering I just caused these guys. I am aware that they merely want to help. However, I didn't want this for my friends. They shouldn't be involved in Sloane's plans or the battle I'm meant to be fighting. She would make everything so much better if she weren't here. I consider how everything will turn out; after all, I'm simply a participant in this game of war.

"So, what do we do now?" I ask them.

"We sit and wait," Brie says. I sigh. "She's not going to stop until she has you." I look directly at Clay.

"I know." He admits as he kisses my head. We go inside; I need to take a shower. I'm exhausted and need to take a breather.

"I'm not going to stop living my life because some girl wants to start a war," I warn them.

"You don't have to. All we have to do is make sure you are safe," Brie tells me, "until you fully come into your powers."

"And when will that exactly be?" Clay asks. She looks at Logan and then back at me. "I don't know," she lies, keeping the secret from Clay.

"I'm going to take a shower," I say as I walk away.

⁂

I enter the room, close the door behind me, and take a seat on the bed. How much longer will this girl try to hurt me? She wants Clay; perhaps I should let her have him; Yes, my heart would break and I'd immediately regret it, but he can only protect me for so long. I'm so deep in thought that I don't hear Clay enter.

"Babe?" He asks.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking," I say. I get up and head to the bathroom. I need to relax, and Clay relaxes me; I step back out and look at him. "I'm pretty sure you told me you would make me forget about everything," I say with a smile.

"Don't have to tell me twice." Ripping his pants off and following me. The water is soothing, but so are his hands. As the water falls on us, he pulls me close and kisses me, and all of our problems fade away.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

"Wrong about what?" His eyes searching mine.

"About us, that we could have avoided all this if we stayed away from each other," I say.

"You're wrong because no matter what the situation is, I would have always found my way to you," He tells me. "I know nothing makes sense right now, but for now, let's just pretend and escape to our little world."

He kisses me; it's different, almost like he is afraid to lose me. I wrap my arms around him and allow him to tighten his grip on me.

⁂

Once out of the shower, we head downstairs; Brie is cooking in the kitchen. "Need help?"

"Yes, please." She smiles.

We talk as we prepare dinner, as the boys make stupid remarks about how they could get used to this. "You wish." I spew and start laughing with Brie. After eating, Brie and I leave the table and head to the living room. "Where are you guys going?" Logan asks.

I see Clay shake his head; he knows that was a stupid question. "To watch TV, you boys can clean up since you two are the ones who want to play house," I say and walk away.

All I hear is Clay calling Logan an idiot, and I can't help but laugh. After the boys clean up, they join us in the living room. Clay hops on the couch, picking me up to sit on him; he kisses my cheek.

"I love you," He whispers.

"I love you." Tonight, we let the boys choose the movie, and they chose Pacific Rim. Clay drapes a blanket over us as we lie on the couch, watching the movie. Brie and I continue to ask questions that we know irritate the guys, but they don't show it. Brie is asleep when I look over after a few moments. I'm going to do the same; it's as if Clay can read my mind and pulls me in. "Goodnight!" He whispers, kissing my head and drifting off.

⁂

Ravens, Darkness, The snow flurries wisp through the air. Screams, blood, and fire

"Raveeeeeennnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!"

"Raven, Raven, wake up."

"Come on. Baby, wake up." I'm startled and sit up quickly, all three of them standing over me.

"Ray, you scared the shit out of me!" Brie says with worry.

"Was it like the others?" Clay asks. I shake my head. "No, it was different. What time is it?"

"Seven in the morning," Logan says.

"What? I never have these dreams so close to waking up." I'm so confused.

"You didn't. They started at four this morning, we've been trying to wake you, but it was like you were stuck and couldn't come back." Clay looks at me. "There would be moments where you would be calm, but then it would start all over again."

"I'm so sorry." Why am I always apologising? Brie sits next to me. "It's okay." She hugs me. "I know what will get your mind off it."

"Sex?" Clay chimes in.

"Seriously, is that your only thought?" Brie rolls her eyes and says, "Let's go shopping." In unison, the guys let out a grunt, Clay throws his head back, and I laugh.

"Shopping sounds good," I tell her. "You guys don't have to come."

"Hell no," Logan starts. "We aren't leaving you two alone." Clay finishes his sentence.

"Okay, okay." I throw my hands up in the air. "I need coffee." I get up and head to the kitchen.

The caffeine wakes me up. I stare out the window, and my body starts to shake as I see the weather start to change.

It's almost time, Raven, Sooner or later, you need to let me out. The voice echoes in my mind.

When I look at my reflection in the window, my eyes begin to flicker as the voice in my head taunts me to set her free. Shaking, I drop my mug, and it shatters into pieces.

Shit!

"Babe, are you okay?" Clay says as he walks up to me.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I'll replace the mug." He puts his hand to my chin, "Hey, I don't care about the mug, I care about you. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Since the mall doesn't open until ten, what should we do?" Logan asks.

"I don't know about you guys, but I have a business test tomorrow morning, so I'm going to go study for a bit," I tell them while I clean up the shattered mug from the floor and then head upstairs.

I look at myself in the mirror; I look so tired. My eyes flicker and my markings glow for a split second. I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. I walk out to see Clay slip on a sweater and sweats. I'm so used to his white t-shirts and that damn black leather jacket and jeans. He looks good; I look down. "Runners?" I ask him.

"Yeah, is there a problem?" His eyebrow raised.

"No," I shake my head with a smile, "I'm used to your boots, but I think I can get used to this look." I lick my lip.

I grab my books and sit on the bed; he walks over and kisses me. "While you study, I'll be in the basement working out with Logan." He tells me, I nod, and he kisses me again. I put my headphones on and let the music drown out reality as I sit there going over my notes.

⁂

The time passes me by, and Clay's back. As he hops in the shower, I put all my things away, and get ready; it's half past ten. Clay comes out, water dripping down his chest. I try not to stare, but he catches me looking. He just smirks and walks over to his closet.

Again with that damn towel

He laughs, knowing what he is doing. He gets ready, throws his jacket on, and we head out.