Seventy Nine

Lucian

I winced, rubbing my stinging cheek. The force of Raven's slap remained. I deserved it for being so stupid to think she'd jump on me like a lovestruck puppy after I asked for her forgiveness or be easily manipulated without questioning me.

Rooted on the spot, I watched her walk away, cursing under my breath.

The girl was petite but bold and hostile. Thanks to that bastard, Dimitri, I'd received an unwarranted slap.

My shoulders sagged like a deflated balloon. The idiot threatened me to gather information from Vlad's friends, including his girlfriend, about the staff of authority.

I had two days to come up with something, and the consequences of not getting sufficient information would be brutal. But how could I ask them a string of questions without them becoming suspicious?

Vlad's friends, especially Zarek, were discerning and could easily recognize a lie. It was a miracle that I hadn't gotten caught at this point.

"Lucian, you're a man. I didn't raise you a coward!"