Exaltation (Insight #11)(52)

“And who taught Raven these pivotal lessons?”

“Blessed childhood. Blessed soul. I’ve always felt that way. And I realize I’m in the minority. Either you think I am superficial and trying to hide it or you think I’m some tree hugging hippy that wants everyone to find their happy place.”

“You like to guess what I’m thinking don’t you?”

“Actually, I have no idea what you’re thinking. The fact that almost everything I say, you respond with a question is not making it very easy on me.”

He laughed.

“What?” Raven asked.

“You’re just not what I thought you’d be like,” he said, as he continued to stare at her as if she were from another world.

“For instance?” Raven winked. “Not fun when someone responds with a question, now is it?”

“For instance, I’m having a hard time believing that you’re a young soul.”

Odd thing for a boy to say, Raven thought. The only kids her age that spoke like that were ones she knew were witches.

“Why is that?” Raven pursed her lips as she tried to hide a smile.

“You think deeply.”

“Does that scare you?” she asked as she circled him, just so she could smile behind his back.

“It’s refreshing. Even though I don’t agree with some of your points.”

“And those are?” Raven stopped in front of him and raised one brow.

“People need exaltation.”

“Because?”

He smirked. A downright disarming gesture. “It’s a drive forward. It’s a reward. It’s an emotion that aligns you with your life plan.”

“Have you ever felt the emotion?” Raven asked.

He raised his brow and a sinful smile emerged as he glanced away from her.

“Have you?” he asked.

“Obviously. I kissed you.”

His eyes met hers that instant.

“Meaning?” he breathed. She knows who I am—I’ve been played.

“Meaning that yeah, skating is a vice to me. It’s a release. It’s what I do when I want to think. And yes sometimes it elevates me to a point where I brush against exaltation. But I leave it on the floor. I walk away feeling empowered. Invincible. Every sense is elevated. It allows me to cross lines that fear would have held me back from. It builds my confidence. Enough so that I can find the courage to put a senior boy in his place.”

Her stare held his. “Now if I was obsessed with this vice. With that emotion. I would have stayed inside. I would have wanted to be showered in praise and acceptance. I would have been plotting my next dance, my next way to wow the crowd and feel that emotion. But instead I breathed in the emotion. I let it take me higher and saw the rest of my life in a new light.” She winked at him. “I never said it was a bad emotion. I just said that too much of anything can be a bad thing.”

The wonder in his eyes, the way he was looking at her was the sexiest thing Raven had ever witnessed.

“How come you’ve never been serious with anyone?” Rydell asked, falling back to his original assumption—she had no idea who she was.

Britain had caused Rydell to look at this dilemma differently. He said two souls would rise as one. Rydell knew where one was. The other, now that was a mystery. Rydell sure as hell had not sensed his birth. The idea of keeping Raven away from whomever for a while, long enough to figure more of this out, might be the answer Rydell needed.

At the same time it could be his doom. There was something about this girl’s vim that was drawing him closer.

There were times in Rydell’s existence when he would meet someone and know instantly the soul would always be in his life—he’d feel an unbreakable bond. It happened when he met Dagen, others who’d followed him…it was happening now with Raven…which was more than a conundrum.

“You’ve been asking around about me,” Raven said, as she impishly glared at him. “I can count the times I’ve been asked out on one hand without using my thumbs. I’m pretty sure I set off a vibe that says I’m not a player.”

“I didn’t get that vibe.”

“I bet not,” she said with a blush.

He reached for her blonde streak. “You want to tell me what happened here?” Rydell was concerned about that. Benjamin had emerged a few days ago, but he didn’t come to Rydell or Dagen. In fact, he vanished the second he sensed them. Rydell had people looking for him now, but he was hiding well. Rydell wanted to know what went down with her and him. Why Benjamin would defy a direct order to stay away.

“Don’t remember.” Not completely a lie.

“Nothing about it? You said a boy hurt you.”

“I was in a car wreck. One I’m sure came because he lost control of his hands once again. I really don’t recall the details enough to tell you anything.”

Raven could see anger wave across his eyes, a protective, claiming anger. “I suppose someone needs to teach the boy a lesson. Considering his crime, turning you against dating boys in general, I hope it’s a harsh one.”

Half the reason Raven let things go so easily was because of Miss Thelma Ray. She wouldn’t let the girls focus on grudges. She told them to protect themselves then move on and laugh. Being happy always gets your foes panties in a wad.