The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The next day at noon, two people–a guy and a girl–rolled up outside the VIP ward at the hospital.

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The girl was in her early twenties. She was Vivian Jennings, the niece of the Jennings family’s current head.

She’d gotten a call from Miranda yesterday and figured it was time to settle the score with Raven, who’d caused her grandpa’s death five years ago.

Just as she was about to head out, she heard Eddie Valor–the guy she’d been after–was swinging by Bastion to visit his aunt.

So she hitched a ride with him to the hospital, planning to deal with the Henderson family afterward.

As the two stepped into the room, Zack was sitting there, eyeballing the meat loafs, veggies, and two eggs Ruth had brought. His big eyes blinked, all wide and curious.

He hadn’t had a decent meal in ages, let alone one with this much grub.

Ruth had just grabbed a bowl and chopsticks when she spotted the pair walking in.

She frowned, thrown off. “Who are you?”

The good–looking guy flashed a grin.

“It’s me, Eddie Valor,” he said, “Grandpa sent me to lend a hand.”

Ruth paused for a beat, then a soft, nostalgic look crossed her face.

She exclaimed, “Can’t believe you’re such a big guy now!”

Yesterday, she’d reached out to her family–the one she hadn’t talked to in almost twenty years.

This Eddie was the guy they’d sent to back her up. They said he was a Warrior, and he’d make the Grayson and Henderson families pay.

Vivian was giving Ruth a slow once–over, her brow wrinkling a bit.

Ruth seemed familiar for some reason, but Vivian couldn’t quite pin it down yet.

“Come on in, grab a seat,” Ruth said with an easy smile. “I didn’t cook anything special today, but we can make it work. Should be enough to keep us going.”

Eddie gave a quick nod and guided Vivian to the table.

But when Vivian eyed the spread–three dishes and a soup, nothing greasy in sight–her dainty brows scrunched up tight.

Her cold stare zeroed in on Ruth.

“You’ve got some guts serving us this trash even beggars wouldn’t touch,” she snapped.

Zack blinked at Vivian, puzzled, not totally catching what she meant.

This was the best meal he’d had in forever.

There were meat loafs, veggies, and two eggs sitting right there on the table.

Why’s she saying it’s trash beggars wouldn’t eat? he thought.

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Chapery 20

Ravesleys are ase cold like they could frost the whole room.

“The food for the excer Antle guy, at some sugrateful idiot” she said, her voice sharp as a blade. “Brynjar, get her out of

Vivere face darkened her eyes sparking with icy anger.

to case quick meation, she wept her ant across the table.

‘Cred? Mars and bowls washed outo the floor, one after the other.

fiche, choparks–everything broke into bits with a string of loud snaps.

Zack watched the half–eaten egg and greens spill out. His little mouth dropped open as he flicked his eyes to the mess on the ground

Then he noticed one plate still holding together.

Half the food was still good. He hopped off his chair, bending down with his small frame to grab it.

Vivian docked what he was doing. Her eyes narrowed with a sneer.

When she wanted to trash something, nobody got in her way.

She raised her foot, ready to stomp down hard on Zack’s little hand.

A piece of broken porcelain was under his fingers. If she hit it right, it’d cut straight through his skin.

Raven caught it coming, A flash of raw fury lit up her eyes.

She lifted her own foot, set to boot Vivian out herself, when a sharp sound sliced through the room.

“Slap A clean, loud smack echoed.

Vivian gaped at Eddie, stunned, like she couldn’t believe he’d laid a hand on her.

Eddie just stared back, his voice firm and no–nonsense. “Apologize to Auntie Ruth. Right now. Or leave.”

“Eddie, Vivian hissed through gritted teeth, “don’t think you can pull whatever you want just because I’m into you!”

“I’ll say it one more time,” Eddie fired back, his tone pure ice. “Apologize to her.”

“Eddie, Vivian glared, her voice trembling with rage, “You’re gonna regret this!”

She whipped around to storm out.

But as she turned, Brynjar stepped into her path, his face twisted with anger.

“Move!” Vivian snapped.

She swung a hand, aiming to slap Brynjar out of her way.

Before it could connect, something unstoppable hit her.

“Thud!” A heavy crash rang out.

Vivian went flying, knocked back hard by the sheer force.

By some wild stroke of luck, her body crashed right onto the jagged shards of the broken plate.

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Chapter 20

In a flash, several cuts–each more than an inch long–tore across her skin.

Blood started pooling, soaking her light pink casual outfit and turning it red in no time.

But Vivian didn’t even seem to notice the sting. She just gawked at Brynjar, her eyes huge with shock

“A Warrior?” she mumbled to herself.