The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Their words hit like a bomb, loud and earth–shaking.

In that instant, Eddie, Vivian, and the whole Grayson family crew felt their minds go blank, too shocked to snap out of it.

The air went dead quiet, so still it felt like it was choking them.

But Raven, facing this wild scene, just gave a small nod, cool as ever.

“Get up,” she said.

Then she slowly looked over at Jax, sprawled out on the ground, his face white as a sheet.

“I gave you a shot before,” she said, her voice flat.

It was so even you couldn’t tell if she was pissed or fine with it–like she didn’t care either way.

That calm tone alone made Jax’s heart sink, a cold fear slicing right through him.

His good–looking face locked up as he stared at Raven, his eyes a jumble of feelings.

Right then, he got it: the Grayson family was screwed this time.

Meanwhile, Dane, next to Jax, kept shaking his head, mumbling without even noticing.

“No way this is real,” he said. “She’s just a kid, not even twenty. How’d the Hendersons end up with a monster like her?”

At the same time, the two hundred–plus hired goons the Grayson family dragged in were staring at Raven, eyes full of disbelief.

Valhalla was the ultimate goal for anyone who fought for a living–everybody knew that name.

But they never dreamed its boss would be some young girl still wet behind the ears!

A second later, a massive wave of regret slammed into them, heavy as anything.

With their skills, getting into Valhalla was already a stretch–now it was pretty much a lost cause.

And after ticking off Valhalla’s big boss? Their odds were shot.

Raven didn’t pay their reactions any mind. She tilted her head a bit, her eyes settling on Vivian.

“I let you slide once,” she said. “But since you’re dead–set on screwing yourself, I’ll help you out.”

“You just said you wanted to lock in that engagement with him,” she added, real casual, “So go for it–be a couple of dead–end lovers.”

Vivian’s eyes popped wide at Raven’s words, shock smacking her hard.

But then, thinking of what Valhalla meant, she pulled herself together, staring Raven down.

༥ རྞེ72%➢

+5

“You’re gonna kill me?” she fired back. “Even if Valhalla’s a big deal, that only works outside the border! My uncle’s a lieutenant general. You lay a hand on me, and Vyrdenia’s whole military will crush you.”

Raven glanced up, giving Vivian a quick, cold look, her flat voice carrying a sharp chill,

“Well, I’d like to see how Vyrdenia’s military crushes me‘ after I’m done,” she said, icy as hell.

Then she tipped her head. “Brynjar, Thorian–get rid of her.”

1/3

16:19 Mon, Apr

Chapter 26

But right as she said it, an older voice cut through the air.

It was rough but full of weight

“Let’s see who’s got the guts!” The voice boomed with power, shaking up the whole place.

That yell stopped everyone cold, hearts jumping into their throats.

Heads turned fast, eyes scanning to figure out where it came from.

When they saw the old guy in a military uniform walking over alone, the Grayson family crew lit up.

“Brigadier General Grayson!” someone whispered, voice buzzing with hype.

Rex, with his touchy job, hadn’t meant to show up front and center–he’d been keeping it quiet.

Hell, if Jax could’ve handled it, he wouldn’t have shown at all.

But he never figured the Grayson family would get backed into a corner like this by some girl, with no way to push back.

If he didn’t step up now, Jax and Dane were done for.

Jax watched Rex walk over slowly, and a huge wave of relief washed over him.

But then, the sting of getting smoked by some young girl snuck in, and he dropped his head, feeling ashamed.

Jax let out a heavy sigh, his voice loaded with guilt. “I’m sorry. I messed this up bad.”

Rex just shook his head. “It’s not your fault. Even an old timer like me didn’t see this kid’s backup coming.”

With that, his sharp, hawk–like eyes locked onto Raven.

72%

“Kid, you’re impressive,” he said. “I’ll hand it to you–my brother and my son didn’t stand a chance. How about cutting me, Rex Grayson, a break? We call it quits today, deal?”

Raven met his stare, steady as ever.

“I already let Dane slide yesterday,” she said, “out of respect for your years serving Vyrdenia.”

Her voice stayed even, but a little jab of sarcasm slipped in. “As for cutting you a break… forget you–even if Lorne himself was standing here, go ask him if he’d have the guts to ask me for anything!”

Rex’s face darkened when he heard Raven trash–talk his hero, “General Lorne Drakon,” like that.

–“You’ve got talent, I’ll give you that,” he said. “But don’t go acting like you run everything just because you’ve got some pull. You really think you’re

bigger than Vyrdenia’s entire military?”