The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“So, I hear you just got out of Bastion Prison yesterday?” the greeter taunted, her voice dripping with scorn.

She scoffed, “Barely out and already snagging a fortune–guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Far as I’m concerned, lowlife trash like you deserves a bullet to the brain!”

The teller nodded, then threw a glance at the cop with his gun trained on Raven.

“What’s the holdup?” she hollered, “She’s fresh out of jail and already pulling this crap–why go soft on garbage like her? Drop her now!”

Ruth caught their words and started fighting hard.

“Let me go!” she yelled, her voice rough and fierce. “You can kill me, but you’re not laying a hand on my daughter!”

She’d spent almost twenty years with the Henderson family, where nonstop jabs and pressure had ground her down.

To keep the peace, she’d learned to swallow her words and back off.

But her daughter? That was where she drew the line.

She’d made a promise to herself: anyone who came for her kid, she’d drag down with her, even if it meant dying!

She only got a couple of good struggles in before a pair of calm hands gripped her arms.

Ruth stopped cold.

Then Raven’s voice reached her.

It was quiet, steady, and oddly comforting. “Don’t worry, Mom. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

Tyler heard Raven’s words, and a quick flash of contempt crossed his eyes.

“You think you’re getting out of this?” he yelled. “Not a chance!”

The teller and greeter smirked at Raven too, their faces oozing with smugness.

They couldn’t wait to watch this arrogant little brat eat dirt!

Just then, the four cops with tasers moved in, timing it just right. They aimed tasers at Raven’s torso and legs.

“Zap!” The tasers buzzed loud.

But right before they could hit, five sharp whistles cut through the air–silver needles flying fast.

“Ugh!” Five low groans filled the room.

In a blink, all five cops–including the one aiming his gun from farther back–hit the floor, out cold.

Tyler, and the two bank staff froze, their cocky grins turning to ice.

The greeter sucked in a rough breath.

She stammered, “H–How… how’d she do that?”

As she spoke, Tyler ripped his gun from its holster..

The barrel swung up, locked on Raven’s head.

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He didn’t hesitate–pulled the trigger.

“Bang!” The shot boomed through the room.

“Clink!” A sharp ping came right after–the bullet bouncing off something.

“Ahh!” A gut–wrenching scream ripped out of Tyler’s throat.

The bullet, knocked off course by a silver needle, whipped back with extra kick, blasting straight through his knee.

The two bank staff stared at Tyler, now grabbing his knee and howling, both of them locked in shock.

Raven gave him a blank look as he squirmed on the ground, then walked over.

She raised her foot and set it down slow and steady on the back of his hand.

Feeling the weight–like her heel might crush his fingers–Tyler’s eyes popped wide.