Page 3 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

Chapter Two

S imon wasn’t sure how to feel about the man Ash had sent with him. Brennan was one of the large men who had been at the front gates. He was mostly silent as they rode the long distance toward Auburn Ridge.

“So why were you the unlucky one chosen to accompany me on this errand?”

He laughed quietly. “I’m not in his good graces at the moment.”

“Well you must not have made too serious of a blunder if you’re still there. Ash doesn’t strike me as the merciful type.”

“I’ve been with Ash for a long time, and he knows I’m loyal. But I made a mistake that could have gotten someone hurt, so I’ll be paying for it for a while. And rightly so.”

Simon nodded. It spoke to the man’s character that he was so willing to take responsibility for his choices and accept the consequences of his actions without being bitter.

“It doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself,” he added.

“I never doubted it.”

The full moon was half-covered by clouds but still provided a bit of light as they approached the old red brick building. Bars encased its few windows, and all but one of them were dark. Simon always did these things at night. The absence of light and noise heightened his senses.

As he made his way quietly toward the one lit window, tortured screams erupted from within. He rushed to the front door and pulled out his lockpick tools.

“Move,” Brennan said quietly beside him. He hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. The man slammed his enormous body against the door twice before it yielded and he kicked it the rest of the way open. Apparently they weren't using stealth for this.

“Stay here.” Simon sprinted inside. He pulled out his razor as he moved. Hopefully it would be the right tool for the job. It usually was.

The screams continued as he neared the end of the long, empty hall, but soon there were quick footsteps moving in his direction as well.

Dr. Mickelson swung around the corner, and before the man had time to register what was happening, Simon wrenched his arm behind his back and pressed the sharp blade against his throat.

“I suggest you cooperate.”

The man held up his other hand in surrender.

Simon pushed him into the brightly lit room where he could finally see the source of the distress. A woman struggled against two men holding her down in a bathtub full of water. She screamed and begged for them to let her out.

The men froze when they saw Simon holding Dr. Mickelson. They had matching black eyes. Presumably from Ash’s visit. At least they’d suffered a bit of pain.

“Get her out of there, or all three of you will be corpses before the second hand rounds that clock.” He flicked his eyes to the clock that hung on the wall.

“Get her out,” Dr. Mickelson said, nodding urgently. They pulled her out of the tub with a slosh and set her on her feet, water running everywhere. Her whole body shook violently but her wailing stopped. A piece of cloth was tied around her head to keep her from seeing.

“Did you torture my sister, as well?” Simon growled.

“We’re not torturing her. We’re simply teaching her to control her emotions.”

A snarl ripped from Simon’s throat. “One more word out of you, and I will slit you from ear to ear. Do you understand me?”

He nodded frantically. Bullies always were cowards.

The woman’s hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and through the wet fabric that clung to her, he could see every part of her body. As could the other men in the room. His sister had surely been subjected to the same abuse.

Because of him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. If he didn’t rein in his anger, he would kill every man in the place. He cursed under his breath and Dr. Mickelson flinched slightly. Oh, how he’d like to cut the man’s throat.

What in God’s name was he going to do now? This wasn’t supposed to be a rescue mission. He’d come for revenge. Looking at the poor woman, he understood now why Ash had warned him. He might not be able to get them all out. But seeing this one suffer right before his eyes, he couldn’t just leave her.

“Can you hear me, miss?”

She nodded, her movements erratic from her violent shivering.

“What’s your name?”

“M-Madelene.”

“You’re safe now, Madelene. Can you remove that blindfold?“

She reached back with her shaking fingers but didn’t seem to be able to untie the cloth.

“That’s alright. Just follow my instructions. Take two steps forward.” Hesitantly, she took one step and then another. “Good.”

He turned his eyes on the other men. “Hand her a towel and a fresh gown.” They seemed unsure but did as he instructed.

“Now take two steps to your left, Madelene.” She followed his command. “Your way is clear. Can you follow the sound of my voice?” She nodded. “That’s it. You’re doing well. Just keep coming. Now reach out your hand and you’ll feel me.”

Her fingers trembled as they pressed softly against his arm.

“You’re doing so well, Madelene. There’s a long, straight corridor behind me. Make your way along and go through the open door at the end. There’s a man outside who will make sure you’re safe, and I’ll be right behind you.”

Slowly, her faltering footsteps grew quieter as she moved blindly toward the door.

“So, Dr. Mickelson, I can’t kill you today and leave the women in here with no one to see to their welfare, but it’s time for you to find a more compassionate way of helping them. Do I make myself clear?”

The man nodded again.

“Good. I will be checking up on you. If I see anything like what I witnessed today, your heart will no longer be beating the next time I leave. And to make sure you don’t forget—” Simon slashed the razor along the side of Dr. Mickelson’s face and shoved him away.

As he strode for the door, he pulled out a cloth and wiped the blood from the razor and his hand.

When he stepped outside, Madelene was draped over Brennan’s shoulder. “What in God’s name are you doing? Put her down.”

The brute set her back on her feet, her dark eyes wide with fear.

She wasn’t as young as he’d first thought.

Her small stature and quiet voice had made him guess somewhere between sixteen and twenty, but she was definitely closer to thirty.

And in spite of her lack of attire and messy hair, she was beautiful.

“She tried to run after I removed the blindfold, and I couldn’t just abandon you here to go after her.”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Of course she tried to run. Have you seen the size of you?”

Brennan’s whole body slumped slightly. “Sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

The poor woman looked so lost and confused.

“It’s going to be alright, Madelene. I promise we will not hurt you.

We need to get you away from here, but as soon as possible, we’ll stop so you can change into something dry.

” He picked up the gown and towel from where she’d dropped them and quickly ushered her toward his horse.

He helped her into the saddle, but she wasn’t very stable.

“Have you ridden before?”

She nodded. “A few times, but never astride.”

“Well, I don’t happen to have a sidesaddle handy, so we’ll just have to make due.”

“My father would be appalled.”

At first, he thought she was joking, but she didn’t smile. She simply tugged on her wet gown to try to cover more of her legs. It was a strange statement coming from a woman her age. Presumably she’d never been married. “Your father isn’t here.”

“Let’s move,” he said to Brennan. They both strode swiftly, leading the horses.

Even at a jog it was slow progress, but they didn’t have to go far before there was some cover they could use to at least get her out of that wet gown.

It was a warm night, but even still, she must be half frozen by now.

* * *

Madelene felt utterly lost. She should be terrified, but she was so glad to be out of that tub of ice cold water, nothing else mattered.

Even now, her whole body shivered. She placed her hands on the man’s shoulders as he helped her off the horse.

Before her father had left her at that horrible place, she’d never had any physical contact with a man.

The men in there had all had their hands on her bare arms and legs and had seen her completely naked.

If she hadn’t been before, she was surely destined for hell after all that.

If only she hadn’t wantonly asked for that kiss.

She’d still be at home, unspoiled. Her father was probably right about her wickedness though, because despite everything, she still wanted to be kissed. Just once, to know what it was like.

The man’s fingers around her arm were gentle yet strong as he led her behind a large bush, while the larger man stayed behind with the horses.

“Do you need help to get that gown off?”

She stared down at the ground and shook her head. She would manage it on her own. The last thing she wanted was more men seeing her naked body. Not that it made a whole lot of difference. He could probably see everything through the wet fabric anyway.

He raised her chin gently and looked into her eyes.

No one had ever done that before, and it startled her.

Made her feel strangely vulnerable. “I’m going to go back to the horses to allow you some privacy.

Please don’t try to run. We’re very isolated here, and you’ll only manage to get yourself lost.” He placed his other hand on her shoulder.

“I promise no harm will come to you while you’re with me. ”

Madelene had lived her whole life as a shadow. She didn’t understand what was happening. Why was he helping her? “Who are you?”

He smiled and his face was suddenly filled with kindness. “My name is Simon. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself before. That oversized oaf over there is Brennan. He won’t do anything to hurt you either, even if he is a lummox.”