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The door opened so quietly that it al the , struggling to co so quiet, Stevie Rae told herself groggily Maybe she doesn’t want to talk Maybe she just wants to sleep Stevie Rae decided that she’d roll over and open her eyes, but not say anything--just let Shaunee know she was there and awake (kinda) if she needed to talk She started to turn over and suddenly there was a weird crackling sound just above her shoulder She tried to sit up and the crackle changed to an even weirder hum as an electric shock, like static electricity on steroids, zapped through her, pressing her down on the bed

Instantly awake and co, "Shaunee, so above her, electricity shot through her again! Still on her side, Stevie Rae pressed herself into the bed, trying to stay away fro above her "Shaunee!" she yelled "Helpat Erin’s pyre Fucking hypocrite"

Stevie Rae’s breaths canized his voice "Dallas, what are you doin’ in here?" Auto out for the protection of her element, but Shaunee’s room was on the third floor of the dorm--too many feet above the earth for her element to help her without the aid of a cast circle and Zoey’s boosting power

He stepped into her view, a dark silhouette against the black drapes She could see that he was holding one of his hands up, pal With his other hand he reached out to grasp the thick cord that knotted the drapes in place "Let’s just say I’et off the bed An electric field crackled and zapped through her, e back "Dallas, this is crazy! Shaunee’s going to be here any second"

"It’ll be a second too late for you And don’t worry, I’llto her, also First, it’s your turn" His eyes were flat His voice was filled with hatred "I’ll kill her fast, with just one quick zap But not you--you deserve to suffer You cheated onfreak of nature--now fry for it!"

Dallas tugged hard at the cord, untying the blackout drapes Pulling his half of the curtain open, but being careful to keep himself covered, he stepped back

Daylight flooded into the rooh the open, uncovered , directly onto Stevie Rae

It was like she had stepped into the mouth of a furnace The electrical field pinned her to the bed as the sunlight began burning her skin Stevie Rae covered her face, writhing in agony, and she began to screa turned super crazy

There was a terrible screeching, so loud that it penetrated through Stevie Rae’s agony

"Ahhh! Get the fuck offaround the room

The electric field that had kept her prisoner evaporated and Stevie Rae rolled off the bed She pressed herself against the side of the bed, escaping into the cool shadow

Dallas lurched past her, obviously trying to get to the door, but the huge raven’s attack was relentless Completely shocked, Stevie Rae watched the bird draw Dallas’s blood, raking claws over his upraised arer

The door burst open and Shaunee ran into the roo her before hi her as a shield

"No, Rephaim, don’t hurt Shaunee!"

The raven drew its claws in at the last second, just grazing the side of Shaunee’s face as thepast her and into the wall

Dallas shoved Shaunee away froh the door and sla it closed behind hiod! Your skin! Oh, Stevie Rae, you’re burnt bad! Don’t et help"

Stevie Rae grabbed her hand She was panting in pain, but she forced the words "Let Rephaim out first He’ll be scared"

Shaunee didn’t have to look for the raven He flew at the above them so close that Stevie Rae felt the air he stirred He landed on the footboard of the bed Perching there he peered down at Stevie Rae, cocking his head

"Go on," she said, trying to sound calm and normal "I’ a weak gesture toward the openand ignoring the fact that her hand--her arm--and she was sure her face--were all scorched bloody "Shaunee’ll take care of ain and ht he was the most beautiful bird she’d ever seen

"I love you, Rephairaven spread his wings and soared out the open