Page 44 of Savage Claim

More ravens rushed down the other side of the hall at the appearance of the high demon lord.

I slammed back into my body, stumbling off the desk.

“What the hell was that?” Coltrane asked. “You were in a daze.”

Coltrane’s radio crackled, someone probably alerting her to Ruin’s presence.

“Shit,” I hissed and bolted out of the room, heading for the flight of stairs. The ravens never allowed demons into Corvin Manor. If they needed to conduct a meeting, it was always on neutral ground, so Ruin casually strolling in could start a shitstorm.

I flew down the steps, passing a few stunned ravens on the way. When I finally neared the conference room, I had to bust through a group crowding one side of the hall, hesitant to attack the powerful demon.

That would be a bad idea.

“I heard you were having a little meeting about yours truly.” Ruin dramatically bowed, his eyes a deep shade of navy instead of bright blue. “Here I am, in all my evil, sadistic, human-hating glory.”

Fane caught my waist before I could rush to Ruin’s side. “He’s not in a good mood, fiera mika. Be careful.”

“Did you call him?”

“No.” The demon shifter gave a casual shrug. “I called Logan and let it slip. I should have known Ruin would break in. He does have a flare for the dramatics.”

“And you think I cause trouble?”

Fane released me, and I rushed to Ruin as he stared down Garrison, one of the veteran ravens.

“You look like you want to fight.” Ruin laughed when Garrison grabbed a mystical hilt out of his pocket. “What are you going to do with that? Tickle me?”

I slipped in front of Ruin, resting my hands on his chest while power vibrated around him. “Let’s all just calm down.”

As he peeled his gaze from the raven to me, some of the hardness melted from his expression. “Hello, beautiful.” Ruin kissed the top of my head and then roughly shoved me into Fane’s waiting arms.

“Lord Ruin, you are not permitted in our headquarters.” The ravens at the end of the hall allowed Coltrane to pass through, Hawk and Roxie on her heels. “You weren’t invited to this meeting.”

“I invited myself.” He strolled into the conference room, analyzing the whiteboard. “I see you’re blaming me for the strife occurring in the shifter community. How original.”

Fane nudged me into the room, ravens giving us a wide berth. “Ruin, maybe you should sit down and speak your mind. You’re making them all so nervous.” The sarcasm in Fane’s voice had me cracking a smile.

Ruin unbuttoned his jacket and sat on the edge of a table in the front. “I’m not here to hurt anyone. I simply wish to defend myself since I’m being accused of this horrible crime.” He splayed his hands out in surrender. “It’s only fair.”

Coltrane stood a few feet away, arms folded and nostrils flared. “Say your piece, Lord Ruin.”

He scrutinized Roxie as she sidled up to the captain, holding a hilt with the mystical blade deactivated. “How have you been liking the VIP area of my club, Roxane? I’ve seen you there plenty of times.”

A few muted gasps sounded, and Roxie’s cheeks burned crimson when Coltrane raised her eyebrow at her.

Roxie gave a dry laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You must have me confused with someone else.”

“So you haven’t been to Wrath & Ruin lately?” he asked.

“Yes, but not in that room.”

We all knew what happened in the VIP room. I’d seen it firsthand. It was also where I realized my two closest friends were assholes when I found them fucking.

Hawk stepped in front of Roxie, the black raven garb stretching over his taut muscles. “Stop accusing my girlfriend of something she didn’t do, and say whatever bullshit you came here to say.”

My heart skipped a few beats. If the demon lord tried to attack Hawk, I’d have to intervene. The raven might have become a total jerk, but I couldn’t let Ruin hurt him.

Ruin cast a quick glance in my direction, probably seeing the warning in my expression, and sighed. “I’m here to let you all know I have absolutely nothing to do with any missing shifters. I’m worried about the state of Savannah as much as you.”

---