Page 23 of In Darkness We Claim

The Blackbird Inn is a typical English pub with low lighting, mismatched fabric seats, and sticky wooden tables. Faint music filters into the room, but it’s barely audible over the room full of people talking and laughing. No matter the day, this place always seems to be full of students taking advantage of the cheap drinks.

We slide into a booth in the corner, after grabbing a drink each, and settle into our usual easy conversation. Even though we see each other most days, we still find plenty to talk about, and just as I’m starting my second vodka and lemonade, I feel like my tongue might be loose enough to tell her what happened with Lawson.

Just as I’m trying to work out what to say, someone walks over to our booth, casting a shadow over us. I look up in time to see Ryan pulling up a stool and sitting at the head of the table.

“I’m sorry, are you fucking lost?” Wren asks, her nose wrinkling in disgust as she stares at Ryan. I don’t think he even sees her, as he fixes his gaze on me.

“We need to talk,” he tells me, completely ignoring Wren.

I shake my head as Wren says, “Fuck no. You need to leave.”

Only then does he turn and glare at my best friend. “I need to talk to Harper…alone.”

Wren throws her arms up in the air dramatically as she shakes her head rapidly. “I will repeat this one more time, since you’ve clearly developed a listening issue since we last saw you… You need to fuck off and leave Harper alone. You made your position very fucking clear.”

Anger flashes in his eyes, and before he can yell at Wren, I cut him off. “She’s right. You had plenty of opportunities to talk to me before.”

When he turns his attention back to me, his face softens slightly, and I’m reminded of the boy who supposedly loved me for the last two years. “I know I’ve handled things badly, but this is important.”

Wren lets out a sarcastic snort. “Badly? That’s a fucking understatement.”

Ryan turns to argue with her, but I reach out and lay my hand over his, stopping him. “Why now? Why is it important?”

“Can we talk alone?” he repeats, motioning his head towards Wren, who continues to glare at him.

I remain silent, and she flicks her gaze back to me, her eyes growing wide when she realises I’m considering his request. I don’t think he has anything good to say, but Ryan has piqued my interest enough that I can’t walk away. I have to know what’s so important.

She shakes her head with a frown. “I’m not leaving you. I’ll sit here in silence and won’t interrupt, but I’m not leaving you with him.”

Ryan groans. “I’m not going to hurt her.”

“Too fucking late for that, dick,” Wren retaliates, and I have to hold up my hand to silence them both.

I fix my gaze on Wren, letting her know how serious I am as I say, “You can stay, but if you make even a sound, you’ll be gone. I appreciate you looking out for me, so if you can sit in silence, you can stay.”

“But—” Before Ryan can argue, I cut him off.

“I’m agreeing to hear you out, but that’s the only demand you get to make of me. Wren stays, and if you don’t agree to that, you can leave,” I tell him firmly, making it clear there’s no room for discussion.

“Fine,” Ryan mutters as Wren nods her head. She mimes zipping her lips shut, and I can’t help but chuckle. There’s no way my friend will be able to stay silent for the entire conversation, but I appreciate her trying.

“Okay, what is so important? What do you have to tell me?” I ask, hoping he can’t hear how interested I am.

“Look, I didn’t deal with what happened between us very well, but I want to try to make things right. Even though we can’t be together, it doesn’t change the fact that I loved you for the last two years. I care about you, and I want to help you out of the situation you’re in.”

I have to grit my teeth when he refers to our love in the past tense. It’s been just over two months since we broke up, and he’s already over me. Though I suspect he never really loved me at all, and I didn’t love him either. But that’s what hindsight gets you.

“How?” There were so many questions swirling around in my mind, but I settle for the easiest, keen for him to get to the point.

“I want you to be my Prize,” he announces proudly.

It’s like one of those comedy moments you see in films. Wren has just taken a mouthful of her Jack Daniel’s and Coke, and as soon as Ryan says the word Prize, all the liquid spurts out of her mouth before she breaks down into a coughing fit.

I pause to make sure my friend is okay, sliding over my bottle of water, which she gratefully accepts. Her cheeks are bright red by the time her breathing returns to normal, and I can tell it’s taking a lot of effort for her to remain silent right now.

“Why would I agree to be your Prize? You know I’m saving myself to become an Order Wife,” I tell him, my brow wrinkling in confusion.

He lets out a short laugh as he shakes his head. “You really think anyone would want you as an Order Wife now? With your status and reputation? Even the lowest-ranking Order member wouldn’t want someone with your baggage. Being my Prize is your best offer.”