Raven River Academy by Vincent Ruby

Author:Vincent, Ruby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ruby Vincent
Published: 2021-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

ELI WHACKED THE BALL and sent it sailing at my head. I dove out of the way and tripped over my own feet, falling none too gently on my ass.

“That was on purpose!”

He howled, falling down midway through running to check on me. “Total accident.”

I read his reply upside down. Pushing myself up, I skirted the net and bore over him. “Liar. I was finally beating you and you couldn’t handle it. There’s a mean streak in you, Eli Francis Bancroft. A mean, mean streak.”

He was close to pissing himself laughing. “There’s a sore loser in you, Ember Bancroft. Every time it looks like someone is about to beat you, you make them regret it.”

“That’s part of my charm, kid. No restraint. No mercy.” The mantra popped out of my mouth unthinkingly.

“Intense,” Eli replied. “But I like it.”

Through the chain-link fence, Hiro crossed the lawn and ducked into a pavilion.

“Done for the day or another match?” I asked.

“I’ve got homework. Can we play tomorrow?”

I loved that Eli enjoyed tennis. The kid spent so much time inside reading books, getting him interested in anything that required being outside was a struggle. I was the sibling off-roading, hiking, and swimming in the river. He was the one groaning and asking when we were going home.

“Tomorrow,” I confirmed. “Leave the dirty tricks off the court.”

“No promises.”

Eli scrambled up, racing off for a shower, homework session, and at least five chapters before bed. I knew my brother. The person I didn’t know sat whole and perfect under a wooden arch.

The sun set on Raven River forest, throwing a myriad of reds and golds over our world. Hiro did not bask in the beauty. Jet-black curtains rudely hid his face, caressing his cheek and dusting his shoulders the way many wished they could. Hiro rose above secret wants and whispered desires. He was right before us but solidly untouchable. Like the single velvety rope that separated you from a museum’s priceless masterpiece. It was the easiest thing in the world to step over the line, but the swift, severe consequences that would follow pinned your feet.

I lifted my foot, stepping into the pavilion. “Hiro.”

He pulled his head out of the book.

“Eli and I were practicing over there,” I said unnecessarily. “And I saw you. Do you usually come out here to read?”

“No, but Royal got a call from Rio and it started getting loud. Clearing out was the best move.”

“Is everything okay?”

He lifted one shoulder. “We’ll find out.”

That did not reassure me, but it wasn’t meant to. Blowing smoke up my butt wouldn’t shield me when the axe came down.

“We’re doing our best to find the dealer. Rio knows that, right? He can’t put a time limit on this. If the police could round up criminals on a schedule, Rio would be in Supermax by now.”

Hiro chuckled. “Again. Don’t let Rio hear you say that.”

“I don’t have plans to be within hearing distance of that man ever again.”

“Good thinking.”

“What are you reading?” I asked.

“Manga. My Japanese will get rusty if I don’t keep reading and speaking.

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