The Unknowing

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything dealing with DCU

Chapter Twenty: Raven Roth

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Raven's POV

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My world is a numb nothingness that has everything fading in and out. I can't focus on anything, let alone open my eyes but I can hear a couple voices around me as I try to make sense of what's going on. Too bad it feels impossible to do right now.

"Hurry! With how powerful she is, the spell can't last much longer. Use the power dampers and then the Comply Serum. She is too important to have all of this ruined now."

"Of course, Brother Blood."

I feel a cold chill when the power damper cuffs are placed on my wrists. I can feel enough to make out the cold metal my body is sitting against, strapped to a chair. A pain in my neck alerts me that my head is hanging low and yet, I still can't open my eyes. But sure enough, my head is spinning a million miles a minute. It's then that a warm hand cups my face and gently raises it.

"I'm afraid this is going to be quite painful, my love. But it will all be worth it because we will finally be together. Forever."

I wish more than ever that I could know what the fuck is going on but it's like their voices are coming in and immediately back out again.

"Sir, I advise for her to receive a dose every day. With her powers, there's no telling if she can break through or not so it's better not to risk it."

"Do we know yet if it'll work correctly?"

"Not until she wakes up I'm afraid. She has a different physiologically than humans. Her demon blood could potentially affect the Serum in adverse ways than we anticipate. However, as long as it works, once a day should do just the trick."

The warmth leaves my cheek then and I think there's shuffling next to me before I feel a cold hand on my neck and pressure starting to build there.

"Have we heard from Joker yet?"

"No, sir. We tried contacting him but he hasn't responded yet."

"Keep trying. I'm going to need a considerable deal more of the Comply Serum if my betrothed is to have it daily. We need time to replenish more batches and adjust if we need to, now that we have access to her blood samples."

"Yes, Brother Blood."

The voices begin to fade as the worst pain I've ever felt in my life hits me like a freight train. I remember screaming or at least thinking I was screaming but I'm not sure if any noise actually came out.

….

I hear a loud and eerie scream, the type of eerie that sends shivers up and down your spine and makes the hairs on your back raise. A sharp pain shoots through my head and again I hear that blood curdling scream fill my ears until that's all I can focus on.

It takes me longer than it should have to realize that the screaming is coming from my hoarse throat. Tears well up in my eyes until they storm down my cheeks, leaving wreckage on its way. I can't help the shudders that course my body, wrapping me in paralyzing fear. Before I knew it, I'm screaming again but I don't know why. I just have this overwhelming fear in me, a fear that feels like it will soon eat me alive.

My eyes shoot open and I quickly sit up in the vast bed I find myself in. Dark burgundy sheets pool at my waist and shaky hands hold my shoulders as I try to get my breathing under wraps. My attention is soon taken when I hear a door creaking open before me. If I thought I couldn't be more afraid, I was miserably wrong.

Where the hell am I?! I don't recognize that door or this room. Wait… who am I? My breaths are coming in harsher, I can feel myself start to hyperventilate. A warm hand touches my shoulder, causing me to flinch back on instinct and wishing I could disappear in this bed forever. I wrap my arms tightly around my legs and rock back and forth. I don't know where or who I am but I have this underlying feeling that I should not be here.

"Shhh, my sweet sweet, Raven. You're okay, you're safe. I'm here with you, everything is how it should be now. There's nothing to worry about," a soft voice hums in my ear.

"Safe?" Is that my voice? It has to be but even I notice how frail I sound.

"Yes, dear, you're safe and you're finally home." His voice sounds like one of a God. I have to admit it is the smoothest, softest voice I've ever heard. I feel caught in his alluring tone. It makes me feel like I could open myself up to him, like I could trust him.

"I'm lost… I'm scared. I-I don't know what's going on, I-"

"Shhh, my beautiful wife, it's okay. I will explain everything to you in the morning, I promise. But first, you need to calm down. Relax your mind. There's nothing to fret now, my love."

"Wife?"

I finally look up at the man for the first time. He is breathtaking to say the least. His lush, golden hair is groomed perfectly back with a rippling quality as it falls along his forehead. His skin is pale, almost gray, with big beautiful red eyes shining down on me and his straight nose complements his prominent cheekbones. I stop for a moment, mesmerized by his eyes. Never in my life have I seen eyes that striking.

I feel a dip in the bed as he sits next to me, which I would have expected myself to flinch in response but instead I remain still. His warm arms encircle my small frame, moving me to the middle of the bed. I reluctantly let him pry my arms apart as he gently lowers my head against his chest. The sound of his even breathing relaxes my raging mind. I sense no danger, only calmness in the still of the night.

"Yes, I'm to be your husband and you're to be my wife and for all of our flock to witness. But now, you're home where it's safe. I got you now." His voice causes a low rumble of his chest, I let it lull me into more relaxation.

While I don't remember anything, I have this strong voice in my head telling me I can trust him. That I should trust him. He's done nothing wrong to me and is comforting me in my time of need. I'm naturally sinking into his strong arms, releasing a breath I've been holding too long. He wipes all traces of tears from my face and looks at me with an expression that makes my heart melt. I close my eyes as he strokes my cheek with one hand while the other has a strong hold around my waist. I focus on my breathing again, collecting myself. I slowly wrap my arms around him which he responds immediately by kissing the top of my head and giving me an extra squeeze.

"That's it, beautiful, do you feel better now?" I nod in response hoping he'll take that as I do not trust my voice right now.

But I do feel better, a lot better than when I first woke up at least. I still have so many questions to ask him. How did I get here? Why don't I remember anything, including myself? How long have we been married? How did I lose my memories? I can feel the fear rise back up but I will it down for now as I focus on my breathing again. He said he'll explain everything in the morning so I'll just have to wait until then.

"Good. Now it's late, Raven, you need to get your sleep. I'll stay here with you the whole time, okay?" His warm touch leaves my face to grab the blanket and cover us. His touch is intoxicating, it feels like home.

My head starts to feel hazy and my eyes foggy. I faintly hear him humming, probably trying to soothe over any leftover anxiety I have. The low rumble of his chest is the last thing I hear before darkness finally overtakes me.

….

This time I'm awakened by a bright light rudely hitting my face and the sound of heavy curtains swinging open. I crack my eyes open enough to see it's the same man from last night. He peers over at me with a smile that makes my knees weak. Why am I having this type of reaction? I don't even remember him.

"Good morning, my future queen. Sorry to wake you but we have lots to do today and it's already late morning. But don't worry, a servant will be in momentarily with our breakfast and then I can answer any and all questions I know you have for me."

He takes a seat on the edge of the bed and holds my small hands in his big ones. He's warm to the touch and it has me leaning into him, craving more. Now that it's daylight, I can see his face more clearly. He looks like he was crafted from marble into this exquisite man before me. He stands tall and radiates this all consuming energy while the sunlight shines down on him. And those piercing red eyes with little shreds of pink near the pupils are easy to get lost in. Is this what a God looks like?

Taking in the rest of the room, I notice that it is larger than I would ever think to need for a bedroom but I can't deny its beauty. Large paintings hang on every wall, full length windows that let a nice breeze in, expensive looking furniture adorning the empty space and even the walls have beautifully crafted designs that scream Victorian. My attention is drawn back to the four poster bed I am sitting on as my so-called future husband scoots closer to me.

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear before whispering softly, "Oh how I've missed you, the way you look at me with those big beautiful eyes. The way you always smell of lavender and earl grey tea. Mhmm…" Soft lips ghost over my neck, barely touching me before he quickly pulls back. "I'm sorry, love, it's just that you are so perfect and I've missed you a great deal but we must wait until after you get your energy back. Not to mention we need to make us official with the ceremony."

I'm still confused but before I get the chance to start asking him the million and one questions I have, the large doors to the bedroom open and in walks a young man with a tray full of food. He places it on the bed, bows in our direction and hastily leaves without a sound. My husband, if that's truly who he is, plucks a strawberry and starts feeding me. I have to admit, I'm famished so I follow his lead without a single argument leaving my lips. Oblivious to the intense looking eyes, I lick the remaining juices from the tips of my fingers, wishing for more.

Unfortunately I don't get any more fruit, instead he cups my face and moves our foreheads until they're resting against each other. The last words I hear from him are, "open up to me," before a million flashes invade my mind, all coming together in one instant.

I can see it now. So many lost memories of my life up until now. My life with Sebastian, the Titans imprisoning me, Jason deceiving me to get close enough to learn of my husband's plans for a better future in an attempt to stop it all from happening. A peaceful future the world needed and he's worked so long to achieve. I can feel rage bubbling deep within me, crawling to the surface and my eyes start to glow red.

"I'm going to kill them for what they did, Sebastian." I make sure to look deep into his eyes so he knows how serious I am. "I promise, I will make them pay for keeping us apart and foolishly attempting to stop you. I-I'm ashamed I've let them trick me. I'm sorry I disappointed you."

I look at my lap and chew on my lower lip. I feel too much shame to look into his loving eyes. I don't deserve his love because I failed him. I ignorantly let Jason and Dick into my life for them to betray my trust. How naive could I possibly be? The more I think about it, the more my head hurts. Whatever spell they placed on me to let my guard down will never happen again, I will make sure of that. They will pay for this.

"I could never be disappointed in you, my dear. This isn't your fault. We'll punish them in time and make this right. You have my word on that. Nothing can stop us when we're together, Raven. We are invincible and it's almost time to show the rest of the world just that. We need to enlighten the nonbelievers and cleanse this sinful plane of existence. But first…" Sebastian trails off as he holds me in his arms. I lean into his touch, feeling this sort of compulsion drawing me closer.

He cradles my face, pulling me closer until his lips are on mine and my world is complete once more. But this isn't enough, I need to feel more of him. I can't exactly explain it but I have this sudden urge to lose myself in his essence and be one with him. He pulls back and I whimper at the loss of contact. Blood red eyes pierce into mine as I helplessly gaze into their undoing.

"Do you know what happens when a demon drinks blood, Raven?"

"What?"

"It enhances their powers, meaning your powers. But did you know that I get the same effect when drinking or bathing in blood?" I shake my head and he smiles. "The blood of the disbelievers gives me life and strengthens my immortality. We are much alike, you and I, and I couldn't be happier that you're finally here. Now we can make the world a better place and that starts today, my love."

Standing up too quickly for my liking, he takes my hand and leads me to the door. "Where are we going, Sebastian?"

"We need to make sure our powers are at hundred percent and for that we both need blood. Then, we can start the ritual so you finally become what you were always meant to be." Opening the door, I see a Church member bowing before us. "Marcee, please assist Raven from here. I'm sorry, my love, I know you've only just come back to me but we both need to be ready for what's next."

My lips pout thinking about not being with him even for a minute. "But-"

"I have a surprise for you but first Marcee here needs some final touch ups before it's complete. Afterwards, she will bring you right back to me." I feel him squeeze my hands as if to reassure my nerves.

"Yes, Sebastian." I nod and go to follow Marcee but not before Sebastian graces me with his lips on mine. Lips I wish never had to leave my own but like all good things, it comes to an end as he makes his way down the hallway.

"This way, Miss Raven," I hear Marcee say as she leads the opposite way.

I stay quiet as I follow along the dim hallway yet I can't help but wonder what surprise he has for me. All I know is that I can't wait to get back to my husband-to-be.