The Raven and the Witchhunter

by H. M. Gooden

  Vanessa shrugged. "I know, but that's all I want. It would make my life pretty much perfect. My dream is you, Emma Jane, nothing else. I have everything I could ever want in life. I love my family and my job. I have some cool people to hang out with."

  She gazed intently into Emma Jane's swirling eyes. "The only thing I don't have is you, in my arms."

  Emma Jane leaned toward her. The table in between them acted as a small barrier to their bodies, but not their hearts.

  "That's my dream, too,” said Emma Jane. "Maybe one day, but not right now."

  Vanessa leaned closer. "Well, if I can't have you in my bed with me all night, would you sit with me on the couch, just for awhile?"

  Emma Jane looked uncertain, but Vanessa could see the exact moment when she wavered.

  Vanessa smiled with relief. "I'll race you?" she joked, raising one eyebrow challengingly, but Emma Jane just chuckled.

  "I'll take it slow, thank you very much. I'm a little tired myself at the moment. Strange, I know, since I technically took on a whole new power, but there you have it."

  She paused thoughtfully. "Actually, I feel like I ate too much and need a nap. Funny, hey?"

  Vanessa nodded. "Yep, funny. Come on, let's sit."

  She took Emma Jane's hand and pulled her semi-rigid body up. It was almost as though Emma Jane was dreading what was about to happen, but despite all of her protests, Vanessa could tell she wasn't really resisting, more delaying the moment. She felt the same level of excitement, but was too impatient to wait. She'd never liked to delay anything and experienced a form of minor torture until the moment Emma Jane finally sat next to her on the soft couch. Vanessa turned slightly to face Emma Jane, putting both her hands into her soft mahogany hair and stroking it away from her face. She could feel Emma Jane's body soften, her resistance melting, and leaned in.

  Just one small kiss, Vanessa told herself, just one. Yet the kiss went on forever and Vanessa felt her heart and soul melt into that single moment. She'd never move from here if she was allowed to stay. It was caramels, chocolate, and Christmas all in one instant as her heart exploded. Then she felt the absence of warmth and her eyes flew open at the unexpected loss. Emma Jane's cheeks were flushed and her breathing was faster than normal, but she appeared solemn and had sat back, moving away from Vanessa.

  "Not tonight, Vanessa, as much as I wish things were different. I'm too unstable right now. I've just absorbed new powers and I'm not sure how closed I am. I don't think tonight is going to be a snuggle night. Neither of us have enough control."

  Vanessa sighed deeply, unhappy, but knowing Emma Jane was right. If she had her way, she'd stay touching her forever. "I know. Maybe tomorrow?" She looked hopefully at Emma Jane.

  "I don't know. Maybe. Goodnight, Vanessa. I'll see you in the morning."

  "A goodnight kiss?" she asked mischievously, pushing for more, then grinned when Emma Jane looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Hey it was worth a shot. Goodnight, Emma Jane. I'll see you tomorrow."

  Vanessa watched as she walked away, closing the bedroom door behind her. She sighed, looking out the window into the night. She understood it was the safe plan, the smart plan. But she'd never been one to look before she leapt and it was hard to start now. She sat thinking for a long time before going to bed.

  VANESSA STRUGGLED TO wake up the next morning, rolling over in the spare bed and looking across the room at the empty place where her sister usually slept. Vanessa grunted as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, padding over to the housecoat she'd thrown on the floor the previous day.

  Cat must already be up and out for her run. Ugh. The hangover feeling is really strong this morning. Hopefully I can get her to give me a little pickup.

  Entering the kitchen, she headed to the kettle for her crappy instant coffee.

  I've got to fix this. No self-respecting wanna-be actress would put up with this quality of coffee. Maybe if I worked at Starbucks, with everyone else.

  Sitting down at the table, she breathed in the coffee smell as she sipped. She wasn't even halfway through the cup when the door opened and Cat bounced in, sweaty and glowing with an ear-to-ear smile.

  "Good morning."

  Vanessa mumbled a hello. She didn't feel perky enough to deal with her sister after a run.

  "Hey, how was last night?" Cat took off her hat and gloves, untied her shoes, then put them to the side before she looked up again.

  "It was fine." Vanessa hung her head, taking another sip from her drink.

  Cat shook her head. "Just fine, hmm? So how come you look all dull and dingy?"

  Vanessa shrugged. "Honestly, we only talked for a few minutes before Emma Jane went to bed,” she said, then added in response to Cat's questioning look. "Alone. But I guess the night's events dragged me out more than I thought they would."

  "Okay, let me fix it. Honestly, you look like a lovesick poet or something. Your aura isn't half as bad as your face."

  "Hey!"

  Vanessa glared, but Cat just shook her head, grabbing Vanessa's hand. Within seconds, she felt a wave of energy run over her and sighed as her headache disappeared as well.

  "Thanks, I needed that. Any news about a permanent fix? You mentioned something last night. Said you may hear something soon?"

  Cat shook her head. "I haven't heard back yet, but I'm hoping we'll have some news later today. I've been thinking, why don't you guys come with me to the university? They have an amazing library there. Maybe you can find something about protective spells, or an answer in a book?"

  "Ha!" Vanessa scoffed. "Fat chance of that. I think we'd stand a better chance going to a psychic."

  Cat shrugged. "Well, it's an idea. Do you have any better ones?"

  "No, not really," she answered, glumly. "I was going to wait and see what Emma Jane wanted to do, but otherwise I had no plans other than to go in to work, and see what's going on."

  "Oh, yeah, I forgot. Did you get a call?" Cat asked, tilting her head to the side.

  "No, I haven't heard anything yet, but I figure it's better to show up than not. Especially if the police are watching me.”

  "Yeah, good point. Okay, well, I'm going to shower, then jet. Did you need anything else?"

  Vanessa shook her head. "No. Thanks for the reboot. That should get me through the day at least. Let me know if you find something though. This is seriously going to drive me crazy if it lasts much longer."

  Cat patted her shoulder sympathetically."I know. I will."

  VANESSA HAD FINISHED her first cup of coffee and was well into her second when Emma Jane came out, looking clean and fresh and far more energetic than she had any right to. Then again, she had sucked the life out of one woman and likely taken some of Vanessa's by accident as well.

  "Good morning."

  The warm, sultry sound of her voice made Vanessa close her eyes with an aching need that caught her unprepared. It took a moment before she could respond. "Good morning. How'd you sleep last night?"

  Her mouth went dry as an image of Emma Jane in her bed flashed through her head, leaving her with an intense craving she had a hard time containing.

  Emma Jane must have noticed, because her cheeks flushed. "I slept okay, although like you, not as well as I wanted."

  "What are we going to do, Emma Jane? It's only been a few days and I'm dying here. I want to be with you so badly, but I don't know what to do about it." Vanessa hadn't meant to say the words out loud, but the pleading tore right out of her of its own volition, and she groaned in embarrassment. "Oh god, I'm sorry. Please, forget I said anything. I'm just tired and a little cranky this morning. It's totally not your fault or anything we should be discussing so early in the day."

  Emma Jane sat down across from her and gently patted her hand, but didn't let it rest there for long.

  "I know, Vanessa. I feel the same way you do. I’ve been thinking of a story I heard a few years ago. I didn't think much of it at the time because I was alone and was used to it by then."

&n
bsp; She looked embarrassed, but continued anyway. "Remember when I said I'd looked for something so that I could be close to people, maybe even have a relationship someday?"

  Vanessa nodded. "Yes, I remember. But you said you hadn't been able to find anything."

  Emma Jane tilted her head to the side. "Well, yes and no. I didn't actually find it, but I did hear a tale about a talisman of sorts."

  Vanessa sat straight up in her chair. "A talisman? You mean, maybe there is something?"

  Emma Jane nodded. "There's a legend of a medicine man from the Saulteaux people who made amulets of such strong protection that no one would be able to hurt the wearer. But the Saulteaux were tricky and my people have had a history of struggles with them over the centuries. Sometimes they were our allies, sometimes our enemies. I was unable to find any details about the exact nature of the item that would be able to do this, but I did find out that it had a very strong protection on it, given by the medicine man himself."

  Vanessa felt hope rise within her. "So, it's possible one of these amulets still exists?"

  Emma Jane shrugged. "Possible, yes, but I don’t know where to start. It would be like finding a needle in a haystack. The legends of my people are scattered and hard to pin down, let alone any of the magical objects that were important to them back then."

  Vanessa slumped down in her chair with disappointment. "Well, that sucks."

  She looked at her watch, reluctantly noting the time. "I have to go to work again today, at least long enough to see what's happening. Do you want to come? Cat mentioned we could check out the library at the university, but I don't think I have time today. You could go, if you think it would be useful."

  Emma Jane nodded thoughtfully. "You know, that's not a bad idea. I've gotten great pieces of information from research librarians in the past. That would be a much better use of my time, for both of us."

  She smiled softly at Vanessa, drawing a reluctant smile in return.

  "Fine. Do you want me to drop you off? If so, we’d need to leave now."

  "Sure, that would be great."

  Vanessa stood up. "Okay, grab your things and I'll wait at the door."

  As they left the apartment, Vanessa wondered if there truly was a chance that somewhere out there, a magical item existed that could provide the one thing she wanted above all else, and she sent a prayer to whoever was listening. One way or another, she would find a way to be with Emma Jane.

  @2018 by H. M. Gooden

  Cover design by Franzi Haase

  Edits by Simon Rose @ simon-rose.com

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any forms or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior express written permission of the publisher and the copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or paper editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Your support of author's rights is much appreciated.

  Published in Canada by H. M. Gooden.

  www.Hmgoodenauthor.com

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the adventures of my characters as much as I enjoy writing them. I’d initially started my series with the intention to write just one book, then it turned into a trilogy, and then I created my own world. (I have issues with goodbye, apparently!)

  If you’ve enjoyed this book you’ll be happy to know Vanessa and Emma Jane have many more adventures ahead of them and the next instalment is coming soon.

  Reader reviews are incredibly important to indie authors like me, so it would mean so much if you could take a few minutes to leave an honest review wherever you buy books online. Even a few words can make the difference in helping a future reader give a book a chance, as every review makes it more visible in the vast ocean of literature.

  If you’re interested in receiving updates, giveaways, or advanced copies of upcoming books, sign up for my mailing list at books@hmgoodenauthor.com, or through my webpage at www.hmgoodenauthor.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and many other places. I always love to hear from readers and do my best to answer every comment when possible. I hope you will join me in my next adventure!

  H. M. Gooden

  OTHER BOOKS WRITTEN BY H. M. GOODEN

  The Rise of the Light Series

  Dream of Darkness, Book 1

  The Stone Dragon, Book 2

  The Phoenix and the Witch, Book 3

  Dragons are forever, Book 4

  (prequel to the upcoming Dragons of the North trilogy, a stand alone series)

  The Raven and The Witch Hunter, Book 5

  (Book 1 in the upcoming series, The Raven and the Witch Hunter. Stand alone but with some familiar characters popping in)

  Short stories in the Rise of the light series

  Mai’s first date

  Fiona’s gift

  Watch for more news on upcoming books at H. M. Gooden's site!

  Did you love The Raven and The Witch hunter? Then you should read The Spirit Of Big Bear by H. M. Gooden!

  Vanessa and Emma Jane have successfully navigated the dangerous soul thief. Now they must find a way to be together in spite of Emma Jane's power, which threatens Vanessa's life each time they become too close.This time, they will travel to the Rocky Mountains in search of a talisman that may provide the answers they need for a life of happiness.Together, they will discover that the beauty of the mountains hides a danger they weren't expecting. Will they succeed, or will their quest for love lead them to an untimely end?

  Read more at H. M. Gooden’s site.

  About the Author

  H. M. Gooden has always loved the world of books, but over the last few years a new story has begged to be told, and as a result, this series was born.In between dealing with children and work, the majority of the actual writing happens between four and six am and involves multiple cups of coffee for inspiration.You can always find me @HMGoodenauthor on twitter, where I'm likely spending more time than I should, or on my facebook page, or at HMGoodenauthor.com.I always love to hear from readers!

  Read more at H. M. Gooden’s site.