“The next thing I remember is…excruciating pain.” His body twitches and jerks at the memory. His heartbeat thumps in his chest. I hold him tighter for fear he will collapse. “Demon magic turned me to stone and then changed me back.” He gulps. “When I came to, I was sprawled on Jude’s dining room floor. Persephone whispered in my ear what needed to be done. I had no time to regain my strength. I forced the change. It was agony…”
His entire body trembles. I rub his arms and back, trying to calm him. “I found a bloody white feather at Jude house’s the next day,” I tell him. My nerve endings are raw, envisioning his pain. I pull back, look into his face, tears blurring my vision. “You shouldn’t have done it. Any of it. You could’ve died.”
Marcus shakes his head. “The blood on that feather is yours, Lucy, not mine.” He takes my hands in his. His gaze meets mine. “As for saving you, I’d do it all over again.”
“I can’t stand that you were in so much pain,” I choke. It’s torture to know how much he suffered. “I love you.”
“I love you.” Marcus strokes my hair, his expression filled with tenderness. His voice turns husky and I hear his pain. It mirrors my own. “You have absolutely no idea how much.” He takes me in his arms. His lips press against my forehead, my hair, my cheeks, kissing away three weeks’ worth of misery. I guide his lips to mine. It feels like forever since we last kissed. I press myself against him as heat spreads through me.
Marcus pushes me away, an apologetic look on his face. “Give me a little time to get my strength back, okay?”
My cheeks flush hot. “I’m sorry.” He’s so fragile that I’m afraid to take his hand. Our conversation stalls for a couple of moments, then I remember the message that I’m supposed to deliver. “Jude asked me to make sure you’re on board with our promise. Persephone told you about that, right?”
He takes a step back and groans. “I could really use a lifetime away from that guy.”
“We have a deal, Marcus,” I remind him. “I remain in his life and you and I get to be together. You’ll never have to spend even a minute with him. I promise. I don’t want you to suffer.”
He glares at me. “I’ll never trust him, Lucy, especially around you. He’s a filthy demon.”
I feel a stab of pain at his words. I’m half-demon. Does that make me filthy and evil in his eyes? With a sinking feeling, I realize that it’s only a matter of time before Marcus recognizes that I’m not good enough for him.
“About Seamus...he’s out there still.” I try to keep the panic from my face, my voice. “Part of the deal is that I have to train with Jude. I need to be able to protect myself.”
“Apparently I don’t have a say in this.” His lips press into a thin, angry line.
I grab him by the arms and shake him gently. “Don’t you get it? I made this deal for us, so we can be together.” I watch his expression go from anger to acceptance, although it takes a lot of effort for him to get there.
“Come here,” he sighs. He pulls me to him. My head rests against his chest. No more conversations about demons. Marcus is here with me. He loves me.
“Lucy Walker! You better get into this house right now young lady!”
Marcus and I break apart. Sheldon is puffing his way toward us with Bernard just two steps behind.
“And you…you…you…” He waves his finger at Marcus.
Sheldon’s so mad, he can’t even find the words.
“I’ll call you later,” Marcus whispers. He gives me a light squeeze and moves away.
I give him a little wave and a smile as Sheldon wraps his arm around my shoulders and shepherds me out of the garage with Bernard in our wake. “What did we tell you? He’s no good for you! We want you to stay away from him, Lucy—”
I stop listening to his rant and just grin. I’m filled with the craziest sensation. A feeling of weightlessness, as if my insides are filled with air. This must be what real happiness feels like.
I live in Gram’s house with my memories of her, and with my amazing uncles, who will get over being mad at Marcus eventually. My best friend lives across the street. My protective gargoyle boyfriend lives upstairs. I have a great job taking care of two kids I adore, not to mention that it gives me time with my other best friend, Dylan.
Then there’s Jude. He’s not the father I’d hoped for. But compared to Momma, he’s not the worst parent in the world either. He loves me. He’d do anything in his power to protect me. That has to count for something, right?
And then there’s Lola. The only pet I’ve ever known. I beckon for her to come down from her perch high in the old oak tree. She lands on my hand, her talons gentle as they grab hold. She’s fully recovered and Persephone and I now share custody of her.
I always thought happiness would mean having a normal life—clothes that looked like everyone else’s, a best friend, a boyfriend who loves me, a family. Now I have all those things, but my life is farther from normal than it ever was without them. And I couldn’t be happier.
- The End -
Acknowledgements
My sincere gratitude to the following:
First and foremost to Dale, my sister and lifeline, who was (and still is) the biggest cheerleader of this book. She fell in love with Lucy and the rest of the characters from the beginning and never allowed me give up on them and their story.
To Dennis for believing in my dream and for being such a generous spirit.
My Aunt Winifred for her encouragement and belief in me as a writer, for her valuable critique and for her advice on so many aspects of writing and publishing.
My family (in my world, that includes my dear friends …you know who you are). I’m blessed to have such an incredible support network of amazing, loving people in my life.
Lynn Johnston - Editor extraordinaire. You helped to elevate this book into so much more than it was. You are an incredible teacher and I have learned so much from you.
Kayle Allen – Ninja critique partner. You understood my characters as well as I did and you helped transform this book into what it is today. Thank you for your generosity and for your love of Lucy, Marcus and Dylan.
My Katten family (including Tuna) for their advice and support.
Patrick Morris and Susan Floress for sharing their knowledge of Chicago Catholic high schools and answering all of my questions.
Marcela Uribe who took time out of her busy schedule while starting a life in Paris to read a very early draft and for offering her suggestions and encouragement.
Christine DeSmet (University of Wisconsin – Madison, Continuing Studies) for mentoring me in the very beginning. She taught me valuable information that every newbie author needs to know.
Brianna Latko and Ryan Bergin for granting me access to St. Ignatius College Prep, and for teaching me about the history of this remarkable school. It is one of the most beautiful establishments I have had the pleasure of touring.
To my incredible team of beta readers: Nicole Floress, Royelle Kashiwahara, Marissa Gracia, Andrew Gruber, Lisa Whalen, Katherine Woods and Mikayla Gruber – thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all ROCK!!!
Ken Nicholson of 3 Step Internet for my amazing website.
About the Author
PAULINE GRUBER is a self-professed music junkie, cat wrangler and daytripper. She wrote her first book in seventh grade about a trio of cat siblings and won an award for it. Fast forward to 1992 when she took a trip to Paris with her aunt where she discovered a love of three things: travel, croissants and old cathedrals, especially those featuring gargoyles. Twenty years later, she translates her fascination with gargoyles into an extraordinarily suspenseful love story. Pauline lives outside of Chicago with her precocious black cats.
For more information about The Girl and the Raven and the author, please visit:
www.PaulineGruber.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty- Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Acknowledgements
About the Author
The Girl and The Raven Page 29
