Raven Born: An Urban Fantasy Shifter Series (Lost Souls Series Book 1)
Page 26
Back to talking about Becca and the other guy. Harper eyed him, but let it go. If he wanted to tell her how he got his supernatural abilities, he would. She took the edge of one wing in her hand, plucking at a fluffy down feather that stuck out from beneath the larger ones. If Tyson’s cousin was headed to another state, how could Harper and Tyson get to them? Harper could fly, but not while carrying Tyson. Not without resting frequently, and that would make them vulnerable to capture. The wheels in Harper’s head turned and, glancing at Tyson, she could tell he did the same, though whether they were thinking along the same lines or not she couldn’t tell. She wasn’t a mind reader.
A boot scraped the rock behind them, and they pivoted to face a familiar bald man.
“You again,” Harper stood, wings flaring. A protective urge surged in her, and when Tyson tried to stand next to her, her wing flicked into him, knocking him back a step.
The man held up his hands. “Just a messenger this time.” He reached out with an envelope, handing it to Harper. He shook it when she didn’t immediately take it. “Come on, it won’t bite.” He grinned, front teeth baring literal vampiric fangs.
Harper snatched the envelope and ripped open the flap. Tyson ducked under her wing and peered at the folded paper with her. There was a plastic credit card inside with a pink sticky note.
Cheers.
A single word on the sticky note. No name. Harper flipped the credit card over, searching, but it was one of those generic, pre-loaded cards.
“Is this from Lilith?”
The man shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “It’s yours. And I’m supposed to tell you that if you ever need help, you’re welcome here. Just show up at the boundary and we’ll let you in.”
Let them in? “Wait, does that mean she’s closing up the camp again? I thought she said they would be free.”
“They are free. Free from the tyranny of those two you offed. Listen, you have what you need. Get outta here before the Stiffs swarm the place. There’s been a murder, or didn’t you hear?” He gave a wicked grin, and his body blurred. One moment he stood in front of them, the next he was a smeared line zipping among the trees. Super speed. Harper would feel more envious if she weren’t so confused.
“She paid you?”
“I-I wasn’t expecting this.” Harper held the card daintily, staring at it. “Wonder how much is on it?”
“Harper!” Tyson’s voice rose in pitch. “You can’t accept that. It’s blood money.”
“It’s not a bribe if I didn’t know she would give it to me. That’s not why I did it,” I snapped back.
“Then why did you?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Harper ignored him, shoving the card into the back pocket of her jeans. “Come on. We don’t have time for this.” She walked ahead a few feet, expecting him to follow. When he didn’t, she spun around. A few drops of rain pricked her skin.
Tyson gave her a critical gaze. “You know she probably has a plan. She won’t stop with a single camp.”
He was right. Lilith had said that her coven sisters outside of Camp Silver Lake were doing the same. Did they have orbs, too, or was there only one? Harper kept silent, turning back toward the tree line. Her hand throbbed, a deep thrumming ache from the palm. She flipped it over, staring at the glowing purple ‘X’ on her palm.
“You all right?” Tyson asked, walking up beside her. Harper closed her hand in a tight fist to hide the mark.
“Yeah,” she lied. Her feet moved forward of their own accord. “Listen, whatever Lilith’s planning, it’s not our problem anymore. We need to focus on finding your cousin.” And what’s-his-name. Dammit. Why couldn’t she remember his name? Her spine trembled oddly at the thought of Becca’s companion.
“Yeah. Maybe you’re right.” Tyson squinted, looking forward with one hand gripping his backpack, the other dangling by its thumb from his pocket. If it weren’t for Harper’s wings and Tyson’s missing shoes, anyone looking at them might think they were two hikers out for the day. A couple enjoying nature together.
Harper buried the thought as memories of Fletcher crashed down on her. His earnest smile. His brilliant wings. A kiss on a cliff.
No, Tyson and Harper were not a couple. Not human, not paranormal. Just a couple of lost souls waiting for their turn to die.
Ready for the next installment in the Lost Souls Trilogy?
Check out Serpent Cursed.
Acknowledgements
Deep gratitude to the numerous people who watched my five kids so I could make this book happen. Special thanks to Vanessa, Lynette, Rachel W., Annalise, Aerin, Dana, and Karen for the time they gave me.
Thanks to my mom for bouncing ideas and talking book marketing even though it’s not your jam. You help me stay sane.
A million thanks to my writing group, the Brambles Girls, for the hours they’ve spent reading, critiquing, answering my questions, settling my fears, and helping me become a better writer and person. You’re all beautiful, and you deserve to have all your dreams come true. Thank you for helping me with mine.
Thank you, Melissa, for being my book doctor. You’re magical.
Of course, this would all be just a dream if it weren’t for the support of my husband. Tyler, you inspire me, put up with me, encourage me, and love me. You’re everything I could hope for and more.
Also by Bree Moore
Camelot Retelling
Woven
Bound
Peter Pan Retelling
Second Star
Anthologies
Beyond Instinct
Counterclockwise
About the Author
Bree Moore lives in Utah with her amazing husband and five children. When she’s not busy homeschooling or folding laundry, she sneaks off to write more urban fantasy.
Bree has a passion for pregnancy and childbirth, which influences her female-led stories. She loves shopping for groceries like other women like shopping for shoes (no, seriously), movies that make her cry, and Celtic music. She likes both her chocolate and her novels dark.
Bree is also a resident writer at www.WritingThroughBrambles.com, a blog for fellow authors and readers.
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