Dusk Unveiled (Ravenwood Coven Book 2)

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  We hadn’t had a revenant attack since I came back from the In Between. I didn’t know if that was Oriel and Renee regaining their composure and gathering their forces or if it was just them playing with us. Knowing how William had been when we were kids, it felt like a cat and mouse game. That they were waiting for us to make the next move, even though we didn’t have one.

  Rome pulled up next to me and frowned. “Ariel and I were out on the eastern section this morning because Rowen thought she felt a disturbance in the wards, but there was nothing.” Ariel was Rome’s beta, having taken Trace’s place when Faith killed the other bear. She was strong, smart, and knew how to fight. She was also a damn good tracker.

  “If she couldn’t find anything, maybe it was nothing.”

  “Yes, maybe it was a small bunny making that disturbance.” Rome shook his head. “No, somebody wanted us out there. Maybe to test our defenses again?”

  I frowned, pulling out my phone.

  Me: Aiden, any breaches?

  Aiden: No, we’re on alert. Getting ready for this evening as well. However, there have been no sightings. No ward breaks on our end. Yours?

  I had left Aiden in charge while I went to the witches today to go over spells and plans with the coven. Aiden was to track any encroachments onto our territory, just in case William had found a way in. After all, he had once known the land as well as we did. And no amount of changing access points and increasing security could change the fact that William had grown up in the aerie and knew it like the back of his hand.

  Me: Keep on the lookout. Something’s happening, or at least it’s coming, and we don’t know what it is. The coven is doing a healing spell today to help strengthen the wards now that Laurel is back. Hopefully, that will help.

  Aiden: Sounds good to me. We’ll take all the help we can get. The hatchlings can’t wait to see you guys.

  My lips quirked into a smile.

  Me: Good. I can’t wait to see them.

  I slid my phone back into my pocket and turned around. Rome did the same with his cell, and we leaned in to each other, trying not to interrupt the coven.

  “Anything?” Rome asked.

  “No, but Aiden’s on the lookout. And they’re getting ready for this afternoon.”

  Rome grinned. “Sounds like a plan.” His anchor moved around his neck and then down his arm, as my hawk did the same on mine. His bear was so playful, even if it was a bit of an asshole sometimes. But it liked my hawk as if they—and Rome and I—had been friends and brothers since the beginning of time. And sometimes, it felt like that.

  “Are you done?” Ash asked as he came over to us. He wasn’t part of the spell today, and I wasn’t sure if he felt put out about that or not. I didn’t know if he felt anything.

  “We are. They haven’t started the spell yet. We aren’t interrupting them,” Rome grumbled, and I held back a smile.

  Rowen looked over at us, her long, dark hair pulled back from her face. “We’re about to do the spell, so I’m going to need quiet. From all of you.” She glared at Ash, even though he was the one who had spoken the least, but we knew why that was. We all knew, but I wasn’t sure Ash knew anymore.

  Now that Laurel had broken her curse, I wanted to focus on not only keeping the town safe from whatever darkness was coming, but also Ash.

  William was a problem. We would deal with him. Just like we had dealt with Alden, we would deal with my cousin and his betrayal. But I also wanted to fix Ash. Not that he thought he was broken. And that was the problem. But he was. Something had irrevocably shifted within him, and we needed to fix it. That meant breaking down barriers and hurting people along the way. And I didn’t know if any of us were truly ready for that.

  Ash settled on Rome’s other side, and we leaned against the wall, watching our three women.

  They stood in a circle after Laurel let her hair down. It cascaded down her back, all long waves and blunt bangs. Laurel’s reddish hair curled around her face as she hadn’t straightened it that morning, and Sage’s honey brown hair floated in a wind that wasn’t there but perhaps was all Rowen’s magic.

  They were the coven, the three, the power.

  We were the supports, and I knew that. Rome knew that. I didn’t think Ash did. Or perhaps, as an earth witch, it was his duty to be part of the coven and they wouldn’t let him. I didn’t know but that was something we would likely have to focus on next.

  “We will call forth the spell of healing to strengthen the wards. It’ll be two-fold, and those connected to us might feel the pull against the bonds.” Rowen met my gaze, the same as Laurel before Rowen and Sage looked towards Rome.

  Nobody looked at Ash.

  The women held hands as they spoke.

  “Magic mends while candles burn, sickness ends and health returns. Harm to none, this we decree. This is our will, so mote it be!”

  Warmth tingled inside the bond, and my hawk flew against it, dancing with Laurel’s fire phoenix. I smiled, heat suffusing me as if I were the one being healed, not aiding by adding my energy and bolstering what strength she had.

  Once the girls finished speaking, Laurel turned to me and grinned before they turned back to one another.

  “And now, the wards.”

  “Powers of the witches rise, fly unseen across the skies. Lend courage and might to those we love, with helpful strength from all above. With these words we seal this place, wards will flare with all due haste. Sealed within, we do decree, Ravenwood is safe, so mote it be!”

  The bonds that signaled me as wing leader strengthened, the energy pulsing as I stood on alert. Rome did the same, but Ash froze, his body going pale. As soon as Rowen stopped speaking, she closed the circle and ran towards Ash, cupping his face. I wasn’t even sure she was aware she was doing it until her hands dropped suddenly, and she stood straight. “Did that hurt you?” she snapped.

  Ash shook his head, even though sweat beaded on his temples. I knew it had. “I’m fine.”

  “That’s a lie. We know that.”

  “Don’t lie to me,” Rowen whispered, the emotion in her voice pulling at my hawk. Laurel’s hand slid into mine as Sage leaned against Rome, and we watched the two in a tableau, unable to do anything.

  That protection spell had tried to attack Ash. And that was worrisome for more than one reason. However, we were going to do what we did best and not talk about it. Yet.

  I leaned down and brushed my lips against Laurel’s, then pulled out my phone. “We need to head over to the wing soon.”

  Laurel gave me a worried gaze then looked at her brother before sighing. “Yes, we do.”

  “This is our one chance for normalcy before we take the fight to them.”

  “I know. I just don’t think the wing wants to do this.”

  I grumbled, knowing she might be right. “We’re going to make sure they understand exactly what is going to happen in the future. And we’re going to enjoy it.”

  She grinned. “I like when you get all growly. It’s sexy.”

  “I told you growly is sexy,” Sage singsonged.

  Rome, the big alpha bear, blushed. “Stop it, woman.”

  I laughed, feeling almost normal, even though nothing was. Not with Renee, William, and Oriel still out there.

  But we would take the fight to them. It was time.

  But first, we needed to meet with the wing and celebrate the mating that had been a long time coming.

  We met with the elders under the sun in the field below the wing. While the homes and the actual aerie were above in the trees, we had a welcoming spot for those who weren’t of the wing and didn’t want to be so high. It was easier for us to all gather and celebrate in more than just bird form.

  I checked on our newest resident, the hatchling I had helped to bring into this world. The baby slept on my chest for a while, Laurel giving me an odd look. And then it hit me. I had never thought about being a father, not because I didn’t want to be, but because the person I had wanted to have a future with
thought she wouldn’t have one.

  This could be something now. Eventually. First, we needed to defeat the necromancer and save the town. But maybe a future could include a little fire hawk.

  I smiled, kissed the baby on top of her soft, downy head, and handed her over to her mother. I held a few other toddlers, played around with some of the teens, and had Laurel at my side for most of it.

  Introducing her as the wing leader’s mate was far different from a coven member or just a friend. People would have to get used to her at my side. And perhaps, they were.

  Aspen and Nelle stood off to the side, speaking with Rowen. My sister looked animated. I smiled at the sight, knowing Nelle was in good hands with Aspen, even if I still didn’t know the true nature of their relationship.

  Elijah came forward, along with Gerald and Edgar, three of the elder leaders. They were their own council and didn’t necessarily speak for the entire wing, but they had caused enough problems recently that I was ready to kick them out. When Laurel squeezed my hand, I let out a breath and did my best to breathe.

  Looking forward, Elijah bowed his head.

  “Your mating party is quite a hit,” the elder spoke softly.

  I tilted my head. “It’s long overdue.” I squeezed Laurel to my side and kissed the top of her head. I could practically feel her roll her eyes even though I couldn’t see her face. “Our wing is here, as well as the pack, the coven, some fae, and many members of our town.” I knew I was just stating the obvious, but I didn’t give a flying fuck.

  “I understand.” Elijah let out a breath before Gerald spoke again. “Long ago, there was a prophecy.”

  I froze as the others of our small crew came forward and listened in. I wasn’t sure I would like what he was about to say.

  “It was said that a fire witch would remove our strength. That they would mate into the wing and kill our members. That they would cause our wing to fall.”

  Laurel sputtered at my side, and I narrowed my eyes.

  “Why wasn’t I told any of this?”

  “We couldn’t say anything. The prophecy said we couldn’t. That those who could take down our wing could not know.”

  “So you tried to what? Push away anyone who wasn’t hawk in order to protect the wing? That doesn’t make any sense.” I growled, just like Rome. “That’s why you never wanted me to be friends with Rome or Trace. That’s why you don’t want me helping the coven. Because you were afraid if I did, if we did, it’d take down the wing itself?”

  Gerald had the grace to blush while Edgar ducked his head. “It seems we were wrong. That it was Renee, the fire witch, who took William and tried to take down our wing. We were wrong.”

  Then it hit me. Yes, a fire witch had taken a member of our wing as her mate. I let out a breath. “We will not let those two nor Oriel destroy us. We are stronger together.”

  I looked around at the rest of the party. As the music died down, everyone looked at us. Even the hatchlings looked at us. And I figured it was time for them to listen. Everyone needed to be on the same page, and I needed to stop placating the elders and their damn prophecies that had been hidden from us for so long.

  “Our wing has a long way to go to get into the future we need it to be. But we are working on it. We are finding our place within this town that isn’t hidden within the trees. All of us are touched by those who are not hawk, and we need to remember that.” I looked at my sister as she leaned into Aspen. “My sister is mermaid and hawk, and yet we treat her as if she’s an abomination. We’re done with that. There are others among us who aren’t full-blooded hawks. Who found mates of fate and heart outside these walls. It’s time we remember that we are part of this town and part of the greater magic of Earth. Not just hidden within the feathers of what we thought we needed to be. We will be strong. We will be strong enough to take down the darkness. To take down Oriel.”

  I let out a breath. “We will never let what happened to William happen to anyone else.” My aunt watched me, but she didn’t flinch, didn’t pale. Instead, she lifted her chin, and I knew there was a promise in her gaze. She didn’t want another mother to lose her son, and I was right there with her.

  “We are strong together. And we will continue to be. But remember, we are Ravenwood, not just a wing. We are Ravenwood. Which means we are with the coven. We are with those who fight against the darkness. My mate is of the coven. And she is now your wing leader, as well. Together, we are stronger.”

  I looked down at Laurel as she smiled up at me, her eyes filled with tears. “I love you with the deepest part of my soul. My hawk claimed you as mine the moment I saw you when we were children. It took us a while to get here, but now that we are, we are not going back. I will fight to the death for you. And I did. I fought in the In Between for you and will continue to do so. For you, our wing, and our town. I love you, Laurel. I just thought you should know.”

  Laurel wiped away tears as Sage openly wept in Rome’s arms. Others watched us as they began to clap, and Laurel leaned into me and whispered, “Talk about a declaration, hawk boy.”

  “Whatever you say, fire girl.”

  “I love you, Jaxton. And you’re right. We’re stronger together. Now, let’s go kick some ass.”

  “But first, we celebrate. Because if we don’t, then what are we fighting for?”

  I kissed my mate as the music began again, and people celebrated and mingled, taking our wing one step closer into the future.

  The battle would come, and we would be as ready as we could be.

  But first, I would be with my mate. And I would never take these moments for granted again.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Two

  Laurel

  “It’s time we take the fight to them,” Rowen began as we looked around the small pond where Nelle entered the mer realm with the rest of her family and people.

  We were here in force, some of our team around the town, but this was where we were doing our best to lure Oriel to us. We had strengthened our protections and done spells over the past week to focus on better centering our magics. We had shined our weapons, sharpened what we could, and protected the hatchlings, cubs, pups, and all those who needed us.

  We were ready.

  Or as ready as we could be when it came to an unknown force.

  “Our trackers can’t find Oriel or his hideout. He’s using dark magic to hide himself from us, but that means we need to be the ones to take the higher ground when he comes for us. And we will,” Rowen said.

  “All of us out here will lure the trio in,” Jaxton added. I stood by him, my sword in hand, my head raised.

  “The fae are taking the perimeter,” Aspen informed, and I nodded, knowing that this was important for the fae and the others. The fact that we were trusting the unknown was a big thing. The fae weren’t good or bad, it depended on the individual. But their magic was so different than that of the coven and the rest of us. And they kept their secrets. We allowed it because it wasn’t our place to say otherwise.

  They protected the town just like we did. And we were ready. All of us.

  “First, we will do the protection spell,” Rowen continued.

  “And then we’ll add on the luring spell,” Sage added with a nod.

  I swallowed hard. “And I’m here. Finally.”

  I saw the small smiles on their faces, as well as on some of the other magical creatures around us. They had all known what was happening to me. There was no hiding it. And they all knew what had happened with Jaxton, but now here we were, and we were ready—or at least as ready as we could be.

  “Let’s do this,” Sage said, clapping her hands. Rowen and I met each other’s gazes. We used to get that excited about doing magic. And then things changed. I had twisted into myself, and Rowen had given too much of herself. But we were finding a way. We had to.

  We held hands as the others stood around us, protecting us as well as the town. This was what we had trained for. What we were ready for. We were tired of
the revenants coming for us. Now, we would go for them.

  I let out a deep breath and began.

  “Banish the evil and those who wish harm. Give us courage to pick up our arms. Sisters, brothers, ancestors, friends, our strength is unrivaled and without end. Lords and Ladies, spirit guides, too, guide us and protect us in all we must do. Today is our day, together we rise, victory is ours from earth to skies!”

  Warmth soothed my body, and I looked around. Flames danced along my skin, but they didn’t hurt. They didn’t touch anyone. It was as if it was a part of me. And it was.

  I looked behind me as Rowen’s eyes widened. A look of surprise shone on her face that shocked me. Rowen never looked nonplussed. She always looked ready to fight anything in front of her. This was different.

  I looked over my shoulder, and my eyes widened.

  “Okay, then,” I whispered. Jaxton came up to me, sliding his hand over my fiery wing. It didn’t burn him. My flame knew its mate, and the hawk in Jaxton’s eyes called to me.

  “It looks like you’ll be flying with me soon, mate of mine.”

  “That is so cool,” Nelle announced as she came forward, blades all down her arms and legs, two in her hands. She was ready to fight, and I knew that Aspen had been teaching her.

  I had been doing my best to show her some things, but she was better with a shorter blade than I was.

  I saw the consternation in Jaxton’s eyes, but he wasn’t pulling her back. He would never do that. Instead, he did what he could to protect his sister by making sure she was ready to fight anything that crossed her path.

  We would be near the water, as well. So, if she needed to dive in and use her magic there, she could.

  We had this.

  “Are we ready?” Rowen asked, her voice bellowing.

  Everybody nodded, and then Ash joined the circle.

  I held my brother’s cool hand and swallowed hard.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” he said dryly, and my lips twitched. Sage just smiled warmly, and Rowen narrowed her eyes.