by R. L. Weeks
Thick vines conceal the entrance to the skull-littered cave. The leaves dance to the drumbeat coming from within.
I shudder as I reach the invisible line drawn to separate them from us. One more step and I would be stripped of my magic, left to fend against the unpredictable bloodsuckers with nothing more than words.
A frosty chill hangs in the air as I cross the line. I feel almost naked without the magic I have come to need. The sky is a brilliant royal blue as the day turns to night.
I reach the edge of the cave and move back toward the vines. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Emmett’s voice stops me in my tracks. I don’t turn around at first. “Emmett?” I ask with uncertainty, because although I would not forget that voice if you gave me an eternity, after all this time searching, Emmett has become like a ghost me — a whisper in the wind, smoke that I can’t catch.
“Yes.” His voice is sharp and void of any emotion. “Why are you here?”
I search for the words to say to him. After all this time searching, I have spent little time cultivating the words I will say to him. “I have been looking for you.”
“I know.”
I hold my breath as I turn to look at him. His paper-white face and crimson eyes knock the breath out of me. “What has happened to you?”
He doesn’t say anything.
“Where is Miss Kaye.” I ask, reminding myself that I am not here to feel anything. I am here to kill.
He gives away nothing on his expression. “They’re not here.” He frowns. “Is that why you have been looking for me?”
I stare at him coldly. “I can’t think or feel right now. I need to find them.” My gaze hardens. “Now.”
He reaches out and touches my arm. “Raven?” He looks slightly concerned. I guess I should feel happy that he still cares, but I can’t.
“Please don’t.” I gulp. “Tell me where Miss Kaye and Amelia are, or I will hurt you.”
His eyes widen. “What’s happened to you.”
“Where are they.” I say. I won’t ask again.
The concern in his expression grows stronger. “They are in Romania.”
I clench my fists. “Why aren’t you with them?”
“I have my own things to take care of.”
I scoff and look around. “Here?” I shake my head. “You know what, it doesn’t matter, just tell me where in Romania they are.”
Emmett sighs. “Raven, they’re doing the ritual to bring back her family.”
I almost smile. That’s good news. That means she can watch her family get obliterated out of existence just like I had to watch Elizabeth’s.
I tilt my head. “I guess I’m going to Romania then.”
Emmett grabs my arm as I walk away. “Wait.”
I turn back to look at him. “Yes?”
His gaze searches mine. “What happened to you, Raven? I was keeping my distance to keep you safe but…” He shakes his head. “You’ve changed.”
I can’t allow myself to let him. I’ve already lost too much. “It’s none of your business.” I say and walk away.
I don’t look back. I mustn’t.
Illustration for Raven’s Ghost by Ben Nicholls. https://www.facebook.com/ben.nichollsartandesign/
Character Glossary
Pride Family
Raven Pride
Jameson Pride (Raven’s adopted father)
Alice Pride (Raven’s birth mother)
Benjamin Shaw (Raven’s birth father)
Gertrude Pride (Raven’s grandmother)
Jack Pride (Raven’s Uncle, adopted)
Emmett White
Tom Smith
Elizabeth May
Jane Gold
Miss Kaye
Amelia Kaye
Mary Nicholls
Nora Bonnetta
About the Author
R. L. Weeks is an award-winning, bestselling author of young adult paranormal and fantasy books. She is the co-author of the bestselling Willow Woods series.
Rebecca also enjoys traveling, designing, and reading fantasy books.
As well as writing twisted tales for teens and adults, she designs covers and logos and also runs Enchanted Anthologies, which publishes twelve anthologies a year, the majority of which are co-authored. She is a partner of Bella Tulip Publishing, which guides new authors and helps them on their publishing journey. The written word is her passion, especially fiction, as she believes that our imaginations are one of our greatest gifts.
You can email Rebecca with any comments at [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rlweeksauthor1, Twitter @authorrlweeks, and Instagram: R. L. WEEKS
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Quote
Dedication
Poem
Author’s note
Prologue
(Untitled)
One
Two
Three
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Four
Five
(Untitled)
Six
Seven
(Untitled)
Eight
(Untitled)
Nine
(Untitled)
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
(Untitled)
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
(Untitled)
(Untitled)
Sixteen
Seventeen
(Untitled)
Eighteen
(Untitled)
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Raven’s Heart
One
(Untitled)
Character Glossary
About the Author
(Untitled)
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