[Willow Harbor 08.0] Raven's Sight

by Jennifer Snyder

“Surprised?” A smug smile twisted at the corners of her beautiful lips.

  “Actually, I am. While the outside of this place does look huge, it doesn’t seem big enough to have a room this size in it.”

  “Magic,” Mattie said. She sat in a chair beside the door, watching us.

  “Right.” I headed deeper into the room, searching for anything that mentioned raven shifters.

  One book in particular stood out to me. I pulled it out and then walked to the wooden table behind me to sit in one of its hard chairs.

  A few minutes later Lena deposited a stack of books on the table beside me and sat. Her stack teetered, nearly toppling over as she grabbed the book off the top to flip through.

  “Got one too many, didn’t you?” I teased.

  “Hey, I’m being smart.” She motioned to the book in front of me. “This one book at a time crap isn’t going to cut it. I want to know everything about my kind, which means I need to look through as many of these books I can before the Sisters find me.”

  Her last words were said in a whisper. I worried Mattie would hear and ask questions in regards to who the Sisters were but she didn’t. Being human didn’t give her super hearing. I was thankful.

  My lips pinched together. Lena was right. If we were going to learn everything we could about her kind, I needed to gather a slew of books to skim through like Lena. I scooted my chair out and made my way back to the shelf I’d pulled from.

  Ten

  Lena

  We left the library without learning much of anything I didn’t know already about my kind, and nowhere in any of the books did it mention the ability to project a shield. There was, however, a book that mentioned using an onyx stone as an amplifier for my gifts.

  “That was fun,” Thane said as we made our way down the front steps of the library. Irritation laced his words. He was as disappointed as I was. “The only thing I can think to do now is to find someone who can throw magic at you and see if you can block it with your shield. Know anyone who might be willing to do so?”

  “In a town with this many supernaturals I don’t think it will be hard to find someone,” I said.

  “Right. Well, we should also see if we can track down one of those stones for you.”

  “I don’t need a stone. I have you.” The words came out sounding intimate which had my cheeks flushing with heat. I’d only meant to circle back to the book I’d found on owl shifters while we were there. It mentioned what Thane had said about himself before—how he had the ability to amplify others’ gifts. “I mean, that is what you do.”

  Had that been the reason the Sisters tried to keep us apart? Because he could amplify my gifts? If they hadn’t known about my purple shield Thane claimed I had then what gift of mine had they been worried he might heighten?

  “No. You can’t rely on me,” Thane said. “What if the Sisters do something that makes me disappear again? You’re not confident enough in your powers to go against them without an amplifier. We need to find one for you.”

  My throat tightened. He was right. They’d taken him away from me once before and wouldn’t think twice about doing so again. Then I’d be screwed.

  “Fine. We’ll find a stone,” I said sounding more certain than I felt.

  I had no idea where to start looking for one. It seemed like a witchy thing, and I wasn’t friends with any witches in town. Not really.

  Would Violet or Hubs know where I could get an onyx stone?

  “I think I have someone in mind who might be able to help,” I said. I glanced at my watch. It was after seven, The Dragon’s Hoard would be closed. “But, it’s going to be tomorrow before I can talk to them.”

  “What do we do until then?”

  I glanced at him. “Are you hungry? We could get something to eat.”

  “Sure. Sounds good.”

  A cool breeze blew as we continued down the sidewalk. I pulled the sleeves of my thin jacket down to cover my hands. Why did I always forget how cool late October was here?

  “Are you cold?” Thane asked. “Here, take my jacket.”

  He removed his leather jacket before I could argue and held it out for me like a perfect gentleman. The gesture made me grin. Thane always insisted on taking care of me. He was protective, but in a way I enjoyed. It made me feel loved.

  I slipped his jacket on expecting it to be warm but was surprised when it wasn’t. It was freezing.

  “Feels like you might need it still.” I shrugged back out of it.

  He held up a hand. “I’m fine. Seriously. Keep it.”

  I rolled my eyes and put it back on, but deep inside I loved being enveloped in his scent again. It had been far too long. My raven shifted around, slightly uneasy with my thoughts. She felt I was trusting him too soon. How could I not though? It was Thane.

  “Where do you feel like eating?” he asked.

  “There aren’t many places to choose from. Umm...if you want bar food there’s Drifters.”

  “I was there the other night. Not a bad place. The old man working gave me a free beer. He said I looked troubled.” Thane grinned. “The people of this town are decent. The woman who owns a food truck that was parked over there gave me a sandwich yesterday too.”

  “Sounds like you had a streak of good luck going.”

  He scratched at the back of his neck. I always used to love when he did that because it made him look so boyish and cute. “No joke. There was also a guy from the bookstore who let me stay in his apartment last night. He basically said I could stay as long as I liked rent free until I got myself on my feet because he’d moved in with his fiancee recently.”

  “Mason?” My voice rose when I spoke.

  “Yeah, that’s his name. You know him?” Thane’s brows lifted to his hairline, and he snapped his fingers. “Wait a minute. You’re the Lena he was talking about. The girl who lives in apartment number four that’s quiet and sticks to herself.”

  I tucked a few flyaway strands of hair behind my ear. “That would be me.”

  “I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out sooner. You were practically next door all night, and I didn’t even know it.”

  I chuckled at the irony of it all and then noticed where we were. Tempest Pizza. “How about a pizza? Sorry, I guess I kind of decided what’s for dinner on a subconscious level.”

  “It’s cool. Pizza is always good.”

  “Are you sure? We can head to the Dark Horse Diner for a burger or something instead.”

  “Nah, I’m good with pizza.”

  Thane held the door for me. The garlicky scent of pizza lingered in the air as I stepped inside, causing my stomach to grumble. Conversations in murmured voices and low music made its way to my ears the further inside we went. People stared as we walked to a booth in the corner, making me feel uneasy. I knew they were staring at Thane because he was new in town, but I didn’t enjoy being the center of attention. It had my face feeling unbearably hot and my heart rate accelerating.

  “Do you have anything against getting a pizza to-go?” I asked.

  If I remembered correctly, he’d never enjoyed being the center of attention either. It was one of the many things we had in common.

  “No, I’m good with that.”

  I released the breath I’d been holding. “Good.”

  “Still not a big fan of being the center of attention I see,” he teased. He leaned closer to me. His breath caressed the side of my hot face when he spoke. “Me either.”

  I steered us toward the register. I placed an order for a large pepperoni and cheese pizza. Thane stood beside me, both of us locked in awkward silence while we waited for my name to be called. Thankfully it didn’t take long.

  The instant we stepped outside my muscles relaxed. It had been forever since I’d felt so awkward my stomach hurt. Being anywhere besides the safety of my apartment right now seemed like too much. My raven went on high alert in any size crowd, which intensified my anxiety tenfold.

  “Where are we taking this delicio
us smelling pie?” Thane asked as we walked.

  “Is my place okay?”

  “Your place. Sure. Let’s go.”

  “I think I have a bottle of wine in the fridge still. Maybe even a couple of beers too,” I said. I wasn’t sure he drank though. The last time we’d hung out neither of us were old enough, and he had spent the last six years stuck in a compass.

  Hadn’t he had said he’d drank a beer at Drifters last night though?

  “Beer? Really?” He arched a brow. “You don’t seem like the beer drinking kind of girl.”

  “I am on occasion.”

  He grinned at my response. “Good, because I don’t think wine pairs well with pizza.”

  “Don’t ever say those words in my presence again.” I flashed him a stern look I couldn’t hold long enough to seem serious. It felt too good to joke with him again. In that moment, it seemed as though no time had passed between us. We were right back to where we’d left off. “Wine pairs well with everything.”

  He laughed. It was rich and vibrant sounding. Deeper than the laugh I’d filed away so long ago. This laugh had warmth spreading through my chest.

  I’d missed his laugh. I’d missed him.

  I waited for my raven to scold me for my thoughts but she didn’t. This time she agreed.

  “Duly noted.” Thane grinned.

  When we reached my apartment, I let us in and kicked off my shoes at the door before stepping to my tiny kitchen. I pulled two plates from a cabinet and set them on the counter.

  “It’s the exact same as Mason’s place in here,” Thane said. I gave him a weird look. Had the vampire down the hall somehow managed to copy my style? “The layout I mean. Not all the girly colors.” He grinned, knowing where my thoughts had dipped to.

  He’d always been able to read me like an open book.

  “What girly colors?” I scoffed. “There aren’t any girly colors in here.”

  I placed two slices of pizza on each plate and then grabbed a beer for him and the opened bottle of wine for me.

  His brows lifted to his hairline. “You’re kidding, right? The entire place is done up in nothing but girly colors. Turquoise. Yellow. Whatever that shade of blue is called.”

  I passed him a beer. He took it and twisted the cap off with ease.

  “None of those are girly. Pink and purple are girly colors.”

  “They are. Especially that blue.” He pointed to my barstools. “It’s too light. Guys decorate in dark colors.”

  “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes as I poured myself a glass of wine.

  Thane smiled. It reached his eyes, crinkling the corners. Suddenly him being here in my space seemed too intimate. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d invited someone over.

  Had I ever?

  I bit my bottom lip, struggling to remember. No. The answer was no. I’d never invited anyone to my apartment before.

  No wonder people here thought I was strange. Apparently, I was.

  Thane was the first person who’d stepped inside my apartment besides my landlord since I moved in. I smoothed a hand along my forehead. Jesus, I had no life. I realized then I was still wearing his jacket. I slipped out of it and handed it to him.

  “Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket,” I said.

  “Anytime.”

  He took it from me and in doing so, his thumb brushed against my hand. Electricity sparked to life beneath my skin, but it faded when I focused on how cold he still was. Was he anemic now or something?

  I pulled my hand away and picked up my wine glass. He watched me as I took a sip. My stomach somersaulted. Why was he staring? I grabbed my plate and started toward my couch. He followed. Once we’d situated ourselves an awkward silence built between us. I turned on some music to fill it.

  “I see awkward silence still isn’t your thing,” Thane said.

  I turned the music up a little.

  “Definitely not. This is much better. That way you don’t have to listen to me eat.”

  “Some things about you never changed, did they?” He asked. His brown eyes penetrated me. “You were always self-conscious about me hearing you chew. Not that you ever ate much in front of me to begin with.”

  “Whatever.”

  “It’s the truth. I don’t remember you eating more than a few crumbs around me.”

  “That’s not true at all. Remember that time you stole those chocolate donuts? I ate like three of them,” I said.

  “Chocolate is your weakness, that’s what you said.” He grinned. It reached the corners of his eyes, crinkling them in that same familiar way I adored.

  “Still is.” I laughed.

  The sensation we’d somehow slipped back into the past prickled across my skin. It was a nice feeling. Something I wanted to last, but I knew it wouldn’t. All good things came to an end at some point. It was something I was one hundred percent sure of now.

  “What’s wrong? Your thoughts seem like they went south fast,” Thane said.

  “I was thinking about how nice this is—you being here—but also that it can’t last. The Sisters will come for me, for us, soon.”

  He set his plate on my coffee table and grabbed my hand gently. His skin was cool still but comforting nonetheless. “I won’t let them hurt you. I didn’t back then and I damn sure won’t now.”

  He meant what he said, but his words didn’t bring me as much comfort as he intended them to.

  “I wish I knew how much time we had before they came.” A shaky breath pushed past my parted lips. “I wish I could give us some sort of warning.”

  Thane’s brows pinched together. “Maybe you can.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Try to use your raven’s sight,” he suggested.

  “You know that’s not how it works. I told you I can’t just think of someone and have visions about them. The visions come to me when I touch objects.”

  “I understand that but you can at least try. You read what I did in those books at the library, you know it’s possible.” The yellow flecks in his eyes burned bright. His owl was on the surface, fueling his thoughts. “Have you ever tried?”

  “No. I’ve never had a reason.” Besides, seeking the Sisters out scared me.

  “Now you do. Give it a try. I’m right here with you.”

  I chewed my bottom lip. “What if it doesn’t work? What if I can’t see them?”

  “What if it does?” he countered. “The Sisters aren’t human. They’re banshees. Your gifts might work differently when it comes to supernaturals.”

  Was that true?

  My mind dipped to thoughts of Claire’s twin brother Danny. He’d been murdered by a hellhound a little over a year ago. He was a panther shifter, same as Claire. He’d pestered me into seeking Claire out and mentioning a book that held some sort of importance to his death. He wanted her to find it. The same had happened with Violet’s friend when I first came to Willow Harbor. Maybe my gift could work in reverse. Maybe I could seek someone out myself, especially with Thane here to amplify my powers.

  “Here.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the compass. He held it out to me. “Try to use this to focus on them. You know it came from them. They created it. Maybe you’ll be able to get something off it like a residue they left behind with their magic.”

  Even though I was skeptical, I had to admit he had a legit theory.

  I grabbed the compass. The metal was cool against my fingertips. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the Sisters.

  The only thing that came to me was a deeply rooted sense of dread. It twisted at my gut and constricted my breathing.

  I pushed my mind harder. A tiny shimmer of something played behind my closed eyelids, but it was too distorted for me to make out any details. My heartbeat grew sluggish.

  Did I want to see them? Was I ready?

  If I wanted to know how much time I had before they came for me I needed to focus harder. I rubbed my thumb and my fingertips together on my other hand, trying to
get a better feel on what I was seeing. A tighter grip. This always seemed to work when I was using my sight to see souls attached to objects. It should work here too, in theory.

  Seconds later the image came into focus. It wasn’t one of the present like I’d been hoping but instead one of the past.

  It was of the day when everything changed—the last moment I saw Thane.

  Eleven

  Thane

  Lena’s eyes were closed, and her breathing had evened out. When her tongue snaked out to wet her lips a tiny gasp pushed its way past them.

  Was she seeing something?

  “What do you see?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

  I hoped what she saw was the Sisters. We needed to know what they were up to and how long we had to prepare before they found their way here. Lena was going to need time to figure out how her shield worked. We also needed to get our hands on an onyx stone. She couldn’t count on me being at her side to amplify her gifts. The Sisters could send me away like they had before. Also, I was beginning to think something about me was off.

  “Me,” Lena breathed.

  I swallowed hard. “What about you?”

  Was she seeing so far into the future she could see the Sisters here?

  “I can see me...I’m you...watching me go up against the Sister who caught us.” Her voice sounded breathy and far away. Whimsical. The creepy tone she spoke with mixed with her words had the hairs along the back of my neck standing on end. “You were right. There was a purple glow coming from my hands. It formed a see-through wall. It caught the Sister by surprise, but I didn’t even notice it. My eyes were closed the entire time. You saw though. You knew what it was doing—reflecting her scream back to her—and took advantage of it. You told me to run and I did. Then you killed her. With your bare hands, you killed the Sister.” Lena’s voice trailed off. However, I knew she wasn’t finished with my memories yet. Her eyes were still closed. They moved rapidly beneath her eyelids. “The other two Sisters appeared the instant I fled. They focused on you. They tried to get you to tell them where I was but you wouldn’t.”