The Rabbit And The Raven

by Melissa Eskue Ousley

  THE

  RABBIT

  AND THE

  RAVEN

  BOOK TWO IN

  THE SOLAS BEIR TRILOGY

  MELISSA ESKUE OUSLEY

  All rights reserved.

  Castle Garden Publications,

  an imprint of Gazebo Gardens Publishing

  www.GazeboGardensPublishing.com

  Edited by Laura Meehan, S. C. Moore,

  and C. E. Moore

  Cover Art by Aaron Cheney

  Printed in the United States of America.

  Copyright 2013

  For my Father,

  who makes all things

  work together for my good,

  and for my mom,

  for her unconditional love and support.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My appreciation to Shelley and Caitlyn Moore of Gazebo Gardens Publishing for everything you’ve done to make this series possible. It is a pleasure to work with you and I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, editing, encouragement, and friendship.

  Thank you to the ever brilliant Laura Meehan and Indigo Editing and Publishing for editing the manuscript. I appreciate your much needed advice in making revisions, and your wonderful support and sense of humor. You are amazing.

  My gratitude to Aaron Cheney for another stunning book cover—your artwork is fantastic.

  My appreciation to my beautiful family and friends who have been so steadfast in their support. Thank you for your encouragement and for coming with me on this adventure.

  To the readers and bloggers and who have helped spread the word about The Solas Beir Trilogy: you people rock. In the Alchemist, Paulo Coelho writes, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” My thanks to all of you for conspiring with me.

  “With the publication of her second YA novel, The Rabbit and the Raven, Melissa Eskue Ousley effortlessly maintains the action and story flow that so well defined Sign of the Throne. She has extended her well-deserved reputation for storytelling, the rendition of that story, into the exacting artistry of the printed page, and it goes without saying that the plaudits accorded Ms. Ousley in the first installment of this series most definitely appertain to The Rabbit and the Raven. If she continues to follow the standards she has thus far set for herself and her writing to the third book of this series, The Sower Comes, Melissa Eskue Ousley will undoubtedly achieve a literary trifecta.”

  ―Howard Parsons, Parsons’ Rant

  “When reading a great trilogy it is so exciting to pick up the second book of a series and get a feeling of visiting old friends. This is how I felt when I began reading Book Two in The Solas Beir Trilogy, The Rabbit and The Raven. Melissa Ousley creates with her pen a world you want to enter—her characters leap off the page and take you on their adventures. Each conflict the characters experience, I felt I was strapping on my sword to help them battle through each challenge. The most important quality of a well written book is the ability to help the reader see the story through the eyes of all the characters. Melissa truly has this ability to illustrate a compelling story.”

  ―Deborah, Goodreads

  “Melissa Eskue Ousley’s second book in the Solas Beir Trilogy, The Rabbit and the Raven has ramped up the conflict, raised the stakes and increased the peril to the human realm as well as Cai Terenmare. The fate of the world is resting heavily on the shoulders of mere teens, new to their powers and their heritage. Will the allure of the dark side be their downfall? Once again, a job well done, well written and magnetic by this talented author who deftly travels that fine, yet twisted line of magical YA fantasy!”

  ―Dianne, Tome Tender

  "Tynan Tierney is a most excellent villain. One minute I was almost sympathizing with him, then the next I understood why he was the villain of this story. I think he is very well written. He is almost one of my fave characters. Did I just say that? Or should I say he is one of my fave villains? He does know how to manipulate his minions like a true puppet master....A fantasy adventure with endearing characters, a villain that is quite unpredictable and a cast of fantasy creatures that go bump in the night. I am left tapping my foot for the third installment."

  ―Michelle Auricht, Novels on the Run, Australia

  “Melissa Eskue Ousley has outdone herself with The Rabbit and the Raven. Beautifully written it begins exactly where Sign of the Throne left off. From the first page I was hooked. Ousley's descriptions are so vivid you almost feel as though you are watching a movie rather than reading a book.”

  ―Amber, Goodreads

  “Melissa Eskue Ousley’s The Rabbit and the Raven is the perfect continuation of the Solas Bier Trilogy. Ousley takes the readers on an exciting journey to the outer edges of Cai Terenmare as Abby and David try to secure the support of the oracles in the fight against Tierney and his followers. Readers will fall in love with the rich and vivid world that Ousley has brought to life in the pages of The Rabbit and the Raven as they uncover its dark secrets. Abby and David’s relationship is tested as dark forces threaten not only their lives but the lives of everyone they love. The Rabbit and the Raven is guaranteed to pull the reader in and maintain its hold long after the end of the novel. Melissa Eskue Ousley delivers a beautifully written novel that is imaginative, captivating, compelling, and exciting; it’s a must read.”

  ―Kira Watson, My Dear Bibiophage

  “I loved it, loved it, and loved it. The writing was really great. I think Melissa did a really great job with The Rabbit and the Raven from start to finish. I really liked how it started where book one left off. I found it very hard to put this story down. I just wanted to keep turning the pages.”

  ―Johnnie-Marie Howard, Whispered Thoughts

  “Melissa Eskue Ousley has done it again. Give yourself some uninterrupted days to read this book, because there is no way you're going to be sleeping once you start. You know it's a good book when you start rooting for the characters only to realize that everyone in the library is giving you a weird look because you actually cheered out loud. You will get sucked into this story, and you will be left eager for the next book! In most trilogies, I am interested in the first book but don't care much for the following second and third; The Rabbit and the Raven, however, is not like other books. This book made the story grow. You still get the romantic tension, you still get the fear for the characters in tense situations, you still get an incredible story. Also, this is a great clean book! You still get all the romance and the action without the gory details…and Ousley’s story telling is absolutely breath-taking.”

  ―Cyndi, Goodreads

  Chapter One

  ESCAPE FROM THE WASTELAND

  The walls of the large, wood-paneled room in the dilapidated Newcastle Beach mansion were dominated by floor to ceiling mirrors in gilded frames, all shattered, save one. Piercing through the glass dome on the rooftop, the moonlight created a perfect circle of bright white light on the hardwood floor inside the otherwise darkened room. There was a stillness in the air, as if the entire world were holding its breath. It was an electric tension, the kind of silence that precedes a thunderstorm; a prickle of static anticipation. A single particle of dust hung frozen in the beam of moonlight, suspended motionless, as if it too were waiting.

  The circle of light dimmed for a second—a brief flickering that could have been the wind pushing a wispy cloud across the face of the harvest moon. Then a low rumble emanated from the bowels of the mansion, followed by a sharp crack. The dome imploded in a shower of glittering glass shards, littering the circle of light with razor-edged droplets, ringing out like chimes against the floorboards.

  Two lithe figures, dark as night, leapt nimbly through the rain of glass, materiali
zing from nowhere. The larger figure took the lead, walking with long strides toward the empty doorframe with dangling hinges. The smaller figure hesitated, taking the time to tuck something into the folds of a gown, something round with a metallic glint that flashed in the light, and then, with quick, graceful steps, hurried to catch up.

  “You know we’re dead, don’t you?” Jon asked Abby.

  Abby gave him a look, but didn’t answer. Instead, she finished pulling on her boots and then buckled a belt around her waist. Hanging from the belt was a sword, sheathed for now, which she hoped she wouldn’t have to use anytime soon. During the last encounter she’d had with the Kruorumbrae—in the not-so-distant past—things hadn’t gone so well. Technically, the good guys had won that round, saving David Corbin and ensuring he became Solas Beir. But no victory comes without a price, and both Abby and Jon had paid dearly.

  “I’m serious, Abby,” Jon said. “My mom is going to kill me for scaring her to death. She has no idea where we are or if we’re okay.”

  “I know,” Abby muttered, scowling.

  Jon took her expression in and then retreated to the other side of the armory to retrieve his own belt and sword. She felt guilty for being grumpy with him, but she had a lot on her mind.

  He rubbed his arm absently before picking up his belt. Now healed, it had been shattered when the beast, Calder, ripped a heavy wooden door from its hinges and hurled it across the room like a discus. Abby had nearly died from the creature tearing her torso open with its claws. The attack was meant for David, but Abby pushed him out of the way and took the blow. She had survived. Calder…not so much. Abby’s silver blade had found purchase in the beast’s belly, and Calder’s nasty little friends had finished the job. So much for loyalty.

  They’d barely made it safely through the portal into Cai Terenmare after the attack. If it hadn’t been for the healing pool in the ancient, magical world, Abby would not have survived, and even Jon’s injury would have needed surgery and months of therapy. In spite of her near-fatal injuries, there was no question that Abby would do it all again if she had to. Truth was, she was madly in love with David. She would have walked through an inferno to save him, though thankfully it hadn’t quite come to that. Still, she would rather not be tackled by a giant cat monster from hell twice in the same week. Abby was certain that Jon would agree, that given more cheerful options, he too would rather not stare death in the face again. And yet, here he was, arming himself.

  There was a reason he was her best friend. Sure, he can be really irritating at times, but he’s always there when it counts, she thought. And now that Tynan Tierney, the man who called himself the Kruor um Beir, the King of Blood and Shadows, had escaped from his desert prison in another dimension, Abby needed Jon more than ever. It was supposed to be impossible to escape the Wasteland, with its endless dunes of scarlet sand. Apparently it’s not.

  Abby heard the sound of metal sliding against metal and glanced over to see Jon drawing his sword from the silver scabbard hanging from his belt.

  Gingerly, he ran his fingers along the length of the blade. “Yep, she’s gonna skin me alive,” he muttered to himself.

  If Abby hadn’t been mentally preparing for battle, she would have thought Jon’s fears about going home almost funny. Never mind legions of bloodthirsty cat goblins; he was worried about how his mom would react to his disappearing act.

  It had been little more than twenty-four hours since they left home, but considering everything that had happened, it felt like they had been in the kingdom of Cai Terenmare for much longer. Their going missing for an entire night and into the next one would be killing their parents, even though Abby and Jon had some pretty compelling reasons for being gone. Abby knew how her mother would react. She would be worried sick until Abby came home, and then she would be steaming mad.

  She’d say, “Why didn’t you at least call?”

  Well, Mom, funny thing: cell phones don’t really get signals in a parallel dimension.

  “And what—you couldn’t pick up the phone before you left?”

  Yeah, we were kinda busy trying not to be eaten. Sorry.

  Abby thought things might be worse for Jon though. For all his bravado about being this mischievous boy who could charm his way out of anything, he and his mother were really close, and he hated to disappoint her. His father had never been part of the picture, and even though Abby’s dad had tried to fill the void, stepping up as a father figure to the son of his wife’s best friend, it was Jonathon and Blanca Reyes against the world. Except, of course, when it was Jonathon Reyes and Abigail Brown against the world. When Jon was on your side, he was for you completely. Abby loved that about him.

  Right now, Jon was sitting on a bench in the armory, inspecting his sword, holding it out to test its weight, but Abby knew what he was really doing was waiting for her. Jon knew his best friend well enough to know that she needed space from time to time. He had learned not to push Abby’s need for reflection before any battle, whether it was the impending doom of a math test or slaying a demonic shape-shifting beast intent on devouring your soul. Her sense of humor always returned eventually.

  And so it did—Abby tried to make amends for her grumpiness by drawing her sword and play-hitting his, bringing Jon out of his own reverie.

  He rose to his feet. “Hey there—watch it! What are you doing?”

  “Sparring,” Abby smiled. “We need a little practice if we’re going back out there.”

  “A little?” Jon asked, raising his eyebrows. “Looks like you need more than a little.”

  “Oh really?” Her sword clanged against his as she swung at him again. “I can take you down.”

  He laughed. “Oh, I don’t think so. And don’t be starting something you can’t finish, Abigail.”

  Abby wrinkled her nose. Jon always called her Abigail when he wanted to annoy her. “Who says I can’t?” she asked.

  “All right then. Have it your way.” Smiling impishly, Jon grabbed Abby’s belt and pulled her closer, growling, “C’mere, me lusty beauty…”

  Giggling, Abby twisted away from his grasp and hit his sword again. She leapt back and readied for another strike. Then she stopped. “Wait—are you speaking pirate?”

  The devilish grin on his face faded. He lowered his sword midswing and looked at her. “Maybe. What if I was?”

  She burst out laughing. “Ooooh, you are such a nerd.”

  Jon pouted as if he were wounded. “I’m a nerd? This from the girl who framed her zombie apocalypse survival plan and who hoards toilet paper, just in case.” This last part he punctuated with a grin and another playful clang of his sword.

  Standing in the armory’s doorway, David watched as Abby and Jon sparred. It was definitely more a battle of wit than skill. “You two know how to use those?”

  “Not a clue,” Abby said, slashing the air in front of her a bit too cheerfully, considering her weapon was sharp enough to slice her fingers off.

  “I watch samurai movies a lot,” offered Jon. “Does that help?”

  David laughed. “Not in the least.” He eyed Abby in her tightly fitted black leather leggings and billowy cerulean tunic, which was cinched at the waist with her belt. He wondered if she had any idea what that shade of blue did to her eyes. She must have, just like she had to know the effect those eyes of hers had on him. “You look pretty cute like that, you know.”

  “Awww, thanks Corbin. That’s what I was going for,” quipped Jon.

  David rolled his eyes. “Adorable, Reyes. Is he always this precious?”

  Abby laughed. “Only when he’s awake. So when you say cute—you mean menacing, right?” Abby held out her sword, trying her best to look intimidating.

  “Oh yes. Very femme fatale.” David sidestepped the sword and put his hands around Abby’s waist, drawing her close. A stray curl fell forward into her face and he gently pushed it aside, stroking her forehead and cheek as he tucked it behind her ear. He felt the increasingly familiar prickle of ele
ctricity as he touched her skin. He wondered if she felt something similar, because she lowered her sword, disarmed.

  As David moved in closer to kiss Abby, Jon turned away, suddenly feeling the need to look anywhere else. He pretended to be interested in inspecting the objects on sturdy iron hooks lining the wall. There was a fascinating array of weaponry, as well as armor made of surprisingly tough leather designed to protect the neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs. He took down a breastplate. It was lighter than he had imagined it would be, but stronger than leather from his world; it seemed almost as impenetrable as steel. He put it back on the hook, killing time to avoid an awkward glimpse of the happy couple. If he could have teleported himself into the next room, he would have.

  It wasn’t that he was jealous—he’d given his blessing to the whole Abby and David thing, after all. True, he and Abby had some history together—after an attempt at dating two years prior, they had concluded that they were better off staying best friends. Or at least Abby had; he might have been willing to give it another shot, but he wasn’t willing to risk pushing her away by pursuing her. And she was obviously smitten with David Corbin.

  Abby and David had been pretty much inseparable after all that had happened, and Jon had to admit that Abby looked happier with David than she had ever been with him, even if that stung his heart and his pride. For Abby, he was willing to make friends with the guy. Abby would always be special to him, even if she was with someone else.