The Raven Series 2

by J. L. Weil

  She laughed. “I always thought so too.”

  Our grins mirrored each other as we each took a memory snapshot, for our time was coming to an end. She slowly faded away, the mist thickening and swallowing her form. My heart was heavy, but knowing she wasn’t truly lost from me lessened the ache.

  “Piper, are you okay?”

  I blinked and focused on Parker. He was sitting beside me, his straw-colored hair blowing in the breeze. “I will be, I think.”

  His shoulder brushed up against mine. “You’re sure?”

  A whirl of emotions crashed into me, but I pushed them aside—for the moment. “You don’t need to worry about Zane anymore. He’s gone.”

  “First smart thing I’ve seen the guy do.” It was an offhanded comment, not really meant to hurt me, but I lost it.

  Tears erupted like a volcano, burning down my cheeks.

  “Oh shit. Piper, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” His arm went around me, enveloping me in his embrace.

  I buried my face in his shirt. He may not understand what I was feeling or the choices I’d made, but Parker was always there for me. It meant more to me than he realized. I grabbed a handful of his shirt and held on. “It’s not you,” I muttered against his chest.

  He held me close. “That’s a comfort.”

  I sniffled, lifting my head. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Maybe Parker coming here had been fate.

  “I’ve been trying to tell you that.”

  “Sorry, it took me so long to listen.”

  “Don’t sweat it. Everyone deserves a mental breakdown once in a while.”

  I hugged my knees to my chest, staring at the horizon, where the stars met the ocean. “I saw my mom.”

  His mouth dropped. “Holy crap. Are you serious? Is that a reaper benefit?”

  “Yeah, it appears so.”

  “What did she say?” he asked. Parker was family. I knew he missed my mom.

  “What I needed to hear.” Raven Hallow was my home.

  Chapter 21

  Days went by. And each started out the same as the one before. It took a few minutes after waking for me to realize Zane was still gone. Then the sinking feeling in my stomach returned, growing more prominent every day.

  A frosty air had developed between Parker and me. He didn’t understand my world or why I wouldn’t leave this place, how I couldn’t leave. All he saw was how hard I pushed myself each day, learning, training until the point of sheer exhaustion. It was the only way I could get through the day.

  My heart ached.

  Zander had picked up where Zane had left off in my combat and magical skills. It was actually easier working with Zander. I didn’t have to worry about keeping my emotions in check. I didn’t have to think about us accidently merging our souls. Zander was a patient and systematic instructor.

  As the days passed, I kept waiting for the attacks from either the rebels or the hallows. When they didn’t storm the manor or the country club, I let myself breathe a little easier. But Zander never let his guard down. I had to give it to him. He handled our situation better than I did.

  “Where’s your sidekick today?” Zander asked as I threw my hair into a messy ponytail.

  Most days Parker came with me to practice. “He’s with Zoe today. I’m meeting them later.”

  The edges of his lips bowed. “I can’t believe you left him in her care.”

  My brows burrowed together. “She was too excited when she suggested they hang out.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine. It’s his heart I’d be concerned about.”

  I scrunched my nose, making an ugly face. “Are you suggesting that Zoe is interested in Parker?”

  He rolled his eyes. “No guy is safe around my sister.”

  “That’s comforting,” I said, my lips thinning.

  Zander grinned.

  I wanted to smack him for putting the image in my head. Zoe was the closest friend I had on the island and Parker was my oldest friend. The two of them were not allowed to be into each other. Gross. Anyway, Parker was still hung up on me. Right?

  Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure.

  Zander tweaked the tip of my nose. “You’re stressing.”

  “I am not,” I argued, lifting my eyes to meet his.

  “Those lines folding over on your forehead say otherwise.”

  “So shoot me.”

  He was getting used to my sarcastic nature. “Nah. How about we work the tension out of your body? Which one do you want? Physical? Or mental?”

  “I choose C. None of the above.”

  “Did you say all of the above? I knew you were an overachiever.”

  I folded my arms. “Someone took their funny pills today.” We were more comfortable with each other, and every day before we got down to business, I asked Zane the same thing. “Have you seen any hallows?” I bent down to tie the laces on my shoe that had unraveled.

  “No.” I don’t know why I expected a different answer.

  Standing up, I asked. “It’s got you on edge too?”

  He tried to hide his concern from me. “Yeah.” I could see a multitude of thoughts running through his mind. He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not like them to be so quiet. The longer we go without an attack, the more I’m sure something is brewing.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  Zander projected a determination that put mine to shame. “Nothing at the moment. You’re going to dazzle me with your incredible skills.”

  I busted out laughing. “You must have me mixed up with another raven. We’ve been at this for a week and I haven’t been able to do squat. It’s embarrassing.”

  His gym shoes squished on the floor mats as he walked toward me. He hadn’t been kidding. “The only thing you have to be embarrassed about is quitting.”

  Subtly didn’t run in the Hunters’ genes. I huffed. “Whatever. Don’t make me say I told you so.”

  “You can do this,” he said, putting his hands on my shoulders.

  I was getting sick of hearing his optimism, because I hated disappointing him. It was a basic reaper skill, to be able to summon your power into a tangible force. For me, it wasn’t so basic.

  There was a static charge from his touch, but it was faint in comparison to others I’d felt with a certain He-who-won’t-be-named. “Sure,” I replied flatly.

  “Our abilities are like an extension of us. I want you to tap into your core and send it outside of you. You’ve done it before. Now I want you to control it.”

  The corner of my lips curved. “You get that I have no idea what you just said.”

  “The how isn’t as important as the doing. Now clear your head and call forth the core,” he instructed.

  Conjuring my core power was a simple task. It was everything after that was the problem, but I did as he asked, concentrating on the light slowly filling me from the inside out.

  “Okay, good. Hold out your arms.”

  Nodding, I obeyed. I was afraid to speak and break my control.

  His fingers wrapped lightly around my wrists, and I could feel an underlying hum of his power buzzing at the surface. “I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the light gathering in the palm or your hands. It won’t hurt you, but the light is intense and bright.”

  Pain wasn’t something I associated with the power inside me, more like ecstasy. I took a deep breath, picturing my hands glowing with perfect spheres of light. I looked like a Christmas ornament.

  “Do you see it?” he asked softly.

  The smile that had started to spread on my lips faded. I did. The light was so brilliant that its rays shone behind my lids.

  “Open your eyes, Piper,” Zander whispered. There was something in his tone that had my blood racing.

  When I did, the entire two-story room was encompassed in ribbons of white extending from my hands and rising up over my head in a blinding light. I was mesmerized. Eyes wide, I watched as I moved my hands, the ribbons swirling with my m
ovements, mimicking them.

  Holy Toledo. Just as Zander had said, the light was an extension of me. It flexed and bent to my will. A supreme thrill spun through me.

  “I can’t believe I actually did that.” I almost started jumping and squealing. And because I couldn’t resist, I threw my arms around Zander, giving him a quick hug. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.

  “You’re not done yet.” His voice was steady through the seductive haze. I felt his gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop staring at the glittering light. “I want you to turn it into a weapon. It doesn’t matter what type, only the strength you put into it.”

  My mind immediately thought of Zane and how he controlled his shadows. I’d seen him turn them into anything he wanted. Whips. Swords. Even the scythe he was so adeptly called. Glamour of my power danced around me, powerful and raw. This time I kept my eyes open, beckoning the light to alter its form—a shape I pictured in my head. I about lost my hold when the beams started to ripple. This was seriously amazing. It was kind of like drawing, but in my mind.

  With a sense of euphoria, I watched as two sleek and powerful blades shimmered in each of my hands. They were made of a material that didn’t exist on Earth. Alabaster in color, but without a solid form, the daggers looked as if I could pass my hand through them. But as I wielded them in my hands, testing their weight, I knew without a doubt, they were meant to kill.

  “Show-off,” Zander grinned.

  And I grinned back.

  A mixture of pride and satisfaction reflected in his soft blue eyes. “Nice work. I knew you had it in you.”

  My heart warmed, and I turned, immediately searching for Zane. I wanted to share the rush of my accomplishment. It took a few blinks before I remembered he was gone. He’d missed it.

  Wow. The one time I actually did something completely on my own, and he wasn’t here to see it. How the heck was I supposed to gloat?

  “Piper,” Zander called gently. “You okay?”

  I wasn’t sure I would ever be okay again, but that was not what I said. “Yeah.” I dragged a few deep breaths and faced him.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  I knew what he was asking. I choked out a laugh. “About your brother bailing on me? No. Not really.”

  Zander was silent for a few moments, which was about all he could handle of stillness. “Good, because I don’t want to talk about the stubborn mule either.”

  “You mean jackass?”

  He nodded. “You have such a way with words.”

  The blades had doused at my extreme disappointment. “I’m going to make such an exceptional leader,” I said sarcastically.

  “Regardless of your vibrant vocab, I think you have what it takes.”

  I sat on the ground, right in the middle of the mats and crossed my legs. “That makes one of us.”

  He followed suit, plopping down in front of me. Well, Zander didn’t exactly plop. “Since we’ve already made it completely awkward in here,” he said, “I have an unconventional lesson, but I think it’s necessary.”

  I opened and closed my hands as I looked at him. They were tingling. “Now I’m nervous.”

  I could tell he was as well. His Celtic accent thickened. It was kinda cute. “During the coronation, certain things are going to be expected from us?”

  “Like?” Since Zane left, I’d more or less resigned my fate to marrying Zander. If he wasn’t willing to fight for us, why should I?

  “We’ll be expected to announce our engagement.” This I knew. I got the feeling he was beating around the bush. He wiped his palms over his knees. “And we’ll have to…kiss.”

  “Kiss?” I echoed. My voice went up an uncomfortable ten notches. Talk about a buzzkill.

  He nodded. “It’s part of the custom, to seal our fates and our commitment to keeping the reaper line pure.”

  I really didn’t want to consider Zander and me making babies, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking. “What do you mean pure?”

  “It’s what we are—reapers born from undiluted bloodlines. Our children will be powerful, ensuring their place.” He tripped ever so slightly over the mention of our offspring.

  Customs suck. I couldn’t believe we were having this discussion. It was almost comical. “So you want to practice kissing?” My palms started to sweat.

  He shrugged. “I figured it might be less awkward if it wasn’t our first time.”

  I’ll say. Who knows how I would have reacted. Slapping your fiancé across the cheek after he plants one on you doesn’t exactly scream affection, although I’m not sure anyone expected me to be in love with Zander. “Why does this sound like I’m in junior high and we’re about to go into the closet?”

  He grinned in a way that was both sheepish and devilish. “I swear it’s not…mostly. I’d be lying if I said I never thought about kissing you. I mean, look at you.”

  I blushed, assuming that was a compliment. “Thanks. I think.”

  “Would you feel better if we used the closet?” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

  I was never happier Parker was otherwise occupied and Zane was gone. It was uncomfortable enough as it was. Thankfully, we had the training room to ourselves, which was rare. I smiled. “Probably.”

  He leaned forward, and all I could think was we were really going to do this. My breath slowed and curiosity filled me. Would it be like kissing Zane? Would my pulse race? Would the world drown out around me?

  Something told me no one would make the world burn as Zane did, and this foolish idea he could make me forget Zane was just that. Foolish.

  We connected all right. Our noses. I couldn’t help but giggle. This was not going smoothly.

  A rueful smile quirked his lips. “Maybe I should try the sneak attack.”

  “If you keep making me laugh, I’ll end up biting your lip.”

  “Sounds kinky.”

  OMG, is he flirting with me?

  He arched a brow. “Let’s try this again?”

  I nodded, wetting my lips.

  His hand found my check, and I closed my eyes. Lightly, his lips brushed over mine. Believe it or not, my hands didn’t itch to crack him across the cheek. His lips were soft and gentle, testing my response. The kiss was nice. He didn’t slobber all over me or try to invade my mouth with his tongue. But, no matter how much I wanted to lose myself in the kiss, I couldn’t. It lacked something—that sweep-me-off-my-feet punch.

  I wanted to curse Zane to seven different kinds of Hell even as I kissed Zander back.

  He whispered my name, and his hands dropped to my waist as his lips swept over mine for a second time. I placed my hand on his shoulder, unsure if I was going to pull him closer or push him away.

  I didn’t have to make a choice. We were no longer alone.

  “’Bout time you put the moves on her.”

  Zander and I sprung away at the sound of Zoe’s voice. Parker was scowling beside her, looking down at Zander. His feelings for the eldest Hunter were only slightly less hateful than for Zane. You could say they tolerated each other. I didn’t see a budding friendship developing anytime soon.

  So much for privacy.

  I was thankful for the interruption. It saved me from having to deal with the after-kiss awkwardness. My cheeks decided to turn five shades of red. I lowered my chin.

  “Zoe, what are you doing here?” Zander demanded gruffly.

  There was an impish twinkle in her eyes. “I came to rescue my best friend, but by the looks of it, she isn’t in danger of being bored to tears.”

  “Your timing is impeccable as always.” Zander frowned as he got to his feet and helped me up. His fingers stayed wrapped around mine, and a stirring of guilt poked at me.

  “I don’t remember kissing being part of training,” Zoe said. She was having too much fun at Zander and my expense—our distress specifically.

  “Zoe, don’t you have something to do?” Zander asked, not pleased with the disruption.
>
  “Don’t get your boxers in a wad, Big Brother. I’m here for Piper. As much as I’m sure you would like to continue sucking her face off, the coronation is in less than a week,” she informed, drumming a nail on her lips. A few times, Zoe had attempted to draw me into her circle of friends, but her efforts had been fruitless. I didn’t want or need a social life. But I was only able to dodge her shopping trips for so long. She found a way to corner me.

  I ran my hand through my rumpled ponytail. “Ugh. Don’t remind me.”

  She was enjoying this. “We need to find you a dress.”

  Parker chuckled. “Piper? In a dress? You’re joking.”

  My eyes tapered in Parker’s direction and he wisely shut his trap. I turned to Zoe. “What am I expected to wear to this spectacle?” Thinking about the ceremony gave me hives. Not only was I going to be inducted as the White Raven, there would also be a public announcement regarding my engagement.

  “Something nice and respectable.” Once she saw the outrage on my face, she grinned. “Of course, you never do as you’re expected.”

  My grin echoed hers. Now she was talking my language. “Let’s go shopping.” I unwound my fingers from Zander’s. “Thanks for the lesson. It was…enlightening.”

  Zoe snickered.

  Parker coughed.

  And Zander grinned. “Anytime. You’re a natural.”

  I didn’t know if he was talking about my powers or the kiss. My cheeks burned, and Zoe thought it was hilarious.

  I couldn’t get out of that room soon enough. I never thought I would be so eager to go shopping, but I needed air, unable to shake the feeling I’d made a mistake.

  The island didn’t have a mall, but a variety of specialty shops. Fine by me. I avoided malls like boy band concerts. Nothing but a bunch of gossiping cliques wracking up Daddy’s credit cards. Like my mom, I preferred thrifty, but I guessed we wouldn’t be hitting up any secondhand stores.

  I waited until we were browsing in the first store before I asked the question burning my mind. “Have you heard from Zane?”

  Parker opened his mouth, but Zoe elbowed him in the gut. She always found a way to never give me a straight answer. “He’ll be back. He might not realize it yet, but he won’t be able to stay away from you.”