A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Raven Saga Book 1

by Crymsyn R. Hart

  Finally he pulled away leaving her. Every nerve fiber screamed when his warmth left her. Her fingers shook as he undid her arms from his neck. She swallowed and caught her breath because his kiss had certainly taken it away. When her world stopped rocking, she opened her eyes. The look of enjoyment or even satisfaction she expected to see was not there. His face was smooth as alabaster topped with onyx. Everything about him was perfection and his expression blank. Even his eyes were vacant. He stared at her as if she weren't even there.

  What an ass. What the hell was that all about? Argh! As she looked at him, she saw something pass over his features and realized it was pain from his wound. Her heart melted some. What kind of Warrior is he? Where does he come from? Where did he get such a rock-hard chest and flat stomach? I wonder if other things are as hard as—God, what am I thinking? I'm gawking at him as if he is a piece of world-class art or a sandwich. I need to get him to a hospital and not think about jumping his bones.

  "Did Maili give you anything?” he asked.

  "What?"

  "Are you deaf? Did she—your best friend—give you anything? I need to know.” His demeanor didn't change. He was still as cold as a statue.

  Linnea was a little confused. “You don't have to talk to me like I'm five. No, Maili hasn't given me anything."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. I would know if she did. Now please let me help you. I know you're hurt. At least—"

  "I don't need anything from you. You have nothing I want. Please leave.” The chill in his voice made her shiver.

  "But? What about what just happened?"

  "What just happened? I don't remember anything. Now don't make me tell you again!” he said through gritted teeth. He seized her upper arm. Linnea realized he was forcing her to the door. She tried to stop him. He shoved her into the hallway. She nearly lost her footing, but caught herself by grabbing onto the doorway.

  "Look—” The witch turned back around.

  The stranger didn't say anything. Linnea watched as the heavy door slammed an inch or so next to her nose. She had never been treated so horribly. Not even Joshua had been so rude to her. The witch stared at the grains in the wood wondering what was going to happen with the guy on the other side of the door. Worry uncoiled in her belly since he was hurt. He had refused her help and to tell her his name. He had not given her any answers to what happened to Maili. What the hell were those creatures in the apartment? She raised her fist to pound on the door again. He was going to open it and tell her something. But she heard giggling. When she looked over, the little ghost boy sat on top of the stairs staring at her. He had a blue balloon, which matched his sailor suit, in his hand.

  "What are you looking at pipsqueak?” she asked the ghost.

  The little boy stuck out his tongue and then disappeared. A cold chill moved through her as what she assumed was the little boy floated close to her. Linnea thought about leaving, but reached into her bag and withdrew her keys, careful not to cut herself on the dagger she had picked up. She put the key in the lock and opened the door again, getting ready to confront the stranger and figure out what he knew. When the door swung open, the apartment was empty.

  She ran her hands through her hair deciding there was nothing else left for her to do since he had mysteriously disappeared. The ass said her friend's mother was aware of Maili's disappearance. At first, she had thought he was a private investigator for the family, but after seeing the head and vanishing, she knew that was not true. He was something else.

  "Maili, I hope you're all right. I swear I'll do anything I can to find you. No matter what it takes.” And if I come across that guy again, I'm so going to beat his ass.

  Chapter Nine

  Tremain watched the door slam. He waved his hand, and the locks clicked without a pause in his power. Fatigue ran through him, weighing down his limbs. Linnea knew something was going on, but she did not know exactly what. He had to keep it that way. She had already been exposed to too much. What am I going to do with her? What am I going to tell Betha?

  A bolt of pain burned through his side. He gripped the wound where the robed figure had sunk the dagger into his side. It had been a clean cut, not hitting any major organs. Even if it had, he would only have the wounds until he transformed back into Raven form. Then he would be healed. It was hard to slay a Raven Warrior. A poisoned silver blade, being beheaded, and being stabbed through the heart, but even that was iffy, could kill them. Jet had sustained a sword through the chest and he had lived. Only a handful of Warriors had ever been killed. The last one was only a couple of centuries ago. The newest member of the flock was Thomas, but Tremain was not friendly with the Warrior and stayed clear of him. All Thomas wanted to do was please Caleb and Betha.

  The ache in his side jolted him again. His forehead creased. The Druid lifted his shirt to see the wound, instead of the clean cut he expected. Pink irritated skin surrounded the wound. Red ivy-like arms of the posion had begun to work its way out from the slice. Tremain's mouth went dry. The dagger he had been poisoned. He knew it. Already it worked into his system. He swallowed. There was no way he could go back to the netherworld and tell Betha he had been poisoned. Caleb was the only one who could help him, but to call upon his leader would show he was giving up and messed up once again. Tremain hung his head. He was screwed. He only had until moonrise tomorrow before he would be dead. The poison worked swiftly and only certain herbs could cure it.

  I have to keep going even though this happened. I can't give up. I have to find something out about where Maili is. Her pet human knows more than she is telling. I'm sure of it. Tremain thought about the kiss. It had been sweet and yet promised there was more underneath the surface. She had pushed herself into him, and he was shocked at how well their bodies fit together, like lost pieces from a puzzle. The heat he brewed in her was just beginning to simmer. He dared not touch her in case he grew more aroused than he already was. It would have led to a horrible sight with him beginning to sprout feathers. Then she would have screamed and called him a monster. He shook his head. He had only kissed her to shut her up. Nothing more.

  Handling the events in the apartment the way she had, Linnea had taken him by surprise. That she fainted was understandable. She asked me about the spirit child. How could she have seen him? There was nothing in her that would be able to see phantoms. At least nothing I sensed yesterday at the theater. Now she has the ability to see them. Something has happened to her overnight. Maybe she did have something to do with Maili's vanishing.

  It would not be the first time a close friend to one of his charges had something to do with disappearances or putting his charges in danger. It was more than half the time. Tremain shook his head. There was no way she had anything to do with this whole fiasco. She and his charge were sisters. It turned his stomach to think how sweet and sappy mortals could be.

  I'm so glad I'm not a woman. He smiled.

  Tremain ran his hand through his hair. He had to take the information he had learned back to Betha. Grabbing his sword, he ignored the pain of the infection creeping into his system and felt the shadows wrap around him. Their tendrils intermixed with his being until he felt himself slipping dimensions. The transition in human form was cold and gray. It suffocated him and felt like he was being wrapped in a thick wool blanket. It only lasted a few seconds. Then the atmosphere cleared, and he took on mortal form again. He appeared kneeling on one knee with his sword in front of him as if he were a knight in prayer in front of his lord.

  "Tremain, I hope you bring me better news."

  The Warrior did not brother to look up. He knew by the sound of her voice she was not happy. She wanted results, and he was not coming to give her good news. He sighed internally and dared to look up. The Banshee Queen peered at his reflection in a long mirror. He did not expect what he saw when he looked at her reflection. Instead of the normal, undead skeleton-like being he obeyed, before him was a beautiful woman. He understood where Maili got her beauty from. The
Banshee Queen no longer had bits of flesh gone from her face and no legs. The woman in the green dress had filled out, had legs, and had pale skin, but it was rosy. Her eyes were tropic sea green, staring out from under long heavy lashes. Hair like melted chocolate fell around her shoulders. Blue veins were etched under her skin like a map from olden times. She was a creature unlike Tremain had seen human or otherwise. The expression in her eyes seemed tired.

  "Majesty. I—forgive me, but you look—I—"

  She put her up hand to silence him. There was eerie and hollow laughter behind him from the court. “Give it up, Tremain. No matter how much you kiss my ass you're not going to get out of trying to find Maili. Your time is running out. I want answers."

  "Yes Majesty. I'm well aware of my duty. Forgive my boldness, but I've never seen you look so human."

  Betha turned in her chair and looked on the kneeling warrior. Tremain cast his eyes to the floor. The Warrior really wanted to throw his sword at her feet and walk out of the throne room in search for Caleb to see if he had anything to stop the poison from spreading any further into his veins. It was starting to eat him up inside, just as time was eating up his opportunity to be human in the mortal world. He didn't want to waist a precious second.

  "Flattery will get you nowhere, Warrior, but I will indulge your manly fantasies since we both know it's been so long since you've been with a woman."

  Tremain saw the smirk on the queen's face, but let the comment slide over him. It was true he had not made love to a woman since Beatrice. In the past, when he had tried in his human guise, he immediately began to transform back into his Raven form which was why he had wanted to keep his distance from Linnea. It was a part of his curse he could not love. If Caleb was correct, the only way was to meet his mate. But what would a human mate do with an immortal being?

  "Since you are so hell-bent on not trying to find my daughter, I decided to take matters into my own hands. This is my human appearance. I was like this for a whole year while I carried my daughter. I fell in love with her father you see. It was stupid of me really to let my heart lead me. However, I was with child. Do you know hard and rare it is for one of my kind to become pregnant by a human. The chances are astronomical. Even then I was the first to carry full term. Eleven months until I bore Maili. I fed on fresh blood three times a day like a stinking vampire to maintain my flesh. I even ate human food. After I gave birth, I gave her to a human family to foster. None of us knew what she'd mature into. But I always visited her at night so she knew me. One time, I scared her so bad she couldn't sleep for a week. Then I went to her in my human guise until she was old enough to handle the truth. When she reached puberty, she didn't wither away into nothingness, but opened her mouth and sang. Once the first note pierced the veil, I felt the vibrations of her power. I knew then she'd one day blossom into being at my side. When she truly dies, she will be a banshee. Until then, she deserves every right to live as a human! Damn it! You will find her or I'll see to it your punishment starts on the day her soul comes to this realm. It was her pet human, the witch, she's been friends with forever. Linnea's soul is mine. Her and that scarecrow of a boyfriend my daughter messes around with."

  "Majesty, it's not possible for her friend to have anything to do with your daughter's disappearance. I was just with her. We were attacked in Maili's apartment. I've gone to the theater, to Maili's dressing room. It was as plundered as her flat. Whatever trinket they are looking for they have not gotten. And, begging your pardon, I have a feeling they are not so much after your daughter as they are after you. Maili is only a way to get to you. Please, Betha. Don't go to the mortal realm. I'll handle it. That's what I came to tell you. Jenny Greenteeth and another dark fairy were sent by someone. Whoever sent them kidnapped Maili. I killed both."

  Tremain tried to tell the queen she was in danger if she crossed over into the human world, but she was determined to find Maili and searching in the wrong place. He knew Linnea had nothing to do with it. He had watched the mortal interact with the princess and knew Linnea worshipped Maili. He couldn't vouch for the boyfriend, Jason. Had Betha said Linnea was a witch? Was that the power he had felt in her? Had it just awoken? Had she been keeping it hidden? He shook his head. The poison was affecting his mind.

  Betha moved off her throne. Her bare feet glowed against the black marble of the throne room. She grabbed his chin in a bone-crunching grip forcing him to look at her. Her face still appeared hollow. Her eyes glowed and he wondered how she ever passed among the mortals. People would have definitely thought she was a model or a star. That much was obvious. He did not wince at the pain which shot up his jaw. Her nails dug into his skin enough he knew they had pierced it.

  "I see the witch has you blinded. Even my very best Warrior would see through her glamour. Here I thought the big bad Tremain didn't have a heart. Maybe it's not your heart that has you confused, but your dick! It wouldn't be the first time. Wasn't it like that with your dear Beatrice. Your lower anatomy was more worried about where it could find a home instead of a young girl's life."

  "My judgment is not clouded on the witch. I'm only concerned for your well-being. Please believe that. I came here to report my findings, not take a tongue-lashing from you. If you wish to put my soul in the hell you have concocted, so be it. But do not bring my dead wife into this.” He spoke through gritted teeth. He expected the Queen Banshee to slap him for being so insolent, but he didn't care. He already knew he was a goner. There was no point going to Caleb now. Betha already had it in for him. No matter what he did, he was going to go to whatever purgatory she had set up for him.

  Instead of the slap he expected, the Banshee Queen kissed him on the lips. He didn't react. The rest of the court grew silent. Finally, she let him go with a little shove and sat back down with her head turned away. Tremain saw from her reflection she was crying as the tears left streaks on her pale skin. He went to say something, but she put up her hand and silenced him.

  "Forgive me, Tremain. Being in this form makes me feel. It has been a long time since I've felt anything so strongly. Being as I normally am, I only experience the echoes of human emotion. I saw what transpired in my daughter's apartment and realized I was wrong. I still feel the witch knows something. Go back to her house and find out. I suggest you go there before sunrise because my assassins have already been sent. Once they are dispatched they are near impossible to be recalled. Even by me. They have one job. I was hasty in sending them. I thought the human had something to do with Maili's disappearance. I see from your mind she cares for my daughter as a sister. The assassins will strike Maili's boyfriend first and then go to Linnea. You know the only way to stop them."

  He bowed before the queen and made ready to leave when she put a hand on his arm. “Find my daughter for me, Tremain. Do that and your past deeds will be erased. I'm sorry about what I said about your wife. I know you loved her. It was wrong of her mother to call down this curse upon you. Thank you for thinking of my wellbeing. I'll stay here for the time being. Now go."

  Tremain's eyes widened. In the mirror's reflection, he saw Caleb standing in the doorway. A look of astonishment adorned his leader's face as well. Betha never apologized to anyone let alone forgave anyone their transgressions. He knew it was important he find Maili, but it was also vital for him to now save Linnea since the queen had acted impulsively and sent out her assassins. His only concern was for her. It didn't matter if he didn't get to Jason in time. He was using Maili to further his career. Besides Tremain had to make a choice on which innocent to save and it was Linnea. Betha sat on her throne and waved her hand so the mirror disappeared. The poison burned cold in his system as it wove along his insides. It had not yet reached his brain, but it soon would. He only had a little time left. Vowing silently, he would find Maili and help Linnea. The cold mist of the netherworld engulfed him when he became nothing more than a wisp. As he split the worlds, he heard the piercing echo of Betha's scream following him back to the mortal realm.

 
Chapter Ten

  Linnea didn't know what to make of the stranger at her best friend's apartment. She had stood outside the door for several minutes staring at the ghost boy wondering who and what had just happened to her. From what her grandmother had said an aura should never be totally black and his had been, but also shot with silver, like a star. He would not let her help him.

  Stubborn pain in the ass.

  Linnea finally gave up trying to rationalize everything that had happened to her and decided to brave the subway home. All the way, her mind brought her back to the tall, dark stranger who had saved her. Everything in her wanted to be able to help him, but he had pushed her away. She sensed there was something underneath the dark demeanor, but he was not letting his wall crumble for anyone to get in. Linnea was shy, but good at reading people. Whatever he held inside of him weighed on his soul. She sensed his hidden passion. Her fingers touched her lips as she smiled thinking about their kiss. He had stirred a fire within her, and she wanted to stoke the blaze. Her body craved to be next to him again, to be in his arms. Her heart fluttered just thinking about it. He had come at her like a hungry man who hadn't eaten in centuries or who had been living on bread and water for ages and she was prime rib. His muscles had been so tense that everything in him had screamed his desire to scoop her up and make love to her.

  Heat intensified her cheeks as she waited on the platform of the Red Line. Her gaze slid to the people around her. They were so engrossed in their own conversations and own lives she doubted they noticed her alone. As she stared at everyone, she saw the myriad of colors surrounding them coming back into view. Now she looked for their auras they appeared before her like bright neon signs. She focused on the closest one to her. The girl was deeply immersed in a textbook. Blonde hair caressed the sides of the manuscript as her head hung low, but Linnea sensed she was not focused on her paperback. She was hiding.