by Mary Quast
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Crow Magic
Copyright © 2013 by Mary Quast
ISBN: 978-1-61333-526-0
Cover art by LFD Designs
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
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Handcuffs and Silk
Crow Magic
A 1Night Stand Story
By
Mary Quast
~DEDICATION~
To the Great Spirit who touches our souls and guides our spirits, and the warriors who follow their hearts to fight for freedom.
Chapter One
Gazing into the black of night, he took to the heavens, soaring high above the city of lights and over the mayhem of human atrocities and the ugly suffering of reality. Wind flowed over his wings like unconditional love, erasing his burdens. Life could be cold like the rain assaulting his feathers, yet a gentle rain might wash away the dirt, the dust and purify the bad, leaving behind beauty. Therefore, existence may well be beautiful.
The glow of man-made structures reflected off his form. So many souls below didn’t know they were lost until found. Numerous hearts wandered alone in the city. The cross of a church reached into the sky; there is faith. A tree covered with leaves grew from a cement parking lot; there is hope.
With a dip of his wing, he circled; enjoying the peace and harmony, wishing every man could know what it meant to be free. He glided across the sky with his head in the clouds and the power of the earth radiating through his frame, giving him strength.
His days were spent helping brothers and sisters break the unseen chains on their spirits. Duty bound to use his gift and show others the joy and splendor of living; to escort their souls to freedom and liberate them, left his spirit weary. Flying alone in his private serenity granted him the peace he wanted. Nonetheless, the emptiness in his soul increased. Would he always fly alone? How long until he became consumed by the dark emptiness? Would he find his spirit mate in the world and be saved?
An updraft lifted him higher and carried him to the place gods dwelt. There he left his questions knowing time would pass until the day the answers came. He rose, breathing the air of the divine, fully understanding the world in which he lived. With every pump of his wings, power and confidence supported him.
“Oh, Great Spirit, I am blessed. ”The words, a silent chant, emerged from his mind. “I am special in my kind; I am not limited in my nature, but infinite in my desires.”
Pulling his wings tight, he dove toward the earth and the human horizon. For a moment, he closed his eyes to heighten his pleasure. Romancing the sky, the erotic pressure combined with orgasmic release. The sensation of perfect peace mingled with ecstasy, strained every nerve to the extreme.
Opening his wings, he leveled with the earth for a weightless moment. As a shadow from the sky, he made his way through the landscape of buildings and prepared to leave his god-like state to enter human existence. As a man, he would fulfill the earthly yearnings of others with his voice, his essence, his spirit.
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Kam adjusted the lamp on his cluttered but well-organized desk.
A woman’s assertive voice filtered from his office phone speaker. “Yes, I am.”
With a sigh, he glanced toward the window. The rain had stopped pelting the window and clouds had given way to the moonlight. Enchanted nights lit by the glow of the moon were supposed to be spent in the arms of a woman.
“What is taking your brother so long? I swear he’d be late to his own funeral.”
He lowered his head with a chuckle as a quick tapping at the balcony door interrupted them. Rising from the chair, he tugged the massive sliding glass door. It groaned open and a large black bird sat on the railing, glaring at him.
“What a sad sight you are, brother.” He waved to the animal. “Please come in.”
It shook its wet feathers before flying into the room. Kam closed the doors and a familiar whoosh of air fluttered the collar of his shirt and mussed his hair before the bird shifted to a man effortlessly behind him.
“This better be good to call upon me in such weather,” he grumbled.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Kam faced his brother. “With this rain and your vanity I expected you to take the elevator.”
“Elevators are too slow.”
Kam stared at him. A wicked smile and Native American features graced his dark face. Ebony eyes sparkled with mischief while he rung water from his long black hair. His shirt opened from the movement, revealing a silver chain with an onyx and silver amulet lying on a massive chest. Silver earrings reflected the light from the desk. Black leather pants sculpted strong thighs, and a black silk shirt lay tucked under a matching leather belt studded with gleaming silver plates. His feet were clad in black Durango boots with silver-toe tips, and spurs.
“Well, well. What do we have here? Why, it’s the poster boy for the rich and flashy cowboys. Where’s your hat?” he teased. “Don’t you think you’re too…shiny?”
“I don’t wear a hat and I happen to prefer shiny, thank you very much. I merely planned on a comfortable night of gambling here in Las Vegas.” He rolled up his sleeves. Each turn of the material exposed decorated metal on wrists and fingers.
Kam reached for a bar towel on a nearby shelf. “I’d rather be somewhere else than here as well.”
“I’m sorry, let’s start over.” He extended his hand. “Good evening.”
“Good evening, Seth.” Kam accepted his greeting by placing the towel in his brother’s open palm.
Glancing at the speakerphone, he wondered when his mother would begin speaking. After all, she’d promised to carry most of the conversation. Out of hospitality, he poured two glasses of wine and offered one to his brother.
“It’ll warm the cockles of your heart.”
“You remind me of Dad with that comment.” Seth shook his head. “No thank you, my cockles are just fine.”
“Suit yourself. Can’t let it go to waste though.” Kam smirked before downing the contents of one glass then picked up the other. “You appear well. Your job must not be making you crazy yet.”
“Putting one’s life in danger from time to time creates a saneness that helps when dealing with day-to-day trivialities.”
“Well said. Although I personally find it rather freaky that you deal with lost souls.” He lifted his glass in mock toast. “I scarcely believe you have trivialities in your life.”
“There are always some. Not everyone considers the same things to be trifling.”
“Very true, now tell me, how are you enjoying your visit to Vegas?”
“No.” Seth snorted with disgust. “I came for warm weather and hot women.”
“What’s the problem?” Kam raised his eyebrow. “Striking out with the women?”
“Hardly. It’s the damned rain.”
“If memory serves me, you consider the rain quite cleansing.” Kam couldn’t hold back a smile. “Funny, Vegas doesn’t usually get much rain in June.”
“Rain cursed me during my visit in February. If I wanted rain, I would have stayed home.”
“It only rains when you’re in town, so perhaps you should have.”
“All right, boys.” The voice from the speaker filled the room. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your little banter, we should to get down to business.”
“Nikya! Mother!” Seth’s eyes flew open in surprise. “What is she doing here?”
“Our mother is the one who actually wanted you here. She has some things to discuss.”
“Yes, I do!” she agreed.
“This is Mom’s version of an intervention.” Kam sat at the desk. “Okay, then let’s get this started.”
Seth moaned. “What did I do to deserve such meddling?”
“Seth, remember when I told you about 1Night Stand?”
“No! No! No!” Seth grabbed his head. “Please tell me you haven’t been discussing my sex life with our mother.”
“Not exactly…when she asked how I met my fiancée, I told her about the exclusive online dating service, 1Night Stand, which a friend referred me to.”
“Okay, I get it.” He rolled his eyes. “Now that you are all cozy in your happy place, you think everyone else should find theirs.”
“I think you should give it a try.” His mother’s voice grew firm. “You’re thirty-five-years old and I know you’re not content to move about in your bizarre solo-mode.”
“I’m happy with the way my life is. I don’t care for either of you butting into it.”
“Tecumseh! You can’t fool your mother. You know I know better.”
“Yes, Nikya, you have the gift of sight. So why are you so sure this 1Night Stand thing would benefit me?”
“As much as I welcome your devotion to your Shawnee heritage, that sweet endearment isn’t going to soften me up. I’m serious here. You are a gentle man, my son. But as Keeper of the Spiritual Law, and Guardian of Healing, I fear you are about to fall into a black hole of your own making. You work too much and take up with too many loose women who do nothing for your soul.” His mother sighed. “I’ve had a vision of a woman searching for her wings. She’s a mouse who, with your help, blossoms into a fire angel. I have faith you will meet her through this service Kam speaks so highly of.”
“Never question her visions, brother,” Kam murmured.
“Madame Evangeline seems to have a gift of her own. Perhaps she also has the sight or is simply a very intuitive woman.” Her voice trailed off for a moment. “I believe the experience would be good for you. You have nurtured so many spirits; it is time for you to take care of your own.”
“And the needs of your shiny carcass.” Kam’s whisper met with his brother flipping him the bird.
“This sounds crazy.”
Kam smiled. “Actually, you can only be referred by a happy customer…that would be me. Madame Eve does extensive background checks on all her clients so you won’t be hooked up with a wacko.”
“I’m supposed to rendezvous with this woman who Mom thinks is the one for just one night?”
“Yes.”
“How can you be so sure?” Seth furrowed his brow.
“Dude, do we have to spell it out for you? Typical of a crow, expecting to have your ego preened. This is your cue, Mom.”
“I love you and could talk about you all day. You are easygoing and can be romantic; a natural charmer.”
Kam snorted. “Mommy’s favorite.”
“You are attractive and in good shape,” his mother continued.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Kam pretended to gag.
“You are naturally intuitive and I’d like to see you apply this talent to a relationship. During the last year, your moods have been more abrasive, you have blackness in your normally colorful aura I believe is caused by a shadow on your soul. It is time for you to listen to your heart, Tecumseh. Let your spirit animal guide you.”
“Fine, I’ll do it.” Seth’s shoulders dropped in acceptance “But I wouldn’t want this kind of date to happen in the city, especially Las Vegas.”
“Madame Eve often uses the Castillo Resorts. I bet you can request to meet your date closer to your home such as a private cabin at their resort in the Poconos.”
“Perfect. That’s not too far the way the crow flies.”
“Good.” Clapping sounded through the speaker. “Thank you, Kam, for your help. I love both of you and only want what is best. I am pleased and will tell your father the good news.”
“Ack! Father is in on this as well?”
“Of course, dear. Good night, boys.”
After she’d disconnected, Seth’s eyes grew hard and he crossed his arms. “I’m glad you’re having a good cackle at my expense, you old hen.”
“Hen? I’m the cock of this house.”
“You just keep telling yourself that.”
“I plan on it, Tecumseh.” Kam reached out for a quick embrace. “Have fun during the rest of your visit. Be sure to spend some time with me before you leave.”
“I would if I can pry you away from your lady-love long enough.”
His younger brother prepared to leave and Kam’s heart grew heavy. Not born with the gift of shifting, but the gift of knowing, he understood his brother better than anyone. He saw what lay within a person, whether it was magic, pain, sorrow, or confusion. His awareness of his brother’s worry of being alone in the world stabbed him.
“Seth, please listen to me. A crow left to his own devices can become demanding and vindictive. We don’t want that happening to you now, do we?”
“I suppose, not.” The glass door opened with a forceful bang.
Kam lowered his head and sent a silent prayer that all would end well. Papers flew off the desk, the lampshade twisted, the wind wreaking havoc on the small space. The door slammed shut on its own. Quiet tranquility filled his office. Believing in his mother’s ability, and content fate would shine on his beloved brother, he leaned back and gulped the last of the wine with a smile.
Chapter Two
Birds chattering pulled her from sleep. She wiggled under the cozy comforter to steal one more moment of utter bliss before rubbing her face to wake up. Pushing flyaway hair past her ears, Lucy opened her eyes and stretched. Arriving late the night before, she’d unpacked then gone straight to bed. Her best friend had convinced her to try Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand, and now miles from home, she lay in the Rose Cabin on Cherry Lane, a private but exquisite cottage at the Castillo Resort in the Poconos Mountains.
She took a deep breath and rose to the beauty of a new day and the possibilities of the coming evening. Sunlight dappled the floors of her cabin. Finding the long terry robe the resort supplied, she pulled it on then pulled back the cream-colored curtains to allow the morning radiance to enter and spread its cheerfulness. The delicate scent from the white roses in a vase on the nightstand mingled with the pine and cedar cabin. She picked up a c
ard next to the flowers.
Lucy,
May you discover the magical power of the mountains and their crystal clear waters.
May the life force of the woods stir your soul.
May you learn from the spirit of the crow.
Tecumseh will help you fly if you believe in him.
Madame Eve
He had only one name. Not Bob, or Roger, but Tecumseh, and without doubt, Native American. Names held power and his name sounded powerful. What kind of person had the name Tecumseh? Was he a real man, a shaman or a spirit?
“Enough worrying about tonight, time to enjoy the day.” She adjusted the sheets of the Queen Ann bed and smoothed the antique quilt bright with turquoise and shades of fuchsia. An impressive painting of a floral meadow and a large tree near a lake hung on the wall and she made a mental note to explore outside to discover if the meadow was local. She gazed at the bed, wondering what the night would bring and shuddered with anticipation.
A pot of coffee she’d prepared before going to bed brewed in the small kitchen, filling the air with a nutty aroma. She stood on tiptoes and peered through the window over the sink. Outside, numerous birds flitted among the branches of a bush. After making toast, she headed toward the porch to enjoy the morning. On the way out the door, she spotted several books on a small table. She sorted through them hoping to find a temporary distraction. One book contained information about the resort and she set it aside to view later. A couple of others identified local flora and fauna but one titled, “Legends of the Crow” captured her attention.
Balancing the book and her breakfast, Lucy opened the screen door. It slammed behind her, startling a large black crow sitting on the porch railing and upsetting her precarious balance. The bird fluttered in the air for a moment then landed back on the wooden guardrail. Because she thought it to be a most handsome creature, she decided it to be a male. He stayed watchful as she settled into a rocking chair. Placing the cup on the table next to her, she tore off a piece of toast and threw it on the floor.