The Ravens

by Danielle Paige

  “Please. Was she a . . . witch? Was it like that?” He sounded horrified. “I mean, did she kill things, eat babies, what the hell—”

  “No! Of course not. Harper was nothing like that. That’s wicked magic. We’re not like that.” The words were out of Scarlett’s mouth before she could stop them.

  Jackson let go of her and sat back heavily in his seat. “Holy shit. So she was a witch. You’re all witches.”

  Scarlett stared at him, frozen with shock at what she’d just done. This went against every rule in the book, everything that her mother and Minnie had taught her, and everything she’d vowed when she was inducted into Kappa. They were forbidden to tell anyone without magical ability the truth about Kappa. About what they really were.

  She’d protected her secret fiercely for years, even hiding the truth from Mason. And if there was ever anyone she was going to tell outside of Kappa, it was him. But here she was telling Jackson, a boy she couldn’t stand a few weeks ago—hell, even a few hours ago. Maybe this was the Upside Down. Nothing was as it was supposed to be.

  She wrapped her hands around the steering wheel and leaned her forehead against it. “You can’t tell a soul, Jackson. It won’t end well for either of us if this gets out.”

  He’d gone still and silent but she knew his brain was racing to process the information she’d just inadvertently revealed. Finally, he swallowed hard and asked, “Did Gwen . . . did Gwen kill Harper?”

  A series of memories flashed through her mind: Gwen’s expression of loathing as she turned to look at Tiffany and Scarlett from the balcony. The acrid smell of wicked magic singeing the air. The flash of terror on Harper’s face as the building began to crumble beneath her. The blood on her pale skin. Scarlett shook her head slowly. “Not on purpose. But I’m convinced that Gwen kidnapped Tiffany. For all I know, she’s killed her by now. She hated Tiffany. We’re the ones who got her kicked out of Kappa . . .” She trailed off as a ragged sob tore its way out of her chest. “I don’t know what I’ll do if she hurts her, Jackson. I seriously don’t. I wish she’d taken me instead.”

  When she leaned back in her seat again, she felt the soft brush of Jackson’s fingers over her cheekbones.

  “I won’t let her hurt you.” He laced his fingers through hers and held tight, and for a moment, the warm pressure was enough to keep the panic at bay. But what would Jackson say when he found out that Tiffany and Scarlett had been taunting Gwen—that they were the ones who’d caused her to lose control on the balcony?

  She smiled through her tears. “No offense, but you’re the last person who’d be able to stop her.”

  “What, are you doubting my normal-guy powers?” He gave a small smirk.

  “I’m sure they will come in really handy when Gwen’s using a mind-control spell on you.”

  Jackson’s eyes widened. “Hold up. You all have mind-control spells?”

  There was a sharp knock at the window of the car, so close and loud that Scarlett gasped and startled. The fear didn’t fade when she spun in her seat to find Dahlia outside the car, arms crossed. “Shit,” Scarlett swore under her breath. Does she know that I told? She quickly wiped away her tears and rolled down her window. “Hey,” she said, forcing her voice to sound normal.

  Dahlia stared pointedly at Scarlett’s right hand. Still wrapped around Jackson’s, she realized belatedly. Scarlett jerked it free and plastered on an innocent smile.

  “Where have you been?” The older girl’s eyes narrowed. “I need you at home right now, Scarlett, for house business. Of all the times to run off with . . . someone.” Someone like him, she knew Dahlia meant. Scarlett could hear the disdain dripping from her tone.

  “Sorry. Something came up. Something important.” Scarlett turned to Jackson. Forced her voice into a casual, dismissive tone as she said, “Thank you again for your help. Your information was very useful.”

  Jackson nodded, not missing a beat. “All right. Well, if you need anything else, here.” He pulled out a piece of paper, scribbled down his number, shoved the paper into her hand, and climbed out of the car. He tossed a backwards wave at them and then walked quickly down the road and into the woods, disappearing into the night.

  “What in the world was that about?” Dahlia asked, tucking a lock of blond hair behind her ear. “Are you seriously hooking up at our funeral, Scar?”

  “No, of course not. I’ll tell you inside the house,” Scarlett said, getting out and slamming the car door closed. She cast a look up and down the street, fighting a shiver despite the warm evening air. “And we’re not dead yet.” Not if Scarlett could help it. All she could think about was Gwen, who had her powers back. Gwen, who could be anywhere. Doing anything. Gwen, who could be coming after all of them right now.

  “But we need to talk inside the house,” Scarlett said. She wanted the full force of the Ravens’ protective spells between her sisters and the girl trying to destroy them.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Vivi

  Vivi sprinted across campus, ignoring the amused or confused looks from the revelers she left in her wake. She passed groups of giggling girls teetering in heels, boisterous boys wearing too much aftershave, and cozy couples walking hand in hand or sitting under the romantic glow of a gas lamp.

  Her shame over kissing Mason, so urgent and intense just moments ago, had been swept away by a supercharged mix of adrenaline and fury. She’d finally made a breakthrough with her talisman research and found a real clue. Except that the clue led directly to her mother and meant that she’d apparently been lying to Vivi her entire life.

  As she ran, Vivi pulled out her phone and called her mother for the third time since she’d left the snack bar. This time, Daphne picked up. “Everything all right, sugar snap?” she asked. “I’m in the middle of a crystal ritual but I saw your missed calls and thought I’d better check.”

  Vivi slowed to a fast walk. Panting heavily, she asked, “Do you have the Henosis talisman?”

  Daphne paused just a fraction of a second too long, then said, “What on earth are you talking about, sweetheart? What talisman?”

  “I saw a photo of you wearing it. Why do you keep lying to me? I know you were a Raven and I know you have the talisman.”

  “I never lied to you, Vivi. Everything I did was to protect you.”

  “Well, you’ve done a pretty shitty job at it, because now some psycho is threatening to kill the Ravens one by one until we hand over the talisman.”

  “You have to get out of there,” Daphne said urgently. “Right now. I’ll find somewhere in Savannah you can stay, and then I’ll come get you.”

  “What? Are you serious? I’m not abandoning my sisters. I just need the talisman. Do you have it with you? I won’t tell anyone you were the one who stole it, I promise.”

  “I didn’t steal anything.” A chill had crept into Daphne’s voice. “The situation is far more complicated than you understand—”

  “That’s not an excuse! Keeping information from me doesn’t make me safer. Why can’t you understand that? Where are you now? Let me come get the talisman and you can explain everything to me then.”

  There was a long pause. “I can’t do that, Vivi, I’m sorry.”

  “Okay . . . then bring it to me. It’s a matter of life and death. My friend Tiffany is going to die if we don’t find the talisman.”

  “I’m sorry,” Daphne said again softly. “But it’s not in my power. Please take care of yourself, okay? I love you.”

  The line went dead.

  Vivi cursed and threw her phone down on the grass, then crouched to pick it up again with a groan. Fine, if Daphne wanted to be cagey, then Vivi would just have to find her.

  * * *

  Even before she made it up the front path, Vivi could tell that the house was abuzz with activity. She stopped to catch her breath next to Mei, who was standing on the walkway waving a bundle of herbs in front of her face. Across the lawn, Etta was planting a shrub with white flowers. She wore thick g
ardening gloves and seemed to be taking care not to let the blossoms touch her skin.

  “What’s going on?” Vivi asked, still breathing heavily from her sprint across campus.

  “It’s Gwen,” Mei said without looking away from her herbs. “Scarlett saw her perform wicked magic to undo the binding spell.”

  “So it’s true?” Vivi said, shivering despite the warmth that lingered from her run.

  “Yes, she apparently got her powers back somehow. And after what happened with Tiffany, we’re not taking any more chances. Dahlia says we can’t let Gwen get near any of us, so I’m increasing the protective charms while Etta plants hogweed in the lawn—it hides the presence of magic, which will make it more difficult for Gwen, or any intruder, to identify the spells we used.”

  “Got it. So where’s Scarlett?” Vivi asked, wiping her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand. “I need to talk to her.”

  “I think she’s with Dahlia in Dahlia’s office.”

  With a hurried thanks, Vivi tore off toward the house, mind already racing through the list of things she needed to do. Tell Scarlett and Dahlia about her mother and the talisman. Then find Daphne.

  And tell Scarlett that you just kissed her ex, a voice reminded Vivi. At the moment, the prospect seemed almost more terrifying than facing wicked magic.

  She ran up the stairs to the fourth floor, jogged down the long hallway, and skidded to a stop when she heard raised voices spilling out of Dahlia’s office.

  “—irresponsible. Working with some outsider over your own sisters.” Dahlia sounded pissed.

  “I already told you; he’s been following Gwen. He had useful information.” Scarlett’s voice was softer, almost contrite.

  “But he didn’t see anything, did he? You didn’t tell him anything about us.”

  Scarlett hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Of course not,” she said in a haughty tone that didn’t quite conceal the note of worry.

  To judge by the long pause that followed, Dahlia heard it too. To Vivi’s surprise, though, after a moment, Dahlia just sighed. “Scarlett, you’re not acting very presidential right now. I expect our future leader to put the needs of Kappa before anything else. Especially before her own hormones. And you can stop lurking out there, Vivian,” Dahlia called in a louder voice. “Come in.”

  Vivi’s face flushed with embarrassment that only increased when Scarlett opened the door. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” she asked, surveying Vivi with such genuine concern that her embarrassment quickly gave way to shame. No, I’m not okay, because my mother has been lying to me my whole life but even that’s not as shitty as what I just did to you. “I think I may have a lead,” Vivi said as she stepped into the office, a small but beautifully decorated room with an ornately carved wooden desk, wine-colored wallpaper, and shelves full of books, candles, and animal skeletons.

  “Really? Great. What did you find?” Scarlett asked eagerly, her excitement a stark contrast to Dahlia, who was staring at Vivi with an inscrutable expression. “What’s going on?” Scarlett said, turning from Dahlia to Vivi.

  “Ask your Little,” Dahlia said coolly. “Though I’m surprised you don’t know already. Her thoughts are so loud, she’s practically screaming.”

  “You know I’m not good at mind-reading. Can you please just tell me so we can keep things moving?” Scarlett crossed her arms and glowered.

  Dahlia raised an eyebrow at Vivi. “I think it’s better if Vivi explains.”

  She can’t know, Vivi thought desperately. There were mind-reading spells but she didn’t think even Dahlia was powerful enough to read Vivi’s thoughts on the spot, without even touching her.

  “Fine,” Dahlia snapped. “Vivi is afraid you’ll find out what just happened with Mason.”

  Scarlett staggered back as if Dahlia’s words had been a physical blow. “What are you talking about?” she asked in a voice too fragile for her. Too close to breaking. “Vivi?” she said, studying her Little.

  “I . . .” Her brain raced for an excuse, an explanation, or even a lie, but she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t sure whether it was guilt or magic, but the words came tumbling out. “I didn’t mean to do it, I swear. And it’ll never happen again. I’m so sorry.”

  “What won’t happen again?” Scarlett asked, no longer sounding fragile.

  “I . . . we weren’t thinking . . . it was an accident. Just one stupid kiss—”

  “You accidentally kissed my boyfriend?” Scarlett’s voice was cold, but heat was radiating from her, charging the air with fury and magic.

  “It was so stupid and I stopped it immediately. I’m really, really sorry.”

  “Oh, so you stopped it,” Scarlett spat. “You’re saying that Mason couldn’t control himself around you?”

  “No, of course not. I’m so sorry, Scarlett. I—”

  “Cut the bullshit. You’ve had your eye on him since you got here. And you took advantage of him in a vulnerable moment, because, let’s be honest, you know there’s no way in hell he’d ever go for you otherwise.” She sneered and let out a forced, mocking laugh. “Socially awkward freshmen aren’t exactly Mason’s type.”

  Although Vivi knew Scarlett was lashing out in anger—anger that was more than justified—it wasn’t enough to take the sting out of her words. Vivi knew that she wasn’t Mason’s type. It made absolutely no sense for him to go from someone as glamorous, sophisticated, and talented as Scarlett to someone like her. He was probably still reeling from the breakup and looking for an easy distraction. And who was easier than a naïve freshman so desperate for attention that being called beautiful made her lose all reason and self-control?

  “Okay, Scarlett, that’s enough,” Dahlia said with a smirk, as if she was enjoying the proceedings. It seemed odd and out of character for the normally stern yet empathetic president, but perhaps the pressure was making everyone act strangely. “We have more important things to discuss.”

  “I’m not discussing anything in front of her. It’s like I’ve been saying all along—a little bit of magic can make up for only so many shortcomings.” Scarlett gave Vivi a tight, cruel smile. “We both know that you don’t belong here, so why don’t you go back to telling fortunes at a strip mall in Reno?” Before Vivi could respond, Scarlett brushed past her and strode toward the door.

  Vivi almost let her go. She couldn’t bear to be in the same room as Scarlett for one more second. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball on her bed and try to drown out the words she knew would keep echoing in her skull: That she didn’t belong. That it was a huge mistake to make her a Raven. But she couldn’t let Scarlett leave without telling her what she’d discovered. “Hold on. I have to tell you something. My mom was a Raven. I found a photo of her with Evelyn Waters and I think—”

  “Why don’t you tell Mason all about it instead?” Scarlett called over her shoulder. “Maybe he can help you. Or maybe you can just make out some more while my best friend is being held captive by a psychopath.”

  Vivi flinched as Scarlett slammed the door shut behind her. How could she possibly make this better? Even if they found the talisman and rescued Tiffany, things would never return to normal. Vivi had spent her whole life wanting to belong, and after finally finding a group of amazing girls who offered her not only friendship but magic, she’d ruined it through an act of supreme stupidity and selfishness.

  Dahlia’s hand landed on her shoulder. “She’ll cool off in a bit. Now, tell me what you learned about your mom.”

  Vivi took a deep breath and tried to steel herself. She was only slightly less anxious about the fallout from this information than she’d been about kissing Mason. What would the Ravens say when they found out that Vivi’s mother had stolen the Henosis talisman? That she’d been a Raven herself and never told Vivi anything about it? It was all majorly shady and definitely would reflect about as well on Vivi as her kiss with Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend had.

  “Holy shit,” Dahlia said, her eyes growing wide when Vivi finish
ed her story. “Have you spoken to her about it yet? Does she have any idea where it might be now?”

  Vivi shook her head. “I talked to her but she wouldn’t tell me anything about it. All she said was that I’m in danger and need to be careful.”

  “Yeah, well, we know we’re in danger. Where does she live? Should we go pay her a little visit and search for the talisman?”

  “I don’t even know what state she’s in right now. She refused to tell me.” Vivi felt a prickle of shame. Not only had her mother stolen a priceless magical object, but now she was on the run. However, Dahlia looked unfazed.

  “Try again. Tell her you’re in over your head and you need help.”

  “I did that already. It didn’t work.”

  “Then I guess it’s time to up the ante,” Dahlia said. “Channel your inner Jennifer Lawrence and give an Oscar-worthy performance.”

  “Okay . . .” Vivi said uneasily. Unlike her mother, Vivi had never been a very good actress, and Daphne could always tell when she was lying. “And what happens if I do manage to find the talisman? Are we actually going to hand it over to Tiffany’s kidnapper?”

  “Once we have the real talisman, I should be able to use a replicator charm to create a fake one. That way, the magic won’t fall into the wrong hands.” Dahlia paused. “The worst possible hands.”

  Vivi nodded, pulled out her phone, and called her mother. It rang a few times, and for a moment, Vivi worried that Daphne wouldn’t pick up at all so as not to be forced to discuss the talisman again. But just when Vivi expected the call to go to voicemail, she heard a weary-sounding “Hello?”

  “Mom, it’s me. Listen, I know you don’t want to talk about this, but it’s really, really important. I need to come see you.” She tried to inject as much urgency as she could into her voice, but she didn’t think it was possible to sound more desperate than she already was—finding the talisman was literally a matter of life or death for Tiffany.