Raven's Key: A Novel

by Siomonn Pulla

  Maeve remembered looking at Izzy that moment, the full moon reflected in the tear running down her cheek. There was never any mention of it in the morning, but Izzy never seemed the same after that. It was like she touched her in a way that was too vulnerable to discuss, which was odd for Izzy who always shared her innermost feelings.

  I wonder what Izzy would have thought about this Irish guy.

  Maeve sat in her favorite chair finishing off the last beer.

  She probably would’ve thought I was nuts to miss out on the opportunity to be wined and dined by a rich and charming European jewelry merchant. Even if I didn’t sleep with him, she’d probably say, it would have been a good experience to open up and get over Max.

  Max was Maeve’s ex-boyfriend. They met one night in a bar in San Francisco. Max was the DJ and Maeve had been shredding up the dance floor that night. At closing time, Max complemented Maeve on her dancing and asked for her number. It turned out he lived in Mendocino County, north of San Francisco, near the emerald valley where Maeve was going to herb school.

  Max sometimes had gigs in San Francisco, but mostly played parties and small venues in the little towns north of the city. Maeve was shocked that he actually called her a couple of days after they met and asked her out on a date.

  They went to see a local band at the Six Rivers Brewery and stayed up late into the night talking and drinking beer. It was one of that perfect Californian summer evenings. The stars blanketed the sky, and the smell of sun-blasted desert rosemary hung sweetly in the crisp evening air. Three months later they moved in together and four years later Maeve moved out and back to Canada, to Wakefield.

  And here I am, all alone, drinking beer and thinking about Max. I still can’t believe he screwed around on me like that. I guess it’s a blessing in disguise, as Izzy would say. His screwing around actually made me wake up and realize that it was possible to follow my dream. But it hurt. His lying and cheating. I trusted him. Maybe this Irish guy would actually be a good opportunity to move forward and away from all that mess.

  Maeve dug into the pockets of her jeans and pulled out the small business card that the Irish man had given to her. There was a phone number written on the back of the card underneath a black feather: Dr. Bran Corvus, University of Dublin, Department of History and Religious Studies.

  He’s a professor? I thought he was a jewelry merchant. What would a professor want with my necklace? And how could he possibly have access to the kind of money he was offering me for it.

  “Maybe he’s independently wealthy,” Maeve could hear Izzy’s voice in her head, “or maybe he was just using the necklace as an opportunity to ask you out on a date.”

  Whatever the case, Maeve reassured herself, I’m not going to call him.

  She put the card back in her pocket and got up to deposit the empty beer bottle in the case lying by the door in the front hall.

  A quick glance at the clock hanging in the kitchen confirmed it was time to head out to meet Owen at the Black Sheep. The band playing tonight was a heavy driving blues power trio called Flash Lightnin’. Owen knew Maeve liked the heavier kind of music and when he saw that Flash was playing at the sheep he got really excited.

  “We’ve got to see these guys May.” Owen was a real music buff. “They’re a really good mix between ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers. They’re young and full of energy. Great dancing music. You’re going to love them.”

  I sure could use a good dose of dancing. It’s always the perfect outlet to work off stress.

  Maeve slipped on her blundstones and grabbed her thick black leather coat out of the closet.

  Too bad it’s not spring yet. I’m getting tired of this cold weather.

  The snow had melted over the last few weeks, after a long warm spell moved in to the area. Now the cool weather had come back and, without the snow, it felt extra cold and dismal.

  I’ll warm up once I start walking.

  Maeve liked the walk to the Black Sheep from her place. It was a quick hike that took her over the river, across the covered bridge, and down some quiet side streets.

  Wakefield itself was a small little village and the Black Sheep was right in the middle of town on the main street, River Road, which was narrow and full of potholes, but meandered lazily beside the river.

  The local residents didn’t seem to mind the poor state of the road too much. They were just happy to be living in such a magical place, nestled in amongst the hills and rivers of the Gatineau valley.

  After crossing over the historic covered bridge, Maeve decided to walk along the footpath that ran beside the river, parallel to the main street. It was a beautiful night. The stars were shining brightly, eclipsed by the full moon, which was proudly escorting them along their nightly runs.

  Full moon tonight. Should be an interesting night.

  Maeve stopped to take in the expanse of night sky. The river was starting to freeze and Maeve could hear it creaking and groaning, as if it were protesting against the cold weather. The full moon cast a bright silver light on the water, catching the edge of the ice forming along the riverbanks.

  What an amazing place I’ve found here. I still can’t believe how frigging lucky I am. In just six months I’ve been able to get to a place in my life I’ve only been dreaming about for years.

  Maeve stuffed her hands deeper in the fuzzy lined pockets of her coat.

  So far so good. The store is actually making money and I’m in this wonderfully magical village. How much better can it get.

  There was a soft rustling on the path behind her.

  I bet it’s going to be a busy show tonight. If this Flash Lightnin’ is as hot as Owen says, people will be driving up from the city for sure to see them play.

  The rustling on the path got louder and closer.

  I better keep going. Owen is going to wonder what’s taking me so long.

  She continued walking beside the river, noticing something strange out of the corner of her eye.

  I think I’ll just pretend I didn’t see that. Probably all a figment of this wild and crazy imagination of mine.

  She started walking faster down the trail, but the small glowing eyes seemed to be able to easily match her pace.

  What the hell do they want? I wish they would just take what they wanted and leave me alone for good.

  Maeve decided that this was the perfect time to finally confront these shadows.

  What do I have to lose? Well my life I guess. Especially if they’re mean bastards.

  But for some reasons she didn’t feel like they were mean. Over the years they’d always been there, just out of sight, but never once did they harm her or even threaten to harm her.

  “Ok. If you dudes are real, why don’t you stop hiding in the bushes and come and talk to me or something?” Maeve’s stomach was doing flips and twists. “I mean, why don’t you stop stalking me and show yourselves after all these years. What do you have to lose?”

  Maeve couldn’t see the eyes anymore.

  Well, I guess that did it then.

  After a few seconds, she could make out some voices getting closer and the sound of footsteps coming out of the bush.

  “Yo lady, what’s your problem?”

  Two young skate punks came out the bushes beside the trail. One of them had what looked like a half smoked joint in his hand, while the other was clutching a well-used skateboard to the side of his chest.

  “Can’t you see we’re smoking a blunt here? We don’t mean you any harm. Why don’t you just keep walking down the path and leave us alone? We don’t want any trouble and you’re like putting out all the wrong vibes right now.”

  Maeve started to laugh.

  “No problem. I won’t say a word. Have a good night guys, and stay out of trouble.”

  “Thanks lady.”

  The two young boys stepped off the trail back into the bushes and Maeve could smell the sweet, pungent smell of marijuana wafting into the night sky.

  I’m def
initely losing my mind. Maybe I should’ve asked for a hit off of that joint to straighten me out.

  Maeve continued walking down the path towards the Black Sheep. Silently laughing at herself.

  What the hell was I thinking? I’m just glad it was a couple of stoners and not what I thought it was!

  She climbed the small hill off the path and crossed the main street to the Black Sheep on the other side of the road. The parking lot was full of cars and the windows of the bar were already steamed up. She saw Owen waiting for her by the front door. His tall lanky frame towering above everybody else.

  Owen was an artist working off a bad divorce. His ex-wife turned out to have some pretty intense control issues, which were complicated further by her mental illness. Every since he started delivering pizzas in the village for Luigi, he had started wearing these goofy hats and suspenders, like some old man from the 1930s.

  Owen was a great guy and Maeve reminded herself how lucky she was to have him as a friend. Especially tonight.

  “Am I ever glad to see you!” Maeve gave Owen a big hug.

  “Hey!” Owen looked surprised. “Nice to see you too.” He gave Maeve a big squeeze and a polite kiss on the cheek. He handed her a ticket. “Here’s your ticket for the show. I picked them up earlier.”

  “Good thinking.” Maeve linked her arm with Owen. “Looks like it’s a sold out show.”

  “Yep. These guys are hot. I’m telling you!” Owen studied Maeve’s face for a good couple of seconds. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost or something. Everything ok?”

  “Yea, everything is ok. Just freaked myself out coming over here. My imagination is running on overtime these days it seems.”

  “Well nothing a good couple of hours of dancing can’t cure!” Owen put his arm around Maeve’s waist. “C’mon, let’s go inside. I’ll buy you a drink.”

  Chapter 18

  Maeve followed Owen into the Black Sheep. The Band was just starting to play their first set. It was a fast, driving version of ZZ Top’s Give me all your Lovin’. Maeve noticed that there were already a half a dozen people already shaking it up on the dance floor.

  This is going to be a good night of dancing, she thought as she found a spot in the crowd.

  “Here you go.” Owen passed Maeve a big glass of beer. “It’s the house brew.”

  Maeve took a long sip of the beer.

  “Tastes delicious.”

  “Amazing, looks like this is going to be a good night for dancing.” Owen motioned to the dance floor. “Always a good sign when people are into the music right from the start!”

  “I’ll say. These guys are good.”

  It was a packed crowd of mostly younger people at the Black Sheep. While a few people were dancing, most of the crowd was still standing listening to the band warm up. Maeve noticed people nodding their heads in time with the music. The ones too shy to go out onto the dance floor were stationary dancing, like a spinning top losing its spin.

  Maeve scanned the room looking to see if there was anybody else there that she knew. Since she had moving to Wakefield she hadn’t really made that many friends. Most of her time was spent setting up her store and decompressing from the last five years of moving around so much. Maeve had a feeling that this was the kind of music Izzy would have been into, but she couldn’t see her friend anywhere in the Black Sheep.

  “I wonder if Izzy is coming tonight?” Owen leaned over closer so Maeve could hear him.

  “I was just wondering the same thing.” Maeve still had to stand on her toes to speak into Owen’s ear. “This is totally her kind of music.”

  “She’s probably too busy on the farm sprouting potatoes or something.”

  “Probably.” Maeve laughed. “Perfect night for sprouting, the moon is totally full.”

  “Perfect night for hanging out with Maeve!”

  “I think so too.” Maeve squeezed Owen’s hand. “Lets dance. This music is way too irresistible.”

  “You go warm up the dance floor for me. I want to finish my beer first.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Maeve took one last gulp of her beer and handed Owen the empty glass. “Thanks. Next round is one me!”

  She made her way through the crowd.

  Being short and slim certainly has its benefits. Maeve thought as she found her way onto the dance floor.

  By now the band had warmed up nicely. The bass player and drummer were maintaining a nice steady up-tempo, while the guitar player noodled his way through a long bluesy solo.

  It didn’t take Maeve long to find her rhythm. After a few more songs the band was really grooving, and occasionally when the stage lights caught Maeve hopping around, it seemed like her curly red hair was on fire.

  By now Owen had joined Maeve on the dance floor and it seemed like the whole bar had turned into a dance hall.

  After a particularly long and fast version of Howlin’ Wolf’s Smokstack Lightinin’, the band took a much-needed break, reassuring the crowd that they’d be back soon for a second set.

  “That was great.” Owen was out of breath from all the dancing.

  “Yea. I’m so glad you got tickets Owen. Great call.” Maeve could feel the ghost of the beat still in the air of the bar. “You don’t know how much I needed this!”

  “Glad you could come.” Owen looked happy. “I’m going to get a glass of water. You want one?”

  “Sure. I worked up a real sweat dancing. I think I’m going to go outside and cool off a bit. Meet me out there with the water?”

  “Perfect. See you in a few minutes.”

  Maeve could see his head bobbing through the crowd as she found her way outside to cool off.

  The air outside felt crisp and refreshing. After one set, the band had managed to work the Black Sheep up into quite a happening place. All the windows were steamed up and a steady stream of hot air was finding its way outside the front entrance as people came and went.

  Maeve wasn’t the only one cooling off outside. There was a good selection of people hanging out. Some were taking the opportunity to smoke cigarettes or something stronger, while others, like Maeve, were enjoying breathing in the cool crisp air.

  Maeve found a spot on the dark side of the deck so she could gaze out at the stars over the river before heading in for the second set.

  This is the perfect way to end the week and work off a bit of steam. Maybe I should ask Owen back to my place for tea after the show. He’s so sweet. I think there’s some great potential between the two of us. Or maybe I should just keep things organic and see what happens. No need to push it and mess things up.

  Maeve took a deep breath of nighttime air. She was starting to cool off a bit.

  I wonder where Owen is with that water. Maybe I should go back in before I catch a chill.

  Maeve could hear footsteps behind her.

  “Finally! I was starting to wonder what happened to you.” Maeve was happy that Owen had found her here on the dark side of the deck away from the crowds.

  “Oh, you were?” At first Maeve didn’t recognize the voice. It certainly wasn’t Owen’s. “I’m so flattered. I thought maybe you’d totally forgotten about me.”

  Then it clicked. It was the deep Irish accent from her phone conversation earlier that afternoon.

  Maeve turned around quickly.

  Standing in front of her was a man all dressed in black, his long hair pulled back into a single braid. The silver buckles on his black motorcycle boots glinted in the light from bar.

  He was clean-shaven and the heels on his boots gave him the few extra inches he needed to be taller than Maeve.

  This doesn’t look like the businessman in the expensive suit who had come into my store the other day, thought Maeve, this guy looks like he just parked his Harley out front.

  “Fancy meeting you here Ms. Finn.”

  “Indeed. I’m the one who should be shocked.”

  Maeve tried to keep her voice calm. She was definitely feeling edgy all
of sudden. Being out here alone with this sketchy man she had almost gone out on a date with didn’t feel quite right.

  “Amazing how these kinds of synchronicities proliferate in our lives when we are open to them.”

  Maeve noticed that the man had a large black bag slung around his shoulder.

  “I’m so happy to have bumped into you. I heard that this band was playing here and thought I would check it out tonight before the long journey tomorrow.”

  “Cool. It’s a great band tonight.” Maeve scanned the small crowd by the entrance looking for Owen. “The music is really danceable.”

  “I noticed you dancing up a storm with your boyfriend.”

  “You did?”

  “Pretty hard to miss a jewel like you Maeve.”

  “Thanks. Yea, I’m getting kind of chilled out here and I think the band is going to start again soon.” Maeve wrapped her arms protectively around herself. “So I think I’m going to head back in to the bar.”

  “Well my offer still stands.” There was a determined seriousness to his voice now. Maeve put her hand up to her neck to make sure her necklace was still safe.

  “Thanks, umm, Bran right?”

  “My friends call me Raven.” There was a hint of sincerity to his voice.

  “Right, Raven. Thanks but no thanks. My necklace isn’t for sale. It’s very special to me and all your money could never replace that.” Maeve was feeling confident again.

  “Perhaps it’s not the necklace I want Maeve.” Raven lowered his voice. “Maybe it’s the company of a beautiful lass like yourself. One night. What do you have to lose?”

  “I’m flattered Raven.” Maeve kept her voice level. “But I don’t just sleep with strangers. It’s not my style and I have a boyfriend.”

  “Yea, the tall mousey guy,” sneered Raven. “You can do way better than that Maeve. You don’t get it do you?”

  “Get what?”

  Maeve was starting to feel uncomfortable again. She didn’t like Raven’s tone of voice. There was something threatening about it.

  “Your breeding, your lineage, your potential, your fate.” Raven let out a big sigh. “I’m offering you the opportunity to understand yourself better. To understand your family. There is so much you don’t understand Maeve.”