A Raven Sings Read online

  A Raven Sings

  Reclaiming Magic Series – Book 1

  M.W. Horses

  For my family, by blood and by choice. . .

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Acknowledgements

  Author’s Note

  About the author

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Ibiza

  Vampire ash floated through the air. The only evidence of the battle they had just barely survived. Several shouts sounded in the background as the team of hunters worked to free prisoners and heal the gifted children the vampires had stolen. Raven’s need for answers led her to search the old manor house.

  She found an ornate office filled with gilded furniture. An entire bookcase was lined with leather bound journals. A journal was open on the desk; an old fountain pen and a jar of ink sat next to it. She moved around the desk and picked up the book. The first few pages were written in an elegant script. Almost daily entries, recording things from the mundane to the horrific. The writing moved from elegant to barely legible text as she read through the journal. The initial well-thought-out entries turned into rantings about the overthrow of the Deo Immortales, the shadowy organization that ruled the vampires.

  Descriptions of experiments that didn’t make sense filled other pages. Her anger grew as she read about the attempts to steal the magic of the kidnapped children. Letters she found in a drawer read like recruitment propaganda. The vampire must have been losing his mind to think his coven was strong enough to overthrow the Deo Immortales. It wasn’t unheard of for a very old vampire. If the hunters didn’t find and kill them, the vampire order did.

  Raven left the letters and journal on the desk. There was unfinished business with her team. After so many years on the road, it never seemed to get better. Not everyone in their group had survived the encounter and Raven knew this territory was likely to soon be reclaimed by vampires. Attrition favored the vampires in this endless conflict, and Raven was tired of participating in the funerals of vampire hunters. It was time for a change.

  Chapter 1

  Portland, OR

  Del did a slow turn, showing off his formal attire. “Raven, I know you hate these sorts of things, but I didn’t rent this tux to be gorgeous in the living room.”

  He did cut a striking figure with his copper skin, black hair, and turquoise eyes set above a roguish grin. His unruly curls fell onto his forehead as he finished showing off. Raven smiled at her closest friend. They both had indigenous ancestry, his from South America, hers from North America. They’d been mistaken for siblings before. They were of similar height and shared an athletic build, although he was more lean muscle to her slight curves.

  “I’ll only be a few more minutes,” Raven said over her shoulder as she went to finish getting ready.

  She put on her tie, vest, and coat. She combed her hair and did a quick check to confirm she was presentable. She straightened her tie and brushed her hand down the recently tailored jacket. The time she spent hunting knowledge and vampires had changed her physical shape, and she hadn’t noticed before pulling her tuxedo out of storage. Thankfully Del found a tailor that did quick turnarounds. Raven hadn’t wanted to show up and make a sloppy first impression.

  She tugged gently at her collar to loosen it. She would rather be in jeans and a T-shirt, but the people she would meet tonight were part of the future she wanted to build and they would expect her to be dressed up. She hated the stuffy, gala-style affairs, but they were how her academic program was funded. She had come home to pursue her dream of teaching, which meant making connections and setting down roots. She was done being on the road.

  Publicly, she would be a professor. Privately, she would continue her studies as a mage. She wanted to build on the network of vampire hunters and mages she had met. She knew there were more mages out there hiding or living on the run, and after she settled down she could build a place that offered safety for those like her.

  Raven gave her reflection a quick pep talk, “Alright, this is as good as it gets. Suck it up buttercup; it’s time to go make nice.” She walked out into the living room and waited for Del to critique and fuss as he always did.

  Instead, he winked and did a slow assessment of her. “Mmmhmm, sister. If I went that way, I would be all over you. You are one sexy bitch! Now we need to get moving. Papa needs champagne.”

  He turned and headed for the door, calling over his shoulder, “I’m driving.”

  “You are not! You don’t have a license, and you can’t tell your left from your right.”

  She really should break down and try teaching him again, but she still wasn’t over the last terrifying round. She shivered at the memory of that helter-skelter trip. She would swear her friend needed glasses based on the number close calls they’d had with large vehicles.

  They arrived at the museum where the gala was being held. The one-way streets around the museum were blocked for event attendees. White-gloved officers directed traffic, while mounted officers monitored the pedestrian traffic. The line of cars outside indicated the event was already in full swing. Valets dressed in khakis and vests were lined up helping people out of their vehicles, while others zipped the cars away. More valets jogged along the sidewalk.

  She sighed, already dreading the exchanges she would have with donors during the evening. They were often filled with hints and ideas on how to do her work, spoken by people who collected priceless artifacts like children collected the latest toys. As they approached the entrance, they could see formally dressed attendees making their way inside.

  The men were dressed in a uniform black that served as a backdrop for the women who wore an array of dazzling, richly colored gowns. Jewelry sparkled like drops of starlight decorating necks, wrists, and hands. Raven was caught between amused and amazed at the extravagant displays of wealth. Photographers from the local society papers snapped away as they recognized people. She supposed it was how the rich and locally famous kept track of their position within high society.

  Raven took in the fancy vehicles that the fabulously dressed people were exiting and wished she had thought to wash her car today.

  “You’re in the Pacific Northwest. No one in Portland cares if your car is dirty. Stop worrying,” Del said as he looked over the crowd. She would swear he was a mind reader.

  “No, my dear, I’m not reading your mind. You’re predictable. Tip well and you could drive up in a garbage can on wheels, and they’d think you’re great.” He glanced at her and patted her leg. “Relax. I know you’re a little nervous. It’s been a long time since you had to do this kind of knobby-hobbing.”

  When she recovered from laughing, she corrected him, “Hob-knobbing, furball.”

  Laughter helped ease her nerves. She was out of practice in these sorts of affairs. Del, on the other hand, loved these events. He was a jaguar shifter with a gregariousness that was surprising; they were usually solitary like their wild counterparts. Not Del, who was always ready to dive into any situation with any group of people. It was reason one hundred seventy-five he was her date tonight. He was a necessary contrast to her natural reticence. The last time she had done this had been with Erin a very long time ago.
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  As a spirit mage, Raven was sensitive to auras and emotions. Being in a room full of people was draining. The necessary handshaking and feigned affections were difficult. She sensed feelings when close and felt them with skin-to-skin touch. She could see through the veneer to the soul of a person, beautiful and horrible. Any high society event after dark carried the added risk that vampires would attend and sense her mage ability.

  Vampires were drawn to her as an especially potent meal. Her power was as deadly as it was enticing to them. People with mage abilities had been hunted to near extinction by vampires after a struggle for dominance generations ago. The vampires had been thorough in erasing the history of mages from the memory of humankind. She didn’t think they would hesitate to kill her if she was discovered. It was better not to advertise her power.

  She could handle vampires in small groups. Raven had been trained in martial skills by her family from the time she could walk. Still, she knew better than to dive into the middle of a vampire coven. That was reason number one why Del stayed close to her when they went to events. He was a good backup, capable of a great deal of damage in either of his forms, human or jaguar. Neither of them went anywhere without a hidden weapon or two.

  As a precaution, she wore an amulet around her neck on a long silver chain. It was an heirloom, one of many kept in her family. If the charm was touching her skin, no one would sense the magic that permeated her aura. The downside was it muted her ability to use her power. Given the risks, it was a fair trade. Many supernaturals could sense magic, whether natural born like Del, or turned like a werewolf. For shifters her type of power was comforting, but to were-animals she would feel like an alpha in their midst.

  She and Del walked inside the quickly filling lobby. As they waited in line for an elevator, the idea of being crammed inside was becoming less appealing as people continued to arrive. She stepped back and allowed more than one round of people to go in front of them. Del looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He pointed to the sign for the stairs and gently tugged her arm.

  They walked up two flights of stairs and exited the stairwell into a foyer. The polished black floors echoed back the staccato rhythm of heels as guests crossed between the check-in tables and the ballroom. Large, white-trimmed glass doors were propped open. Soft music could be heard over the susurration of the crowd. Raven looked over the table with the fancy name tags and handed her invitation to one of the women working the table.

  “Ah, Dr. Rayne, here’s your name badge. It has little magnets on the back, so it doesn’t ruin your clothing. All the faculty will be wearing them; see, it has your department below. We find the patrons like to speak to the people who will be running the programs they are sponsoring. And you, sir, what is your name?” She glanced at Del expectantly.

  “I am her plus one. No name tag necessary,” Del said as he took the woman’s hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it, causing her to flush like a school girl.

  “Oh well, okay sure. Have a wonderful evening Dr. Rayne and Plus One.” She giggled as she waved them away.

  “You’re impossible,” Raven whispered as she nudged Del forward. Raven looked over her name badge as she clicked the magnets into place on her lapel.

  Dr. Raven Rayne

  Professor, Anthropology of Religion

  Anthropology and Antiquities Department

  “What? I have to work on my English,” he tossed back as he strolled ahead of her into the grand ballroom.

  “You ass, you speak English better than I do,” Raven muttered under her breath as she followed him.

  He was an incredible flirt. Preferences aside, he would never pass up the opportunity to be admired. He was very much a cat when it came to being adored. It suited her well to have him draw all the attention. She preferred to park at the nearest wall and go unnoticed, while he drew people in and helped ensure she met her duties to mingle. With Del along to carry conversations, she could see and be seen. She had to admit though, being among peers did present more opportunities for her to meet kindred spirits.

  Raven stepped to the side of the doors and paused, taking in the room. The floor was carpeted in a bright, colorful pattern. High ceilings were painted white with dark heavy wood beams that served both a functional and aesthetic purpose. The walls were made to look like hand-carved stone blocks. Frescoes with a historic Middle Eastern theme were framed like windows along the walls. The colors were warm, and the room was lit with soft lighting. It was a nice contrast to the overly-bright lights at events she had attended in the past.

  She followed in Del’s wake as he navigated the crowd, smiling as she watched the admiring looks he was attracting. He moved with the grace of a dancer, light on his feet, navigating the small spaces between people with light touches and murmured words. The crowd easily parted around him. Raven kept pace, working to touch as few people as possible while looking for an open spot to occupy. Del found them a standing table near a corner. As they arrived, he caught the eye of the nearest waiter and requested two glasses of champagne. He placed two small plates and napkins she hadn’t seen him snag down on the table.

  “I have secured nourishment, and soon we will have bubbles. Now we wait for our admirers to make their way to us.” He grinned at her, soaking up the attention he knew would follow his journey through the room.

  Raven positioned herself to face Del as he stood looking out over the gathering crowd. Along the wall were pairs of settees set just far enough apart to mark conversation areas. Most guests were still standing, but a few groups had turned the cushioned chairs into small thrones from which to hold court.

  “I appreciate the table in the corner, but did you have to take us all the way through the crowd?” she said, already knowing his answer.

  “Of course, I like to bring the bees to the hive with hints of honey,” Del explained as his gaze roved the crowd, watching to see who would approach them first. His eyes tightened, and his smile briefly faded as he looked over her shoulder. He looked at Raven.

  Eyes worried, he warned her, “Incoming. Before you turn around, you know I love you dearly, and I support any decisions you make. I always have your back, but I will not hold back if she hurts you again.” He pasted on a broad smile that didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

  Raven knew who was approaching without having to look. Few people would immediately bring out the protectiveness in him, and only one would have him more worried about her heart than her physical safety.

  Raven steeled herself, not yet ready to turn around. She hadn’t seen Erin in years. The last time had been after a long embrace filled with promises. Then Erin had disappeared from her life. The only contact since had been professional documents granting Raven full rights to the fund they had established for their excavations. Receiving that cold, business-like letter had forced Raven to let go of the hope that one day Erin would explain what had happened. They had been friends long before it had turned romantic. Her mind zipped through possibilities. How would Erin treat her and Del? As long-lost friends? Or like that final letter, as strictly professional contacts?

  She turned to see Erin her making her way through the crowd. Their eyes met, and she saw a hint of emotion cross Erin’s face. Was that regret? Raven’s stomach fluttered as she took her in, beautiful as ever. Erin moved through the room with purpose, secure in the knowledge that people would make way for her. She had been born into one of the most powerful families in the country, hell, for all Raven knew, the world. The Radcliffe family moved in circles the socialites in this room only dreamed of accessing.

  Erin had been the proverbial black sheep of her family. Her first offense was having been born female. The second had been refusing to go into the family business and running away to pursue a career as an archaeologist. They had met in college, when they’d shared a sponsor in their Ph.D. programs. They had gone on to work together on several expeditions and digs. The Radcliffe name had opened doors for funding and had granted them permission to explore wherever
their research pointed them.

  They had been a fantastic team. They had been becoming more. But then, when Raven had finally been ready to share everything, Erin left Raven waiting at an airport. She’d never arrived. Instead of a grand adventure to start a new life together, Raven had flown to Del with a broken heart. Raven had done her best to move on, and now here Erin was after all this time. Raven glanced at Del. His magazine smile was firmly in place. He would be on his best behavior, even if he didn’t fully embrace Erin’s unexpected return.

  Chapter 2

  Erin Radcliffe stood looking out the window of her new home. The downtown Portland city view included a stunning display of city lights reflected on the river below, but she didn’t see any of it as she stood lost in thought. She was ready but couldn’t bring herself to call for her car. She kept replaying the last conversation she’d had with Cael, the vampire who controlled her life. The freedom he had granted her when he let her come to Portland came with a price she wasn’t sure she could pay.

  Erin had been sitting in her favorite chair in her sitting room in Middleton, Connecticut, a journal propped on her legs as she worked on a translation from one of the books she’d found in Cael’s collection. Collin walked in and cleared his throat. She reluctantly acknowledged his presence.

  “Cael would like to see you, he’s in the library,” Collin said, then turned away. The assumption was that Erin would follow.

  Erin walked into the library to find Cael, hands clasped behind his back, looking out the large window. His lieutenant Marcus, a genius at strategy and execution, sat in a chair looking over maps spread out across a low table. The room still carried the tension that normally occurred when the brothers spent time together. It was always a battle of wills; Marcus carried a deep resentment that his younger brother controlled him so thoroughly through the sire bond, a position Cael wielded to great effect.