Raven

Krystyna Yates
May 15, 2018
8 min read

Part 2

I don’t understand the self-righteousness all these Chosen seem to have. Don’t they understand how rare they are? I watch the boy storm off down the damp hallway and shake my head. It’s not like he had any other options. “So…” Kerry rocks on her heels, looking quite uncomfortable. “Did you want the tour?” “No thanks. I was here when this branch was built.” I wave a hand as though she would just disappear. She frowns, and her mouth opens, so I spin on my heel. “I’ll be back. Don’t wait up.” I start taking the steps two at a time. That ungrateful little shit. Who does he think he is? I stomp across the grass, over the rope and through a group of very confused tourists. The guard starts chasing after me, but with a thought my appearance shifts like a mirage. I don’t even bother to hide it, and ignore the screams of the couple people that saw it happen. It doesn’t take long to make it to the town nearby. It’s basically just hotels and souvenir shops. There are still plenty of people wandering around, but it will be dark soon. I meander through the stalls, walking slowly. It’s only a matter of time before my prey comes to me. “Hey baby, you look cold. I know a good way to warm you up.” A large hand lands on my ass and squeezes hard. I tilt my head to look sideways up at him. Square jaw, spiked hair, football player build. I smile, and he raises an eyebrow. I slide my arm around his and start walking, “What took you so long, sweetheart?” There is a chorus of hooting somewhere behind us, and he shoots thumbs up at a couple of identical jocks. I pause, “Why don’t you invite your friends?” The guy’s eyes go wide. “Seriously? Girl, where have you been all my life?!” He’s the first to die. His buddies scream like little girls as his body slumps over, purple marks appearing all over his bare torso. The other two huddle together in the corner of their hotel room, tears streaming down their faces as I step over their friend’s body. Each one is over six feet of solid muscle, but they’re helpless. One even pees himself before I suck the soul out of his trembling body. Afterwards, I walk out of the room feeling quite refreshed. A weary maid lurks down the hallway, eyeing me suspiciously. As the elevator doors close, I hear her shriek. I can’t help but snicker under my breath. When I reach the crowded streets again, the sun is setting. I shift my appearance back to my favourite form, moments before a set of police cars race by. I wonder how they’ll explain that one. On the path leading up to the henge, my cell rings. To my relief, it’s Aelric, “Talk to me, you beautiful thing you.” “You miss me already, Raven? I expected you would enjoy the freedom.” He chuckles in his deep voice. I can’t believe how much I miss him too. “What’s going on?” “Good news, two of the missing have returned.” He states cheerfully, “They were unharmed. Only the redhead and the one with the scythe remain at large.” Of course, the more difficult ones. “Great. Well, that narrows down my search.” “Where are you now? Did you find that person?” His tone turns to business. I laugh, “Yeah, I found him. I have no idea how he’s supposed to be useful. I’m starting to think that old bat has lost her touch.” He barks a laugh back. “I suppose only time will tell. Keep in touch.” He doesn’t wait for a response before the line drops. I shake my head. Up ahead, backlit by the sunset, is the figure of a cat perched on a stone wall that lines the path. My good mood vanishes, my heart drops into my stomach. There’s not a person in sight ahead or behind me, and the black cat’s tail sways as it waits. “I hope you cleaned up after yourself. This branch has a respectable reputation to uphold.” The voice of the cat grinds on my nerves almost as much as the implication. “Watch your tone. I’ve been at this a whole lot longer than you, fuzzball, and I will be long after you’re dead and gone.” I walk right past him. The little cat follows along beside me, “As I am aware. It might do you some good to act your age.” I raise both eyebrows at the creature, “Tell me, how would you expect someone as old as time to behave? Have you met any before? What do you know? Your kind only live a few decades.” “Being companion comes with its own perks I am not at liberty to discuss. Besides, I came here for another reason.” He keeps his gaze forward as he leaps from one piece of wall to the next. “Regarding the earlier mention of your healing kiss. That is a rather rare power for one of your kind. Am I wrong?” I glance at the feline from the corner of my eye, “You’re not wrong. Only Lilith’s first can control their power like that. I was created back when she still had sympathy for humans. My younger brothers and sisters were not created with compassion in mind.” He purrs thoughtfully, “You are indeed older than I first perceived. To what extent can you heal using your ability?”

I tip my head. “Never really thought about that… I guess it depends on how much energy I’ve got. Right now, I could probably kill the kid and bring him back.” I smile at the thought. “I see.” He mumbles, “Do you suppose you could restore memories? In a manner of speaking, healing the mind?” I frown at the weird question. “I can’t say I’ve ever had a reason to try… Maybe, if it’s caused by an injury. Why?” “No reason, just curious. The time mage, he has a temper, but he means well. I’m sure it was a misunderstanding on his part. Youth can be a… trying time for a human. Time jumping can make that more complicated than for most. I’m sure you understand.” “Time jumping?” I repeat. I remember what he’d said about fighting a demon in ancient Russia. I hadn’t even questioned how. I guess I’ve become a little desensitized. “I suppose. I don’t understand what his problem is. I didn’t have a lot of energy, but he was dying on the floor, so I took his wounds. I knew they wouldn’t kill me.” The cat nods, “Chosen can be quite touchy about their ability to withstand injury. They are in the field so often that they start to believe they are invincible. When one doubts that invincibility, they can snap. I speak from experience.” He pauses and turns abruptly off the path. “This way. I know a shortcut.” Alright, so maybe the little furball isn’t half bad. He leads me around a small hill to a tunnel with a grate on the end. I lift the grate and follow him through the dark tunnel. Back in the halls of the Order base, the cat is nowhere to be seen. I check my phone; it’s nearly nine. I wrinkle my nose and inhale deeply. Maybe I’ll see what my new buddy is up to. I follow the scent of him to the library. Hardly a surprise. He’s got his back to me, browsing the rows of tomes. His bag is on the floor by the door, and by the look of it, he’s been here the whole time. I guess that dedication is impressive. Seems a little obsessive if you ask me. “Hey.” I call out, leaning against the doorframe. The young man flinches visibly, shoots an icy glance my way before returning to the books. I raise both brows, “Wow. Seriously? Well sorry, next time I won’t save your life.” “I’m thankful for your help, but it’s nothing I couldn’t have handled on my own.” He scoffs as he shuffles further away. I roll my eyes, “What is it with mages and god-complexes?” “You know nothing about me!” He glares over his shoulder. “Yea? Prove me wrong.” He turns, “And how would you suppose I do that? A duel perhaps? Or would you like to read my journals? I’ve got plenty of tales you can catch up on in your spare time.” I stand up straight and take a few steps closer, “How about we start with getting your head out of your ass.” “What’s your problem?” He steps closer to me, “Look, let’s get one thing straight; It’s one thing to save a guy and then be endeared to him, but to piss on his parade is a whole other ball game.” I shake my head, trying to wrap my head around his words, “Piss on… What the hell are you talking about?” “Just because I’m a Chosen doesn’t mean my life is any more valuable than yours or anyone else’s. It’s a title and that’s all. It means nothing.” He snaps as he walks toward a glass case in the center of the room. “So for you to go and risk your own life for mine when I didn’t ask you to is just reckless.” I crack a smile, despite the frustration, “Oh, darling, it takes a whole lot more than that to kill me. There was never any risk, I can promise that. Even if there was, I would do it again. The world does not have enough Chosen as it is. Whether you like it or not, your life is significantly more important.” His eyes widen for a moment, before he goes back to sulking, “It’s not right.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “What’s so wrong about taking on a little pain to spare someone an untimely death? If it were the other way around, would you just watch me die?” I challenge. “I…” He hesitates, “I try to avoid situations where others have to get hurt because of me. That’s the line of work I’m in. How do you think I got those wounds in the first place?” “Well suck it up, kid, because that’s life. People get hurt, and sometimes it’ll be your fault.” I cross my arms and grin, “I highly doubt this will be the last time I save your cute little butt, so get used to it.” He spins on me, crossing the distance, “It was my fault in the first place! I wasn’t there to protect them! I put them in danger, and when I got back it was too late! So I had to remove the warlock for their sake.” I raise my arms, taken aback. He grabs my wrists and leans in, “I don’t need anyone’s protection. I’m a time mage! I can manage on my own!”

I stare into his deep brown eyes, noticing the yellow flecks for the first time. He sounds proud, and tries to be confident, but there’s a loneliness there. One I’m all too familiar with. I speak softly as I reply, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to.” He turns his nose up, “I have since I was seven.” “You’re not alone now.” I whisper. His anger ebbs as he studies my face. I feel his hot breath on my skin. His eyes half close and his lips crash down on mine. My breath hitches in my throat. I can’t remember the last time someone kissed me with that sort of passion. I barely have a chance to form a coherent thought before it’s over. “Shit…” He hisses.