The Raven Series 2 (11 page)

I will be brave
, I thought, staring at the surf washing up the sand at my feet.

Turning my arm over, I studied my wrist—the mark, gleaming bright under the high moon. I would be strong. And one day soon I’d be strong enough to lead. But I still longed for more time. The vision had come and gone too quickly, so many questions unanswered. Was my mother implying I should go against the oath Rose had made to unify my bloodline with Zander’s? Was she telling me to find a way to be with Zane? Trust my heart, she had said.

My heart wanted Zane. There was no doubt about it.

I stood overlooking the water, the shine of it now gleaming under the fullness of the moon. I thought about my mom, the sound of her voice, the scent of her hair, and my heart pinched.

As I started back to my car, I heard the high, sharp cry of a hawk, a reminder I was never truly alone. Except tonight, her words would also stay with me. Smiling to myself, I touched the amulet, which had been hers, now hanging around my neck. It was cool against my skin and carried the image of a raven.

“I will get stronger,” I murmured, my voice drowned by the waves, and then started the trek back to the Jeep.

Chapter 11

Doomsday.

At least that was how TJ felt. He stood on the manor’s porch like a sad puppy dog, and the emotion in his brown eyes tugged at my heart. I was an anxious wreck. So far today I’d bumped my knee into the dresser—twice—got shampoo in my eyes, and spilled hot coffee down my shirt all before noon. It was going to be that kind of day.

TJ dragged his duffle bag across the driveway. “This is total bullshit.”

“Welcome to life,” I mumbled, jumping into the driver’s seat of my Jeep. “At least it’s a beautiful day,” I said.

TJ tossed his bag in the back seat, shaking the car. “Who cares if the sky is blue?”

I scowled. “Are you really going to sulk and complain the entire way to the ferry?”

He hoisted himself into the passenger seat. “Is the sky blue?” he said dryly.

I stuck the key into the ignition. “Smartass.” The windows were open wide, letting the balmy breeze dance over my face. “It’s going to be a scorcher today.” Already I could feel little beads of sweat gathering along my hairline. And if I had to fill the silence with meaningless chatter, I was going to torture us both. I understood he was salty, but I didn’t know what else to say. It might have been better to keep my mouth shut, except I didn’t want the last conversation with my brother to be about nothing.

“At least you get to enjoy it. The rest of my summer will be filled with smog.”

“Stop acting like a tool. I would give anything to be going home,” I said wistfully.

TJ leaned his arm out the window, watching the landscape fly by. “Good. Let’s trade places.”

“You want to be a girl?” I asked, hoping to draw a smile. I was disappointed.

He continued to gaze at the scenery. “Now who’s being lame?”

I sighed. “Trust me. I won’t be lying out on the beach getting my tan on.”

He finally looked at me. “I know. It’s just we haven’t been separated since…”

Since Mom died. I took my eyes off the road, glancing at him. “I know. I’m not happy about it either.”

“Dad’s going to be there, right?”

“If he’s not, we’re disowning him,” I said, hoping my unease wasn’t audible.

He let out a feeble laugh.

It was the longest and shortest ride of my life. My brain couldn’t seem to make up its mind, whether I wanted to hurry up and get this over with or drag out the good-bye. Shifting the car into park, I took a long look at TJ, preserving his face to memory. For once, he didn’t have an ill-humored comment.

Reluctantly, we climbed out of the Jeep, neither of us in joyous spirits. I didn’t know who dragged their feet more.

Boats scattered the harbor, bobbing and gliding over the water. The sea was a soft, dreamy blue with frisky waves that rolled up against the docks. Any other day, I would have taken a moment to appreciate the sheer tranquility and beauty of the ocean and the endless rumble of the surf, but today it was a bitter and lonesome song.

Crows winged overhead, circling and diving in the sky. A long shrill pierced the air. We stood side by side, gazing out into the foggy harbor, waiting to see the first light of the ferry.

“This is a summer I’ll never forget,” he said, leaning his hip against the pier.

“It’s been life-changing to say the least.”

“Hey, I just realized I’m going to miss your birthday.”

Ah, yes, the big eighteen. “Please. You know how I feel about my birthday.”

The smile I’d been hoping to see appeared. “Exactly my point. It’s so much fun to see you squirm.”

I had to tip my head back to meet his eyes, which always burned my butt. “I guess this year my wish is actually going to come true. No birthday fuss.”

The horn from the ferry blasted and my head turned out into the sea. There it was, TJ’s passage to safety. As it maneuvered its way into the port, my heart plunged in my chest. Saying good-bye to another person in my life sucked. I easily forgot every horrible thing he’d ever said to me and all the brotherly pranks he’d pulled. I wanted five more minutes with my little brother.

The big boat was crowded with tourists anxious to start their summer vacations. Not that long ago, TJ and I had been on that ferry, dewy-eyed and clueless. It felt like a lifetime ago.

We waited in silence as the passengers unloaded. I glimpsed down at my shorts with the frayed hem, kicking the toe of my sneaker over the sandy wooden planks. “I hate good-byes. You know that. So, I’ll see you later.”

He opened his mouth and then closed it. Reading the expression on his face, I knew he wanted to argue again about leaving, but something changed his mind. Maybe he saw the sorrow swimming in my eyes. When he did say something, it was a childhood phrase our mother used. “Later gator.”

A tentative smile played at my lips, and I lightly bumped his shoulder with mine. “Later gator.” And even though I knew it would embarrass him, I gave him a quick hug and was surprised when his arms squeezed me back. I’d always been the strong one, and I held back the tears rising up my throat.

My chest was heavy and filled with uncertainty and a loneliness I’d never felt as TJ hauled his bag and trudged onto the ferry. Each step he took brought him closer to safety and farther from me.

I sent a text to Dad, letting him know TJ was on the ferry, waiting to sail.

Pigs must have learned to fly, because he actually responded.
You’re doing the right thing. He’ll be safe.

Well, that confirmed two things. My father was waiting for TJ on the main island, and he knew what I was. I didn’t bother to send back a reply. In an hour or so I would text TJ and make sure he’d made it home.

I lifted my face to the sky, seeking inner strength to get me through the next chapter in my life. Alone. But never really alone, I reminded myself.

To calm myself, I breathed in slowly. Salt air. Water. And death.

He will be okay. He will be safe.

The ferry swayed from side to side, plugging out of the harbor and into the bay. I had planned to stay until the boat was no longer in sight, but the crowd became too much. Too much laughter. Too many happy faces.

I spun around, and in the shadows of the dock emerged Zane. Like a switch, seeing his face, the floodgates opened, tears-streaming-down-my-face kind of emotion overwhelmed me. I sniffed, my feet automatically moving from a walk to a run, and I leaped into his arms, burying my face into the space between his neck and collarbone. The feeling I’d suppressed came pouring out of me.

He caught me in one swoop, arms winding around me as he kept me secured against him. A coolness that always surrounded him splashed over my face. After I finished bumbling all over his shirt and wiped the snot from my nose, I tilted my head back and took a deep breath. I felt a little dizzy staring into his eyes. “Thanks.”

“Anytime you want to soak my shirt, princess, I’m your guy.”

There was something warmhearted and right about being in his arms. And even though it was probably a bad idea for us to be seen together, especially with me draped all over him, I didn’t care. Not at this moment when I needed him most. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“It’s for the best,” he said, brushing the backs of his fingers over a teardrop trailing down my cheek.

My skin tingled from contact. I nodded. “I know it in my head, but my heart…”

“I get it. I feel it too,” he said, reminding me we shared emotions, except he was way better at hiding them from me.

I grabbed a handful of his shirt and held on, not ready to break contact. It was then I realized… “You cloaked us in shadows?”

“Don’t worry. I was smooth about it. No one noticed.”

I didn’t doubt his skills. Not for a second. Taking advantage of the concealment, I lifted up on tiptoes, brought my lips to his, and kissed him. It was a quick and innocent kiss, well maybe not all that innocent. I felt the zing of it throughout my body, breathing life back into me. “Whether anyone can see it, you do have a sweet side, Zane Hunter.”

His lashes lowered. “And you better keep that to yourself. I have a reputation to keep.”

The corners of my mouth turned up. “I don’t know whether to laugh or snort, but your secret is safe with me.”

A single brow arched. “I think you’re going to be okay.”

I would. But Zane was a big part of my surviving on this island. I moved out of his arms and slowly felt the sun warm my skin as he dropped the veil of darkness. The bustle of the pier came rushing back around me. My eyes went to the water, searching for the ferry. It was nothing more than a pinpoint on the horizon.

Satisfied that I had done the right thing and all was well for the moment, I faced Zane and hesitated. “Do you have to go?” I asked.

His gaze dropped to my lips.

I swallowed, mesmerized by the darkening hue that leaped into his eyes.

“Piper?” someone called from behind me.

I knew that voice, but… It couldn’t be. No way. It wasn’t possible. Not in a freaking million years. My ears must be playing tricks on me, because my luck couldn’t be that bad. Could it?

Zane’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer to me.

I swallowed the large lump in my throat and spun on my heel. Glancing up, I shielded the sun from my eyes, and my tummy coiled tightly.
Holy shitballs.

“Parker?” I squeaked.

Chapter 12

Inside my head, a string of inventive curse words went off, and my jaw dropped to the ground. He wasn’t really here. Not in Raven Hallow. Tell me I had not sent my brother to safety only to have by best friend in the line of fire. What had he been thinking, coming here?

Granted, he didn’t know what went on in Raven Hallow. He didn’t know what I was. And I wasn’t sure I wanted Parker to know. I liked being his
normal
best friend. The girl he’d always known. I didn’t want Parker to look at me any differently. It would kill me to have him scared of me…or worse. Parker was the only real friend I had; losing him would hurt deeply.

“Piper?” he said again with concern. His coffee-colored eyes ran over my face as if he was checking to see if I’d been bitten by a zombie. Not that I blamed him. I was acting like a moron.

Somehow I found my tongue, but my brain was slow to catch up with this new turn of events. “Oh. My. God. Parker. What are you doing here?”

His half-smiling lips turned down, the excitement shining behind his wired frames faded. “That’s what I get? We don’t see each other for almost two months and all I get is a
what are you doing here
? No hug? No,
Parker, I’m so happy to see you
? Classic, Pipes. Thanks for making a guy feel special. I did just take a plane and a ferry to see you.”

“No one asked you to,” I snapped, feeding off his irritation. The moment the words left my mouth, hurt leaped into his eyes. I wanted to slap myself. What kind of friend was I? Parker didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and the fact he’d put up with my random bursts of bitchiness all these years was a miracle. “I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m not happy to see you. It’s just…I’m surprised.” And scared shitless.

“I can see that.” His feet shuffled on the concrete. “I heard what happened to Rose, and I thought you could use a friend.”

Boy could I ever, if this island wasn’t the most toxic place on Earth. An awkwardness Parker and I never had before descended. I had to remind myself that Parker was still the same guy. It was I who had changed. Exhaling, I tried to soften my welcome. “You have no idea how good it is to see your face.”

The smile I loved finally split across his boyish face, so easily forgiven. He engulfed me in a tight hug, squeezing my ribs together. “I’m really sorry, Pipes,” he whispered.

He was warm, consoling, and smelled of home. I buried my face in his shirt and wrapped my arms around his neck. Parker offered a familiar comfort, so different from Zane.

Zane!

He cleared his throat behind me, annoyance spiking through our bond. It was the first time I recognized an emotion being other than mine. I stiffened in Parker’s arms, feeling about ten shades of red color my cheeks. How was I going to introduce Parker to Zane and vice versa? Instinct told me it was highly unlikely these two would like each other. They were polar opposites.

Parker and I had always been friends, but there had been a brief moment before my mom died that we had been moving toward something more. It never really had the chance to bloom, yet I knew Parker still harbored the hope it would. I knew his feelings for me ran deeper than just friendship.

Oh, this should be a blast.

Untangling my arms from Parker’s neck, I stepped back, putting space between us. Parker’s eyes swung up over my head, colliding with Zane’s. I racked my brain, trying to recall my conversations with Parker since I’d been here. Had I ever mentioned Zane?

It didn’t really matter now. It was evident that Zane was with me. Standing in the middle, I glanced from Parker to Zane and back to Parker. I felt a panic attack rising.

Zane extended a hand. “You must be Parker. I’m Zane, a…friend of Princess’s.” He said it in a way that implied Zane and I had in-depth conversations about Parker, totally not the case.

“
Princess
,” Parker echoed as if he was trying it out for size. “Yeah, that fits Pipes to a T.”

“What brings you to Raven Hallow?” Zane asked, sizing Parker up.

Parker shrugged. “Piper. She’s been through hell this year.”

He had no idea.

“She’s a tough chick,” Zane added, implying I was stronger than Parker gave me credit for.

I craned my neck and eyeballed Zane, smiling. “Did you just refer to me as a chick?” Not that I didn’t appreciate he thought I could take care of myself. A lie, but it was kind of endearing, and Zane didn’t have a whole lot of endearing qualities.

He tilted his head to the side, raising a sinister brow. “There’s nothing wrong with being a chick.”

Whether he did it intentionally or not, the quality in his timber oozed a sexiness that I felt all the way to my toes. “Whatever you say,
dude
.” I glanced back at Parker who was frowning at my little exchange with Zane. I tucked wisps of hair behind my ear, suddenly feeling guilty.

I wanted to tell Parker to get back on the ferry and take his butt back home, but as I stared into his eyes, my resolve weakened. He was genuinely excited to see me. I’d give him two days. Max. What could possibly happen in forty-eight hours? After my birthday, I’d figure out a way to get him to leave. No matter what it took. No matter what the cost.

I was about to suggest we go somewhere quieter when a guy accidently bumped into me and I stumbled, but thanks to Zane’s quick reflexes, I managed to avoid kissing the ground. “Man, there are so many people here. I can’t believe you found me,” I said to Parker as I regained my balance.

His brows drew together as he glared over my head at Zane for a moment and then back to me. “It’s crazier than Comic Con. I was searching the crowd for you and I swear you were nowhere to be found. And then suddenly you were in front of me. It was so weird.”

“Jet lag,” I reasoned.

He rubbed the bottom of his chin. “Must be.”

Before he could overthink it as Parker always did or question why I’d appeared from thin air, I decided we needed to move this reunion elsewhere. Preferably someplace with security. Raven Manor. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Zane’s eyes hardened to glass.

I did a mental eye roll. Now was not the time to go all He-man. Whatever he had planned for today was going to have to wait. Having Parker and Zane in the same room for more than a few minutes wasn’t a good idea. Not at this point. The air was suddenly clouded with too much testosterone. Especially since the veins around Zane’s eyes were doing the glow thing. It was hard to not be captivated. Up close, they were sort of beautifully striking.

“Talk to you tomorrow?” I said to Zane, convening with my eyes to lay low on the reaper mojo. Most humans couldn’t see the markings of supernaturals, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

Zane seemed to get it, because he nodded. “Of course.” He leaned in, brushing a chaste kiss across my cheek, and whispered in my ear, “Be careful.” Then he stepped back and walked away.

Only when he disappeared into the crowd was I able to relax. “You ready?” I asked, glancing up at Parker.

He was looking at me funny. “You two seem awfully close.”

Did I detect bits of jealousy? “We do?” I shrugged and started toward the parking lot. “I guess. His family was close with Rose.”

“So you’ve been spending a lot of time together?” He tried to sound nonchalant, but I could tell the answer was important to him.

“I guess. As you’ll soon find out, there’s not much to do on the island.”

He climbed into the passenger seat and sighed. “Ah, I’ve missed, Josie.” Josie was the name Parker and I had given my Jeep Cherokee.

I giggled.
When was the last time I giggled?
“She lives on.”

“Island life must agree with her.”

“Probably because I spend more time walking than driving her.”

Snapping on his seat belt, he stretched out his long legs and settled back. “Show me this ostentatious house you’ve inherited. I still can’t believe it. You’re rich.” He leaned back in the seat, looking relaxed and happy.

I wish I felt the same. “I’m warning you it’s a bit much.”

“Everything is bigger than where we live.” Parker came from a single mom household. His dad had split before Parker was even out of diapers, never to show his mug again or send a dime to help support his kid—the definition of a deadbeat dad. And because of it, he was an only child. His mother was afraid to marry again. I wasn’t sure who I felt sorry for more, Parker or his mother.

My family had kind of adopted Parker. He was always invited to Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. His mom was a nurse, and her twelve-hour shifts didn’t always allow her to be home. She was an amazing woman and mom, who adored her son, doing her best to make sure he was happy.

Anyone who stepped into Parker’s room would know immediately what made Parker happy. Superheroes. Graphic Novels. And action figures.

“Earth to Piper.”

My fingers gripped the wheel tightly as I snapped back to the present. “Sorry. I was just thinking about your mom. How is she?”

“The same. Working herself into an early grave.”

“She wants the best for you, Parks.”

“I know, but I would like her to meet her grandchildren someday.” His eyes met mine.

Why did I get the feeling he was talking about our possible future children? I rubbed the back of my neck with one hand, the other steering the car. The temperature had suddenly gone up twenty degrees. Thank sweet Heaven Raven Manor came into view. “There it is.” I slowed the car, waiting for the gate to open.

The house glistened ivory in the sun and shimmered and sparkled through the night. I heard Parks gasp as he got his first eye full. “It looks like a museum,” he said in awe.

Coasting up the driveway, I replied, “Well, it definitely has history.”

Parker gaped as the car came to a stop, unable to take his eyes off the grandeur of the house. Unfolding his body from the seat, I meandered around the car to stand beside him and bumped my hip up against his. “You want a tour?”

“Uh, does Superman wear a cape?”

Parker had an unusual sense of humor I actually found amusing. “You’re a dork.”

He grinned lopsidedly at me, laugh lines circling the ridiculous expression.

We strolled through the front door side by side, and although I’d passed under the entryway countless times, it never ceased to impress. Massive pillar candles flanked the entrance hall. Vases were filled with richly hued flowers from Rose’s personal garden, scenting the air with roses and lilies. The wood along the staircase gleamed under the crystal chandelier.

It was breathtaking.

I turned in a circle with my arms out. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

“Why would you ever want to leave?”

My face fell, and my voice dropped octaves. “I’d give anything to go home, sleep in my own bed.”

The creases at the corners of his eyes smoothed out on his face. “You miss it?”

I nodded. “Desperately.” I didn’t try to hide the sadness.

He tugged at the ends of my hair. “I’ve missed you too.”

“Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the house before I turn into a sobbing mess.” We jabbered as we wandered, and I laughed numerous times at the pure astonishment in his eyes as he took it all in. “You can stay in TJ’s room. It’s completely pimped out. You’ll love it.”

“You okay?” he asked. “You know, after having to send TJ home?”

“How do you know about that?” I took a second to think about Parker arriving the same day I sent TJ home and how awfully convenient it was. Too convenient. Something was fishy, and it wasn’t the high tide.

“Your dad,” Parker replied. “It was his suggestion that I come here to help you sort through things. He even paid for my travel expenses.”

“How thoughtful,” I said drolly.

***

Parker and I were sitting on the floor in my room like old times. A furry blanket spread out underneath us. He’d gotten settled in, had a bowl of Gracie’s chili, and now we were catching up.

“I can’t believe you still wear those,” he said, regarding my Hello Kitty jammies.

I glanced down, holding the shirt out at the ends. “They’re cute.”

He gave me a cheeky grin, stretching out his legs. “Try hideous.”

“Shut up.” I whacked him on the arm. “I bet if they were Supergirl you’d think they were amazing.”

“Obviously.”

I leaned back on my palms. “I bet your superhero collection has quadrupled since I’ve been gone.”

“Sadly, no. The summer job hunting didn’t go so well. But I don’t want to talk about my lack of employment. Tell me about Raven Hallow. I want to hear it all.”

I picked at the seam on the blanket. “Everything is so…
different
here,” I said.

“Good or bad?”

I felt like we’d had this conversation before. Initially, “bad” was at the tip of my tongue, but I quickly retracted the word and made an inaudible sound.

He cast me a sideways look. “Are you speaking in tongues now?”

“Hilarious.” He was the same Parker, and it was a reassuring feeling.