The Raven King

Chapter 3: Attacked

This had to be a dream. There was absolutely no way this was happening. Yet, no amount of pinching woke her up or made that case disappear. As her trembling hands reached for it, she revealed the necklace again. It was truly beautiful, with diamond shifting colors that reminded her of the raven's wings. Was this real? Was this truly real?

As she stared at the necklace for what felt like the hundredth time, a thought pierce through her mind.

I need coffee.

And that was how she found herself nestled in the corner of her favorite coffee shop, Cozy Coffee, a nice little hang out place with its own library section that customers had free picks too. However, the usual light and calming atmosphere was tainted by the weight of the case in her pocket. As her hands soaked in the warmth radiating from her caramel latte, Eleanor scratched at her skin in frustration.

Why me? Why would he choose me? He said that she had qualities of a queen, that he was watching her at the festival. Did that mean he was watching her now? Her gaze flickered toward the windows, scanning outside as if a large raven would suddenly appear.

"Eleanor?" She flinched at her name before her smile softened at the sight of her old friend.

"Janet, hey."

The slightly older woman dressed in scrubs pulled out the seat in front of Eleanor. "I was just about to leave when I thought I saw you. How have you been?"

Eleanor's finger tapped against the cup. "Good."

Those brown eyes filled with sympathy. "And how has your mother been?"

Another tap. "Good."

"And your sister?"

Another tap. "She's been good as well." They've all been good. No need to worry. There's nothing wrong in the slightest. Maybe if she kept saying it over and over then one day, it'll turn true.

"Well that's good. I know you've been taking care of her ever since your father's death." Reaching across she gave Eleanor's arm a soft squeeze. "You know if you need a good hospice program-"

Eleanor pulled away. "No, no we're...we're doing fine, right now." As the words left her lips, she fought the urge to scream at Janet's pity. She needed to change the subject, anything other than talk about her family. That's when she remembered the weight in her pocket.

"Janet, can I ask you something?" Without waiting for an answer, she pulled out the case. "Have you seen these jewels before?"

She opened it to reveal the necklace, causing Janet's eyes to widen with a slight gasp. "Where did you get that?"

As her fingers reached for it, Eleanor shut the case as a sudden wave of protectiveness washed over her. Look but don't touch. "Someone gave it to me." Someone who wants me to be their queen.

Janet's eyes widened with worry. "Eleanor, are you ok? Is someone hunting you down?"

What? Why would she ask that? "No, not that I'm aware of." She slipped the case back into her pocket.

"Then get rid of it."

Eleanor blinked. "What?"

"Those are diamonds, Eleanor, rare colored diamonds like those are only bought by people with powerful influence." Janet leaned back. "It's just like that episode of CIA where this woman..."

As Janet slipped into her CIA rant, Eleanor turned back to her cup. TV shows weren't even close to real life, she wanted to say. And yet, she met a human with wings who changed into a raven and wanted her to be his queen. How could she explain that?