The Raven and the Wraith Book 2 (Completed!)

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 18

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 18

"What are these things?" I asked Chan, not taking my eyes off the circling pack.

The way they moved, their low, nearly liquid, slinking pattern, reminded me of a combination of lizards, wolves, and cats. Like some demented wizard had blended all three creatures into one spell, and stirred in a healthy dose of rage, too.

"They are called Fenray. They are very rare, we haven't seen a pack of them in hundreds of years."

"And they're trying to kill us, but have no intention of eating us?"

"Eat us? Of course not!"

"Soo...why are they trying to kill us? Work with me here."

"They don't exactly want to kill us. They are broken reflections of misused power, so their entire existence is centered around bonding to other, whole beings. Do not let them bite you, it is impossible to break the hold of their jaws."

I was going to make a snide remark about any of us "letting" them bite us, but then the Fenray suddenly shifted their pattern, widening their circle with every step. Their black fur blended into the darkness so well that after a few moments I could only see their glowing jaws sliding through the shadows about us.

"We scared them off?"

Chan looked surprised amused at my question.

"Fenray do not know fear. They are shards of Fear and Power itself, after all. But they are cunning fighters, so I think they're going to regroup and reassess that spell your ma-Kiera threw."

"I heard that! You still think of her as my mate. Even though I've told you forty seven times she isn't."

Chan looked at me levelly. "That is false."

I glared back. "What, exactly, is a mate to you?"

"You have not told me forty seven times that she isn't your mate."

Kiera snickered, and I glared at her, too. "Wanna help this idiot understand that we're not mates, or are you going to just provide background tee hee-ing?"

Chan's eyes started twinkling, irritating me further.

"Oh, you think this is funny, too?"

Chan nodded. "Yes. It is funny watching youth try to deny the inevitable."

I raised an eyebrow at Kiera, satisfied to see her grin fade.

"What's inevitable?" She asked him slowly.

Chan suddenly appeared very lost in thought, his eyes completely distant, like he was seeing through us.

"Hey! Not a good time to check out and go wandering around in your cute little Cha'el daydreams!" I said, adding in "Whatever they may be..."

Chan looked around us, scanning the woods but clearly seeing something beyond them. Then he slowly turned to face us, his expression so somber it made my mouth go dry.

Kiera evidently saw it, too, because she stepped closer to me. That subtle body language, here in the face of something unknown, made me once again feel a happy glow trace down my spine. It was unexpected and confusing, making me scowl at Chan.

"Well? Let's have it! Don't just stand there like a slant-eyed toad."

Chan mouthed the word "toad" in confusion, frowning as he tried to place the word. Next to me I could sense Kiera grinning at that. It took me a moment, but then it hit me that I had known she was smiling, I had just been in tune with her.

As I had once been in tune with Genevieve.

I took two, quick steps away from her, my hands curling into fists as I fought back a frigid flood of pain soaked memories. It wasn't enough distance, I could still feel Kiera's hurt confusion. I silently snarled at myself, furious that I had let this happen again. Especially since I had met the great Cat. Since I had been cursed by its touch.

"Why do you deny your feelings for her? What are you scared of, Rahvin?"

I bared my teeth at Chan. "Careful."

At my low, dangerous tone, Kiera whipped her head to look at me, her eyes wide.

"Rahvin?"

I ignored her, too focused on Chan and my own angry inner thoughts.

"The Fenray...they came for you, Rahvin. Only you."

I shrugged at Chan. "So?"

"They are creatures forged of old, unaddressed fear and uncontrolled Power. You being here has shifted the Balance, breaking up and casting about bits of Power. And the Fenray have come to feast on the deepest fear inside of you. The fear of having a mate."

His words cut true, making lines of liquid fire trace their way throughout my veins, making me tremble, caught between the rising ferocity of the demands for action, and the total confusion for what that action should be.

"Carrrrreful..." my voice was nothing more than an animal snarl, with a hint of a word woven in.

"You're scared of Kiera. You're scared she will use your love to use you. To cut you with the blade that creates wounds that never heal."

I darted forward, my right cross catching Chan on the jaw. He flew back and rebounded off a tree, landing face first at my feet as I stalked forward.

"You want to die?" I growled.

Chan groggily lifted his head, his eyes rolling in his skull.

"If it helps you understand, yes, I will die for you."

The perfect honesty in his quiet voice was like an earth shaking scream. It drew me up short, sending a bolt of icy clarity through me, washing away the old pain and rage that had overtaken me.

I helped him to his feet, my hands trembling with shame. I couldn't meet his eyes. He had only shown me true friendship and I had threatened to kill him. For something he had no part of.