Page 38 of A Court of Ravens
She tilts her head, looking far too pleased with herself. “Heritage. Power. Shadows. Take your pick, Felicity. But make it quick. Things are about to get messy.”
I shake my head, trying to keep my temper. “Explain. Slowly. Pretend I’m two.”
Liora raises an eyebrow, but she obliges. “Thanks to your mum, you’re part Shadowborn Witch and part demon. Shadowborn are meant to travel between the Ironlands (that’s your world), our world, then the in-between, and the Otherworld. Hunt dark fae and demons who step out of line, keeping everything neatly contained where it belongs. You’re one of the last.” She crosses her arms, her leather creaking. “And thanks to your Mum’s little dalliance with our dear old Dad, you’ve got Crimson Court blood for extra royal flair. Vampirish dark fae, specialising in shadows, shifting, and blood magic. Let’s just say you’re not exactly the girl next door.”
My jaw drops. Steam from the shower clings to the room, mingling with the scent of leather from Liora’s outfit. The grounding smell does nothing to steady me. “You’re telling me I’m basically a creature feature in a horror movie marathon?”
“Spot on, but with better hair,” Liora quips, grinning. Her humour fades as her tone turns grave. “I didn’t know you existed until recently, or I’d have come sooner. You were hidden with humans, wrapped in glamour to keep you safe. Blending in. But it wasn’t enough. When an assassin found you anyway, your Mum struck a deal.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “And what, pray tell, does a princess want with me? I thought I was just some girl from London. So, what’s the catch? Do I have powers? A kingdom to save?”
Liora nods. “The catch is, you’re more powerful than you know. An impossible combination no one’s ever seen before. But your humanity makes you an abomination to the Crimson Court, even if you’re technically the heir.”
I flop down on the bed, head spinning. “Right. So my life is a lie. I’m a walking, talking supernatural cocktail. Fantastic.”
Liora perches on the edge of the bed, her expression softening. “Not a lie. Let’s call it a strategic omission. You’re Shadow’s Choice, touched with humanity. It’s what makes you special and powerful. And royally complicated. You hold royal titles in more than one court.”
“Brilliant.” I run a hand through my damp hair, half-expecting to wake up. “When do I get my crown and sceptre? Do they come with a handbook, or do I just wing it and hope for the best?”
Liora leans forward to comfort me, but she hesitates when I flinch. “No handbook. But you’ve got me. And believe me, being a mutt has its perks.”
“Perks?” I repeat, my voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, yeah, I can’t wait to show potential boyfriends the family photo album. That’ll go over well.”
Liora shakes her head. “We don’t have time for this. Your powers, yourbloodline, it’s all coming to a head. This isn’t a family reunion. You’re in danger, and there’s more at stake than you know.”
Liora’s head snaps up, her features sharpening as if she’s heard something I can’t. “Someone is coming. We’ll talk again. Be ready.”
Her cold voice slips inside my head.-Oh, and by the way, mating with Niall? Not a smart move.-
My stomach twists as I glare at her retreating figure. “Well, that ship has already sailed. Or burned to ash,” I mutter. What the hell does that even mean for us? For me?
Liora’s lips curve slightly, as if my frustration amuses her, but she doesn’t reply. Her form shimmers, shrinking and collapsing into a sleek black raven.
“Wait.” My brows knit together as I stare at the bird. “Why did you call me Shade?”
She tilts her head in one final, knowing look before leaping into the air, wings slicing through the lingering steam. The window rattles as she vanishes into the twilight.
The door crashes open behind me. Cyn strides in, grabbing her phone from the nightstand. “Left this,” she mutters, then pauses, giving me a once-over. “What’s with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Bird watching,” I blurt out. Seriously, Felicity? Bird watching?
Cyn squints, doubtful but clearly deciding not to dig into my weirdness. “Right. Well, Tomas and I are heading out. Don’t wait up!” She flashes a grin and disappears as quickly as she arrives, leaving the door swinging shut behind her.
I suck in a shaky breath. My life is an unholy nightmare. Shadowborn Witch. Demon. Fae princess. And human, apparently, though I’m struggling to feel anything close to normal right now. Oh, and let’s not forget the date looming over me. Niall, who’s somehow as caught in this madness as I am.
I sink onto the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall. Princess Liora Darkraven. My half-sister. A raven who dropped life-shattering truth bombs on me like it was just another Tuesday. I thought tonight would be about making sense of my relationship with Niall, but now it’s about piecing together an identity I never asked for and can barely comprehend.
Her warning is like a splinter burrowing deeper with each passing second.Mating with Niall?She made it sound like a death sentence. Or worse. Is this connection I feel for him some twisted family curse?
I glance at the mirror, my reflection almost unrecognisable. The same face, but the hazy lavender shadows behind the eyes? That’s new. And it feels more dangerous. I take a slow, deep breath, grounding myself, even as the lights in the room flicker ominously. A little too on-brand for my newfound identity.
I grab my sweater, slipping it over my shoulders as I head for the door. Whatever this is, this bond, I have to see it through. I have to survive dinner with Niall without spiralling into questions I can’t answer.
The lights flicker again as I step outside, the cool evening air biting my skin. The magic in my blood hums. Liora’s admission leaves me raw. I need more answers. Soon. Thank fuck, I’ve got a date with a man who might know more about my heritage than he’s letting on. If I don’t shatter us both, I plan on finding out.
* * *
NIALL O’LEARY
