A Conspiracy of Ravens:

A Raven Saga

Book 1

Out now in Print & E-book!

Available on Amazon.com & barnesandnoble.com

Amira Press

Linnea slowly opened her eyes. She prayed everything that had happened to her today was a dream. If it wasn’t, her life had just been turned upside down. She was not expecting to wake up and find she could hear ghosts, see people’s auras, feel the energy from crystals, and see a man holding the head of an old hag in her best friend’s torn apart apartment. The image had stayed with her as she struggled up through the darkness. Something about it made her soul shiver.

A handsome man, at least six foot tall, dressed in black, with alabaster skin, chiseled jaw line, aquiline nose, and long black hair pulled back in a ponytail stood in Maili’s apartment. In his left hand, he clutched the head of a hag whose mouth was petrified in a wicked grin showing small, yet sharp rows of teeth. A long, pencil thin nose with hairy warts on the end of it pointed at her. Dark enchanting eyes pulled her in even though the thing was dead. White wispy hair was what the man clenched. In the other was a smoking silver sword with black liquid dripping off it. The thing’s body had fallen backward. A pool of what appeared to be black blood collected around the stump where the head had been. She didn’t think she could ever forget the scene. No matter how much it affected her, the gorgeous stranger intrigued her more. She had never seen anything like him. Are you Maili’s knight with a shining sword? It would be nice if you were mine, but why would you want to look at me at all?
Then the shock of it all had overwhelmed her, and she had passed out. She had only done that once before when her grandmother had told her about her parents’ death. It had stuck with her along with the idea she was not going to be eating anything blue.

Finally Linnea opened her eyes. Her head throbbed. She must have hit the hardwood floor pretty hard. Her hand rubbed over the spot. A knot was already forming on her skull. It was going to be tender until she could put something on it or at least took some aspirin.
However, as she opened her eyes, she saw the intruder in Maili’s apartment staring down at her. His intense eyes were wrinkled at the edges. He seemed to examine her like she was a science experiment. His demeanor was rather cold. But no matter what his appearance hadn’t changed. He was still a dangerous dish. When he realized she was awake, he didn’t move away from her. From her vantage point, she saw the fine make up of his lips. They were slightly pink with deep lines etched into them, but ever so soft. She found herself wanting to meet them with her own to see if they were as luscious as they looked. His cheekbones were sharp and he was clean shaven. The aroma about him reminded her of the forest. Clean and vaguely of mint. A bolt of heat went through her and settled between her legs. She would love to pull this man down on top of her and make him see what kind of a woman she truly was. It had been a long time since she had anyone in her bed, and he was scrumptious. So not her type, but very delectable. No matter what though, he was probably Maili’s. She always got the good ones. Mentally, she slapped herself at thinking about a man when her best friend was missing and strange things were going on.

“Hello,” she smiled. Heat flushed across her cheeks as she realized where her thoughts were heading. Linnea wanted to get him naked and have her way with him. Now is not the best time for that. But damn. Can’t a girl have any fun?

“What are you doing here?” he asked. He sat on the arm of the couch she was lying on. He crossed his arms and stared at her like she was really the intruder and not him.
Linnea sat up slowly as she glanced around the room. The body still lay there. The head now sat on the kitchen counter staring at her. His sword leaned against the edge of the counter nonchalantly like it was a wet umbrella. Its blade was pristine, showing he took good care of his weapon.

What else does he take good care of? He can certainly have any woman he wants with just a look. God, I have to think about something else.

“I should ask you the same thing,” she snapped back. She tried to get up, but her legs were wobbly, and she fell back down into the tattered sofa. God, her head hurt.

She felt the slight burn of the crystal in her pocket. Suddenly her head did not hurt so much. Hmm . . . I didn’t know quartz had healing properties. I have to look into that when I get back home. Grammie should have had it in her Book of Shadows.

“What I am doing here is none of your business. I suggest you get out of here before you get yourself into any more trouble.”

Linnea turned toward the arrogant strange crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. I have a key to the door. I wasn’t the one holding a sword and a severed head of—whatever that thing is!” She pointed to the hag head which she swore was grinning at her. She glanced away from it since it was creepy. However, she had a feeling she had seen that somewhere before in one of her grandmother’s books. She just couldn’t recall which one. The stranger got up and stood over her trying to be daunting. Linnea recognized he could be dangerous. He had that kind of vibe flowing off of him, but she also sensed something— he didn’t fit in. It was the only way to describe it. He did not belong, not just in the apartment, but in the world. Gathering her temper, she closed her eyes. Inhaling, she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Maili was not here. Her fear was rising. The dressing room had looked just like this. Whoever was after her friend was looking for something. The witch feared her friend was in grave danger. Linnea had to figure out a way to contact her best friend’s mother. She had no idea of even where to start. Maili described her mother as a globe trotter with no permanent address.

“Look, I don’t have time to argue or ponder why there’s a dead whatever it is in the middle of Maili’s living room. Get the hell out of my way so I can look for my friend’s mother’s phone number. I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.” Linnea tried to stand once again. This time her legs were not wobbly, and her head not so achy, but he still blocked her way. He stood as still as a statue with his face blank and his arms crossed. Linnea heard the bell-like giggle of the ghost boy who was now standing in the doorway. He had a large smile on his lips and stared at the two of them. She looked back at the gorgeous stranger and saw his gaze move from the door to her. He had seen the ghost too.

“You saw the little boy too? Didn’t you?”

“What little boy?”

“Whoever you are! Why the hell are you in my friend’s apartment? I know you saw the little rascal. Do you know anything about Maili’s disappearance? If you do, I swear—”

A cold smile curled on his lips. “You’ll what? Harass me to death about invisible boys? Like I said before, who I am and why I’m here is nothing of your concern? Maili doesn’t need your help. You’ll only get yourself killed. Now go back to your safe little house and normal life and let me take care of it. This isn’t the place for you, Linnea.” He grabbed her elbow and began to drag her through the debris toward the door.

Linnea was not about to go anywhere. The flautist was not going to abandon her friend. She had to find Maili. This guy was the only lead she had at the moment. And how did he know her name? She dug her heels in letting herself only be taken halfway across the room, where she yanked herself out of his grasp. Without thinking, she spun around with an open hand and slapped him.