Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

Prologue

Raven

“Raven.”

I slide my gaze from the window, barely casting at glance at my father.

He’s to my left, phone planted to one ear, I’m sure discussing important business.

He motions to the building directly in front of us. The one our town car is stopped in front of. I didn’t even notice we had arrived. I was lost in my journal. Busy jotting down exactly what I think of the man next to me.

“Let me call you back," my father says before he’s hanging up and twisting to face me.

His expression shows the usual scowl and his eyes the usual disappointment. Meeting Arthur Cunningham’s expectations is about like licking your own elbow. Impossible.

“Do we need to review what I expect from you?” He asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Nope.” I reach down to grab my bag, ignoring his condescending tone. Like I’m a child attending a sleepover, not a capable adult.

At twenty years old, I’m well aware of how to behave, but I’m also old enough to have a mind of my own and a sharp tongue to match.

“Raven," he warns when I reach for the car door.

“Arthur.” I lift a brow.

He tugs at his tie with irritation, and I swear I hear Felipe, our driver, snicker under his breath.

“I paid a lot of money and persuaded Gemma to pull multiple strings for you to be here.” He tucks his phone inside of his suit jacket.

“And as you recall, I wasn’t the one who wanted to move.” I yank my bag over my shoulder.

It wasn’t my request to be transferred to Stone Crest University. In fact, I fought against it. For over a month. But Arthur Cunningham always gets what he wants, and he wanted me gone. His reputation was too precious to have a daughter like me around.

My hand clenches the lever, pushing open the car door. Climbing out, I’m met with the light fall breeze. There’s a slight crisp in the air, and I take in a lung full as I go to slam the door, but his hand catches it.

I meet his dark brown eyes. “Don’t disappoint me, Raven. I expect you to fly under the radar. I’ll keep in touch.”

With that he leans back, disappearing into the vehicle. I resist the urge to flip him off and walk to the trunk. Felipe gives me a small smile, unloading my bags from the back.

“Would you like me to walk you in, Ms. Cunningham?”

I shake my head, and latch onto the handle of my suitcase. “No thanks, FeFe.”

He nods, his eyes glancing through the back glass of the car before he leans in to give me a side hug. “For what it’s worth, I think you’ve come a long way. Don’t let him dim that light, sweetie.”

Felipe had worked for our family for years, and he was nothing but kind. Even when I wasn’t.

With a wink he slips back into the driver seat, closing the door and pulling away. I watch the black sedan leave through the wrought iron gates, leaving a feeling of relief, mixed with a sense of dread.

Closing my eyes briefly, I let out a breath before I turn to face the three-story cathedral style building. Stone Crest is a wealthy town that holds one of the most pristine universities in the United States. I spent the last three days enduring the lecture of how lucky I am to be here. How lucky I am that I was accepted on such short notice.

Lucky.

If I was lucky, I wouldn't have a dead best friend.