Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

46. Chapter 46

Chapter forty-six

Locke

F rankie’s eyes fly open, and her hold on Raven’s hands loosen. Anyone else wouldn’t notice the expression that flashes across her face, but I’ve known her for a few decades.

“Tell me.” I don’t mean for it to sound like a demand, but I need to know everything.

Raven’s hand is now in mine, and her eyes are open, her brows furrowed.

“That was…” Raven blinks. “I saw….”

“What do you mean you saw?” I question.

“I’m about to unload a lot.” Frankie rubs her temples.

“I’ll be straight with you, Raven. Soft isn’t really my style so when I say you are powerful as fuck, I mean it.”

“Ok….” Raven glances at me.

“Your line stems back on your mother’s side. You’re a witch. You hold the ability to create magic from words and thoughts. Your emotions, in particular anger, can rule your power.”

“We suspected that.” I squeeze her hand.

“But there’s something more. Your line crossed.” She pauses. “Do you know anything about your father?”

Raven shakes her head. “I just found out a few days ago my parent’s that raised me are not my birth parents. Kingston mentioned my biological mother’s name, but no mention of my biological father.”

“Kingston?” Frankie lifts a brow.

“I’ll fill you in later,” I mutter.

She faces Raven. “You have elements of fae. You saw something in me? Didn’t you?”

Raven swallows, and her hand tightens on mine. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but your mother is gone.” Frankie’s fingers tap on her knees. “She wanted to protect you. She died protecting you. She knew what you would be, and she knew if anyone had the knowledge, your life would be in danger.”

“Why would I need protecting?” Raven asks, her voice raw.

I hate the toll this is taking on her.

“Your mark.” She motions with her head.

Raven’s hand instinctively goes to the spot behind her ear. “What about it?”

“It’s how she knew.” Her smile is slow. “You have a unique gift, Raven.”

Raven remains quiet, soaking in every word from Frankie's mouth.

“Your blood.” Frankie reaches out, running her finger over Raven’s palm. “The Raven means different things to different people in mythology. Ultimately, they’ve been known as messengers. The ones who can travel from here, to the afterlife.”

“So, you’re saying, I can visit hell? That’s disturbing,” Raven scoffs.

“No. Not physically. But the belief is your blood holds the power. As long as it’s flowing you can connect with those passed on. It’s believed that if someone consumes your blood, the power to communicate with those who’ve left our world can infuse within them.”

My muscles tense as I recall overhearing Malikiah in a conversation with his council years before.

“I’ve heard Malikiah speak of this.”

Frankie releases Raven’s palm. “Many have. But I haven’t had the chance to actually meet anyone in my lifetime who had the mark.”

“Basically, I can set things on fire and talk to dead people.” Raven runs a hand through her hair. “And if I don’t want to?”

Frankie shrugs. “You don’t choose it, Raven. It chooses you. It may seem like something you can just ignore, but if not understood or there is no knowledge of how to control it, it could be dangerous.”

“It’s like shifting. I had to work to learn to control it as a teen. It got easier as time went on.” I clear my throat. “So…is she…are we…”

“Mates?” Frankie asks. “Yes.”

I let out a breath of relief and my chest pinches. To have the confirmation makes my wolf howl.

“How many days has it been since?” Frankie asks.

“Three,” I answer.

Shes swings her feet off of the couch. “We’ll begin tomorrow.”

“Begin what?” Raven follows, pushing to stand.

“You’re training.” She holds out her fist and I bump it, as she looks to Raven. “Wear something you don’t mind getting burned. It’s time to find out who you were meant to be.”

With that she scoops up her bag and leaves. I’m not sure if I just received more answers or compiled more questions.