Morrigan's Bond (Crow's Curse Book 3) by Laura Bickle

Author:Laura Bickle [Bickle, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Syrenka Publishing LLC
Published: 2020-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

I FLEW WITH THE BIRDS.

During the day, the crows glided in the sky with me, cawing encouragement as I learned to pilot the light wooden aircraft. At night, I swore that they still followed me as if I were the lead goose in a formation, shadows flickering against the ground. I learned to fly, well enough that I was eventually allowed to pilot missions. I dropped bombs on the enemy, relishing each fiery plume of destruction that I dropped behind enemy lines. My plane was so silent that I could hear wind ruffling through the birds’ wings and the whistle of the bombs as they fell through the air. The soaring feeling of vengeance lit and burned in my chest. I dropped bombs, dozens and dozens of them, on the Germans, willing my enemy as much death as they’d dealt upon my family.

Battle lines shifted that winter, and the Night Witches were sorely needed. We were careful to try and knock ice from the planes, and our hands froze into claws on the controls. The air was so bitter that it stole the breath from our throats. I wrapped myself in layers of coats and scarves, trying to insulate myself against the elements. But often, our sorties were grounded due to weather, much to the displeasure of command.

Not that command thought much of us, anyway. We were a dispensable unit that received only castoff parts and supplies. We cobbled together what we could, grateful to have the chance to serve. But it was difficult, sometimes, knowing that the men thought we were only silly girls who should be sitting at home, cowering as the war washed over us.

There were exceptions, of course. Ivan and Sasha often came to visit me and the other girls at the barracks. Like any set of older brothers, I knew that they would prefer to know that we were home and out of the line of fire. But they still supported us when the other men were hostile to us.

“You should be married, with at least four children by now,” Sasha said sourly, looking at me over his hand of cards. We played cards by kerosene lantern between empty bunks. The lantern was turned down low to avoid attracting Polina’s attention, but it offered a little warmth to our steaming breaths.

“I would need more than four children to keep me out of trouble,” I answered. I suspected that my hand was better than his, and he was trying to unsettle me so that I’d act rashly on this round. I refused to give him the satisfaction.

“Da,” Ivan said. He sat between Galina and Olya, frowning at his cards. “All you girls should be home safe.”

Spots of anger rose in Galina’s face. “Do not devalue our contribution. I expected better of you. I thought you were on our side.”

“He doesn’t mean it like that,” Sasha said. “You girls are in a difficult spot. The Soviet Union has failed you.”

I lifted a brow. “I am shocked to hear you say that, Comrade.

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