Raven's Destiny by J. E. Hopkins

Author:J. E. Hopkins [Hopkins, J. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-23T22:00:00+00:00

20

In spite of their worry about another attack, the first thing they did was sleep. They really didn’t have a choice. Jade almost drove off the road a couple of times as she fought the exhaustion from using Fire. Raven was pinching herself trying to stay awake and losing the battle. They found a quiet neighborhood, set their phones to wake them at one p.m., and collapsed into a semi-coma.

When the alarm roused Raven a couple hours later, she felt like she’d been run over by a truck, but at least she could function. Jade was still slumped in the driver’s seat but snapped to full alert when Raven poked her.

The Ancient scrubbed her face with her hands. “We need help unless you have another Power you haven’t mentioned. One that would heal Rust.”

“I wish I did,” Raven said.

“So do I. There are healers among the Ancients, but they and their Power are exceedingly rare.”

“Do you think a healer lives among the Ancients in Kingley Vale?”

“I have no idea. I need to talk with the Elder.”

“How? I didn’t think you could communicate from this distance.”

Jade smirked and withdrew a phone from her pants pocket.

“You use cell phones?”

“Are you always this insulting, or am I special?” Jade asked. “We’re not witches peering into a cauldron, and we don’t divine the future by playing with entrails. Give me a fucking break.”

Raven grinned. “And you cuss? Just like Rust, huh? I thought your folk were all about purity and nature and a foul word would never pass your lips.”

The Ancient’s melodic peal of laughter was delightful. “I give up with you. I can’t possibly match your insults and snark. We use whatever tech works. I didn’t have a cell signal in the corridor, or I would have called. And cussing is my particular specialty, much to the chagrin of my people. I try to keep it down when I’m among them because it makes them cranky.”

“I think I like you better knowing that you cuss.”

“And I don’t give a flying fuck what you like.” Jade flipped through a couple of screens and glanced at Raven.

“What?”

“I’m having a hard time believing you can use Power. It goes against everything I’ve ever been taught.”

Raven shrugged. “To quote a certain foul-mouthed Ancient, I don’t give a flying fuck whether you believe me or not. It’s the truth, and the reason Rust and I survived.”

Jade was quiet for several minutes. “Hard to argue with that.” She pressed a button on her phone and activated the speaker.

A quiet, youthful male voice answered. “Jade? The Elder isn’t here. May I take a message?”

Jade seemed surprised. She glanced into the back seat. Her facial fur pulsed a soft yellow then faded. “Hey Slate. I need to speak to her. It’s urgent.”

“Where are you?” Slate asked. “I miss our instruction sessions. I’m going to get behind.”

Raven couldn’t help but smile. Slate’s voice had changed from a controlled, almost scripted formality to youthful exuberance.

Slate’s torrent continued. “We haven’t had rain for two whole days.

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