Page 24 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

“A Familiar?”

Rook eyed the bird warily. “Yes, a spiritual companion, bonded to one person. They’re usually small creatures like cats. I’ve never heard of a raven before.”

“I have,” Hawk said ominously. “Only one though.”

“Who?” Rook asked.

“Someone long since gone.” That was all Hawk said and it seemed to be enough for Rook, which was odd. Perhaps I should ask Corvus. I had a feeling there were going to be a lot of questions that would be coming the raven’s way.

“She can talk to it, too,” Hawk added.

“Really? He spoke to you?” Rook said, excitement in his eyes.

“I think so. It’s either that or I imagined it all and I’m going insane.” I approached the bird and trailed a finger down his soft plumage.

Rook studied the bird. “Is he talking to you now?”

“No.”

A waft of bergamot hit my senses as Rook came to stand with me by the large tree and I tried really hard not to breathe him in, but man he smelled so good.

I looked Corvus in the eye and gave him what I hoped was an encouraging expression. “So, am I going insane, or did we have a whole conversation out there on the balcony?”

His eyes held mine for a beat. I had definitely heard him. I was sure of it. But still, I held my breath as I waited for him to say something. Anything.

“You’re not mad, Necromancer,” the bird finally said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank the Gods.” I turned to Rook and Hawk. “Did you hear that?”

They both shook their heads.

Rook rested his chin on my shoulder, staring at the bird in fascination. “What did he say?”

“That I wasn’t mad. He also called me a necromancer.” I was still having a hard time adjusting to the possibility of that but Hawk was living proof of pulled someone from the Depths.

“Hmm, it’s unusual to be able to talk to animals,” Rook mused.

“A gift of the Gods, apparently.” I turned to Rook, his face a mere inch from mine. Gods, his eyes were beautiful. A rich, vibrant green with specks of gold glinting in their depths. For a moment I lost the ability to think. “Um, why can I hear animals all of a sudden?”

“Not sure,” he replied with a slow smile. “It must have something to do with your connection to necromancy. Ravens are considered omens of death.”

“Perhaps becoming the necromancer heightened your existing abilities,” Hawk posed, his large arms folded across his broad chest.

“Maybe,” Rook agreed. “It might be something to do with your connection to the Revenants as well. We’ve never been bound to anyone before, and all sorts of things might come to the surface.”

I nodded just as my stomach rumbled. Guess necromancers still needed to eat.

“Come on, bird whisperer,” Rook chuckled. “I’ll show you to the kitchen.”

I pressed a kiss against his cheek. “Can you give me half an hour? I think a shower and a change of clothes is in order.”

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll show Hawk his rooms so he can find something more modern than his ancient harem pants.”

I watched the pair of them go, Hawk grumbling under his breath in Romanian about maiming Rook and I couldn’t help but smile. I might have fallen into the Underworld, but I think I was just starting to find my feet.

Chapter Thirteen

Raevyn

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