Page 89 of Ever Dark

I return to the table and wait for Duff to set our drinks down. Villette and I stare at each other quietly until he leaves.

“Please, say something,” I plead.

She lets out a deep sigh. “We are from some fucked up families, aren’t we?”

I release the breath I’m holding. “Yeah. And from this cursed fucking town. But we are the ones in charge now. I don’t know much about your parents, but mine are dead. Aries’s are cut off, and Draven’s moved as far away as they could get. I have to take back some control of my destiny.”

“My parents are superstitious. They live here, but they keep to themselves. My family made a fortune in tobacco. They’ve never wanted anything to do with poison or ravens or ghosts. Especially after my brother Sonny died. I’m surprised they even let me go to Tenebrose Academy.” Her gaze is distant, her voice trailing off as if she’s forgotten that I’m sitting across from her.

I grab her hand. “Bones told me a little bit about that. I’m sorry for your loss.”

She shrugs. “I was a baby when he died, so I don’t remember him. I’m sad for my mother and my brothers, though, for having to carry the burden of his death. I grew up with that unspoken tension always hanging in the air. It’s suffocating sometimes.”

Everyone has their own shit to deal with. Their own burdens to carry. Being isolated for so long, I convinced myself that I was theonly one suffering. That my problems were the worst. I feel shame for being so selfish.

“You don’t always have to put on a happy face, Lettie. At least, not with me,” I offer.

She flashes me another warm smile, but sadness pulls at her eyes. “I know. I sense that about you. Thank you.”

“Here’s hoping I don’t make this curse worse tonight.” I down the next martini in one gulp.

“No matter what happens, we’ve all got your back. You’re stuck with us now,” she quips. Now that the glasses lined up in front of us are empty, the knots in my stomach twist. I’m tempted to lick the rest of mine clean. Or order another round.

But the sun fading into the horizon reminds me it’s almost time to go. Draven, Bones, and Aries are meeting me at Harker Mansion. And soon, Nox will be there too.If all goes according to plan.

Villette squeezes me into a tight embrace, and I instantly crave chocolate chip cookies. “You’re going to be okay, Mia Harker. I promise you that. Cursed or not, you are strong, resilient, and come from a very long line of badass bitches.”

I laugh as we say our goodbyes, but a tinge of longing sits in my belly. I wish I’d known some of my ancestors. Once I pledge this oath, I for sure never will.

DRAVEN

If you cage a bird long enough, they will never fly away, even with the door open. They become loyal, loving, and devoted. I never locked mine. Maybe I’m the one in the cage.

I kept Gunpowder a secret from my family for so long. The only raven left in Ever Graves. I found him wounded in the woods when I was a boy. Rodrick helped me mend his wing and then hid him in his cottage at Blackwell Manor. None of my family would ever step foot in the servants’ quarters.

I visited him every day. Even after I became a man, I would crawl in drunk and pass out by his cage. Rodrick would somehow get me back to my room by morning. My grandmother hated the ravens as much as she hated the devil. As much as she hated me.

Deep down, she must’ve known what I am. But I was the only heir left who she hadn’t sent away. Maureen’s mother was her biggest disappointment aside from mine. In the end, Penny died a bitter, nasty woman, and no one cared.

I reach into the cage and gently pull Gunpowder out. He cocks his head and caws at me.

“I know you like your cage, but we don’t have to hide anymore.”

I set him on my desk. “You’re free to go or stay. It’s your choice.”

He flies around the room before settling back into his cage and turns his back to me. I let out a sigh. “The door has always been unlocked, my friend. And it always will be.”

I can’t say the same for myself.

Or for Nox.

But tonight, Mia will fly free from her own cage. She’s always been able to, just like Gunpowder. That woman is her own worst enemy. I know because I’m the same way. We have both punished ourselves for the hands we were dealt. We punish each other. But no more.

If she can accept her nightmare, I have to accept mine. That I’m the devil’s son.

I take a deep drag off my cigarette and pour another shot of gin as I study the package on my desk. It’s from Riot Graves, the head of Nocturnus in Raven’s Gate. We haven’t spoken much, and I wasn’t very pleasant to him when he last came to town. So I was surprised when he answered my call.

In order for Mia to make a proper blood oath, she needs the raven’s blade, a sacred dagger that has forged many bonds since the beginning of the devil’s first pact. I was even more surprised when Riot agreed to temporarily part with it.

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