I glanced down at the ashes in front of me and I turned my back on the King to help Sister Marjie up from her place on the ground. She patted herself off to free herself of the ash and dirt. She lifted her head to pat my cheek and stepped around me to face the King.

“Why don’t you tell Raven what you told me and what you wanted with her?” She asked him with a lilt to her voice. It sounded as though she didn’t trust him for a moment. Well, neither did I but I had different reasons.

I could feel his piercing gaze as they grazed my back before his gaze strayed back to Sister Marjie. “I wish to train her and show her the world she was meant to be in. She needs to know the world she was supposed to be born into, so she can be protected as she should be.” He gazed down at her.

I frowned and glanced at the other two Sisters that were still standing near the door. I turned around to face Sister Marjie. “Why would I need to be protected and shown his world? Is this because of the note?”

Her shoulders slumped and she tucked a hand to her neck as she turned to face me. “Partly due to the note, yes dearest. I believe if he can help you further by teaching you the things I can’t, and you would be safe with him, then I think it’s time.”

I swallowed as tears threatened to choke me and I turned away from her as quickly as possible. Walking away to sit on the bench underneath the willow tree and I pressed my face into my hands to calm myself. I heard footsteps approach me and I knew who it was without looking.

“What do you want, King Warrick?” I asked him quietly.

I felt him place a hand on my knee and I looked up from my hands to glare at him. “I want to show you the world that you were meant to be a part of. To teach you what I know so you can be as strong as I know you can be. Will you allow me to help you, Raven?” He lifted his hand to wipe a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb and I inhaled a shuddered breath at the light touch that seared my cheek.

I wasn’t sure how this worked but I knew I would have to go with him if I was to learn more about myself, why my mother abandoned me, and so many other things. I pushed my fingers through my hair and I glanced up at King Warrick to catch his gaze lingering on me.

I quickly stood and made my way over to Sister Marjie after coming to terms with my decision. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her close. I quietly whispered in her ear, “I will come back and visit. I want to learn more about myself now that I know I’m something completely different. Thank you for always being there for me and protecting me.” I leaned back to kiss her lightly on her cheek and smiled softly at her.

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“Take care of yourself, don’t forget to write, okay little Raven?” Her eyes were sad but she still smiled at me and she turned to tell Sister Amarie and Sister Jasmine to go gather my things before I left.

I faced King Warrick and folded my hands in front of me. “Where will we go?”

“We’ll be going to my castle about two days from here. I have a room prepared for you during your stay with me. You can decorate it however you wish. Just let me know what you want changed and I’ll make sure it’s done. Once you get settled, I’ll help you with the history of the races. It’s going to be a lot to learn but if it helps in knowing a part of who you are, then that is all that matters, yes?” His voice was low as he regarded me.

I assumed he was waiting on my reaction to going to his home and learning things that I didn’t quite understand. I felt a bit of fear about being in a place full of vampires but if it was what I was meant to do, then so be it.

I was still shaken with how things happened with the vampire that dared to touch Sister Marjie and I knew I was wreaking of fear and ash, but at this point I was too numb to feel anything. Once I was in a bed and able to relax for a moment it would hit me of what I could do. I killed someone tonight. I had, in terms, blood on my hands. I didn’t like the way that felt but I decided to deal with that emotion later.

I looked up into the sky and watched the stars twinkle. The wind picked up at that moment and ruffled my hair against my neck. But something else caught my attention, movement out of the corner of my eye. I had noticed earlier there had been a vampire standing on the wall and then the next moment it was gone. I frowned and looked fully in that direction. When King Warrick noticed me looking in the direction he followed suit and sniffed.

His low growl vibrated through my small frame as I stood near him. “What is it, King Warrick?” I looked up at him with a frown.

“Wolves, we need to leave.” He glanced at Sister Marjie just as the other two Sisters came out with my belongings.

It was only one small duffel bag filled with some clothes and toiletries along with my few gifts I had received on my birthday. I quickly took the bag and gave them a hug before giving another hug to Sister Marjie.

“I’ll see you soon.” I whispered in her ear before pulling away. “Get inside and shut the door. Please be careful.” I turned and walked up to King Warrick when he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled my body against his hard frame. I let out a soft gasp in surprise. I’d never touched a male before, let alone in this close proximity. I felt more than heard him chuckle at my response and we took to the skies. Yes, we were flying. And dare I say that I was kind of afraid of heights and accidentally clung to King Warrick out of fear of falling.

He pulled me closer and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “I won’t let you fall. I’ve got you.”

I didn’t relax because I knew without a doubt that there was more meaning behind those words than what he promised.