A shadow loomed behind him.

“What’s that?”

Raziel, who was hunched over the dinner table, quickly covered his homework with his arms. “I’m not in the mood, Kindred.”

A chair scraped against the floor and his cousin sat next to him. After storming out of the church yesterday, Kindred hadn’t spoken a word to him. She had spent the rest of the day locked in her room.

She took the papers. Raziel sighed but didn’t stop her. “Math is my worst subject. I wasn’t in class when they taught fractions, so -”

“You got them all right,” she said.

“Huh?”

Kindred repeated herself.

“But I was just guessing. Are you sure?”

“Math is my best subject,” she said with a scoff. “Perhaps it runs in the family.”

While his cousin wasn’t in the habit of apologizing, neither was she in the habit of dealing out compliments. Turning his torso in her direction, Raziel inspected her with slightly narrowed eyes. Her black braid had been untangled and now tumbled like a waterfall over her shoulder. The black paint smudged around her eyes caused the pale green of her irises to appear paler, almost eerie in shade.

She wore one of his mother’s dresses. A cream slip with no embellishments. The color complimented Kindred’s skin very nicely.

It was a simple dress but she looked ethereal in it.

Kindred pressed her teeth into her bottom lip. “It’s too late to change into something else. If you think its hideous, then keep your mouth shut.”

“It’ll work,” said Raziel quietly, turning back to face the table. “Whoever you’re trying to impress will definitely be impressed.”

She gave him that smile - that small, soft smile. At fifteen years old, his cousin always seemed so much older than him. But when she smiled like that, her features softened and she suddenly didn’t seem so unreachable.

“After this party, I’m leaving. I’ve already packed my things and told Uncle Ferrin and Auntie Isara.”

“Why?”

Kindred pulled up her legs and hugged her knees. “Because if you have a dream, then you have to chase it. That’s what life is for. Otherwise, you’re just a coward, and that’s worse than death. What I’m doing right now… I’m just wasting time.”

Raziel furrowed his brows. “I don’t understand. What can you do at your parents house that you can’t do here?”

She barked out a laugh and then pinched his cheek. “No, silly. I’m not going back home. I’m leaving.”

He glanced up at her slowly. “You’re… leaving Bramblebog?”

“I wanna explore the world.” Kindred tilted her head back, and hugged her knees tighter. “I wanna go to every town where nobody can tell me what to do, or who to be. I wanna go to a magic school - I wanna go to every magic school. My aptitude is pretty good, they might accept me. I need to know what I’m truly capable of. Right now, I'm not trying, and I hate myself for it.”

Raziel dry-swallowed. Something did run in their family, and it certainly wasn’t being good at math. He recognized the feverish look in her eyes. The flames which threatened to devour him whole also existed in her. They were eating her now.

“Then go,” he said quietly.

If she left, Raziel would probably never see his cousin again.

But how could he argue with her when he wanted to do something similar? If he’d had a class already, he might’ve asked to join her. However, in his current state, he’d only slow her down. What magic school would accept an unawakened like him? Someone who couldn’t even access their own mana, or use cards yet?

That was right. He’d replayed Kindred’s explanation of how cards worked in his head several times over. If what she said was true, then he couldn’t use the [Level 1 - Galefury Jackalope] Beast Card until his soul awakened. While inconvenient, hopefully he wouldn’t have to wait long. Unfortunately, even a short wait would be too late.

Kindred was leaving in a few hours.

It felt surreal.

“I realized it yesterday,” she explained. “My worst fear is dying without ever chasing my dreams. Living in Bramblebog feels like dying.”

Raziel smiled solemnly. “What about the dragon egg hidden in the village? Don’t you want to find it?”

She patted his head fondly. “Maybe you can, Raz.”

The air between them was quiet and contemplative. For most of Raziel’s life, Kindred was only someone he’d heard stories about. She was his popular, beautiful cousin who lived in the inner village, and was part of the True Families circle. Whenever they crossed paths, she ignored him. It was only over these past few days that Kindred had taken notice of him, treating him like he was more than an annoying pest.

He’d killed a beast. He’d grown up.

And, in a way, she had too. That was why she was leaving Bramblebog.

When Isara Ravenbone [Maid] came down the stairs, they were still sitting in silence at the dining table. Raziel’s mother crossed her arms. “Since when did the two of you become so buddy-buddy? I hope you both aren’t hatching an evil plot.”

Isara joined them at the table with her sewing. Isara Ravenbone was one of the most beautiful women in Bramblebog, slender and graceful as a ship’s bow. Raziel favored her stature and coloring - the wavy, dark brown hair, and high cheekbones. No one had features like her in the village because she wasn’t originally from Bramblebog. Everyone seemed to know this fact except Raziel, who’d only learned about his mother’s past last year.

“Tell me what it’s like in Murkvale,” said Kindred eagerly. “I want to visit.”

“It’s colder,” said Raziel’s mother after some thought. “At night, the air freezes your breath. It looks like a white cloud coming out of your mouth. It rains so much there too, but it falls as bits of ice.”

“That sounds way more interesting than Bramblebog. There’s nothing to do in Bramblebog.”

Isara gave her a helpless look. “There’s nothing to do in Murkvale either. That’s why I stayed here.”

Murkvale, however, didn’t shy from alchemy, which meant it was still more interesting than Bramblebog.

Fifteen years ago Isara received a terrible injury to her soul, leaving her unable to access her mana. Since she could no longer tend to the magical herbs her family was known for, she decided to learn how to sail. As the story went, Raziel’s mother got horribly lost, ending up in Bramblebog. She soon met Ferrin Ravenbone, fell in love, and never looked back.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Raziel asked, “What’s sailing like?”

“Dangerous.” Sighing, Isara set down her threaded needle. “The sea tries to buck you off of it. The troughs between the waves build on each other, causing the seventh wave to be much larger than the others. Knowing that is one thing, but stopping yourself from capsizing because of it is another.”

Kindred perked up. “How much did your boat cost? I have some birthday money from last year - think it’ll be enough?”

“I paid thirty marks for my boat.”

The clock ticked slowly.

Isara played with the wedding ring around her finger. “Kindred, are you meeting your parents at Wealcroft Manor, or are they coming here to pick you up?”

“I’m going there. I know you don’t want my parents anywhere near your house.” Kindred laughed, and Raziel smiled behind his hand at his mother’s look of mortification. Everyone knew Auntie Mielle and Uncle Callum were a handful - after all, Kindred had to have learned her behaviors from somewhere.

Isara elbowed her son. “You know, if you start getting along with little Olster, the Wealcrofts might invite you to their parties too.”

Raziel grimaced. Now that was never going to happen.

//

“You aren’t lying? You really think I look nice?” asked Kindred, lingering at the door. Isara Ravenbone had left the two alone to put away her sewing.

“Yeah.”

She nodded.

“Kindred… are you really leaving tonight?”

“I’ll be gone before you wake up. Before anyone wakes up. Aunt Isara and Uncle Ferrin might accept my decision, but my parents on the other hand…” Kindred shrugged. “They think their dreams are more important than mine.”

Raziel looked at his feet. “I guess you’ll travel along the coast and go around the Dark Forest?”

“Yeah. There will be other villages by the sea,” Kindred smiled at him. “So long, Raz. It’s been fun.”

When she turned to leave, Raziel grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“What - “

He slipped the [Level 1 - Galefury Jackalope] Beast Card into her palm. Kindred looked up at him, bewildered. “You..?”

“Like I said, killing beasts is a piece of cake for me.” Raziel smiled encouragingly at her. “I’ll find more. You shouldn’t wander around the world without any cards. It isn’t safe - ”

With a sob, Kindred grabbed him around the head and pulled him into her, hugging him so tightly that he couldn’t finish his sentence even if he wanted to. Shudders traveled through her spine. Her reaction caused something to break inside Raziel - emotions welled in his heart like a giant wave threatening to spill over. He could only clutch her back. “What the hell, Raz? What’s the matter with you? Why would you give me something like this?”

“One day, I’ll find you, and you can give it back, okay?”

She kissed him on the cheek, eyes watery. “I swear it.”

When Kindred finally left, both Raziel and his mother watched her go. Isara ruffled his hair sympathetically. She gave him a small treat of candied mackerel then left to find Raziel’s father, who had spent the entire day organizing their cellar.

Raziel glanced up at the house on the hill. Wealcroft Manor. Everyone in Bramblebog could see it.

Feeling empty and restless, he decided to take a walk around the area. The sun had turned a bright crimson on the horizon, and a cool breeze stirred the leaves. Raziel put his hand out, admiring the golden glow around his fingers.

He didn’t regret giving Kindred the Beast Card.

It was strange - only a few days ago, he desperately wanted nothing more than to command the [Galefury Jackalope]’s power. As a [Hunter], the Beast Card would’ve been an invaluable asset. Maybe his father was wrong. Maybe he could’ve bribed the Wealcrofts into breaking his mother’s servitude contract.

Still, he didn’t regret it.

He let out a quiet snort. No one ever accused him of being smart.

As the sky darkened, he found himself in front of the Ravenbone shed.

The shed was creepy. It felt heavy - like it wouldn’t move an inch in a terrible storm. Raziel just couldn’t figure out why it unsettled him, so he ignored it. The shed was an old, dusty relic from the past, and nothing happened to him the dozens of times he’d gone inside. Nothing was stored in it except for garbage and a chair with chains draped around it.

Raziel sat underneath the broken window facing the Wealcroft Manor, peering through a yellowed pane of glass. The cadence of voices was unhurried and cut with polite laughter. He mentally jeered at them all, making fun of their fine clothes and bogpearl jewelry.

The novelty quickly wore off, and before he knew it, Raziel slumbered off.

Whispering threw Raziel from his sleep. Frantically, he searched around as dread curled in his stomach. The noise was coming from outside. Raziel pressed his back to the wall and strained his ears until the faint murmurs became fully-formed words.

“Are you guys serious? That’s hardly a dare,” Kindred scoffed. “I’ve been in this shed plenty and there’s nothing scary about it.”

Raziel blinked. He knew with certainty Kindred was terrified of the shed. Too many spiders, she’d said.

“What? Really?” another voice said. It was male and sounded a few years older than Kindred. Huck Bastion, perhaps.

“She is part Ravenbone,” someone said thoughtfully. “Might have a True Family name, but underneath it’s outskirter blood.”

“I thought the True Families were all brave.” Raziel heard the sneer in Kindred’s voice. “Is a stupid shed all you’ve got? Come on, give me a real dare. I’m a Ravenbone, remember? Or are you saying that an ‘outskirter’ like me has more guts than all of you combined?”

The group of boys jeered at each other. Apparently, most of them had failed this dare. A fifteen year old girl was showing them all up and it was a knock to their pride as men. A few insults were thrown around but soon they began discussing a game which involved shoving each other into a muddy ravine.

“Hang on,” said a nasal voice, younger than the rest. Raziel’s eyes widened and he unconsciously leaned forward. Olster Wealcroft! “Let’s give her the dare for older kids. It puts the other dares to shame.”

Huck Bastion - the leader - chuckled. “Right! Since you’re part Ravenbone, Kindred, you aren’t afraid of the Dark Forest, right?”

“Of course not!”

“Then we dare you to carve your name into the White Pillar,” said Huck smugly. “It’s a few miles into the Dark Forest. Rumor has it that kids have gotten lost trying to find it, and they’ve never been found.”

In the Dark Forest the leaves started turning black within half a mile.

“A pillar can’t be that hard to find,” she said. “Besides, the Dark Forest isn’t as dangerous as everyone thinks it is. My baby cousin killed a beast and brought it home recently. The people of Bramblebog just don’t have any guts.”

Raziel’s mouth gaped at what he was hearing. Had she… had she really believed him when he said killing the beast had been a piece of cake?

No! The Dark Forest was extremely dangerous!

“Take this.” The distinctive ‘snick’ of a pocket knife unfolding echoed. “For carving your name. If you find the White Pillar, you’ll notice all the names on there are True Family names. Take note.”

“Outskirters don’t make it,” piped up Olster Wealcroft.

“Carve your name into the pillar, and we’ll acknowledge you as a true Holt.”

“I will find it,” said Kindred fiercely. “And I’ll be carving the name Ravenbone.”

With that, Raziel heard his cousin stalk off from the group. Huck Bastion said the White Pillar was a few miles deep. Raziel never went that far in - no one ever went that far in.

“I hope she doesn’t come back,” said Olster. “I’m tired of pretending to be her friend.”

“Yeah, she’s not one of us! Even if she does the dare, I still won’t accept her into our group.”

“No one will believe her anyway.”

The boys laughed raucously.

Raziel crawled out of the shed so the boys in the distance couldn’t see him, and he chased after his cousin.

Kindred’s hurried steps left clear markings in the earth. Although she was encumbered by her dress, she seemed to be sprinting. Her footsteps made circular patterns, as though she’d been frantically searching her surroundings. Raziel slowed as the leaves went from greens to fully blackened. A sickly sweetness hung in the air. He was well into the Dark Forest now.

Oddly, as she went deeper into the forest and the ground got muddier, the tread of her steps got lighter.

Raziel wanted to call out her name, but hesitated as he took in the heavy silence of the twilit forest. Breaking that silence seemed wrong. Like he was disturbing something he should leave alone. Even with the thick of trees blocking his path, if he shouted, he felt as though the sound would echo for miles.

He didn’t know how to slow her down. Her steps had gotten harder to track and if she went any further in, he would lose her. It was like the forest floor was erasing her existence from the world.

“Kindred,” he whispered after a moment. And then felt quite stupid, as though that would ever work.

A piercing scream sounded through the Dark Forest. It was high-pitched and completely terrified.

Kindred.

His heart thudded in his chest - her screams came sharply from the right. Raziel blindly began running towards the scream. He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. He just needed to get to Kindred.

“Kindred!” He called back as he rushed into a clearing. “Kindred, are you hurt?”

Kindred [Student] stood in the center of the clearing, a coy smile painted on her face. Raziel knew that smile well. She wore it when his mother sneaked them a piece of candy before dinner and when she got away with copying her friend’s homework. It was a smile that was meant to be shared, like there was a secret or a hidden joke, and she reveled in taking part in it.

The smile was strange on her face. Off-center. Sharp.

“You screamed,” was all Raziel said.

“Sorry for worrying you. I tripped.” There was a wide swath of disturbed dirt around her. Kindred’s smile grew wider. “Raziel, let's go back to your home.”

Raziel took a step back.

There were two trails of footsteps, side-by-side, behind Kindred [Stu/dent].

“Kindred?” he said quietly, voice full of fear.

“Raziel, I don’t want to be here anymore. I’m scared.”

He turned to run but tripped over his feet. His vision went black and he felt a terrible pain, like claws had grabbed into his intestines. The last thing he saw was Kindred descending upon him, a crazed expression on her face.

In the distance, a crow called out.

/

In the dull light of the full moon, Raziel coughed awake on the dusty floor of the Ravenbone shed.