Page 32 of White Raven (Nevermore Duet #2)

“Wren?” Rhaena called. Wren turned around and they locked eyes for a minute. “You look good. I’m glad to see you venturing out. Try to have a little fun tonight.”

“Thanks, Rhae-Rhae.”

“You look beautiful,” Athan said, side-eyeing her while he drove downtown. “I’m sorry I lost my shit in there.”

Did he test her patience when he tore Rhaena a new asshole, and acted like he was the one in control of her life?

Yes. Could she actually be pissed, or even remain so, when he only really slipped because he’d do anything to protect her?

No. And she wasn’t. Ever since Athan Kane had embraced the notion of allowing himself to fall in love, Sarah knew deep down that it was going to take a lot of adjusting after being alive for over two centuries.

Especially after being a prisoner to the Devil and living his life as a creature of the dark.

The reality, and the fierce way that he loved her meant everything.

She’d never fault him for lashing out…even if he had been a shit .

“It’s okay, Athan,” Sarah replied softly, sliding a hand to his knee. “But you really need to cut her some slack. I don’t know if you’ve noticed lately, but you’ve been kind of short-fused with Rhaena.”

He sighed, nodding, and gripping the steering wheel a little harder as he dropped his other hand over hers. “I know. And I have noticed.”

“Talk to me.”

It took a couple of long, silent seconds that felt more like an eternity, but he finally huffed again and flicked his hair over his brow.

“I’ve been struggling to get out of that detective head space since I took time off.

Especially since we found the bird on the doorstep.

Sarah, I really wanted nothing more than to try and enjoy just being alive.

Being in love …with you. It’s a concept that’s still new to me, yes, but…

of course…all this shit happened with John Allan trying to get our attention.

Then you lost control, and we have that hanging over our heads, which I should have prepared for…

but didn’t. I’m still beating myself up about that. ”

“That is not your fault,” Sarah interrupted, jerking her face toward him.

“It’s partly my fault. No matter how you wanna try to argue it. Aside from that, I guess I’m just short-fused in general, because all I truly want is to spend our eternity making you happy, and allowing myself the same for once in this fucked up life…and it feels damn near impossible.”

Fair point. But if the cost was hurting the ones they loved, it wasn’t worth a minute of that happiness. Sarah fidgeted with the silver ring on his thumb.

“You know just being with you in this fucked up life makes me happy, right?”

She could swear she felt him practically melt into the seat. She really was his undoing. Athan raised her hand to his mouth and tenderly kissed every one of her knuckles, never taking his eyes off the road. Nothing on this entire street seemed familiar, and she glanced around lowering her brows.

“Where in God’s name are you taking me?” she asked curiously.

His smile was…excited. Like a little kid being led into their first amusement park ride. “Three more minutes. Then you’ll know everything.”

“You’re being incredibly vague.”

“Yeah, well…isn’t that the whole idea of surprises?”

Sarah tightened her mouth. “I don’t like surprises as of late.”

“You’ll like this one.” He released her hand and took the wheel, turning left into an old, shoddy-looking storefront that was dimly lit, and ordinary as hell.

“That’s awfully fucking presumptuous,” Sarah snickered, scrunching her face at the sight of the place.

It wasn’t until she saw a yellow Beatle parked in the narrow alley next to the building that she promptly snapped her mouth shut.

Athan caught that movement, and slowed to a stop behind Wren’s car, grinning at her like he’d lost his damned mind. “What are you up to, Athan Kane?”

He didn’t answer, instead turning himself to reach into the back seat and grabbing the old ledger from the brothel before sliding out of the car and shutting the door. She waited as he came around to open hers and let him help her out. Wren popped out of the front of the shop a moment later.

“Okay, is this one of those sketchy places that does tarot readings in the back or some shit? Cause I’m officially uncomfortable in there, and it reeks of old people.”

“That’s rude. I’m the oldest person you know,” Athan smirked, lacing his fingers between hers as they walked towards Wren.

“What is going on?” Sarah asked, glancing between them, and feeling a mosh pit start in her stomach.

“Don’t ask me, dude. I was told to meet you guys here, and I know nothing. Scouts honor.” Wren buddied up three fingers and held them in the air.

“Just come with me.” Athan led them inside, and a little bell chimed above the door as they entered.

The shop smelled musty…like an old woodshed, with antique furniture and weird creepy dolls were everywhere.

It didn’t look very well kept, and Sarah understood why as a very old-looking woman emerged from behind a curtained-off hallway, her wrinkled eyes spotting Athan immediately, and a half-toothless grin crawling across her mouth.

“You get prettier every time I see you, boy.”

“So do you, my love.” That was a genuine smile on his face.

One that not many ever saw, and Sarah couldn’t help but share a confused look with Wren as he released her hand and walked towards the woman, surprising them both when he carefully leaned in to hug her.

She put both knobby hands on his face, kissing each cheek and patting one like he was her favorite grandchild.

Athan turned his body and gestured towards them. “I brought somebody to meet you.”

“Oh, my stars,” she gaped, raising cat-eye glasses on a long chain to her eyes. She fixed her stare on Sarah first, and then at Wren who backed away.

“Oh, not me. Her,” Wren shook her head, pointing at her with a thumb. Her attention fell back, making Sarah shrink under it, but the woman seemed anything but wary. There was a devotion in her eyes that bled pure happiness.

“She’s stunning, Athan. You look like you might as well have been sheared from the same cloth.” Her soft smile warmed Sarah, and when she looked back at him, the approval seemed like something he’d been waiting his whole life for.

“Sarah, this is Nell.” He pulled an arm around the old woman’s shoulders and walked her closer. “Nell, meet Sarah.”

Sarah stepped forward, extending her hand, and Nell took it. Her weathered hands were surprisingly soft and warm. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“Oh, the pleasure is mine, child. I’ve been waiting a long time to make your acquaintance.” Her thumb slid over the ring on Sarah’s left hand, and she returned her attention to Athan, who was positively beaming. “You asked her.”

“I did.”

I thought you said no one else knew?

Athan’s gaze slid back to her.

I said no one else knew about the ring. Once you see what’s behind that curtain, you’ll understand.

As bad as Sarah wished she wasn’t slightly creeped out, she was. And Wren, it seemed, felt exactly the same, or worse.

“You came here for other reasons, then?” Nell asked, waddling her body to turn and face him. "

“Got something that might tickle your fancy,” Athan smiled, teetering the old leather ledger.

“That sounds slightly disturbing,” Wren snorted, poking a wooden toy on the counter until it fell over, and slamming her arms behind her back in shame. “My bad.”

“What’s this?” Nell asked, taking the book and carefully opening it as she adjusted her glasses and brought it close to her face. The loose skin under her chin wobbled when she dropped her mouth open and gaped back up at him. “My land…how old is this?”’

“About three hundred,” Athan shrugged.

“I’m guessing I already know what you might want for this?” Her tone seemed playful, and Athan nonchalantly stuck his hands in his pockets. Her tired eyes shot over her shoulder and Sarah balked. “I see,” she smiled softly. “Come on back, dears.”

Sarah audibly swallowed as Athan stepped aside so she and Wren could follow the old woman down an unkempt dark hallway, and past a dusty purple curtain into—into a large, tidy circular room in the back of the building that was better lit, and housed a wall of bookshelves that were filled to capacity with old leather bound books, artwork that was carefully preserved, and trinkets that were cased in glass.

Scattered throughout the spaces between the shelves were display cases that were lit to showcase whatever treasures she had inside, and off to the sharp curve of the right wall was an inclined desk and a small cart with tons of chemicals and salves that were clearly used for restoration.

To the left was a wall portfolio with thick glass frames that held impossibly old parchment.

Nell waddled over to her desk, setting the book down and peeking through it while Athan’s touch to the back of her shoulders broke Sarah out of her trance. “Told you you’d love it.”

“This is incredible,” Sarah choked, “Is this…is this where you get all your old books?”

“Some of them, yeah. Nell and I have some of the most priceless collections in the world. Although, she’s got a way of getting her hands on way more than I could ever dream of.”

“It’s because of my striking good looks,” Nell snickered, not daring to look up from whatever page she was on. “Feel free to have a look around. I know what he’s after, but you might spot something that speaks to you.”

Wren didn’t waste any time. Her eyes spotted the artwork, and her body took her straight to it as if her soul recognized its counterpart.

“Holy…effing. This is—” She paused, stunned and pointing at a framed sketch on really old paper.

Her face shifted towards Nell, who finally looked up from Athan’s ledger to see what she was gawking at. “Tell me this isn’t George Burchett.”

“Very good. You know his work, then?”