Goddess kindled, p.1
Goddess Kindled, page 1
Goddess Kindled
Ravens Night Saga
Book 1
Holly MacGregor
Triquetra Books
Copyright © 2023 by Holly MacGregor
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage, and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This story is fictional and intended for entertainment. All names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Designed by: The Author Buddy
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7381864-0-2
E Book: 978-1-7381864-1-9
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Glossary
About the Author
Also by: Holly MacGregor
Prologue
For the one to see the futures past,
Is thrice blessed to conquer lightfast.
Fire be true,
With leadership firm.
Changing destiny right.
Chapter One
Harlow looked on in a daze as the director spoke, not hearing a word he uttered. It was all she could do to keep herself upright. With the exhaustion of the past few days, and the full body numbness from the arctic wind blasting them. Turning to glance up at her son then her twin brother. She noticed they weren’t fairing much better than her. Their eyes stared unfocused ahead with hands shoved deeply into their jacket pockets. Her only advantage was that they both were taller. With them standing behind her, they provided some much needed shelter. Not just from the weather but the rest of those gathered. It was nice they came with her today, she needed the support.
They were burying her one, and only friend today. Cora Lewis was the sister she never had. The one person other than family of course that accepted her. The stubborn girl never wavered in her persistence to become friends. Always defending, and protecting Harlow when they were young. Teaching her how to stand up for herself. Just because she wasn’t like ‘them’ it didn’t matter.
Shivering from a chill running up her spine, she could feel the eyes of everyone else gathered staring at her. Looking around their small graveyard. She took note that no one was paying any attention to the director of the service. They were staring at her with either curiosity, suspicion, or disdain. Sucking in a shocking breath, Caden bent to whisper in her ear.
“Pay them no mind sister dear.”
Squeezing her shoulder in reassurance.
Cora had died only a few days ago. All she could remember was, she had been looking for something, and couldn’t find it. It must have been extremely important. Her friend had been severely panicked, and scared. Asking only that Harlow trusts her, while keeping this secret. She agreed reluctantly, only to ease the pain she saw in Cora in her distress. Wishing her friend trusted her enough to confide in her. Maybe they weren’t as close as she thought.
Now she wondered if she should have shared with Caden about Cora’s behavior. Could they have helped Cora. Or even have saved her? They would never know sadly. Shivering again from the cold this time she wrapped her arms around herself. What was she going to do now?
With an inward smile she thought back. It seemed as though Cora, and her had been friends forever. Even if she was Caden’s friend first from school, and the only other one outside of Caden who didn’t laugh at her. She believed she was just like everyone else. Having hair, check, even if hers was just a wild mass of crazy curly ginger ringlets. Everyone prided themselves in pointing out and teasing her. ‘Crazy ginger’ they called her for her lack of straight light or dark hair. Always said she lacked any intelligent thought because of it. Cora always teased that Harlow’s hair just had a life all its own, and everyone else was just jealous.
To prove everyone wrong, she had become the archivist within the compound's library vault. She was now fluent in many of the dead languages. A personal joy of hers. She loved the multitude of sounds each word made, not to mention all the different ways of expressing yourself. Often wondering why the ancestors had given up on them. Her ability to consume knowledge allowed her to hope that someday she might be normal. Maybe it could help them find a solution to saving their dying planet.
Her only other standout quality was she walked with a limp on her left leg. Being born into a world where doctors could fix, and heal anything. It was unusual that for some reason they didn't help her, by repairing the damage. Instead, they chose to believe the focus of those involved was so fixated on the fact of a twin birth, an event only written about in history books. Or the fact their mother had died giving birth to them. They forgot to go about the repair.
Having no family other than each other, they were taken to live within the main compound building under the Overseer’s supervision. Caden because either a boy or the oldest was singled out more so, and favored. Even though he too shared many of the same traits as she. From the color of their ginger hair, green eyes, and fair skin dotted with freckles. He was celebrated and favored while she sadly was not. Learning the hard way no one valued her. Only her twin, and then Cora had.
Shaking her head to rid herself of her wayward negative thoughts. To berate herself, she should be focusing on today’s events, not her misgivings. They were attending Cora’s burial, followed by the celebration of her life. An event so rare, she was being honored with a proper burial on the grounds. A task that required the set up of protection from the elements or lack thereof outside the compound.
Cora was being granted the privilege of resting with the ancestors for eternal sleep. Regardless of the fact she was cremated. She had her suspicions about why that was. It simply costs too many precious resources for cremation. Someone was hiding something. But who?
Soon they would all leave this sacred place, to the dust it had become, to safety, such as it was anyway. Focusing back on the director. Letting out a long breath, she swiped at her falling tears. God she was going to miss her. Bending to grab a handful of dirt, she straightened, tossing it onto the small box of cremated remains in the equally small hole. As was tradition, the final goodbye of a loved one.
Turning away, she took her time walking through the throng of gathered guests. Giving Caden, and Rowan room to repeat her movements. Making her way to the cemetery gate, she stood with her back to them, waiting. Refusing to look behind her.
Sighing in relief Rowan threaded his fingers through hers, and the comfort it brought.
“Come on Mom. Let's go celebrate Cora’s life. She’d want you too.”
Tugging on their joined hands. She allowed her son to lead the way. Like always they all walked at her pace, with one on either side of her. It was truly a blessing to have a twin, and a son as caring, and demonstrative as they were. She loved them so much and would do anything for them.
With the party in full swing, Harlow wasn’t in the mood to celebrate. It felt wrong somehow to her. Why celebrate life when Cora’s was cut so short? Fidgeting in her seat, and trying to straighten out her one, and only pretty dress, she began looking around the grand room at everyone in attendance. Noticing other than herself, and her family, only True Guard was present. All dressed in the finest clothes of their position or rank. Strange how no one else was from the community was present. She tilted her head to the side to study those gathered. She saw just how truly fake it all was. The illusion of a caring, and protective leader.
The gathering of the celebration of life was held within the grand ballroom. Housed in the Overseer’s estate. A room with huge ornate mirrors installed on all the walls. Adorned with gilded stucco moldings, and large crystal chandeliers. A room of sparkle, and shimmering light. It took your breath away every time you entered. It also allowed her to see perfectly around the room. To know that it was total crap. A show. Put on to simulate caring.
Not one person truly cared about Cora, only what they could get out of showing up here. Making their presence known in flamboyant displays of caring. Connecting with the uppers was more important. Always trying to get ahead. Well except for her, and her family. Slumping in her seat, she pondered, what did it matter anyway? Their ancestors had begun the destruction of the planet. It was very quickly fading away, with humanity in tow. All attempts to reverse the damage, and save it have failed thus far. Why bother going through all this facade, only for it to end soon?
Maybe this was what Cora had been working towards. Saving the planet or humanity. That would explain her odd, and protective behavior. Why else would she have died so young? Her death was labeled as suspicious with interviews to come of everyone close to her. Would point in that direction. These techniques however have not been used for centuries. Now you were either innocent or guilty on the spot. With The True Guard handing out a ruling on The Overseer’s behalf.
They thought Cora had some important information or something. Possibly sharing that relevant knowledge with those who knew her. Why else go to all this trouble? Her friend was caring, giving, and supportive. However, she was also private, and secretive. She did not open up, and share.
Thinking about this over, and over for the past few days. Harlow was beginning to believe that rather than a suspicious death. Cora was killed for information. Information she either didn’t know or wouldn’t share. Possibly even tortured for it. Why else had she been cremated? It was a practice they only allowed if the death was a result of a sickness. It just took up too many precious resources.
Harlow just knew when her interview time came up she would be holding her tongue. Even being interrogated she would never reveal what she knew or give up something they wanted. She was confident however that she didn’t have the information wanted. Her sister needed protecting, even in death.
The question of who was responsible had her gut feelings singing. Someone in this room was connected to or knew who had killed Cora, and for what. There was just a little matter, she had zero proof. Only her feelings, and suspicions. Which truly hurt her heart. Cora needed justice, dammit. Every time she thought about it, it just made her more angry.
Just like every other time her thought process went down this road, she found herself with her hand resting over her heart. Trying in vain to rub away the hurt of sadness, anger, and disbelief. It just wasn’t fair. The one person who valued her outside of blood was now gone forever.
Deciding, if she was going to get any answers, any at all, she would have to socialize with this crowd. The idea made her feel a little queasy. These were the people who teased and mocked still. Not on the daily but whenever they seemed to feel the need. Knowing they did it to bust themselves up was one thing. It simply just hurt, over time it had gotten a little easier to take.
Straightening her spine, and squaring her shoulders she glanced around again. Someone here had to know something. Even if they didn’t realize it. For her friend she decided she would do this. She would find her killer or at the very least whoever ordered her interrogation. Tossing her hair to the side, she stood straightening her dress again. With determination, she would get some answers for Cora.
Grabbing a drink from a nearby table she casually glanced around. Wondering where should she start? With as much grace as she could muster, she moved slowly. Trying her damnedest to blend in with the crowd. The less attention she garnered the better. Gathering as much information was the name of the game. What a game they all seemed to be playing too.
Using this room only reaffirmed her suspicions. The only grand room left of the old days. Too beautiful she guessed to not possess. Moving slowly along the edge of the room. She didn’t feel like weaving her way through people. Her subtle limp made it difficult to maneuver that way. She stopped when she could see how almost everyone was gathered.
Gathered into many groups slightly scattered apart. Laughing, and talking with drinks in their hands. Arms wrapped around each other or flailing about in a story recreation. It seemed they were all enjoying themselves. Squinting to look closer, trying to see if she could recognize individuals. A big challenge for her. Not being allowed to be educated among them like her twin had been. It was hard to remember who was who. Just then she saw him.
Caden was talking with his current love interest Sally, and her team. They were laughing at something one of them was saying. Most were bent over holding their stomachs. Everyone looked like they were having a grand old time. Sally however looked as if she had other ideas. She couldn’t keep her hands off Caden, like a cat in heat as she nibbled on his ear. Her brother didn’t seem to mind, he looked as though he rather enjoyed it. Scrunching her nose in disgust she shook her head. Yuck, Sally annoyed her. She behaved like a teenager most times. How she was a team leader for The True Guard she didn’t understand.
Caden’s team however was standing amongst Jasper and his team. They all seemed to have broken off into a few here or a few there. All looked to be discussing something deep. Their brows all furrowed with tense body postures. As if each were ready to pounce on the other. Strange the contrasting groups. Tilting her head in closer study while wondering.
Noticing then the three other True Guard groups, and their leaders weren’t present today. Odd, they were likely off on a mission somewhere. One very secret, and confidential. At least that’s what was always said. So who really knew the truth. They could be the very ones she was looking for, for information. Would make sense then that they were not here. If that was the case then, what hope did she have? Her mission ended before it could really begin.
Deciding instead, she made her way towards Caden. Even though she wanted to find some answers she needed her twins' support. She knew he didn’t believe the reasons announced by the Overseer either. Being a member of The True Guard meant he had to hold his tongue. Maybe they could help each other to find answers. Like she thought before, perhaps someone had knowledge of something, and didn't realize it. If she could just muser up the courage to talk with people, she might get some information.
The next morning Harlow was rubbing her eyes tiredly while making coffee. She was frustrated. Last night, the celebration life hadn’t really revealed any information. Well not anything she didn’t already know or suspect. People were only there because they had to be. The fact that the better food, and drink were being served was the side benefit. The likely factor in swaying the dictated attendance presence of the True Guard at the party. This being the only information learned last night was as they left.
Also odd was the absence of the Overseer. He only appeared at the service held before burial, and the departure to the graveyard. Sharing his condolences while also announcing interviews would begin the following week. As they looked into the suspicious death of a valued compound member.
Yawning she grabbed the ties of her robe, tying them firmly around her waist. She couldn’t shake the chill from the graveyard yesterday. Her bones still felt like ice from that arctic wind. Shaking in a shiver she rubbed her arms to get more blood flowing. Anything to warm up a bit before her coffee. Her one vice. The only one she shared with her twin, and her son. It seemed like a family trait to her. Smiling to herself she allowed a small giggle to escape at the thought of a family trait.
But who knew. Shrugging her shoulders remembering how she, and Caden were raised by a nanny. Never being told anything about their parents or extended family. If they even had any alive no one would say. Their only knowledge was their mother had died during childbirth. Given the health care techniques they had it was a bafflement to them, just like her limp while walking was.
Reaching into the cupboard she grabbed three mugs placing them beside the coffee machine. She decided long ago to stop asking questions regarding either issue. It never garnered answers, only trouble, and negative attention towards Harlow. So what was the point?
Yawning again she pulled a hair tie from her robe pocket attempting to secure her mass of wayward curls. With some success, she again thought back to last night. So much for finding anything out. Really frustrating too. Especially with most everyone drinking. Some tongues should have been telling some tales. But all she could hear were tales of old missions or childhood rememberings.
