A Silver Raven’s Tale
Michelin Empyrean, a rare white raven, has lived for centuries and he’s tired of loneliness. What makes life more burdensome is increasing responsibility and leadership of socially inclined corvid shifters. Preventing his kind, ravens, and especially crows, from robbing and menacing humans who remain unaware of their existence takes its toll. When one wayward creature’s thieving antics come to his attention, Mich decides to personally take the man to task.
Terrel Slade is a crow. Practically everything he owns is stolen. His stash of pretties, and the fact he’s never been caught, makes him proud as a peacock. As much as he admires that bird’s beauty, he believes his crow is sexier. Terre is no more than an omnivorous crow shifter with a penchant for shiny objects. A cunning bird, his existence is crammed with ways to irritate his archenemy, the raven.
That’s about to change.
When Michelin halts Terrel’s lifestyle, more than sparks fly—the whole damn forest might burn to the ground.
Snippet:
“Noah didn’t do this.” Ark Betenos’ exact reaction whenever discussions about the subject arose.
“You champion him still.”
“He didn’t do this, Michelin.”
“He started what his lord and master finished.” God made Michelin immortal and unacceptable. “I’ve been left by Him to handle the mess.”
“You made the mess, Michelin. I warned you not to alter them.” Ark, head held high, eyes absent fear, continued. “I was an accident; still, I’m proud of what we are.”
“Don’t make them or be proud they exist, Ark? Which is it?” Moot point as Mich had not transformed a raven for hundreds of years and those he had made were not strong enough to recreate what Michelin wrought. Luckily, this man was his friend. “You’re always too generous. As well as correct.” Mich tapped unremittingly on his desktop. “We used to debate surpassing Noah’s years when, in fact, it appears we may live forever. Doesn’t that disturb you? Aren’t you tired and lonely?”
“I’m not lonely.” Ark had found a mate and married her in human fashion. Macy was perfect for his second in command. “You wouldn’t be if you were kinder. Christ, Michelin, they live in fear of when and where you will strike next. Your name continues to be whispered to instill fear as soon as young understand their parent’s caw. That is no way to lead.”
“I preferred taking wing yet you scolded I spent too much time flying and menacing. I leave them alone. They’re free to be…”
“What, Michelin? Most ravens barely live two hundred years. Crows less by half. Not nearly long enough to make sense of their existence. You provide no knowledge or leadership. You allow their pretense at being birds when they are; hell’s sake, Michelin, we are men.”
“Perhaps you should lead them.”
“That is your place.”
“A throne I never wanted to sit upon yet at your urging I occupy the chair. Is it not enough I gave in?” Mich steepled fingers under his chin. “Why are you here, Ark?” Back and forth of age-old wrangling disgruntled Michelin.
“On my way south, I spied a crow leaving a church. He carried a silver chalice to a loft in the city.”
“And handling that kind of weight in his beak could only mean he is infected with our anomaly.” Crows were more malicious than ravens. Thievery was ingrained in their psyche and as men, they could cause a bigger stir than a rowdy conspiracy of ravens. “Luckily the mob doesn’t survive long enough to have a true leader.” He waved his hand to silence what he knew Ark would put forth. “I know, I know. I should lead us all.” Mich hoped like hell it wasn’t the same culprit who had been corralled on numerous occasions.
“It is. As a man, he’s likely to get caught. I fear an alert human will see him take wing and raise a cry.”
“God damn larcenous crow.”
“Short of caging him for a long period; there isn’t much else to be done. Frequent warnings go unheeded.”
Standing, Mich returned to stare through window panes. “Take your mate and head south.”
“Are you sure? I can delay…”
“According to you, it’s my responsibility to handle what I’ve blamed on Noah.” Had Michelin, as a raven, returned to the ark with news of dry land instead of steadfastly refusing to go back, might he have lived a normal raven’s life? The blood. Too late now. He briefly recalled eons ago landing on a branch in an olive tree and being viciously attacked by crows. Enough! Mich thought his fate of being caught between animal and human ceased being a hindrance. An outcast, a pariah to bird flocks worldwide. Noah only assisted.
The maker of all things cursed his raven.
God also seemed to have decided crows would be Michelin’s personal crown of thorns.
#darkfantasy #drama #enemiestolovers #gay #HEA #paranormal #religerotica #shifters #travel #violence
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