The Story of Dark Raven: The First Book in The Dark Raven Trilogy

By Kia Bryan

The division between The Dark and The Light had been forged by time until she was born with the power to reunite them.

By name, Raven Claudius is a daughter of the Valmors, a wealthy clan of superhuman families who live in secrecy across the United States. But by blood, she is a descendent of The Light, a segment of the original clan that had long-past separated in disgrace. Despite the cautiousness of her stepfather and the strict upbringing of her mother, the threat of Raven’s identity being exposed continuously looms as her rare ability connects her to The Light.

As she comes of age, the clan’s domineering and elitist culture becomes staggeringly apparent and she is forced to leave her personal desires behind to fulfill the duties expected of a Valmor woman. However, when she encounters a stranger who claims to share a close bond with her biological father, she is tempted to divert from the life that was planned for her to learn about the family her beloved clan had disowned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kia Bryan
• Release date: Jun 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310522413

Book preview

Prologue

Two centuries ago, an oppressed people were gifted a new chance at life. Having realized their newfound freedom and unbridled power, they sprang forth into the world as if a neglected sapling finally given nourishment. To seal their bond, they renamed themselves the Corris. Although the Corris flourished through determination, loyalty and tradition, a disagreement concerning moral and personal responsibility undermined their connection. Unable to resolve years of conflict, the Corris divided into separate clans, Valmor and Wilam.

Turned away in disgrace and mockingly titled The Light, the Wilams shrank into a quiet existence and found contentment in obscurity, but the Valmors, infatuated with the pleasures of success and wealth, continued their ascendance into power. At the approach of the technological era, a strange time when privacy was quickly turning into a privilege, they grew weary of detection. To maintain their secrecy, they resolved to exert their will through corporate and financial influence; however, they ensured that their family’s true power was preserved through the generations.

The Wilams and the Valmors remained separated for many decades until a young man and woman disregarded the archaic arrangement. The lovers remained undiscovered until the forbidden coupling produced a child who inherited the divergent abilities of the opposing clans. Although the child was raised as a Valmor descendent, she possessed an undeniable connection to the Wilams that fated her to struggle between the contrasting lines of The Dark and The Light.

Chapter 1

Lorn Claudius squinted at the commercial artwork along the walls of the hospital room as he wiped the lenses of his wire-framed glasses. The sound of his wife’s heavy, patterned breathing blended into the background with the incessant ticking of the wall clock. She groaned every few minutes and changed positions in bed until she was comfortable again—this time she found contentment with a pillow stuffed beneath her arched back.

Lorn, can you bring me a glass of water? Dahlia asked, dabbing her forehead with a damp towel.

Sure. He walked over to the miniature kitchen and turned the faucet on. After he dipped his finger into the stream of water to check the temperature, he filled one of the glasses and brought it over to her.

Thank you, she said.

You’re welcome.

Dahlia took the glass and reached for Lorn’s hand, but he abruptly turned away and walked back to the other side of the room.

Mitchell said it’ll only be a few hours now, Dahlia said, trying to conceal her disappointment. Early morning at the latest.

I know, Dahlia, he said as he looked out of the window at the picturesque landscape. The fishing boats that were tied to the dock below swayed in the gray water of the Chesapeake Bay.

You promised you would accept it as your own.

He sighed. You don’t have to remind me of my own promises.

Is this how you’re going to treat me then? she asked, looking sorrowfully at the water droplets that formed at the bottom of her empty glass. Even after it’s born?

He almost turned to look at her, but forced himself not to. Don’t do that, Dahlia. Don’t treat me as if I’m the guilty one here.

I’m not.

But you talk about this as if it’s supposed to be easy. It’s taken everything I have in me to remember that I love you.

She put the glass on the table next to the bed and sat up uncomfortably. So you do hate me?

He shook his head, frustrated. That’s not what I said.

If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have to remember to love me. She dabbed her eyes with the towel. It was your idea to keep it. If you had wished otherwise, I would have done what you asked of me.

He turned around quickly and glared at her. If you don’t want me to hate you, don’t mention that ever again.

I’m sorry. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. And I know that this isn’t easy for you.

He sighed and found another object to focus on outside. A hungry seagull pecked at a small pile of trash and flew away with a potato chip bag in its beak.

After all this time, I finally realized why my parents didn’t approve of our marriage, he said.

Don’t bring that up again, she said, troubled by the subject. I’m already aware of what your parents think of me.

After we announced our engagement, they advised me to reconsider, he continued solemnly, disregarding her appeal. They thought you were too young and immature to be a suitable partner for me, but I chose to ignore them because I wanted you. They warned me that when the consequences of my stubbornness reared their ugly heads, I would be obligated to accept them, and I did willingly without shame or regret. But with all of your faults, I never thought you would have betrayed me like this.

Lorn, please, she said, attempting to placate him.

We haven’t communicated with those people for decades, but for a reason only you could fathom, you had an affair with one of them. I thought about sending you away and leaving you desolate without our family name or the money attached to it. I could have embarrassed you in front of everyone and they would have turned their backs on you without hesitation.

I know, Lorn, she pleaded. It was within your rights to do so.

But I didn’t, despite everything you’ve done to me. I’ve acted against all sense of logic just to keep you, and yet you still lecture me on what love is supposed to be.

Please stop, she said, shaking her head. I don’t think I can take any more anger.

She groaned as she attempted to readjust her girth and he instinctively hurried to her bedside. He supported her as she lie back down on the bed, his anger quickly dissipating.

Take it easy, he said. You’re exhausting yourself.

After she settled again, she grabbed the sleeve of his leather jacket and pulled on it until he was compelled to sit beside her on the bed.

I’ll never let you down again, Lorn, she whispered as she buried her face into his chest. Just please don’t send me away.

One of Dahlia’s attending nurses knocked on the door and stepped into the room.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, the nurse said. I can come back later.

No, do as you intended, Lorn told the nurse as he stood up. He tried to move away from the bed, but Dahlia held onto his hand and pressed it to her cheek. Have Mitchell call me when it’s time.

You’re not going to stay with me, Lorn? Dahlia asked, yearningly staring up at him.

Not now, but I’ll be back soon, he told her. He clenched his jaw and glanced at her swollen belly. For the both of you.

Thank you, she said and kissed his hand before releasing him. After smiling, with both gratitude and relief, she sleepily laid her head back down on the pillow and closed her eyes.

Lorn left the room and headed to the private parking lot located at the back of the hospital. Distractedly staring at the tile floor as he walked, he bumped into an orderly who was pushing a bin of clean bed sheets and lab coats.

The orderly glared at him in annoyance, but stopped himself from grumbling when he recognized the man hurrying past.

Good afternoon, Mr. Claudius, the orderly said.

Lorn quickly lifted his hand in acknowledgement and quickened his pace once he noticed the illuminated red sign that beamed EXIT. He pushed through the swinging doors that led to the parking lot and walked to his car, which was parked in one of the spaces furthest away.

He took his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the car door, but instead of getting inside, he aimlessly paced on the sidewalk as if he was uncertain of what to do next. After a few seconds, he stopped and braced himself against the brick wall with his hands spread out above his head. The mortar between the bricks slowly crumbled against his palms as he pressed his weight into the hard surface.

Finally ending the calm demeanor he had forced himself to maintain in front of his wife, he let out a distressed groan and punched his fist into the wall. Shards of brick flew into the air from the impact, hitting his face and jacket. He flexed his uninjured hand and repeatedly hit the wall as he blinked away the tears that were beginning to blur his vision.

When his short moment of rage subsided, he put his hand over his heaving chest, closed his eyes and purposefully slowed his breathing to calm his rapidly beating heart. As the cloud of dust settled around him, he opened his eyes again and stared regretfully at the jagged, superficial crack that he had created along the wall.

-oOo-

Very early the next morning, Lorn and Hayden, Lorn and Dahlia’s three-year-old son, sat in the waiting area outside of the delivery room. Hayden drank from a juice box as he flipped through a picture book; every now and then, he looked at the stuffed bear and flowers in the seat next to him.

Daddy, whose bear is that? Hayden asked.

Jolted from his nap, Lorn groaned and wiped his eyes. What, Son?

Who does this bear belong to? Hayden asked again.

It’s a gift from your aunt for the baby.

Hayden picked it up and squeezed its cotton-filled head. Can I have it?

No, I just told you it’s for the baby.

Hayden flipped the bear over and inspected it, frowning the whole time. I don’t like you, he whispered in its stuffed ear.

To his dismay, the bear continued to smile back at him with its red-stitched mouth and swirly dimples. After glancing at his father to make sure he was not being watched, Hayden deliberately scratched the bear’s black-button eyes with his fingernails.

Moments later, Rachel, Dahlia’s delivery nurse, stepped out into the waiting area. Mr. Claudius, your wife is ready for visitation now, she said to Lorn, smiling warmly.

Thank you, Rachel, Lorn answered and stretched his back.

Hi there, Rachel said to Hayden as she bent down to speak to him. Are you ready to meet your new brother or sister?

Hayden closed his book and uncaringly threw the bear back on the chair. No.

Rachel drew back, surprised by the child’s almost adult-like dismissal. He’s a serious little boy, she said to Lorn with a nervous chuckle.

Let’s go see your mother and the baby, Lorn said to Hayden as he grabbed his hand.

OK, Daddy. Hayden hopped down from the chair and walked with Lorn to the delivery room. He delayed the short journey by attempting to jump on every red-checkered tile that crossed his path.

Rachel quickly gathered the items they had left behind and followed them. Along the way, she admired the grinning bear and tried to rub away the dull scratches on its eyes.

When Lorn and Hayden entered the room, Dahlia was resting. A small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket was nestled in her arms.

Mommy, Hayden yelled as he ran to the side of the bed. He stood on his tiptoes to peek at her through the support bars.

Dahlia smiled at him and raised a finger to her lips. Your sister is sleeping.

A girl? Lorn asked, hesitant to approach the bed.

Yes, Dahlia said and unfolded the blanket from over the child. She eagerly glanced at Lorn to study his reaction. We have a baby girl.

A six-pound ball of energy, Rachel said, standing apart from the family. She was ready to join the rest of us.

Luckily, Rachel has quick reflexes, Dahlia said.

A girl, Lorn said under his breath as he slowly walked up to the bed.

He stared down at the newborn’s round face and delicately rubbed her cheek with his fingertip. When she twisted her plump lips at his touch, a softhearted grin formed on his face. Dahlia smiled after witnessing the change in Lorn’s demeanor, the same gentleness that washed over him when Hayden was born.

She’s beautiful, isn’t she? she asked him.

Beautiful like her mother, Lorn answered.

Dahlia flushed, having received the open affection that Lorn refused her for months. Soon after, a flash of worry crossed her face. But her eyes.

She’s not blind, is she? Lorn asked apprehensively.

No, but they are odd, to say the least. You have to see them for yourself. She gently rocked the sleeping child. Wake up for Daddy and your big brother.

The baby tensed her face in protest, but gradually awoke and looked around groggily with uncontrolled direction. Thin, bright white rings surrounded her pupils, disrupting the darkness of her brown eyes.

Mommy, let me see, Hayden said as he leaned in closer. When Dahlia turned to give Hayden a better view, the baby seemingly gave him a small, gummy grin, and he gave her a funny face in return.

What’s wrong with her? Lorn asked Rachel.

I’ll find Dr. Ryan, Rachel answered as she walked to the door. He’ll be able to explain further.

Don’t worry, Lorn, Dahlia said. She’s already been examined.

We have to be certain, considering… . He stopped speaking and looked down at Hayden. I just want to hear what Mitchell has to say.

Usually, important matters such as healthcare were contained within the clan, but when Dahlia explained the circumstances of her pregnancy, Lorn immediately sought an outside OB/GYN to care for her. Out of the many talented and ambitious doctors in the area, Dr. Mitchell Ryan stood out specifically because of his reclusive lifestyle. Under Lorn’s supervision, Dr. Ryan selected a team of nurses and medical practitioners whom they both deemed capable of handling confidential information. The generous salaries and prestige that came from working for wealthy clients predicated the team’s discretion, but the understanding that the Claudiuses were not a family to be trifled with assured it.

Dr. Ryan entered the room and immediately walked over to Lorn. Mr. Claudius, it’s a pleasure to see you again, he said.

Mitchell, Lorn said, briefly shaking his hand.

Your wife was a model patient, Dr. Ryan chatted as he headed to the other side of the bed. Her delivery was one of the smoothest I’ve had in months. Mrs. Claudius, if I may, I would like to show you something.

After Dahlia repositioned the now fully awakened baby, Dr. Ryan took a small flashlight out of his pocket and flashed the soft beam of light into the newborn’s eyes.

As you can see, the rings around the pupils respond accordingly to the stimulus of light, contracting and expanding with the irises, Dr. Ryan said. After the standard examinations, I performed some additional vision tests and they all confirmed that her eyes are completely normal and healthy.

How can they possibly be normal? Lorn asked.

I understand your concern, Mr. Claudius, Dr. Ryan answered, placing the flashlight back in his pocket. But, although her eyes have a peculiar discoloration, I see no signs of mutation or damage. I can assure you, from a physiological perspective, it is a harmless anomaly.

How strong is your certainty? Lorn asked.

Of course I’ll continue to monitor her development, but at the moment I can confidently say 95%.

I’ve never seen anything like it, Dahlia whispered to Lorn while Dr. Ryan scanned a document on a clipboard. Surely this would have been documented in the family archives.

I can speculate why it hasn’t, Lorn answered back in a hushed tone. When she winced and looked away, he quickly regretted his stinging words.

Dr. Ryan cleared his throat before he spoke, interrupting the awkward tension in the room. If you would like a second opinion, I can get one of my specialists here before lunch.

That won’t be necessary, Lorn told him. If we didn’t trust your expertise, we wouldn’t have you under contract. But, we may require the skills of your specialist later on.

He nodded. I’ll have him on standby.

While the adults spoke to each other, Hayden stared at the baby and absentmindedly tugged on the edge of the pink blanket. He repeatedly tilted his head from side to side as if the angle from which he examined her would determine if he liked her or not.

We need your help, Son, Lorn said to Hayden as he picked him up. The baby needs a name. What do you think would suit her?

Chantil, after your great-grandmother? Dahlia suggested.

Hayden frowned and shook his head.

Sianna, after your mother’s great-great-aunt, Lorn said.

Hayden thought about it for a moment and then shook his head again.

Oh for two, Dr. Ryan joked. After receiving piercing glares from Lorn and Dahlia, he hushed himself and started to flip through the papers on his clipboard. Rachel, we have a patient in room 302 to attend to. Let’s give the family a little space.

Right behind you, Dr. Ryan, Rachel said and followed him out of the room.

Raven, Dahlia said after they left. We should name her Raven.

After the Claudius crest, Lorn surmised. He stroked his chin as he thought about the significance of the gesture. What do you think, Hayden? Does the baby look like a Raven?

Hayden scrunched his face. She looks like a mud pie with hair.

We’ll just take that as a ‘Yes’, Dahlia said and strained a chuckle although she was nervous about Lorn’s response. And you, Lorn? Would you bestow that honor on our daughter?

Lorn paused before he answered and abruptly saw the uneasiness in Dahlia’s demeanor that until then he had read as fatigue. He exhaled and then nodded in reluctant agreement. Raven is a nice name for her.

Dahlia gave him an appreciative smile and his resolve weakened even more.

In that case, Emiliene should be her protector, he continued.

Your beloved great-aunt, Dahlia replied with surprise.

She would be flattered by the title, he said. She always wanted a girl of her own.

Dahlia looked down at the newborn and quietly spoke to herself. Raven Emiliene Claudius. It’s perfect.

For the next week, Dahlia and the baby remained in the private wing of the hospital. On the day of discharge, a talkative nursing aide attended Dahlia and pushed her wheelchair to the parking lot where Lorn was waiting.

Babies are such a blessing, the aide chatted. When I had my first, I would sit with him for hours just to smell him. Only babies have that sweet, milky scent.

Sure, Dahlia mumbled, rocking the covered baby in her arms.

I wanted another one, but my husband said four was already too many, the aide continued. I told him, ‘Howard, there is no such thing as too many babies.’ What do you think?

Dahlia drowned out the aide’s talk of babies and silently wished that she could maneuver the wheelchair herself—and end the hour-long conversation she had been coerced into by a person with whom she normally would not have been friendly.

When they reached the car, Lorn secured the newborn in the infant safety seat and then helped Dahlia. He held her hand as she slowly lifted herself out of the wheelchair and into the back seat.

Can I see your daughter’s darling face before you leave? the aide asked Dahlia, peaking inside of the car. I just adore their pudgy, little faces.

No, it’s chilly today, Dahlia answered brusquely as she spread the quilt Lorn had brought over her legs. She’s comfortable as she is, wrapped warmly in her blanket.

Sorry, the aide said, stunned by her sudden coldness. It was silly to ask. Do you need anything else?

We can handle everything from here on, Lorn said.

Have a good day, Mr. and Mrs. Claudius, the aide said formally and then folded the wheelchair before rolling it back to the hospital entrance.

How are you feeling? Lorn asked Dahlia.

Exhausted, Dahlia answered, rubbing her eyes. That pregnancy felt more like two years than nine months. All I want to do now is take a long bath and lie in my own bed.

The bed in your suite wasn’t comfortable? Lorn asked, rechecking the security belts on the infant safety seat before getting into the driver’s seat.

One can only expect so much with a boulder resting on their stomach. She reclined her seat and tried to relax, but found herself unable to rest. When everyone sees her, the first twenty questions will be about her eyes. It would be hard to overlook them.

Then we won’t let them see her, Lorn answered as he pulled on a pair of driving gloves.

How? By just brushing them off like I did with the aide just now?

We can tell them that her immune system is too weak for visits.

I don’t think that excuse would last very long, Lorn, if it works at all.

It will. Remember, I convinced them that we came to this hospital as a symbol of public camaraderie—something the Valmors largely undervalue and desperately need. They think we’ve done everyone a service, so believe me when I say we’ve given them no reason not to believe us. He turned around and looked at her. Will you trust me?

She smiled wearily. I always have.

He reached for her hand and caressed it with his thumb. I’m with you in this, Dahlia, all the way. I’ll make sure that no one finds out.

Chapter 2

After a quick grocery-shopping trip, Lorn turned onto the road that led up to the secluded Claudius estate, which was located at the edge of the city limits. At first glance, the unkempt entrance appeared as if it led to a dead-end, but after a few miles, the gravel path transformed into a stone-paved road lined with flowering trees and bushes. Past the entry gate, an iron statue of a raven loomed in the middle of a circular arrangement of boxwood bushes. Its beak was stretched wide in an eternal caw and its spread wings casted a shadow over the sphere it rested upon.

For months, Lorn had telecommuted to work from his personal office so he could stay home and help Dahlia. Not long after she was discharged from the hospital, she started to suffer from unpredictable bouts of depression. On bad days, she would lock herself in the master bedroom and cry herself to sleep. On worse days, she would completely shut down into a comatose-like state and Lorn would have to take care of her and the children. Although a therapist visited her weekly, her progress continually wavered.

While Lorn was putting the groceries away, he heard a muffled whimper over the baby monitor that was sitting on the kitchen counter. When he went up to the nursery, Dahlia was sitting on the windowsill seat with a box of tissues in her hand. The faraway expression on her face suggested she was on the verge of having one of her bad days.

Is everything all right? Lorn asked. He walked over to the crib and saw the baby gumming a teething ring. I heard a strange noise over the monitor.

Dahlia looked at him with red, tired eyes. Are you supervising me now?

No, I just wanted to check on you.

She sighed and gave him a tired smirk. There’s that look again. I’m not neglecting her if that’s what you’re implying.

I didn’t say you were, but, she does look like she might be hungry.

If she is, it’s not my fault. She threw a used tissue into the trash bin and plucked a fresh one out of the box to blow her nose. Most of the time she just lies there like a creepy little doll. It’s hard for me to tell what’s going on with her.

You shouldn’t say things like that, Dahlia, Lorn said.

She laughed mockingly and shook her head. The last time I tried to breast feed her, she pushed my nipple away and made this horrible noise like she was spitting me out. That description is very fitting for her. I’m so glad I don’t have to feel her tiny teeth biting into me anymore.

Lorn leaned into the crib to pick up the bubbly baby. What did your therapist tell you to do when you start to feel this way?

She doesn’t want me, Dahlia said, her tone of voice abruptly changing from repulsed to self-pitying. What kind of mother can I be if my own child doesn’t want me?

She does want you, Dahlia, Lorn said as reassuringly as he could. She needs you more than anyone.

Then I guess all of you are right: it’s just me.

It’s not you, he said with a sigh. You’re not yourself right now.

Do you think that, somehow, babies can sense their mothers’ contempt when they’re unwanted? Dahlia asked aloud, lost in her private world of despair. Maybe it sours the milk.

Dahlia, stop this, Lorn said, protectively holding the baby’s head to his chest. I will not listen to you talk about your own daughter this way.

Dahlia snapped out of her darkness and gasped with disbelief. Why did I say that? I didn’t mean to say that.

Of course, you didn’t, Lorn said sympathetically.

I just need a break from her, she blurted and hopped off the windowsill bench.

Lorn clenched his jaw

Reviews for The Story of Dark Raven

[mintedrose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent,unique and a well written story filled with intrigue and mystery, good versus evil. It’s a trilogy and I hope I get a chance to read the rest of the story.