The Wayward, the Raven King, and the Sorceress: the Unnaturals, #2

By Hargrove Perth

While Europe is enduring the Nazi invasion, and England exists on the verge of falling, Miss Crabtree and her students must face the greatest danger of their lives as they stand against those who wish to destroy their beloved homeland and use the Unnaturals for their own devices. With the Everlast close behind their every move, Fleur, Lucy, and the Loams set out toward Germany to destroy the Ahnenerbe before they can capture their friends and to stop the atrocities happening before their eyes. Will Fleur and Lucy survive and find their way home to Rivenwood or will the Ahnenerbe prevail? The fate of the world rests in the hands of a young group of brave misfits known as the Unnaturals...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hargrove Perth
• Release date: Jun 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386520320

Hargrove Perth

A perpetual night-owl and lover of all things paranormal related, Hargrove spends a great deal of time researching the larger than life characters of history to formulate characters unforgettable and strangely adored. She writes horror, dark romance, fantasy, and paranormal in the Adult, New Adult, and YA categories. When asked why paranormal, she said, "I'm the girl who cries at the end when Frankenstein is misunderstood, who wants Dracula to keep Mina in his arms forever... I see the humanity in them that others cannot." 2014 Author of the Year by Double Decker Books in Historical/Horror Dark Days Remy Broulette. DDBA 2015 Author of the Year YA Fantasy Miss Crabtree's School for Unnaturals, DDBA 2015 Nominee YA Fantasy Chronicle:Dark Sea Triad, and DDBA 2015 Author of the Year Horror (comedic) Coven Wives.

Book preview

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Miss Crabtree’s

School for Unnaturals

the Wayward, the Raven King

& the Sorceress

The Unnaturals Book Two

Hargrove Perth

COPYRIGHT 2016 MISS Crabtree’s School for Unnaturals, Book Two of the Unnatural Series, Hargrove Perth. All Rights Reserved.

No portion of this work may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without the explicit written consent of the author and the author's publisher. This work contains people who have been used in a fictionalized setting for the purpose of historical reference. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is used strictly for the embellishment of the story to lend creditable influence to the fictionalized work. The copyright laws of 1988, namely the Berne Convention Copyright Laws of 1988, and the Digital Millennium Copy Right Act of 1998, enacted by Congress protect this work from piracy and any transmission, trade, or sale through means electronic, printed, shared, or otherwise is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Cover art Design by Dark Water Arts Designs. Published by Stardust Paranormal at Celestial Waters Publishing.

Dedication

The Unnaturals Series is dedicated to my grandfathers, Ralph Everett Burson (Army Air Corps) and Samuel ‘Blackie’ Blackburn (753rd Railway Shop Operating Battalion – Italy, Morocco, North Africa), who served during WWII. You were heroes of the largest magnitude. You protected the freedom of this great country, and who like the many other men and women of their generation, did so selflessly. You are in my heart every day. I wish you were here...

To all the members of the Military of the United States of America, thank you for every act of courage you possess to keep this great nation safe.

For my nephews, Wyatt and Thomas, who didn’t have the privilege of knowing their great-grandfathers, but they were magical in every sense of the word.

With special thanks to Indie Editor Nancy for all of her help, suggestions, and critiques. You simply are the best.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Prelude

A Raven, a Princess, and a Royal Mirror

Snow was falling, when Fleur awoke and stretched the stiffness from her body from sleeping against the wall of the cave. She crept to the entrance of the cave and sat down alongside Lord Henry, who was watching the smoke in the distance. The School for Unnaturals still smoldered, her remains not willing to relinquish itself completely to the fire.

Do you think he is dead? Fleur asked unexpectedly. It would be difficult for anyone, Everlast or not, to survive that sort of explosion.

I would imagine it would depend on if he was inside the school when it exploded. I cannot say I have ever tried to blow myself to smithereens, so I do not have any firsthand knowledge on the matter. Lord Henry attempted to make light of the situation, to ease what he knew Fleur was carrying inside her, namely an immense amount of guilt over her choice to destroy the school. She didn’t even smile and barely acknowledged what Lord Henry said.

Fleur, you did what was best for all of us, he offered with warmth in his voice, meaning each word he said.

I know, she whispered. It’s just Miss Crabtree’s School was the first place where I ever felt normal, where I felt like I belonged to something far bigger than anything I had ever known in my life. Though our time there was small in comparison to the other Unnaturals she cares for, I can honestly say it was my home.

Let’s wake the others. We shan’t stay in one place for too long, Lord Henry said as he stood, then leaned down and kissed Fleur softly on the crown of her head. You should know Miss Crabtree cares for you very deeply, Fleur - more so than you can imagine.

Fleur smiled as she looked up at Lord Henry, knowing he would not lie to her. Let’s wake them and be on our way. I know how to get a message to Miss Crabtree before we leave. It is important I am the one who tells her what happened.

Once everyone was awake, they began their journey to London again. Mr. Churchill lived on Downy Glenn, at the far east end of London. Henry had been there countless times in his youth and knew the route like the back of his hand.

The amount of devastation was nearly unfathomable as the Unnaturals walked through the streets of London. Women pushed baby carriages, those who had chosen to remain behind despite Neville Chamberlain’s warning, through the debris littered streets.

Fleur wondered how many of the children that ran past them, as they walked, were now orphans with no one to look after them?

Her eyes scanned the buildings, as did the Loams, staring at entire facings that were missing as though someone had just come along and removed the outside of the buildings. The lives of complete strangers were on display for everyone to see, their living rooms, complete with sofas and chairs, just sat there, waiting for their owners to come home.

Do you think any of them were inside those buildings? Natalie asked, her voice quivering at the prospect the Mundanes may have died in the bombing.

I don’t believe so, Natalie. They more than likely went to the shelters, Lord Henry offered quickly.

Good, Natalie whispered as Fleur pulled her head onto her shoulder.

Just look straight ahead. We will be at Mr. Churchill’s house in no time at all.

Downey Glenn is just ahead, Lord Henry called out to the Unnaturals following behind him. They arrived at Mr. Churchill’s house to see a young woman standing on his porch, ministering aid to those who were injured in the bombings.

Henry, Winston shouted, raising his hand. What on earth are you doing here?

The school is gone. The Nazis came for the children in the night.

Heavens, is Miss Crabtree alright?

Quite safe, along with the children. Thank you for your concern. Lord Henry abruptly stopped speaking and bowed to the young woman, to which Lucy thought was incredibly odd.

Your Highness, he said and Lucy immediately dropped to one knee and lowered her head.

Princess Elizabeth motioned with her hand, dismissing Lord Henry’s comment. Today I am but an English woman, she whispered. Come inside. The children look hungry.

Lord Henry, Winston, and the Unnaturals followed Elizabeth into Mr. Churchill’s home.

I am afraid there isn’t much to offer, rations at best, but it is better than an empty stomach. I will put the water on for tea.

Lucy and Fleur offered to help in the kitchen, but Elizabeth politely refused.

Fleur walked to the kitchen, wringing her hands, as she stood behind the Princess.

Speak freely, child, you are among friends. War makes us all bedfellows.

I have a strange request but am not certain how to ask.

Just ask, I am sure it will not seem so strange once the words are spoken.

I must get word to our Headmistress, and to do this I have need of one of the Royal Ravens and a mirror from the Tower of London.

You’re a Spellbinder? Princess Elizabeth asked in amazement. I have heard of your kind but have not had the pleasure of meeting one in the flesh.

Fleur bowed. I am a Tinder, ma’am, who carries the gift of Spellbinding. I must get word to our Headmistress concerning our school. I believe she’s in greater danger than we imagined.

Wait here, she whispered. Winston, might you take Fleur and I to the Tower, I need her assistance with a personal matter.

Of course, Your Highness, Mr. Churchill immediately replied.

Winston joined Lord Henry, Asher, and Thad in the kitchen to discuss what would happen next.

I shall continue on to Italy with the children, to ensure they are safe and free from immediate danger. Thad and Asher, you will remain behind to assist Winston until my return.

Fleur slipped out the door with the Princess as Lord Henry continued to inform Mr. Churchill of his intentions.

Within ten minutes of her request, Fleur was riding alongside Mr. Churchill and Princess Elizabeth, navigating the war-torn streets of London carefully. As soon as they arrived at the Tower of London, two armed guards came to escort the Princess inside.

This is my dear friend, Fleur. She has come to help me secure a few things.

The guards nodded as Fleur and the Princess exited the car. Elizabeth quickly led her inside.

Do you require a special mirror or have one in mind?

No ma’am, it only needs to be one that has been here as long as the Ravens have called the Tower their home.

Anne’s mirror, we shall use Anne Boleyn’s mirror.

Princess Elizabeth offered Fleur her hand and led her into the deepest recesses of the Tower, to places only the Royal Family knew existed.

The history of the English people is hidden here, Fleur, if you could protect the Tower from attack in exchange for the use of Anne’s mirror, all of England would praise you.

I will do what I can, not for praise, though, ma’am, but because England is now my home.

Princess Elizabeth sent one of her guards to fetch Worthington, one of the more mature Ravens that inhabited the tower. When he returned with the bird, the Raven leapt onto Fleur’s shoulder and rested his head against her ear.

You know what you must do. Find Miss Crabtree and tell her what has happened. Fleur then extended her arm and the Raven leapt onto it. She whispered everything he needed to know into his little bird ears. Now, off through the mirror, mind you, no stopping on the way, and keep the use of Spellbinding to yourself. No one else need know what we have done.

Worthington nodded his head, flapped his wings, and disappeared into the mirror. Princess Elizabeth gasped at what she witnessed and knew this young woman and her friends would be the saviors of England. Will you use magic such as that to protect England?

I already have, ma’am. So long as the Ravens inhabit the Tower, England will never fall.

Miss Crabtree stood, looking out the window as the snow fell softly, remembering the day Elise left this world, and how she wondered how she would go on without her.

The words Elise said to her still lingered. Take care of them, love them, if only because no one else will.

She remembered those words like it was only yesterday, and how with her last dying breath, Elise Bennington passed the will of the Spellbinder onto her, and gave her the rites of Everlast.

Chandler wiped a tear from her eye as a massive Raven landed in the yard of the Rivenwood Estate, walked onto the porch, and tapped on the stained glass window alongside the door with his beak, and waited for his Mistress to arrive.

Chapter One

the Raven

W ell, hello, Miss Crabtree whispered, carefully opening the door leading to the rear of the estate, not wanting to wake her sleeping children. She pulled the collar of her coat forward, wrapping it around her neck in the brisk, early morning air. And who sent you to my childhood home?

Pruck, the Raven replied, dancing back and forth, flapping his wings, and looking toward the town of Riven. His black feathers were so perfect, so rich in color; they nearly shimmered like black diamonds as he danced about.

Did Daniel send you to me? she whispered.

The Raven shook his head no, and then pecked at the ground until two initials were visible.

F.D.... did Fleur send you to me?

Happy the headmistress had deciphered his message, the Raven danced about, strutting and prucking, leaping into the air. She hoped his behavior was a resounding yes but had no way to know if that was the case.

Well, now, perhaps we should take a walk and see Daniel. Would you like to come along?

Without any consideration, the Raven leapt on to her right shoulder, and pushed his head against her ear.

Well then, I must leave a note for the children. They will fret should they awake and discover me missing.

Miss Crabtree reached into her coat pocket to ensure the key to the estate was still safely tucked inside, before opening the door and entering the kitchen. She quickly penned a note to Claire, letting her know a quick journey to town was needed and not to worry, she would be home in no time.

Once in the crisp air of the morning, Miss Crabtree set to deciphering the Raven’s bird-speak.

Have you come to me from the school? she asked, and the bird shook his head no. Then from London, perhaps?

The Raven shook his head yes with vigor, nearly falling off his perch on Miss Crabtree’s shoulder. She carefully navigated the Rowan, Ash, and