Messenger

By Erika M Szabo

Lauren has everything she'd ever wished for. Great career, financial security, loving husband, and devoted friends.

When her Raven spirit guide warns her of impending danger, she takes the omen seriously, but she doesn't have enough time to perform the protection spell her grandmother taught her. Someone breaks into her office and after the brutal attack and the Raven's repeated warnings, she knows her life is in danger.

Who wants her dead and why?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Box Books Publishing
• Release date: Jan 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393775324

Erika M Szabo

Erika became an avid reader at a very early age, thanks to her dad who introduced her to many great books. Erika writes alternate history, romantic fantasy, magical realism novels as well as fun, educational, and bilingual books for children ages 4-12 about acceptance, friendship, family, and moral values such as accepting people with disabilities, dealing with bullies, and not judging others before getting to know them.

Book preview

Prologue

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Lauren had a happy childhood, but the tragedy of losing her parents and brother caused her to grow up too fast. She was eight years old on that stormy morning when the Raven appeared on her windowsill the first time. She was curious and stood up to take a closer look at the bird, but it quickly disappeared.

That night the Raven came back and pecked on her window. This time the black bird seemed menacing, ruffled its feathers, and let out a loud kraa sound. Its coal-black eyes reflected the light of the room, and it let out another eerie "kraa". Lauren was frightened and ran to her grandmother who was watching TV in the living room. Grandma, there’s a huge black bird pecking on my window, and it squawked at me. I’m scared! Lauren grabbed her grandma’s hand. Come, I’ll show you! she cried.

Her grandmother stood up and followed her.

There! See? Lauren pointed at the window.

I don’t see it, but you can. Don’t be scared, munchkin, her grandmother cooed gently and hugged her tight.

Why can’t you see it, Grandma?

Because it’s your spirit guide, only you can see it.

Do you have a spirit guide too that only you can see?

Yes. In our family, everyone has a Raven messenger.

But why? What does it want?

It warns you that something bad is about to happen that will change your life. The old woman sighed and hugged Lauren even tighter.

But this morning it didn’t scare me. Why is it so mean to me now?

You saw your Raven this morning? her grandmother questioned, feeling alarmed.

Yes, but it didn’t scare me then.

Goddess help us! I hope I’m not too late. She whispered reaching for Lauren’s hand. Let’s go munchkin, we’ll light some pretty candles.

Why, grandma? Lauren asked wide-eyed.

Because... it will keep everyone we love, safe.

Chapter 1

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Lauren met Luke when she did her surgical rotation in the Presbyterian Hospital. Luke was working for a law firm that handled medical negligence cases and questioned her about a surgery.

He was well-groomed, charming, handsome, and his friendly smile lit up the room. He made her feel at ease and there was an instant attraction between them. After a few dates, their relationship bloomed into a passionate romance and on Valentine’s Day, he proposed. Lauren was happy and counted her blessings to have found the perfect man. Although her grandmother asked her numerous times if she was sure about marrying him, she assured her that he’s a good man, and he makes her happy.

His aura is unclear, and his vibes feel off, she told Lauren.

But why Grandma? What did he do?

My intuition tells me not to trust him, and I can’t control how I feel. Just think it over carefully, and don’t rush into marriage. How do you feel about him?

I love him, Grandma. I trust him, and I want to marry him.

Despite the bitter feelings her grandmother’s warning left, Lauren didn’t change her mind. Her grandmother gave in but insisted on having a prenuptial drawn up by her lawyer which Lauren hesitantly and Luke happily signed. He moved into her penthouse apartment, and they settled into living a seemingly idyllic married life. Soon, he started talking about how stressful it was to work for the law firm and made plans for the time when