Ravanna: A Raven's Bond: Brothers of War, #4

By Lora Ann

Memories are sacred. But when they coalesce with another's, everything becomes more than complicated.

Ravanna is accustomed to surprises as the Gatekeeper of Purgatory. Her greatest blessing is to spend eternity with her once human husband. A gift granted to them, for humans are not allowed into the dangerous realm.

No stranger to the weight of choices, Ravanna must come face to face with the past. Ordered to the realm where one must bare all, she discovers there are not only dark secrets but also many layers of what is true.

Good and evil face-off as she and a once beloved friend's perceptions are fully revealed. And the truth—every decision, right or wrong, does come with a consequence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Greatest of These, LLC
• Release date: Mar 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393530855

Book preview

Chapter One

(Ravanna—present)

A BEAT OF WING, A CRY of wrong churned around her. The storm unrelenting as her wails deafened. What she’d done to Sharadian was unforgivable. She should’ve noticed the signs, for this was not her first ride on the demented tide of deception. Her desire to believe in what she’d been given, a glimpse of the future, determined her choice. But now, as her most trusted comrade joined her upon his perch, the truth would not be denied. His talons dug a little too deep as her tears blurred the crimson drops cascading on the blades of grass below. The melancholy cry, ripped from his soul, sang to the mournful tune of her own.

She fell to her knees, replaying what transpired. Lars, Angel Commander of the In Between, was in peril. His life always lay in the balance by mortal terms and angelic ones. He was more than an anomaly; he simply should not be. An identical twin, not born but created. As if that were not enough, he was both an Angel of Dark and an Angel of Light. Disconcerting partly defined him, but there was more, so much more. His heart beat strong with a love only told in fairytales, coupled with the truth—souls bound and entwined were destined for things greater than many would ever find.

And she, Ravanna, severed a cord in which only the Creator could reattach. At the time, it was just and pure. But now ...  Dear God, what have I done? she sobbed.

What you had to do, he spoke next to her.

She gasped as the raven cawed and took flight. Jacob, my husband, she murmured.

It is I, he reassured.

I have made a grave error, she confessed.

How so, my love? he queried and tore along the hem of his shirt, wrapping it along her bloody shoulder. Odd. I have never witnessed one of them harm you.

She swiped at her swollen lids. He understands the gravity of my decision.

He folded her into his strong arms. Are you saying that Sharadian’s sacrifice is tainted?

No, she screamed and backed away. Her act of love was valiant and selfless.

I am at a loss, Ravanna, he admitted. Sharadian was aware of the choice she made. Leaving Lars and her post as Gatekeeper of The Forest of Contemplation was necessary to destroy the evil Altros infected her with.

Sh-sh-she is dead because of me, she wailed, unable to confess the truth—she’d used what was forbidden. Since Jacob had once been a monk, he would rightfully judge her. On a turn, she  dodged his grasp and caught a glimpse of an image amongst the trees. Justice waited. She blinked back more tears and pivoted toward the man she loved. I cannot do this. Forgive me, she pleaded and disappeared into a part of Purgatory a human soul could not enter.

Smoke sputtered as the angry mountain belched. Hot rivers of fire raced and devoured each boulder on their trek downward. She walked along the burning coals. Beauty caught in the grasp of such cruelty gave her pause. Why would destruction be considered beautiful? Because it rebuilds one into something stronger, something more.

My prince, she bowed her head.

Laish informed me of what happened, Ravanna.

As he should, she answered around the lump in her throat.

Let’s walk. He offered his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.

Dirtiness overshadowed her as she took what he offered, not wanting to offend. Tendai was her Prince and the one over Purgatory.  Before she was assigned here, she’d been a Guardian Angel under Laish’s command. He remained a dear friend. But she also an imp and more witch with each passing second. I have failed, Sir, she