The Raven by Jenny Garcia (thriller book recommendations .txt) 📕

“Well I don’t blame her” The first woman continued, “Grizel was her sister, you know Ares mate, the one that was murdered!” I flung from my seat, “HIS MATE!” There is no way that he had everyone believing that she was his mate. Anger replaced all feelings of grief as a stormed towards the entrance to the Great Hall and pulling the heavy door with such force the hinges screamed in protest, heat pulsing in my face. I raise my nose and take a few quick breaths to try and locate Ares scent. If she had not seen him in the Great Hall prior, she would have not been able to recognize his scent, but luckily for her her memory has been renewed when she tried to strangle the life out of him. Finally I recognize the smell of cedar and fresh rain my eyes ripping open, “There you are you fucking pig!”.

I dart down the hall at blurring speeds I haven't used in years, anger propelling my every step as my leather boots stomp the heavy stone floors echoing down the halls. Dodging servants and the decorative tables that lined the halls the scent I caught bringing me towards the East Garden. The door leading to the Garden comes into view and I stop to mortal speed, slow to a walk and stop at the closed wooden door. I take a deep breath and crack the door letting the afternoon sunlight pour in. Small particle of dust dance in the beam of sunlight as I peek through the crack. The fountain is still as glorious as I remember it, cool blue water cascading down generating a delightful trickling sound. This is where I would visit Grizel for hours. It was her favorite place on the grounds and it carried such fond memories for me. At first I see no sign of Ares but his scent is heavy. Pushing the door slowly open I see he about fifty yard from the fountain kneeling at the tree line. I have never seen him look for vulnerable before. Opening the door, I creep out to get a better look. As I grow closer to his back I stop at the fountain, his words reaching my sensitive hearing.

“Your sister is here you know. She already tried to kill me.” A sad chuckle escapes his throat. Curious to hear more of what he has to say I stay at a distance and keep my ears sharp. “Grizel I am so sorry for what happened to you. I had no idea what Khan was planning to test my loyalty the way he did. It all happened so quickly.” A long pause and a muffled sob, “Please forgive me.” I couldn't help but feel...sorry for Ares. As I shift my weight from side to side my leathers rubbed and inwardly groaned as Ares head picked up recognizing the sound. Should I run away and pretend I never saw him or do I stay and confront him. I hear him take a few short breaths through his nose and I know...he knows I am here and running now would brand me a coward. He turned head slowly his eyes meeting mine, “Must you follow me wherever I go woman?” I cross my arms and bring to mind the conversation I heard between the servants outside the Great Hall. “I hear some interesting news from the Castle and you’re the only one that can...clear it up.” He rises to his feet his expression emotionless. He strolls towards me his eyes locked on mine and a old familiar feeling crawls up my chest. My wolf paws at the surface wanting so much to break free and to run with him, play with him. It has been so many years since she has seen him and her only reaction is complete bliss. Traitor. He stops a few feet from me and crosses his arms. The wind blows from his back and into my face carrying his intoxicating scent. The one that was made just for me. “What could possibly get your panties is such a twist that you would seek ME out.” He says it as he knows how much I hate him. I try to focus on the issue at hand and ignore my body's reaction to him. Heat fills my veins and arousal threatens to break my sanity. The wind shifts and blows from my back and Ares cracks a small sadistic smile. I shake off my feelings and respond to him, “So I was unaware that Grizel and yourself were mated.” His smile falters and she drops his arms to his sides, “I can explain Enyo.” I snarl back at him, “General, Ares.” He takes a step forward and I a step back. Anger blankets his expression, “General” he says sarcastically, “A year after you left Khan was displeased with you, for what I am not sure. He planned on punishing you and in the only way he knew would affect you, through Grizel.” My palms begin to sweat as I wait for him to finish a story that I have already figured out. “He was going to kill her. When I was informed she was already tied to the execution block and he was about to swing his sword down upon her bare neck. I lied and told him that she was my mate so he would spare her life.” He looked to the ground and his voice cracked, “Which in the end was useless.” Guilt racks me for raging the way I did. Even if he did make Grizel his mate, it would have been none of my business. he takes a step towards me, “Enyo, please…” before he can say another word I bolt away towards the forest. I hear him scream after me as I put as much distance as I can between us no listening to the words echoing in the silence of the trees. He is bringing up emotions that I have buried and locked away for so many years. Emotions that I never wanted nor expected to feel again. Trees blurred past me as I rushed through the dense forest missing branches and large bushed by inches.

A small female voice with an english accent stops me in my tracks as it rides on the wind. “Enyo...Enyo, come” The whispering fades almost as soon as it’s heard. I follow the direction it came from turning to my right and taking slow steps. “Enyo…” The further I venture the louder the voice becomes until it’s screaming in my head. I drop to me knees as my head throbs with intense sound and pain beating over and over. “You’re nothing Enyo! You will never defeat me! You’re worthless! The Shadows of Night will me mine!” The voice is so loud, pounding me further and further to the ground. The pain is immense and I am unable to process any thoughts, just the sound of her voice burned into my brain. She repeats herself over and over until a heavy force locks around my waist and lifts me into the air. Wind begins blowing in my face as bushes wipe me in the face making small superficial lacerations that heal in minutes. The further I am taken from the voice the more the pain lessens in my head. My cognitive functions return and the smell of cedar surrounds me. The warmth of the sun envelopes me as I look up and realize that I am out of the forest. Ares has one arm round my waist carrying me on his hip and a sack of potatoes my arms and legs dangling towards the ground below. I look up at him with disgust on my face, “What do you want, put me down now.”  He look down to me and rolled his eyes releasing his arm and letting me hit the ground with all my weight.

The air knocked out of my lungs and I spring to my feet. He circles me, “What is your problem Enyo.” I scoff at him, “How could you possibly not have the answer to that question already.” He stops and crosses his arms, “You are still just as stubborn as you once were. Nothing has changed.” Rage courses through me making my wolf uneasy at the change in my mood. I raise my hand placing it to my chest, “I haven't changed!? You are the one that needs to change! Caring for now one but yourself!” He storms towards me taking both of my upper arms and shaking me slightly, “Enyo tread carefully and chose your words wisely.” I turn my head to the side and mock him, “Or what, you will kill me? You forget Ares, you may be the Queen's second but I am the General.” He releases my arms and I drop to my feet and turns his back to me. My heart breaks at the gesture of annoyance and irritation but I cannot bring myself to be kind to this man. The past runs through my mind and I cannot let it go no matter how many years ago it was, it still hurts.

He turns back to me with his arms crossed. “General, since you will not speak to me in regards to where your anger is springing from, tell me what happened in the woods.” For a moment I forgot all about the incident. All I could focus on was Ares. Turning my head I look back towards the dark dense woods on my right and scan the tree line. “Not here we must get out of earshot of any immortals.” He nods his head in agreeance and takes off towards the castle. I follow close behind his scent still invading me and making my wolf prance with delight. He halts as we reach the East Wing entrance and opens the door and strolls inside. I follow him inside our boots echoing down the hall and I cannot help but stare at his...well his bottom to be completely honest. I haven't seen it for so many years and it has yet to lose its glory.  My wolf howls in agreeance as my heartbeat quickens thinking of the once sultry kiss they shared so many years ago.

Ares stops in front of a large wooden door at the right. He turns and opens the door walking in and flicking on the overhead light. I follow behind and survey the room. The walls are covered with sound proofing material that was discovered in the human world and brought to the Realm. No furniture resided in the empty room and Ares closed the door behind us locking the deadbolt. “Where are we?” I ask Ares curiosity peeking. “Obviously it’s a sound proofed room. The King had it installed to keep any conversation that were private, kept that way.” I nod my head and as Ares delved in, “So what happen in the woods?”

“As I was running in the woods. A heard the voice whispering and I followed it. ONce I got closer it was so loud it incapacitated me in pain and then you found me.” He raises his eyebrows, “That’s what you didn’t want anyone else hearing?” His british accent thick with sarcasm. “I didn’t want whatever was in the forest hearing us speak about the incident. This is pointless i’m leaving.” I turn to walk towards the front door and Ares rushes in front of me cutting me off, “Move Ares.” He stares at me blankly, “No you need to talk to me.”

“We have nothing to talk about.” I huff. He steps towards me and I step back away from him. He keeps walking towards me and I continue to step back. “Why do you insist on acting like a child Enyo!” My back hits the wall and I respond, “What does it matter Ares! Why do you care now after all these years?!” He