The Ravenous Dark, page 1
The Ravenous Dark
Ascent of the Wicked Book 2
Rebecca Main
Via Graphia LLC
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, and events in this book are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Published by Via Graphia, LLC
Copyright © 2022 by Rebecca Main
All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form without permission.
Cover Artwork by Seventhstar Art
Developmental, Copy and Line Editing by Ali Williams
Proofreading by Sherry Schafer
eBook ISBN: 978-1-956748-02-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-956748-03-1
ALSO BY REBECCA MAIN
See all of Rebecca’s books and find where to get them on her website:
https://rebeccamain.com
ASCENT OF THE WICKED
Covet the Night
The Ravenous Dark
*The Ascent of the Wicked series is part of the Soulmark Series universe. More information about the Soulmark Series universe can be found at the back of the book.
A SOULMARK SERIES
Coven
Midnight Scoundrel
Wardens of Starlight
Mr. Vrana
Lycan Legacy
Lunaria
NEVER MISS A RELEASE
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https://tinyurl.com/bdhednhb
Contents
Dark Court Hierarchy
Dark Court Hierarchy Continued
Dark Court Layout
1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV
5. V
6. VI
7. VII
8. VIII
9. IX
10. X
11. XI
12. XII
13. XIII
14. XIV
15. XV
16. XVI
17. XVII
18. XVIII
19. XIX
20. XX
21. XXI
22. XXII
23. XXIII
24. XXIV
25. XXV
26. XXVI
27. XXVII
28. XXVIII
29. XXIX
30. 5 Months Later
Glossary of Terms
Read More
Acknowledgments
About the Author
I
The only saving grace of a group of drunken sorcerers was the fact that they knew how to throw a great party. At least, that was Bailey's opinion. The she-wolf ducked to avoid a glittering spell, clutching her three drinks possessively as she navigated the wedding reception's dense crowd.
"Watch it," Bailey growled as a pair of teetering vampyrés stumbled into her path. The women stopped before her. They leaned heavily against one another as they regarded her with glassy eyes.
"They're not even soulmarks," the drunken woman on the left accused. Bailey raised her eyebrows and looked her over. Her blonde hair was thoroughly mussed, and her speech slurred. The blonde looked between Bailey and her drunken friend, swinging an arm out toward the bride and groom. She smacked a passerby in the process. "Can you believe it?"
Bailey blinked impassively and then pasted on a saccharine smile. She spoke to the vampyré as if she was a child, "Considering this is the third marriage to happen in the past two months without the bride or groom being soulmarks, yes, I can."
"It's all because of those redheads," the one on the right explained. A hiccup chased after her passionate declaration. "They did this."
Bailey's smile strained. Ever since one of the Roux's newest members, Fox né Gwen, had married William "the Beast" Gunwyn in a lavish ceremony, the seemingly star-crossed lovers' fairy-tale ending had created a domino effect. Declarations of love outside one's class of supernatural and household were suddenly all the rage. Bailey couldn't care less. Although, she did appreciate the mostly lightened atmosphere around the court and the ever-flowing booze.
"Well?" The woman on the left inquired. She clung to her friend as she stumbled forward. Bailey scrunched her nose at the scent of blood and bourbon perfuming the vampyrés words.
"Well, what?" Bailey bit back. "Those two redheads happen to be good friends of mine." It was a slight exaggeration on Bailey's part. She was generally closer to William than Fox, but the young vampyré had grown on Bailey. Death suited Fox and made her far less annoying.
The two women in front of Bailey blinked owlishly, then reeled back. Unable to resist, Bailey chased after them. She invaded their personal space and let her irises flash with the gold of her lycan nature. "Well? Is there anything else you want to add?"
Without giving them a chance to respond, she barreled past them. The two stumbled apart, making noises of affront that Bailey ignored. The she-wolf arrived back at her table without further interruption, dropping all three cups on its sticky surface with a shake of her head.
River, Bailey's childhood friend, fellow mischief-maker, and astoundingly gifted half-witch, quirked a brow and smirked. "I'm surprised you didn't invite your new friends over," she teased, eyes darting to the two female vampyrés who stared dumbly at their group.
"Haha." Bailey rolled her eyes, unable to stop herself from succumbing to River's infectious personality. Not that she could if she wanted to.
River possessed the unique gift of empathetic projection and absorption, which meant she could share her emotions with others and absorb others' emotions like a sponge. The problem was that she couldn't seem to turn it off. Bailey was intimately familiar with River's struggle to contain her gift and the toll it took on her to keep her emotions in check at all times. Thankfully, in settings where the general emotional state of the majority moved in the same direction, River could indulge in letting her guard down.
The twosome had arrived at the Dark Court four months ago in search of answers. River was a born hybrid and the first of her kind. But the half-witch, half-lycan, had never been able to access her lycan side. For the past few years, they’d searched for a way to unlock her wolfish nature until it led them to the notorious supernatural haven. They took up with River's aunt, Irina Vrana, and her family to continue their quest.
"They're just jealous," Stella remarked, her gaze stuck on the vampyrés. "They made a fuss at the last wedding reception, too, the one between the Montague and Stone Households."
Bailey gave a thoughtful hum without conviction, her gaze stuck on Stella. Fate had thrown Bailey and River in the banshee’s path shortly after their arrival at the Dark Court, in a scene Bailey wouldn’t soon forget.
Then again, witnessing a banshee in the thrall of their power wasn’t easy to forget. Bailey remembered the strain that had vibrated across Stella’s body even after she’d completed her deathly prediction. And how the subject of said prediction immediately went on the attack.
River and Bailey hadn’t given a thought as to how their actions would be perceived by the court. Or how they would be treated after, as if they were interlopers carrying a strange disease that must be given a wide berth. Bailey rolled her eyes at the absurdity of the notion, hiding the action by taking a drink. It wasn’t an entirely helpful position for River’s cause, but the Vrana name held enough weight for them—or rather, River—to work her magical charm on the sorcerer population to gain their tentative trust.
Bailey was happy to count Stella as a friend. She was sweet and kind, shy, and incredibly loyal. The last characteristic alone would have made Stella an admirable wolf, if not an omega, due to her more submissive nature. The thought pleased Bailey, as it always did, and stirred up a wave of protectiveness in her. To Bailey, Stella was pack, through and through.
"I didn't know you were invited to that one." Stella flushed and dragged her eyes away from the pair at River's comment.
"I wasn't exactly invited," Stella hedged in her usual husky voice, barely above a whisper.
"Hired then?"
Stella nodded and drank. "The groom wanted me there for dramatic effect. He knew the bride cheated on him and planned for a very public retribution."
Bailey’s lips thinned, eyeing Stella as if she was a fragile piece of glass.
River and Bailey knew she battled a multitude of issues—self-confidence, anxiety, vocal cord damage—and Bailey didn't want to accidentally push her into the arms of her greatest weakness; rhodiola. The magical alcoholic beverage was potent and addictive. Stella was already intimately familiar with it by the time they’d met her.
"I thought you didn't like taking those kinds of jobs," Bailey said carefully.
"My contract with the Delacroix's is up." Stella's hand wandered to her throat. "I can't stay in the Dark Court without working and making money for myself, so…" She let her words drift off, and the music thumped between them.
Bailey shared a knowing glance with River. They'd spoken at length about Stella's family obligation, which kept her in the Dark Court. Neither approved. However, Stella was unswayed by their arguments for her to leave. Her stubbornness inspired mixed emotions in Bailey, who was both annoyed and inspired by her tenacity.
Bailey was convinced it would be her salvation or damnation.
"When did your contract end?" Bailey asked, tucking a strand of deep red hair behind her ear.
Bailey frowned. "I'm surprised you've been off the market for that long."
"Me too," River chimed, nursing her drink pensively. Stella fidgeted under their combined regard, combing back her ghostly white locks.
"I'm trying to be more selective in my employment," she said. Her eyes were downcast as she began to play with the bandage around her hand. An accident involving a dormouse and tray of champagne glasses had resulted in a nasty cut for both Stella and the shifter the other night. Stella cleared her throat and lifted her gaze. "The Delacroixs wanted to extend the contract, but we weren't a good fit, so I told them no."
Bailey's heart warmed. She liked to think their friendship gave Stella the strength she needed to stand up for herself more and self-confidence. Her news only strengthened that belief.
"I'll cheer to that." Bailey thrust her cup into the air. Stella flushed with pleasure.
"Here, here," River joined in, radiating happiness. "To Stella kicking ass and taking names on her own terms."
Stella's cup joined the twosomes with her signature shyness, but the rosy stain on her alabaster skin did not abate. "To… me," she said after a deep breath. The three clinked cups, sinking into the joyous atmosphere as the music blared from all around.
"So, who do you have your eye on?" Bailey inquired. "The court's in a weird state of flux, with everyone being so lovey-dovey." River's skeptical frown made Bailey backtrack. "Fine, almost everyone is being lovey-dovey. But what does it matter if the sorcerers of the Lunar Court are still pissed about what happened to the Gayamun and Tempest clans? It's not like Stella is going to contract with the sorcerers, right, Stella?"
The Lunar Court was relatively new. Formed after the fiasco of the Roux initiation, which had resulted in mass casualties for the sorcerer population, it represented the sorcerers, shifters, and demons at court. Bailey was surprised the ruling vampyré class had allowed it. Then she’d overheard a bunch of leeches betting on its imminent dissolution, making her believe the allowance was given for the sake of sport rather than real progress.
The banshee's eyes sprang wide. "Um, no. I hadn't planned on it. My family has always contracted with vampyré households."
River's skeptical frown lightened, and Bailey shot a winning grin to Stella. "Regardless of the court's political climate, you've been on a hot streak recently, announcing the deaths of some pretty high-profile individuals at court. I bet you can negotiate a contract with any house you want." Bailey narrowed her regard on Stella as she avoided her eye. "Is there a household you have in mind?" Bailey pressed. She caught Stella's icy blue eyes as they swiveled to look in the opposite direction and the younger girl, barely out of her twenties, shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Before Stella could answer, a gentleman with a decidedly crooked nose strolled up to their table. The three women eyed him curiously as he produced a square envelope from his back pocket and offered it to the banshee.
"You gonna take it or just stare at it all night?" The man didn't wait for a reply. He tossed the envelope on the table and then disappeared into the wedding party. Bailey snatched it up when Stella hesitated, scrutinizing every detail before waving it in the air.
"This is from the Roux," Bailey stated. Stella squirmed and took the envelope from Bailey with reluctance.
"This is an invitation." Stella eyed the Roux's wax seal, which was embossed with a rose. Apprehension radiated off her. "I got one from the Delacroix last week too."
"So, this is about employment?" River asked. Stella hummed and nodded. She took to her drink for comfort and winced as the potent cocktail hit her tongue. "Do you not want to work for the Roux?"
It took several seconds before Stella shook her head. Her fingers, which had been playing with the corners of the invitation, released their prize. "I don't have my eye on the Roux. Besides, I've been to their Nuit de Plaisir masquerade before, and I don't want to go again. They'll just try to seduce me into signing whatever contract they've come up with."
"Damn." Bailey let out a low whistle. "Is that how your contracting process usually goes? You're invited to some exclusive party where they try to schmooze and seduce you into their service?" Stella gave a helpless shrug to accompany her nod. "Well, if you don't want it…" Bailey reached slowly for the invitation, dragging it toward herself while maintaining eye contact with Stella. The banshee's mouth parted in confusion, but she made no protest. Bailey smiled widely as she held up the invitation between two fingers. "Then I guess we can pass it along as a present to the bride and groom?"
River laughed at the wicked gleam in Bailey's eyes while the she-wolf waved over one of the groom's sorcerer friends.
"Give this to the bride and groom," Bailey instructed. "A gift from the Roux to the happy couple."
The sorcerer's eyes widened as he took the invitation and stared at the seal in wonder. A sloppy smile took up residence on his face. "Thanks." He gave a wobbly salute before braving the crowd to pass on the invite.
"I can't believe you just did that," Stella said breathlessly. The tension she carried slipped from her hunched shoulders, and she laughed in disbelief before casually sipping her drink. A small smile was fixed on her lips.
"I can," River snorted good-naturedly.
Bailey grinned. "You've got our support with whatever house you’re angling for; you know that, right?" Stella released a breath and nodded. Her hands went back to fidgeting with her bandage.
"I know… I just—"
A hearty cheer went through the crowd, drawing all eyes to the center of the dance floor where the bride and groom dominated the scene. The vampyré bride waved the invitation high above her head and released another holler, echoed by her bridesmaids. Stella observed the scene with mild distress etched into the fine lines around her eyes and mouth.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" Bailey half-joked. "It would really put a damper on their celebration to take away the invite."
Stella was quick to reassure, "No. They can have the invite and any other that comes my way as far as I'm concerned."
River considered Stella with a tilt of her head. "Are you not expecting an invitation from the house you want a contract with?" Stella made no sound. "Who do you want to work for exactly?"
"The Vranas."
The moment the words left Stella's mouth, she sought refuge in her drink, tipping back the entirety of its contents into her mouth with a few messy gulps. Bailey and River watched in a mixture of surprise and dismay as her confession sank in.
"You're right not to expect an invitation from Jakob," River confirmed after an elongated moment of contemplation. Her features were dressed seriously. "It's not his style. But if you want, we can put in a good word for you. He might seek you out personally."
Stella sat frozen before jerking her head up and down. "Yes," she said. "Yes, that would be really, really wonderful. Thank you." Her teeth sank momentarily into her bottom lip as her gaze darted between the two. "You don't mind, do you?"
River reached out and grasped Stella's hand. Her magical touch brought comfort to the banshee as River smiled softly at her. "It's no trouble at all. You'd be a great asset to the Vrana Household. I'm sure Jakob will see that too. He and Irina are a bit preoccupied at the moment trying to secure new housing for courtiers, but I'll make sure you're on his radar."
River squeezed Stella's hand, her smile brightening as it was returned to her.
"I wish I could stay longer, but I've got to go," River announced, standing from the table, and downing her drink in a far more elegant fashion than Stella. Another cheer ripped through the crowd as the lights flashed eagerly from up above.
Bailey's eyebrows shuttered down. "What? Where?"
"I'm following up on a lead and need to meet my source in twenty minutes."
"You're seriously going to leave?"
River arranged her features into a neutral expression, the picture of placid waters. "Yes, you know what this means to me. Every avenue is worth exploring if it means my freedom."
Translation: she’ll try anything to free her half-lycan side whether I approve or not.
