On Raven's Wings

On Raven's Wings

M. B. Calahorrano

Copyright © 2018 M. B. Calahorrano

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64214-170-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64214-171-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Part I

The Birth of the Raven

High school was not what I planned it to be.

Older kids tried to push you out of the way every day. Plus teachers expected you to know all the answers to questions they never asked. That year would change the rest of my life and make a long strand of years to come.

It was the beginning of my junior year in high school.

I was sixteen, and being in a new school was a bit unnerving. Even though it was the same old faces I had seen for the past four years, I was still terrified. I started my day out on a bad note. My name is kind of original, so when the teacher asked about it, I made a complete ass out of myself. It’s not every day you get a student named Raven. So I just told her that my parents were ex-hippies and left the rest to everyone’s imagination.

I guess at some point you have to hate your parents for giving you a certain name. Like when some people hate their middle names. You can see why I was such a wreck after that. Luckily, my best friend had a stranger name than I had, and I wasn’t the only one getting picked on about my name that day. She caught me outside of the cafeteria almost in tears. She told me her story, and we laughed our way to lunch. Eris told me that my name was beautiful and I should not be ashamed of such a gorgeous name. I met Eris in ninth-grade algebra class. She was new to the school and had just moved here from Athens, Greece. Such an exotic place. Why did her parents move here, which is Levittown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia? I had lived here all my life. This city grew on you much like moss on the sidewalk by a garden.

I didn’t know that I would be the only junior in my mythology when I walked into the room. The teacher assigned our seats, and I so happened to be sitting in the right seat. She was sit­ting next to me, and she had a way about her that was odd. It was a presence that I could not ignore. As we got to know each other, I found out her name was Janette and I found her to be extraordinary in many ways. I was not to know how very extraordinary. Something troubled me about her. I was not sure at that time why I felt so strange about her. When I got to know her, I started to feel more comfortable around her. The year went on, and she began to miss a lot of school. After a while I started to worry. Her grandmother said that she had not been feeling well, but then she began getting better. One night she took Eris and me out to a lake near where she lived.

I have something to tell you both, she started to say.

What is it, Janette? Eris questioned.

I’ve met someone, she said, moving away from us. He is unlike any other man I have met. She paused slightly, and the way the moon hit her face made her look sickly.

He’s very unusual, she began. He makes me happy, and yet I know I won’t be with him forever. But even if I die, he will continue on. Living for eternity.

Her words were not making any sense to me. I was thinking to myself of how unusual she was acting. This sort of behavior was so different. Her whole demeanor had changed.

What is so different about this guy that makes him so special? I questioned.

I was wondering when you were going to ask that, she said with a slight smile on her face. But it only lasted a few seconds. Then her face returned to that soft expression as before.

There is a supernatural aspect to him.

And what would that be? I questioned quite unexpectingly.

Is he into magic or sorcery? asked Eris.

Oh, he is more than a magi or sorcerer. He is a very special man. Unlike anyone you ever dreamed. Well, maybe not you two, she said, picking a flower from the bush next to her.

And what do you mean by that! I said, offended.

I was not making fun of you two, she said in an apologetic tone of voice. I merely meant that he is the type of man you two dream of meeting.

And what type of man is that? Eris said kind of snotty. It was easily seen that she was aggravated. I, on the other hand, was waiting for her to try to get herself out of this. Janette just shrugged at Eris’s negativity and continued on with what she had to say.

You both believe in vampires. Well— She never had a chance to finish because I intruded.

Wait a minute here. You’re telling me you’ve found a vampire? Hello, this is the real world calling, Janette. Vampires do not exist. They only exist in books. Which is where they originated.

Thank you for the history lesson, she said, a little dejected. I’m serious here! I have actually met a vampire. And I care a lot about him, thank you. He’s very special to me.

Come on, Janette, Eris interjected. We are in the nineteen eighties now. There are movies, books, myths, etc., but come on, a real one? That is a little hard to believe.

I know it is, but you guys just have to trust me. Plus he’s going to make me one as well.

Are you not afraid of diseases, especially AIDS? Eris said, pulling Janette to her side. When she pulled Janette, I saw the remainder of what I thought to be a hickey. But as I looked at it a little closer, I saw a scar with two little holes next to each other. It almost looked like the top row of a wolf’s mouth. She tried to pull her shirt from Eris, but apparently Eris had seen them too.

Janette, what happened to you? Eris whispered.

I got it from him. That’s why I haven’t been in school lately. I’ve been sick, she said, releasing Eris’s grasp on her shirt. I was in such shock, but I was not prepared for what she had to say next.

Janette, what is going on? Why are you ill?

He says that it’s normal for me to be a little weak when he takes from me. But it’ll pass soon.

Now I knew why she looked a little pale. But pale doesn’t even begin to describe how dead she looked. It was like she had not seen daylight in a couple of years or so. I was disgusted, to say the least.

Take what, Janette?

Blood, she simply said. I was shocked now beyond repair.

How could she let this guy do this to her? I was now getting angry. I could’ve ripped the guy’s heart out with my bare hands.

When and where did you met this terrific man? I said, letting the anger come out.

A few months ago, she said a little unsteadily. I could tell she was getting cold. So I wrapped the blanket we were sitting on around her and headed for her house. The conversation ended there that night. She almost passed out when we went into the apartment. We took her to her room and laid her down so she could sleep, and then we left. I would continue this conversation the next time I saw her.

As Eris and I drove home, I began thinking of what she had said to me. I could not believe that she met a vampire.

How could you met someone like that? Where would you met them? The questions were mind-boggling. I tried to sort through all this mess in my head, but it was worthless. Eris dropped me off at my house, but I could not go in just yet. I sat outside and felt bad about what I had said to Janette. How else was I supposed to react? I was really upset. Things happen, I guess. All I needed was a good night’s sleep. I walked into my room and changed for bed. I had no dreams that night. I think it was better that I did not. Who knows what would’ve come to me.

I did not see Janette for weeks after that. She began night school, and I was still in regular school. I sat through most of my classes in a haze. I thought to myself about how alone I was. I was sixteen, but still I felt an overwhelming urge to find someone. I would walk through the halls, watching people stroll by with their significant others. How depressed I was when Janette told me she met someone. It wasn’t the whole vampire thing that bothered me. It was the feeling of being alone even if I had good friends. I was angered by the fact that she met someone. I felt unattractive around Eris and Janette. I felt like the ugly friend, as girls call it, the one who is the most unattractive out of all their friends. That was me, I guess. I really did not see myself as unattractive. I also did not see myself as a goddess either.

As I wallowed in self-misery, Eris tried to dig up some information on this guy of Janette’s. I really can’t say if she found anything or not, but if she did, she would have told me.

The weekend was quickly approaching, and Eris and I were planning on doing something. As I waited for her to call, I had the strangest notion that I was being observed. I felt eyes on the back of my neck, like two daggers going into my neck. I was so afraid that I could not pick up the phone and dial the digits for Eris’s phone number. I just kept on doing what I was doing. Finally, when I had had just enough of it, the piercing was gone. What brought me out of my fear haze was the phone ringing. I picked it up to answer it.

Hello? I said a little shakily.

Where have you been? rang loudly the voice of Eris. I was worried sick. The phone has been ringing for five minutes. I thought you went somewhere without me.

I’m sorry, Eris, I said, sitting down in a huff.

I didn’t hear the phone ringing. I guess I had the music up a little too high.

Well, I just got a call from Janette, and she wants to see us. Tonight.

Tonight? I questioned.

Yeah, I was surprised too. But she said she’ll come and pick us up soon.

Eris, it’s only five o’clock a.m.! I said, a little dumbfounded.

I know, she said back. She said she’s taking us shopping for a gown.

Wait a minute. A gown? Not a regular dress? Like an evening gown?

Yes, I was shocked to hear that too.

Where is she going to get the money? I said, sitting down again with a thud.

She said the money is a gift from her new boyfriend. You know, the vampire, Eris said sarcastically.

Why a gown? I asked.

Because he’s having a party tonight.

Where? I asked, standing up.

Well, apparently, he just bought the mansion over in Apple-tree. And he wants to show it off.

You mean Bolton mansion? I said curiously.

Yeah, and it’s a fancy event. So we have to dress up.

Wait, how did we get invited? I asked.

Well, Janette told him about us, and he told her to bring us along. Is that odd or what!

It was odd, all right. Why would a guy that I hardly even knew invite me to a fancy dinner party without telling me a few days in advance? Let alone met him. I asked Eris if we would met him, and she said that we would met him that night.

This would be a night I would never forget.

We all went to our local mall to go shopping. The dresses they had were absolutely terrible. I could not find a pretty gown in my size whatsoever. When I did, it was way too expensive. I could not believe that I was going to go to this party with nothing to wear. We decided to make another trip to a bridal gown store. That is where I found my gown—a very nice floor-length gown. Janette described me in that gown as an empress going to a ball. I took it as a compliment. I did feel like a princess. It was strange, because the gown felt like it was made for me. Plus the price was marked down con­siderably. I went to go pay for my new gown and jewelry, and the saleswoman would not accept my money.

May I ask why I can’t pay with my own money? I said to her a little angrily.

Because it has already been paid for, madam. A gentleman came in a few minutes before you did and paid for everything. He said to me anything that you ladies want will be paid for.

She stalled for a minute when she saw the shocked impressions on our faces.

I have proof, she started again. He wrote me a check. Look for yourselves, she said, handing me the check our mysterious fellow wrote. As I fumbled it between my hands, I saw the name of our check writer.

His name is Rojar, I said, turning around and holding it up so that Eris and Janette could see.

He is so sweet. Janette giggled as she looked at the check.

Is this the guy we’re going to meet tonight? Eris questioned.

Why, yes. That’s his name on the check. I told you he was sweet.

I handed the check back to the salesgirl, and Eris leaned up against the counter in disbelief. I was about to hurt someone. I told the saleswoman to wrap everything up and then we’d be on our way. Someone was going to be hurt tonight.

I was so angry Eris said I looked mad enough to spit nails.

And believe me I was.

That night Eris and I gave our parents the notion that we were sleeping over Janette’s. When we got to Janette’s, I began to dress in the lovely gown that was prepaid by our mysterious friend. The dress fit like a glove. The color was perfect, deep red. I was ready to wow them. Well, all three of us. For once in my life I felt attractive. I. could walk into a room and be noticed by men. Not as an ugly person, but as a beautiful young woman. As we piled into the limousine, I began exploring my thoughts. The house was spectacular.

Our new tenant had redone the estate to its original perfection down to the very last detail. As I stepped onto the newly paved driveway, I began to recognize the people walking into the house.

Eris, I said, pulling her aside. Don’t we know most of these people? I do believe they go to school with us.

I believe you’re right, she said, searching around the place.

We were both amazed at the fact that we knew practically everyone there. On the other hand, Janette was not. She acted like she had never met anyone or was away for a very long time. I could not understand. She was becoming more mind-boggling to me. We walked into the luxurious house and waited for our host to come and greet us. I felt the urge to go up the winding stairway and investigate the upper region of the house. I guess you could say it was curiosity. I left Eris, who was heavy in conversation with one of our friends.

I began to ascend the stairway, wondering what was up there. Finally I hit the hallway leading to the master bedroom and the other various rooms. I found a library upstairs across from the master bedroom. I began to step inside, when I heard a voice. I turned to see where it was coming from and then realized that the voice was coming from the master bedroom.

I crept closer and closer to the room. The door was hanging slightly open, enough to see what was going on. Then I heard a much deeper voice.

Are you done yet? he said demandingly.

But I just started! said the sweet little voice of a woman begging to continue on with her activities.

Well, if you cannot hear, I have a party to host, and I am not interested anymore. You’re boring me, he said a little angrily.

I decided to peer in a little more to spy on what it was these two individuals were doing. My eye caught something that was supposed to be kept between two people. The picture became clear to me as I began to find the right angle. A man was sitting in a chair. His long black curls were draped over the back of the chair. When I began to lower my gaze, I realized that he was unclothed. I think I almost blushed when I saw his perfectly white body. As I began to investigate more, I saw the woman who was with him. She was giving him a nice sexual experience. Unfortunately, he was not giving any signs of enjoying it. I could not blame him for it. She was not that attractive, and he was clearly not interested.

Enough. This is beginning to bore me, he said, pushing her head away from him. I have a party to get ready for and attend. Plus you’re delaying me.

Oh, please, just a few minutes more. I’ll make it worth your while, she cooed at him.

I highly doubt that, he said, a little angry. Now get up and get dressed. I do not want your presence here any longer, he said, rising from his high-back chair.

The girl looked rejected and sprung up to change, telling him he was a fucking idiot for letting her go. He just resumed his seat and waved her off and began to drink the remainder of his wine. I abruptly moved when I saw the girl begin to walk toward the door. I went and hid in a shadowy corner as she stormed out, forgetting to slam the door fully closed. When she was out of sight, I crept back up to the partly opened door.

As I approached, I heard him gasp. When I looked through the door, I could see another man standing near him. I did not have a good angle on his face, but I could hear them talking.

You scared the shit out of me! grunted the man in the chair.

Sorry, I didn’t want to disturb your little interlude, said the man standing.

Please, the man in the chair said sarcastically, she was no good anyway. I couldn’t have enjoyed it without thinking it wasn’t who I wanted.

Well, that’s obvious, answered the man standing.

Not many women excite me anymore. I find that really a difficult thing to understand. Hut, I can tell you this that the ones that get my attention the most are the ones that are hard to get. I don’t mean by like smooth-talking or any of that other nonsense. I mean mind control. Those are the women I find most appealing. They have a generally bigger imagination than most and can please a man nicely.

The way that the sitting man relayed his thoughts to him made me want him even more. Before I could hear any more, I decided to break away from them. It was a personal conversation, and I did not want to be recognized. So I crept back over to the library and began sorting through the various bookshelves that lay before me. I had just picked out a book, when the door to the master bedroom opened. I swung my head to the side to see who was about to appear in the doorway. But before the door could completely open, I brought my attention back to the book I was holding. Just then that voice I heard only a few seconds ago rang out to me.

Well, if it isn’t the lady in red, he said, stepping through the door.

Excuse me? I said, finally staring into his face.

You know that song, ‘Lady in Red.’ I forget who it’s by. But you kind of remind me of that song.

Thank you, I said, closing the book. He was statuesque handsome. I did not get a good look at him before, but now I saw him in all his brilliance. I was speechless after that. I think he realized that he had to make the initiative.

Which book is that? he questioned as he came closer.

"I believe it is Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This volume is very old, it seems."

Yes, I found it amongst some old books in the attic. You may keep it.

I was surprised to hear him say such a thing. But my mind told me that this was some kind of plot to get something out of me, and I was not that easy.

No, thank you. I have this at home, I said, replacing the book back to where I found it.

What if I were to say that I want you to have it? he said, handing the book back to me.

Well, I would say that you are kind, but I do not wish to have it. Listen, it was lovely chatting with you—

Really, he said, interrupting me. Is that what we’re doing? Chatting?

Listen, this is nice and all. But I do not need this kind of sarcasm. So if you’ll excuse me. I’ll be leaving to go back to the party, I said, leaving the room. That kind of sarcasm really pissed me off. I was aggravated at what he implied. He made me seem like I was two, and I could not stand feeling this way. I headed back down the stairs and searched for Eris and Janette. I found them on the terrace. They were engaged in a very interesting discussion.

What is this Rojar like? asked Eris.

He’s really wonderful, said Janette in a daydream-like state.

Oh really! I said, heading toward them.

Where have you been? asked Eris.

I’ve been exploring. Why, did I miss something?

Yeah, Janette’s great details of how wonderful Rojar is, Eris said, picking up her glass.

Did someone say my name? said the voice I had heard earlier. I almost cringed when he touched my shoulder. His hands were cold yet firm.

But I still tried to stay away from him. As Janette embraced him, Eris walked up next to me to get out of their way. But still, I knew he had something else going on in his mind. As they hugged and kissed, I became ill from watching them. I could swear that the bile was beginning to bring my lunch up. Finally, they came up for air. I guess they realized that there were two other people there and they should stop.

And who are your delightful friends? he inquired.

I’m Eris, and this is Raven, Eris said, introducing us to him.

What beautiful names. And exotic too. Tell me, how did you come about getting these names?

Was he doing this to torture me? My mind scrambled for the words to say to him. Eris went on to tell him her story, while I was searching for the right things to say—not about my name, but just to say in general. I could not find the words. It must have seemed like I dozed off for a minute because I heard a voice call my name. At first I did not respond. But then something told me to wake up.

Excuse me? I said, coming out of my daze.

I said what about you, fair Raven? Who gave you your name? Rojar questioned.

Oh, I said with a sudden shock. My parents were ex-hippies, and it was either Raven or Moonbeam. I think I like Raven a hell of a lot better. I was sounding like a moron.

I swear that I never felt more embarrassed in my life.

But he did not see it that way.

Well, at least you’re blunt and to the point.

Yes, I said, holding on to that last s as if I were hanging on a thread. Finally I snapped out of it and finished my sentence. Actually, people say I should keep my mouth shut. It tends to get me in trouble.

At this remark, he shook his head and smiled at me.

Then Janette interrupted him as he was about to say something.

Raven is very outspoken on a lot of things. Sometimes she gets in trouble about her ideas on certain subjects.

I really felt