Cornelius Crane Novels & Stories

"What makes you say that?" "Because Crane reached out to my editor again this morning." He said it flatly. "Not about the story this time. A fishing expedition, asking whether anyone had been in contact with the publication about the Rhodes estate recently. My editor told me because he felt guilty about last time, I think." He paused. "Crane is looking for something that just moved. The most logical thing that just moved is a legal filing." She absorbed that. "He already responded to the claim. Less than twenty-four hours after it was lodged."

He answered call after call without looking at me. “What’s happening?” I pulled my robe tighter, hoping maybe if I clung to something familiar the world would remain steady. His voice had a quiet in it that made my stomach drop. “Stock crash.” My brain lagged. “What do you mean—stock crash?” He turned and I saw the dark that wasn’t in his eyes alone. “Walter Crane orchestrated a leak. Confidential reports, fabricated losses, whispers of fraud. Investors are panicking. Harrington Tower’s stock is free-falling.”

Finishes Hillary, literally adding salt to my wound. He has just pointed out that one thing that I didn't want to conclude in my head. But then, he's right. Cornelius is the one that converted Cyrus and Raven into what they are, and for some decades, he was their master until they proved to stand on their own, and then, when I needed Kingship brothers, I found them capable, too.

A new man replaces the old. Elias Crane. His picture gleams in fresh ink. It was clean-cut, poised, the golden heir with that same Crane look of command. The words beneath his photo read: Elias Crane — The Future of Crane Industries. My jaw tightens. I can feel my nails digging into my palms. The workers laugh at something one of them says, the sound blending with the city noise. I don’t hear the words. All I hear is the echo of old applause, the flash of cameras, and cheers.

“Then he’s got her ambition too.” She stared at the scorched crates, the black sunburst logo burned into the metal. The symbol looked like it was watching her. “Find out who he is,” she said. Lena coughed behind them, still pale from smoke inhalation. “Already on it. The archives mention a man named Silas Crane — one of Cassidy’s original financiers. He disappeared three years before she took power.” Vincent frowned. “Crane… I’ve heard that name. Industrial magnate. Used to run steel plants outside the city. Ruthless.”

Their remaining shares in the company was acknowledged by Edward Crane who promised not to deprive them of it. The weeks that followed were traumatizing. There were no longer attacks from Edward Crane but he had left everyone in shambles. Dickson even attempted to commit sucide but was discovered on time by his wife and rushed to the hospital. Edward Crane, who was enjoying the moment, ensured that the internet got wind of the founder’s sucide attempt.

“I don't know how I feel about surprises, Charlotte, “ he said, stooping down to the bag and emptying its contents onto the floor. I nearly gagged as soon as a head rolled out of the bag, a trail of slimy, blackened blood following after it. I did my best to swallow whatever had travelled to my throat back, doing my best to remain unaffected. Declan stopped the head from rolling with his foot. He kicked it forward, looking at the charred face of the person. “He was a hard cockroach to kill. My men had to use fire to take him out, and I lost good men for it”, I said. Declan squatted down in front of the head and poked at it with his fingers, seeming to be oblivious to all my side comments. I

And yet, Crane stood there—impeccable in his navy suit, a glass of scotch in hand, and that serpent’s smile painted on his face. “Julian,” he purred. “Did you miss me?” Julian stood slowly. “You’re supposed to be in federal custody.” “Oh, but you know me,” Crane chuckled. “I always find a crack in the system. And what better way to return… than to watch my favorite heir squirm?” The door slammed shut behind him. And locked.

He said softly and took her hand gently. Hannah lifted her head in surprise. “She had heard that name before. She could not believe it. She was standing next to the first son of the Crane automobile company. Nicolas had been abroad for years before returning to the city and as such was not well known in the city, but she knew about him from one of Grace’s journalistic research. Realizing this, she was even more puzzled, wondering how the son of the billionaire family was involved in a messy situation like this. “You’re the heir of the Crane family.” She whispered and quickly shook off the man’s hand, realization dawning on her again.

The Wizard stood up and approached Periah who had just spoken. "I am Crane, remember? I casted the greatest spell in the coven and it led to a purge, I can still do that again too" he said while dangerously close to Periah. "You may claim to be a saint Crane, but we all know you aren't. The fact that your sister is still alive gives you hope to see that at least we are killed but I can assure you that we will get to her before she knows" The wizard grabbed hold of Periah's throat, and as the remaining witches tried to stop him, they were met with mystical shield which could not be broken.