Crows Like Shiny Things Novels & Stories

Every fiber of my soul wanted this, and something about that unnatural fixation didn’t sit right in my mind. “The birds!” I gasped as I laid eyes on the street above the staircase descending to his apartment. I hadn’t been able to see them before in the dark, but now that we were close I could see that the sidewalk was lined with crows, all squawking in a terrible cacophony. “What are they doing?” “They’re trying to warn us away.” Evan’s jaw tensed, his grip on me tightening. Whatever strange excitement had infected me, clearly he didn’t feel the same.

This can’t be happening. He continues, his voice low and intent. “Did you know ravens and crows are always mistaken for each other? Small‑minded people don’t see the difference. Ravens are far deadlier. Larger wingspan, more aggressive nature. Their size and those powerful beaks make them superior hunters. Their intelligence surpasses the crow’s. They can perform complex tasks. They prefer solitude, smaller flocks, but drive them to hunt together, and they become a force to be reckoned with. Those beaks can pierce skin like blades.” His eyes glaze, as though caught in a trance, almost worshiping the bird in his hand. Then he looks at me. “But you already know this. You’ve seen it firsthand.”

Even my heart skipped a beat! But suddenly, quick shadows flickered overhead and a rusty scream echoed over the Citadel. Lesana opened her eyes in horror and they reflected black birds soaring in circles. Crows... Harbingers of death, scavengers. Their hoarse voice fell from the sky, echoing. Where are these nasty birds from? And why won't anyone chase them away? Cold sweat trickled down between her shoulder blades. Everyone knows: where the raven circles, death walks there.