Neon Crow Novels & Stories

“You won’t believe what I had witnessed.” “Tell me,” Mark said, amusement lacing his voice. “It’s her,” I hissed. “Aria Monroe. She’s the one. The mysterious designer everyone’s been chasing. The one we need for the third partnership.” There was a pause, then a sharp laugh. “You’re joking. That Aria? The nerd? The one you—” “Don’t.” My jaw tightened. “Don’t finish that sentence.”

Even the vampires, who bowed to no living thing, dipped their heads in acknowledgment. A crown was brought forth not the heavy gold circlet I had worn, not a symbol of dominion and divine right, but something entirely different. It was woven from moon-silver that seemed to glow with its own light and phoenix feathers that burned without consuming, a crown that represented unity rather than supremacy, service rather than rule, balance rather than power.

Nero’s deep voice follows, teasing him as he pretends to let the crab escape. “You’re too slow, Nereo!” Nero calls out, laughing. “Come on, you’ve got to be faster if you want to catch it!” I turn to watch them, my heart swelling with love. Nero’s crouched down in the sand, grinning as Nereo shrieks with laughter, trying to outrun the little creature. Seeing them together like this, carefree and happy, makes everything we went through worth it. “Mamma, look!” Nereo shouts, waving his arms in excitement. “I almost caught it!”

Zoran and Naelis immediately followed her gaze, their primordial instincts on high alert. Perched on a low branch was a large, jet black crow. Its eyes weren't the usual bead-like birds' eyes, they were cold, obsidian voids that seemed to be absorbing in everything they were saying. The bird sat perfectly still, its head tilted in a way that looked disturbingly human. The moment it realized it had been spotted, the crow let out a harsh, mocking caw. It spread its wings and took flight, disappearing into the dark canopy of the surrounding forest before Zoran could even think of shifting.

They never saw the group coming. Marco and one of his men took them down with brutal efficiency, and then they were inside. The air burned with chemical fumes, stinging Elena’s eyes and throat. Around a dozen men worked at tables covered in white powder. Shock registered on their faces as armed strangers stormed in. Some reached for weapons. Others froze.

The banners overhead shifted faintly in the air currents, Everley’s deep blue and silver nearest the eastern stair, Hawthorne’s forest green toward the west, Nerezza’s dark crimson lining the shadowed corridor, and the gold-threaded black of Aurelian hanging alone near the center like a reminder of something reclaimed. We paused just inside the doors. Not intentionally. Just long enough for the ripple to reach us. “I thought Wren lived in Aetherwind coven territory.” “She does.” Elara Veymont stood near the base of the Everley staircase, posture immaculate, dark hair pinned precisely. Her gaze slid from me to Kaia and back again, sharp and assessing. Not scandalized. Interested. Stormhollow

I caught myself against the wall, shoulder slamming into stone, and stood there with my hand pressed to my face and my heart hammering so loud I could hear it. Lennon turned to the small crowd that had gathered — eight, maybe ten pack members, all wearing various expressions of carefully neutral entertainment. "Everyone." She gestured toward me with the casual ease of someone introducing a new piece of furniture. "This is Annabel. Former Beta's daughter, current pack servant." A bright smile. "If you need anything dirty handled — floors scrubbed, gutters cleaned, anything you'd rather not touch yourself — she's available." She spread her hands generously. "Consider her a resource."

My men rushed forward, finishing it off with blades and bullets. The last one was faster. It made it halfway up the stairs before I caught up. I grabbed it by the neck, slammed it against the wall, and squeezed until I heard the snap. It went limp in my hands. When its body hit the floor, something fell out of its clothes—a small black token and a notebook. I picked both up. The token had a crow engraved on it. “Black Crow,” I muttered. Lyndon came closer, wiping blood off his hands. “Black Crow? That’s a group that got wiped out years ago, right?”

Levi said in a whisper voice Azrael and Lexi both jumped down from the vent following Levi. What welcomed them was the stinky dungeon. The stench of body odor and dried blood lingers through the air and Azrael was just trying her best not to vomit. The smell made them nauseous but determination took over. They all looked through the cells of the dungeon. They were wolves from the Crimson Crest pack, lying down without strength. At first glance you might think they are dead but they are not. They are only covered with their own blood and sweat but they are still breathing… barely alive.

I couldn't help but ask. Leaning heavily on his cane,Vincent followed closely behind me,answering carefully:"I water them myself every day.I...I was afraid they'd wither." Right then,a small,glossy black Cane Corso puppy came trotting out from the grand hall. The moment it saw me,it wagged its docked tail frantically and lunged for my legs. "Echo,stop."Vincent immediately blocked the pup with his cane."You'll dirty the Donna's clothes."