Of All Things I Became A Crow Novels & Stories

As her fingers closed over the metal, a voice echoed—deep, resonant, unmistakable: “Bearer of the hidden crown… you have chosen well. But the world outside has not yet seen your strength.” Aera’s chest tightened. She understood. The crown had accepted her—but the war had only just begun.

Seeing it lifted the gloom from me. Jonathan bought it, saying pets heal the heart; when I felt down, I should hold it and let it warm me. Of course, if it warmed me, I must care for it properly—plump it up, keep its fur glossy. So I bought cat food, a bed, cans of pâté—an entire haul. On the way home, the sky opened. A gray stray cowered under an awning, soaking wet. The shopkeeper kicked it away, and the cat slunk out into the downpour to seek shelter. I thought of myself—an orphan, drifting, always without a home, always looked down on.

Not very intimidating, I suppose, but it’ll work for now. It appears my timing was off by a stretch. “EWWWWWWW- what the hell?” I screech, beating off the heavy thing that just plopped onto my chest. I took too long thinking about what to do. “Bitch, do you want to die?” I look before me and no ones’ there. I slowly turn my head towards the ground, realizing the thing I just whacked was an irritated looking- “-... crow.”

No one was! My crows finally come in my vision, circling around above. My lips turn into a nasty smile as their eyes turn red. "Go." I whispered, snapping my head back to the clearing. They let out a caw as they flew towards the clearing. I chant louder as I walk forward. As soon as the crows near the clearing, they began to drop dead one after the other. Furious and beyond enraged, I chant louder, cursing the damn witch who continues to mock me even in death.

That's when I realized—it was a crow. Not black. But purple. “Okay…” I finally said, taking in a deep breath, “Maybe not…" I was about to close the book when the image seemed to separate from the page, and before I could process it, the image transformed into a real Crow and flew from the book across the room. Yes, a purple crow.

"No 'what-ifs'. Fate has it that you belong to me. Even if you weren't standing in for another at the altar, I'd still reclaim you." I could not help but laugh. That was just so like him. Off in the distance, the sun dipped low, casting a golden glow over the meadow, edging everything in a gilded light. Those who had wounded me were then just decaying memories in the muck. As for me? I was standing on cloud nine. That was all I needed. Life was but a stage, after all. Given a lousy script, I'd rip it to shreds and pen my own finale.

It looks as normal as it could be. "I did it..." she whispered when the crow stopped squawking and fixed its gaze upon her. Karmina held the candle just a tad bit closer and noticed the blood that stained its dark feathers was also covered in black ink. She reached out cautiously and ran her fingers along its feathers, the black tainted blood smeared her fingers. As she smiled, the sense of relief washing over her, the crow's body expanded. First in its belly, then its head, until its body ruptured. She let out a scream as feathers, blood and bones splattered her and the inside of her hut.

The crow in my novel world is a vampire friend, the one who always reports to the vampire leader is a black crow like the crow in front of me right now. Due to fear, I couldn't move an inch. My body felt frozen seeing and hearing the crows voice. I should now cover my ears with everything so I don't hear the sound, so I can move and not be stiff like a dead fish these days. It didn't take long before the crow flew off, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I was only able to move my body when the crow left.

Possibility. By evening, the city felt heavier. Storm clouds gathered low and bruised — pressing against the skyline like something impatient. Jamie walked into Bar Della Luna with that same pressure sitting under his ribs. Mara noticed instantly. “You look like you fought a ghost and lost,” she said, tying her apron. “Feels accurate,” Jamie replied.