House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page A

our souls and bring an end to the world.
    Jax poked an elbow into my ribs. "His voice is the end of the world."
    I couldn't stop giggling, and my father hushed us both with a stern warning, but I could see in his eyes that he heard and thought it was funny. He wouldn't be there either if he'd had the option.
    I reached for one of the tiny pencils on the back of the pew next to the hymnal and Bible, grabbed a prayer card and wrote, If the world was ending today, what would you want to do? I handed Jax the note.
    He read it and smiled, then wrote back.
     
    Spend the day with you.
    —Friends to the end
     
    I felt a swelling of something I didn't understand. It was warm and filled my chest. I wrote back.
     
    —Friends to the end
     
    Corinne pats my back, pulling me into the present and away from old memories. "Want to go in?" she asks.
    "No, we'll miss our show." I turn from the Cathedral—and the memories—and walk away.
     
    ***
     
    Corinne picks up our tickets from Will Call as I hang back and observe the crowds. I'm definitely underdressed. This crowd favors Eden Fashionables and formal attire. Even Corinne, who dressed semi-casual, looks at place here with her touches of modern-chic style.
    I glance down at my slacks, blouse and tattered backpack. The only jewelry I wear is my Initiate ring and a long chain around my neck with my father's Token of Strife. Not exactly party wear. I could have probably bought something while we were out shopping. I'm not used to having money. I'm grateful for the loaned scarf, which upgrades my ensemble to something a little classier.
    Corinne comes back holding two tickets. "Let's go."
    I follow her into a grand hall where they serve wine and champagne in tall, sculpted crystal flutes and offer hors d'oeuvres on tiny golden plates. This isn't a regular theatrical production.
    Inquisition Guards stand inconspicuously around the theater, protecting the exits and entrances as we enter. The audience sits in a circle around an arena stage. It's centered in the middle of the auditorium and surrounded by water lit up by colorful lights.
    "Which seats do we have?" I ask.
    Corinne points to the boxed seat section located slightly above and directly next to the stage. It's a private room with luxurious velvet chairs and small tables laden with food and drink. A place usually reserved for the very elite.
    "Wow. This must have been really expensive. Let me pay you back."
    She waves a small hand at me as I follow her to the seats. "Don't worry about it, really. I got the tickets from a friend."
    "Wow! Thank them for me."
    She nods, grinning.
    An Inquisition Officer guards the entrance to the boxed seats, and lets us through without incident when Corinne shows our tickets. I sink into a plush chair beside her as the lights go down and the show begins.
    In the center, mist rises to fill the empty stage as a haunting melody in a minor chord fills the auditorium. The mist dissipates to reveal a throne carved from dark stone, floating in the air. A woman sits upon it wearing a crown of yellow and white gold, large wings glowing behind her.
    The Twilight Queen.
    To her left and right two men hover in the air with their own golden wings. Their golden armor shines under the lights of the stage.
    "I wonder how they make the wings look so real," I say. Because they do. They look like mine or Zorin's. It's almost creepy. They could be Nephilim.
    "Zeniths and special effects," she whispers back. "It's cool, isn't it?"
    Below the Queen, the stage moves soundlessly as three old men and a woman approach the throne.
    "Who approaches the Twilight Queen?" asks one of the guards.
    One of the men in the group steps forward. "Varian of the Knights Templar."
    Another speaks. "Titus of the Teutonic Knights."
    The third man addresses the Queen. "Victus of the Inquisition."
    And finally the woman speaks. "Marian of the Knights Hospitaller."
    Varian continues speaking. "Our alliance grows frail, Queen Seraphina. There have