Filling in for Raven

The week following our "sweet" encounter had been a constant distraction. Every time the scent of cinnamon caught the breeze or we passed a bakery, my mind drifted back to Raven’s voice—and the way she looked when she was something other than human.

But today, the mood in her study was thick with more than just the scent of old parchment and dried herbs. It was heavy with a sense of purpose.

Raven was pacing, her movements sharp and energized. Standing near the window, watching us both with an amused, watchful eye, was Cheri. She had been part of this magical whirlwind since the beginning, and she seemed to be enjoying the anticipation as much as Raven was.

"Manny," Raven said, stopping her pacing to look at me. Her gaze was intense, a mix of necessity and something more playful. "The Old Blood is calling. There’s an ancestral meeting happening across the country—it's far, and it will take me away for quite some time."

She turned toward Cheri, who gave a knowing nod.

"As you know," Raven continued, "my presence there is vital. But my life here... my duties at home, my business... they can't just sit empty. They need the Lady of the House to maintain the balance while I am gone."

Cheri stepped closer, her eyes dancing with mischief as she looked at me. "And since Raven can't be in two places at once," Cheri added, her voice smooth and teasing, "she needs a solution. A perfect one."

Raven walked toward me, her presence wrapping around me like a velvet cloak. She stopped inches away, her eyes locking onto mine.

"The problem is the distance," Raven whispered. "I need someone to fill in for me here. Someone to inhabit my life, to manage my affairs, and to stand as 'me' until the real Raven returns."

She reached out, her fingertips tracing my jawline with a curious, almost clinical touch.

"To do that, we need to create a clone," she breathed. "A perfect physical duplicate. We need a vessel—someone with your spirit to act as the foundation for the magic. Someone who can be molded into my likeness. Someone like... you"