God Awakened, page 1
GOD AWAKENED
RAVENS NIGHT SAGA
BOOK TWO
HOLLY MACGREGOR
Copyright © 2024 by Holly MacGregor
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This story is fictional and intended for entertainment. All names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7381864-3-3
EBook: 978-1-7381864-2-6
CONTENTS
Warning
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
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WARNING
God Awakened includes content that might not be suitable for some readers. I’ve included a list of these elements at the end of the book. If you have concerns, please check it out so you can decide whether to continue reading.
PROLOGUE
For the one to see the futures past,
Is thrice blessed to conquer lightfast.
Fire be true,
With leadership firm.
Changing destiny right.
CHAPTER 1
He was such a hypocrite, accusing Harlow of lying to him when he himself was lying to her. As was Rowan. Being a close family, he thought, was not the case. Holding his sister to a standard he couldn’t uphold. What had he been thinking? Closing his eyes, he shook his head at himself.
Feeling pathetic, he paced the floor. After storming out on his twin, he had followed through on his word. Going directly to Sally’s private rooms. Just thinking about the woman made a shiver run down his spine. He continued to question himself as to why he had agreed to this specific mission. He still did not know what he had been thinking.
Looking around the tiny suite, as he paced. He was grateful to be alone. Trying to be who he needed to be around its resident was just one thing too many right now. He needed to process his many thoughts.
Although he had a feeling, however small. He wouldn’t have to continue this facade for much longer. Things were happening. Likely coming to a very messy end. So much like his dear friend Cora.
The very person who had been tasked with this current assignment. One where he needed to get very close and intimate with one person. Someone who the secret society thought had insider information. If: Provided that she didn’t, she could still gain access to it. If someone managed to persuade her. Had he known then what he knew now, he would have turned the assignment down. Then perhaps Cora would still be alive. Running his hands through his hair, he gripped the strands.
Wanting to scream out his frustrations, he froze. Biting the inside of his cheek and breathing harshly through his nose. The likelihood of this place being filled with similar listening devices was just too high. Not wanting to play his hand too soon. He still had a job to do, after all.
The information remained crucial for The Ravens Night. It was lucky then his temporary imposed grounding offered him opportunities. Not leading his True Guard team on missions. Allowed him to concentrate on the crucial tasks. Enabling him to focus on gathering any information he could from his alleged ‘girlfriend.’
Just thinking of her that way, he shivered and holding back his gag reflex. Wrapping his arms around himself, he continued to pace back and forth. Just as well for recordings. He needed to be agitated, so his repetitive walking wouldn’t be unusual. It was just the sleazy woman irked him. His gut was churning for the show, he would have to put on soon.
Portraying the character he was compelled to display made him feel uncomfortable. Too far out of his comfort zone, a laid-back and aloof partner. Just thinking about it sent more shivers down his spine. He never had an issue with such a role in a relationship. Then again, a partner in a relationship had never disgusted him before. Not that she was unclean; it was who she was at her core. A selfish, self-serving woman who shows only the face she wants a person to see. A face she hoped would get her what she wanted from them.
Again, he was grateful she wasn’t here. He just wasn’t in the mood for the antics. Hopefully, this facade wouldn’t last much longer and he could move on to more important things. Like discovering what his sister was doing. Maybe he should go see Sloane, perhaps he might know something. With his decision made, he bent to pick up his bag when he heard the locks disengage on the front door.
How had he not noticed she was here? He was so engrossed in his thoughts; that he was slipping. Not good, not good at all. He needed to stay sharp. Especially around this woman, not knowing her true motives yet made her even more dangerous.
Considering all the time they had been together, he had assumed he would have found out more than he had. Perhaps she was on to him and was simply playing with him. But why, though? Or was she simply to be a diversion to keep him from the truth? He suspected that was the case. Still, while he was keeping her occupied, it kept her away from Harlow, who she liked to torment.
Plastering on a fake smile, he prepared himself for an evening of playing her submissive lover. God, how that thought left a foul taste in his mouth. Not to mention the fact he would have to scrub himself from head to toe afterward. At least her unit had a private wet room, a luxury reserved for command leaders. A luxury he and Harlow grew up with as a standard.
As they grew up, he noticed that he and his sister received luxuries that others did not receive. He had always wondered why. Learning early on it was not wise to ask why. If he and his twin inquired about anything, they would face punishment. Quickly, they learned to keep any questions to themselves.
Sadly, it didn’t stop the mistreatment of the others in the compound. It also made the treatment of Harlow and her limp intense. Her lack of ‘perfection’ stood out like a beacon in a world where everything and anything could be fixed. He hated that for her. There is always an effort to protect her. Even her son protected her from ridicule. He would simply brag about how great she was and her many achievements.
He watched the door open to reveal Sally’s squeal of delight. Ending his mental road trip. A trait he seemed to share with his twin. One he tried to hide, with some success. Straightening, he prepared himself as she launched herself towards him. Catching her in his arms as she wrapped her limbs around him. With a grunt, he asked,
“What took you so long? I have been waiting for you.”
Her answer was to grab his head, holding tight as she kissed him. Shoving her tongue into his mouth, moaning loudly. Fighting past his gag reflex, he kissed her back. He needed to stay focused and complete this mission.
Tapping her foot, she waited impatiently for the lock to disengage. Being a member of the True Guard, Honor was accustomed to things happening for her in an instant. They had access to too many of the bonus features in and around the compound in which they all lived. However, those who were not a part of this elite group had to make do without it.
With an exasperated sigh, she placed her hands on her hips. This was ridiculous. It shouldn’t take this long. Why were they always doing this to her? She knew full well they hadn’t wanted her on their team, but they sure as hell didn’t want her on any other team, either. The multiple attempts made to make her life frustrating and force her to quit usually made her chuckle. However, today they were successfully annoying her to no end.
Tampering with the timing of locks engaging or the opening of doors was lame. Even the reprogram to keep the automatic lights off. Whenever her access codes were used. She could usually shrug it off. However, today it was pissing her off.
There was something big happening, she knew. They hadn’t included her like always. Only this time, when she made any attempt to find out any information, she would hit a wall of silence. An unusual occurrence. There were a few on their team that would keep her informed of the goings-on. They believed she belonged and treated her like a genuine member of the True Guard. If only in secret and behind closed doors. Especially away from Jasper’s knowledge.
Lately, however, they have all been silent. Not acknowledging her at all. It hurt. What had she done to deserve such treatment? Logically, she knew she had done nothing. It was Jasper and his jealousy. Why he felt that way toward her was a mystery to her. She had nothing to be jealous of, no family, no friends, nothing. Other than his sour personality, she was jealous of him. A leader with his own True Guard team, friends, and a family. She’d give anything for the last two.
Even if the last one was a found family, like his. Given his brother was missing and now presumed dead. He had been absent for far too long now.
Finally, the locks released, opening the door wide. Grumbling under her breath, she stomped into the room. Ignoring all the grunts, sighs, and eye rolls to her presence. She developed a thick skin because she knew they didn’t want or respect her. Her only value to them was her skills and intelligence.
Making her way through the room to her minuscule desk in the far corner. She would perform her responsibilities like she did every day. Maybe if she pretended to ignore them, they would speak freely and allow her some chance of getting information.
Anything would be better than nothing. At least then she would have something to go on. This treatment only served as a reminder that she desired to be assigned to Caden’s team. If she had been there, she knew without a doubt that they would include her as an equal. With a mental head shake, she focused on the items on her desk. Taking inventory of new the tasks for today.
There wasn’t much for her to do. Nothing of any great importance. Furthering her internal ire. Well, this would mean she could focus more on her investigation of the twins. Why, they were under suspicion and for what? Finally, devising a way to help them.
Relying only on her intuition was fine, but she suspected this time she needed more concrete information. Following her head and her gut this time, she needed to know a little more before she acted. Trusting both, hoping they wouldn’t let her down.
Still, this was hard for her to do, to sit back, wait and listen. Life had always required her to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. She knew her shortcomings and how information was key to knowing what to plan and how. Thus, getting it done.
The last thought made her laugh. Being their archivist, Harlow was always spouting old phrases. She enjoyed hearing them, most were amusing. Some she didn’t understand. You likely had to have been there then, to get it. While others were so catchy, they quickly became a part of their vernacular.
She admired the women, regardless of what everyone said about her. Not believing a thing, they said. It was lies all lies. Despite her ‘imperfections’ not being corrected at birth or later, everyone was still jealous of the woman.
Internally scolding herself, she refocused on her work and got to it. Hoping luck was on her side and the plan would work.
A few hours later, she looked up from her station, noticing most of her teammates were now out of the office. She considered it perfect. Standing, she made her way to their little kitchenette. Along the way, she observed the remaining teammates. Taking the long way around, she looked about, attempting to spy on the empty desks. Hoping for anything she might find useful, left out carelessly.
Finally getting herself a steaming cup of brew. Another thing they could all thank the twins for. Their addiction to this magickal brew allowed them all a taste of it. Well, at least the best simulated version of it. Resources were just too precious to reproduce it, so simulated it was.
She took her time getting back to her desk. Twisting her head side to side as she went, easily concealing her continued attempt at spying. It worked fairly well. Only one of her teammates asked if she was ok.
She raised her mug with a smile and a nod. Happy that they smiled and nodded in return. Work must be intense if she was receiving remarks of concern for a supposed stiff neck. This was good. She could put her plan into motion. The one she had come up with while working on her menial tasks this morning.
The morning had passed uneventfully. It was just after lunch that her plan paid off. The room filled with chatter as members returned. She went unnoticed. Perfect, she thought.
Happy for once, she was invisible. They openly discussed their feelings on how justified their team leader was in his actions against the Faxons. They deserved what was coming to them. She was shocked and felt a powerful urge to defend them.
Instead, she bit her lip and dug her fingernails into her palms. Reminding herself to stay quiet. Needing them to continue. It was a surprise to her that instead of jealousy; it was hatred towards the family. A family favored by the Overseer and by all accounts, for no reason other than they were orphans. Which made little sense, as many of them were orphans as well, with no special treatment. She could include herself in that group.
The conversation continued with her listening intently. As time passed, she noticed not all of her fellow team members felt the same way. There were a few just going with the flow silently agreeing, while others remained silent and quietly fuming with the topic of choice. Did they feel the same way as her? Could she maybe have some allies within her team? Or had this all been a performance designed solely for her benefit? To ensure that they could bring her up to speed on the inner workings and feelings.
She would have to ponder more on this later. She needed all her concentration to listen and work at the same time. Unfortunately, she had to interrupt her plotting and planning when a time-sensitive matter came across her desk. Thankfully, she could hide what she had been working on easily. This was going to take her the rest of the day.
At least she was gaining information from all the chatter. Learning who was on which side. Who was also wavering between the two. Her suspicion with the more she heard was that the Faxons were a part of something larger than themselves was growing.
Accessing her screen, her fingers flew across the touchpad. Searching for any files on the family, tucking them away onto her private drive. At a glance, she hadn’t been able to find any information to support her current theory. Which meant it was likely kept on their team leader’s private drive.
A private drive they weren’t supposed to have. Funny, because they all did. Multiple ones too. All kinds of mistrust were present within Jasper’s team. It was a wonder they operated as a team at all. Hopefully tomorrow she will be more successful in digging through the files to find out more information. The conversation today revealed some good information that she could likely use.
Knowing now whose private files she needed to access, she planned how she could gain entry. She had just enough work left from today that she could use as an excuse to come in early tomorrow. Giving her the much-needed time to get the documents off the private drives.
Satisfied with her plans, she proceeded to tidy her desk. Like always, she was the last one finished for the day. However, today she was going to leave early. Not staying for any extra work and trying to impress.
CHAPTER 2
Grateful was the last thing he thought he should be feeling. Getting down to the brass tax and having sex with her usually allowed him to garner little pieces of information. Even unwanted or unrelated to his mission, it all helped in the end. He was glad when her stomach growled so loudly that he laughed at her. Teasing her that the tiger she ate for breakfast wanted its release. She better let it loose for fear of it consuming her.
Watching while she angrily stomped around her little kitchenette, preparing something for them to eat. A task she usually delegated to him. This time, however, she had growled at him, mumbling under her breath unintelligible words, presumably about him.
