Book 1: Lightning Strikes

Raven 

Every time I close my eyes, I see lightning strike down just inches from where Sybil stands. Guilt gnaws in my stomach no matter how much I toss and turn in my large bed. If Kieran were here, he’d hold me, tell me that it’s all okay. He’d probably laugh about it. I can almost hear his laughter in my mind, and it sends a pang through my heart. 

I miss him so much it’s eating me alive. Each day I hope that the pain of his absence will somehow lessen, but it’s only grown with each passing hour he’s gone. How has Mother endured this for all these years? It’s only been a few days, yet my heart feels like it doesn’t fit inside my body anymore. It exists somewhere out there with him, wherever he is, whatever he’s doing now. 

I sit up in bed and throw off my covers, giving up on any pretense that I’ll get to sleep tonight. If I’m not feeling guilty about what I did to Sybil, I’m missing my husband so much I can’t breathe. The walls fe