The Raven and the Witch Hunter Omnibus

BIG BEAR CHAPTER 4-1

BIG BEAR CHAPTER 4

Vanessa woke up early the next morning feeling invigorated. She'd been so wound up after Emma Jane left the night before that she'd taken a chance on being seen and transformed into her raven form. The familiar tingle of warmth as her skin became covered in shiny black feathers, the not completely unpleasant sensation of her bones and body rearranging into that of a bird of approximately the same size as her human form was now a simple matter for her, one that never failed to exhilarate and restore.

Under the cover of darkness, she’d gone for a flight as a raven in the cool mountain night. She’d been completely at peace as she'd glided over the peaceful range in the dark. Although she knew it was below freezing, she didn't feel the cold nearly as sharply as when she was a human and had flown for hours. Her flight had also given her a chance to scout out the area. Her vision was better in the dark as a raven and she'd been able to mark several possible locations that fit the description of what Evelyn had seen in her dreams. Two in particular called to Vanessa, but she couldn’t be sure if they were important or if something shiny had caught her attention. She was a raven, after all. As she stretched, thinking about the sheer enjoyment of the night before, she felt more awake and alive than she had for several days.

She got out of bed, putting on the housecoat that came with the room then grabbed her toiletry bag and towel. Her magic and energy were always replenished after time spent in her other form. She remembered Mai explaining once that her dragon form was her true one, while being human was just the costume she dressed in between transformations. Vanessa had only recently discovered she was able to transform, so she often forgot about the energy boost that accompanied being a raven. Well, not for this trip. She resolved to transform daily, especially without Cat around to recharge her batteries the way she'd grown accustomed to since meeting Emma Jane.

Vanessa washed up quickly, electing to skip a shower until after their hike, as she didn’t want her wet hair to freeze, as she knew it would after being outside for ten minutes. She'd save the warm shower for the end of her long hiking day instead. She put her things back in her bedroom then went across the hall to knock on Emma Jane's door. After less than a minute, the door opened and Emma Jane emerged fully dressed.

"Good morning," Vanessa said, surprised to see her love ready for the day. "Have you been up long?"

Emma Jane nodded. "I woke up around six. I dressed, then spent some time mediating. I thought if I was able to focus my power, I could ensure I had my barriers up before I spent all day hiking with you. I’m hoping to stay centered and keep myself from accidentally siphoning your energy."

Vanessa smiled, still proud of herself and eager to share her own bolt of inspiration.

“That’s a good idea. Also, guess what? Last night I went out to get an 'as the raven flies' lay of the land, if you know what I mean." Vanessa looked furtively around the hallway, but no one was around them to hear her cryptic statement except Emma Jane, who fortunately understood.

"And? Did you see something interesting?"

"Let's get some food and talk while we eat. I'm famished. I'm always hungrier the day after a flight. I still don't completely understand that one."

Emma Jane rolled her eyes. "Could it possibly be because you totally destroyed the laws of physics and aerodynamics? I'm sure changing forms to become another creature takes a fair amount of energy."

"True, but I actually always feel energized rather than drained after a transformation. Sure, I'm starving, but I also feel way more alive. I think I'm going to do it every night while we’re traveling. It'll help keep my energy up during the day, in case you are siphoning from me just by being nearby."

Vanessa wondered if they could try an experiment, but Emma Jane must have read her speculative expression and she stopped her before Vanessa suggested what she was thinking. At the same time, she took a half-step back.

"Oh, no you don't! I'm not taking a chance on your raven helping you regenerate from touching me. We're going to take this seriously and not look for short cuts."

Vanessa exhaled, then pouted playfully. "Party pooper."

Emma Jane laughed, shaking her head. "Let's get you something else to focus on. I've heard this place makes a fantastic breakfast."

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