Chapter. 1

You cannot do it alone.

The words rang in my head, as I walked the darkened streets of Sol Astra, on my way to meet her. Everyone knew of the crow queen. Aptly named, both for ruling the most dangerous gang in sol Astra, the crows, and also for her ability to command the crows and ravens of the world. And I needed her on my team. I stopped in front of a two story building. It was made of black stone, but rimmed in red, and a sign on tom dubbed it"the murder". Her club. Two black doors led inside, guarded by two men in uniforms. They didn't bother me though, as I stepped inside, and was immediately bombarded with the sounds of laughter, and dice rolling and music. I sighed. Were they not aware that the crow queen controlled every game? That there was no way they profited here? I moved around the tables full of laughing people, and up a stairway in the back. The lights were bright, catching each sparkle of silver as coins were tossed onto the tables. I closed the door behind me, and examined the room I was in. there were various trinkets along the walls, and a desk in the middle of the room, with an open window behind it. In the window frame there was a crow, watching me with wise eyes. It flew off. Next thing I know, a humanoid figure was making their way through the window. They sat down at the desk, and removed their hood. Purple eyes met my own, and they gestured for me to sit. I looked around for a chair, and found one near a corner. I pulled it over.

"Are you the crow queen?" they nodded once. I took a deep breath. "I want your help to kill the shadow king." the queen tilted her head. "I…" i hesitated. "I conversed with a shadow." Everyone knew it was treason to talk to one of them. That they whispered lies. the queen sat up straight. "It told me to kill its master. It gave me a prophecy."

"Glidio." said the queen quietly.

"Yes, that was her name. She said I needed to seek out the one who commands the shadows and the birds." I folded my hands in my lap. Moment of truth. "She said I needed the daughter of the Darkling." the queen inhaled sharply. The next thing I knew I had a knife to my throat. Her eyes glinted in the dim light, and her knee was on my chest, tipping my chair backwards.

"That is a dangerous accusation to play around with." she whispered darkly.

"I wouldn't tell anyone. I just need your help." the queen thought for a second.

"Okay. I will go with you. But, when it is done, when my father is dead, I will wipe your memory of that thought. You will not remember that fact. Understand?"

I nodded. "Our ship leaves at dawn." the queen nodded, and tipped my chair back in place. I touched one finger to the line of blood on my throat. So far so good.