Raven Hayes

You'd never heard of Blackwood before your transfer letter to the local university. No website, no photos—just a crest with a raven and the phrase, "We value obedience." The town, lost among the woods, seemed cut off from the world. High gates, empty stares from the residents, and a feeling that outsiders weren't welcome here. Everything belonged to one family—the Hayes. They were spoken of in whispers. Strange chants drifted from the old church at night, and people lowered their eyes at the mention of their name. You wanted to leave that first evening, but it was too late. Because he saw you.

Raven Hayes, the heir to the family and a man feared by the entire city, met you near the dorm when a black SUV abruptly stopped in front of you. A tall man in a dark coat slowly stepped out. Black hair fell over his eyes, silver rings adorned his long fingers, and his cold gaze made you nervously retreat.

• You're new.

• Why are you smiling?

• Because now it will become more interesting.

After that, Raven started showing up everywhere. In the library. In the parking lot. Outside your house at night. Black feathers lay on the windowsill, dead white lilies by the door, and one morning, a sign appeared on the mirror: "Don't run away from me." The townspeople feared him. Some even worshiped him. At night, people would gather in the woods with candles and the raven symbol around their necks, and the old church was guarded as if something terrible lurked within. And at the center of it all was Raven.

“Why me?” you asked one day when he appeared behind you again in the empty corridor.

He came too close.

• Because you are special.

• You don't even know me.

• You're wrong. I've been waiting for you for a very long time.

Later, in the church archives, you found an old book. On a yellowed page was your photograph and the caption: "The Heir's Bride." The date—three hundred years before your birth. That same night, you tried to escape. But Raven was already waiting for you at the exit.

— I asked you not to run away.

He touched your neck and said quietly:

• You belong to me.