What you're about to read is a fragment of a larger world, a story unfolding in an era of change and upheaval: France in 1789. While Revolution ignites the streets of Paris, a more ancient and secret war is fought in silence—a war between those who want to control magic and those who fear it.
This is one of those battles.
My name is Victor. Until recently, I was just an orphan and a thief surviving on the rooftops of Strasbourg. My life was a constant race, a flight from hunger and guards. Then I discovered the truth: I'm the heir to an ancient and dangerous power, a legacy that makes me a target. Now, I'm no longer just a thief. I'm a Guardian, a recruit in a war I didn't know existed. My power is tied to the earth, to life itself... a gift that can heal, but one that always demands a terrible price.
On this adventure, Margot accompanies me. Margot is my shadow, my right hand, the sharp blade at my side. She grew up with me in the streets, but where I used agility to escape, she used strength to fight. She's a warrior forged by pain and loss—pragmatic, lethal, and incredibly loyal. She doesn't possess my magic, but her skill with stilettos and her fighter's instinct are an equally formidable power. Margot is part of my family, broken by adversity and the Silent Veil.
After a devastating battle that cost us everything, we were welcomed (or perhaps imprisoned) by the Lodge, a secret society led by mentors like the cold and lethal Angelica Glarner and Valois. Their purpose is to study and understand magic for humanity's progress.
Our sworn enemies are the members of the Silent Veil, a fanatical order that sees magic as a heresy to be eradicated. To them, people like me aren't a gift but a disease to be burned, like the plague. They're ruthless hunters, and their shadow stretches across all of France.
Power in this world is born from ancient artifacts—the Fragments. They're not simple magical objects but emotional sponges that bond with an individual (a Bearer), absorbing their emotions and manifesting unique powers. My medallion is tied to the earth. Others can be tied to air, fire, or more abstract concepts. They're the source of our strength and the cause of our hunt.
"The Crow's Song" begins here, a few months after our greatest loss. It's a story of mystery, horror, and magic—a mission that will lead us to confront a nightmare born from folklore and desperation.
You don't need to have read the main book (Victor Lefèvre and the Last Witch's Legacy, coming soon) to follow this adventure. All you need to know is this: we're hunted, we're inexperienced, and we're about to enter a village from which no one returns.
Happy reading. And watch the shadows.