McKenzie Burns - Legacy of the Night: The Ravinia Duology Book 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

Text copyright 2022 by McKenzie Burns

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Cover design copyright Fran Haase

www.coverdungeon.com

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Edited by: Sydney Hawthorn and McKenzie Burns

Proofread by: Camilla McCann

Internal formatting design McKenzie Burns

ISBN: 9798840473023

To those whose lives have been upturned by

senseless violence, particularly the people of

Ukraine.

OTHER WORKS BY MCKENZIE BURNS

From the Shadows

Through the Flames

CONTENTS

R AVINIA .

A country where anyone could prosperso long as they knew the right person. The land flowed in coin, the wealthy inhabitants dressed lavishly for their strolls in the streets, the men in their three-piece suits and women in their intricate gowns and jewels. Gorgeous estates lined in gold covered the land and caused those not fortunate enough to inhabit them to turn green with envy.

Only in his dreams did Mikhail ever belong in that land of milk and honey. He watched from his spot on the deck of the recently docked ship as pale women clad in their petticoats and furs were toted around like prizes by bearded men, their lips pursing in distaste each time someone looked at their ladies the wrong way.

Oh, how hed missed the familiar sights of home.

A hand clapped on Mikhails shoulder.

This is it, my friend, Anders said. He had to shout over the brutally cold wind that tossed his blonde locks around. Are you ready to be back?

As Ill ever be, Mikhail replied. Though Im not sure you know what you signed up for when you said youd join me.

Oh, I knew, Anders assured him as his blue eyes trailed a beautiful woman with bountiful breasts. She noticed the attention and gave Anders a shy smile while the man who accompanied her appeared ready to pull a gun if one wrong move was made.

Mikhail quickly grabbed his best friends shoulder and turned him away from the potential enemy. Enemies could be made quickly in Ravinia. That, in part, had influenced Mikhail to leave his home country four years prior and pursue his studies in Osmana. His younger years had been filled with too much trouble. He needed some time awaysome time in a country known for its peace and tranquility.

His believed his absence did him well. After somehow convincing the university in Osmanas capital city of Hafnaross that he could afford the education they offered, hed earned more than just a degree. Hed found Anders, for one, whom hed influenced probably for the worse. Hed bedded more women than he cared to keep track of. Drank some of the best foreign wines and ales. And now that hed returned to Ravinnia, he too could become one of the fancy businessmen that linked arms with pretty, money-hungry girls.

And if all else failed him, Mikhail could always go back to his roots and join the mafia. No matter the formal life hed led for the past four years; he imagined he would never lose his talent for con artistry.

We arent in Osmana anymore, brother, Mikhail warned in Anders native tongue. You have to be more careful.

Anders chuckled and lightly shoved his friend away. Then what are you to do when you can no longer ogle at beautiful women?

The corners of Mikhails lips curled up ever-so-slightly.

I drink and I make bets. And when my bets turn me into a rich man, the women come to me. He followed his statement with a particularly vulgar series of hip thrusts, which made Anders roar with laughter.

The friends continued to laugh as they clapped a hand on each others backs and hiked their bags higher on their shoulders. They were men of few belongings and little money, but that was because Osmana had limited them. The laws were too strict, the people too serious. As much as Mikhail needed to get away, he was happy to be back, living where he could thrive. A place he could prosper.

He needed Ravinia.

Come, my friend, Mikhail said, wrapping his arm around Anders shoulders as they set their first steps on solid ground. Let me show you how my countrymen live.

AFTER STOPPING BY their newly rented run-down, one-bedroom flat in the center of Biroskovsk, the boys headed to The Diamond Pint, the bar conveniently located beneath them.

Mikhail found their new home beneficial for several reasons. For starters, he could eavesdrop on any of The Diamond Pints patrons. Mikhail figured it would take a week before he learned which regulars he could and couldnt con out of all their coin. Then there was the convenience of never having to travel far after a night of too many drinks. And finally, there was the convenience of never making his nightly female companions travel very far on unsteady feet. What kind of gentlemen would he be if he made his guests travel across the city before bedding them?

The moment he stepped through the front door of the establishment, the overwhelming sense of home overcame him. Four years had passed, but one moment amongst the chaos made him feel as though it was only yesterday when hed last entered the Ravinian nightlife.

Mikhail shut his eyes and took in a deep inhalation through his nose. Ah, the refreshing smells of alcohol and deceit.

Misha ?

He opened his eyes only to meet the shock of a pretty young barmaid. Though Mikhail had hardly thought twice about her while away, he caught his childhood friends awe written all over her face. Poor Anders was probably wondering how hed already managed to earn the favor of such a beauty.

Katiya, my darling, he greeted with open arms.

The girl squealed and ran into his embrace. Mikhail lifted her off the ground, garnering much attention from the patrons of the bar and the still-ogling Anders.

We thought you were gone for good, Katiya gushed when her feet found the ground once more. Her use of Ravinian left the conversation solely between her and Mikhailand any eavesdropping natives. When you didnt show up again, I thought for sure they took you too.

Mikhail placed a reassuring hand on Katiyas shoulder and leveled his most charming smile at her. Never fret, my dear Katiya. No one will ever take me away from my homeland for too long. Ive merely been away studying.

Studying? The barmaids eyes widened. Youve been working on your education?

In Osmana, da . Mikhail suddenly remembered Anders standing beside him and wrapped his arm around his friends shoulders. Ive returned with a souvenir.

Katiyas obvious interest in Anders didnt entirely surprise Mikhail. Just as the women in Osmana marveled over him, he knew the Ravinian girls would treat Anders the same way. But for as big a game as Anders liked to boast, he certainly didnt know how to act on it.

Mikhail elbowed his friend in the ribs, jolting him from whatever fantasy he found himselfand probably Katiyain.