Welcome to the Ravens! Here’s your cheat sheet to the secret society that ties everything, and everyone, in my world together.
If you’d rather go in blind and let the way the society works reveal itself as you read…Now’s your chance to leave this page and get to reading!
Still here? You’re about to learn the details about this ruthless secret society.
Ravens: Official male members of the society. Branded with a Raven on their wrist when they are twenty-one unless they are required to serve as a Talon. Talons are branded as Ravens after they complete year five of their service.
Doves: The women in the Ravens. Some serve as a Talon’s Dove, and ALL are ultimately married off to a Raven.
Talons: Future Ravens who do the dirty work to earn their brand. They serve five years before they are branded as a Raven. The first four years they take an oath of celibacy other than one night a year during the annual ceremony when they fight to the death and surviving earns them a single fuck and another dick piercing right after. The last year they get to hunt in the woods for a Dove who is theirs to fuck for the year before their respective marriages are arranged by their parents (not usually to their Dove).
The Council: The governing body made up of the oldest living male heir from twenty founding families who control everything within the society.
Velum: Popular club where Ravens go to dance, drink, fuck, and do business without questions.
Graves U: University run by the Ravens with a mixture of Raven families and other elite families sending their children there. Named after one of the founding families.
Headquarters:
Outside of Boston in New England, USA.
Established:
Early 1800s
Rules:
- Marriages are arranged, with the fathers and/or elder male guardian doing the negotiations. The Council can override and make decisions about marriages.
- Marriages are sealed with public claimings. The man fucks the woman the way he wants in front of the Society to claim her as his. Talons must also publicly claim their Doves.
- Widows are auctioned… or possibly killed if their late husbands’ wills say so.
- Families who have been Ravens for three generations or less must have their children serve: either as a Talon or a Talon’s Dove (or auction). If the Talon fails, the family may be excommunicated or killed.
- A Talon serves for 5 years, the first 4 they are celibate except for the annual ritual night. Year 5, he gets to hunt in the woods for a Dove.
- Doves who are required to serve must either go directly to auction or serve as a Talon’s Dove. They are hunted in the woods and the Talon who brings her out and claims her, gets to keep her for a year.
- Once you’re in, you don’t leave. Ever. Talons will drag back those who try and ensure they face punishment.
- The police don’t interfere and are in the Raven’s pocket. The Talons handle punishment and enforcement. (Talons are controlled by the Sinclairs)