I hate surprises. They usually come with strings attached, the kind that knot around your ankles and trip you up when you least expect it. So when I found the mysterious envelope on our kitchen table, my first reaction was suspicion. It had no return address, no hint of who might have sent it, just my name scrawled across the front in elegant, looping handwriting.
Raven was still at work, so I sat down alone, turning the envelope over in my hands. There was something almost magical about it, the way it seemed to glow faintly in the morning light. I could almost hear it whispering my name, urging me to open it.
With a deep breath, I tore it open, pulling out a single, cream-colored card.
"Congratulations! You and a guest have won an all-expenses-paid vacation to a secret destination! Pack your bags and prepare for adventure!"
