Raven Series by Patricia Briggs

For many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city. From the ashes of Colossae, the Travelers emerged--roaming the world to ensure that the Stalker would remain imprisoned forever...Seraph is a Raven mage and among the last of the Travelers... moreFor many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city. From the ashes of Colossae, the Travelers emerged--roaming the world to ensure that the Stalker would remain imprisoned forever...Seraph is a Raven mage and among the last of the Travelers. Unwelcome among those who fear magic, the wizard clans have been decimated by the very people they've sworn to protect. But Seraph is spared a similar fate by the ex-soldier Tier--and together they build a life where she is no longer burdened by her people's responsibility.But now Tier is missing--or dead--and Seraph's reprieve from her duty is over. Using her magic to discover her husband's fate, Seraph realizes the Stalker's prison is weakening--and only Seraph can fulfill her ancestors' oath to protect humanity from destruction... less

Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found hereCenturies ago, the wizards of Colossae unleashed an unimaginable force of destruction: the Stalker. Only the sacrifice of their entire city could contain the menace they had wrought—but even then, the Stalker was only imprisoned, and it can still find conduits for its evil power...Seraph is among the last of the Travelers, those who strive to destroy the dark magic released by their ancestors' mistakes... moreLibrarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found hereCenturies ago, the wizards of Colossae unleashed an unimaginable force of destruction: the Stalker. Only the sacrifice of their entire city could contain the menace they had wrought—but even then, the Stalker was only imprisoned, and it can still find conduits for its evil power...Seraph is among the last of the Travelers, those who strive to destroy the dark magic released by their ancestors' mistakes. Seraph tried to escape her people's duty and live a quiet life, until evil found her...and her family.A cunning new force for darkness called the Shadowed stalks the land, feeding on death, destruction, and the sleeping Stalker's power. He plans to wake the Stalker, wreaking untold havoc, but he needs those who bear the Travelers' magic to release the dark god...and he has his sights set on Seraph and her family.Now Seraph must use all her cunning and ability as a Raven mage to track down the Shadowed and strike against him before it is too late... less