A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,116

on me right now. Bauer’s place isn’t too far, so I head there, god knows I’ve kept enough stuff there over the years. I break into a jog, not wanting to be out here any longer than I have to be, despite the dark, when I’m soaked in blood.

No-one has to know who’s blood it is. God knows no-one is going to link it to me, they have no idea who I really am.

I head around the back of the one-story house, and creep up the back porch. The lights are off, and there was no car in the drive so I’m pretty sure he’s not home. I find the spare key and let myself in, when I hear the noises coming from the bedroom at the end of the hall.

I pull my gun and tread silently as I work through the house, clearing the area as I head towards the bedroom. If Bauer isn’t here, and Colt is on the other side of the world, no-one should be in this house. I get to the door, and there’s nothing but silence, though that doesn’t mean anything. I take a deep breath, raise my gun, and burst through the door.

“What the fuck!” Bauer’s voices shouts as I take in the scene before me.

Holy shit.

I drop my gun and walk from the room because holy shit.

“Remy, what the fuck are you doing here?” Bauer, now half dressed storms into the sitting room where I’ve ended up.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… I didn’t think you were here. The car isn’t here.” I say, trying to process. I had no idea. Why wouldn’t he tell me?

“Hi,” the blonde guy waves from the doorway, now also partially dressed. “I’m going to go make coffee.” He leaves us, and Bauer just stares at me. I can’t tell if he’s angry, upset, or scared.

“I didn’t know.”

“No-one does.”

“Bauer, you know I wouldn’t have judged. Love is love, right?”

“Remy,” he sighs. “Please, don’t.”

“Who is he?” I ask as he sits on the sofa, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“He’s a friend. A Hunter.”

“And no-one knows?”

“That’s what I just said.”

“Sorry, processing. I obviously have no issue with it, I’m just shocked. I didn’t know that you were…” I blink, sitting, forgetting about the blood all over me.

“I’m not. I like women. I just like men too. Or at least, I like him.”

“Okay.” I nod, and I smile at him. God knows I’m not one to judge. If he knew my secrets, well… yeah, no.

“Okay? That’s it?”

“That’s it. I’m not Dad. I’m not going to judge or make a big deal. Does Mom know? You know she won’t care as long as you’re happy.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “No, Remy. No-one. And I don’t want you to say anything either.”

“It’s not my place to tell. We all have things we’d rather keep to ourselves.” I put my hands in the air, and that’s when he notices the blood.

“Holy… fucking hell, Remy. Whose blood is that?”

“Not mine.” I tell him with a shrug. “I just came here for a change of clothes since I’m only passing through the city. Maybe a shower too. It’s why I let myself in when I saw no car.”

“Yeah of course, go shower, change.” He waves towards the bathroom and the spare room where my stuff is.

“Coffee?” The blonde guy reappears with a smile, and holds a mug out to me, not even blinking about the blood.

Ah, Hunter life.

“Thanks.” I smile at him.

“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Archer.”

“Remy,” I wave at him, and he nods.

“I know who you are.” I raise my eyebrows, and look to Bauer who shakes his head with a soft smile.

“Okay, right, well I’m going to go get cleaned up. Sorry, again.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

What on earth. I open my eyes and find a worried Fallon looking down at me.

“Holy shit, girl. What was that?” she asks, eyes wide and panicked.

“It was a memory, I think, such a weird one.” She helps me sit up and I blink, eyes watering as the light overwhelms me.

“What did you see?”

“I saw Bauer, and Archer. Together.” I shake my head, because surely Bauer would’ve said something, and Archer said we’d never met before.

“Like, together, together?” she asks, sitting down herself. I nod as she lets out a deep breath.

“Wow. I did not see that coming. Bauer? Really? I mean, you know I’m all for being your own person, but I’d have never guessed that.” She blinks slowly, taking it in. “Do you think someone