A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,40
conversations lighten from what they were, even if only a small reprieve from the heavy weight that seems to grow with each new day, and each new discovery. I sit and eat, listening to the conversations around me, enjoying the unity, even if tentative, that we seem to have found here between each of the factions. Surely if we few can manage it, then we all should be able to.
Breakfast doesn’t take long, not as long as I had hoped, before I add the burden I carry to the shoulders of my friends. Everly clears the table, Creek and Kain helping her, before she takes her leave from the room.
“So, Remy, are you going to tell us why you asked us to come here? What it is that seems to have you all on edge, despite the ease you try to show us?” Marie asks me, meeting the eyes of each person around the table, while Fallon rolls her eyes.
“Way to be dramatic, Mom.”
“She’s not wrong,” Kain says softly.
“The Lycans found a body…” I start, and then the entire story falls from me, the hybrids, Levi’s suspicions, and the truth of the Hunters’ past.
“Your grandfather always was a vile creature,” Marie says, cursing. “He would have waited an eternity for a reason to start his war. He took what happened as an opportunity, I would not be surprised to discover he was behind the attack. Even our ancestors were weary of that man, only agreeing to the fewest of his requests. It was mainly your mother we joined with, or yourself when you were alive. I had no idea of the punishment given to you, that Denny did nothing to stop it… I do not know how any parent could wish that curse upon their child. Have you considered how many more Hunters there may be that still live the curse? That knew the truth, and have never again been given the option to take up their mantle as Hunters?”
Her words hit me like an arrow to the heart, because I hadn’t. I look to Levi, and I know that there are more. “Do you know who?”
"I did not pay attention to those beyond yourself, not truly. It was your sacrifice that made me see you truly. Your sacrifice for the others, your unbending will, it brought the attention of many Archangels, but no others kept watching as I did. Each chance I had to come to this realm, I sought you out, even when you were human, with no knowledge, I watched, waiting for you to realize the truth, to be released from the curse. I was not allowed to intervene and did not wish to risk you if I tried. But there are ways to find out." He looks sorry, but I don't blame him for not knowing, I hold the blame firmly to my grandfather and the other Elders who made the disgusting decisions they made.
"The archives," I say, and Creek looks to me, knowing. "We need to break into the archives, there will be information in there."
"How do we even know where the old histories are kept?" he asks, and I know he doesn't really want the answer I have.
"Maddie. She will know," I tell him, tell them all.
"She would help?" Marie asks, uncertainty all over her face.
"She would if she knew the truth," Creek says with a sigh.
"But will she believe you?" Fallon questions. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I believe you completely, but it’s a lot to take in."
"She'll believe me." Creek tells her with a sad smile.
"But how does any of this help with the hybrid situation?" Roman intercedes.
"Without the help of the Hunters, it is unlikely we will be able to fight off whatever is coming. While we might have thought the two things could remain separate, the factions will need to join to fight whatever it is we are going to face." Levi’s voice carries across the room, the heaviness of it blanketing us all. "You said the person who attacked your father was human? It could even be that there are Hunters working with the rogue factions. It could all be connected. It seems too much of a coincidence for all of this to happen at once."
"I have to agree," Marie says. "I will gather the Witch council. See what help I can round up, and to see if I can find any information on how or who has been helping with the hybrid creation. Fallon, go with Remy