A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,27
a lot to wrap my head around. I’ve been a Hunter a while, this isn’t exactly my first life, but I’ve learned more about the other factions these last few months since my sister opened everyone’s eyes than I have in all of my past lives put together.
“Right, we should clean up and head back. I’ve got a dozen edgy Witches that want updates every ten minutes. We’ve only got another day until Archer’s deadline for Remy. It’s not going to take him long to work out that she’s not coming to help him,” Marie tells me. “You need to focus, Colt. I know you’re worried about my daughter, but we have other roles to play in this. Remy will bring her back.”
“I know, I just hate feeling like I’m on the sidelines,” I tell her, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Boy, once Archer finds out she betrayed him, it’s not going to feel like you’re on the sidelines. You’re going to be in the thick of it, so get your head in the game, you understand?” She scolds.
“Yes ma’am.” I nod, and help her pack up the few bits that she brought out here with her then head back inside to load up that godforsaken trunk. I don’t know how she gets so much in it, or how the hell she moves it without the help of a dozen people. It’s rare that something makes me strain strength wise these days, but fuck me that thing is heavy. I’ve lifted trucks lighter than that fucking trunk.
“Everything go okay?” Everly asks once we’re inside and the trunk is all sorted.
“As well as expected,” Marie tells her. “I just hope they’re okay. Time moves differently over there, but that’s not the only thing that’s different, their strengths will be diminished down there too.” She looks worried and I try not to bug out. Why did no-one mention this before?
“Do they know that?” I ask and she shakes her head.
“Not as far as I know, but it doesn’t make a difference if they know or not. It’ll take as long as it takes. They can’t just run through the levels of the Shadow Realm and magic Fallon to them. They’re going to need help, serious help, especially if it’s the queen working with Archer. Though I can’t imagine it,” she tells us.
“You seem to know a lot about all of this.”
“Read as many Witch grimoires as I have and you pick things up.” She winks at me. “The queen isn’t exactly a fan of humans, or Hunters. So I don’t see it, but stranger things have happened. Especially recently.” She shrugs, and picks up her purse.
“It was lovely seeing you again, Everly. Keep yourself safe, and set those wards the second we cross the property line okay?” Marie tells her and she scoffs.
“I’ve been doing this a while,” Everly says with a smile.
“Things are a little different right now,” I tell her and she looks at me like she’s going to scold me.
“You’re not wrong,” she says with a small shrug. “You both take care of yourself, and I’ll be here in this fortress if you need me okay?”
They hug each other, and I offer her a wave when she scoffs again, before hugging me. “You’re family, family doesn’t wave,” she says, patting my arm as she releases me.
“Understood,” I say with a wink. I head out with Marie, carrying the godforsaken trunk out to her car. I drop it in the trunk of her car, and somehow the suspension doesn’t give way. If this car isn’t spelled, I’ll be amazed.
“Thank you, Colt,” Marie says, patting my cheek. “Take care of yourself, and get your guild ready. Now that Nasari and the others have left, it’s on you to coordinate everyone here. I’ll be around to help if you need it.” She climbs into the car with a smile and drives away, and I try not to take her comment personally, I’m sure she didn’t mean to be as condescending as she was, she’s just got a lot on.
Then again, leading a fucking guild isn’t something I ever wanted or asked for, so maybe she’s not completely wrong, and I am going to fuck this up royally.
I climb into my truck, crank the music up as loud as it will go, and head back to my dad’s place, trying not to think too much about the complete fuck up I’ve found myself in the middle of. Needless to say, my dad is