A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,6

coming here today. By now, I’m sure you know the reason for me calling upon you. Fallon, my best friend, a Witch, has been taken by Archer, a Hunter gone rogue. She is being kept in the Shadow Realm.

Now, for the bits you guys don’t know yet. I’ve asked you all to gather here, to help us keep Archer and his rogues in check, while I travel to the Shadow Realm to get back Fallon.” Murmurs start up in the crowd, and I let them have a minute, because the Shadow Realm is no joke.

“I recently discovered, that I was not always a Hunter. I had another life, as Amantara. Those Hunters among us may recognize the name. Amantara was an Angel, the right hand to the Archangel of War, and a big part of the War of the Fallen. My blood was used to seal the portal to the Shadow Realm, all those years ago, which is why Archer has taken Fallon. He wants me to open a portal for him, for her safe return. Which is where you come in. When he realizes I am gone, all hell is quite literally likely to break loose here. We need as many people as we can to keep him in check until I’m back and can seal the portal for good.”

Shouts go up and questions are thrown at me, but I can barely make out one voice from the next. This is why I’m not good with a lot of people. Put me on a battlefield with a ton of people, fine, I will cut through them until I’m covered from head to toe in blood.

Make me talk to them? Yeah not quite the same story. The packs were different, they arrived in groups, and I only had to really deal with the Alphas. This is…well it’s a lot.

“Please, look, I know it’s a lot to take in. Trust me, I know. We found all of this out two days ago. I’m sharing it as soon as I can, but we all have a part in this. Archer gathered the rogue Lycans and Dracul. He is working with Witches to keep his locations concealed, to help him create his abomination hybrids, and more so, to open the portal, even for the smallest amount of time. Each of us has a role to play in what’s to come, each of you gave your word that you would help when it was needed. This is the call. We need your help.”

I wait for what I’ve said to sink in. While they all might acknowledge the role their factions have played in this subconsciously, hearing it laid out like that will be new, and having each other’s roles laid out in front of everyone here, yeah, people aren’t going to like that, but at this point, I don’t give a shit. People need to step up.

“Thank you, Remy, for going to get her. We will do what we can to help in any way,” Marie says, stepping forward from the crowd of Witches.

“You already know that we will do what we can,” Kain says, followed closely by Roman.

I look to the Hunters, Nasari and Colt both look uncomfortable, and it makes my stomach knot. “And the Hunters? Considering it could be said that this is our problem, since Archer is responsible for all of this fucking chaos?”

“We will do what is asked of us. But I ask to come with you to the Shadow Realm.” Colt says, and I shake my head.

“No, brother. You are needed here. Trust me, I will do everything in my power and beyond to bring her back to us.” What I don’t tell him, is that I have no idea how I’m going to do this. I really need to speak to an Angel, or find something from my life then, and hope it triggers some form of memory.

Colt bows his head, accepting what I’ve said, at least in front of everyone, I have a feeling he’s going to give me hell when we’re alone. But that’s for later, for now, we need to prepare.

“Thank you everyone. Now, we need to go through details.”

Chapter Three

Remy

I wake up and stare at the ceiling. Alone again, but by choice. I almost feel guilty considering where Fallon is right now, for even being a little miserable that I’m alone. At least I’m here in my own bed.

I let out a breath and throw the comforter off. I need to run, maybe