A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,75

was going to go into the Shadow Realm and come out victorious, it would be Remy.

“Colt!” I look up and see Rebel running towards me, Marie just entering the yard from the house. I crouch just before she reaches me, her arms open wide. Rebel hugs me tight, clinging to me desperately, with tears running down her face.

“What’s wrong, my little warrior?” I ask

“I dreamt of my sister. What they were doing to her.” She sobs. I hug her back fiercely.

“It was just a dream, sweetheart,” I say, running a hand down her back. “She’s going to be just fine. Remy will make sure of it, I promise.”

Marie looks at me with tears in her eyes, and it occurs to me that Rebel’s dream might not have been just a dream.

Well, shit.

“I tell you what, how about you come train me with me today and we'll make sure that you can protect yourself and your mom against any of the things that go bump in the night?” I say softly, trying to soothe the still sobbing little girl in my arms. There’s such a big age gap between her and her sister, but I know Rebel thinks that Fallon hangs the moon.

She nods, her tears subsiding. “Yes please.”

“Awesome deal. Now why don’t you go inside and splash some water on your face, while I talk to your mom?”

“Okay,” she says softly and runs towards the house.

“Mama! I’m going to train with Colt!” She shouts as she runs past her.

“Oh baby, that’ll be nice.” Marie gives her a watery smile as Rebel runs past her.

“You holding up okay?” I ask Marie as I reach her on the porch.

“I’ll be fine,” she says, wiping away the last of her tears. “You’ve got enough to worry about without this old woman’s nonsense.”

“Marie,” I start and she stops me.

“Pssh. I’m just having a moment. Hearing Rebel’s dream, everything that’s going on, it just got to me for a minute,” she says, clearing her throat. “Don’t think for a second boy, that I am losing my edge.”

“I would never.” I grin.

“What’s going on in there?” She asks, pointing to the house.

“Dad and Nate came to talk to Bauer. I decided to stay out of the way,” I tell her and she frowns.

“You shouldn’t avoid your father, Colt. He is the one who needs to apologize.” I snort at her words.

“Yes, because my dad is the sort of person who apologizes.” I roll my eyes. “I’ve got more chance of beating Leviathan in a fight than I have of getting any sort of apology from my old man.” She tuts and I shake my head.

“It’s fine. Like you say, I have a lot going on. Too much to worry about that right now. As long as he follows orders when it counts, that’s all I care about right now. Archer has gone quiet, and that has me a little worried. The school, while ruthless, feels like a diversion rather than the main event. And obviously, Bauer’s little nugget about Remy being trapped.”

“Worry about what is in your control for now,” she says squeezing my shoulder. “Trust that your sister will do what she must to ensure the safe return of everyone, including herself. She is stronger than any of us realize.”

After everyone left, and Maddie had cooked enough food for an army, then shoved it in my fridge so I could stay fed, everyone went on their way after catching up with Bauer. Which is exactly when I messaged Elijah and Danny. I turn on the oven to heat the lasagna Maddie made for me earlier, along with a threat that I better eat, and feed the riff raff that she somehow knew would be here tonight.

I've been trying to keep myself busy, occupied enough so I don't lose my shit about Fallon. About how badly I let her down. Trying to convince myself it wasn't my fault she was taken. That I couldn't have known, but in quiet times, like right now when the house is silent, save for the low murmur from the TV in the sitting room where Bauer is resting after everything. Times like this is when it takes over, and I struggle to fucking breathe through it all.

I sent my sister into the fucking Shadow Realm for fuck sake. I have no doubt she would've gone regardless, but I did nothing to stop her. I didn't even try to dissuade her. Because if anything happens to Fallon. I feel sick even