A Crown of Shadows and Secrets

by Sloane Murphy

  “Right,” I say, lifting my bottle to him and he clinks his against it.

  “So, you and Dad?” Bauer says and I shake my head as I swallow the amber nectar.

  “Nope. Not something I want to talk about.”

  “He's being a dick,” Bauer says and I nod.

  “Not going to disagree with you there!” I laugh. “But there's not a fucking thing I can say or do to make him be less of an asshole.”

  “I could speak to him?” He offers, and I shake my head.

  “Nah man. If he wants to be a dick, let him. I've got enough to deal with at the minute.”

  “If you're sure.”

  “More than sure. As long as he toes the line, right now, that's all I give a fuck about.”

  “Okay man. I'm going to head up to bed. If you need me, you know where I am.”

  “Thanks. Night.”

  “Night, Colt.”

  A whole day passed with no sort of retaliation, or even word from Archer, and it’s making me antsy. There is no way that he isn't up to something. Even Bauer is shocked, and it’s making me edgy. I hate the waiting.

  “Still nothing?” Bauer asks as he enters the kitchen.

  “Nope,” I tell him as I nurse the mug of coffee in front of me.

  “You hungry?”

  “Nah.” I shake my head and lift up my mug. “I'm good with this, thanks.”

  He shrugs and starts banging around the kitchen, making himself some flamboyant breakfast. Bauer always was the cook of us all. I can just about burn beans.

  My phone buzzes on the table just as Bauer’s pings in his pocket. A sense of dread fills me, and I just know. I know that it’s Archer. I pick up my phone as Bauer watches me, pulling his out too. A message from an unknown number with a video clip attached.

  I swallow as I hit play and Archer’s face comes into frame.

  “You Bennetts, you think you're so smart. Hitting my sites, like I didn't have others just in case Bauer turned on me.” He laughs manically, and it’s hard to watch as the camera flips and refocuses. The view makes me want to throw up, but I keep it down. “Their screams were like music to my ears. A special song just for me. This was on you Bennett brothers. Just know your sister and her little Witch will pay for this too.” The bodies were still smoking, blackened from the fire that burnt them. I can't tell who they are, but I know the building behind them. The Elder Tower. They're behind it, in the back grounds. How the fuck did he get in there?

  The video ends with more laughter and I drop my phone, running to the sink and bringing up my coffee.

  “Colt...” I lift up a finger and stop my brother from speaking while my stomach rolls again.

  “There were kids in that pile, Bauer,” I say, spitting into the sink before rinsing my mouth.

  “This is my fault.” he says, hanging his head.

  “No, this is his fault. All of it is his fucking fault,” I seethe, gripping the counter until my knuckles turn white.

  “If I hadn't taunted him with Dylan...”

  “Then he'd have just retaliated for our move last night anyway. He knows how to hurt us. Our people are what we value the most. Hurting them hurts us. He knows that.” I sigh, my anger and guilt rolling around inside of me, fighting for dominance. I made the call to attack his buildings. The weight of this is on me. No-one else.

  “We need to stop him, Bauer. For good.”

  “I know,” he sighs, clasping my shoulder. “We'll stop him.”

  “First, we need to find him,” I say quietly. “But before that, I need to call the other Elders and tell them what's happened.”

  I sigh and leave the room, knowing that the call I'm about to have is going to be one of the hardest I've ever made.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Remy

  “R.E.S.P.E.C.T…” Morgan on her version of karaoke is hilarious. I've lost track of how long the guys have been gone, and how much we've drank. I can't remember the last time I laughed like this. She belts out the classic song, because apparently along with most other things, the Shadow Realm steals their arts from, what they call the mortal realm, too.

  She finishes with a flourish and jumps down from the stage she made appear earlier. We're still in the hall the guys left us in. Apparently the most secure place in all of the Shadow Realm, as there are no doors or windows, and only those with good intentions can whisper in unless Morgan puts doors in the room—whispering is what they call that black, wrap movement thingy.

  I giggle as she drops into the chair next to me, and I realize I might just be more than a little tipsy. I've not drank this much in a while either.

  “It's your turn!” She grins, and I shake my head.

  “I can't, no more. I've used up all of my song book!” I tell her. “I could seriously eat though.” My stomach grumbles, almost backing up my statement and she giggles.

  “Then food we shall have!” She waves her hand and the karaoke set up disappears, the table lengthens and so much food appears. Pizza, fries, wings. All of the best drunk food you can think of.

  “We are not so different after all, huh?” She says, hiccupping a little. She drank at least double what I did, so I'm not shocked. I grab a slice of the cheese pizza and groan as I take a mouthful.

  Yes. I needed this.

  I eat a few slices, and the edge from the drinking disappears and I feel more myself. Thank god. I pay no mind as Morgan devours an entire pizza, two plates of wings, and a handful of fries. She grins at me after patting her stomach. “I needed that.”

  With a click of her fingers she's grease free and perfectly put back together again.

  “Now that is a nifty little trick I could stand to learn!” I laugh.

  “Being a Demon isn't all bad. Though, days like this are rare. I've not had this much fun since I saw you last.” Her smile falters a little. “I can't exactly be myself with many people. Heavy lies the crown and all that.”

  “I get it. I'm sorry I was gone for so long. I had no idea,” I say softly but she waves me off.

  “Mara, it’s fine.” She takes my hand and squeezes. “You're here now, even if for shitty circumstances, but I'm going to make the most of a bad situation.”

  “Me too.” I squeeze her hand back just as Caleb and Levi appear back in the room. I squeak at their arrival, making Morgan laugh again as I scowl at her.

  “Did you find her?” I look to the guys and Levi gives me a sad smile.

  “No, Angel. We didn't. Even the fear from this one wasn't enough for anyone we spoke with to shed any light on anything. Though Callie says hi.” I smile back at him but my heart sinks.

  “How is it possible that all of this even happened when everyone fears you all so much?” I ask, looking more to Caleb.

  “Fear can be a powerful motivator. Trying to escape our supposed reign of terror could be enough of a reason for people to get on board, and to keep their mouths shut. The thing is, we don't rule that way so much anymore. We gave the higher Demons a lot of leeway, after a few thousand years of ruling like tyrants, but it seems we gave them too much rope, and now they're going to hang themselves with it.” Caleb jams his hands in his pockets when he finishes speaking, and it’s hard not to admire him, even when he seems so pissed off. He and Levi really aren't all that different in looks, though his hair is slightly longer, and his build slightly smaller. His eyes though, they're violet like mine, and I try not to focus on why that could be. I was... am a Shadow Walker, I suppose it makes sense that I would have some form of connection to the people down here.

  “Let’s wait for the others to get back, before we think about our next moves,” Morgan says firmly. “Why don't you two head to your room, you can get cleaned up, and rest until they return.”

  “That sounds amazing.” I smile up at Levi as I thank her because the thought of a shower, and some alone time with Levi sounds fucking perfect. Much as I've loved the attention of all my guys at once. Between the stress of everything, and the guilt, I've craved alone time m
ore than a little.

  Even if they do all seem okay to share.

  “Perfect! Caleb will show you to your room.” She smiles at me knowingly “We'll let you know when the others return.”

  Caleb whispers us to the room, and I can't help but feel like they're not telling us everything. I eye them both as they watch each other, as if they're talking silently.

  “What?” I say, my hands on my hips. I'm not some dainty little Princess, I won't be kept out of the loop.

  “Good luck.” Caleb winces as he looks between us both and then whispers out of sight.

  “What does he mean good luck?” I level Levi with my stare, and he runs a hand through his hair.

  “Can we go in the room and wash up before we have this conversation? Please?” He asks softly, and a lead weight settles in my stomach.

  “Fine,” I tell him as dread grips me. He's always up front with me, and this isn't like him. I turn and open the door, and laugh out loud. “It's a sex den.”

  Levi lets out a small laugh behind me and ushers me inside, closing the door behind us. I hear it lock, and I relax. This might be Morgan’s home, but it's still the Shadow Realm.

  I take in the site before us, the four-poster ginormous bed which could easily sleep ten, the pink chiffon that creates the illusion of curtains hanging from the top rail of the bed, as if to give some form of privacy. There are giant cushions opposite the bed around a low table. On the far side of the room is a table with what looks like ankle and wrist restraints, and a Lew of other goodies to delight in.

  “Morgan definitely knows how to plan for her audience,” Levi says softly behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck. “But first, I desperately need a shower.” He releases me and opens the door closest to us, and reveals another room about half the size of the bedroom.

  The bathroom is fucking huge, with a tub that could easily fit two to four people and I laugh again.

  “Being queen apparently has its perks.” I laugh as I take in the double shower. “Want some company?”

  He grins at me as he prowls towards me and lifts me into his arms. “If I ever turn that offer down, kill me,” he growls before kissing me with so much need my heart stutters in my chest.

  He places me on a counter and moves his hands to my hair. Gripping me with such passion, such force, that I lose myself in him.

  I run my hands up the plains of his chest under his t-shirt, dragging my nails across his skin. He hisses and I smile.

  “Temptress,” he says pulling my head further back by my hair and he ravages the column of my neck and collar bone with his lips and tongue, taking whatever he wants from me, and I give myself willingly.

  I lift his t-shirt and he steps back to let me peel it from him, and I sigh happily. I hope I never stop reacting to him like this. I bite my lip as his arms clench under the weight of my stares and I clench my thighs as he growls lowly. “You're wearing too much.”

  He peels my tank off of me, my hair settling back down around me, covering my tits, my nipples hardening almost to the point of painful as he runs his thumbs across them. I cry out as he tweaks them before he captures my mouth with his again. I wrap my legs around him, his hardness grinding against me making me whimper against him. My nails dig into his shoulders as he kisses down to my collar bone, unclasping my bra as he goes before taking one nipple in his mouth.

  “Fuck, Levi!” I cry out as he laves me with his tongue. Nipping me with his teeth, while his fingers trace down my torso to the waist of my jeans. A bang on the door makes me groan with frustration.

  “Fuck off!” Levi growls but the door opens regardless.

  “You might want to cover your girl up, ‘cause I don't really want to fight with you,” Caleb's voice calls out and I sigh.

  “To be continued?” I say, my frustration high as Levi shakes his head.

  “Fucking cock block.” He hands me my tank back and grabs his t-shirt, shrugging it back on before going to the door and practically ripping it off its hinges. “What the fuck do you want?”

  “The others are back, you're going to want to come back down,” he says eyeing us both. “Or not.”

  I flip him the bird and he laughs.

  “Glad to see you've not lost your sense of humor, Mara, but seriously, you guys should come down.”

  “Fine,” I say, jumping down from the counter, and Levi takes my hand in his.

  “Tonight, Remy. Tonight, I get you to myself,” Levi grumbles softly against my ear and tingles shoot through me.

  “Tonight.”

  Caleb whispers us back to the main room and everyone else is already here. The room has changed, and a dozen plush comfortable chairs and sofas are in a circle near the Dias at the top of the room. The murmurs are low as we approach, and I find everyone sat, waiting for us.

  My eyes dart around my guys, making sure everyone's okay, and other than Roman looking a little bloody, everyone seems like they made it out okay. “What happened to you?” I ask Roman, taking the seat Levi pulls me to.

  Caleb sits by Morgan, and I realize Killian looks a little beat up too.

  “Demons is what happened to me. To us,” he says nodding towards Killian. “We went to level seven, gluttony, and holy shit, they do not like to share.”

  “That’s an understatement. They caught sight of your Lycan, and thought he was someone new for them to play with,” Killian says, his voice lower than I expected, with a shudder. “Fucking black eyed creepy ass Demons.”

  I blink slowly, watching a Demon shudder as he talks about other Demons makes me super glad that I didn't end up on that level of this place.

  “Did anyone get any news of Fallon?” I ask, and each of my guys looks a little guilty.

  “No, but we only checked four levels. We have more to search tomorrow,” Caleb says softly.

  “But we already went through five of them.” I sigh, frustrated.

  “We're re-checking all the levels. But so far, there's not even a whisper of who might be working with the Hunter,” Caleb says, his eyes hard. “We'll find them, and I'll tear out their spine myself for causing such a fucking shit fest.”

  “You're so hot when you're angry,” Morgan sighs, her amber eyes flashing at him as she twirls a strand of her dark hair around her finger.

  “Focus, Morgan,” Bryce says softly, and she smiles at him sweetly.

  “Sorry.” she says, looking at me and I shake my head with a grin.

  “I get it.” I shrug, looking at my guys, remembering Levi's kiss scorching me earlier.

  “We did learn of another tear to Earth though,” Bryce tells me. “From what I could tell, another human passed into our realm, but was taken back to yours not long after. All we know, is that it wasn't the Hunter. The person was truly mortal.”

  “What does that mean?” I ask, and shadows appear in his eyes.

  “It means that that person will be tainted by this place. Mortal souls aren't meant to come here before they're due, if at all. If we know who it is, we can cleanse them, the same as we will when we find your friend, but if we don't find them, whoever it was... Let’s just hope we can find who it was before chaos descends upon Earth,” Bryce tells me softly and I let out a whoosh of breath.

  “Well... shit.” I drop my head into my hands. “Just what we need. More chaos.”

  “We'll work it out,” Levi says squeezing my thigh.

  “For now though, you should all rest. It's been a long few days,” Morgan says. “I need to sleep but tomorrow, the guys can search the other levels while you and I look into that pesky immortality question for you.”

  “I'm not sure...” I start but she stops me with a look.

  “Tomorrow. For tonight, sleep on it,” she says, before disappearing from sight.

  “Sorry about her, once she gets a thought in her head...” Caleb says, running a hand down his face. “Let’s get you guys to your room anyway, someone will get you in time for breakfast, and while I suggest plenty of rest because
tomorrow is going to be just as long as today, I don't expect any of you to listen to me,” he laughs, before everything turns black as he whispers us to our room.

  “See you tomorrow,” his voice reaches me as the black recedes but he's nowhere in sight.

  “That shit is still creepy,” Creek says as we all appear and Levi opens the door for us all.

  “Ha! This room!” Roman chuckles.

  “These Demons certainly know how to party,” Kain purrs, looking at me.

  “Nope!” Levi says, grabbing me by the waist. “Mine.”

  He moves us swiftly into the bathroom and locks the door behind us, the others chuckling on the other side. “Don't worry, we'll get some food and we'll clean up when you're done!” Creek’s voice reaches us, and I laugh quietly.

  “Now then, Angel. Where were we?” Levi growls, his eyes darkening with unmistakable hunger before his mouth crushes mine with lethal force. This time there is no slow. With our lips never parting, I feel the cool air on my skin as he tears off our clothes before planting his large hands on my ass cheeks and seating himself inside me in one powerful thrust.

  “Fuck!” I moan as he stills, panting, giving me a moment to adjust to the size of him.

  “This isn't going to be slow and pretty. I'm need you too much for that.” His voice is strained as he pushes me up against the wall, my hardened nipples perfectly aligned with his mouth. Throwing me a lascivious grin, he latches onto one nipple, his teeth lightly scraping the sensitive skin before he sucks it deep into his mouth drawing out a moan straight from my core.

  “Who needs slow and pretty?” My words are slow and breathless, like I'm drunk on him. Intent on lighting my entire body on fire, he withdraws ever so slightly before slamming back into me, fucking me like his life depends on my orgasm. I hold onto his shoulders, nails biting into his skin as he fucks me relentlessly, pushing me closer to the edge. Our moans and the slap of our skins are like music playing to the rhythm of our ecstasy. I'm on fire. Between his hungry mouth and greedy cock, my body is an instrument and he the maestro fucking me towards an inevitable orgasm.