Remnants: A dark urban fantasy (Shifter Chronicles Book 2)

by Melle Amade

  “I swear on my oath and on my life, that I shall follow the Murtagh in whatever direction he bid me go. All of my life, all of my family, all of my wealth I commit to you, Callum Murtagh.”

  This is a real commitment. An oath. I will be bound to him. But I am a lie. I’m not a pure raven. To do this I am going against Mom and even putting Callum in danger if anyone ever discovers that he knows I’m a nuvervel and a Passief at that.

  Still I want this.

  Callum stares down at each warrior in turn. He’s tall, but the platform elevates him so he can be at eye level with some of the hulking warriors of the Ravensgaard. Men or women, they’re all scarred and fierce. Even Iona, the black-eyed beauty of the group, is not one to be trifled with. She sits quietly in the front row watching as the Ravensgaard kneel and swear fealty to Callum. As the crowd amasses around the platform, she finally stands up. And, even with that small gesture something in the room changes. Callum, who has been so focused on the line of Ravensgaard, turns his attention to her. As does everyone else. In fact, they step out of her way and allow her clear passage to Callum. As she moves through the crowd, each head bobs slightly, in deference to her. They hold her in high regard. If Callum is becoming the crown prince of the Ravensgaard, then Iona already has the air of being the crown princess.

  She kneels before him, head bowed, but I can see her eyes gaze up into his. They stare at each other a moment before he holds out his hand with the ring. She grabs it and presses her lips against it. I can’t tear my eyes from her mouth pressed up against his flesh. I want to fly to the front of the room and tear her away from him. But she’s already standing.

  “Callum Murtagh.” Her voice carries into every recess of the chapel. “My cousin.”

  She’s his cousin?

  “I have always been for you and your family. I was only with my father because I thought you were with him.”

  What? She is Murtagh’s daughter! My eyes are on Callum, but it’s of course no surprise to him, he stares down at her, his face unreadable. My legs are stiff and tight, my breathing shallow. I’m the only one in the room who had no idea of this. Who didn’t realize that Murtagh’s own daughter was amongst us. I press my hands against the wall behind me, trying to keep myself steady. Her words fill the chapel.

  “Though I only say these words now, they have always been in my heart. I swear on my oath and on my life, that I shall follow you, the Murtagh in whatever direction you bid me go. All of my life, all of my family, all of my wealth I commit to you, Callum Murtagh.”

  My veins are running with ice by the time she finishes her oath. The look she is giving him is not simply a devoted servant to her lord, it is the look of someone quite in love. She pledges her life to him as if she is taking her wedding vows.

  But they are cousins. They can’t be together.

  I know nothing of this world. My skin is tight across my face as I stand like a sentinel by the door. After making their vows the Ravensgaard have crowded the edges of the chapel, lingering to watch all the others make their oath. It will soon be my turn.

  I hang back, my palms clammy, my lips tight. And, finally, I’m the only one left. Everyone stares at me, not all of them friendly. Shanahan’s massive arms are across his chest, his chin lowered and his gaze anything but friendly. I don’t mean to stand out in the crowd, but my hesitation has put me here.

  “Come, Shae,” Callum says in a voice that seems ridiculously beyond his years. He holds out his hand and motions me forward with two brisk moves of his four fingers. Iona’s gaze narrows on me, forest green eyes flashing.

  If I answer to Callum, I am Ravensgaard. My whole life I have wanted to belong, to be with a group, in a crowd, with my friends. This is that moment. To walk up to Callum and swear fealty there is no turning back. I am with him, with the Ravensgaard, with the Van Arends, and with the Order.

  And I am completely a liar.

  If I do not, then I am suspicious and a whole different problem. I can flee now and return to my family. Let this whole lie go. Not try to be one of them. Just live what’s left of my life as I really am, a nuvervel. The image from the book flashes to my mind; the double beast being torn in half. I swallow hard, my throat tight.

  Whatever happens, I need to make this time as simple for my friends and family as possible. If I’m going to die, it’s not fair to them for me to be trying to manage that under heavy suspicion of the Order and the Ravensgaard.

  I need to do this for all of them.

  I wasn’t sure I had decided, but now I know.

  Regardless of whether the Ravensgaard truly accept me or not, I will try to be part of their family and not a lone dove.

  I will make an oath and be a Ravensgaard.

  My legs are ponderously slow, as I make my way to the front. I can’t move faster, because although I need to do this, the truth weighs me down.

  I am a nuvervel.

  I am a liar.

  Callum just stated to all the Ravensgaard that there would be no secrets; that everything was out in the open.

  But he knows I’m also a Passief. He knows I’m a nuvervel.

  I will be his secret.

  Regardless, I move towards him, towards the oath that will make me irrevocably one of the Ravensgaard. Even though I have yet to master my shifter self, I will take this oath. I must take this oath. For the ravens think I am one of them.

  And, if they find out otherwise, I will be Callum’s undoing.

  My gaze stays on my feet, avoiding all the Ravensgaard who watch me, an outsider, swear featly into their ranks. When I get to Callum, my eyes go first to Lord Van Arend and then Aiden. Shouldn’t they protest? No. Aiden gives me a slight nod. By swearing fealty to Callum, I remove one of their problems.

  “Have you made a decision?” Callum’s eyes flash as he draws my attention from Aiden.

  “Yes,” I say. “I want to be a Ravensgaard and I want to be in the Murtagh clan.” I try to emphasize the “I” so he understands I made the decision for myself. I don’t know if he gets it. I don’t know if he understands. His face is impassive as he nods and eyes the floor pointedly.

  Right.

  I must kneel.

  The ground seems a long way away. My brow creases as I stare down, but I shouldn’t over think it. I bend until my right knee touches the ground.

  My gaze floats up to meet Callum’s. There is nothing overbearing in his eyes, just a deep look of relief as he holds out his right hand. I don’t think about his fingers. I don’t think about everyone who has kissed the ring this evening. I just take his hand and press my lips against it.

  Get it over with.

  But it’s not that simple. It’s the strangest sensation kissing someone’s ring, especially Callum’s. A boy whose lips I’ve kissed, whose hands have touched me, whose body has been pressed up close against me.

  Now, I kneel before him, subjugating myself. It doesn’t feel natural. I want to be his equal, not his vassal. His eyes smile down at me, not in victory or mastery, but in relief. He nods encouragement, taking my hand asn lifting me from my knees.

  I clear my throat trying to remember the words. Suddenly my mind is blank. But I open my mouth because I should say something.

  “Everything I have I swear to you, Callum Murtagh. My life, my will, and what strength I have is yours to do as you command.”

  I’m sure the words aren’t exactly right, but my voice sounds strong and fills the room. Good. I want it to sound at least as strong as Iona. I’m pretty sure it does. As the last echo of my oath fades, applause and shouts rise from the ravens.

  “Welcome to the Ravensgaard, cuz,” Callum gives me a crooked smile as he turns me towards the cheering Ravensgaard. He presses me towards them as their hands reach out to welcome me and hands clap against my back and shoulders. A grin erupts across my face as I’m surrounded by the throng of well-wishers. It’s only when I see Shanahan, standing to the side with his arms crossed over his broad chest that my smile fades and I’m reminded
of the secret hidden inside me.

  7

  “Class today.” Dad hammers on my bedroom door at way too early in the morning.

  “Not gunna happen,” I groan and press my face back into my pillow.

  How can I seriously consider schoolwork when I might be dying? Or executed? Or any number of things that are really, really bad. I drag myself out of bed anyhow, because I know Dad will just have his cheery-self back at my door in no time, rousing me in some other annoying way. Like singing.

  “When are you going to show me how you fly?” Henry gazes at me brightly as I stumble into the kitchen, pulling my hair back into a ponytail.

  I grab him into a huge hug. “When you’re sixteen and legal.” The truth that shiftin is killing me is impossible to tell him. The thought that he might be a nuvervel, too, would collapse me if I let it sink in. I squeeze him closer.

  “I’m going to start charging for those.” Henry pushes me away with a gentle smile.

  “Put it on my tab.” I ruffle his brown hair. I glance over his face for any signs of a sty. But he looks okay. It’s amazing. He used to get them all the time, but since Mom calmed down, he’s not so stressed.

  Dad puts a fried egg in front of me on the counter, but I don’t want it.

  “At least let me watch you shift?” Henry pesters at my heels, as eager as a puppy wanting to play.

  No way. That’s not going to happen. My stomach churns at the thought of him seeing me struggle and bleed. “Soon.” I grab a cup of coffee. Lying has become so easy for me.

  “But I wanna see all your awesome Ravensgaard moves.” He strikes a pose with legs spread and fists raised.

  “Um, yeah.” I turn my back on him so he can’t see any of the fear in my eyes. “I don’t have any of those moves, kiddo.”

  There’s a knock at our front door. I glance at the clock. It’s only seven forty-five a.m.

  “I got it!” Henry bounds to the door.

  Who comes to someone’s house this early on a school day? “Is he getting a lift to school?” I ask Dad over my shoulder as I follow Henry to the front door. I can’t stop the knot in my stomach. You never know who might be there.

  “No.” Dad calls after me.

  The door opens and I relax. It’s Zan, Callum, Aiden, and Roman.

  “Whoa.” Henry grins. “It’s like the Power Rangers.”

  “We are seriously not that cool,” Roman says, giving Henry an exploding fist bump as they as they enter our house.

  “What are you guys doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your tutor or something?” I ask as I motion them into the kitchen. Roman plops himself in a chair at the table, Zan grabs a stool, Aiden leans against the counter while Callum stands by the kitchen door. “Make yourselves at home,” I murmur.

  “You kids not studying today?” Dad turns the water in the sink off and glances around at my friends.

  “We need to talk to you, Mr. Bradfield,” Aiden says. The briefest of clouds passes over Dad’s face, but it’s so fast, I’m not even sure that I saw it.

  “Is your mom home, too?” Zan asks me.

  I frown and lean in towards her. “What’s this about? You guys are all super serious for not-even-eight-a.m.”

  “I’ll get her.” Dad throws a dishtowel over his shoulder and walks to the base of the steps that leads up to their room. “Honey?” He calls up the stairs.

  Henry’s sitting at the table like an eager puppy, when Mom walks in. She doesn’t look at any of my friends, just at my brother. “Go and read a book,” she says to him.

  “I don’t want to.” He raises the corners of his mouth in a cheeseball smile and looks at her hopefully. Like that’ll help him get his way. He’s so much like Dad, but judging by the seriousness of my friends faces, this isn’t the time for my kid brother to be in the room.

  “Now,” Mom says gently, but it’s clear there won’t be any arguing with her. Henry gets it. He heads towards the couch.

  “Your room.” Dad points down the hall.

  “Headset?” He raises his earbuds in a compromise.

  “Not this time, kiddo,” Dad says. “Off you go.”

  We all sit in silence until we hear the soft click of Henry’s door.

  “What’s going on?” I ask. “Did Zaragoza—” My parents don’t know anything about the binding spell or the dangers of being a nuvervel. Chances are that’s not why they’re here.

  “You’re going to be part of the Debut,” Aiden says.

  “Right.” I nod. “To the Order.”

  “Based on the results of the blood test we did right before the revolt,” Roman says, “we’re pretty sure Henry’s a shifter, too. Just like you.”

  Just like me. I can’t tell what Roman’s saying. Is he saying he checked the blood again and Henry is a nuvervel like me? Or is he just saying he’s a shifter. I squeeze my hands together, but this isn’t the time to ask, not with both of my parents in the room. Aiden is watching me. He sees the tension move through me.

  “All it means,” he says, “for now, is that he falls under our jurisdiction.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” Mom’s face screws up as if she’s smelling curdled milk up close.

  “He’s an eight-year-old boy,” Dad says. “He falls under our jurisdiction.”

  “I think we all want the same thing here,” Callum says.

  “We want to protect everyone.” Aiden nods. “Just like you do. Shae, well, shifting has been a bit hard for her. She’s not as…” he’s searching for some word he can use and probably trying to remember who knows what. But Mom and Dad have no clue I’m a nuvervel and that I haven’t been able to shift into a raven except for that one time. They have no idea I keep being a dove.

  “She hasn’t been the most consistent of shifters,” Zan intervenes.

  I can’t stop the cold that crackles around me at Aiden’s comment. Like it’s my fault I can’t shift into a raven. “I’ll get it right.”

  Callum’s eyes are like jade stone. “You’re going to have to,” he says. “But your brother is at risk, regardless.”

  “I’ll protect my son from the Order,” Dad says. There’s a set in his shoulders and a firmness in his jaw that I’ve never seen. It looks almost like he knows exactly what he’s up against, even though that’s not possible.

  “We know you’d protect him.” Callum pushes off the wall and sits down at the table across from Dad. “But we want to help.”

  Aiden follows suit, sitting at the table next to Callum. Zan and I exchange a look. These guys are becoming leaders. Aiden opens his hands to Dad. “It’s what we’re here for. I mean, our positions as Heir and Ridder. We’re here to help the shifters in our realm.”

  “We don’t need your help,” Mom says. “We manage fine on our own. The problems are because Shae became a shifter without my permission.”

  “Pretty sure we had problems before, Mom,” I say. “Like your crazy mood swings.” Zan elbows me. “It’s true!”

  “Look, Mrs. Bradfield, we’re not the enemy.” Zan looks Mom dead in the eye. “We came here to help. We love your family. Shae’s my best friend, and Henry’s the little brother I never had.”

  “But you can’t underestimate the Order,” Aiden says. “We’re required by tradition to present all new shifters to the leaders of the region at a local debutante ball. In most cases, that would just be my dad, but this time, because of Murtagh’s revolt and the influx of Ravensgaard, the Order want to be here to inspect the newest shifters in Topanga.”

  “The newest shifters.” Mom bites her lips together, her gaze falling on me. I know she wishes I’d never done it, but it’s too late for that now. It’s done.

  “It’s not just about us or Shae,” Roman adds. “The revolt was going to happen even if they hadn’t discovered Shae. The Order is probably coming here just as much to check up on Lord Van Arend.

  “Yes.” Aiden’s jaw clenches. “He’s right.”

  My palms press together. There’s no way they’re getting r
id of Lord Van Arend. He’s led Muiderkring West for a long time. Even if he’s sick, they’ll probably just expedite naming Aiden to his position. But it’s not Van Arend who’s the problem.

  It’s me.

  If I can’t figure out how to shift into a raven… I won’t have to worry about dying in two weeks because my body is revolting. The Order will kill me the minute they see I’m a dove.

  And then they’ll go after my family. They have to get out of here.

  “There’s a place we can send you,” Zan says. “It’s not a long-term solution, but it’ll work for now.”

  “Send us?” Mom asks.

  “To keep you safe,” Roman says.

  “But what’s the Order going to do if Shae doesn’t show up for this debutante ball?” Mom’s calculating the options, and weighing up whatever recommendations my friends might have.

  “They’ll make me bring her,” Callum says. “She’s a sworn Ravensgaard.”

  “We’re suggesting the three of you take a short vacation,” Aiden says.

  “No!” The word is out of my mouth before Aiden even finishes his sentence. “There’s no way I can face the Order alone. I wouldn’t have survived if Mom wasn’t in the room during the trial. You guys know that better than anyone.”

  “We’ll be there for you,” Roman’s gold-rimmed glasses are stuck in his gelled hair, his deep brown eyes unflinching.

  “We’re not going anywhere.” Mom stands up and looks around at my friends. “I won’t leave Shae and I have a business to run.”

  “No one in Topanga is going to freak out if you close the studio for a few days,” Zan says. “People take time off.”

  “It’s not an option,” Mom says, but her hands worry each other as she paces in the cramped space between the table and the wall. My gut clenches. Mom can’t stay. Henry can’t be here. I’m putting them all in danger.

  “Look, Mrs. Bradfield, having a family like yours is a liability,” Callum says. “We have looked at this from a few points of view, and getting the three of you out of town is the best possible solution. Any other Lord would simply turn your family over to the Order. They would say there were doubts about the bloodline and let the Order decide what to do about it.”