A Crown of Blood and Bone: Paranormal Romance (The Shadow Walkers Saga Book 1)

by Sloane Murphy

  "Nice to meet you, Archer." He nods back to me, and I can see him trying to measure me up with his stare. Seriously though, how is Bauer not feeling this tension.

  "Likewise, I'm sure." His British accent comes off as blunt, so I'm sure Bauer doesn't think anything of it, but his entire facade puts me on edge.

  "I'm training with Remy today, I figured you wouldn't mind helping out. Two minds are better than one," Bauer says with a manly tap on Archer’s shoulder and Archer looks me over again.

  "Training the legendary Remington Bennett. I'm sure the honor is all mine." he says. "We've not had the pleasure of meeting, in any lifetime, but I have heard more than a little about you, Remy." His smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

  I try to smile at him again. "Well, let’s hope I don't disappoint the legend of my past."

  My snark rattles through, and Bauer looks at me funny, as if telling me to stop being so rude, but I can't help myself. He's under my skin and he's barely been here five minutes.

  "Let me go change, and I'll join you."

  "Awesome man, we'll be down in the basement. You're staying in the room up the stairs, at the end of the hall on the left. Make yourself at home."

  "Thanks, I slept a lot on the flight over here, so I'm ready to go." Archer nods at me before leaving the room, a second before Bauer storms over to me.

  "What was that?" he asks, his voice an angry whisper through gritted teeth.

  "Something about him isn't right, Bauer. I can feel it." "He has saved my life more times than I care to count,

  Remy. Your instincts are all over the place at the minute while you adjust to Hunter life and your memories fall into place. Keep yourself in line. This is the one and only time I'll say it." I step back, unused to his anger being aimed in my direction, and I get the feeling I don't know the whole story here.

  "I'll try," I say, not willing to promise anything.

  "Good. Let’s go," he grits out the words and stalks over to the door that leads down to the basement, nearly ripping it from its hinges. Jeez, my brother is touchy today, and I get to train with that now. Yay me.

  I lie on the floor and groan. Because training with them one on one hasn't broken me enough, now they want to try and train me together, because Dracul and Lycans rarely travel alone. How fun for me!

  They're currently conferring in the kitchen, talking about how they're going to continue my torture... sorry, training. If I wanted, I could use my Hunter hearing to find out what bullshit they're planning, but honestly, I'm just kind of exhausted, and grateful my speed, hearing and sight upgrades were something I just took too. I didn't have to learn to switch them on and off. Running around like the Flash probably would have created some questions.

  My body shouldn't ache this much, Hunter strength and healing is meant to make me feel amazing, or so Colt told me. He lied. I think Bauer is just trying to prove to me that I can still hurt, I can still die, and that I need to learn how to fight properly, to keep myself alive and not aching like I just went eleventy-billion rounds with Tyson.

  I groan as I sit up, crossing my legs and bowing my head, feeling the stretch on my spine as I pull forward. I go through the motions of the stretches I used to do after a hard- core dance session, and loosen my muscles, preparing myself for the next onslaught.

  Their voices grow louder as I drop into the splits and lean my body down my right leg, enjoying the burn of the stretch. "You about done?" Bauer asks and I turn my face to him, where my forehead rests on my knee in the stretch.

  "Just about," I smile sweetly, knowing it’s going to piss him off more, but struggling to care after he's been such a jackass all morning. I sit up and twist, mirroring the stretch on the opposite side, and feel their eyes on me.

  Surprisingly, Archer wasn't as much of an asshole this morning, leaving that fully to Bauer, but something about the set of his face as he watches me makes me think that that's all about to change.

  "I hear you've had a few run ins with the Dracul so far?" his voice floats across the room to me as I pull out of the stretch and stand.

  "Yeah, Colt said their activity has been up lately, that there's been more gathering near here, so I guess that's why." I shrug and grab my water bottle, guzzling down the cold nectar.

  "Well, something is happening, because the alpha of alpha's is here. We tracked his movements from Europe, we’ve lost him in the last few weeks, but he was travelling in this direction, so Bauer wants us to try some other techniques, in case you come across Dracul and Lycans together."

  "That could happen? I thought factions kept to themselves for the most part?" I ask, my gaze bouncing between them.

  "So did we," Bauer says with a grimace. "No one seems to know what the fuck is going on, but we need you to be ready for whatever is coming. Our family holds this territory, and we'll be damned if we let the monsters over run our home."

  "Okay then. I guess we better get to work." I nod, because despite the panic rising in me at my broken memories, I can't let it show. I can never let it show.

  "After this, we're heading to the gun range, you're coming with," Bauer orders and I shrug. Not like I have anywhere else to be today.

  "Whatever you say." I bounce on the balls of my feet, as I notice their movements, separating, circling me on the mats.

  I barely have chance to take a breath when they both lunge for me, and I relax into the calm I've notice that settles over me when my adrenaline runs high, and so does my fury. My thoughts shut down and my body takes over, dodging fists, ducking and rolling, hoping to pit them against each other, but knowing that that isn't likely to happen.

  Bauer throws a fist towards my ribs and I jump back, into the waiting arms of Archer. His hold tightens and I struggle to escape, bringing my elbow back into his gut, swinging my fist down into his crotch, and stomping on his foot, then charging at Bauer as his friend falls to the mat.

  I spar with Bauer, but he's faster, stronger, and more trained than I am. We parry, but I don't get a chance to land any decent shots before Archer roars behind me, then runs towards me. I don't hesitate, and jump as he reaches me, flipping backwards over him as all of his speed and rage crash into Bauer and they fly backwards into the wall.

  I smile from my crouch on the floor, because holy shit, that just happened.

  Laughs and groans come from the pile of limbs across the room, but I stay planted, waiting, wondering if they're going to attack again. Adrenaline floods me, and I feel it, that spark, the joy of the hunt, and I'm glad Bauer doesn't let me train with my weapons yet, because my fingers itch for a throwing blade. To finish the job. My instincts not yet calmed down enough to recognize that they don't actually want to hurt me.

  "That’s enough, Remy," Bauer’s voice calls across the room, as he and Archer approach me slowly. "Pull yourself out of it."

  His voice is calm, soothing. They both watch me, my stillness as I calculate their movements. "Come back to us Remy."

  I close my eyes and shake it off, remembering where I am, that they are not the threat my body is telling me they are and take a deep breath. I sit back down on the floor and they start to come closer, still slow enough not to trigger whatever it was that was riding me.

  "I've never seen it. I thought it was nothing but a story told as part of the legend," Archer says, almost in shock as they sit opposite me.

  "Seen what?" I ask, tilting my head at them.

  "When you fight, when you truly give yourself over to it, you get what legend calls the fire. You slip out of yourself, you become little more than your instincts, able to tear through legions without a second thought. What just happened was just a very, very small hint of it. I've rarely witnessed it, but those times you slipped into it, using it in battle, both against human and monster, have helped change and shape the course of history," Bauer says cautiously.

  "You make me sound like an animal." I roll my eyes, because everyone keeps talking about my past, and I really have no idea about it, it does little more than make m
e cringe.

  "Not an animal. A weapon, one of the greatest in the Hunter’s arsenal, and now with your Angel mark..." Archers voice trails off, but his eyes almost glow with the possibilities, and the alarm in my head goes off again. I don't want to be a weapon for the Hunters, I want to be myself.

  "I am not a weapon," I tell him gruffly. "I am a person, and how the fuck do you know about my Angel mark?" I cross my arms and shoot a look at Bauer, at least he has the decency to look guilty. I purposely didn't put my hair up to keep it covered, and a I have a long-sleeved crop on to hide my arm, since the vines now dangle towards my elbow, though it does appear to have stopped growing.

  "After your ritual, word has crossed the globe about what happened. Yet another myth that appears to be true. What is it about you, Remy, that makes you so special?" he asks, the calculating look on his face sends a shiver down my spine. Bauer seems to catch on to my unease and stands.

  "My sister always has been a little different, but she's just the same as you and me. I'm going to throw some food together, I suggest you guys shower and change, then we'll head to the range." He holds out a hand for me to pull me up and I take it, while Archer gracefully stands.

  "I don't have anything to change into, I'll just go like this." I motion to my workout gear. Leggings, a girl’s best friend. "I am definitely up for food first though. My stomach rumbles at my words, and Bauer laughs, while Archer still just seems to study me.

  Sixteen

  I close the door to my apartment and want nothing more than to fall face first on my bed. This day has been the longest, between the training, the gun range, and just dealing with Archer and his creepy ass. He was quiet at lunch, and then left me and Bauer to it at the range as I worked my way through so many different guns it was hard to keep track. While I have my own guns, apparently, I need a good range of knowledge, and so much has changed with the weapon since my last life, that I need the training regardless.

  I also signed up for a Krav Maga class that Fallon emailed over to me, because why the hell not. At least it won't be my brother kicking my ass.

  Sushi wraps himself around my ankles as I lean against the door. He meows as I pick him and his bowl up to feed him. I bury my face in his fur and he purrs, making me feel more human than I have in a while, just finding comfort in my cat. I laugh at how ridiculous I sound in my own head and fix his dinner, before looking in the refrigerator to find something for myself. I scan the bare space and sigh. Takeout it is, I guess.

  I rummage through the drawer holding the holy grail, the takeout menu bonanza that I've managed to collect. It’s not that I eat them often, but sometimes, they are the only thing that's suitable.

  I dial for the local Chinese, because Ming's is by far the most superior Chinese food of all time and try not to drool as I place my order.

  I drop my phone on the counter after I hang up and pad to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I notice how tired I look, and yet, my skin almost glows. I lift my top over my head and pull my hair to one side as I try to take in my new marking, which looks like a freshly inked tattoo. No wonder the boys are all covered, it’s not exactly inconspicuous. Maybe I can get my whole arm done, work something into what's already there to hide the rune like symbols that are intertwined with the vines. The more I look at them, the more familiar it looks, almost like a map I think I've seen before. A memory tickles at the back of my brain, but no matter how long I look at it, nothing comes. Sighing, I turn on the shower and finish undressing before stepping underneath the hot water, breathing in the steam helps to clear my head.

  I don't think about anything as I stand under the stream and just be, letting the water wash everything away. A bang pulls me out of my stupor, making me jump. I dash out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself, surely my food isn't hear yet. I rush to my front door, peeking through the spy hole and see the back of someone. I open the door, keeping the chain on, considering my current state of dress, and peer through the gap.

  "Sorry, I totally spaced. You guys were super quick tonight." I ramble, when the man turns, and I realize he's not holding my food.

  "You're not the delivery guy," I say wearily, wishing I'd put more on than my towel.

  "No, I'm not." he smiles at me, the look almost feral. "Can I help you?" I ask, and he looks through the gap, realizing what I'm covered with and his smile grows.

  "I'm sure you could." he winks at me and I try not to gag, because no. "But that isn't why I'm here. I'm here to give you this."

  He reaches into his leather jacket and pulls an envelope from it, handing it over to me. I take it. Something so small, and yet, the man opposite me seems so menacing.

  "Nice to see you again, Remy," he says and walks away, leaving me wide eyed at me door. I come to my senses and slam the door shut, my heart racing.

  What the actual fuck.

  I throw the envelope on the counter as if it burned me. Who the hell was he, how does he know me, and how the fuck does everyone seem to know where the hell I live! I run my hands through my wet hair and pace, contemplating opening the small envelope.

  "Fuck this." I mutter, and turn all of the locks on my door, understanding why Bauer insisted on installing so many, including the deadbolt now. I check the windows to make sure they're all secure, and head back to the bathroom. I finish my shower, and dress, coming back into the main room as the door goes again. My body stiffens, still on alert, wondering where the next threat is coming from. I move over to the door, as quiet as I can manage and look through the spy hole again. A spotty teenager waving a bag of food in front of the glass greets me and I roll my eyes.

  Way to overreact, Remy.

  I unlock the locks and open the door, smiling at the kid as he hands me my food, and I grab my wallet from the counter, paying him and tipping way quicker than usual, before slamming the door shut and putting the locks back in place, no longer hungry.

  I contemplate calling Creek or Fallon. Even Bauer, but I have no idea what's in that envelope, and knowing my luck, it’s something else that I won't be ready to share with everyone yet.

  Fuck my life.

  I sigh and plonk myself on the sofa, trying to ignore the envelope on the counter. Flicking over to Netflix, I put on The Vampire Diaries, laughing at the irony of it all, and binge watch, trying not to focus of the shit storm that is my life until I fall asleep.

  The light flooding through my windows wakes me and I groan at the crick in my neck. That’s what I get for falling asleep on the sofa, I guess. I stretch out and lie back down, as Sushi makes himself comfortable on my stomach.

  The envelope from last night flashes into my mind and I sigh. Of course, I couldn't rest, why would my mind let me have even a moment of peace. Though, not going to lie, the binge-watching last night was a brilliant distraction, and definitely is going to be a new coping mechanism of mine. Apparently, Vampires on the TV aren't anywhere near as terrifying as the reality. Though that Elena chick seems to have as many issues in her life as I do right now. I roll my eyes at the amount of drama it all equates to.

  I almost miss my simple life with Jack, and just for a second, regret fills my heart at the decision I made. It leaves almost as quickly as it came, while I let myself wallow.

  This would all be so much easier to navigate if I could just remember. That’s when I realize I'm meant to meet Kain tomorrow evening.

  Shit.

  Of course I am. I wonder if he will tell me more about my past.

  Or will he try to protect me from it all? My skin heats at the thought of his kiss, at the memory from my dreams of him, our time together. The pieces in my mind tell a story of a passionate, all claiming love, like the ones you see in movies, but all I have are pieces. I struggle to make my mind believe what my heart tells me, that I've loved him for a long time.

  Conflict wars inside of me, between my heart and my mind. Between what I feel and what I've been told. The thought that I might have lied to my family, betrayed my faction, and yet, I was the one
that said love is love. What if what I've been told is all lies, like Fallon hinted at. That the Dracul, the Lycans, that they are more than what we are told to believe. Even in my first life, the war between the factions had been going on for an age, or so I was led to believe. Could histories be changed so easily? And why would we want to?

  I close my eyes at the thoughts. How could I possibly even begin to comprehend the enormity of it all without all of the information, and yet, I fear that there is no way to get all of the information. Even if the knowledge exists, who would risk the wrath of the elders of the Hunter faction, to tell me the truth.

  I could hear a version of the truth from Kain if what Fallon read is true, but can I trust him?

  My mind feels like it is going to explode with all of the questions running through my head.

  Fuck this.

  I decide in that moment that knowledge is power, and there is one place that might have the knowledge I crave. My dad’s library. Even if it doesn't have everything I seek, maybe I can learn more about myself, about the mark I carry and who the hell Leviathan is or was. Maybe that will give me some idea of where to begin.

  I jump up, and rush to change and brush my teeth before grabbing my keys, my new mission the forefront of my mind.

  I pull up at my dad’s and the house is dark, which is weird. There's always someone here, though I guess with Colt away doing fates only know what, Bauer busy with his asshole friend, I figure my dad is out. I slide out of the car; thankful I still have my own key.

  The porch steps creak as I make my way up them, which makes me realize just how unnaturally quiet it is here. I listen harder and realize there's not even the sound of insects. I rush into the house, and that's when the smell hits me.

  Blood.

  I race towards the smell and try not to scream when I find him. I pull out my phone and call Fallon. She answers on the first ring as I kneel beside my dad and feel for a pulse. It’s there, but its weak. What the fuck happened here?