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

by Sloane Murphy

  And I do because I don’t want to die in the middle of an orgasm, although there are worst ways to go I suppose. Once we’re safely parked on the side of the road, I let my head fall back and give Creek more room to maneuver.

  “God, that feels so good,” I moan, my hands gripping the steering me like my life depends on it.

  With a quick flick of his thumb on my clit and two pumps of his fingers inside me, I arch off the seat and let out a cry of pleasure, Creek never relenting the pressure, riding out the orgasm along with me.

  I can’t breathe.

  My chest heaves and my breath is coming in hard, broken pants. Meanwhile, Creek is watching me, slowly circling my clit and spreading my juices all around my pussy, a satisfied grin planted on his lips.

  “Gloating is not a good look on you, Creek,” I tell him, barely able to speak and lying through my teeth. There is no look he can’t pull off, but that’s beside the point right now.

  Bringing his come covered fingers to his mouth, he licks them, one by one, a glint of pride shining in his beautiful green eyes.

  “Like I said, beautiful, I always finish what I start.”

  Twenty-Six

  Dinner last night was full of love and laughter, and it hurt my heart to see that beneath it all, Colt was hurting. It makes me so angry that the Hunter’s ways are the way they are. That no one believes in what once was, or sees what could be if we stopped fighting each other.

  Do the rogues still need dealing with? Of course, but the rest? Imagine how much more peaceful life would be if we could all live together harmoniously like our ancestors did before the Hunters decided for whatever reason to change it all up.

  I vow, here, for him, for me, for any others who have fallen short because of this insanity, that I will find a way to end it. Even if it takes me another twelve lifetimes.

  I climb out of bed and open the curtains, stretching as the sun creeps up into the sky, painting it pink, thinking about my dreams last night. I feel settled, last night was an onslaught of memories. Fights, love, travel, happiness, and more sadness and pain than I want to think about, but I’m finally starting to feel like my old self. More confident, more self-assured. The knowledge that no matter the enemy, I have people on my side, and the skill set to keep us alive, even if I need a little help sometimes. I know I don’t know everything yet, but I feel like I know enough that I can finally start to be a help, rather than a hinderance. I’ve no doubt Bauer will be more than pleased for me to stop pestering him with questions.

  I throw on shorts and a cropped t-shirt, wanting to enjoy the last heat of the year, with fall here, the weather could change at any moment, and plunge us into its freezing depths.

  I pull my hair back, preparing to be pulled into the kitchen with Maddie, because she loves it when she can gossip with us. I know how much she misses my mom, and I'd probably rather be in there with her than dealing with the guys.

  Another barbeque she said. Even more people this time.

  I roll my eyes but smile, her heart’s in the right place at least. Though my dad is going to be grumpy as shit. He was bad enough that the three of us were making a fuss last night, cooking him steak, giving him presents. Apparently, he's too old for presents, but I still saw how much he liked the desert eagle that Creek helped me source for him.

  I bounce down the stairs, and find Creek, Maddie and Nate already down here. I guess I got up later than I realized. "Morning beautiful," Creek says as I approach and pulls me in for a chaste kiss.

  "Morning yourself." I smile up at him kissing him on the cheek again before heading over and hugging Maddie and Nate.

  "You're in a good mood this morning," Maddie coos and steals another hug, making me smile.

  "I am, what's not to be happy about."

  "Indeed," Nate says looking between Creek and I. "Bauer and Colt have taken your dad out for a bit, so you're on set up duty with us. Creek and I were just about to head out to my flatbed and pull in the extra tables and chairs, so you're helping Maddie in here."

  "Fine by me." I say, then he and Creek head outside.

  "I'm so happy that you're happy, sweetheart. It warms my heart to know you guys found your way back to each other. Your mom would be happy for you guys too." She wipes at her eyes and I refrain from rolling mine.

  "Maddie, did I ever have kids?" I ask and she looks at me wide eyed.

  "I don't think... Oh, screw it. No, you didn't sweetheart. You always put the faction first, and with it being so hard to conceive for our kind, you always said someone who desperately wanted children should be the one to have a baby. Its why we were so shocked when Nirvana popped along. We've always been happy with just our boy, but I’d always dreamt of having a little girl. She was a surprise; I'll tell you that! I can't believe she's growing up so quickly."

  "This is her first life?"

  "It is. And it makes me worry, it’s so much harder, the first time. You've got no memories to fall back on, and she'll be so reliant on the rest of us, and at much more risk because she's so very untrained."

  "Then it’s a good thing she'll have all of us. It will be nice to have another woman out there on patrol with me." I wink at her she laughs.

  "I imagine it will, your mom and I used to love it. I'm a bit too slow these days, I'm afraid, but I keep the archives up to date, and keep the other families up to date and in loop with the elders."

  "I wondered why you hadn't been out. What are the archives?"

  "They're our most treasured possession, though few outside of the elders get to see them. They are a full and detailed history of our kind, all the way back to the beginning with Leviathan."

  "Oh wow, I bet that's an interesting read," I say, trying not to show my excitement. This could be exactly what I need. The proof to show the other Hunters the truth.

  "I imagine it is, but the only people who read the histories are the Elders. The scant few of us others that have access, only get to update it."

  "That's a bit strange isn't it?" I ask, my disappointment leaking through.

  "Maybe a little, but the elders govern us, their word is law, so it makes sense that they are the ones with the histories," She says with a smile. "Now then, why don't you get started with the decorations while I get the oven heating?"

  "Of course," I agree, trying to tuck the archive information away for a later date. "Where are they?"

  "There's a bag or six out on the porch sweetheart thank you."

  I spend the next hour blowing up balloons, putting out tablecloths and decorations and hanging bunting. Maddie sure went all out, and just the thought of my dad’s face when he sees all this makes me struggle not to crack up.

  Voices grow louder in the house, before people start spilling out into the yard. Abel, Nate, Creek and Gabriel each carry speakers which they put around the yard, while Fallon, Rebel and Marie bring out a ton of string lights and start stringing them around the trees that line the space.

  Maddie comes out and starts instructing people where to set things down, like a true dictator at work, and I lean back against the table I just finished setting, enjoying the sun on my face and the hub bub of people.

  Creek and Gabriel head towards me, laughing. Creek pulls me into him, as if he can't stand the distance between us when Gabriel grins.

  "Oooooooh, I knew it wouldn't take long!" he exclaims, clapping his hands. "Girl, you and this fine piece of man meat would make the most beautiful babies!"

  I laugh at him, but Creek looks down at me lovingly. "Maybe one day."

  I shake my head at him but don't say a word, because it’s not something I've really thought about, despite what Maddie said, but I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a mom, not with the life I lead. And with the men in my life, who would be the one I chose? Would the others be happy with those decisions? I haven't even managed to get them in a room together yet, let alone think about those sorts of things.

  My phone pings, and I look down to see the message from Colt.

  "They're
two minutes out," I tell Creek who kisses the top of my head and goes to tell Maddie.

  "Remember me yet?" Gabriel says, watching Creeks ass as he walks away.

  "Kind of, I remember drinking, lots of drinking," I say and he belts out a laugh.

  "There always was a lot of drinking after a hard night. We had so much fun. Stationed in Romania, the stories of the Vampires everywhere. Those people know how to drink."

  "It's all still coming back in pieces. It's still so jarring to see parts of the world, that I don't have any recollection of going to. So many places I always wanted to visit, and it turns out I've been to some of them a dozen times over."

  "I feel you. But it gets easier. After the awakening period, what's not there isn't coming back, so it’s easier. Plus, people can fill in some of the holes for you without risking too much. These six months can be as dangerous as the first twenty-one years. It's less risky, but still, the risk of death is there."

  "I think I'd rather just know everything all at once, rather than snippets. Its driving me insane." I shrug. "Yeah, but you'd lose yourself. We're each a little different in every life, and as we remember, those previous lives of ours merge, our old habits, phrases, moods, all of it comes back a little and merges with who you were. Imagine waking up being little miss sunshine, then having all your memories dumped on you at once and turning into a walking rain cloud. It would be too much."

  "I guess you're right."

  "Oh girl, I am. Now come on, Maddie is waiting, and that woman terrifies me." I laugh at him as he pulls me to where everyone is gathering as Maddie hushes us all with Dad and my brothers so close.

  Less than a minute after we're silenced, I hear them pull up out front, but there's more voices than I expected. I stifle my laugh as Bauer tries to maneuver Dad and his grumpy as, to the garden.

  "I don't understand why you couldn't just get it by yourself," he says as he steps into the yard.

  "Surprise!" everyone yells. My dad spins, seeing us all and grumbles.

  "I hate surprises," I laugh, as do most other people around me.

  "Stop being such a cantankerous old man, and come down here, Denny," Maddie demands and he makes his way towards her, still grumbling as she pulls him into a hug. My focus is pulled back to the door where my brothers appear, and I'm surprised to see Ben behind them. I make my way towards them, when Fallon grabs me, pulling me into a hug.

  "Where have you been hiding, missy?" she says and I relax.

  "I've been busy with my little harem," I whisper to her and she bursts out a laugh.

  "Well, that's the best excuse I heard all year." "Creek knows," I tell her, and her eyes go wide. "Holy fates, Remy. How? When?"

  "Not here," I tell her. "Later." "I'm going to hold you to that!"

  "Fine by me. I'll see you in a bit, I just want to grab my brothers," I tell her, hugging her quickly before trying to spot Ben in the crowd. I can't see him, so I head for the kitchen, knowing that's where Maddie will be, and likely Ben too.

  The wave of cool air hits me as I enter the house, and I almost shiver.

  “Remy, just in time! The brownies have just finished cooling. Can you cut them up and pop them with the others?” Maddie asks as she whirs around the kitchen, taking advantage of her Hunter speed to get things ready.

  “Sure thing. Hey Ben.” I smile at him as I grab a knife from the drawer and start cutting the brownies into tiny squares.

  “Good to see you Remy.” His warm smile reaches his eyes and he steps closer to the counter to avoid Maddie’s flailing. “I hear you’re doing exceptionally well with your training.”

  “Thanks, my brother is something of a slave driver, but I’ve been trying to keep up as much as I can, despite hiccups. Lots of reading too, looking into our histories, making sure I have the bigger picture.” He quirks a brow at my words, but doesn’t say anything, as if he knows what I’m thinking.

  “Indeed. And your memories?”

  “Coming thick and fast each day. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some stuff that I’m missing, but for the main part, I remember a lot.” I tell him, and I realize the truth of my words. Between the constant dreams, things coming back to me as I read, as I spend time with my guys, my family, I remember more than I realized.

  “I’m glad to hear it. Our memories are our most powerful tools. Our most powerful weapons.”

  His words trigger me, and I feel myself falter, as it hits me. We’ve had this conversation before, and before that… Ben knows. He knows everything and he’s on my side. He wants to help me. My eyes go wide as he nods at me, knowing what just happened inside my head. He raises a finger to his lips, and then points to his watch.

  “Later.” He grins and then heads into the garden with the others.

  Holy crap. I try to tamper my excitement at the possibilities and focus on enjoying the day with my dad. The door opens, and the man of the hour walks in.

  “Hey Dad, what’s up?”

  “So many people,” he grumbles, but he’s smiling. “You know how much I hate surprises.”

  “Oh, I know, but it’s your birthday. You can’t just let it pass you by.” I hug him quickly, because hugging is not a thing Denny Bennett does.

  “I could have quite happily let it pass by, thank you very much.”

  “Denny Bennett, you will stop you whining this instant.” Maddie says, tossing the towel in her hands down onto the counter. “Emily would have done it, and so, she would have wanted me to do it. You know that as well as I do, so you are going to go back out there, socialize and enjoy your birthday, dammit.”

  I look at her wide eyed, before looking to my dad, who looks as shocked as I feel. Maddie never loses her cool.

  “Yes ma’am.” He says, swiping a brownie, making her roll his eyes.

  “Denny?” Nate asks as his head pokes in the door and takes in the room. “Erm… maybe you should come back outside, Den.”

  “Already on my way.” He says, grinning wider than I’ve seen in a while and I laugh. The two of them look like scared little boys as Maddie stands with her hands on her hips, looking like she is not to be messed with.

  “Men. I swear, they don’t grow up, their toys just get more dangerous.” She rolls her eyes as she huffs. “Now then, sweetheart, why don’t you start taking this lot outside and grab those brothers of yours to help.

  “You got it!” I say with a grin and grab as many trays as I can without running the risk of dropping them and back out of the kitchen into the yard. Music is playing, the sun is shining, and everyone looks so carefree. I don’t remember a time when everyone looked this relaxed. Kids with sitters, so everyone able to just let loose and enjoy the company of their loved ones.

  Night falls and the string lights glow, lighting up the space. People are dancing, drinking, and just enjoying themselves. The night feels free, the people freer, not a care in the world, but I can’t help but feel on edge. Seeing the glances between Colt and Fallon all day, my heart hurts for them, but there is nothing I can say to make a difference to my brother. It’s not a surprise that Fallon and her family left earlier. If I was her I wouldn’t be able to face all of this, hide how I feel, and hide my resentment alongside it. The Witches are An ally to our faction, there is no reason for them to be kept apart and yet, they are.

  “What’s wrong?” Creek asks as he sits behind me on the bench seat on the picnic table, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “You seem tense.” “I know, I can’t shake this feeling. Like we’ve missed something.” Not mentioning Colt and Fallon to him. Their business is their own, and it’s not my secret to tell.

  “I’ve always trusted your gut, but maybe it’s because we’ve been working so hard since your awakening. We’ve not had too much opportunity to do this sort of thing. Usually, things aren’t as crazy as they are right now, or at least that’s what Dad told me. The increase in the other faction’s numbers around here have had people on edge, but things have been quiet since the Lycans a
ttacked you. I can only assume those two have finally got their people in line, even if only because of you.” His words sound true enough, but something still doesn’t feel right.

  Kain and Roman have always had a good hold on their factions. Either directly or through those beneath them, but it’s the rogue activity that made them both come here. It’s the rogues who have been banding together in a way unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

  A shudder runs down my spine, as the first scream happens. The lights go out and we’re thrown into darkness.

  “Shit,” Creek says, standing and keeping a hand on me. Our eyes only take a second to adjust, and that’s when I see them. Dracul and Lycans surround us, coming through the tree line, others pouring from the wrap around porch. There must be at least fifty of them… and no more than twenty of us.

  Silence hangs in the air and time feels like it’s stretching out. Hunters gather, creating a circle of sorts, and we move to join them as my dad’s voice rings out in the dead space around us. “What is the meaning of this!”

  There is no response except for the snarls of the rogues as they attack. I shut everything out, thankful that I’ve had time to regain enough memories since I was last attacked, that I barely even feel fear. A killing calm sweeps over me as I rush forward and join the fight around me. Weaponless, we’re at a disadvantage, but sheer force of will pushes us forward.

  I use my opponents speed and strength against them, using it to snap their bones, before twisting their necks. It might not kill them, but it will put them down for long enough that we can work through them to get to our weapons. Or at least I hope so.

  I try not to think about the people around me. The people that I love and hold dear, while I focus on taking out as many of the rogues as I can. A Lycan dives for me, and I dart backwards, then feel the teeth of a Dracul tear into my shoulder.

  When the fuck did they start working together?

  I shove my elbow backwards into the Draculs gut, he releases me from his bite, so I throw my head backwards, shattering his nose, but that gives the Lycan the opening to attack. His fists reign down upon my ribs, winding me, but I refuse to give in.