Fallon POVThe older woman pulls me to her, squeezing me as she embraces me. She is much stronger than she looks. I hesitate at first. She does look like me, but there is so much danger for me and every single moment of my life is crazy right now. She releases me and looks at me for a moment. There are tears running down her face. "You look so much like your mother," she says. I look back at Libby. Libby must see the panic on my face or hear it in my mind. "This is your grandmother. We all call her Mother Agnes," Libby says. I look into Mother Agnes's eyes. I am not sure what I am looking for, just something that tells me she is family and means no harm to me. "I would never hurt you, my child," Mother Agnes says. Great, she can read my mind too. Can everyone read minds? "Not the wolves or Lycans, but some of the vamps can and a few of the shifters," Libby answers my question that I did not speak. I have to be mindful of my thoughts. "Thanks," I say. Not sure if that is the appro
Fallon POVIt seems like the pages in the family history book will never end. I am unsure how much more I know about myself or my family. I know who they are and what they are, but the reaper and hunter information is lacking. Mother Agnes says that a lot of that will be explained to me by my training. WHAT? So I have to do on the job training for reaping. "Your mind is all over the place, Fallon," Mother Agnes says. I smile at her. I am tired. I am sore from sitting at this table, and I am a little confused. Well, I am actually a lot confused and have been for several days now. "When will Ryan be back with Bruce?" I ask. Mother Agnes laughs. "He is here waiting for you. Were you worried that Ryan and Bruce killed each other?" Mother Agnes laughs. Mother Agnes is definitely something I need in my life right now. She is honest, funny, and does not seem to take much from anyone, kind of like Libby. I know Libby is a hard as nails woman. I bet Bruce is scared of her. I know Ryan is.
Fallon POVDestiny, my destiny, these words seem to float in and out of my mind. I wonder why I was put on this earth. Why am I so important to the reapers and the supernatural world? Why can't someone else lead? I am not sure I am a leader. I guess I will find out what I am made of soon.I feel a strong arm touch my shoulder and engulf me. I turn to see Bruce. He pulls me into an embrace. "I am sorry about your parents," Bruce says. It seems like I have heard I am sorry about your parents more times than I would like over the last week. I guess everyone is sorry. I am sorry too. I am sorry my parents are dead. I am sorry that my brother is dead. I am sorry that the people who loved me enough to hide me are also dead. Death is all I feel right now. "I do not want to talk about death right now," I say. I know he can see into my mind, so Bruce already knows how I am feeling right now and what I am thinking. Bruce kisses my forehead. I hear a low growl coming from another room. I look
Fallon POVI awake to the sound of rain. For a moment, I forget where I am. I listen to the thunder and rain. It makes my heart hurt and smile at the same time. I think of my mother, and I think of everything that I have lost. I think of this new journey I am on and how much my life has changed. "Fallon," a whisper calls out to me. I roll over and sit on the side of the bed. I wait and listen for the whisper to call out to me again. "Fallon," it says even lower than before. I see something coming toward me. I am not afraid as she approaches. She is wearing a long green dress. Her hair is red, and she looks like me. I immediately know who this is. It is my mother, my birth mother. "I am not afraid," I say as she stands in front of me. The three ancestors suddenly appear, bringing with them their rain. "She has a message for you, Fallon," the three say together. I stand and look into her eyes. Her eyes are green. I reach out to touch her face as I look into her eyes. I feel so pea
Fallon POVThe three of us take Libby's car. I sit in the back because the thought of the two of them arguing over me is too much. Ryan drives. Mother Agnes was precise about what each person would do on the trip. She wanted to make sure there was no fighting or conflict. I am sure they will find something to argue over. Maybe they need just to beat each other up daily until they get it all out of their system. I make myself comfortable in the back seat. I think about both my mothers and then focus on the map. I lay it out on the seat beside me. It is strange to watch us move on the map. The map lights up when we move, shows where we are, and then goes blank when we stop. "I am nervous," I say. Ryan looks at me in the rearview mirror. "I know you are, but we are here with you," Ryan says. We ride in silence for hours—nothing, no talking, no radio, just the three of us in our thought. I watch the map, and I am sure Bruce is listening to my mind wander. I cannot help it. I have a lo
Fallon POVI can hear the whispers around me. Ryan is talking with Mother Agnes. I can hear Libby arguing with someone. I think Bruce and Libby are having an argument, but I am not sure. I try to open my eyes, but it is difficult to get past the pain in my neck. I take a deep breath and try really hard to open my eyes. Nothing happens. Help Me! I scream inside my mind, but no one except Bruce can read my mind. I feel a hand touch me. "I can hear you," Ryan whispers. Ryan couldn't hear me before, but now he can. Ryan takes my hand. I feel him next to me. "Help me," I try to scream, but it comes out in a whisper. I move to my side, and I feel Ryan. "Calm down. Libby and Mother Agnes are working to help you. The ancestors are here. The amulet has an important part of your magic. It is coming out of the amulet too fast. The ancestors are trying to slow it down. Just stay with me," Ryan says. I nod my head and close my eyes. I try to think of rain, thunder, water, anything that does n
Fallon POVI wrap myself in a blanket and try to sleep. All I can think as I lie here in this oversized bed is, how did I get here? What happens to my old life? I snuggle down into the blanket and close my eyes. The truth is my old life is gone. Maybe that life was a lie and never meant for me. The bedroom door creeks as I almost fall asleep. I open my eyes and see Bruce. He looks upset with me. "I wanted to talk to you," Bruce says slowly. I sit up in the bed and move over to the edge, pushing the comforter to the end of the bed. I pat the bed for him to sit next to me. "Sit with me," I say, smiling at my friend. Right now, he doesn't look like my friend. Bruce steps inside the room. He looks around the corner of the door as he closes it. Who is he looking for right now? He is worried Ryan will say something because I am supposed to rest for tomorrow. Bruce sits on the side of the bed with me. I reach for his hand. I have been through so much lately, and I could use my friend rig
Fallon POVThe table is quiet. Everyone is trying to decide if they should tell me about my father. Ryan reaches over and holds my hand tightly for a moment. "Do you want me to get the book and the map for Mother Agnes?" Ryan asks. I nod but do not speak. I am too busy watching everyone. Libby is still upset about her brother and trying to focus on me. I hate that Bruce left, but I have to figure things out, and then maybe I can fix our friendship. Ryan comes back with the map and the book. He hands both to Mother Agnes. "You must take the map and follow it to your father. Take the book with you. There Ryan will begin your training, but only after you know the truth about your father and why you were hidden, and who you were hidden from when you were born. You have to know everything before you begin training to be the reaper of our community. Fallon, we are all depending on you to keep us safe. I know it is a huge burden, but you are the one, my dear," Mother Agnes says. I watch h