Fallon POV
Ryan takes me to the edge of the French Quarter. It is quieter except for the sounds of rain. The rain is always there in my mind, and it seems to follow me.
I see a woman coming toward us. I know her. It is Libby, Bruce's sister. She walks slowly but deliberately. Her boots click and clatter on the pavement. She looks happy to see me, but she is Bruce's sister.
I look up at Ryan. "Who can I trust?" I say it out loud, even though I only meant to think it.
"Libby is with us," Ryan says.
I look back at Libby. I am even more confused than I was when we ran from the hotel. First time riding on a Lycan or werewolf or whatever he is, and I hope it is my last. Why were Bruce's eyes black? Why would he turn on me?
Libby stands in front of me. "Oh, my little witch, there is so much you do not know. Bruce is a good man. He would never harm you," Libby says.
Ryan interrupts her. "I wouldn't be so sure about all of that," Ryan says.
Libby moves her attention from me to Ryan. Libby moves in a way that you can tell people don't usually give her much push back. "He loves her," Libby says to Ryan. She pokes him in the chest to make sure he understands.
Ryan growls at Libby. "Then why was he with Chaos?" Ryan asks. I want to know the answer to that question myself.
Libby turns her attention to me. "Fallon, we have much to discuss. If I can pry you away from Ryan for a moment," Libby says. She gives Ryan a look that speaks volumes. He doesn't give her any grief as she takes me away from him. He is not happy about it, but he says nothing.
Libby has her arm around me. "Is Chaos trying to hurt me?" I ask Libby. I want to know why Bruce is with Chaos, but I also want to know if Chaos is out to hurt me before I dig any deeper into the other question.
"Keep walking," Libby says.
I walk with her, not asking any more questions. If my life gets any more confusing, I don't know what I will do. Nothing, I suppose. Seriously how can I do anything about my current situation?
I see people gathering to see me. "Don't be afraid of them. They are reapers, witches, and hunters. They will not harm you. They are waiting for you to lead them and free them from Umbra," Libby says.
I don't understand why Bruce took me to Umbra's if he knew she was bad news or out to harm me anyway. "Because the ancestors told him to take you there. They wanted Umbra to see you and know that you are here to take your place in the supernatural world," Libby says.
The three ancestors appear before us out of thin air. They do not float in on a rain cloud; they just poof, and they are in front of us. I jump back when I see them. Anna approaches me. Before she speaks to me, she turns to Libby.
"Bruce is fine. He is at the hotel and protected by your magic," Anna says.
"Is he worried about me?" I ask.
Onya turns her attention to me. "Of course. Bruce would never harm you. I know Ryan does not trust him, and there is nothing we can do to change his mind, but Bruce is on our side," Onya says.
I hear someone approaching. I look back to see Ryan. Onya waves him off. This is too much. "I cannot take much more," I say. I want to scream and cry out in pain. I am not sure why I am hurting, but I feel like I am on fire.
I suddenly realize that Sonya is not with the other ancestors. I feel something coming down on my back and shoulder. It is Sonya. "What are you doing?" I cry out.
I fall forward, and Libby takes me into her arms. "Not yet! She isn't ready!" Libby screams. Sonya backs away.
Ryan rushes to my side. "Are you hurt?" Ryan asks me. He growls at the ancestors.
"Back down, Lycan, she needs to start receiving her magic a little at a time. It is going to sting like a bitch!" Sonya says.
I feel like my insides are burning. I breathe in and out slowly as the pain rushes throughout my body. "Just breath, Fallon," Libby says.
Libby glares at Sonya. The ancestors are talking amongst their selves as I try to get past the pain of receiving a little of my magic. She could have at least warned me. Is this why they dragged out here in the middle of nowhere?
Ryan and Libby help me to my feet. "We have to talk, Fallon. I know you have heard that a lot lately, but there are things you need to know, and then Bruce can help you with the rest. Is it important that Umbra is unaware that you know she is trying to enslave you," Libby says.
Ryan follows us. "What about Chaos? Won't he tell her?" I ask.
Libby laughs. "No, sweetie. I am taking care of Chaos before he can tell Umbra anything," Libby says.
There is still the question of why Bruce's eyes were black and why he seemed to be in cahoots with Chaos. As we walk, I notice my surroundings are changing. The dark is becoming less, and there are tiny houses very close together.
We stop in front of a house. Libby goes up the steps and stands on the porch. "Come, Fallon. It is time," Libby says.
I hesitate and then take the steps up to the porch. She takes my hand. "Are you ready?" Libby asks.
I pull back from her. "First, tell me why Bruce's eyes were black," I say.
"Fallon, there is nothing dark about Bruce. He was getting ready to protect you. If Bruce had to fight for you, he would, but Chaos is a large wolf, and it would be difficult unless he pulled from his watcher powers. Those powers are dark, but Bruce is not. Do you understand?" Libby explains to me.
"I left Bruce at the hotel because Ryan said I wasn't safe there. Why did he think that?" I ask.
"333," Ryan speaks up from behind us.
"I choose that number for a reason. It means there is a witch close by," Libby says.
I look back at Ryan. "So he thought it was a sign to let people know I was there and that I was in danger?" I ask.
"YES!" Ryan growls from behind us. "I thought Bruce was telling everyone where you were staying. I panicked," Ryan says.
"Now that we are all clear on that I have someone for you to meet," Libby says.
I take a deep breath. I am not sure I can handle meeting anyone else today. Libby opens the door. "Go ahead," Libby says.
I step into the tiny house. The floor creaks as a rocker across the room rocks back and forth. "Is that you, child?" an older woman calls out to me.
The older woman struggles to get out of her rocker and to her feet. She takes a few steps toward me. Her hair is long. It is white, but I can see a few strands of cooper.
"Fallon," she calls out to me. "Welcome home," she says as she steps into the light and I can see her face clearly.
She looks like me.