Fallon POV
The 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 her as she speaks to me. She is sincere, as always. She loves me and is genuinely sorry that this burden has fallen on me. Ryan takes my hand again. I look at him and smile. Ryan is my protector. I am not sure exactly what his watcher duties are and why he is my protector, not Bruce, but it feels right.
I began to notice something about Bruce after we arrived in New Orleans. I tried to ignore it, but he seemed not protective but jealous. Bruce is in love with me. After much thought and careful thinking, I knew I only wanted to be his friend. For a moment, I thought we could be more, but I know now it is not right. Bruce is not my destiny. My magic is my destiny.
I have to embrace my new life and this new family. Now that I have accepted my magic, I will find my father and wait! "My father is dead. Where is the map taking me?" I ask. How did I let that little detail slip from me?
"The man that your mother shared her life with and loved is dead. He claimed you, but no, he is not your father. Your father is not dead, and you must go to him. He will help you," Mother Agnes says.
I shake my head and look around the table. Libby did not want to tell me yet. It is written all over her face. Mother Agnes is done hiding secrets, magic, and family. Ryan is willing to do what is necessary to protect me and my importance to the supernatural community. So that just leaves me. What do I want? I want to uncover the rest of the secrets that are hidden.
"I understand," I say.
What can I say? For whatever reason, my mother slept with someone other than my father and produced me is not important right now. What is important is whatever Mother Agnes thinks I need to know from the man who is my birth father.
I take a deep breath. I am not an orphan. I have one parent alive. The way Mother Agnes and Libby are acting, it might not be a good thing. I will have to see for myself.
"When do we leave?" I ask Ryan. I do not look at Libby or Mother Agnes. As my words hit the ears of Ryan and the others, the map lights up and begins to dance.
"I think that means now," Ryan says.
I nod my head and grab the map. "Let's go," I say.
Ryan and I get up. I have the map, and Ryan grabs the book. Ryan looks over my shoulder at the map. "We will take my truck. That map is taking us deep into wolf territory. They will know me and my truck. We will not be bothered," Ryan says.
"Wolf territory?" I question Ryan.
Mother Agnes gets up from the table. She stands behind me and waits for me to turn around. I am afraid to face her. "Is he a werewolf or a Lycan?" I ask without looking at anyone.
Mother Agnes is breathing hard, and I think she is crying. Libby gets up from the table. An hour ago, we were toasting my new family. We ate cookies and drank cokes. We were celebrating, and now someone is about to tell me that my father is a shifter.
"My mother was married to a hunter and had an affair with a shifter?" I question anyone who will answer me.
Libby bolts to me. She takes me into her arms. "We want you to hear everything from him, and only him, okay? I didn't think you were ready, but I was outvoted," Libby says. She is crying as she tries to calm me down.
"She has to know who she is before she becomes the reaper, Libby," Mother Agnes yells. She quickly calms herself as I turn to her. "I am sorry," Mother Agnes says.
I reach for her shoulder. "It is okay. There will be no more secrets in this family. It is time to move past all of this. No more hiding," I say softly.
Ryan waits patiently, but the map is getting upset. "We better go," Ryan says as the map takes flight and bumps into the front door.
"I love you all," I say.
I follow Ryan to the door. He retrieves the map that is insisting we leave now. I hold on to it with every ounce of strength I have in me. The little map is ready to lead me to my father. "Calm down," I say to the map. It seems to huff at me and then calms down in my hand. It ignites with a map to follow. I hand it off to Ryan as we go out the door to his truck.
Ryan opens the door for me. "I know him. Everything will be okay. Libby is just Libby. She worries about you, and now, with Bruce taking off, she is more worried. The wolves will not harm you. They will accept you," Ryan says.
"Okay," I say. I get into the truck: another day and another surprise in my life.