Libby POV
Mother Agnes worries for Fallon every second of the day. We know she is safe. Ryan keeps us informed of her training and the decisions she has made concerning her future. Probably the most shocking was the decision to marry Ryan after she completes training.
A summer wedding in New Orleans between the big bad wolf and the new reapers will happen soon enough. Mother Agnes is happy, and so am I. It was no secret that Ryan was Fallon's mate, but I did not think it would happen this fast. Maybe I did know but ignored it.
Fallon took on new gifts when she accepted her wolf. When she is ready, I will teach her to use her magic. When all her skills are at her disposal, Fallon will be unstoppable. She will be the reaper we need, the protector of our community if that is what she wants. Otherwise, things could get bad for all of the supernatural community.
Mother Agnes rocks on the front porch in her rocker and watches for Fallon to return every day. I am trying to understand why. Mother Agnes knows it will be a while before she returns, but she waits for her daily. Maybe I could take her to the wolf territory. I am sure Alpha Mayhem would welcome us.
There is a loud car coming down the street. Whoever it is, they are in a hurry to get somewhere. I look to see a car, a very familiar car. It is one of Umbra's minions. What the hell do they want? I will never tell them anything about Fallon. As far as anyone is concerned, Fallon left and isn't returning. I want it to be a surprise when she comes back a reaper and ready to kick ass.
"It's Sunshine," Mother Agnes says.
I listen to the noise of the wind. "It is Sunshine. She is bringing bad news," I say. I can feel the presence of hurt and pain approaching with Sunshine. Sunshine was a bright witch with a big future, but then she fell in with Umbra and her bunch. Now she is a brilliant witch who uses her smarts and magic for Umbra. I guess you could say Sunshine is an evil witch. I think she enjoys it too.
"Maybe you should go inside, Mother Agnes," I say to her, knowing she will not leave me alone to face Sunshine. Mother Agnes is older than us, but she is stronger when it comes to her magic. She knows spells and has magic that I will never have.
"I am not leaving you alone with Sunshine. She might try something, but I do not think that is why she is coming. She is coming to bring us some news. Something has scared her. Umbra? Maybe?" Mother Agnes says.
"I am not sure what would scare Sunshine. Umbra or one of her minions has crossed a line Sunshine is not willing to cross. It has to be bad. There is no reason for us to guess she is almost here," I say.
Mother Agnes and I wait patiently for Sunshine to pull into the small drive at the shotgun house of Mother Agnes. We stop speaking and try to listen to the nature around us. Mother Agnes is listening to Sunshine's mind, and I listen to the wind and rain. I try to feel what is going on with Sunshine.
Sunshine parks near the end of the row of shogun homes. We watch as she gets out of her car and slams the door. She sprints toward us. "Bruce! Libby! Bruce!" Sunshine screams over and over.
"Bruce, Mother Agnes, she is here about Bruce," I begin to cry. What has happened to Bruce? I know Sunshine would never cross the line with Bruce. They were involved once upon a time, and she still carries feelings for my brother. That is probably where Bruce, or better yet, who Bruce ran to when he felt betrayed by Fallon.
"What happened to my brother?" I cry out, running toward Sunshine. I stop suddenly. What if this is a trap? I turn and put up a ring of protection around the house. Sunshine watches me and waits.
"I am not here to harm Mother Agnes or you but to warn you. Bruce is in trouble," Sunshine says.
Now that Sunshine is closer to me, I can tell she has been crying for a while and still is crying. Sunshine's face is swelling, and her eyes are almost purple. She has not slept, and she has rubbed her face. I pull her close to me. "I know you would never hurt Bruce, but I also know who you work for, Sunshine," I say.
"Umbra has Bruce. She is torturing your brother. Umbra wants Fallon. She wanted Bruce to deliver Fallon to her, but he didn't. Bruce lost his watcher position to Ryan, and Umbra is furious. Umbra will kill him, but slowly," Sunshine says.
"Where is my brother?" I ask.
Sunshine looks behind her and then back to me. "They are following me. I have to go. I have to get away from New Orleans before she kills me," Sunshine says. She starts to run away from me and back to her car, but I grab her arm and pull her toward the protection circle.
"No, I have a family to protect. Umbra has Bruce in the basement of the Frog Juice Restaurant. Umbra will kill him soon if he doesn't talk," Sunshine says.
I hold onto her wrist harder. "Tell me how Umbra took him, and I will let you go," I say, pulling Sunshine closer to the protection circle.
Sunshine is beginning to panic, looking over her shoulder and crying. "Let me go," Sunshine screams.
Something flies through the air toward us. It smells like saltwater and death. What is that? "Let me go. She sent someone to kill me," Sunshine screams. I let go of her hand.
"Bruce came to me for comfort. He is heartbroken. I can't save him, but Fallon can. Save Bruce," Sunshine screams as the mixture flying through the air strikes her down.
I step inside the protection ring. I reach out to make an opening and pull her onto our side to protect her, but before I can pull Sunshine into my magic protection, one of the minions grabs Sunshine. He hits Sunshine one time with the salty-smelling potion, and it penetrates her body.
I watch as the death smell fills Sunshine. She screams. The minion walks away as Sunshine screams out and dies. I want to help her. "LEAVE HER!" Mother Agnes screams. She is right. If I step out and try to fight one of Umbra's minions, I will be dead too.
I watch as the once bright, promising witch dies in the street. Sunshine could have been anything in her life. She chose to be a minister of death. It finally caught up to her, and that is the truth. At least, in the end, she tried to do the right thing.
I release the protection spell when the minions are gone and step onto the street with Sunshine. I sit down beside her and take her hand. "Stupid girl, why did you have to follow Umbra?" I ask out loud.
Sunshine moves slightly and takes a breath. "Sunshine!" I scream. She is alive!
"Umbra is my mother. That is why I went to her after I found my magic. She used me. Bruce ... you have to save Bruce before she bends him to her will or kills him. Save him, and tell him I love him," Sunshine says.
Her head drops to the side, and she is gone. I close her eyes and leap to my feet. I rush to the door, flying past Mother Agnes. "I have to go," I say.
Mother Agnes follows me into the house. "Where are you going, child? You can't face Umbra by yourself," Mother Agnes questions me.
"No, but I know where I can find help," I say.
I grab a bag and my keys. I stop at the door and look back at Mother Agnes. "Alpha Mayhem will help me," I say.
I walk down the street to my car. I have to go to the wolf territory. I need help. I start the car, and someone knocks on the passenger side door. I look over to see Mother Agnes. I unlock the door. Mother Agnes gets into my car.
I look at her for a moment in shock that she wants to go. "Well, let's go. I am not going to miss a good wolf fight," Mother Agnes says.