Page 38 of Rose and Shadows
I slapped my hand to his over it, his eyes shooting to mine as I infused my power into all the rest.
“What did you mean about me not beinglearned?How long ago was this? And why don’t I remember freely?”
He retracted his fangs, then told me, “I thought your memory of this might be triggered when my name kept coming up in relation to Lazriel, especially when you performed the Blood Trace on him and felt me through the spell—and even saw me. But the trauma clearly ran too deep. Suppressing these memories is clearly the most powerful form of your compartmentalization you’ve ever employed. You should havebeen able to shatter theObliviscathat was performed on you that day as your power grew to such formidable heights. But it remained untouched all these years.” He sighed heavily. “You see, you were just a boy back then, still new to your power. Your understanding of what you were truly capable of was limited. Your mother worsened that for you out of her intention to protect you, to ensure you didn’t become Morien.”
“My mother? What? No, that’s—”
It was too late then, the magic rushing around us swirling faster and faster, then sucking us in.
I joltedas my consciousness returned within the captured memories of the Stone of Recollection.
I couldn’t see my own form but I could feel it there. Remnant wasn’t with me either, but I somehow knew he was present in his current day form the same way that I was—just as an observer.
I gasped when I took in the modest log cabin, the one that looked exactly like the one I lived in now. I’d built it with my magic to look like that. My family home. My family home belonging to just my mom, my sister, and I. It was where we’d retreated to after my mother had cast out my father when he’d been on his mission to dominate the supernatural world through recruiting so many fucked-up beings to his megalomaniacal cause.
Unlike my cabin, inside this one had been two bedrooms—one belonging to my mom and the other to my sister and me.
With a flash of silver and crimson light, I was inside the cabin itself.
I realized why as soon as I took in the living room with the jewel tones and oversized cozy couch and two armchairs, thefireplace centered in the space, shag rugs covering the wooden floors.
Remnant, the past version of him, had vamp sped inside.
And there he stood in his black robes and his mask concealing all but his eyes.
I sucked in a breath as my mom appeared.
Fuck… I couldn’t… I couldn’t believe it, as I took her in. That distinct blonde spiky hair, her worn jeans and one of her signature flowy tops, this one white with gold stars that shimmered like glitter.
“Remnant,” she breathed, rushing over to him. “It’s happening?”
“Yes,” he responded in a grave tone that sent a chill through me. “He’s found you.”
“I’m not going to let him force me to give up my son to a Coven.”
“He requires that education and guidance regardless.”
“No. He needs to be rooted to his humanity, not schooled in the same magics that have twisted his father.”
“The boy is not his father. That is a large part of the reason Morien wishes to use him.”
“Use him?” She scoffed. “That’s a nice way of referring to that maniac’s plan to murder Sy. To drain his power for himself, then kill him so there’s no chance of survival.”
“No chance for his son to overpower him in the coming years—the only necromancer who will be able to accomplish that. He cannot fall this night, Ashlynn. You must let him go. Let me take you and your daughter to the Shadow Tunnels for a time. And I will see to Sylas. He will be protected within a Coven. Those institutions exist out in the open, somewhere Morien cannot venture or openly attack. He is still in the process of building his army, not yet strong enough to withstand the Guardian Movement’s response.”
She shook her head vehemently.
Remnant stepped forward. “Morien is wielding my agents with Undead Domination.”
“Then kill them.”
“I am not a tyrant.”
“They’re already gone if they’re under his control, being puppeted. Besides, you have many more. How many does he have? A handful?”
“Ten. Enough to murder all of you in this home. We need to leave now or I will be swept up in that necromantic hold as well, and then you will truly have no hope. With my power set—”
“I know. Just… give me a moment. I need to… think.”
