The Keeper of Secrets

By Clair McIntyre

Some secrets can haunt you...
Anya Moregan knows many secrets, in fact she is one of a select few who keep the most dangerous secrets in order to protect the world. There is one secret that Anya has kept for a hundred and forty seven years and it has driven her nearly to the point of madness and the brink of destruction. Knowing that she has little time left, Anya turns to the one man who could save her... her husband Thorn Skylin.
Some secrets are better left buried...
For a hundred and forty-seven years, Thorn has been unable to speak to Anya for more than a few moments due to a curse that she instilled upon him and her family. Far from being angry, Thorn is constantly worried about what drove Anya to such a desperate act and when he finally learns the truth, Thorn is confronted by past events that he has done his very best to forget.
Some secret need to be ended...
Thorn and Anya both realize that the only way to be free from the secrets that have tortured their very souls is to end them once and for all. However that will not be a simple task, in order to be able to be free, they first must confront an ancient evil and a life shattering event that drove them apart so many years ago. Will they be able to find the strength and courage to overcome the past, or will the pain of it all finally destroy them once and for all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clair McIntyre
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463632680

Clair McIntyre

I live in Courtice, ON, a place google can't find on the map. I spend most of my time driving those nearest and dearest, absolutely crazy, and procrastinating on numerous schemes. I also like to learn so I can often be found playing video games, reading random pages on wikipedia and watching documentaries.On a more serious note, I'm really an open book. I like to seeing the lighter side in life, and though sometimes what I write might be on the darker side, I like to think that even at the darkest point in one's lives, there's always hope.

Book preview

Prologue

Sitting next to the cold window, Anya leaned against the glass. Her unseeing eyes stared out at the snowy scape below as her ears were attuned to the very wind itself, listening to all the secrets it carried.

"Something wicked, comes," it howled.

"Yes, yes, wicked very, very wicked," it repeated.

Tell me something new, Anya murmured.

"Oh, this is new, very new. Beware this wickedness is coming for you!"

Anya frowned. What comes?

"Formless, shapeless, pure wicked-evil."

Do you know anything more?

"No, no more. Only that it comes for you. Be careful Secret Keeper. Be, very, very, careful."

Suddenly the wind died down and disappeared.

Anya shivered at the warning. Despite the many she received, the wind was always more telling than most.

Summoning her phone, she called her dad. After two rings he picked up.

Anya... is anything wrong honey?

Maybe yes, maybe no, Anya murmured.

Oh? Hold on honey. I'm coming to see you.

Thanks dad. Anya shivered again as if a chill seeped into her bones causing her anxiety to rise and bring on a small panic attack.

Breathing deeply in and out for a few moments, Anya was able to calm herself down enough to be able to focus on the world around her. As she did, Anya realized that her dad had appeared beside her and had taking to stroking her back soothingly during the attack.

Anya, honey...

Dad?

What did you hear from the wind?

Something wicked is coming for me, she murmured.

Did it say what it was?

Shapeless and formless evil... What could it mean? Anya asked him quietly.

Wulf let out a low hiss before he murmured, I don't know, yet, but I'm damn well going to find out.

What should I do? Anya shivered.

Wulf wrapped his arms around his daughter holding her close.

It will be all right Anya. We will figure something out, I promise. Though, in the meantime, I'm going to call your mom and siblings here. They should be made aware of it.

Do you think they'll be mad at me? Anya asked..

No Anya, you and your siblings all have very special gifts that were bound to bring evil knocking at our door one day.

Anya nodded, still agitated at the thought of Wind's warning. She had come across these evil beings before, and each time she had barely escaped with her life.

No. Each time, I was rescued by him and I'm pretty sure the last time this all happened, I burnt all my bridges.

Anya's mind drew her back when she felt her dad withdraw slightly from her so that he could call her mother.

Kitsune love... they're back. Anya's been warned again, Wulf murmured into the phone.

Without warning, her mother appeared; though she wasn't the only one. All three of her siblings arrived as well.

How did you... Anya started to ask as her two triplet brothers and older sister, but they just pulled her into a hug instead.

We may be crappy siblings sometimes, Anya, but we're still immortal triplets and when one feels pain, all three of us feel it. So as soon as I felt your distress, I called our sister Mydnyte let her know something was up so that we could start preparing for whatever was to come to pass, Falcon stated.

Anya was silently as she felt the strong triplet-bond that she had with her two brothers Falcon and Skull before she whispered, You're not crappy siblings to me at all.

Thanks, though now is the time to step up and prove those words, Skull responded, a slight edge in his voice.

Yes and don't worry Anya we will sort this out, I promise, Mydnyte added.

Anya nodded before they broke apart and she was wordlessly held by her mother, who refused to relinquish her.

After a while, Kitsune looked to Wulf and declared, So, my mate, what do you plan to do?

I know what you’re really asking me, Sunny, and the answer I want to say, is that I will put whatever intends to hurt Anya six feet under the ground. However as much as it galls me to admit this, I don't think there's anything I can physically do in this fight. I mean, we've been down this road before, Anya dad said using the pet name he gave her long ago for her ‘sunny’ disposition.

You cannot be just giving up...

The hell I am! I will never give up so long as there is a breath in my body, damn it, Wulf near shouted before taking a slow breath in and continuing, "We need time... time to figure out exactly what these beasts are and end them properly. But apart from that, right now, I don't have an answer except that we need to stay close together in order to protect Anya."

Well, why doesn't everyone come stay with me? Falcon asked. The house is large enough to comfortably accommodate a thousand people, I'm sure.

I don't want to bring evil to your door. Think of your kids and wife, Falcon, Anya protested.

I already have and I also have Luna's fully backing to do whatever must be done. Besides, right now with Moonlight Valley being part of Celestial Inlet and the island strengthened by Mina, Celeste, Rika and Luna's magic, it is probably the safest place in the entire world.

Yes, it is, Mydnyte agreed. I can also ask my husband Trey to ask Prometheus for a favour...

No! Wulf declared before let out a low breath. I know it seems like a solid idea but until we figure this out, we need to keep it amoungst ourselves.

"Not completely, my parents must know, as should your siblings. Honestly Wulf, I know you don't like hashing things out in 'public' but my mum and dad have been searching for an answer for us for eons and they have a right to know it's happening again. Also, your siblings and brother-in-law, Phoenix, have shown time and again that they have our backs and we need their unyielding strength more than ever. Now, in the meantime, Anya, pack up what you need for an extend stay. I want you to stay with Falcon until we get a handle on this situation. Mydnyte, Dmitri, go home and prepare for a long stay at Falcon's tomorrow. Wulf, go speak to your siblings and I will speak with my parents. So that we can all mull this over in the next couple of days," Kitsune said with quiet authority.

Everyone nodded before they all left, one by one, except Skull and Falcon. Skull used his magic to keep everything quiet as he nodded to Falcon.

Anya... Falcon started.

"I... I know what you’re about to say, and I know as much as you don't want to hear it... I need him. But I burnt that bridge a long time ago. I did, not him. Never him," Anya murmured painfully.

Skull pulled back and brushed her hair away from her face looking her deep in the eyes. Then he shook his head and hugged her again.

Anya, I too burnt my bridges with my wife a long time ago but...

But nothing. He won't say yes Skull. Hell he won't even talk to me!

You don't know that he won't help you until you speak with him first, Falcon reminded her.

He'll hang up as soon as he hears my voice.

Well, isn't it a good thing that the man you married long ago and that we're all talking in code about, just so happens to be my wife's cousin? Falcon asked with a half grin.

Falcon! Please don’t bring that up! Anya cried out as her heart instantly pained her at reminded of being married.

Anya, you really need to contact him, Falcon declared quietly.

Yeah, Anya, you really do. For we will not lose you to this evil when we know that there’s someone out there who can protect you, Skull added.

Looking from one brother to the next, Anya slowly let out a breath.

All right then, she agreed.

Falcon nodded as Anya continued to stare out the window. A new wave of anxiety flooded her. After all, after what she had done to him so long ago, she knew there was no way her husband would agree to help her. And truth be told, Anya didn't know what would be worse, hearing his scorn or facing the shadows again.

Good Light, life really does know how to kick a girl when she's down, Anya murmured miserably.

Chapter One

Thorn sat nursing a beer, lost in thought.

What's wrong, man? It's the first week of the New Year, you're not allowed to have any regrets until at least week two, his best friend Memphis declared.

Turning to look at him with a half-smile, Thorn retorted, Is that so?

Yeah, I also told Callie that it's an American New Year's superstition that a man can't be scolded by his wife within the first two weeks of January. It's called a 'new year fortnight'. I think its sounds nice. Memphis laughed.

Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me, Kei retorted.

Hey don't knock it, if it works, Memphis responded.

Is it working?

Oh yeah, Callie likes cultural superstition, especially ones that bring 'blessings' upon the married household.

Good Light, you are so full of it. Although, have you thought about what you’re going to do when she finds out it's a hoax? Thorn asked.

Memphis scowled, Hey man, do not bring that cloud of doubt upon me. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.

It's not negativity, Memphis, it's called being realistic. We immortals live long lives and she's bound to figure out it's a hoax. In fact, Callie's bound to figure it out sooner rather than later because your wife is a smart woman, Kei retorted.

Thorn felt a small mental twitch occur at the word wife, though he just as quickly brushed it off.

Memphis pulled out his phone and started typing.

What are you doing? Writing an apology text to Callie?

Hell no, I’m currently researching ways to create a believable permanent superstition.

Light, really? Kei demanded.

Yes, really. Why is this such an issue? I mean, come on, if there’s a national cheesecake day or national waffle day, then why the hell can I not create a world-wide 'I need two weeks to be stupid in January without my wife's ire or judgment over my ridiculous life choices’ tradition?

Because it's sexist for one... Thorn started.

Why is it sexist? I'm not going to judge Callie for two weeks either and I explained that from the outset. Oh and I said nothing, absolutely nothing when she ordered and ate that forty two inch quadruple cheese pizza from Texan pizzeria a few days. Though do you know how unhealthy that is?

Says the man who also ate a cheese pizza of the exact same size from the exact same restaurant, Kei

retorted.

A cheese pizza that contained the bare minimum amount allowed, in order to qualify as a cheese pizza, since I'm not a fan of dairy. Besides, a quadruple cheese pizza is a heart attack waiting to happen.

Memphis, we immortals do not suffer from heart attacks; heart burn or stress-induced ulcers, sure, but not heart attacks, gout or diabetes.

Callie said the same thing...

There are also probably way more harmful things in those dehydrated foods and pot noodles that you like to eat then there is in fresh handmade pizza.

I'm not buying that, but Callie also said the same thing the first time we went to the pizzeria. Though she only got double cheese then and was slightly disappointed that she hadn't got the quadruple cheese. Light, she wasn't disappointed this time.

Memphis... Thorn started.

What? She looked like the cat that ate the canary. Well a canary made of cheese, since we are vegetarians, Good Light...

Memphis...

What?

You know what? Forget it. Cheers to your ridiculous marital bliss, Thorn lifted his bottle to his friend.

Both Kei and Memphis lifted theirs and clanked bottle necks before they took a swallow of beer.

Thanks for being jealous of my awesomeness, Memphis retorted a moment later.

More like jealous of your luck, Thorn mentally returned.

"So, Thorn, why are you sitting here all alone? The football game on the TV is just getting good," Memphis said.

I just needed a minute to myself, that's all.

You seriously all right man? Memphis asked.

Yeah I'm fine, just contemplating my life. Nothing serious.

You know, most people would say that contemplating life is always serious.

Well I'm not most people, Memphis, Thorn returned as Kei snorted.

Light, cuz—

What? It's true, Thorn cut in then added, Besides, isn't New Year’s all about making plans for the future?

Memphis shrugged, I guess so but I've never been a future planner. I prefer to fly by the seat of my pants, so to speak.

Sadly, me too, Kei sighed.

Well, normally me three, but I was thinking of changing that.

Rut row, Memphis said using his imitation Scooby-Doo version of 'Uh oh'.

Again, it's nothing serious, Thorn said before mentally adding, Oh no, it couldn't be because the changes I want to make are with a certain woman who is probably in some sort of mortal danger that I can’t actively help her with since she somehow managed to curse me years ago.

Well... Memphis started again, though this time Thorn's phone cut him off when it suddenly rang with an unfamiliar tone.

Oh, hey, it's cousin Luna, Thorn said when he looked at the screen.

Putting the phone to his ear, he said, Hey Luna... What? Hold on, I'm having difficult hearing you. I'm just going to step out into the hall.

Kei frown and asked mentally, Is she all right?

Yeah, she's just speaking really quietly, Thorn responded.

Kei nodded.

Hey Luna sorry about that, what's up? Thorn asked her.

Though not really particularly close with his younger cousin, Thorn found his younger cousin Luna to be really sweet and caring. She also always went out of her way to make sure everyone in the family was alright. Therefore it stood to reason that something had happened and she was looking for his help.

Well... um, nothing? Luna said hesitantly, making it sound like a question more than an answer.

Luna?

Yes?

What's going on?

Nothing really... truly... honestly. It's just why don't you stop by for a visit soon? Say tomorrow? Tomorrow morning would be lovely.

Thorn was silent for a long moment and he could almost feel his cousin's agitation build the longer the silence went on.

Luna, who is it that really wants to see me tomorrow? Thorn inquired gently, trying to calm her down.

I do, of course.

No cousin, I want to know who you’re really calling and asking on behalf of?

Luna made a few hesitant noises as she floundered a moment before Thorn took charge.

Luna, sweetie... can you give Falcon your phone please, Thorn said quietly.

Thorn heard the phone being handed over a long with an almost inaudible, "I'm sorry Falcon honey... I tried."

"Don't worry love," Falcon said before he spoke directly to Thorn, Hello Thorn.

Falcon, Thorn greeted determined not to make this easy on him.

Bet your wondering what this is about.

No, I don't actually, because I know why you’re calling. Or I should say, I know who you and Luna are truly calling on behalf of. Therefore, let’s not waste any time. Tell her to me at The Blue Sky Lounge on the Vanishing Isle in a half hour’s time.

Look man, it's not safe.

Thorn started to see the real reason then for the call. You want my aid? Then tell Anya to meet me the Blue Sky Lounge in a half hour’s time, Thorn reiterated.

Now, wait just a bloody minute—

Quietly in the background he heard another response, "Its fine Falcon, I'll be safe with... with Thorn."

Good, it's settled then.

With that Thorn hung up then turned around to go back into the bar to find his friends, only to find Kei and Memphis directly behind him.

Well... Kei started to ask.

Before you ask, I physically can't tell you anything.

What? Memphis asked bewildered, though Kei sighed.

Wow, she went so far as to curse you to silence? That’s insane, Kei stated.

Hmm, Thorn said, non-committal with a shrug.

Light, why... never mind. I know you can't say but that is so messed up, Memphis added shaking his head.

It’ll be all right.

Both Memphis and Kei looked skeptical.

Look I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time. I also know that you're thinking the worse about her right now, however, it’s really not her fault. There’s something behind all this and whatever it is, it’s not going let me save her without a fight. However, I’ve been preparing for a fight since the very first day this all began and I'm not about to back down.

Well… just say the word and we'll help, Memphis responded, nodding in understanding.

There will probably be a lot of fighting involved, Thorn warned his friend.

Whatevs, I’m not and have not ever been a pacifist, so I'm good on that score. Though in all seriousness, I have your back.

Damn straight, so do I, cuz, Kei added.

Good. Though hopefully any brawl that comes our way happens in the next six days because I still have my get out of jail free card with Callie. Memphis winked.

Thorn gave him a half smile back, It just might, Memphis, though don't curse us.

It's not a curse. Getting in a fight is good for the bones.

Who's bones? Kei demanded.

Memphis looked at him, Obliviously mine.

Yeah, well, that makes one of us. Now, come on, have another drink before you go, Kei said to Thorn as he slapped him on the back.

Thorn nodded before he walked back into the room with his best friends and sat down at the bar, drinking cola this time.

Almost instantly when the liquid hit his tongue, Thorn's mind turned inward, completely oblivious to the antics of his friends and the taste of his drink as his thoughts reeled. Though soon the thought of being finally able to end the torment that kept them apart and made every day of the past one hundred and forty seven years feeling like centuries, dominated everything. Rubbing his face, Thorn looked up and noticed the clock on the wall before downing his drink.

Well my friends, it's time. He stood up.

Is it appropriate to wish you good luck? Memphis asked.

Thorn snorted. When have you ever been appropriate?

Light, never!

Then do what you want Memphis.

Good luck, Thorn, Memphis called out. Kei chimed in.

Thorn saluted them before he wandered over to a secluded area just outside of the main bar and teleported to the Vanishing Isle where the Blue Sky Lounge resided.

Arriving in another a dark alcove that immortals used to teleport in without being notice, Thorn mentally prepared himself as he thought, it will be all right. You will get to the bottom of this and you will get your life back.

Chapter Two

Anya sat absently stirring her cocktail, looking down at the rainbow colours of the drink with unseeing eyes as her thoughts dwelled on the what was to come. She desperately wished she’d chosen a different path long ago. After all, she hadn't intended to be a coward. In fact, she cursed the day she’d become one, but there was just something about Hawthorne Skylin that scared Anya. Not that she found him truly scary as person, she didn’t, she was just terrified of the fact that Thorn had the power within him to drastically change the safe world she’d built herself over the years. A world she truly liked…

Who are you kidding? Her mind demanded. Yeah who am I kidding? Anya stirred her drink.

Suddenly she felt his presence in the room and like the coward she felt she was deep down, Anya didn't look from her drink to seek him out.

No, she waited until he rested against the bar next to her before she found herself glancing u p briefly before looking back down at her glass, unable to meet his gaze.

Thorn, Anya whispered first.

Anya, Thorn acknowledged. Have you paid for that already?

Anya nodded, hating to have a tab at a bar.

Are you going to drink that?

Thorn...

Are you going to drink it Anya? Otherwise let’s go.

Anya picked up her glass and gulped it down in one shot.

Right, now tell your brothers that we’ll see them in the morning.

Falcon, Skull, we'll be back in the morning, Anya mentally called out to her triplet brothers who were nearby.

Ah hell no, Skull declared.

Skull... let her go with him, Falcon stated quietly.

Are you kidding me? Skull demanded.

No, I'm not, they need to speak in private. Though, if she's not back for breakfast or if you've harmed her in anyway, I will kill you, Thorn, Falcon projected, quietly.

Not rising to the bait, Thorn called out, Deal.

Then, without another word, he grasped Anya's hand and led her to a safe alcove where could he teleported them both to his home in the Ancient Glen, where he knew they wouldn't be disturbed.

Thorn... Anya started to say as she tried to pull her hand away.

Remove the curse of silence, Anya, Thorn quietly declared.

What?

You heard me, remove the curse of silence first or I will leave.

Anya slowly nodded feeling like a super coward for inflicting it upon him in the first place. Then she quickly went to work removing the spell she’d cast upon him near a century and a half ago.

It's don... Anya stopped when she was suddenly cut off by Thorn's lips.

Shocked, Anya froze up before slowly winding her hands in his hair and pulled him close. Thorn gently traced Anya's lips with his tongue waiting until she parted them before kissing her fully. Overwhelmed by the mind-blowingly tender kiss, Anya could comprehend why he wasn't full of rage or anger given everything that she’d done. However her mind eventually came back to one single fact, that just wasn't the type of person Thorn was.

True to his real form, Thorn gently released Anya a moment later and sat her down on the couch when she swayed.

Thorn I...

He shook his head. No, Anya. I know you’re about to say 'I'm sorry' but that won't do.

It... it won't?

Oh, hell no. I want more.

Like what? Anya asked cautiously.

Anya... please, not now, Thorn said.

She quietened again, waiting for him to speak.

How long has it been since we last properly talked? Thorn asked, instead.

Uh... I'm not sure.

Anya, come on, humour me this once. How long has it been? I know you know.

One hundred and forty-seven years, Anya mumbled knowing exactly to the minute how long it had been since she cursed him but she didn't go that far.

One hundred and forty-seven years... yet we've had opportunities to speak to each other before, have we not?

Oh yes, during the Suffrage Movement, WWI, WWII, the Suez Crisis, the Iranian hostage Crisis, the First Gulf War, the Fae War, the Raid on my family’s house, my brother's wedding, during the Nightmare attacks, Anya's mind listed off some of the numerous times she’d see Thorn over the years. 

Yet, we haven't spoken, Thorn concluded.

Ye,s because I'm a cowardly idiot.

Stop putting yourself down, Anya,

Anya gasped before she sputtered, Why are you reading mind? In fact, how is that possible?

Anya, why for Light’s Sake don't you focus on the bigger truth of our situation instead of small particulars, Thorn stated.

What are you talking about?

Thorn sighed. I can't believe you’re this stubborn.

And I can’t believe you can’t speak plainly and tell me what you mean.

Thorn frowned. Wait, you really can't read my mind? Why... why am I sensing that you’re deliberately blocking yourself from doing so? This makes no sense.

You're telling me! I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Thorn didn't say anything as he instead bent his head down and cupped Anya's face. Unable to look away, Anya found herself looking deeply into his liquid, starry, spring-green eyes and losing herself for a moment.

Anya, you've fractured your psyche. How have I never noticed this before?

What? Anya asked dumbly again.

You've fractured your psyche, something people assume means just the soul but in healer’s circles we only call it that when someone fractures both their mind and their soul. How could you have done this without someone picking up on it?

Now, wait just a minute. You aren’t making any sense. I mean, why are you talking about fracture psyches? And also why the hell are we talking so normally? Don't you hate me? Don't you think I'm a coward? Aren't I someone you never want to set eyes on again? Don't you... what?

Anya stopped as she watched him slowly shake his head in both horror and disbelief.

That’s what you think I’ve been doing all this time? That I’ve been holding a grudge against you and refusing to see you? Truly? So then… you really don't remember anything about what really happened a hundred and forty-seven years ago?

I… you… you have to hate me. You must. You must! Anya shouted desperately.

Tearing her eyes from his, Anya was struck by a sharp dual aching pain in both her mind and heart at the same time. Writhing in agony, Anya started to thrash about, fighting the pain.

Thorn instantly reached out with his magic intent on easing the pain  before he realized that he needed to go about this a different way by distracting her first, since he knew that if Anya suddenly panicked when she felt his magic, it would cause the fracture to worsen.

Anya, I’m not angry at what happened. I’m angry at the curse of silence and how you deliberately kept me away from you. None of that made sense... until now. Thorn didn’t want to push her any further.

What do you see now? She still avoided looking at him.

I really can tell you, for I need time to sort my own thoughts first. So while I do that why don’t we talk about why you were seeking me out today?

I've been told that a shapeless evil is going to kill me and I'm scared that the shadow beings have returned, Anya whispered quietly.

Thorn sat down on a coffee table hard, his mind reeling at the revelation.

I know, it's horrible... Anya started.

But Thorn didn’t hear her as his thoughts turned internal, She doesn't know! She doesn't realize the significance of the shadow creatures or what's really happened.

Unable to stop himself, he used his healing magic to force Anya into a sleep when he whispered the word. Almost instantly, Anya stopped talking and slumped over on the couch.

Thorn took a few deep breaths in before gently probed her mind and soul to find out how much damage Anya had done to herself so far.

A few seconds into the probe, Thorn almost lost it, when he realized how dire the situation was and immediately reached out for his dad.

Seconds later his dad Aether, appeared looking concerned.

What's wrong son?

Dad, I never expected this, but Anya's psyche is severely fractured to the point she's created living delusions for herself. Thorn held his own head.

His dad sat down next to him and looked at Anya.

Hmm… sadly yes, I can see that, Aether murmured.

Thorn snapped to face his dad. It’s irreversible then? I’m going to lose her?

Oh, no son, Aether said at once then sighed, It’s just not going to be an easy fix and you’re going to need a lot of help. Namely from her family. The first step in saving her is to… temporarily wipe her mind clean so that we can fuse it back together.

She won’t remember anything?

Well… let’s talk about that more with her family present. I’ll call them for you since we can't waste any time here.

Thorn nodded before he stood and paced the room. A few moments later he felt Anya’s mom, dad, brothers and sister arrived in the room.

What’s wrong? Wulf demanded when caught sight of  Anya lying motionless on the couch.

Wulf please… I know you’re upset but we all truly must talk about Anya. I know it will be hard to do this, but I really need you to hear me out, Aether murmured.

Wulf looked at Aether for a long minute before he sat down next to Kitsune and wrapped an arm around her, knowing that the news was probably going to be very dire.

First off, before we start I must ask you all… has anyone sensed that Anya’s psyche is fractured?  Aether asked.

Everyone looked at each other completely bewildered, except Skull and Falcon who both look more resigned at the question.

Yeah… she’s our triplet sister, so it’s hard not to sense through our bond, Skull muttered.

Why didn’t you say anything? Wulf asked.

I honestly didn’t realize that you didn’t notice Dad. I mean, I thought the fracture was the reason we don’t talk about Thorn around her any more... Sorry man, Falcon added.

Thorn shrugged, I’m not offended. The curse Anya inflicted on me probably affected everyone.

What curse? Falcon asked.

Anya cursed me to silence, which means I couldn’t speak to her for more than a few moments or speak of her to anyone. Though it probably extended to you all somehow, honestly, I don’t know for sure how it works but I plan on looking into it more.

So, nothing actually happened between you a hundred and forty-seven years ago? Skull demanded.

That I don’t know yet, though as far as I can say on my end… no. I’m also not just saying that for as far as I can recall, we were madly in love up and then suddenly... she just cursed me.

Yeah, I always wondered about that and I’ve only ever asked her once about it. Though she gave me a weird response that I couldn't make sense of, Falcon murmured.

You asked her? Skull asked him.

You didn’t? Falcon returned.

Light, no! It was a sensitive time!

"What the hell do you mean ‘a sensitive time’? Anya told me that she and Thorn eloped and thought Dad would be really, really upset. Though that didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me since we all attended the wedding and dad walked her down the aisle, so I just chalked it all up to a lover’s spat."

Hold on. You don’t know about… Skull went quiet all of a sudden as Falcon’s eyes widened.

Wow… Falcon said before he looked at his triplet sister and murmured sadly, Light, Anya, no wonder.

Falcon shut up! Skull retorted.

Dmitri Moregan, start explaining yourself now! Wulf commanded.

Skull was quiet for a long moment before he whispered what he knew.

Oh, Light! Kitsune murmured before she turned her face in Wulf’s side and started sobbing.

Thorn felt shattered though he found his voice, How…

I was there, or at least I was there afterwards.

Thorn rubbed his face and asked, Where was I?

In Australia, Anya blocked you from knowing the truth right away and as far as I can remember you found out about an hour after it happened. I left when you showed up at Anya’s insisted she wanted to be alone with you. Then when I went back to see Anya the next day, you weren't there and when I asked her what happened to you she simple said that you were gone. I immediately wanted to go out and find you but Anya became extremely hysterical. Eventually the only way I could get her to calm down was to swear that I'd leave you alone until she sort everything out. That never really happened until now and I know I look like a real asshole for not saying anything but I didn’t press her on the matter because I was worried... I was worried that something like this would happen. Light, I am such a friggin’ fool! Skull cried out hoarsely.

I know you blame yourself, Skull, but you truly shouldn’t because you were cursed too only with a different one than everyone else, since she couldn't fully take the knowledge a way from you just like she wouldn't have been able to take it away from Falcon had known too. So she instead, curse you with an aversion spell, which made you avoid Thorn like the very plague and linked it to her first curse. However by using these curses, Anya wasn't able to seek out the help she truly needed and her internal pain created the shadows creatures.

So… the shadow creatures that Anya’s been warned of aren’t real? Wulf asked.

Aether shook his head, No. They creation of Anya’s mind and soul to rationalize the fracturing of her psyche.

She says that they will kill her though. How can they do that if they're just figments.

Wulf, don't think of this as some sort delusion but rather a symptom of a very serious human illness like a human stroke. For every time Anya's psyche is about to reach her breaking point, her mind creates warnings in the forms of figments in order to get her to seek out healer attention just like a stroke sufferer would if they're face began to droop or they suffered anyone of the other signs. However not only is Anya misinterpreting these signs, she's cursed everyone who could help her to silence or aversion, which in turn is causing her to suffer alone.

No! No more, I won't allow that! Thorn declared.

Aether nodded in agreement before he looked to Anya’s family.

We definitely won’t either, though what can we do? Wulf asked.

"Well, here’s the quandary. In order to repair Anya’s fractured mind, we need to do a few things. First, I’m sorry to say, we will need to rid her mind of all memories before we can fuse it back together."

So, she’ll remember nothing? Will it be permanent?

I have to say, there’s a definite possibility of that happening if the next two steps don’t go right. Though, to make it easier on everyone not only will I keep her in a coma until her mind is fused together so that she doesn't feel any pain, I will give her back basic information like her name, the names of her family and you Thorn. However I also must warn you that there's still a big possibility that she won’t remember those details within the first week or so because her mind will still be healing. Nonetheless she will still feel all deep bonds she has formed with you, which is much more important if you ask me. In fact the connection she has with Thorn will make or break her recovery.

What? Wulf asked taken aback by that remark.

Thorn is Anya’s soulmate and they are bond. Though, to be quite honest, he’s the only thing that has kept Anya from splintering all these years. Therefore, he must be by her side as she recoups her memories. Also, it must be made known to everyone around Anya that she knows nothing about her past and that she must not be reminded of it. Therefore if Anya asks about it we’ll say that her memory loss is an accident, until she figures everything out.

Wulf nodded. She’ll need a safe place too when she recovers.

For that either Moonlight Valley or the Ancient Glen would be best. In fact I truly suggest that she spend her days in Moonlight Valley and her nights in the Ancient Glen, at least in the beginning, because the Glen is known to bring healing peace to one’s soul when they sleep and that will help her too.

"Yes