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  A Crown of Smoke and Ash

  The Shadow Walkers Saga #2

  Sloane Murphy

  A Crown of Smoke and Ash

  The Shadow Walkers Saga #2

  Copyright © 2020 Sloane Murphy

  Published by Hudson Indie Ink

  www.hudsonindieink.com

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it wasn’t purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referred to in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorised, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Crown of Smoke and Ash/Sloane Murphy – 1st ed.

  ISBN-13 - 978-1-913769-11-6

  Make peace with your broken pieces.

  - r.h. Sin

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Remy

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Sloane Murphy

  Other Works from Hudson Indie Ink

  Prologue

  The War of the Fallen

  Amantara

  Devastation covers these lands. Smoke fills the air as ash rains down around us all.

  So much death.

  Yet I wouldn’t change a thing.

  The battle lasted an age, but the war between Angels and Demons is still yet to have a victor. We, the fallen, took a stand as the Demon hoards pillaged the lands. Destroying life as it was known upon the earth. I could not bear to watch from my perch within Avalon any more than my General, Leviathan, could.

  And, so we, along with our legion, fell.

  To save the earth.

  To save the humans.

  But it was not enough.

  We were not enough.

  When Leviathan created the Hunters, it shifted the balance, the scales tipped in our favor. Until the Demons realized what had happened. That is when they birthed the Dracul. With magic bearers on our side, our numbers amassed, as they brought their cursed creatures, their enemies turned protectors, with them into battle.

  We fought hard, and the loss of life has been great. But the Demon scourge has been pushed back, and despite their new creations, they will not rise again in such a way for a long time. It threatens to break my heart, all that the humans have lost, even more so now that we confirm we cannot return to Avalon, the realm of Angels.

  He strides towards me, through the smoke and ash, the crimson blood-soaked ground. His dark hair flies around him in the harsh winds, his wings tucked back. Every inch of him screams warrior.

  “Amantara, we must leave. We need to find somewhere to make our home with our brethren, until Avalon can be persuaded to let us back.” His voice, soft like silk, wraps around me. I nod and step toward him with a smile. He wraps his arms around me, and I know that no matter where we are, right here, in his arms, this is home.

  We turn to leave when I notice a man in the distance, bow nocked and drawn. The arrow flies through the air, and I turn behind to see nothing when I spot the shimmer from the arrow, headed straight for the heart of the man I love.

  Without a second thought, I push him to the ground, seconds before the arrow hits.

  I did not notice the second one until it was too late. Now buried in my chest.

  “Amantara, what the–” his head whips up and he spots the fleeing man, before his roar shakes the ground I lie on. My ears ring, but I watch as those who fought alongside us, take off at a run, chasing the man with the bow, while Leviathan kneels beside me.

  I have accepted my fate, and I would do it all over again to save him. The Angel glass that pierces my heart, a sentence of death. But at least it was not him.

  “Why, why would you do this?” His voice is strangled as he looks down upon me, his eyes glassy.

  “For the same reason you would have done it for me.” I sigh, blood dribbling from my mouth. “Leviathan, do not let it be in vain. Conquer this evil, help these people, love this earth as if it were home. Know that I will be with you always.”

  I close my eyes as he takes me in his arms, calling out to the chamber of Angels for help, his pleas unheard.

  I did not expect to die today, or ever. But to die for the man I love, to have my last moments in his arms. I would change nothing.

  Chapter One

  Remy

  Holy shit I’m flying.

  Not just flying but carried by an Angel. A literal Angel that just saved my life. Not exactly how I pictured today going when the Hunters dragged me out of my cell. My heart thuds in my chest as we move silently through the night sky. The air is so cold but looking down on everything is exhilarating. It’s beautiful.

  “Woah,” I gasp as we move seamlessly through the sky. I hold onto my savior tightly. Leviathan, General of the Death Dealers. Archangel of War, and the creator of Hunters just saved my life.

  Holy shit.

  I’m sure I should be afraid, but I feel safe with him, even all the way up here.

  I squeak as we move quickly, plummeting back towards the ground, before his wings extend and we glide onto the roof of my apartment building. We land, and he places me on my feet, creating distance between us. I can’t help but take in every inch of him, from his raven black wings, almost identical to the dark hair on his head, with even darker eyes to match. He looks over me from head to toe, and I realize I’m filthy and I stink. Just great. Why does he have to be so god damn beautiful when I look like this?

  “You need to get your things together, just some essentials, but we cannot stay here,” he says, standing tall, pulling me from my thoughts. Commanding me to move as I imagine he would a soldier in his army.

  “Thank you. For saving me and everything.” I say, trying to gather myself. Less than half an hour ago, I thought I was going to die, now here I stand, alive, but unsure what is happening.

  “Please, get your things. We do not have much time before they will find you,” he urges me, and strides towards the door to the stairwell. He grips the handle, and the sound of metal breaking rings through the air as he pulls the door open for me, ushering me inside.

  We rush down the stairs to my apartment, and I realize I don’t have my keys. I turn to him to ask, but he rolls his eyes and steps forward. He kicks the door so hard that it flies open, and rushes me indoors, shutting it before any of my nosey neighbors come out to see what the fuss is all about and catch an eyeful of him and his insane wings.

  I look around the room and my heart sinks. It’s completely trashed, and there is no sign of Sushi anywhere. The panic must show on my face because Levi sighs and pats my shoulder. “The little hellion beast is fine. He is waiting for you. Now please, hurry. I do not want to have to kill anyone today.”

  "Fine, fine," I say and rush into my bedroom looking longingly at the bathroom door. A picture of me with my family from when I was younger stares at me from my bedside table, and it’s like a dagger to the heart. I knew they would react badly, but to stand by as I was sentenced like that… I shake my head and blink to wipe away the tears that threaten. I don’t have time for tears right now.

  I pull a bag out from my closet and start shoving my stuff in. All the essentials that I can fit, and a little more. My cloak, my swords, my cell, all of it was taken when I got arrested. I just hope that Creek managed to keep them safe.

  I try not to dwell, making one last sweep of the room. I'm not a materials kind of girl, so I don't need much, though I do grab my lavender and lily bubble bath from the bathroom.

  "I'm nearly ready!" I call out when I hear a knock at the door, and then voices. I practically run into the main room and find a wingless Leviathan chatting to my neighbor. My eyes just about fall out of my head. Where the hell are his wings?

  “Oh, Remy dear. I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried when I heard that ruckus.” I move towards the door, starting to close it and keeping the Angel away from my nosey as fuck neighbor.

  “That’s okay, Mrs. Peterson, everything’s okay. The door was just sticking, that’s all.”

  “Are you sure dear? You look a mess.”

  “I’m quite sure.” I refrain from rolling my eyes. “We’re absolutely fine.
Thank you for checking in. I’ve had a long day, so…”

  “Yes, okay dear, as long as you’re okay. I’ll see you soon.” She eyes me, and the bag in my hand but I finish closing the door and sag against it.

  “We need to get out of here,” I say.

  Leviathan looks down at me, almost relieved. "Just the one bag?"

  "Did you expect more?" I quirk my eyebrow at him. I don't know how we know each other yet, but if he's ever known me in my past lives, he’ll know I'm not that kind of person.

  "Not really, and anything you don't have, we can procure for you once we reach the manor." He looks me over once more and wrinkles his nose. "Including a shower."

  "You are such an asshole," I tell him and roll my eyes. "Are we going, your most douchey one? Or was your hurry just because of my stench."

  His eyes widen, before the aloof expression takes over his face again. "Let’s go. I have no doubt the others will be anxious to see you."

  "Others?" I ask.

  "Later, I will explain later. Now we must go." He leads me from the apartment, closing the door with a murmur I can't make out and we head back up to the roof. I guess we're flying again, and I try to keep the giddiness hidden at the prospect. Even if the guy is a supreme asshole, one he saved my life, and two, well… flying!

  He scoops me back into his arms, and I cradle my bag close to me as he runs the distance of the roof and leaps. I hold back my scream as we plummet before his wings extend and we bank upwards towards the clouds. The lights of Salem's Bay twinkle below us, it looks so small from up here. The cold is kept at bay from the heat coming off of Leviathan, and the beat of his wings are the only sound to keep us company.

  "Thank you," I say softly, realizing I haven't said it yet.

  "You have nothing to thank me for." His voice, little more than a breath in my ear, gives me goosebumps. "It was nothing."

  "You saved my life. I'd say that was more than nothing," I tell him, but he shakes his head, as if he wants to say more but won't. We travel the rest of the journey in silence, it is not long before his pace slows and he becomes looser, as if the danger has passed. I see the house in the distance as we start to descend towards the grounds. A small stream at the back of the property runs through the masses of land surrounding it, with woods further back beyond the stream and then a huge expanse of nothing.

  "Where are we?" I ask, as we land in the grassy lawn that leads up to the back of the house. He places me on the ground and stalks off toward the mansion-like house without a word. I sigh but follow him. I am going to get sick of this stoic bullshit real soon. I thought Roman had the asshole thing down, but he has nothing on the Angel it would seem.

  I move quickly, trying to catch up, but it’s as if his long strides are almost carried by the wind, and considering the weakness I feel after the two weeks in a cell, my strength and speed aren't exactly in top form.

  I watch as the huge glass doors open before he even reaches them, and my steps falter. I haven't had much chance to read up on Angels, but I hadn't even considered that they would have powers beyond those of the Hunters. And yet... that definitely just happened.

  I move my legs as quickly as I can manage, but then slow, to take in the house I'm about to step into. Though, when Leviathan called it a manor, he really wasn't wrong. It looks like someone watched Pride and Prejudice one too many times and decided to recreate the Darcy manor. Huge stone bricks make up the building, and there are many windows, each trimmed in white, ivy creeping up the walls in places, and numerous flowers border the back of the house. It looks daunting and yet inviting at the same time.

  I cross the threshold and stop, soaking in the expanse before me. I've never seen anything like it, and it's nothing like I expected, nothing like the exterior hints to. It's completely modern; all blacks, whites and grays, with just splashes of color here and there. It’s beautiful and cozy. The fire roaring in the space opposite the huge corner sofa, the blanket thrown over the back of it, is as if someone sat there not long ago.

  An older woman approaches me, and she looks exactly like I'd expect a warm and loving gran to look like. Her red hair is streaked with grey, pulled back in a low bun. Her dark jeans are covered with a dusting of what looks like flour, and a floral high neck sweater finishes the look as she sweeps across the room to me.

  "Oh sweetheart, just look at you, those monsters, keeping you locked up like that. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed. More meat on those bones is absolutely necessary." She pulls me into her arms and hugs me tightly. I go stiff at the contact, I'm not typically a hugger, but her embrace loosens me, and I hug her back. It doesn't matter that I have no idea who she is, after everything that has happened, and with my family, I realize I desperately need this hug.

  "Oh my, I am sorry. My name is Everly, I look after this home for his grumpiness. No manners that one. He's stormed off to his wing of the house, let me get you settled in, and you can get cleaned up while I finish making dinner. How does that sound?" Her warm smile reaches her eyes, and I practically sag in relief. I've been so strong the last few weeks, refusing to be broken, but so much has been stuffed down, bottled up, it feels nice to be looked after.

  “To his wing?” I smirk. “Of course, the Angel has wings in his house too.” She laughs at me as I roll my eyes. "But that would be lovely, thank you. I'm Remy," I say, returning her smile.

  "Oh, I know, sweetheart. I've heard all about you. Now come on, you're staying on this floor, we've put you near the library and the pool. I hope that's okay? I heard you're an avid reader."

  "That sounds like heaven." I sigh and follow her as she leads me down the hall to the right of this huge living room. The fact that she knows who I am, stuff about me, it all rolls off me, I don’t even question it. I guess I’m getting used to the crazy that is my life now. The hall runs the back of the house, separated by the sitting room. Windows pepper one wall, while the other holds doors, and a lot of art pieces. I try not to get distracted, hoping I get chance to explore later.

  "Here you go, sweetheart," Everly says as she comes to a stop, the last door in the hall before it turns left up ahead. She opens the door, and signals for me to go in. My eyes sweep the room, taking in the sheer luxury of my surroundings. The thick quilt on the four-poster bed covered in pillows and cushions, the thick plush carpet beneath my feet. A sofa at the end of the bed, and then three other doors in the room.

  "The first door over here is your bathroom, you'll find everything you need in there, but if you don't, please just ask and I'll sort it for you immediately. The second doors are the closet. Levi had me add pieces, but if they're not to your taste, you just let me know. From the looks of you, he had the right sizing. The third door is a safe room. You should never need that on this property, god knows if anyone is brave enough to attack here, the security and defenses here would take on armies with ease."

  I look her and just blink, the words seeming so foreign in her soft, comforting voice, pocketing her calling him Levi for a later time. "If you head out of your room to the left, you'll find the leisure space. The pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, and whatever else he's had installed in there. If you follow the hall to the very end, you'll come across double doors, and that is where you will find the library." She grins at me, as if feeling my excitement.

  "Now then, I will let you get cleaned up. Head back to the sitting room when you're ready and I'll get you fed, you look like you could use it."

  "Thank you, Everly. So much," I sigh out, emotions warring inside of me, and she’s not wrong, these last two weeks have wreaked havoc on me. It’s going to take some serious TLC, to get my body back to where it was. Even with Hunter endurance, I didn’t exactly have body fat to spare before being essentially starved for two weeks.