Page 4 of Forgotten Arcane (Broken Ashes #6)

“What’s the message?” Griff asks impatiently.

I think it’s pretty clear that we have all had enough now. It’s been a really long and really exhausting day, and now that we’ve done everything that is required of us, I want to go home.

“They have said,” he starts and then adds, as he glances down at the piece of paper that has just appeared in his hand as if from nowhere “and I will read it out loud because it’s easier, we would advise that you don’t practice outside of the wards that are up at your place of residence, we assume that you have wards up because we could not locate where it is, to put wards up ourselves.

We are aware of the strength of your warlock, and suggest that it would be a good idea for him to create a cloaking spell for all of you that will hide you from everyone, including us.

Neith’s magic is going to be incredibly sought after, there hasn’t been an angel for thousands of years. ”

I try not to frown, but that’s not true; my mother was an angel.

He continues, “They have then asked who your parents are.”

The voices mutter in warning.

“I don’t know. I lost my memory, and I was orphaned,” I reply honestly.

Sort of.

Lucius nods, “They figured that was the most likely scenario, and have offered to look into it for you and help you locate them.”

“Do I get a say in that or is it something that they’re going to do anyway?” I ask.

Lucius’ eyebrows raise, “Of course you get a say. You do not wish to know who your parents are?”

I shake my head, “No. I mean you can look for them if you really want to, but I have no desire to know them.”

I’m hoping that my flippant attitude will stop them from looking into my origin.

I’m not sure whether I can trust them yet, and I don’t want to risk what they will do when they find out who my parents are.

When it comes down to it, my parents must have taken my memory from before I was five for a reason, and I would be willing to bet that it was because it wasn’t safe.

Lucius doesn’t seem to be suspicious of my answer at all, which is a good thing.

Of course, most supernaturals are good at hiding their real reactions, and his easy agreement doesn’t really mean anything, and for all I know, he could be playing me, and they’re going to look into my parents regardless of what I say or how I feel about it.

“Fair enough, I shall let the Elders know,” Lucius mutters.

He continues, “They are trying to locate some books for you that will hopefully help you to understand your supernatural, as there is no one who will be able to train you in your gifts. All books on angels are fairly scarce, so they’re using all their resources to gather them for you. ”

“That’s rather nice of them,” Reed says, sounding as suspicious as I feel.

Lucius raises his eyebrow, but there is a look of understanding in his eyes, “They are trying to help you. Where should they send the books when they have been found?”

Raiden is the one who answers this time, “You can send them to Ty at the Training Academy, he will be more than happy to accept anything for us.”

Lucius' eyebrows raise, “You still intend to work for SID?”

We all nod, and Van answers, “Yes, it’s where we’re happy. We like our jobs and feel we’re best suited for it, rather than working for someone else.”

Lucius nods, looking impressed, “Well, that’s a refreshing thing to hear. You are aware that you will be inundated with offers to work elsewhere?”

Doc is the one who replies, “We’re aware. As Evander said, we are happy where we are and have no intention of leaving.”

“Alright. That’s everything that is in the note. They have now been reminded of the toll that the Choosing can take on supernaturals and everything that tends to happen after, so while you will likely get summoned by them at some point, as I mentioned before, it should not be straight away.”

“Excellent,” Van replies. “Thank you for sharing that with us.”

Lucius smiles and puts the note back into his suit pocket. He starts to turn around and then stops, glancing back, he makes eye contact with me, “Be careful who you trust, the rare are always sought after, and you, my dear, are incredibly rare.”

I nod, “I am aware.”

Again, Luciusseems to hesitate, before he reaches back into his pocket and pulls out a small business card, holding it out to me, he says, “There are a lot of supernaturals that have been made to forget, and those that do remember are dangerous. If you need anything, please call.”

My eyebrows raise at his interesting choice of words, as I reach to take the card off him, Ransom takes it instead.

“Thank you, we will keep that in mind,” Ransom replies.

Lucius doesn’t say anything else as he disappears in his flash of light.

I raise my eyebrow at Ransom in question, and he pulls an apologetic face, and then explains, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to intercept, but I wanted to check it over with my magic before it got given to you.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Thank you,” I reply, and then immediately change the subject, “Did you notice that he said that people had been made to forget?”

“Yeah, I caught that,” Raiden says, his eyes slightly narrowed. “It’s an interesting phrasing.”

“And one that is very much true,” Ed replies.

“I suppose you can’t tell us any more about that?” Reed asks, his eyebrow raised slightly.

Ed shakes his head, looking regretful, “I would if I could.”

“We understand,” I reply. We’re getting far too used to only being given snippets of information.

It doesn’t occur to me until Lucius is gone that no one has actually told me that I’m an angel.

I know because I know who my parents are, and they must be assuming that I know because one of the guys, or maybe even Ed himself, has told me.

If at any point the Elders realize that no one told me that I was an angel, then there are going to be questions, and most likely suspicions as well.

“Well, that was certainly interesting,” Coen mutters. He immediately adds, “I don’t trust him.”

“That would be wise,” Ed surprises me when he agrees.

“Meaning?” River asks for clarification.

Ed pauses as he seems to choose his words carefully. “Lucius means well, and you can trust his warning; however, he is employed by the Elders.”