Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Fallon POV

It seems like the pages in the family history book will never end. I am unsure how much more I know about myself or my family. I know who they are and what they are, but the reaper and hunter information is lacking. Mother Agnes says that a lot of that will be explained to me by my training. WHAT? So I have to do on the job training for reaping.

"Your mind is all over the place, Fallon," Mother Agnes says.

I smile at her. I am tired. I am sore from sitting at this table, and I am a little confused. Well, I am actually a lot confused and have been for several days now. "When will Ryan be back with Bruce?" I ask.

Mother Agnes laughs. "He is here waiting for you. Were you worried that Ryan and Bruce killed each other?" Mother Agnes laughs.

Mother Agnes is definitely something I need in my life right now. She is honest, funny, and does not seem to take much from anyone, kind of like Libby. I know Libby is a hard as nails woman. I bet Bruce is scared of her. I know Ryan is.

The door opens to the tiny house, and I hear the click and clatter and a few creeks as someone moves across the floor. Then I hear two male voices arguing. That has to be Bruce and Ryan. Mother Agnes rolls her eyes. "It has been like this for as long as I can remember," Mother Agnes says.

I have a feeling my training and learning about my gifts will include keeping Bruce and Ryan from killing one another. What fun! I listen to Mother Agnes rush into the other room. She scolds both of them. When she is done fussing at them and telling them how important their jobs are and how they need to work together, the two apologize to her.

Mother Agnes returns to me and takes her seat at the table with me. Bruce and Ryan come into the small room. "Sit down. Bruce beside Fallon and Ryan beside me, please," Mother Agnes says.

I guess she knew there would be a fight over who took the seat next to me. The two men take their seats, not fussing. Ryan did let out a low growl that was interrupted by Mother Agnes. He stopped immediately when she spanked his hand. It was hilarious to see.

Bruce reaches over and takes my hand. "Are you okay? I was very worried about you, and then this idiot shows up telling me that you are with my sister and Mother Agnes," Bruce says.

Mother Agnes shoots him a look, probably for calling Ryan an idiot. "I appreciate Ryan coming to get me, but I was worried. No one told me what was going on. The ancestors told me to sit tight, so that is what I did. I waited for you to come back. I was terrified for you, Fallon," Bruce says.

I put my hand on top of his hand and smile at him. I don't see any black in his eyes now. "We can talk later," I say. This makes Bruce smile.

"Seriously, this is not a date, and you two knock it off. We need to focus on her training and the map. Where is the map?" Ryan asks. He is obviously over Bruce, but I need Ryan too. They will have to get along. At least until Umbra is dead.

"Did you know about Umbra?" I ask Bruce. I glance over at Ryan. The question is for him too. I want to know how much the two of them know.

"I knew. I bet he knew too. Bruce dragged you right to Umbra after she killed your parents," Ryan says.

I take a deep breath and swallow. I feel as if emotions are welling up inside me, and I am not sure if I can push them down. "Did you know?" I ask Bruce again.

Bruce stands up from the table. He looks at Ryan. I have a feeling the two of them are about to fight. Mother Agnes nods her head for Bruce to tell me the truth. Bruce leans down and takes my hand. He kisses the top of it and then lets it drop. He is heartbroken.

"I knew she killed your family," Bruce says.

In some ways I am angry with him, but in others I know he was doing what he was told to do by the ancestors and Libby, probably Mother Agnes too. I look at his pitiful face. Bruce does not want to hurt me. I look over at Ryan, who is furious.

"Who could you sit there with Umbra drinking and eating, knowing what she had done?" Ryan asks.

Bruce reaches across the table, landing a punch on Ryan's face. "You have no idea what you are talking about, Ryan," Bruce yells at Ryan.

Mother Agnes moves out of the way and falls into me as Ryan and Bruce begin to brawl. "Stop it!" Mother Agnes screams at them.

Libby rushes past Mother Agnes and me. She tries to get in between the two men fighting over which one knows what is best for me, but it is impossible. "STOP IT!" Libby screams.

Mother Agnes starts moving toward the door, pulling me with her. "Let them fight it out. This needs to happen. Maybe after the two can get along," Mother Agnes says.

Mother Agnes is clearly done with the fighting. We can hear Bruce and Ryan crashing into things as they beat each other. I want to stop it and so does Libby, but Mother Agnes has spoken. She wants them to fight it out. Libby finally give up and joins Mother Agnes and I as we listen to the two fight it out. Libby looks exasperated.

"I tried to get in between them, but they want to kill each other," Libby says.

"They won't kill each other. They know they have to protect her, but right now they need to get those old wounds out of their system," Mother Agnes says.

The fighting finally stops. Ryan comes out of the back room and joins us. He sits down on the floor beside Mother Agnes. "I am sorry, Mother Agnes," Ryan says as he wipes blood from his lip.

Bruce comes out of the back room and joins us. He sits beside me. He takes my hand and kisses the top of it as he does often lately. There is bruising around his face, and he also has a bloody lip. "I am sorry," Bruce says.

We sit in silence for a few moments. No one argues or fusses about the fight. We just let it sink in so we can move on. After a few moments, I guess Mother Agnes has had enough. "Can we get back to work now?" she asks us.

Bruce and Ryan look at each other. "I think we are okay now," Ryan says. Bruce nods in agreement.

Mother Agnes stands up. She looks at the two of them, giving them both the eye. "If either of you ever fights in my house again, I will kill you both. Now, Libby, get the book. Ryan and Bruce, clean up what you messed up. We will keep going with Fallon while you two fix your mess," Mother Agnes says.

Libby goes straight for the book. She hands it to me to keep reading. Bruce and Ryan leave to clean up their mess. We do not hear a single word out of them. All we hear is the sounds of the room being put back together. Maybe now we can get something accomplished.