Page 39 of King's Reckoning
"Yes," Barbara said quietly. "Which means..."
"Which means she knew exactly what she was protecting," King finished. His voice was rough with emotion. "And exactly who she needed to help her protect it."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Rowan felt something crack in her chest—the last remnants of childhood fantasy about her parents' relationship.
"What are you saying?" she asked, though doubt was already creeping in. "That Mom only chose you because she needed help protecting these artifacts?"
King pulled something from his cut—a worn envelope that made her breath catch. She recognized Elena's handwriting on the front.
"Found this in Flash's journal," King said quietly. "Must have been keeping it for her, all these years." He held the letter out, hand trembling slightly. "Think it's time we both knew the truth."
Rowan took the envelope carefully, feeling its weight in her hands. Part of her wanted to leave it unopened, preserve whatever illusions she still had about her parents' relationship. But Elena had raised her daughter to face hard truths.
The letter was dated just days before Elena disappeared.
Marcus,
By the time you read this, Rowan and I will be gone. I tell myself it's to protect you, to keep you safe from what's coming. But the truth is more complicated. It always is with us.
I knew what you were the moment we met. Knew you had the strength and integrity I was looking for in a partner. The artifacts were only part of what drew me to you. Your determination, your loyalty to the club, your unwavering sense of justice—these were the qualities I needed in someone who would help me protect these discoveries.
I told myself I was looking for a partner who understood the importance of historical truth, of preserving knowledge that powerful interests wanted buried. But the truth is, I was looking for something specific. Someone specific. A partner whose strength could complement my knowledge.
I found that in you, Marcus. Found the perfect balance that could create a foundation for what needed to be protected. For who needed to be protected.
But something happened that I didn't expect. I fell in love with you. Really, truly in love. And that love created something even stronger than careful planning. It created Rowan.
She's special, Marcus. More special than either of us could have imagined. She has your strength and my insight, the perfect combination to continue this work when we no longer can.
That's why I have to hide her. Have to prepare her away from all this. Because they're watching, Marcus. Have been watching for generations. The Devils, Blackwood's people, others we haven't even identified yet. They all want what's buried in this land. Want to control what it could reveal.
I won't let them use our daughter that way. Won't let them exploit her connection to this history. So I'm taking her away, training her myself. Teaching her everything she'll need to know when the time comes for her to return.
Because she will return, Marcus. When the truth starts emerging, when the evidence we've hidden begins to surface...she'll come home. And she'll need you then. Need your strength, your guidance, your love.
Yes, I chose you partly for your position in the club, for your ability to help protect these discoveries. But I loved you for yourself. Neverdoubt that. And that love created something more precious than any carefully considered partnership could have achieved.
Take care of our girl. Protect her from those who would use her for their own ends. And know that despite everything, despite all the secrets and lies, you were always more than just a carefully selected ally.
You were the love of my life.
Forever yours, Elena
Rowan's hands shook as she finished reading. She looked up to find King's eyes wet with unshed tears.
"She never told me," he said roughly. "About other clubs being involved, about why she chose me. I thought...when she left, I thought it was because I'd failed her somehow. Failed to protect her from whatever she'd found."
"She was protecting you," Rowan said softly. "Protecting all of us. From what's buried here, from those who want to control it."
"By using me?" Bitterness crept into King's voice. "By calculating the perfect partner to create what she needed?"
"No," Rowan said firmly. "By loving you enough to create something stronger than mere strategy. Something that could actually stand against what's coming."
Before King could respond, Reed burst into the room. His expression sent ice through Rowan's veins.
"We've got trouble," he said without preamble. "Just intercepted communications between Devils leadership and someone else. There's a contract out on both of you. Multiple teams moving on our location."
"How?" King demanded. "This place is off the grid."
