Page 52 of Shadow Dreaming

“I know that Dante rescued you not quite a year later, but the fact is, those months in between struck deep in your subconscious. The lack of foundation at such a young age, and the constant threat of danger—well, it left a lasting impression. And now, though you’re grown and established and settled, there’s a part of you always afraid that, once again, the rug will be snatched away and you’ll be back in freefall.”

I thought about what he said. “I guess I’m afraid of change.”

“I’m not surprised. But the truth is, we either change or stagnate. Life is built on change, but change is not chaos. Or, rather, it doesn’t have to be. You can weather these changes without becoming a chaotic hot mess. One step at a time.”

“So get to know my inner demon. Make her part of me, so that I keep control?”

“Right. Woo her. Embrace her. Don’t fear the dark side because that side protects you. But, find a way to remove the potential for chaotic destruction. Our shadow selves are incredibly powerful. If you can harness that power, if you can use its best traits and leave the negative ones, then… Who knows what you’ll be able to accomplish?”

It made sense. “Is it true that the Demonkin don’t like half-breeds as much as the Fae?”

He nodded. “Yes, it’s true. Don’t expect them to welcome you with open arms.”

“I wish I knew who my father was. Although, for him to leave my mother like that… Maybe I don’t want to know him.”

Seton paused. After a moment, he said, “I have the feeling that someday you might meet Anyway, do you promise to spend time with your inner demon? Find out what makes that part of yourself happy. Don’t assume she’s all anger.”

“Okay, I’ll work on it. And when Devon comes back, he can help me start learning more about the wind and the air element. He should return next week,” I added.

“Keep me in the loop as to what’s happening,” Seton said.

As I left the office, my phone rang. It was Dante.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.

“Kyann, get back here. Penn’s gone, and our computer system has been hacked. Sophia’s hurt—Penn hit her over the head. I’m not sure what the hell’s going on.”

I stared at my phone.

“Kyann? Kyann? Do you hear me?”

Startled, I shook off the shock. “I heard you. I’m on the way, now.” As I put my car in gear and headed back at the office, I wondered what the hell was happening.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I sped all the way back to the office. As soon as I screeched into the parking lot, I slid into the nearest spot, turned off the car and jumped out, racing toward the building. I took the stairs two at a time, worrying about Sophia all the way.

I slammed through the doors to the office to see Sophia lying on the sofa in the waiting room. Dante was with her, along with an EMT from the Supe Community Emergency Services. Carson was at her computer, looking frantic. Orik and Penn were nowhere in sight.

“What the hell happened?” I skidded to a stop next to Dante and Sophia. “Where’s Orik?”

“He went after Penn,” Dante said.

“Sophia? What happened?” I peeked over the top of the EMT kneeling beside the sofa. He was checking her blood pressure and vitals. The other EMT was preparing some sort of shot. Sophia had a nasty gash on her forehead. The bleeding had stopped, but it looked like it was going to need stitches.

“She’ll be all right. Her vitals are good. We’ll stitch up this wound and give her a couple of prescriptions, and with a bit of rest, she’ll be right as rain.” Supe EMTs were different than human ones, in that they could often diagnose and take care of some injuries. When they couldn’t, or if the injuries were too great, they transported the patient to the clinic or hospital.

“Penn hit you?” I still couldn’t believe it.

“She did,” Sophia croaked out. “And boy did she do a good job of it. I’m not sure what she hit me with?—”

“It looks like she hit you with the flat of an ax. She wasn’t aiming to kill, I think, or you’d be dead,” Dante said.

“Crap. Why the fuck would she do that?” I had no clue what the hell was happening right now. I felt so conflicted. I was worried sick about Sophia, but I was also worried about Penn.

Sophia slowly sat up, leaning against the back of the sofa so the EMT could begin stitching. “She snapped. It was Penn, but I swear it wasn’t Penn. Her eyes shifted color. They flared, turned bright red, and then, boom, I was out like a light.”

I turned to Carson. “You say she messed up our computers?”

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