Page 82 of Deadly Avarice
“Start talking, Nikodemus.” Momma turned and pointed a finger at Franklin and me too. “And don’t think the two of you are off the hook either. I want to know what’s been happening and why your pops looks two steps from falling into an early grave at the mention of this Huxley fellow. And while you’re at it, pretend I’m a simple human without a magical bone in my body and explain to me whatshadow bornemeans.”
Franklin wisely scooted closer to me, resting his rear on my bed as we let Pops take the proverbial reigns. I’ll give Momma this, she listened with few interruptions. Of course, she didn’t need to verbally scold any of us when her glare eviscerated our souls.
Pops ran through the story, only hesitating when he arrived at the last part of Momma’srequest.Tilting back his head, Pops stared at the ceiling. I didn’t think he was stalling and Momma must not have either because she stood there, arms still crossed and cheeks still flushed red, but patiently waiting.
Lowering his head, Pops shook it back and forth. “I’m not sure how to describe what shadow borne means. Mostly because none of us really know.”
Franklin spoke before Momma. “You must have some idea.”
“To an extent. Maybe. Who’s to say if what Iknowis even accurate?” I don’t think I’d ever heard Pops so unsure. I’d often found his arrogance overbearing, but right this second, I would have happily traded his uncertainty for a little of that arrogance.
“Holland’s right,” Loretta Cicely said from the doorway. I wasn’t certain when she arrived, but it must have been long enough ago that she’d been able to hear at least part of our discussion.
“Captain,” Franklin greeted and started to stand.
“No need to get up on my account, O’Hare. Stay where you are.” Loretta moved farther into the room, crowding our small space. I watched her shoot a wary glance Pops’s waybefore scooting around the foot of my bed and moving closer to Momma. “Ms. Boone,” Loretta greeted.
Momma’s sour look dissipated as she greeted Franklin’s boss warmly. “Captain Cicely. Thank you so much for helping Franklin find my son, and for the healing potions you so generously gave him and Franklin.”
Loretta’s cheeks flushed as she waved Momma off. “I was happy to help.” Clearing her throat, Loretta’s gaze landed on Pops as she said, “Holland’s not feeding you a line. Shadow borne are more myth than fact.” Loretta’s lips twisted before she whispered, “Kind of like djinn.” Cautiously glancing around the room, Loretta asked, “Is she here?”
“Who, dear?” Momma asked.
“Aurelia,” I answered before Loretta had a chance. “And no, not that I know of. I think Aurelia would show herself to me, but I can’t guarantee it.”
Loretta’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s good. I, uh… I doubt your djinn likes me very much, considering…” Loretta waved a hand up and down her body.
Pops’s shoulders stiffened, his haughty demeanor quickly returning. “I believe Aurelia’s distaste for witches is understandable.”
“I’m not arguing that fact,” Loretta conceded before clearing her throat. “Back to shadow borne. I would guess nearly every species has their own lore regarding them. As for witches, we believe they are old, one of the first species to inhabit the planet.”
“Even before fairies?” Momma asked.
Pops answered, “As far as we know, fairies lived in Fairy for untold years before migrating to this realm.” Pops scratched the dark stubble on his chin. “I’m not certain that is how a fairy would describe the different worlds, but it is how warlocks define it.”
“Witches also,” Loretta agreed. “From what I’ve been told, shadow borne were here before fairies, but I doubt anyone knows for sure but the shadow borne themselves.”
“You mean their descendants,” Franklin asked.
“Uh…no,” Loretta answered. “As far as we know, shadow borne don’t havedescendants. At least, not in the way we would think of it.”
I sat up a little straighter. “You mean to tell me that if Tenzen Huxley is one of these shadow borne, that he’s what?” My gaze snapped between Pops and Loretta. “He’s older than dirt?”
Loretta’s chuckle was wobbly at best. “I suppose that would be as good of a way of saying it as any. To our knowledge, they are just as immortal, if not more so, than djinn. Born when the first rays of the sun cast the first shadows upon the Earth.”
“Sweet Gaia,” I whispered. Franklin’s fingers slid between mine, grasping me tight.
Pops appeared grim. “It’s only speculation. Interestingly, warlock lore concerning the shadow borne closely mimics what Loretta spoke of. The only tidbit I would add is that it is believed that most of the shadow borne became disenchanted with their endless lives.”
“What does that mean?” Momma thankfully asked.
Pops shrugged. “We aren’t certain. Some believe shadow borne lost the will to continue and simply faded from existence.”
Loretta picked up the tale. “Others believe many, if not all, became willingly dormant. It is simply an alternative version of what Holland suggested. Either way, they are no longer in play.”
“Except for Huxley,” Franklin said. “You believe he might be shadow borne.”
Pops and Loretta shared a knowing glance across my hospital bed, but it was Pops that answered, “There have been rumors…and concerns.”
