Page 2 of Shadow Running
Penn blushed.“No.I didn’t tell her, because I didn’t want her flinging a million questions my way.My mother seldom talks to the court, so I thought I’d have more time before she found out.By then, I’d be ready to tell her what happened.But it looks like they’re doing a purge on the rolls.I got a call from Duran this afternoon.At least three prominent witches have been expelled from the Court, so this isn’t an isolated thing and I’m not their only target.I don’t know what to tell her.”
“Is there a way you can find out more before you approach her?Anybody high up in the court you can talk to?”I asked.
Penn was a witch, and she was also half Fae, which is one reason the Crystal Court had decided to kick her out.She’d been kidnapped by Brim Fire, an organization determined to hand over the world to the Demonkin.We had barely scraped the surface of what was going on behind the scenes, but Penn had been cast out before we could investigate fully.They left her to fend for herself.And, since the Fae Courts wouldn’t acknowledge her existence—because of her half-blood heritage—she was basically adrift without a compass.
“I know a few people, but I’ve been hesitant to approach them.I don’t want the Court punishing them for talking to me.I swear, Queen Elsabetha’s lost her marbles.Who knowswhatshe’s capable of,” Penn said with a grimace.“Gee, I don’t sound bitter, do I?”
“Only a little,” I said.“Okay, well, why don’t you email her back that you’ll investigate matters?Don’t tell her anything else right now.That will buy you some time.”
“Good idea,” Penn said, helping herself to more mac ‘n cheese.“Meanwhile, I’ll look after myself.Because it’s obvious that nobody else is going to back me up.”
“You know that I will, and our friends,” I said.
She gave a tired shrug.“Yes, yes, I do.I just feel alone.I belonged when I was part of the Crystal Court.I had rights, I had a magical community.That’s all gone, now.”
“I get it,” I said.After a moment, I added, “Speaking of messages, Benny called me tonight.He wants help.”
“He need money?”Penn asked.
I shook my head.“Something seems to be wrong.And I’m not talking Benny-wrong, butreallywrong.I’ve never heard him sound this concerned.”
“Well, you’ll find out tomorrow,” Penn said.“For now, what do you want to watch tonight?”She carried our dishes over to the sink.“And what do we want for dessert?”
“Ice cream?”I finished my glass of wine and brought in the goblets.“I’ll feed the cats while you rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher.”I pulled out two cans of cat food and spooned the food into two clean dishes.with Jangles and Murdoch racing into the kitchen when they heard the sounds of the cans opening.“There’s a new show on.It’s about a real estate agent who sells haunted houses.Sort of a cross between House Hunters and Ghost Hunters—Ghost House Hunters.”
Penn snorted.“Okay, that sounds like it might be worth a watch.”
As we finished cleaning the kitchen and dished out our ice cream—apple pie flavor—I wondered how I’d managed before Penn moved in.We got along so well that it felt like we’d always been roommates.Taking our dessert, we headed into the living room while I told her about the cats trying to terrorize Mr.Crumbles.
* * *
So,I’m Kyann Sarasan, and I’m half-demon.Until recently, I didn’t even know whatkindof demon I was.My father was never in the picture and my mother refused to tell me about him.
It wasn’t easy, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks.Oh, my mother tried.She really did, but we were always poor, always scraping by, until she was brutally murdered when I was fourteen.I ended up on the streets, trying to make my way in the world, until someone decided to get handsy with me and my inner demon exploded.
Dante—a wolf shifter—witnessed the attack.He saved my ass by hustling me away from the body.After that, he gave me a place to stay, and enrolled me back into school, and basically played big brother until I grew up.When I opened my business, he joined me, and he’s been one of my best friends ever since.
Together with Penelope—my other best friend, Orik—another one of our investigators and a Viking priest, Sophia—our receptionist and an oracle who was kicked out of Olympus for refusing Zeus’s attentions, and Carson—who is human and as tech savvy as they come—we form Shadow Blade Investigations.
We investigate anything our clients need investigating.Along the way, we’ve created our own little misfit family, as we face danger and adventure together.
And wealwayshave each others’ backs.
* * *
Next morning,the day hearkened bright and sunny.It was early May and we were having a warm front come through.While the month of May ushered in an average temperature of around 63 degrees, and there was still a decent amount of rain, most of the month was relatively nice.Sunny days, even if cool, were considered shirt-sleeve weather, and the flowers and trees blossomed out in full beauty.
The dissonance between the sunlight and the lack of warmth never failed to startle visitors to the city, though those of us who were local were used to it.It was fifty-eight when I climbed into my car, yet because of the sunshine, it seemed like it should be in the upper sixties or low seventies.I opened the window a crack for fresh air and headed to work.
Sophia waved as I entered the office.She held out a stack of mail.“Want me to gather everybody for the meeting?”
We always had a morning meeting to set the day’s schedule.
“Not till after Benny gets here.”
Sophia wrinkled her nose.“Goblin funk was not on my bingo card for the morning.”
I laughed.“Mine either, but it sounds like he might have an actual problem.Anyway, let me know when he gets here.”I peeked into Dante’s office as I passed by.He was actually at work on time.“Hey dude, meet me in my office?”
