Page 42 of Shadow Running
“Absolutely.He’s helping me adapt to my emerging powers.”
“Emerging powers?”Konstantine looked confused.
“See, that’s just an example.My demonic powers are just beginning to emerge.I’ve never learned how to deal with them—how to control them.In fact, I could be extremely dangerous if I don’t learn how to adapt.Seton Anthony is the best one qualified to guide me in that.”I fixed my gaze on my plate, waiting for his answer.
After he swallowed the last of the roll, my uncle let out a short sigh.“I’ll be happy to.To be honest, I know nothing about demons and I’ve been scared to research it.I don’t know what are lies and what’s the truth, and on the net, it’s hard to tell which one is which.So, yes.Just call me a day ahead so I can schedule it onto my calendar.”He motioned to my plate.“Eat.I assume your metabolism is different than a human’s?”
I nodded.“I need more food, more protein.I’m stronger and faster than most humans, and I can take a lot more damage.If I were full demon, it would be even more pronounced.”
I dug in, and—for awhile—we ate in a comfortable silence.After fifteen minutes, we were nearly finished.I sat back and stared at my uncle.He was actually a handsome man.When I examined his face, I could see my mother.
“I feel like we were meant to find each other,” I said.“But regardless of whether we were destined to meet, I’m glad we did.I mean it.I have a feeling about you—I like you.You seem like a good person.”
“I like you too, Kyann.I can see my sister in you.And thank you.I try to treat others the way I want to be treated.”He winked at me and reached for another onion ring.
“When my mother died, I felt cut off.She always made me feel like I had some sense of lineage.Blood isn’t thicker than water—my friends are family—but there is something about knowing the history of where you came from.And that, well, I’ve never had that.”I picked up the box of photos.“Thank you for these.How will I know who?—”
“I put notes on the back, telling you who the person was.I added some of your grandmother—and a few of your grandfather, even though he never stuck around.A few aunts, a cousin or two.I think some of them are still alive.I also added a note on a couple you might not want to reach out to.There are bigots in every family.”He shrugged apologetically.
We finished our lunch, and when I pulled out my wallet, Konstantine shook his head.“Put that away,” he said.“I’m treating.”
“You sure?”
“Hey, you’re trying to save my house.Of course I’m paying.By the way, how much longer do you think it will be?”
I sighed.“I’m not sure, to be honest.Penn bought everything we need to cleanse it.I think.She’s going to go out there later today and give it a try.I do want to warn you—she’s having an emotional crisis right now.Her mother’s dying.But she needs something to do to keep her mind busy, because there’s nothing she can do, and she can’t even visit.”
“I understand,” he said.“When your grandmother was dying, I was a mess.I think you would have gotten along, you’re a lot like her in some ways.Next time, I’ll tell you about her.”He paid the bill and we walked out to the parking lot together.“I’ve never had much opportunity to hang out with Supes.I think I’m going to enjoy it,” he added.
“Thanks, Konstantine.You don’t know what this means to me.I’ll call you when I set up the next meeting with Seton.Have a good afternoon—and don’t go back to the house until I give you the thumbs up.Promise me?”
He crossed his heart.“I promise.I don’t want to get attacked.”
As I drove away, I thought about the lunch.It went better than I expected.And now, I felt like maybe this was real—maybe I would have a family connection after all.It wouldn’t ever replace my family of friends, but it made me feel less isolated in the world.
* * *
The office was jumpingwhen I got back.Dante had a grin on his face that was a mile wide and he, Orik, and Carson were babbling.Sophia was at her desk, but even she was grinning.
“What did I miss?”I shrugged out of my jacket.
“Rowan!She’s under observation.I just got a call from her husband and he told me that the doctor, after talking to her for half an hour, has ordered her restrained for observation.He says she’s a danger to both herself and others.She won’t get out unless she can convince the psychologist that she’s not going to come over and bust my nuts!”Dante looked so relieved that I grabbed him and gave him a hug.
“Oh thank gods.One big worry off our minds.”I shook my head.“I do feel bad for her husband.”
“Yeah, but now maybe he can move on and have a life,” Carson said.“Oh, Penn’s waiting in the break room.She wants to go out to your uncle’s house and get the cleansing ritual started.I asked her to wait, though, because I didn’t think you’d want her to go out on her own.”
“You thought right.Okay, let me get situated and I’ll meet you in the breakroom.We need to talk about the portal in that alley, too.”I shifted my pack to my other shoulder and headed toward my office.
I tossed my pack and jacket on the sofa, grabbed my tablet and notes, and headed for the breakroom, elated that Dante would be safe from the machinations of a loony-tune.As I slid into my seat, Dante offered me a maple bar but I was still full from lunch.
“Save it for me for later.Well, now that Rowan is out of the picture—though we need to keep tabs on her—we can relax on that front.I had lunch with my uncle, and he’s promised to stay out of his house until we’ve taken care of the ghosts.”I sat back, glancing at Penn.“You still want to go over there this afternoon and work on the spell?”
She nodded.“I’ve prepared the charms and the powders.I’d like to give it a try.”
“Then Orik and I will come with you.”I glanced at my notes.“Penn checked out the alley that I told you about, where Winston saw Greg vanish.”
“What did you find?”Orik asked.“Carson brought me up to speed on what we’re working on.”
