Page 47 of Shadow Running
“I’m okay,” I said after another moment.“All right, so what do I do?Advise me, Seton.”
He returned to his desk.“We need to know why the demons are here.Why do they want to control the Underground?I’d have you meet with Saturn, but if they’re watching you, that might not be the best idea.”
“Lazenti—I can ask Lazenti to talk to him,” I said.“I’ll use a burner phone to text him, just in case they’ve been tapping my phone.”
“I think your phone is safe.Let me see it,” Seton said.
I handed it to him.He examined it carefully, then asked me, “What’s the passcode?”
I opened it for him, and he flipped through the apps.After a moment, he opened his desk and brought out a USB cord, plugging my phone into what looked like a plastic box about the size of a deck of cards.The box had a touch screen on it, with green, yellow, and red lights at the bottom of the screen.Another moment and the green light lit up.
“You’re clear.I doubt if they’ve had time to try to bug anything.When did you meet Vaurice?”Seton asked.
“Just yesterday,” I said.
“Then they haven’t had time to do much,” Seton said.
“Unless they planted something before.You said that Ezerian has probably been watching me for awhile?—”
“No, I said now they’ll be watching you,” Seton said.“Not the same thing.”
“Wait,” Penn said.“Since Vaurice was trying to find out your name, that probably means they knew you were around the area, but not exactly who or where!”
I thought back to meeting Vaurice.“You’re probably correct.But now, we have to go on the premise that Ezerian knows who I am.From now on, we need to make certain to use security alarms on our houses and the business—and make certain we arm them when we go out.”
Orik worried his lip.“I’ll have to get an alarm system.With six kids, two of them newborns, I can’t take any chances.”
“The company will pay for it,” I said.“Since this is my fault.”
“It’s nobody’sfault,” Penn said.“You didn’t know this was going to happen.”
“No, but it’s because I exist that this happened.”I leaned back in my chair.The pill was definitely chilling me out.“I never expected this to happen.I just met my uncle.And now I find out my father is in town, trying to take over the Underground.Not only is he a demon, but he’s a demon lord.And I have a half-brother.”
I had no idea what to say or think.It had been so much easier before, when I had no clue where any of my family was.
“What’s Ezerian like?”I finally asked.
Seton pointed at the folder.“I put as much as I could find out in there.”He sighed, then made a tsking sound.“All right, I’ll tell you what I know.Ezerian is a fierce warrior.He won’t have any qualms killing anybody who gets in his way, but I don’t think it’s ever personal.In a sense, he’s far more ruthless than a sociopath.He makes decisions solely on what’s best for his mission or goal.He would never have killed your mother in the way that Jace Trask did.He doesn’t kill for sport, but for business.”
I felt my breath rising in my chest again.“Ruthless?”
“He doesn’t care.If it serves the need, he’ll do it.And because he doesn’t let his ego interfere with his decisions, he’s more dangerous than if he were narcissistic.He’s smart, and organized.There was a raid in the Black Forest around 1908 or so, where a group of demons snuck in and tried to set up a stronghold.Luckily the 37thSilver Wolf Brigade—a shifter military organization under the umbrella of the Worldwide Shifter Alliance—managed to stop them.The Arosiens didn’t expect any type of counter attack, and they were unprepared.”
“Let me guess.Ezerian was in charge of the covert attempt?”I asked.
“Not exactly.But he oversaw the regiment of demons who made the attempt.When they failed, he showed up and instantly ordered every single demon involved killed, except for a handful who were assessed to be potential leaders.Solimentary had a couple researchers who saw the raid go down.”Seton shook his head.
“How did they find out about what Ezerian did?”Penn asked.
“We have agents everywhere.What do you know about Solimentary?”
“Not much,” I said.“Penn?”
“Only enough to know that I’d like to know more.Now that I’m pariah in the Crystal Court, I’d love to find a place where my talents can be used.I was part of PortalWatch, you know.I’m busy with my online store, and with helping Kyann and Shadow Blade, but…”
“You feel adrift,” Seton said.“I’ll talk to my people.”
Penn nodded.“Thank you.Whatever comes of it, thank you for offering to help.”
