Page 46 of Shadow Running
I tried to take it all in.“Then youarelike me.”
He nodded.“I don’t talk about my past because I prefer to work more anonymously.The Fae Kingdom, of course, refused to accept me.I don’t want to live in the UnderRealms, or with the Black Dogs.So I came to the melting pot of all worlds: the mortal realm.”
“And you are connected to Solimentary.”
“Yes, I am.In fact, I keep an eye out for information for them.Saturn knows who I am.He knows that I have a lot of connections, and that I’m well-versed on pivotal events in history.”Seton sat back, sighing.“If I tell the mayor of Seattle, the news will be out and around within hours, even if I talk to him in secret.And the Arosien leader will start a blood bath.”
“And if you don’t?—”
“Then the demons will effectively be running a puppet government in the Underground.Neither is a pleasant prospect.”
As he held my gaze, I realized I could see the Fae in him.The demonic side, not so much.But he also had that same wise, long-vision attitude of the elves who had crossed my path.
“What’s this leader’s name?”Orik asked.
“Lord Ezerian.He’s one of the most feared demon lords within the Arosien Clan,” Seton said.He paused and I sensed something big coming.
“What is it?I can tell you’re hiding something.”I leaned forward.“Tell me, now.”
“It’s about Vaurice.He’s Ezerian’s son.”Seton pushed a file of papers across the desk to me.“Here’s a dossier on the demon lord.”He still seemed like he was picking and choosing his words.
“Vaurice is hisson?And Vaurice was asking around to find outmyname,” I said.
I felt like I was standing on the edge of a razor, and I couldn’t see the blade I was walking on.One step either way and I’d fall.But stay on the blade and I’d slash my feet.Either way, I was heading for a crossroads that I couldn’t avoid.
“Yes,” Seton said.He pressed his lips together and continued to stare at me.
The room felt hushed.Penn let out a gasp and I suddenly put everything together.
“No!”I jumped out of my chair.“No…he can’t be—how the hell…” I began shaking.“That would mean Vaurice…”
“Is your half-brother.Yes,” Seton said.“When you told me about him, I started doing some research.The Arosiens don’t keep rolls of all their members.So Vaurice had to be looking for you for another reason.The call from Saturn today sealed it.Not only is your father trying to take over the Underground, but he’s also looking for you.He knew that your mother was pregnant?—”
“I didn’t think he did,” I said.“How could…”
“Chances are he kept tabs on your mother after he left, and found out that she was pregnant.It sounds like he’s been looking for you all through the years.He must have found out that she was killed by Jace and sent Vaurice to find Edward, to find out whatever he could.”Seton motioned toward the file.“I’ve included as much information as I have on the demon lord.You’d better be prepared to meet him.I have no doubt he’ll be summoning you soon.”
I could barely breathe.While I always knew that I was part demon, the fact that my father was a demon lord, and he was looking for me—at least for information on me—made everything far too real.This overshadowed the news that Seton was the son of a Fae Queen and one of the Black Dogs.
I wrapped my arms around my shoulders, leaning forward as I tried to catch my breath.
A shocked look on his face, Orik said, “So what do we do?We can’t let him get to Kyann.What does he want with her?”
“What do you mean?”I asked.
“I mean, does he want you tojoinhim?Does he want to make certain you’re not going to interfere?”Orik paled.“And if he knows about you, does he know about all of us?”
“No,” I said, not wanting to accept it.“Surely they won’t watch you?—”
“They probably will now, but I doubt if they’ve been able to piece together your entire life in the past day or so,” Seton said.“However, you have to plan for all the possibilities.It won’t be long before he knows all about your friends.”
I didn’t know what to do.I felt totally exposed and vulnerable, and like I had put every person who was important to me in danger.I wasn’t prone to panic, but right now, I felt like all I wanted to do was run as far away as possible.
Penn took hold of my arm.“Kyann, sit down.”She turned to Seton.“She’s having a panic attack.”
“I’ll get something,” he said, crossing the room to an apothecary table.He brought out a small bottle of pills.“Here, take one of these,” he said, handing me a pill as Orik poured a glass of water for me.
I took the pill and put it on my tongue, following it with a sip of water.I sat there, Penn gently rubbing my arm as Orik put a hand on my shoulder.Slowly, I felt the panic subsiding and I shuddered once more, then let out a long breath.The medication worked fast.
