Page 53 of Shadow Running
“Seton also told me that Ezerian has a lot of children, and he’s probably not looking to kill me.In the end, I owe this to myself.I’ve wondered all my life who my father was.Now, I understand why my mother went no contact with her family.She had to have known and there was no way that she wanted to put them in any danger.So settle down, let me call Vaurice, and we’ll see what happens.”
I picked up the phone and, taking a deep breath, punched Vaurice’s number.I put it on speakerphone and waited.He picked up after three rings.
“So, you figured it out?”was the first thing he said.
“Is that any way to greet your long-lost half-sister?”I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
He was silent for a moment, then said, “Oh, you’re making a joke.”
“Yeah, I am.So does he want to meet me?”I asked.
“Ezerian likes to meet all of his children.So, the answer to your question is yes.Are you willing?”
I licked my lips and sighed.“I’m willing to meet him onmyterms.”
“And, those are?”Vaurice’s delivery was smooth, and I had the feeling he had been in this position more than once.Just how many half-brothers and sisters did I have?
“We meet in a public place, above ground.I bring backup.And you come along with him.”
One beat… Two beats… Three beats…I realized that my heart was racing and I felt queasy.
“I’m sure he’ll agree to your terms.Name the place and time.”
“Seward Park, picnic shelter four.This evening at five.”That would give us time to take care of Konstantine’s house and yet still be daylight.Given it was sunny and Saturday, there would probably be enough foot traffic that nobody would do anything rash.
“Noted.Seward Park, picnic shelter four.Five o’clock.We’ll be there.I look forward to seeing you again,” Vaurice said.The phone went silent.
“Well, that’s set into motion.I’ve half a mind to invite Seton.”In fact, when I thought it over, it made sense.I texted Seton the meeting place and time, extending an invitation to join us.“Okay, Penn — are you feeling up to taking on Konstantine’s house now?It should be a simple exorcism at this point.”
She nodded.“Thanks to Hecate, it shouldn’t take too long.Exorcisms can still get dicey, but I’m willing to chance it.Who’s going with us?”
“All of us,” Sophia said.“In fact, I expect all of us to spend theentireday together, given our tête-a-tête this evening.”
* * *
As we droveover to my uncle’s house, it occurred to me that I was going to have to tell him about meeting my father.It wasn’t something I was particularly keen on doing.There was the distinct possibility that Konstantine would want to meet his sister’s lover, and I didn’t think that meeting would fare well if he did.I’d wait until I’d met Ezerian and sussed out what he wanted with me.
When we got to the house, the lights were off.As we walked up the sidewalk, the energy felt much lighter.I was grateful we weren’t facing a major battle.Forcing a powerful entity out of the place it didn’t want to leave wasn’t the most appealing of activities.
As we opened the front door and went in, I could still feel the quiet hush of spirits passing by, but things were much calmer.Penn walked into the living room and held out her hands, closing her eyes as she gathered in information.
We joined her, still keeping an eye out for any wayward spirits that might decide to attack.While I trusted Hecate, you never knew when something was going to bounce back.But the house felt eerily calm.It was apparent that a great deal of the activity that had stirred up had been due to Longworld’s spirit.
After a few moments, Penn opened her eyes and sat down on an ottoman.
“Hecate did what she promised.Longworld isn’t here, in any capacity.And I don’t feel Riana’s spirit either.I think Hecate took her along as well, and that’s for the best, considering that the death wish spell backfired on her.I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while.The death wish spell shouldn’t bind the caster as well as the target.Yet it did.Which tells me that Riana managed to cast the spell but it bounced back.It was probably because of the intense emotions, given what Longworld was doing to her.I hope Hecate lets him rot in Hades domain.”
“That would make sense,” Dante said.“Even though I don’t use magic, I know enough to know that incredibly intense emotions can affect spell work.So, what do we do now?”
Penn opened her bag and began to arrange her magical gear onto the coffee table.“First, I cast a circle and call the elements.Then I create a portal to the other side — to the spirit realm — and guide the spirits over.When I create the portal, I would like all of you to meditate on a trail of light feeding through the gateway.Make it as bright and beautiful as you can.”
We all agreed.
Picking up her dagger, she began to draw a circle deosil — clockwise — around the coffee table.
By the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
by Air and Fire, by Wave and Stone,
