Page 55 of Shadow Running
At precisely 4:45we gathered in Seward Park, in the picnic shelter.I wanted to get there ahead of time so I could collect myself and have a moment to breathe.I had the feeling that Vaurice and Ezerian weren’t the types to show up in advance, even if it was to meet a long-lost daughter and half-sister.
Seton had come with us, although he sat at the back of the picnic shelter with the others.I didn’t want them crowding me, just in case something bad went down.Dante stood with me, but I wouldn’t let Penn.She was too pretty and too appealing and they were demons.
“Are you sure?Are you absolutely sure?We can still leave and get out of here.You don’t have to do this if you’re having second thoughts.”
I knew that Dante was worried.I could see it in his eyes and stance.But this was something I had to do.All afternoon I had been both dreading and anticipating this meeting.All my life I wondered who my father was and now… Now we were going to meet.Now, perhaps, I would see what my mother saw in him—what led her into his arms.And, maybe, I could forgive him for never checking back on us.
“I know you’re worried,” I said.“But I have to do this.I hope you can understand.”
“I think I do,” Dante said.“I had my family for a good share of my life until they kicked me out.But even afterward, I’ve had my aunt Tilly.I know how I’d feel if I lost her.You need to know where you came from.You’re finding out some of that through Konstantine, but will help close the loop.I just hope that Ezerian doesn’t make you wish you had never found out.”
“I can’t go back now,” I said.“I have to know, regardless of what happens —” I paused as two figures made their way across the grass.I recognized Vaurice.Both he and his companion were wearing solid black, looking like crosses between Mad Max and Jon Travolta’s character from Pulp Fiction.It was an odd mix of styles.
I studied the man walking next to Vaurice.He was tall, at least 6’2”, with long hair that caught in the wind, blowing wildly.His hair matched mine, silver and black, and hematite gray.His eyes reminded me of my eyes.In fact, I could be looking at a male version of myself.I had my mother’s nose, and her curves.But I looked like my father.
I waited until they drew near, then motioned for Dante to join the others.He hesitated, but then returned to the back of the picnic table.I stood, walking forward a few steps, and waited.
I had changed clothes.I was wearing my black leather pants, a silver belt, and a leather crop top.I had chosen my black leather knee boots with crystal heels that were four inches high.Leather cuffs adorned my wrists, decorated with rhinestones and silver chains.
I wanted to feel my strongest, look my strongest, and whatever I could do to boost my self-confidence, I had done.Mirrored wraparound sunglasses completed the look, and a dagger strapped to my thigh.
Vaurice and Ezerian stopped a few steps away from me.We stood there, almost in détente.
Vaurice stepped forward and gave me a short bow.“Kyann, let me introduce you to your father.Ezerian, your daughter Kyann, and my half-sister.”
It all felt very formal.As the breeze caught up my hair and tossed it around my shoulders, I took a deep breath and decided to be the gracious one.“How do you do?”
It was the only thing I could think of to say.But immediately, I knew there would be no embrace, no warm reunion.
“So, you’re Erin’s daughter.We finally meet.I’m sorry about your mother.I never knew that she had been killed.Not until recently.”My father’s voice was gravelly, almost sultry.I understood what my mother had seen him, at least looks-wise.Ezerian was a handsome man.But for the life of me, I couldn’t see what had drawn her into his world.He was polite, but felt cool and aloof.
“I never knew that you knew she was pregnant,” I said.“How did you find out?”
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Word got back to me that there was a woman who resembled me, who was part demon, running around the streets of Seattle.When I thought back to my time spent in this city, I remembered Erin.It made sense.I decided to find you.”
I’d already decided that this was not going to be the family reunion that every child longed for.I had that with my uncle.There was something off-putting about Ezerian, and given the accounts I had already heard, I wasn’t interested in kindling any family connections.I needed to meet him, though, in order to know what I was giving up.
Now, I knew.
“Why did you want to meet me?What do you want here?”I kept my voice steady, trying to act as aloof as he felt.
“What do I want?I’m establishing a stronghold in your city.We have much to do in your world, our people.You might say I’m carving out a place here for our kin.As to why I wanted to meet you, I feel you’d make a good liaison between my world and this world.You stand between them, with a foot in each.I’m offering you the chance to join me, to work with me.”
I caught my breath, so startled by the offer that I almost lost my poise.But I pulled it together, not wanting to show any weakness.I glanced over at Vaurice, who was staring at me in a way that made me highly uncomfortable.
I had no intention of joining my father and half-brother on their mission.Seton had warned me that something like this might happen, and had asked me to remain deliberately vague.There was a chance I could be useful in finding out just how far the demons intended to push, and to find out whether they were in league with Brim Fire.I straightened my shoulders and looked my father square in the face.
“I’m not giving you an answer.Not right now.I need to think about it for a while.And I won’t be pushed on the matter.”
“Good,” Ezerian said.“I like that you’re not hasty.I like that you’re noteager.It shows me you have more of my blood in you then I thought possible.”
“But youwillconsider it?”Vaurice asked.
“I told you I’ll think about it.I’ll get back to you in a few days, when I’m ready.Meanwhile, you won’t contact me, nor will you contact or threaten my friends.”I nodded to the others, over my shoulder.“I have your phone number,” I said.
And then, I turned, choosing to be the first to walk away.I kept my eyes forward, anxiety building as I wondered if they were going to shoot me down from behind.But the next moment, I heard Ezerian say something to Vaurice, and I sensed them back away.
I sat down on the picnic table, my feet on the bench, and glanced back at the departing figures.Hecate was right.I had chosen a new direction.The crossroads had closed, and now I’d have to wait and see if I’d made a huge mistake.
