Page 28 of The Night Prince 3
Rhalyf’s eyes shot to Aquilan. Was the Sun King angry? He wasn’t demanding answers. Instead, he looked empathetic. Gentle. Kind. Understanding.
He already guessed Declan was not human. But he hasn’t realized what Declan is let alone who he is.
“He’s a good lad, Aquilan,” Helgrom said as he stepped up beside Declan and put a hand at his lower back as if to claim him. “I’ve known him for years. He is the best. No matter his heritage, I know who he is. And, in the end, that’s all that matters. There are far too many who rest on their family’s accomplishments and the blood in their veins than their own worth.”
Did Helgrom look at Darcassan right about then? Elasha flushed and looked away. Rhalyf realized something else, too. Helgrom knew that Declan was a Night Elf. He had a feeling that Helgrom also knew who his father was. What else would that talk of heritage be?
“I would have to agree with you, Helgrom,” Aquilan nodded vigorously. “From what I have experienced of Declan in our short acquaintance, he is very good.”
Please still believe that after you hear his surname is Vex…
“Neither of you know that. I don’t even know that,” Declan said with a fierce shake of his head. “I did not know… I still do not know who I truly am. But I think… no, I know that I am a danger to you.”
Aquilan was shaking his head more. “What? No, Declan, that can’t be–”
“Not me,” Declan qualified. “There is someone… someone following me. Watching me and everyone around me. Listening to every word I say and everything I hear.”
Rhalyf jerked and his magical senses flooded out of him. He quickly pulled them back. If Vex was looking after his son then just like with the divining spell, such sensing could lead to a trap.
Of course, Vex is watching his son. Of course, he knows he’s here. Finley was likely right that he left him here. Who else would? His mother? But who is she? Who could she possibly be?
“Why? Who?” Elasha cried.
“Who is stalking you?” Aquilan looked thunderous. His hands clenched at his sides. “You are my citizen! You will not be harassed or harmed in any way! I will make sure of it!”
“I don’t know, but I think… I do not want to bring him near you. And if I am near you then he is,” Declan explained with another shake of his head. “I will not allow this. Not until I know if he is friend or foe or… somewhere inbetween.”
Vex. Vex is speaking to him. And Declan wants to find him. Vex will only be found if or when he wishes to be.
The truth was that Declan’s words–or a version of them–were the words that Rhalyf should be saying. He should have been confessing–even obliquely–that he had a hidden past that could cause harm. That his presence had likely attracted Vex’s attention even if Declan’s hadn’t.
“We have rescued Darcassan. Now you can take everyone and go back to Tyrael,” Declan said with fierceness to Aquilan. “You must especially take Finley, because he will not want to leave when I don’t come with you.”
“You won’t be coming with us?” Aquilan’s eyes widened in alarm and this time he moved and grasped Declan’s forearms. “Declan, you are coming back to Tyrael. You are returning home with us. We will go to the Dawn and you can tell us everything–”
“No, King Aquilan, I must not do that.” Declan shook his head.
Why wasn’t Finley objecting to this? Or coming up with some good ideas? Rhalyf needed those good ideas right about now. He found himself utterly incapable of thinking of anything. He turned his head and saw Snaglak and Glom standing in the hallway that led to where they had left Finley safe and sound.
“Finley gone,” Snaglak said.
“What?” Rhalyf’s voice was sharp. Cutting. “What are you talking about, Snaglak? Finley cannot be gone, he’s right there! Finley? Finley? We need you in here right now!”
He pushed past the orc and the naki into where the stairwell ended, but he saw no Finley. There was no lithe young man standing in a corner or quivering halfway up the stairs or anywhere at all.
Finley was not there.
“Finley gone,” Snaglak repeated, grunting at the end.
“No,” Rhalyf whispered as his eyes darted around the room looking for something, anything, to indicate where the young man had gone. “This can’t be. This can’t…”
“No smell blood. No body,” Snaglak remarked unhelpfully. “No kill? Maybe taken. Finley gone.”
“Don’t say that–”
“Leviathan scent strong. Fear scent too. But come from us? No, no, Finley fear smell,” Snaglak continued inexorably.
“Shut up! Stop saying that! I need to think! I need to find him! Just… quiet!” Rhalyf snarled.
