Page 117 of Rose and Shadows
I tensed. “That wasn’t in the proposal.”
“Because I hadn’t been able to locate him to offer up the position at the time. I have now.”
“Who is it?”
“Charles Petrone.”
“Really?”
“Someone you trust, your chief underground contact—before Remnant, anyway.” He smiled back at me. “I thought you’d approve.”
“I do.”
“Change takes time, those who are willing and courageous enough to challenge the status quo, and to often suffer for it in the process.”His lips quirked. “Charles Petrone’s mantra, I believe.”
“How do you—”
“He’s been consulted regarding our proposal. He’s also been a person of note for a long time.”
“You’ve been secretly looking into and lining up people like him and me for something like this to be rolled out?”
“We can’t remain stagnant. As the world shifts, so must we.”
I took a few moments to digest it all. “I’m not the only one on board with this. Remnant has given his go-ahead.”
“He wants to rebuild with his son. Just like you want to be there for your child.”
I jolted. “My… what?”
“Yes, I know about Velra’s pregnancy.”
“You… no… I protected that information.”
“During our extraction mission of Lazriel from Victor Halrow’s captivity, you stepped into my magic, I snatched your arm.”
“You read me,” I choked.
“You were very close to Remnant, I needed to determine your intent. Especially before I allowed you to see to Victor Halrow without due process.”
To murder him, he meant.
“No one else has been informed. It will stay with me. I know what it’s like to be desperate to protect a supremely powerful child who you fear the world won’t take well to.”
“Yeah, Ariana went through a lot where that’s concerned.”
“You will do better for your child. Each new generation is granted that chance.”
I shoved a hand through my hair. “I can’t begin to do any of that untilhe’sdealt with. If he knew about this…” I turned away, the weight of it, of all of it threatening to get the best of me, especially with all this heaviness added on top.
My phone buzzed in my leather coat pocket.
Four times in a row.
I turned back to Ryker and pulled it out to find a series of texts.
Velra:My parents are gone. Darethor took them out. Stopped Dark Fae mind-meddling, dozens apprehended byThryne. Cassius absorbed Celestial magic. We’re okay.
Cassius:We are with Ketheron who has absorbed it into himself well. No damage will come to him, given his unique makeup. Velra and our child are well.
