Page 56 of Shadow Running

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We waiteduntil they were gone and then returned to the parking lot.Ezerian and Vaurice were gone.I couldn’t sense them anywhere near at all.

“How did I do?”I asked Seton.

“You did fine, better than I expected you’d be able to.I know that must have been daunting, but at least now we’ve bought some time.And if we can figure out how to use you as a spy, so much the better.”

“But who iswe?We can’t trust the Crystal Court.I’m not sure if we can trust the Worldwide Shifter Council or the Vampire Federation.Do we go to the government?What can they do?”I wasn’t sure what the hell to think.It wasn’t like we had an FBI office for supernatural affairs.Or at least, I didn’t think we did.

“Well, for now it’s Saturn and me.Don’t worry though, we’re going to call in a few well-placed peers.That’s why we need time.Meanwhile, we have to let your father believe he’s in control in the Underground.Wecannotallow them to kill all the vampires down there.Saturn is quietly encouraging some of the older vamps to vacate, to hide for now.In fact that brings me to Lazenti.We need to find him a new place.”

“What about one of the vampire apartment towers?”Penn asked.

“That’s too dangerous.The demons would start there on a purge.One of the reasons they’re targeting the vampires is because vamps have their fingers on the finances of the world.And they’re powerful, probably some of the only creatures capable of taking on the demons.

“At least that we know of,” Penn said.

Seton nodded.“True.I have a friend who has an underground bunker.It’s in his backyard, and it was first built when the Cold War started to ramp up.My friend has modernized it since then, and it’s the perfect place for vampires to hide.Saturn doesn’t dare vanish, or the demons will go all out on the rest of the vamps.But it’s perfect for Lazenti and a few of the others whose counsel we need.We’ll be sneaking them out tonight.”

“Do you need help?After all Lazenti works for me.”I wanted to make sure that Lazenti was safe.

Seton shook his head.“No, it’s too dangerous for you to be seen in the Underground right now, unless you’re going to talk to your father.”

“I don’t like calling him my father,” I said.“I don’t like him, he’s dangerous, and even though he gave me part of my blood, I refuse to claim him as family.My uncle?Yes.He’s family.But my father?No.”

“That’s another thing.Your uncle Konstantine.I can easily see Ezerian kidnapping him and holding him hostage.We need to hide him as well.I don’t think Ezerian will do anything to the rest of you, because Kyann made it clear that’s a condition of her working with the demons.So, we find your uncle a safe house.”

“Safe house?”I asked.

“Yes, safe house.We have a network of them throughout the land.Once we move your uncle there, there will only be several ways for you to contact him.You’ll have to go through me.I’m sorry, but his life could depend on it.”Seton stood, letting out a long sigh.

He shrugged.“We knew this might happen.Not necessarily with your father, but with some aspect of the Demonkin.We just thought Brim Fire would be the ones responsible.

Orik cleared his throat.“I think they may be a target now.The Arosiens aren’t going to want other demons moving in on their operation.And Brim Fire isn’t choosy about who it contacts on the demonic realm.”

“I think you’re right,” Seton said.“Anyway, that’s enough for tonight.Go home, and get some rest.We’re all going to need our strength during the coming days.”

As he drove off into the approaching dusk, I turned back to the others.“I can’t believe we’re here.I never expected something like this to happen.What are we going to do?”

“For tonight, nothing.We’re going home, we’re going to have dinner and sleep.And then, we’re going to take this one step at a time.We’ve entered a new era.Seattle’s in danger, the vampires are in danger, and if we’re not careful—the world will be in danger.This is going to be a long game,” Dante added.

A long game, I thought.He was right.We would need to move carefully and precisely.Sometimes fate set the wheel in motion and right now, that wheel was rolling directly toward us.We didn’t want it, we didn’t deserve it, but the fact was, it was coming our way like a runaway Ferris wheel.If we didn’t jump aboard and try to control it, it would roll over us, crushing us and everything else in its wake.

“Okay, I guess we have no choice.We’re in this now, and we have to make the best of it.Go home.I’ll talk to you on Monday.”I stood and dusted off the seat of my pants.

“What about tomorrow?”Sophia asked.

“Nothing’s going to happen tomorrow,” I said.“Remember, Seton said this is the long game.We’re going to have to be patient, as hard as it sounds.We’re a family though, and that’s what matters.And family, takes care of its own.”

We filed into the van.As we headed back to the office, I knew that Ezerian might be my father, but he’d never have a place in my heart like my friends.

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