Page 38 of Eternal Surrender

“He’s a Stone Lord.” Paradom shook his head. “Very important.”

“What’s his name?”

“Jacob.”

“Not Jacob Roch?” I regretted giving him the last name so quickly.

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“The priest.”

I shook my head. “He used to be a Stone Lord a long time ago. He isn’t any more.”

“He was wearing their signet ring last time he visited.”

“When was that?”

“Last night.”

I studied him trying to work out who was madder, him or me for believing him. Jacob had told me to stay away from Paradom but hadn’t mentioned he’d actually met with him.

“Jacob gave me that.” Paradom pointed to several tins of cat food stacked up behind him.

“You shouldn’t be eating that.”

“I promised I’d be good.” He gave a grin, but it was out of place.

My jaw fell open though I quickly closed it, hoping to act casual and not derail Paradom’s trail of thoughts, wondering again if he’d read my mind and extracted information and was now confusing both me and him with it.

“What did Jacob say?” I asked.

Paradom waved his claw. “They’re on our side, you know. The Stone Masters.”

“Not exactly.” My voice was low, unthreatening.

“Why do you say that?”

“Jacob was once aligned with the Stone Masters, but that was in order to spy on them.” I said it softly. “Now though, we avoid them at all costs.”

He gulped and a droplet of yellow bile appeared on his lower lip and trickled down his chin. “Jacob wouldn’t lie.” Paradom became thoughtful. “His father is a dark Lord of the underworld. A Status Regal.”

“Good for him,” I said, realizing he was talking about me.

“You know him?”

“Who?” I humored him.

“Orpheus?”

“What do you know about him?”

“I just told you,” Paradom said, “he’s Jacob’s father.”

“Jacob the Stone Master?”

“Yes.”