Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Too tired to think, but hyped after Hecate’s visit, I brought out my phone. First, I texted everyone and asked them to meet us at work the next day, even though it was a Saturday. I told them it was an emergency and that we needed to talk.
Then, I did what Seton had asked me to. I wasn’t looking forward to this, but with Hecate’s encouragement, I decided I might as well get this over with.
I brought up Vaurice’s number and texted him. i need to talk to you tomorrow. it’s an emergency, and you know exactly what it’s about. After thinking about it, I added: tell daddy hi.
I sent it before I had time to think it over. Then, I showed Penn what I had texted.
She snorted. “That should get a rise out of them.”
“You think?” I yawned and stretched. “Let’s go to bed. I’m too tired to do anything else tonight.”
We headed to bed, and I fell asleep almost the minute my head hit the pillow.
* * *
The next morning, there was one simple text from Vaurice: call me.
I decided to let him stew for a while. I fed the cats while Penn fed Mr. crumbles, and then, after deciding to pick up breakfast on the way, we headed out for work. Penn drove her own car, just in case we had to split up during the day.
After a quick stop at Starbucks, and then at the bakery across the street, I pulled into the parking lot at work.
It was another beautiful day, although muggy.
I glanced up at the sky, trying to read the weather.
I had the feeling a thunderstorm was on the way, though I couldn’t see any clouds.
But the air was heavy and wet and clammy.
Penn pulled in right behind me, and we headed up the stairs together.
Sophia was at her desk, and I wiggled my fingers at her. “Gather everybody in the break room now.”
With Penn in tow, I headed back to the break room where I set down the box of pastries and my latte, and then shrugged off my sweater. It was too warm to wear one, but the weather was so changeable that I always brought either a sweater or jacket with me during the summer.
Five minutes later, everybody was sitting around the table, bear claws and maple bars in hand.
Nobody grumbled, thank goodness, but then again, my crew knew how important things were right now.
Weekends weren’t always guaranteed. But Dante and I paid them accordingly, so there wasn’t much pushback to meeting outside the regular work week.
“Penn and I stopped at Seton’s last night, given he texted me that it was an emergency. There is so much to talk about that I’m not sure where to begin.”
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Dante asked.
“Okay, first: Konstantine’s house is still haunted.
Although it’s going to be easier to exorcise.
Second: Seton dropped one bomb after another on me.
The mayor of Underground Seattle contacted him last night.
And yes, there is a mayor of the Underground.
I didn’t realize that, but his name is Saturn and he’s a vampire.
” It suddenly occurred to me that Lazenti needed to be in on this.
“Somebody get Lazenti in a Meet-Me chat room. He needs to hear this if he hasn’t already. ”
Sophia quickly brought up a chat room and then texted Lazenti. Within less than three minutes he was looking through the camera of his laptop.
“Did Seton contact you?” I asked. “About the matter with Saturn?”
Lazenti shook his head. “No, what’s going down?”
“All right, as I was telling the others the mayor of Underground Seattle contacted Seton last night with an emergency. Apparently a brigade or contingent or something of Arosiens are currently occupying the third and fourth levels of the Underground. They’re demanding control.
A demon lord is in charge of them. His name is Ezerian.
We’re not sure what they’re up to or what they want, but there’s more.
“Okay,” Dante said. “This isn’t looking good.”
“Oh it’s far from good. They’re threatening to go on a bloodbath, killing all the vampires if Saturn doesn’t hand over control.
We can’t allow that to happen. I don’t know if the actual mayor of Seattle knows about this.
I don’t even know if he realizes there’s an Underground mayor.
We have no idea what their end goal is.”
My stomach was churning a little. I could hardly wait to see what they had to say when I told them who Ezerian actually was.
“Do you think Brim Fire has something to do with this? Could they have opened the path?” Sophia asked.
“I’m not certain, but my intuition tells me no. So, you remember that Lazenti saw a demon in the Underground and followed him?”
“Right? And it led to Edward Trask,” Dante said.
“I know why he was nosing around Edward Trask. Apparently he was asking him about one of Jace’s victims — a woman who had a daughter.”
It hit Dante first. He gasped. “You?”
I nodded. “Me.”
“What are you talking about?” Carson asked, then he let out a yelp. “No, he couldn’t be looking for you, could he?”
“Yes, and…oh hell, I’ll just be blunt. Seton told me that Vaurice is Ezerian’s son. And, he’s also my half-brother.”
The room was silent for a moment, then everybody broke out talking at once. I could barely hear myself think over the clatter. I stood up, whistling to catch their attention.
“All right, quiet down. Seton confirmed it. Ezerian, the demon lord, is my father. And he’s looking for me.
We’re pretty sure he knows I’m here. Seton told me I needed to contact him and find out everything I can.
So this morning I sent a text to Vaurice, telling him to tell daddy hello.
I haven’t answered his return text yet. He wants me to call him, and I will, but I’m letting him sit for little bit. ”
Sophia, Carson, and Dante just stared at me. I gave them a shrug.
“What can I say? Apparently this is the year I meet my family. Oh, in other news, Penn’s powers are growing and so Seton is going to introduce her to someone who can help her learn to use them.
Hecate healed her mother, so Penn’s not going to be an orphan.
And we should be able to take care of Konstantine’s house this afternoon.
Hecate said she would capture Christopher Longworld’s spirit and take it with her.
That will make it easier to help all the murder victims move on.
She did us a number of favors and we should all be grateful and show some respect.
“That’s a lot to digest,” Sophia said. “How are you feeling? Are you all right?”
Leave it to Sophia to always make sure we were okay.
I picked up a second maple bar and bit into it before answering.
“I don’t really know how I am. I’ll call Vaurice in a little bit and arrange to meet with him and Ezerian.
I’d rather do it on my own terms then have him show about my door.
As far as my uncle’s house — it’ll be a simple matter of exorcising the ghosts now.
And we won’t have to burn it to the ground and salt the earth. ”
I sat there silent, as everybody else started talking at once. The world around me was feeling more shaky than ever, but at least I had gotten over the initial shock.
* * *
As expected, everybody had an opinion on whether or not I should meet my father. I listened to Dante vote for no, Carson note for no, Orik and Penn vote yes, and Sophia straddle both sides of the fence until I couldn’t listen anymore. I held up my hands and whistled.
“Yes, it is risky. But Seton told me I need to do this, and Hecate backed him up. And quite frankly, given I’ve already texted Vaurice, I don’t have much choice. I would rather go to him then have him come after me.”
“Good point,” Dante said.
“Seton also told me that Ezerian has a lot of children, and he’s probably not looking to kill me.
In the end, I owe this to myself. I’ve wondered all my life who my father was.
Now, I understand why my mother went no contact with her family.
She had to have known and there was no way that she wanted to put them in any danger.
So settle down, let me call Vaurice, and we’ll see what happens. ”
I picked up the phone and, taking a deep breath, punched Vaurice’s number. I put it on speakerphone and waited. He picked up after three rings.
“So, you figured it out?” was the first thing he said.
“Is that any way to greet your long-lost half-sister?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
He was silent for a moment, then said, “Oh, you’re making a joke.”
“Yeah, I am. So does he want to meet me?” I asked.
“Ezerian likes to meet all of his children. So, the answer to your question is yes. Are you willing?”
I licked my lips and sighed. “I’m willing to meet him on my terms.”
“And, those are?” Vaurice’s delivery was smooth, and I had the feeling he had been in this position more than once. Just how many half-brothers and sisters did I have?
“We meet in a public place, above ground. I bring backup. And you come along with him.”
One beat… Two beats… Three beats… I realized that my heart was racing and I felt queasy.
“I’m sure he’ll agree to your terms. Name the place and time.”
“Seward Park, picnic shelter four. This evening at five.” That would give us time to take care of Konstantine’s house and yet still be daylight. Given it was sunny and Saturday, there would probably be enough foot traffic that nobody would do anything rash.
“Noted. Seward Park, picnic shelter four. Five o’clock. We’ll be there. I look forward to seeing you again,” Vaurice said. The phone went silent.
“Well, that’s set into motion. I’ve half a mind to invite Seton.
” In fact, when I thought it over, it made sense.
I texted Seton the meeting place and time, extending an invitation to join us.
“Okay, Penn — are you feeling up to taking on Konstantine’s house now?
It should be a simple exorcism at this point. ”