He flinched.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be harsh. Just… talking about it doesn’t help.”
“I get that, but—”
“I need to get back to it,” I said, pushing off the bed, stumbling a little as my feet hit the ground.
I had to grab the edge of the bed and take a moment, before I then made my way over to my papers and journals on the other side of the bedroom.
“Back to your research. Yeah, I saw. All of it. It’s about Scion.”
I turned around. “What?”
“My dad told me about another threat out there, one he says is specifically dangerous to vampires. He wouldn’t give me the details, or define exactly what or who it is, but he did give me that name.” He frowned. “Maybe because he knew I’d tell you and it would be recognizable to you?”
That was… a lot to absorb.
“He sent you here to me?”
“He didn’tsendme exactly. I wanted to come. Especially after he told me what had happened to you… the thing you don’t want me bringing up.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “The huge fucking elephant in the room that we’re just ignoring.”
“It’s notignoring.It’s transcending.”
“Sure. However you want to paint it.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “The Shadowed is aware not only of what Scion is, but that said threat is rising and is undeniably dangerous to vampires specifically?”
“Yeah. Remnant considers it a big enough threat to have put tons of resources and time into doing something major, risking a shitload in the process. All to ensureyouare in a position to ‘do what needs to be done’.His words—that last part, at least.”
I started. “What do you mean? Are you telling me that The Shadowed has found a cure? For my specific sickness?”
“I’m saying there’s a strong possibility. The fact that Remnant, himself, believes it’s viable means a hell of a lot too. He’s not exactly one to make unsubstantiated statements.” He rolled out of bed and strode to me. “This has gotta stay between you, me, then Velra and Cassius. No Guardian Movement involvement.”
“Always fine by me where the Guardian Movement is concerned. Let’s face it, the only reason I haven’t been arrested after performing that spell is because I’m currently powerless.”
“It’s gotta stay off Kai’s radar as well.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Sylas. I’ve been entrusted with this intel. Volatile intel and something that could incriminate The Shadowed in major ways due to the nature of the research that went into this.”
“I hear you. And from the way you’re now referring on-and-off to Remnant asDad, it’s clear you’re building a relationship with him. It’s important to you. I get that. And I want that for you. All three of us do. But Kai has been helping me for months to determine a cure. I can’t just cut him out now.”
He’d also been there at my bedside delivering the news about me needing to be bound. But I wouldn’t mention that to Lazriel. It would make him feel bad and guilty, because he hadn’t beenthere. He hadn’t known, though. He’d been underground. And he’d needed to be. Not just to gather information, to help with our enemies, but to finally lay eyes on his father.
“Would Kai keep this a secret from his loves?”
“He has an agreement with them, due to how he used to be. This won’t violate that. It doesn’t directly impact him, Ariana, Nyx, or Vorzyr. Also, the research we do at Arcanum Order isn’t shared with them either. Again, unless it directly impacts him or them. He’ll do this for me. I have no doubt.”
He took my words in, then grasped my hands, a huge smile spreading over his face. “According to Remnant and The Shadowed’s research, it’s possible to do a necromantic core transplant. We just need to test it with your blood first, so their magical scientists can prepare for any complications in advance. They’re all about that… preparing for anything and everything. Talk about covering all bases. It’s another level, seriously.”
I stared for several moments, trying to wrap my head around what he was telling me.
“A necromantic core… transplant? That’s not… to get a hold of the cores in the first place… and in this way, which would require the entire thing—”
“Not just one entire thing. For you with your power set, we’re talking a full three that would be needed for the transplant. Apparently you’re even more of a Master of Death Magic than I even realized. Beyond even a prodigy.”
“I was the strongest necromancer in the world.”
