Cornelius’ lips quirked. “Compliment accepted.”
“Cor,” Warlow chastised him.
Cornelius sat forward, clasping his hands in his lap. “I am an ally to The Shadowed, yes.”
“And the Guardian Movement’s awareness of this?”
“Is extremely limited. Ryker knows that I operate under the radar and he also knows that it is necessary given the way our world works. However, to lead he must have plausible deniability, so he is not privy to everything. And it needs to remain that way. The Shadowed can do certain things, can reach into certain places, reach certain individuals, that the Guardian Movement cannot. Me maintaining some semblance of control over that influence and power is imperative in order to protect us all. Remnant accepts that and we have a mutually beneficial agreement.”
“Like you shielding him and The Shadowed with your magic?”
“Ah, Sylas felt my magic when he performed that Blood Trace on Lazriel.”
“He did. Victor Halrow also outed you as an ally to Remnant. He even stated that you handed the stake that can kill an Ancient to Remnant.”
“All true.”
“Lucian just gave up that weapon, knowing it can kill him? How did Ryker, Jaxon, and Mia accept that?”
“Because Ryker has found a way to nullify it against Lucian.”
“He… what?”
“You did not come here to discuss that. You came here to find out why Remnant has the stake in his possession now, as given what you’ve already revealed, Halrow obviously claimed that he and Remnant are tethered. Lazriel is afraid that his father who he has only very recently been reunited with will perish should you eliminate Halrow.”
“Not exactly a jump, is it?”
“Remnant is steps ahead. Lazriel does not need to worry.”
“What does that mean?”
“The information I am able to convey is limited, Velra. As per my agreement with Remnant.”
I frowned in thought. “Is this why the both of you really had that talk with Lazriel months ago, before I was ready to acknowledge his interest in me?”
Warlow pinched the bridge of his nose and admitted, “We hoped we could keep you from all of this. Falling for Lazriel Thaine, the son of Remnant… it forever connects you to the underground. We wanted better for you. We wanted peace for you.”
I shook my head to myself. “And trying to stop Sylas from performing the Blood Trace?”
“He sensed my magic because it protects Remnant, not because it was trying to prevent the Blood Trace,” Cornelius clarified.
“Protects him? More than shielding him? Like, bolsters his abilities or something?”
“No. Those are all his. It merely assists with keeping The Shadowed hidden. And it provides a warning should the Guardian Movement come too near, so they can remain off their radar and continue to operate underground as is needed.”
“And his interest in Sylas?”
“You mean, his temporary cure?”
“Oh my God, yes. You know about that too?”
“He has plans for Sylas. Plans that will serve Sylas well also, so do not fret. However, while he is sick and I’ve had to even bind him because it became so severe, none of that can come to pass, hence The Shadowed working on a cure.”
“Hold on… he thinks he can use Sylas to break the tether between him and Victor Halrow, doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
The look on his face, his easy answer… that was just the tip of the iceberg, though, it seemed.
