The last remaining few were decapitated in consecutive bursts of movement.
And then it all ceased as quickly as it had begun, and a hooded figure with a metal mask in a worn leather jacket stood among them—all of them dead.
Ketheron tensed, on high alert, as the guy walked to us.
He tipped his head at us. “Remnant. Commander of the Shadowed.”
Lazriel’s father.
Ketheron scented him and confirmed, “They share blood. There is a scent match. He is telling the truth.”
“We are out of time,” Remnant announced. He looked at me. “We must perform the procedure now.”
“You already tested the viability of it with my blood?”
“We work swiftly,” was his barely-there answer.
“I will go with you,” Ketheron told me. He eyed Remnant. “He requires my safeguarding.”
Remnant stepped forward. “Do you see why I cannot allow that?”
Ketheron thought for a moment. “My presence would be like a beacon to them all. The Guardian Movement is keeping tabs on me. If I leave the apartment for too long, they will come.” He looked up at the sky. “That time is already approaching.”
Remnant nodded. “Power is only an asset when it is deployed efficiently, and with forethought and intelligence.” He added pointedly, “Especially yours. Do not allow them to poison that which you already are, the way that you already guard and approach your power. You understand why I am conveying this warning?”
“My reckless undertaking tonight born from Corvin.”
“Indeed. It was emotional, not strategically sound.” He gestured at me. “Especially not with his current state factored in. And it should have been factored in. Dearly.”
“Yes. It should have been.”
“Morvain is an enemy to The Shadowed. You are not alone in this burden. Take comfort in that.”
“And him?” I asked. Maybe demanded. “Is he an enemy to you who you are just currently placating?”
Remnant’s eyes glinted. “You are perfect for my son, I see. That is undeniably clear.” He held out his hand to Ketheron and assured him as they shook, “We consider you an ally. Like myself, you were battle born by forced circumstances, yet despite the abuse you have endured and all those who make the mistake of fearing what you are, you are gracious, smart, restrained, and you remain uncorrupted. That is a true rarity. The Shadowed recognizes and values that.”
That was… a hell of an answer.
An eruption of white light almost fucking blinded me as Cassius teleported in, materializing holding Velra and Lazriel.
Cassius zeroed in on Ketheron immediately. “You left the apartment and—” His gaze fell on the many fallen hostiles, thenrested on Remnant and he growled in warning at him, “What is the meaning of this?”
“Dad?” Lazriel cut in, striding up to him.
“You are late,” Remnant told him. “I believe I said twenty-four hours. It has been fifty-six.”
“Wow, could you be more specific and military-like?”
“You know well that I could be. If need be.”
Lazriel grunted. “I couldn’t just leave after reuniting with them after so long apart.”
Remnant’s eyes softened a little. “Then you are fortunate that things have shifted to allow you more time. Just not with the necromancer. He must be seen to this very night.”
“Then we’ll all go with you.”
“That cannot be accommodated. Not yet.”
