“With my associations with you—people connected to the Guardian Movement too closely—he’ll also be extra cautious, so we’re talking days only once I return there before he’ll risk an approach.”
“I really don’t think it’s the best or healthiest idea for you to be alone at your log cabin in the middle of nowhere right now,” Velra told him.
“She has an extremely valid point,” I spoke.
“Like I said, he won’t approach me if others are there. Contacts like him are invaluable with the situation we find ourselves in. Something Lazriel realized and is acting on himself. But with how closely-guarded The Shadowed is with itself and its secrets, there’s a timing issue where his quest is concerned. I don’t have the same constraints with mine. They might not be able to go as deep as The Shadowed, but they can still go deeper than those on the level of the higher echelons of the supernatural world like the Guardian Movement and Unity Council can ever hope to.” He muttered under his breath. “Until they put my idea into effect once it’s ready.”
“What idea?” I queried.
“Something for another time. The point is, I need to go. And I need to go alone.” He eyed Velra. “Just for a few days. You have my word.”
“What will you do while you’re waiting for him to show?” she asked.
“Figure out this Dark Fae mind-meddling spell clusterfuckandthe damage that was done to the Valley of the Dead, now that I have all the information. It’s possible for me to determine that without magic, using formulas, precedents, facts, and theories.”
“Wow, the sort of work that would take years under normal circumstances,” Velra breathed.
“Well, I’ve never been normal,” he said, smirking.
“What about Arcanum Order?”
“I’m currentlyon leave.” He rolled his eyes. “They’re worried being around so much high-level magic won’t be good for me.”
“Kai’s doing?” I asked.
“He had a hand in that decision being made, yeah. It’s his way of trying to protect me.”
“Okay,” Velra agreed. “Just make sure you stay in contact. A lot.”
“I will,” he promised. “And while we’re at it, having all of this out, the two of you can actually wash up and get dressed with your magic, all right? It’s not going to break me to see it in front of me.” He gestured at me with my hair still wet and Velra in a towel. “Saves all this time-consuming shit where you’re supposed to be headed out to deal with those remaining enemies of Lazriel’s, those fuckers loyal to Strickland still wanting to avenge him.”
With that he winked at us, then disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Velra frowned at me. “He took that well.”
“Too well.”
“Yeah. Just like he’s taking his de-powered state in his stride. At least on the surface.”
“All we can do is keep an eye on the situation.” Which, clearly, would be difficult to do with him headed back to his log cabin. We’d just have to ensure it was only a brief return.
“If Lazriel was here, it would really help. Their dynamic… with the way Lazriel is… he’d be able to cut through all this from Sylas in his very special way.”
“Indeed,” I agreed. “Would you prefer me to erect the ward around Sylas’ home, or have Ketheron do it when he returns from Haven Initiative within the next couple of hours?”
“I’d say you’d be better doing it. Ketheron doesn’t like anyone being in danger, so I can imagine him locking Sylas down where Charles won’t even be able to get up close to the door.”
“Yes,” I said, with a smile. “I could definitely see that happening.”
I went to reach out to her, but a sudden whirring hum pulled me up short, startling us both.
It reverberated through me and I saw her shudder as she felt it as well.
Blackline Protocol.
An emergency warning system that could be heard and felt by all supernatural beings, that served to alert everyone to a high-level threat in their midst, urging them to safeguard themselves and take protective precautions and measures immediately.
Ryker Morgan had activated it via the Guardian Movement.
