“You know what he says about that,” Eduard reminded gently.
“Yes.” Cecil took a breath. “My mother had a liaison that resulted in my birth. It would not have been safe for me in any realm. But my mother had a very powerful friend. She found a way to bring me to the other realm as a companion to her young son. I could not have made the journey if I did not have some divine power of my own.”
Eduard tried not to react, but failed. “You are a god also?”
Cecil chuckled. “No, sir. I am the son of one, however.”
“Holy shit.”
Cecil laughed again. “Not all of us are meant to lead, sir. I certainly am not. Fortunately, I inherited some of my mother’s gift.”
Eduard felt the significance hanging between them even as the silence grew. “Cecil?”
“My mother has the ability to see what someone needs and help put them on the path to fulfillment. It is a beautiful power, one that is gentle and loving. It is how I am often able to provide for the needs of Sawyer and the guardians so intuitively.”
“That is a beautiful gift to have.”
“Yes. But my mother is much stronger. Although I have not been able to see her in many, many years, I recently sought out her company and her wisdom. Master Draco said he would do anything to keep Sawyer safe. I would as well.”
“Cecil, Sawyer would not want you at risk.”
“I was cautious,” Cecil said softly. “And my mother agreed to come. She must arrive in secrecy, but she will try to help bridge the gap and help us provide for his needs until he is stronger. She must see him to help, though. It is the nature of her gift. We must not speak of this, however,” Cecil said.
“Understood.”
“I wouldn’t want my mother in danger.”
“Absolutely. Tell me what needs to happen and we’ll make it work, okay?”
“Thank you for understanding. She will be here soon.”
“Of course, Cecil. And thank you for taking such a risk for us.”
Cecil paused once more, glancing down at the pool. Sawyer had tired already, sitting on the edge of the pool instead of swimming and splashing as he’d been moments before.
“We must resolve this issue quickly,” Cecil said quietly.
“How?”
“I do not know. But I know he’s running out of time.”
Desperate times did call for desperate measures. If Cecil was willing to risk exposure after remaining hidden and separated from his mother for so long, the times must be more desperate than Eduard even realized. He touched Cecil’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We will figure this out. I will double my efforts, pull anyone I can and have them working on nothing else.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Cecil left the room once more, closing the door behind him. Eduard’s phone buzzed once more, this one from the vampire security at the edge of the ward. His father had arrived, earlier than Eduard anticipated. He must have been close by, and whatever news he needed to discuss must be serious. They would deal with it, and then Eduard would ask his father for his biggest favor yet. If there were answers out there, Augustus Eastaughffe would find them. Between the three of them, Augustus, Victor, and Eduard, no stone would be left unturned. If help for Sawyer existed, they would track it down.
Andvari
Andvari waited at the edge of the wards as a group of vehicles arrived. Inside, his clan’s leader waited. Andvari couldn’t help the slight flutter of nerves at his arrival, and yet he knew he’d made his clan proud. Guards stepped out and once they’d secured the area, one of the rear doors opened, and the leader himself stepped out.
“Leader Hartwig,” Andvari said. He bowed his head and laid his fist over his heart.
“Andvari.”
Hartwig held both sides of his neck, his thumbs resting on the arteries briefly before releasing him.
“Welcome to our home, Leader. It is an honor to have you here.”
