Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 18

Mallory and Kalen paused in front of the French doors leading into the big mansion James Wilson called his home. Kalen remembered being there only the day before and wondered at how James would react to seeing him again. Would he be thrown out again, or would James let him stay because of Mallory?

Mallory stepped forward and knocked twice of the door. Almost instantly, the door swung open and they entered. James Wilston was standing in the middle of the large stairway that occupied Kalen’s entire field of vision. James was certainly someone with a lot of wealth, his house being bigger than even Andreas’.

“Kalen Dragonov, I did not expect you to return so quickly,” James said and Mallory’s eyes narrowed slightly as her head cocked to Kalen. Kalen raised his eyebrows at her. “Why are you here?”

Mallory shook her head. “We came to ask you if you could help us. Kalen needs to know who his parents are or were.”

“And what makes you think I’d help him now that he has brought you along?”

“You knew my father –“

“And that means I will help you?” James said, cutting her off. “I know exactly who you are, Mallory, and just because your father was a good friend of mine, does not mean I will show you any favor. I stand firm on my position; Kalen simply is not ready to know.”

“And who are you to decide what he’s ready for when?” Mallory challenged.

James slowly descended the stairs. “Unfortunately for you, little girl, I’m the one with the information. That is what gives me the power to make decisions like that.”

“What’s your price?” Kalen asked, interjecting and both of their heads turned to him.

“Price? What gave you the idea I can be bought?” James inquired, his eyes narrowed now, his usual clam, relaxed demeanor forgotten.

“Everyone has a price, so what’s yours?”

James took a step to Kalen. “Let’s assume you are right, boy, you will still not have enough to make me give you that information.”

“So it must be very big then, if you are keeping it from him,” Mallory said, crossing her arms over her chest.

James sighed. “This is why I’m glad I only had to raise one kid. I simply do not have the patience to deal with the youth of today. Or is it only the two of you that are annoying?”

“Don’t I have a right to know my own lineage?” Kalen asked, his tone taking on a sharp edge.

“What will you do when you have that information? If anything, you’ve only continued to show me how unworthy you truly are. Bringing a girl with you because you think I can be swayed from my stance because of a past allegiance? You are naïve.”

“And you think you control the world because you happen to know the information we seek. You are not as powerful as you believe yourself to be!” Mallory said, he tempter getting the best of her.

“If you hold all the information, you hold all the cards. The one thing people always needs is information.”

Just in that moment the French doors burst open again. Two girls came in, the one falling to the floor. “Father, I need help!” the woman still standing yelled, a note of urgency in her voice. She must be the child he said he raised. Kalen and Mallory stood there watching, their faces horror-struck.

James knelt down next to the other girl and placed his hand on her forehead a breeze filled the room, lifting his hair. Kalen noticed his eyes glowing a light green, a sudden change from the brown they were before. In a second it was gone and the woman on the floor sat up in a start, gasping. She clung to the other woman, her eyes wild and frightened. Her eyes a deep brown. Her eyes so familiar. Kalen’s mouth dropped open the minute those eyes locked with his.

“Kalen?” she asked, her eyes widening.

He was too dumbstruck to speak. It was impossible. He had felt her energy leave the earth plane. He had felt her die. It wasn’t possible. But the longer he looked at her, the more real she became. She was dirty and looked like she had been through hell and back. But there was no denying it, no getting around the fact.

Lana was alive.