Daybreak, BK 4 of the Lightwalkers

IX - Seth

Sam ushered us into the library, and I swear I was stepping on to the set of Downton Abbey. The walls that weren't covered in shelves of books were wood paneled or papered in blue silk. Nick was seated in front of one of the giant windows along the left side of the room, that looked out over the sleeping, overgrown garden. He studied the chessboard on the table next to him, not even looking up as Sam announced us.

"Lord Jayger and Remi have returned with Seth and Seth's friend, Bryson Fisher, formerly of Orion's Order," Sam said with a short bow.

Nick waved dismissively, a grim expression set on his face. "Samera, please ask Tuari to join us as soon as he returns."

Sam bowed again and left the room, closing the library doors on her way out.

"Have a seat, please." Nick gestured to the long couch that faced him and the windows.

"Park it," Jay said sternly when Remi didn't move, but his hands were gentle as he helped the Caster to the nearest armchair.

I caught sight of Remi's eye roll as I took the seat closest to him on the couch, and bit my lip to keep from grinning.

Jay sat on the other end of the couch, looking tired and run down. To be fair, he had driven the whole way here, after that fight with the Order. He'd refused both me and Bryson when we'd offered to drive. I could only imagine how tired he had to be.

"Seth."

I looked up at Nick to find him focused on me, his face passive. My stomach turned. I felt awful for the way I'd left his condo before. And even though I'd stormed out, he'd still sent Remi and Jay after me to help. Reaching inside my jacket, and touched the handle of the knife. A wave a calm washed over me. I met Nick's eyes.

"I'm sorry, for the way I left last time. That wasn't fair to you."

Surprise flickered through Nick's eyes. "I promise you, Seth, I am on your side here. I want to help you get your brother back. But I'll be honest, I'm afraid of the condition he will be in when we extract him from Michaela's group."

Fear shot through me, my voice escaping my lips in a whisper. "Do you think she's hurt him?"

Nick frowned and nodded. "It's a very good possibility."

Dropping my hand into my hands, I fought against a surge of rage and sorrow that I had no control over. I'd taken too long, I'd made this mess worse by going off to the Order and not thinking this through.

There was a rustle of cloth as a hand gripped my shoulder. Remi's voice was soft as he leaned in. "It's not certain yet. And whatever the outcome, we'll be right here with you."

The silence that filled the library was overwhelming, especially with the weight of everyone's eyes on me. Almost as if they were waiting for me to break down or storm off in a rage. I guess I'd given them a few good examples of that.

I pulled the knife out of my jacket pocket and focused on that instead of the way my muscles hummed under my skin. The heft and leather of the knife in its casing had a calming effect as I focused on my breathing. Nothing was certain, not until we got Jon back and I saw him with my own eyes. Until then, I just needed to focus on what I could do at this moment to move forward.

"What's the next step, then? You know where he is, so why are we still here?"

As stunned silence overtook the room, I glanced at everyone in turn, until I focused on Nick.
"We have a plan and help in place," he said and rose to his feet. "And hopefully, by tomorrow evening, you and your brother will be reunited."

"I want to help, I want to be there for him. He's got to be scared out of his mind. If I'm there, it'll help him-"

"We understand what you're saying, Seth," Jay said, shifting forward to meet my gaze. "But we need to keep you safe as well. This is not going to be easy. What happened at Orion's mansion will look like a tea party compared to what is likely to happen when we go in for your brother."