Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Author:Seressia Glass [Glass, Seressia]
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Fantasy fiction, Contemporary, Fiction - Fantasy, General, Fantasy, Fiction, Fantasy - Contemporary
ISBN: 9781439156797
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2010-01-24T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Khefar sat on the patio of a Greek restaurant with an unobstructed view of the Midtown building Kira had disappeared into. Just because he couldn’t follow her didn’t mean he couldn’t do reconnaissance.

The Shadowchaser was, as they say, a piece of work. So much power packed onto her frame. So much anger and sadness. Frustration and impotence. He recognized it, recognized it all. He’d been much the same way four thousand years ago, after losing his family and village. There were times when he still felt that rage, the bleak misery, the inability to find the action that would make everything all right.

Anansi slid into the seat opposite his. “You really blew that, you know.”

Khefar stifled a groan. “Thought you were out riding the rails?”

“How do you know I’m not?”

The waitress hurried up to him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Nansee?”

The demigod waggled his eyebrows. “So many things, my dear. Right now, I’ll settle for lunch.” He placed his order, a substantial amount given the feast he’d laid out at breakfast.

The waitress left, giggling. Anansi watched her retreating form, whistled in admiration, then leaned toward Khefar again. “Now, let’s get back to the task at hand.”

“And that task is?”

“Trying to determine how you can stay in Kira’s life long enough to save it. You need to change tactics, son of Nubia. That opening salvo over breakfast was disgracefully lacking in subtlety.”

“I offered to assist her—”

“No, you didn’t. You simply attempted to take over, convinced by your logic and reason that she’d instantly give in because you’re right. Then, when she refused your counsel, you proceeded to point out her shortcomings.” Anansi sat back. “Not your finest hour, my friend. Since when did returning from the dead make you so grumpy?”

“I am not grumpy. I’m concerned with her safety. And I did apologize.”

“Oh, I see. It was all part of some sort of psychological maneuvering, was it? Have you forgotten when you served under Kandake Amanirenas?”

Khefar rubbed his forehead. “Yes and no.”

“Did you learn nothing from dealing with powerful women? Kira may not be a queen, but she has the spirit of the best warrior queens. How many people have you met who would take on a seeker demon without hesitation?”

“Not many. I know she can handle herself, Nansee. I’m sure she can handle just about any situation that the Universe throws at her and take care of it. But no one’s taking care of her, and that’s what concerns me.”

The spider god looked at him for a long moment. It was a look, part speculation, part discernment, that always made Khefar uncomfortable and served to remind him that Nansee was Anansi, and definitely not human.

“You did not ask me,” said the demigod, “but if you did, I would say that offering friendship is the tack you need to take. She’s a Shadowchaser and more than capable of facing down her enemies. What she is probably not capable of is making friends. Sound familiar?”

“Should it?”

Anansi snorted. “You have more in common with her than you think.

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