Curse Breaker Revealed: Curse Breaker, #10

By Melinda Kucsera

Sarn faces his worst nightmare. His son disappeared, and his best friend's beaten and left for dead. To top it all off, the man who almost killed him five years ago might have his son.

Sarn can't defeat him alone. Not when his magic will force him to obey that psychopath's orders. But what choice does he have?

Once Indentured, a man can claim nothing as his own, not even his son. With his home gone, there's nowhere left to hide. The truth is out, and it could destroy Sarn and his family.

Curse Breaker Revealed is the third book in the Revelation Arc. All secrets will be revealed. All lies will be exposed. The truth will out, and it will drag everyone into the light. No one will be spared. Who will survive the reckoning?

Find out in Curse Breaker Revealed.

Curse Breaker Revealed is the sequel to Curse Breaker Trapped.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melinda Kucsera
• Release date: Sep 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215981870

Melinda Kucsera

I write fantasy and science fiction novels and short stories usually at sword point. Everyone should have such eager characters......Hello readers!Yes, this is a fictional character speaking to you. My fellow characters just locked our scribe (Melinda) in a tower. She needs to finish our latest adventure.Want to meet us? Hop on over to get our first adventure for FREE: http://www.mkucsera.com/enchantedWe’re eager to entertain you with our magical mayhem. So go download our book! We're waiting for you.

Book preview

Copyright

Curse Breaker Revealed is © by Melinda Kucsera 2022

The cover is © by Melinda Kucsera 2022

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Table Of Contents

Copyright

Table Of Contents

The Curse Breaker Series

Curse Breaker Boxed Sets

Want Free Stuff?

Would You Leave A Review?

About Curse Breaker Revealed

A Chance Visit

Where Are They?

I Need to Talk to You

Shadows on the Heart

I Want to See Him

A New Plan

Don’t Drop Your Guard

Homeless

A New Adventure

Searching for A Home

Searching for A Dragon

I Won’t Tell You

Mind Games

It’s Gone

Where’s Ran?

Missing Pieces

More Mind Games

Let It Go

Lost And Found

The Twice-Born Still Lives

I Should Go

What Are You Doing Here?

Well, That Didn’t Work

I’m Not Alone

The Unhappy Prisoner

Where There’s a Will

Where Is He?

Someone Needs You

Bad News On Wings

Walking Into A Trap

Call Your Minions

Helping A Friend

Too Late To Stop Him

You Can’t Have Him

Strange Magic

A Knife From The Past

Lost In The Gray Between

Why Didn’t You Die?

Ranger On The Run

Out Of Body

Decision Point

Not Who I Expected

Time To Go

Out Of Control

Not Alone Anymore

Is Someone In Trouble?

Choose Your Death

Angel Stuff

Help Me, Sis

Teach Him A Lesson

They Know

I Can’t Leave Him

I’m Not Frozen

Draw Me A Map

Betrayed And Captured

A Complicated Escape

Should I Tell Them?

I Must Save Them

Let Me Help You

Talk To Your Angel

Live For Him

I’m Not A Monster

Can You Handle the Truth?

Who Are You?

Arguing Angels & OwlCats

No Death Needed

Where’s Home?

Your Magic Must Let Go

Talking To A Demon

Cookies & Consternation

Would You Leave A Review?

Want Free Stuff?

Memoriam & A Note From the Scribe

About The Author

I’d Love To Hear From You!

The Curse Breaker Series

Curse Breaker Boxed Sets

His Angelic Keeper Series

Curse Breaker’s Companion

Robin of Larkspur

Divergent Heroes

The Curse Breaker Series

A high-fantasy action/adventure series full of magic and mayhem with a Christian bent.

Other books in the Curse Breaker Series:

(Suggested Reading Order)

CURSE BREAKER: ENCHANTED

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER

CURSE BREAKER: DARKENS

CURSE BREAKER: FACETED

CURSE BREAKER: FALLS

CURSE BREAKER: SUNDERED

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER: HIDDEN

CURSE BREAKER: HIDDEN

SPELL OF SHADOW & LIGHT

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER FALLEN

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER TEMPTED

CURSE BREAKER FALLOUT

CURSE BREAKER TRAPPED

CURSE BREAKER REVEALED

CHAOS RISES*

CURSE BREAKER JOUSTS

*Forthcoming

Curse Breaker Boxed Sets

CURSE BREAKER BOOKS 1-3

(Includes Curse Breaker Enchanted, Curse Breaker Darkens, and Curse Breaker Faceted)

CURSE BREAKER BOOKS 4-6

(Includes Curse Breaker Falls, Curse Breaker Sundered, and Curse Breaker Hidden)

HIS ANGELIC KEEPER BOOKS 1-3

(Includes His Angelic Keeper, His Angelic Keeper Hidden, and His Angelic Keeper Fallen)

CURSE BREAKER BOOKS 7-9

(Includes Curse Breaker Fallout, Curse Breaker Trapped, and Curse Breaker Revealed)

*Forthcoming

Want Free Stuff?

So do we! Who are we? We’re the stars of the Curse Breaker series. Subscribe to our newsletter to get exclusive content, advanced access to extended previews, and our weekly adventure series delivered safely to your inbox by our digital dragon. Go to www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters now to sign up. 

—The cast of the Curse Breaker Series

Would You Leave A Review?

As fictional characters, we appreciate the feedback we receive. Reviews also help readers choose our book. Since we exist only when someone’s reading our stories, reviews are very important to us. So, if you’re enjoying the magical mayhem in this book, please consider letting everyone know by leaving a review. And tell everyone you meet about us.

Thank you for reading Curse Breaker Revealed.

About Curse Breaker Revealed

Sarn faces his worst nightmare. His son disappeared, and his best friend’s beaten and left for dead. To top it all off, the man who almost killed him five years ago might have his son.

Sarn can’t defeat him alone. Not when his magic will force him to obey that psychopath’s orders. But what choice does he have?

Once Indentured, a man can claim nothing as his own, not even his son. With his home gone, there’s nowhere left to hide. The truth is out, and it could destroy Sarn and his family.

Curse Breaker Revealed is the third book in the Revelation Arc. All secrets will be revealed. All lies will be exposed. The truth will out, and it will drag everyone into the light. No one will be spared. Who will survive the reckoning?

Find out in Curse Breaker Revealed.

Curse Breaker Revealed is the sequel to Curse Breaker Trapped.

A Chance Visit

Sarn followed his son through the corridor that led to the other side of the mountain where Inari and Nolo lived. But he didn’t hurry, and that wasn’t so Miren had enough time to finish his homework. Last Friday’s visit was short and awkward, and Sarn doubted this Friday would be any different. But worry twisted a knot in his gut despite that.

One Friday, Inari wouldn’t be home alone. Someone would visit, or Nolo would take a sick day, and he’d see Ran. It was inevitable now, and there was nothing Sarn could do about it except try to choose times when Nolo wouldn’t be home. But his hours were erratic since taking over for Jerlo a few weeks ago.

How long would the commander take off from work? Another week? Surely no more than that. I wish he’d go to work like normal so Nolo could keep regular hours again. Sarn hadn’t looked for Jerlo after their last run-in. I don’t want to talk to him.

Stop, Papa. We’re here. Ran jerked his arm backward.

Sarn blinked at the door in front of him. It wasn’t a long walk, but he couldn’t remember any of it. I see that.

Are you sure? Because you would have walked into it if I hadn’t stopped you. Ran looked at him with skeptical eyes, and he raised both brows in a silent question.

Thank you for that. I don’t want to walk into any doors. Sarn rubbed his face. He needed to think less and pay more attention to his surroundings.

You’re welcome. Ran knocked on the door in front of him. Inari, are you home? We came like we promised.

The door opened. And I’m here like I promised. Inari smiled at Ran, and he smiled back, but her voice had an edge meant for Sarn.

This was all his fault. Is Nolo home? Sarn rested a hand on Ran’s shoulder to stop him from entering.

No, he was called to a meeting about an hour ago. Come inside. Inari stepped away from the door. She wore the same blue dress as last Friday, but she’d pulled her hair back.

Thank God he made time yesterday to do some laundry, so he and Ran both wore clean green tunics and trousers today. I hope that proves I’m a good parent. But it might not, and the threat of discovery hung in the air like a storm about to break.

Are we going inside? Because that’s where the cookies are. Ran pried at the hand on his shoulder.

His son was right. They couldn’t stand here on the threshold all afternoon because Sarn promised to meet Nolo at twentieth bell. It was rude, and it wouldn’t help his case. What would help at this point?

Had they already passed the point of no return? Sarn shoved those thoughts aside before they could depress him. I won’t lose Ran. I’ll do whatever they ask to keep him. It was hard letting go, but Sarn did, one finger at a time, until Ran slipped out of his grasp and trudged inside.

Sarn swallowed his trepidation and followed his son. He still felt like something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what. The living room was neat and clean, and every rug, blanket, and pillow was in its place. Sarn stepped over a light-colored throw rug so his boots wouldn’t leave black marks on it. His magic didn’t sense anything amiss either when he queried it. But worry curled around his gut and squeezed it, despite the lack of evidence to support the uneasy feeling tensing him up.

Did you make any cookies? I promised I’d bring Uncle Miren some. Ran sniffed the air and smiled. Thankfully, he didn’t sense that anything was wrong. But the boy was too trusting.

Yes, I did. Would you like one? Inari gestured to the kitchen, but she didn’t take her eyes off the door.

Why was Inari so tense? Did she think he would hurt her? Is everything okay? Sarn rested a hand on his son’s shoulder again and stopped the boy from going any further into the apartment.

Ran glanced around. I don’t see anybody else here. Why wouldn’t everything be okay? But he stayed close to Sarn.

I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to find out. Sarn called up his magic, but it didn’t stray far from his side because he was tired and tense. It just scanned the hallway they stood in. But that wasn’t helpful.

Ran backed up until he stepped on Sarn’s boots. Are we in trouble?

I don’t know. Sarn squeezed his son’s shoulder, but he wouldn’t find out if they were in trouble until Inari spoke.

You can tell us what’s wrong. If there’s a monster here, Papa will get rid of it, and I’ll help. Ran turned his cuteness on Inari and smiled.

That was the last thing she expected him to say and it melted her reserve. There are no monsters here.

Well, there might be just one, but Sarn kept that to himself because he felt like a monster for what he’d done to her.

Do you know what always makes me feel better? Ran tapped his chest.

What? Inari crouched to be on his level.

Cookies. They make everything better. We should have some. Ran bounced on his toes. All his worries fled at the thought of cookies.

Inari laughed and extended her hand. And so we shall.

Ran clasped her hand and slipped out of Sarn’s grasp again. They strode through the living room to the table at the edge of the kitchen. But Inari kept glancing at the door behind him. Was she waiting for someone? No, she couldn’t be. She promised not to tell anyone about Ran. A bad feeling sliced through Sarn. Were those footsteps in the hall?

Are you expecting someone? Sarn leaned against the couch. He should take his son and go. He’d fulfilled his promise, but fear froze his feet to the spot. What if he ran into whoever was coming in the hallway? There would be nowhere to hide Ran.

Papa, are you okay? You got pale and quiet, and you only get like that when you’re scared. Are you scared, Papa? Ran glanced back at him as he entered the kitchen. But the promised cookies spurred him on.

The outer door opened before Sarn could pull up his head map, and Ranispara strode in.

Sorry I’m late. I came as soon as I could. Your note didn’t say what the problem was, just that it was urgent. So you’d better start talking. I need to get back out there. Inari? Where are you? Ranispara stepped into the foyer. Oh hello, Sarn. How are you? I’m glad you’re better, and who is this? Ranispara crouched when Ran rushed over to say hello.

Sarn had told his son probably a thousand times not to talk to strangers, but the boy never listened to him. He watched the tragedy play out in slow motion, but there wasn’t anything he could do to stop it. Ran past by just out of reach. Maybe he could have used his magic to grab the boy, but Sarn didn’t call it, and it didn’t rush to his aid either.

Ran skidded to a halt in front of Ranispara, and her eyes widened at the sight of him. Hi, I’m Ran. I’m his son. Ran pointed at Sarn. Who are you? Ran thrust his hand out.

Ranispara shook it. I’m Ranispara. I’m Inari’s friend, and I work with your father. Her gaze sought him out. Is he really your son? She mouthed that question, so she didn’t offend Ran.

Sarn nodded as he dropped onto the couch and put his head in his hands. You can’t tell anyone about him. They’ll take him away from me if you do, and I can’t live without him.

No. Nobody’s taking me away from you. You’re the best Papa in the world. Ran crashed into his legs.

Damn it. He shouldn’t have said that in front of Ran, but it was the truth. Sarn put his arms around his son, but nothing would ever be the same. Too many people knew about him now. It was only a matter of time before everyone knew. Then they’d take the boy away from him.

I’m sorry. Inari rested a hand on his shoulder.

What’s going on? What did I interrupt? Ranispara rose and faced Inari.

We have a bargain. He’ll come once a week with his son so I can make sure they’re both all right. Inari gestured to them.

Why wouldn’t we be? Ran glared at them as he ticked his points off on his fingers. Papa takes good care of me, and so does Uncle Miren. We play games. We read books, and sometimes we have adventures, but not lately because Papa is busy lighting crystals and doing other magical stuff.

I’m never too busy for you. Sarn hugged his son.

I know. But you’re too busy for adventures right now. And that’s okay because people need light, and you must light the crystals. When I get more magic, I’ll help you. Ran patted his knee.

Sarn hoped that day never came. He couldn’t imagine his son with his magic. Sarn didn’t know what to do now, either. Should he extract the same promise from Ranispara?

You don’t have to worry. I won’t tell anyone about him. Ranispara sat across from Sarn.

Do you promise? Ran squirmed until he faced her.

Yeah, I promise. Ranispara leaned forward and winked at him.

And just like that, she was bound to her word. Sarn covered his face again with his hands. This time, he wasn’t the one who’d bound her. Ran had done it with his little magical gift, and Sarn needed to have a long talk with him about that.

Promises are binding for mages, Sarn reminded his son, even though it was too late.

I know. Ran patted his knee again. But you needed that promise, and you didn’t want to ask for it, so I did it for you. That’s what family’s for. Ran shrugged, then wriggled out of his arms. Can we have cookies now?

Where Are They?

Where are we? Straymos turned and tried to make sense of his surroundings, but this hallway, or rather its decor and statuary, didn’t look familiar. Plants sprouted in between statues of fighters, and there were more than he’d ever seen in a single hallway. Maybe he should have let Mosel stay in control for a while longer.

We’re not in the Lower Quarters anymore. That was the only thing Straymos was certain about, but he’d just woken up.

No, we’re upstairs. I was headed to our flat. Mosel took the passenger seat in their mind.

Did you find them? Straymos hoped Mosel had. Metran and his friends disappeared a week ago, and they’d searched for them ever since then. But they hadn’t found them. Where could they hide that would cloak them from me while there’s a piece of my darkness inside them? That was the one question Straymos couldn’t answer, and it vexed him.

No, I didn’t find them while you rested. Maybe they left Mount Eredren altogether. They could have hopped on a ferry easily enough, and it could have carried them miles away from here by now. Mosel just had to point that out.

While that could be true, Straymos didn’t think Metran and his friends had left. They were too interested in Sarn and his son to just drop that and move on to something else. No, they were still here somewhere. How had they blocked him from knowing their location, or what they were doing?

I guessed how to create a minion, and I could have missed a step. That could be it, or Metran and his friends could have found an object or place under Mount Eredren that blocked his magic. Anything was possible here.

Yes, let me talk. I’m good at that, a child said from somewhere ahead, and his voice echoed in the hallway, followed by footsteps.

I know that voice. It’s Sarn’s son. Straymos turned. Where was the boy? Not in this hallway. Maybe in an adjacent one? There was an intersection ahead. This was the first time the kid had left the flat in the last week.

That’s not a bad idea, Sarn said. Where was he headed?

All questions about where Metran and his friends had gone disappeared from his mind. They no longer mattered since Sarn had his son with him. Straymos concentrated on the voices. Were they coming from that intersection? He hurried toward it and turned left into another hallway. Ahead, a familiar green glow preceded two dark man-shapes, one adult and one child. I’ve got you now.

Don’t get too close. Sarn is powerful, Mosel said, proving he was back on his side.

That was true. Straymos dropped back and slipped into the shadows behind Sarn and his son. The child chattered as he walked about cookies and stories, making it easy to follow them, even though Sarn didn’t say much. He didn’t need to. The child towing him talked enough for two people.

Be careful. I don’t want him to hurt you. Mosel stayed in the passenger seat, but he did reach over to slow them down.

Excitement pushed Straymos into a sprint. But Mosel was right. He should slow down. The wound Sovvan gave him didn’t hurt much now. Maybe it was finally healing. Straymos could check that later.

Stay back. He could blast us to smithereens. Mosel appeared in front of him with his hands extended to stop him.

Straymos paused behind a statue of an ax-toting woman. Would Sarn blast them with his magic? Probably not. Heroes didn’t do that kind of thing. Jealousy surged inside Straymos for what he could have been if a bunch of black magic practitioners hadn’t summoned and imprisoned him. But they couldn’t take his magic because that power was tied to the beast in his soul, and it threw its head back and howled for mage blood.

No! Don’t give into it. Don’t feed that beast. Mosel reached into their body and grabbed his spirit by the nape of his neck and dragged him back from the edge of madness. That’s over and done with now and has been for years. They’re all dead and you’re free. Mosel walked into their body and wrapped his arms around his spirit.

But no one controlled their body, so it slumped to the ground in the shadows as the mage and his son strode away. They never once glanced back as Straymos wrestled that beast down and the red tinge left his sight. He lay panting on the ground. His spirit and Mosel’s were as entwined as the vines carved on the floor under their cheek. Were they really dead? Straymos wanted to believe that, but it was so hard.

A stray cat padded over and bathed their face with her rough tongue as Straymos took control of their body again. The stone floor was cold. I’ll never be truly free as long as I’m on this plane. Not while a piece of Hell dwelled in him. But Mount Eredren was his home. Straymos rested a hand on his heart, and the area throbbed.

I wish you’d let me redeem you somehow. There must be a way. Mosel backed away and took his place in the passenger seat, but he still could see through their eyes.

There isn’t. Straymos shook his head and rose. Where had Sarn and his son gone? He no longer heard the kid. Either the boy had shut up or they’d reached their destination. And I didn’t see where that was. Straymos kicked a statue but not hard enough to hurt his foot.

What will you do now? Mosel asked.

That was a good question until the bits of himself he’d planted in Metran and his cronies finally responded. The foursome was on the move, but Straymos couldn’t tell where they were. Were they going to Sarn’s flat or somewhere else under the mountain?

Straymos leaned against a wall and tried to connect with the bits of himself in Metran and his friends, but nothing happened. Their thoughts didn’t drop into his mind. Damn. How is this whole minion thing supposed to work? Straymos ground his teeth.

I don’t know. I’ve never had a minion before. Mosel spread his hands.

Me either. And that was the problem. Straymos didn’t know if he’d even done this right. Maybe it took more than a bit of his darkness to create a minion. But there had to be a way to use that bit of himself he’d implanted in them.

Straymos pushed off the wall and headed back the way they’d come. Where were Metran and his friends headed?

The foursome must be climbing a staircase because they were ascending. Would they go after Sarn again? Straymos slipped into the shadows to think.

You did show him where Sarn lives, Mosel reminded him. Maybe they’re looking for his flat. Did you give them precise instructions?

Straymos tried to remember what he’d done last week and shrugged. I don’t know how much information passed to them. They might have just received an image. Straymos shrugged.

Could they find his door that way? Mosel asked.

I don’t know. Straymos had intended to lead them to Sarn’s place and use them to flush him and his son out since people who had no magic could knock on his door without the spells on it muffling them. But he no longer needed them for that since Sarn was out and about with his son.

I need to know what Metran and his friends are planning. Straymos closed his eyes and tried to connect with Valen instead, but nothing happened. Damn it. Before he could try again with one of Metran’s other friends, they split up. Where were they going? This was so infuriating. Straymos resisted the urge to tear his hair out.

Where are they going? Mosel pointed at the two dots moving away from Metran and Valen’s dots.

But Straymos didn’t have a map in his head, just four glowing dots and a lot of darkness. I don’t know, but I hope they’re looking for Sarn’s flat. Straymos jogged back to it just in case. Maybe he could help Metran find it.

Sarn wouldn’t see that coming, not with that boy distracting him, and Straymos couldn’t wait to see what would happen when Sarn and Metran clashed again. But first, he needed to find Metran.

How do you know Metran will accost him? Mosel asked.

I don’t know if he will. But Straymos hoped he would, and he could probably convince Metran to since a little of his darkness now lurked in the back of Metran’s mind, and it grew stronger as the distance between them shrank. Straymos almost shouted with joy. Metran must be headed to Sarn’s flat for another confrontation. Straymos willed him to find it.

Are you sure that’s a good idea? Mosel backed away from the passenger seat in their mind.

No, but I need to know what Sarn will do. It might tell Straymos how to trap a mage, and that thought put a skip in his step.

I Need to Talk to You

Ran’s question had broken the spell over them, and they’d proceeded to the kitchen and had cookies and milk. Somehow, it wasn’t awkward or weird. Inari had relaxed enough to pull out a deck of cards and shuffle it, but she didn’t deal any cards.

Thank God Ran talked nonstop. He answered all Ranispara’s questions, but Ran also ate way too many cookies before Sarn noticed and slid the jar away from him. That wasn’t good parenting. Sarn bit the inside of his lip and hoped no one else noticed how many cookies Ran had enjoyed. The little imp would have kept eating them too if Sarn hadn’t stopped him.

Sarn, Inari gestured to the balcony. Can I have a word with you?

All right. Sarn rose, and Ran reached for the cookie jar. No, you’ve had enough. If you keep eating those, you’ll never sleep. And Miren would never forgive him for that.

I just need two for Uncle Miren. I won’t eat anymore. Ran held up two fingers.

Okay, but only take two for him and wrap them in— Sarn glanced around, but he didn’t see anything to put the cookies in.

I’ll put them in my pocket. They’ll be safe there. Ran grinned and tried to look like he had no designs on those cookies by widening his eyes.

Sarn doubted that, but he couldn’t think of a better option.

Here. Put them in this. Inari produced a clean towel. You can return it next Friday.

Okay. Ran took the towel and laid it on the table.

Just take two cookies and wrap them up for Miren and no more, Sarn reminded him.

Okay. Ran reached into the jar.

I’ll watch him. You go have that chat, and then I’ll walk you out. Ranispara winked.

Sarn knew when to quit, so he pulled open the balcony door and stepped out. What did you want to talk about?

Inari patted the bench next to her. Sit.

I’ll stand. All I do is lay about and work magic. Sarn folded his arms.

I won’t apologize for inviting her. She’s my best friend, and I couldn’t keep this from her. Inari shuffled the deck of cards in her hands.

I know. I’m sorry I put you in this situation. I just want to keep him safe. But Sarn didn’t know if he could keep his son safe for much longer, not if Ran kept talking to strangers. One day, that habit would get his son into trouble. I just hope I’m there to save him when it does. Is that all you wanted to talk about?

No. You can’t keep this from my husband, and it isn’t fair to ask me to. You need to tell him about your son. He’ll be mad and hurt that you didn’t trust him, but in the end he’ll understand. He’s a father too. Inari drew a card, but she didn’t look at it.

Hi, Sarn. Nerule sat up. He’d been lying in the sun reading, but the sun was setting. Can I go inside now?

Yes. Sarn didn’t think it mattered anymore if Nerule saw his son. Everything was coming full circle anyway since he used to babysit Nerule when the boy was Ran’s age.

I have the cookies for Uncle Miren and some for you because you didn’t have any, Ran said through the kitchen window.

Tell Miren I said hi. Nerule picked up his book.

How do you know my uncle? Ran flung open the door to the balcony.

I see him at school. We’re not in the same class, but we’re both in the library, and sometimes we talk. Nerule shrugged.

Who are you? Ran pointed at Nerule.

I’m Nerule. I live here with my parents. He waved to Inari.

Oh. I’m Ran. He’s my Papa. You won’t tell anyone right? Ran squinted at him.

Who would I tell? Your uncle already knows about you. Nerule rose.

That’s true. He promised to read me an extra story if I brought him two cookies. Ran raised a towel-wrapped parcel as the bells of Mount Eredren rang. He counted their peels on his fingers and announced the hour. Seventeen. We should go. Uncle Miren only needed an hour to finish his homework. It was nice meeting you all, but we have to go now. Ran waved then padded toward the outer door.

I’d better go. It was good to see you again, Nerule. Sarn pushed off the rock wall he’d been leaning against.

You too. Nerule waved.

Think about what I said. Inari shuffled the deck again.

I will. Sarn pulled the door open and almost crashed into Ranispara in the kitchen.

He’s such a little darling, especially when he quotes you. Ranispara squeezed his arm. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. She released him.

Thank you. There was a lump in his throat, preventing him from saying more. Sarn hurried to the outer door and reached it just as Ran stood on tiptoe and turned the knob. The door swung in, and he backed away, giving Sarn enough time to stick his head out and check that the hallway was empty. It was. His shoulders slumped in relief.

Bye-bye, everyone! I’ll see you next week. Ran waved again, then slipped through the gap before Sarn could stop him.

Ran, wait for me. Sarn strode after him.

I can’t. We only have three hours until you have to go to work. Uncle Miren has to read me a story, and I want to meet more of your work friends. That’ll be a nice adventure. Ran skipped to the next intersection.

My what? Sarn caught up to him and stepped in front of his son.

Your work friends. Where do I go to meet them? I want to meet all the people you work with, so when you tell me stories, I can put faces to their names. Ran leaned around him and scanned the intersection. Which way, Papa?

Let’s go that way. Sarn waved to the hallway in front of them.

That way leads to Nulthir’s place. Are your work friends coming over tonight? Ran bounced on his toes.

No, they weren’t. How do I get into these situations? Had Ranispara put Ran up to this? Sarn sought a reason for them to head back to the dubious safety of Nulthir’s flat. You promised to bring my brother some cookies. Shouldn’t we drop them off first?

Yes, adventures are a hungry business. Let’s go. Ran raced ahead.

Sarn hurried after him. Wait, Ran, don’t run. Thank God he had longer legs than his son. He caught up to the boy, and this time, he caught Ran’s hand so he couldn’t run off again.

Sorry. I have a lot to do and not enough time. Ran grinned up at him.

You still need to be careful, and please stop talking to strangers. Sarn scanned the hallway.

What are strangers? I know you told me, but I forgot. Ran tapped his heels on the stone floor.

Anyone you don’t know is a stranger. Sarn sighed. He’d only told his son that a hundred times. How many more times would he have to say it before it sank in?

What if you know them? Is that person a stranger? Ran swung the parcel in his other hand.

Yes. Sarn rubbed the bridge of his nose. A tension headache throbbed behind his eyes. It would go away if he relaxed, but he couldn’t, not after what just happened.

You don’t want me to talk to anyone. Ran kicked a warrior statue as they passed it.

That was true. But talking to strangers could be dangerous for such a young child. How could he make his son understand? Sarn searched for a reason as they passed a potted plant. In the green glow of his eyes, it cast a long shadow over Ran. Sarn shuddered, then reminded himself why it was so dark here. He hadn’t relit the lumir crystal mosaic in this part of the mountain yet, so all the light in it came from his eyes right now. Stop seeing things in the shadows.

It’s okay, Papa. Ran patted his hand. You don’t like to talk to people, but I do. So when we meet people, let me do all the talking. Okay? Ran glanced up at him for confirmation.

No. Sarn covered his face with his free hand. He’d gone wrong somewhere with this explanation, and now Ran had the wrong idea about everything. It’s not like that.

Yes, it is. But that’s okay. Not everyone likes talking to people. Ran swung their clasped hands.

Voices echoed in the hallway aside from theirs before Sarn could argue the point, and he tensed for a whole new reason. Someone was coming, but from which direction?

Is trouble coming? Ran stopped, and Sarn almost walked into his son.

Maybe. But we’re almost there. Sarn gave his son a gentle shove toward Nulthir’s door.

It opened when Ran touched the rune next to the handle, but the boy glanced over his shoulder instead of entering. Sarn shoved him inside and shut the door as Metran and a man he didn’t recognize stepped out of the shadows.

Shadows on the Heart

Well, that was interesting. Ranispara collapsed on the couch after the door closed. Were you planning this last week when I brought you news of the Rider?

Yes. You’re my best friend. We have no secrets from each other. Inari saw no reason not to admit that, since it was the truth. Nor did she regret it. Sarn had brought this on himself. He and his adorable son had left, but their presence lingered like shadows on the rug.

"No, we don’t. But I feel bad. He went to such lengths to keep that sunny boy a secret,