Shadow Rising by Yasmine Galenorn Page A

in the light of the eye catchers.
    The carriage stopped in front of us and the door opened. Out stepped a man, a little taller than Camille, who looked just like her. Sephreh ob Tanu. Our father. He glanced at the bodies on the ground.
    “I apologize for my tardiness. I was held up by official business. Please, get in. We have little time and much to discuss.”
    Without a word, we climbed into the spacious carriage that was made for large groups. I looked at Father as he settled in beside Chase, but he said nothing as the door shut, and we were off, once again, into the night.
    But Father didn’t take us to the palace. Instead, we headed for a smallish building on the outskirts of the Court. A step down, definitely, from an office under the Queen’s watchful eye, but also providing more freedom.
    As we pulled up to the building and clambered out of the carriage, my father lingered at the door, reaching up to help the three of us girls down. I looked at his hand, ignored it, and leaped lightly to the grass. Camille stared at him, then took Trillian’s hand and stepped gracefully down the steps. Delilah bit her lip, but then accepted Father’s hand, for only a moment, and let go the minute her foot touched the ground.
    “So, is this where you’re working now?” Somebody had to break the ice and though I was willing to let it stay frozen, for Camille’s sake, I decided to take the bull by the horns.
    Sephreh nodded. “Yes, these are my new headquarters.” He paused, then let out a long sigh. “You’re going to find out soon enough. I’m no longer the Ambassador. As of yesterday morning, I’m now back in the Des’Estar, but I’ve been promoted to special ops. I’m the liaison between the OIA and the Des’Estar.”
    “Congratulations?” I wasn’t sure what to say. Being demoted from the status of advisor and ambassador couldn’t feel good, but this was a major promotion in the Guard, something Father had worked toward for years. They’d passed him over time and again because of Mother’s human heritage.
    Sephreh perked up. “Thank you, Menolly. I’ve waited a long time for this. As to the position of advisor, it was an ill fit, shall we say. And before you ask, the Queen and I are no longer…involved.” He didn’t look all that upset. I had a feeling their breakup hadn’t left him heartbroken.
    Camille gave him a long look, then swept into the building, Trillian behind her. Delilah hesitated, then followed her, along with Shade, Vanzir, and Roz. Chase glanced at me. I nodded for him to go in. After my father and I were alone, I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms.
    “You going to apologize to Camille? Because if you don’t, we might as well pack up and head home.” It was time for straight talk. No more pussyfooting around. Camille wouldn’t talk to him, and Delilah couldn’t bring herself to confront him, so it was up to me.
    Our father tilted his head, giving me a mirthless smile. “You were never one for subtlety, were you? You always were independent. But I never expected Camille to disobey my wishes.”
    I snorted. “I have no use for diplomacy. Not in situations like this one. Face it,
Dad
.
You fucked up.
You cast aside all of Camille’s love and devotion, and everything she ever did for you.
For us.
You left her out in the cold. And when she was captured by Hyto, you were a total prick.”
    “I realize I made a mistake—”
    “
Mistake
my fucking ass. Do you
know
what happened to your daughter? Do you know what that pervert did to her? He ripped her heart to shreds, and bruised her body along with it. Her own father-in-law raped her, humiliated her, and beat her senseless.
But she survived.
She survived like
I
survived what Dredge did to me.”
    “Please, don’t—” He held up his hand, but I wasn’t hearing any of that bullshit.
    “Oh no! You don’t get off that easy. You made a
mistake
?Well,
pity you
. We’ve paid for your mistakes. You may not like the fact that