Free Pickup Styx by Liz Schulte Page A

it.”
    “Okay. That’s good. You father was smart, a hunter.”
    I nodded.
    “If he escaped and didn’t wish to be tracked, he would’ve left everything behind, including the ring. He knows you have access to witches and would use the ring to track him.”
    Sebastian had a point. If Father wanted to disappear, he would do a good job of it.
    “So, if your father is alive, the ring might still be at the house where he was held captive.”
    I frowned. “Perhaps. But if someone stole the ring and is now murdering fae, how would we know the difference? I would think Father would keep a low profile to ensure a surprise attack, not kill helpless subjects. Why would he draw attention to himself by random killings?” I looked around the quiet, dark forest again, but I still saw no signs of life. No animals, no insects—nothing except stillness. What type of magic could I not detect?
    “Unless he gave it to whomever he was working with,” Sebastian said.
    “Why would he do that?”
    “Distraction. If we’re chasing our tails, no one is guarding Selene.”
    “But she’s already dead. I don’t see the gain.”
    Sebastian rolled his neck. “He doesn’t know that.”
    I scratched my jaw. “We have less than twelve hours to find him and stop this before she gets back and he actually can hurt her. I won’t let her go, Sebastian.”
    “The fastest way to find your father is to find the person working for him. Maybe there’s something we missed in Smaragdine.”
    It only took a few moments in my father’s quarters to locate his ring. I tossed it to Sebastian. “Any other ideas?”
    “Did he only have the one?”
    “That I ever saw. I have mine.” I flashed my ring at him. “The only other ones were my mother’s and my sister’s, and they were wearing them when they died.”
    “Could another one have been forged?”
    “Only direct descendants get the crest.”
    “What about illegitimate descendants?”
    “You mean Jaron.” I shook my head. “I highly doubt Father gave anything to a half-elf.”
    “Jaron is the only one you know about. There could be others. Do you really know?”
    I ran my hand through my hair. It was possible. If one illegitimate child, why not two or ten? Then again, it was hard to imagine my father that way. “I don’t think the Abyss is filled with my half-siblings.”
    “There only needs to be one who wants to take the throne. Look what Jaron wanted and managed to do.”
    “With your help,” I couldn’t resist pointing out.
    Sebastian nodded and pressed his lips together, looking dutifully ashamed.
    We continued looking for clues, correspondence, anything that might point in a particular direction, but there was nothing. No indication that my father had been dealing with anyone. “Do you think the witches could trace my blood? Father might be able to leave behind his possessions, but we share blood.”
    He looked over at me. “Probably not without Selene.”
    “The coven is strong.”
    “But are they strong enough?” Sebastian thought about it for a moment. “If we could get her grandmother, maybe they have chance.”
    I didn’t love the idea of taking Edith away from Selene, but if it would help, we had to try. “You get the girls. I’ll get Edith.”
    I went to Sy first. He agreed to sit with Selene and Frost so Edith could come with me. Edith took more convincing.
    “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying with my granddaughter.” She remained firmly planted in her chair, clutching knitting needles.
    “But this is for Selene too,” I said gently. “Sy will be with her.”
    She glared at Sy leaning against the fireplace. “Don’t you have a job?”
    “Nothing that can’t wait,” he said. “You know I love Selene. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
    Edith looked doubtful. “Yeah, you’ve done a great job of that so far.”
    Sy stiffened. “I’m not overbearing. Selene has to live her life.”
    “She’s the only family I have.”
    “Then I guess