Page 23 of Awakened Ash and Alchemy

Pete’s ears reddened. “I… asked her. Yes.”

Zarek didn’t share Martar’s amusement. As none of this sat right in his bones. He’d gone back to check on her, as duty required, to make sure the mortal had forgotten their encounter. He had only intended to clean up a loose thread.

Instead, the thread, that female annoyance, had tugged back.

Pete shifted in his seat, his tone cautious now. “I learned what I could after she left.”

Zarek’s gaze cut to him. “Speak.”

“Her name is Angela Duboise.”

Angela. Finally, he had a name. He’d spent way too many hours trying to guess, and now he had the simple, unassuming human name: Angela.

It suited her perfectly.

“She was raised by her aunt, Claudine Deveraux. They run the bookstore together. It belonged to Angela’s mother, who was a herbalist, which is why it’s part apothecary. It’s got a great reputation for unusual books and for restoring them too. I believe Claudine is a white witch. No powers, of course. But she’s very knowledgeable and has quite a collection in her store for esoteric supplies. All ethically sourced, too.”

Angela was educated in esoterica. Which explained why she hadn’t screamed in Zarek’s face during the Black Cloak confrontation in the alley.

Martar leaned forward. “And the father?”

Pete exhaled slowly. “No father’s name was found on Angela’s birth certificate.”

“That’s not possible.” Martar sat up with his brow shifting. “In Paradox, lineage is never unknown. Power follows blood. Even when names are concealed, they are recorded.” His gaze flickered to Zarek. “The Continuum Council would never allow a blank space on such a document as the record of birth.”

“There is no federal requirement to name a father on the birth certificate, as some children may be conceived by donors.” Again, Pete tugged on his bow tie as he cleared his throat. “But Angela’s certificate has nothing. No omission marks or amendments. Just… absence.”

Zarek’s fingers tightened on the edge of the table. In his world, bloodlines were carefully charted maps that were fiercely protected as proof of origin and authority. In Paradox, a missing title to parentage violated the laws of lineage.

“What else did you learn about her?” Zarek had employed the professor for answers, not more questions.

“Miss Duboise has a degree and is licensed to practice law—but doesn’t anymore, from what I could tell. Not sure why. But what that tells me is that she’s smart and did mention stalking laws…”

It took everything for Zarek to not drop his head in shame.

“… But she is rather practical, as a part bookshop owner. And, well…” Pete nervously licked his lower lip. “Miss Duboise is rather angry with you.”

“Good,” Zarek muttered, then immediately hated that he’d said it.

Martar’s eyebrows shot up. “Good?”

Zarek started pacing again, fighting the urge to do something physical that he’d regret later.

What annoyed him was that he couldn’t go to the bookshop. Its protective wards had teeth stopping him from crossing the threshold. And then there were the Accords…

He hated all those limitations, when they’d never bothered him before.

“Now that she’s baited you, I could go ask this female myself,” Martar said, savoring it.

Zarek shot him a look. “Stop enjoying this.”

“I’m more than enjoying this, brother.” Martar, the well-known charmer of women, chuckled. “I’m cherishing it.”

Zarek returned his attention to the professor. “What else did she say?”

“Miss Duboise said if you want answers, you can ask her to her face.”

Zarek’s mouth tightened. It wasn’t fear that prickled under his skin.