Foot steps on the floor above headed toward the stair. He had come alone, unwilling to bring anyone else into the fire, so to speak. When a search of the house proper yielded no sign of his father, he knew the only way was down, and he had to steel himself for the journey to the basement floor.
The stench was nearly over powering, and he thought to burn the place just to eradicate it. Descending the steps with gun drawn, he stopped a few steps from the bottom, when he saw his father and the witch. It took a concentrated effort to sense Rurik's heart beat, the faint thrum of his blood pumping.
If Ilya ever questioned Rurik's strength, he knew now the witch had to be one of the strongest, to live in his present condition. It occurred to Ilya to ask Kai what he would have him do, but he remained silent, giving his father the opportunity to acknowledge him first.