Alison was waiting for me when I arrived at Johnny's. I saw her standing by the door, bouncing impatiently on her toes as she stood there, alone. As soon as she spotted me she began to wave, jerking little motions with her hand, a wide smile plastered on her desperate face. My heart, already softening, cracked open and forgave her.She rushed forward the second I parked, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could feel every bone in her ribcage. Alison was always thin, but how did I miss she was turning into a skeleton?"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," endlessly, on and on, whispered into my ear until I pushed her gently away and tried a smile.Succeeded. "Al," I said. "It's okay."She shook her head, ponytail swinging wildly, tears standing in her blue eyes. "It's not," she said. "I should never have doubted you. I know better." She shifted from one foot to the other, hands winding together as if to keep from latching onto me again. "You're my best frie
I tried checking in on Dad, but he had the basement door warded. Part of me was pissed he wasn't paying attention when Celeste broke in, but the other half was grateful. It was probably those very wards which would have kept her from doing what she was trying to if I hadn't arrived home.That thought made me pause at the bottom of the first floor stairs. What if she wasn't heading for the basement? But if not, what was she after? I pondered the question all the way to my room. A brief touch behind Meira's door told me she was sleeping. At least I didn't have her to deal with tonight.There was still no Galleytrot waiting for me and nor could I reach him.I sat down at my computer and checked for messages. And no Quaid either. Great, it seemed everyone was ignoring me. Sassy lay curled up on the bed sleeping, so I let him, sliding under the covers myself.***The hum drives me to my knees, shaking my soul as the pounding footsteps draw closer. I lift my eyes, looking up at the Gate
I was a total idiot. So wrapped up in the O'Dane family tree I failed to consider the trap I headed for as I exited the library and down the hall to History.Late.She waited for me, right outside the door, a vulture hovering around a not quite dead carcass, lurking for the chance to feed. My death knell tolled the moment I looked up and into her glittering black eyes.They were full of triumph and more than a little smugness. Ms. Spaft didn't speak, just handed me the slip of pink paper before spinning on her heel and striding away.I considered crumpling it up and firing it at the back of her head, but I knew my demon would be tempted to add some power behind it and I would have no way to explain why she was suddenly unconscious from the blow of a paper ball.Stomping my way to class, I also considered skipping detention. But by the time History was wrapping up I knew I couldn't do it. Spaft would make my life even more miserable. I'd just have to do my time, take my punishment
My temper cooled a bit on the drive home, but I was still worked up enough I was happy the house was empty. At least I wouldn't have to inflict the rage still bouncing around inside me on my family.The anger I felt fell away in a surge of relief as I trudged into my bedroom and almost tripped over Galleytrot. Shaylee reached for him instantly, breaking through the static of my anger enough I realized I'd missed feeling him because of it.He swiped his tongue over my cheek as I hugged him. "I'm so glad you're back." Tears welled in my eyes, cracks forming in the veneer of control I'd managed to maintain. "Are you okay?"Galleytrot shook his heavy mane and growled soft assent. "I'm sorry to keep you out of the loop," he rumbled. I'd missed the elemental sound of his voice. "But I have a great deal to tell you.""Me too, but you first." I sat on the end of my bed, happy to finally be finding some answers. Who needed Liam and his rude-ass mother? I had a Fey dog of the Sidhe on my sid
The door creaked as Galleytrot and I fell silent, Sassafras letting himself into the gloom our conversation created. His silver fur immediately stood on end, tail thrashing as he looked back and forth between us.We quickly filled him in on the details while he curled up on the end of the bed to listen."You have to tell your mother," he said the moment I was done. "She needs to be brought up to speed on this."I knew he was right and instantly felt better. Of course. Mom. She'd come back right away, the moment she understood how dangerous this situation was. And while I was worried for Gram, I knew the old lady could take very good care of herself.And I needed my mom.I reached for her immediately, following the path of the family magic to her, using my demon power to boost my reach. She was still blocking me out, but when I threw all three magics at her, she reacted with instant fear.Syd, are you all right?Mom. I wanted to cry, clutching at the front of my T-shirt as if I h
Nerves took a hold of me the moment I realized what I'd done, so I went looking for a distraction to fill the next couple of hours."Where's Meira?" I reached out for my sister and came up blank. Even my demon couldn't track her down. She shielded as tightly as I always had, back when I wished I was normal.The twinge of that old wish returned for a minute before I sighed it away. With the acceptance of my magic and the many sides of my power came the inability to just walk away. And I really was okay with that. I just hoped my whole life wasn't lined up to be one dance with disaster to another.Several phone calls got me nothing. In fact, one of Meira's friends refused to talk to me at all. Her mother softly confessed she and Meira were on the outs, that Meira was mean to her at school and was hanging out with a different group.I immediately thought of the rude little snot Alicia and asked for her last name.Easy enough to track her down, as easy as Liam. Though my drive to Alic
When the knock came on the kitchen door, it made me shudder. The echo of the Gate was fresh enough I hated the sound, as shallow and real as it was compared to the booming of the Sidhe magic. I went to answer it, distracted, wondering why anyone in the coven would bother to knock.Sonja O'Dane stood on the other side, and she didn't look happy. In fact, Liam's mother's dark brown eyes flashed with barely suppressed anger, whole body trembling with it."I'm here to talk," she snapped without preamble, "and you're going to shut up and listen. You are to stay as far away from my son as you can and not say another word to him ever. Is that understood?" She backed up a half step before surging toward me again. "I mean it. If I find out you've been filling his head with more lies...""Mrs. O'Dane," I said, reaching for her, but she snatched herself out of my reach, still shaking."You'll be sorry," she snarled, "I swear it."Before I could say a word, argue, try to convince her further,
My trip to Liam's to track him down turned out to be a total bust. Yeah, story of my life. The house was dark, not a soul answered the door and I started to worry maybe he and his mother had picked up and moved again. I ran home, tried calling him, but without any luck.Crap. Galleytrot took off without me in search of him, or if that failed, his grandfather, and I let him go. I was tired and stressed out as it was. As soon as the black dog found Liam and/or Fergus he'd let me know.Dad was still out when I arrived home, but Meira had locked herself in her room with Sassafras. At least she was talking to him. The computer beckoned and I went to check for messages.It seemed like the moment I sat down Quaid was there and everything else went away.How are you?Awful. So happy you're around. I dumped everything on him in the next few minutes of furious typing. And now I can't find Liam and I need to find him so we can get to the damned Gate.You should be able to find it yourself,