The moment my knuckles touched the door it sprang inward as if the sweet-faced old woman on the other side had been standing there waiting for me.Violet clapped her hands in glee, bright eyes sparkling. She lunged forward, grabbing my hands, the courtesy of power shared in a rush as she latched onto my magic and hugged it like I was a favorite granddaughter come to visit at last."Oh my dear," she gushed, pulling me down to kiss my cheek, the scent of rose powder and wine floating around her. "I'm so delighted to finally meet you!"I couldn't help but smile at her, letting her drag me inside, kicking the door shut behind us with one foot. She slid across the polished floor on her sockettes, tugging me down beside her on a settee while a sweetly smiling woman who looked like she was perfectly round poured us a glass of wine.Um, wine? I shook my head gently. Alcohol and witches were a big no-no, though some could handle it. Violet was obviously one who could.Or thought she could.
This time I didn't wait for everyone else to file out. I needed to talk to Sunny right away. For once, I really believed Batsheva was right, though for totally different reasons. Sebastian was important in all this. If we could find him, free him, bring him here...If he fulfilled Batsheva's promise, showed up and ordered the witches out, this could all be over very quickly.I reached out to the beautiful blonde vampire as gently as I could and felt her latch onto me. Her anger was still turned to HIGH but she was doing a better job hiding it. I rushed out into the main hall and found her there, waiting for me, surrounded by jittery, pissed off vampires. But there were only two faces in her particular group I cared about.Uncle Frank held himself rigid next to Sunny and I made no attempt to hug him or show any kind of personal attachment. Not while we were being watched by Enforcers and other witches who seemed uncertain as to what to do now, milling about with uncomfortable looks o
The shockwave hit like a freight train, rocking both myself and the person pinning me to the ground, the wash of intense heat making my lungs ache, my skin tight. I blinked against the dust blown behind the explosion, choking on it, trying to draw breath into compressed lungs."Off," I managed around my gasping. The body on top of me rolled free, landed next to me. I locked eyes with Charlotte, the werewolf Galleytrot freed long ago. Her eyes were a wolf's eyes, but the rest of her was still human."You're well?" She asked in her softly accented voice. The thrum of sound the concussion left behind made it hard to hear.I nodded, gasping for breath, staring at the burning wreck that had been Minnie.Damn it. I loved that car.Charlotte found her feet, springing up like she'd been on the ground by choice, her hands reaching for mine, pulling me up."Smelled the bomb components," she said."Thank you." I felt my hands clenching into fists. Why wasn't I scared? My demon snarled her
I planned to ride the veil to get home since Minnie was no longer an option. But the approach of two Enforcers put a damper on my idea."This way, coven leader." They glared at Charlotte and her pack mates, but I put myself between her and the black-robed witches and glared right back."Thank you for the escort," I grated. "We're ready to leave now." I pushed past them, not sure where I was supposed to be going, only wanting-needing-to show them who was boss.No way were they pushing me around. I was so not in the mood.Luckily, I didn't have to go far to figure out my ride. A large family van pulled up in front of me, the back door opening with a push of Enforcer magic.Arrogant asses. Whatever.I waited for Charlotte to precede me, or tried to make it look that way. She latched onto my arm and pulled me to a halt, swinging past me with her friends flanking the vehicle. They circled it, snuffling and talking in their Eastern European language. The two Enforcers with me looked an
They argued. They shouted, listed the reasons why this was a very bad idea. But in the end, I won. Because they knew I was right.With Sebastian on our side, Mom would be home free.She was worth the risk.I sat in Quaid's lap again, feet swinging, feeling his breath on my neck as he bent to press his lips to my cheek. The connection of our power was instant and full of fire, but I didn't have time for it at the moment and, to his credit, he pulled away with a sigh, clearly understanding it too."We need him," I said, though I inwardly shuddered at the thought of the blood clan leader. The last time I'd seen him, he was a shining star, an angel of death, the most horrible and beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on. Already devastatingly attractive, the vampire virus he'd ingested, taken from those of his clan who had fed on Cesard before he died, turned Sebastian into some kind of super vampire, an incarnation of what his kind was meant to be. The former Firblog magician, host to th
I remembered that walk, taken with Quaid, down the long, dark tunnel, on our way to face Cesard and rescue the people he'd taken. It seemed like so long ago, yet the feeling was so familiar it all flooded back as if it was happening all over again. I fought the urge to look around, to feel for Quaid, knowing he wasn't there with me, that two vampires followed my lead instead and this time, I was the one in charge.Not my mother.The idea scared me more than a little bit.The soft glow of permalight beckoned from up ahead. I emerged into the large cavern with a sharp exhale, only then realizing I'd been holding my breath. Part of me worried the vampire would jump out at us, and I'd either succumb to the pull of his power or be forced to kill him. Neither of those options worked for me.At least the demon binding was no longer in place. Whoever restored the elemental wards had failed to return the muffling pressure of the demon proofing which held the demon Torsh here for millennia,
Dad arrived in a rush of energy, the veil tearing as he burst through. He wavered above me, in full demon form, his energy nearly as powerful as when he crossed into his effigy. It made me wonder how strong he was on Demonicon and if it made a difference."Syd." His voice boomed in the cave. "Tell me what you need."Love and gratitude surged inside me and I caught myself blinking away even more tears. I was turning into my mother for sure, a freaking supernatural faucet. But I loved the fact he didn't hesitate, didn't ask questions, just offered his support.No matter what happened before, the old resentment I'd finally released, tied to his life-long absence, I knew then I had the best dad.Ever.I filled him in quickly. Or started to. Just as I began to tell him everything, the veil parted further and the glowing image of Theridialis appeared next to him. I felt my hope rise even further. Sassafras's father was a preeminent demon scientist, a brilliant mind. If these two demon
I sat with my head in my hands, whole body trembling from the aftermath of agony I'd endured. I was sure if I tried to move or speak I'd shatter into a million, bite sized Syd pieces.The world went on around me, Theridialis chattering with great excitement."Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Have you ever felt anything like it, Haralthazar?" Dad must have answered to the negative because Theridialis went on. "Nor I, my friend. A living entity whose sole purpose is to feed from the life force of another. Like a parasite, only spirit based."Someone groaned. It was enough for me to risk looking up. I'm glad I did, because it proved to me I wasn't going to fall apart after all. And better, I was there to see Sebastian sit up, shake his head, raise his gaze and meet mine."Demon child," he whispered, voice still slightly hoarse, but completely recognizable. "Are you well?"Hell of a thing to be asking me considering what he'd just gone through. I managed a nod, weariness making my h
How was this for a happy ending?Bittersweet, this walk down the halls of the newly restored mansion. I'd been through this before, but I knew this time, I didn't have anything hanging over my head.I loved Liam. But I was finally marrying the man I was meant to be with.The pressure was off this time too, our battles won. I could enjoy my wedding without worrying about Fate or the Brotherhood or Ameline looming in the near future.Awesome.I even found Wilding Springs was fine without the influence of the Gate, just as Fergus said. That it still felt like magic. Probably a combination of the century or so of the Gate's influence deeply mired in the whole town. Not to mention the presence of the Wild Hunt still snoozing in my back yard.And the coven.I didn't worry we'd have to move anytime soon. Good thing. I kind of liked being in one place for once.Made me think of Sonja, of Liam again. His mother disappeared after the night she met Gabriel. I tried to look for her, feelin
Another mirror. Another dress. Totally different experience.I stood on what amounted to a pedestal as at least a dozen or so giggling vampires tugged, pushed and laced me into the biggest, heaviest mass of fabric and jewels I'd ever seen in my entire life. The thing weighed so much I had to have my alter egos help me carry it so it wouldn't drive me to my knees.This was the punishment I got for picking out my first wedding dress alone.This one was, at least, the pale ivory I'd requested. White would have felt disrespectful to Liam's memory. And Mom happily acquiesced before losing her freaking mind.And when I appealed to Sunny for assistance in my mother's sudden loss of sanity?Yeah.I was surrounded by vampires, wasn't I?Shenka hovered, her ball gown sparkling, covered in as many gems as could possibly be stuck to her. Again Mom went with the jewel tones. I guess she figured a good idea was a terrible thing to waste.And considering only a handful of people had seen the
I sat on the side of my bed, looking out the window into the quiet street, the buzzing streetlight below me oddly comforting. I'd tried to sleep after returning home, put Gabriel to bed with Charlotte who met me at the front door after Sass, Galleytrot and I strolled home in the sharpening night air. Her massive scowl told me I was in horrible trouble as she took my son from me.Okay, so I didn't exactly put him to bed.Snort.Galleytrot and Sassafras naturally abandoned me for her room, leaving me alone. Which was fine, it really was. I had a hot shower, pulled on my favorite robe. Had a little cry. Not much. Just a pathetic little spill of tears I held over from the Gate.From Liam.And felt my heart ease at last.Wrapped myself in the love in my house, the people sleeping there. Shenka and Charlotte, Galleytrot and Sass. Gram and Demetrius. All of us, happy just to be home.But sleep wouldn't come. My mind struggled with belief. That Ameline was really dead. That Gabriel was
I looked down into my son's sleeping face before sinking into the rocking chair beside his crib and releasing of the last of my stress. He was really too big for the thing now, but I needed to do some thinking about a bed and a room for him and just didn't have the energy to deal.A soft, furry body landed in my lap, Sassafras purring as he kneaded my leg a few times before turning in a circle and settling himself."Nice to see them together again," he said.I knew exactly who he meant. Mom and Dad wasted no time taking off for Harvard for some private time. I blushed at the thought of my parents and what they were probably doing right now.Shudder.Galleytrot groaned from the end of the crib, eyes flaring with red fire as he looked up."What about you, Syd?" His rumbling voice shifted my shudder to a shiver. "Have you thought about a new mate?"Not going there. "I've been thinking," I said, totally changing the subject. Yes, on purpose. No judging. "About Gabriel and his power.
Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair."Comfy," she said. Winked.Oh. My. Swearword.Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you.""You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only fourteen with that evil grin, hands rubbing together in expectation. "I'm going to do some housecleaning first. Then the real fun will start."I shook my head, giggling. "Just leave a few of the planes standing."She shrugged, inspected her nails. "We'll see.""I take it the Node is fine?" It felt fine, Demonicon still intact at least."It was in balance long before Ahbi took up residence," Meira said. "She was only just hitchhiking anyway."I looked up at Dad who sighed deeply, lines of anxiety leaving his face."You're cra
The sparkling kneepads attached to my heavy leather pants caught the light of the triple suns overhead as I shifted for the millionth time, foot bobbing on the end of my crossed leg. Sassafras hissed at me. The bobbing stopped.For the moment. The longer we sat here, the more agitated I felt. Didn't help it took Pagomaris an age and a half to dress me while Meira was being man-handled in her bedroom."Your demon form would be so much easier to dress, Your Highness." Hopefulness lit the aide's eyes as she smiled and scrunched her shoulders like talking to me as if I were a child would endear her."Not." I scowled at her. "Work with this or nothing." I gestured down at my human form.And she sighed.Gestured for her minions to come forward.Left me to them as though I was no longer worth her effort, returning to my sister who grinned at me through the open door of her bedroom.Argh.I did concede to shifting my size, remembering how small I felt next to Meira when she was in demo
I glared at my reflection in the mirror. "I'm not going.""You are." Sassafras growled softly at me before sighing heavily. "And so am I, remember?""They're not going to make you wear a ridiculous outfit and parade around like you're their property." More glaring.I. Was. Not. Going.Sass hopped down from the bed and waddled to my side, tail quivering. "You can't let Meira down," he said, leaping into my lap. I stroked his fur absently. "It would be a terrible thing for her to have to sit through Harry's marriage alone.""So maybe he shouldn't get married." Whiny much? But there was the crux, wasn't it?Today was my father's wedding day.And the last place I wanted to be was Demonicon. In fact, a hole somewhere deep and far away would have been preferable. Anything other than having to endure my father marrying a demon.That would be the end for Mom and Dad. The real end. And I didn't think I could handle it."Harry has made his choice," Sassafras said, meeting my eyes in the
I was already turning and moving back inside by the time Mom began her little speech to wrap up the trial. I had no desire to listen, moving on from it though Celeste's foul stench remained on me. A quick push of magic cleared my nose, clothes and hair of the stink, even as I strode with ever-increasing speed toward the back of the now-emptying chamber and the hall beyond.A startled Enforcer was the lucky recipient of the bag of marshmallows, slapped against his chest on the way by.I seemed to have lost my appetite.Was so focused on my final target I almost ran right into Payten when she dodged out of the shadows of an archway and stepped in front of me.My first instinct was to hit her so hard with magic they wouldn't find her body.Ever.Second instinct was to flatten her into a Paytensquish and smear her all over the floor with my shoes.Yum.Third impulse won, partially because I was a sucker for a sobbing girl, Enforcer or not.Hated enemy or not.She radiated grief,
I'd sat here before, on a bench in the Council chamber, watching a trial unfold before me, Shenka at my side. But this one was far different. I had no regrets, no old grief-at least not for the creature about to stand before my mother.Any sorrow I felt around Celeste Oberman centered on the Hayle family members she'd killed. Martin and Louisa Vega, the darling couple who loved and cared about me when there were times no one else in the coven seemed to. Sandra Crossman, leaving her husband, James, alone to raise their daughter.Old wounds long since healed over, but never, ever forgotten.Worse, Gabriel wasn't with me. Antsy pants wriggled my butt in my velvet skirt as I fidgeted and held him tight with my magic while he laughed at something and ignored me.My own son, a traitor.Sigh.Shenka squeezed my hand, smiled a little. "He's fine," she said."I know," I whispered back. Not needing to. We weren't the only ones chattering. The gathering for Mia's burning-it seemed so long