Why are parties all the same? Indoor, outdoor, normals, witches-didn't seem to matter. Put a bunch of kids together without supervision and access to alcohol and kablooie, instant mess.I was beginning to accept the fact I was just a prude and there was nothing I could do about it. Or wanted to for that matter. Especially when I was in the kind of headspace where everything sucked.Oh, I tried to fit in with the upperclassmen, even accepted a glass of cold beer just so they'd stop offering. It quickly warmed, but that was okay because I had no intention of sampling the stuff. A few sniffs told me the bouquet hadn't improved since my first encounter with it, the night Suzanne, the cheer squad leader, had summoned up the spirit of Cesard and turned that particular party into a mass exodus of screaming teenagers.Still, it was better being here at the party, surrounded by a crowd of drunk people, often shoved or bumped into or toes trodden on than being back in my dorm, stewing over th
I couldn't make myself move. "There's nothing wrong with that," I said at last. "We're associated with a clan. Hell, my uncle is one of them."Sassy just glared at the house. "There's a treaty here, remember? No vampires allowed. And yes, it's only meant to protect the Yard, but all of the clans are to stay away from this entire school."Charlotte's nostrils flared as she snuffled the air. "I admit, I've been feeling uneasy," she finally said, "but there's been nothing concrete. I haven't felt any vampires, not blatantly. Perhaps the wards are old, left over from a former association."It was pretty clear from their strength how fresh the shields were, so she was wrong."We have to inform Miriam." Sassy finally turned away from his observation, meeting my eyes with his, the deep glow of his power shining in the darkness.I wasn't about to argue with him because I agreed one hundred percent. A quick slip through the veil put us back in the Yard. Surprisingly, there was no reaction
Charlotte kept her distance as I started walking. Not toward my dorm, not yet. I couldn't sleep yet. Instead, I began a slow circle of the Yard, head down, eyes locked on the path, but mind far away as I struggled with my emotions. Now that Sassafras was on the job with the boys, all of the pain and confusion came rushing back.We had only gone half way around the circle, tall trees drenching the Yard in deep shadows, when Charlotte's soft hiss pulled me to a halt. I looked up and caught sight of Quaid outside what had to have been his dorm.With her. The honey-blonde pressed against his arm, a low laugh reaching me through the dark and quiet. He laughed in return, head bent toward her. An intimate moment, one reminding me of the same connection he and I shared.I wanted to be angry, to be jealous. But as I stood there in the night and forced myself to gulp cool air while I watched the guy I loved with another girl, my heart, already in trouble when it came to Quaid, shrank and crac
My whole body was warm, tingly. It felt odd yet amazing at the same time to wake to the touch of him pressed against me, skin soft and rough, stirring up all kinds of fabulousness. Light and heat touched my face, forcing my eyes to flicker open and blink into the morning sunlight. I stretched, sighing in happiness, everything about this particular morning absolutely perfect.I'd been worried about us why? Hard to recall with the guy I loved snuggled up beside me, bare chest so delicious I wanted to eat him up, the pentagram tattoo I adored dark in the morning light. While I may have been running on total instinct last night, it was clear Quaid at least had some prior experience. And though a sad little part of me wished it had been our first time together, my happy body was quite pleased he'd known what he was doing.Shiver.Yes. Perfect. Everything had been perfect. Including the thrill of magic tying us together, magic that had nothing to do with the connection we already shared.
I made it all the way across the Yard and to Quaid's dorm only to reach for him and find out he wasn't even home. Which naturally made my mind spin in circles wondering where he'd gone and who he was with.The image of the honey-blonde hanging off him, her oversized chest pressed to his arm, made my skin tight with pent up anxiety. I'd already accepted while it had been my first time, this wasn't Quaid's first romp under the sheets. The juvenile idea he'd had condoms in his room just for the two of us now seemed totally ridiculous, another lie I told myself. Was he with her now? No way was I sleeping, not with worst-case scenarios playing out in my head.I know I should have gone back to my dorm and fetched Charlotte, but I couldn't bring myself to go back, just in case I ran into Sashenka and had to try to explain. And I was in no mood to fight with my bodywere either. Once she found out I'd knocked her out for the second time so I could sneak off, I'd suffer for it, I was sure.Be
My demon roared in fury, lashing out on her own while I fought the now screeching virus. Shaylee tapped the earth, driving blades of green fire up around me, forming a circle of protection even as my demon sent a sheet of pure amber power out toward the attacking vampires.For an instant I worried they were friendly. Were we attacking Sebastian's clan by accident? But that fear was gone the moment one of the vampires lunged forward through the power barriers and struck me.Wait a second. How...? I staggered backward, jerking the virus in its marble gem free and clutching it in my hand, the brightness of its glow streaming out from between my fingers like I attempted to contain a blazing sun. There was no time to think as I fought back, wrapping up my attacker in a column of blue magic which he stepped through, three of his friends at his side as the rest fought off my demon and Shaylee's defenses.This wasn't possible. They shouldn't have been able to break through my magic, not all
What is it about the power of a heartbeat? A whole lifetime can be lived between one pulse and the next. Or, at least, it felt that way to me.When I opened my eyes in Mom's quarters, everything came into sharp focus. Her face hovering over mine, fear clear in her blue eyes, the scent of roasted meat mingling with some kind of scented candle burning nearby. The very touch of my clothing was foreign, abrasive in some areas, soft and flexible in others, while the brush of Mom's fingers over my cheek felt like dual paths of fire sending shivers down my spine."Syd." Mom's voice was so clear it had edges. How odd. "Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"Like I'd had some kind of flu? A fainting spell? Her tension hovered around her, anxiety as clear as the glowing blue, green, amber and white aura surrounding her in a shimmering field. How had I never noticed it before?"I'm fine." And I was. I sat up as I spoke, movements almost effortless, powerful. She pulled back, sitting next to me as
I wasn't surprised when Charlotte practically took my arm on the walk back to my dorm, nor by the feeling of watchers dressed in black robes who observed us as we made our way the very short distance back to my hall. It was almost funny, actually, but my weregirl companion wasn't laughing and neither were the Enforcers who stood guard, so I held in my amusement.The feeling that everything was sharper and clearer had begun to fade, as was my ability to feel and almost see the emotions of those around me. I found myself missing the intimacy of it, though had to admit it would make life more complicated if I was constantly distracted by the emotions of others. Still, it was nice to have insights I'd never had before and understand with absolute clarity I wasn't the only one who was screwed up.Sassafras trotted at my side, refusing to let me carry him. "Just in case," he said. And he might have been right. The precious second it would take me to drop him if we were attacked could make
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