Charlotte insisted on standing guard outside my door while Sassafras, Liam and I talked over what happened and tried to make plans. Hard to do without having all the answers we needed. And really, my best plans usually involved just jumping in with all the fire power I could muster and hoping for the best.Sassafras finally left us to go see Mom. We decided he was the best choice."Though I doubt she'll listen to me, either," he said. "But I'll try."I felt a momentary pang of guilt over Meira. I'd promised I'd go visit her that night, but, with everything that was happening, I just couldn't. I sat on the edge of my bed, letting out a big gust of air and a gentle caress to my sister's mind.Sorry, Meems. I have to bail on you.It's okay. I could feel others with her, hear giggling. Sassy hadn't been kidding. Was my little sister turning into some kind of party maven? And on a school night?Her laugh tinkled in my head as she caught my shock. Night, Mom. Another giggle.Smart ass
Liam was gone by the time I returned to my room, Charlotte remaining a respectful distance behind me. Nice of her. Either that or she just wanted to avoid my temper.I stood there in my dorm, brain running in a circle before I turned and left again. This was ridiculous. I had to sort it out and the only way to do that was to talk to Liam.We were friends. The kiss was just a mistake, a slip up. I'd hash it out with my Sidhe friend and then go shove it in Quaid's face.Part of me ached with sympathy for Quaid. He'd never known real love, not as a child, a toy and a power source in the hands of the Moromonds, then a spy among the Dumonts searching for the means to avenge his parent's deaths. The only time he'd ever come in contact with people who really cared about him was in my family, and those moments were brief. I knew he was a good person, deep down. He'd proven it to me over and over again, between bouts of jerkishness. But was the damage done too profound for him to move past?
Of course Maurice didn't want to let me in, but I was in no shape to listen, to pay attention. My demon, still raging and hurting, shoved him aside as I forced my way into Mom's quarters, calling for her in mind and voice.I just really needed my mother to hug me and let me cry and tell me everything was going to be all right. Because if she did, if that happened, I knew everything would be.Not how things turned out.Mom stormed out of her office, her fury apparent, power slamming into me and bringing me to a rocking halt. "Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle!" She blocked off my attempt to reach her with my mind, the slap of her power so harsh it broke through my desperate grief and made everything clear again. "You cannot just barge in here and demand attention any time you want it!"I gaped at her, her anger the final blow my heart could take."You're not a little girl anymore," Mom said. "If you have a problem, deal with it."Everything I was feeling suddenly shattered outward, shards of
What were the Dumont brothers doing with my friends? I kicked myself as I considered the possibilities-and failed to realize I should have been watching the clubhouse for them to leave as well as enter. We could have had the pair of them instead of now chasing them for the second time that night, this time in worse company.At least in my opinion.I was so grateful for the chance to focus on a disaster I eagerly dove into the veil, almost forgetting Charlotte who lunged to grip my hand at the last second. Kudos to her for not saying anything, and not judging me even for an instant. I could tell from the calm and steady look on her face when we emerged onto Holyoke nothing had changed for her.Naturally, I arrived the moment Rupe and Simon passed through the door, Jean Marc and Kristophe right behind them. Was it just me or did they seem hesitant? Maybe Darin was widening his net to include witches he deemed worthy.Which said nothing for his taste.I was about to turn to Sassafras
The dark basement, stone walls weeping with moisture, was full of more bodies, though most of these had their own wits about them. Charlotte hissed, crouching as the wolf inside her reacted to the dozen or so vampires who lurked around the edges of the large space, though the leader, the vamp I recognized from the attack on me in the Yard and from just earlier that night as he escorted my friends into the house the first time, stood next to Ameline on her left as though they were friends. If the evil-to-the-core witch had friends. Most likely she was simply using him and would discard him when it was convenient for her.Or whenever he became inconvenient.About another dozen witches, all young, hovered behind Darin who stood at Ameline's right hand. The smile on his face, so twisted he lost all semblance of humanity, made me want to shove it through the back of his head.Couldn't wait, actually.Only two thralled subjects remained amid all the magic users and creatures in that base
I thought she might do it, succeed at killing Ameline, save me the trouble, but the moment Mia came close to her hated rival, red energy flared. My friend impacted the barrier, her lavender family magic zinging against the blood power, throwing her back toward me.Toward us.Sunny caught her, eased her to the ground, a little stunned, but unharmed. I was certain if she wasn't a coven leader, if she didn't have all the family magic at her disposal, Mia would be charcoal. Instead she staggered to her feet, eyes blazing with insanity."Give him BACK!"For a moment I couldn't believe what I'd heard. Him? Ameline was about to try to take over the world and Mia was focused on Rupe? Until I understood her state, the importance she'd placed on him, on the guy she knew as Blood, probably the first person she'd ever met who loved her and didn't judge her or try to make her be someone she wasn't. To Mia, Rupe was a lifeline, her reason for being.Which meant we were in big trouble. Because f
I knew there was nothing I could do against so much blood magic, but no way was I giving up, not now, not ever.My Sidhe power held her back as Ameline drew in the rush of magic suddenly available to her, flooding the basement with a mist of red stinging my eyes and skin and making my lungs ache. Shaylee cried out, tried to flee from the touch of the cloud as we all, my demon and Sidhe princess and I, realized what it was at the same moment-not just magic, but blood itself, infused with power and suspended and feeding Ameline with every single pinprick of it when it touched exposed skin or reached our lungs.Which meant it was attacking everyone in the room. Yes, even the vampires themselves, Ameline's so-called allies now crumpling with horrible cries, their skin seeming to weep red where the mist touched them. Piotr collapsed to the damp stone, one hand reaching for Sunny.She, at least, wasn't down for the count yet, thanks to my shielding, but I was weakening too fast, more and
Ameline must have seen or felt the essence of the vampire wake inside me, because the draw on my power ended abruptly as her eyes flew very wide, mouth hanging open.I have to admit I was more than a little shocked myself to find myself standing suddenly over her, even more that I didn't have anything to do with the movements of my body. I'd had my demon take me over before, but this was different.Very, very different."Listen to me, witch child," the vampire said, reaching out with my hand to touch Ameline's forehead. The moment she did, the mist collapsed, pattering to the floor in a rain of blood, soaking everything. But at least I could breathe.Ameline rocked back on her heels, face slack as the vampire went on."What you are creating, what you seek and desire, can never be. The maji knew it. I was formed in an effort to do what you are attempting. They failed. The greatest powers of their kind failed." She lashed out with white magic, knocking Ameline on her butt in the blo
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