My imminent death should have given me more concern than it did. If only I could die. These schmucks were obviously totally unaware. Turned out Belaisle's files weren't quite as accurate as he thought they were.Creep.The pair guided me toward the back of the house, near where we'd entered in the first place. I needed to figure out a way to break free of their magic, only able to use wishful thinking they might slip up and take me outside.Even they weren't that stupid. Or arrogant. Or any combination of the two.Was still worth hoping though.Instead, they led me into the large, stainless-steel kitchen and toward what had to be the basement door."How you want to run this?" Bruno, had to be. The big lug-like sorcerer goon's voice made me shiver, my head still so heavy my eyes were forced to observe the floor under me as they half-carried me along between them.Emil, his long and lanky partner, shrugged, the feeling of his action running up my arm he clutched too tightly. "Drow
The temptation to just leave, run, get the hell out of there was so powerful I was shocked at my own lack of courage. Mind you, I'd been through a lot, thanks, what with having no contact with my magic and almost being burned alive and all. But it wasn't like me to cut and run.Time to slice myself off a little piece of slack. I drew one deep breath after another while Demetrius forced chunks of stone into the sorcerer's mouths, the rock seeping outward like Charlotte's gag, more of the concrete slices forming bonds at ankle and wrist. I could hear him whispering, muttering to himself, while the two men groaned before falling totally silent."Would kill them," Demetrius said softly to me as he turned and smiled the expression of a happy child, "but Belaisle will do much worse."I was all for that."Need to go." He grabbed my hand, started to tug on me, leading me to the stairs. "Out, out, out."Our hustle to the kitchen helped me burn off my panic, shook me loose of the fear I'd a
I caught Trill before she could crumple, tears pouring down her face."This is all my fault," she said.I wasn't about to argue with her, but I kept my mouth shut considering the timing.Demetrius was at the door, unsealing it, amber eyes fixed on me. "Come," he said. "Time to fix me."No argument from me. Except we were still shy one of our number."I can't just leave Owen." Trill tried to pull away from me, ending up in Charlotte's reach.From the expression on her face, the weregirl didn't care a scrap what Trill wanted and I couldn't bring myself to blame her. Charlotte had just endured a very bad day and the wolf in her seemed ready to act on her own whether we were part of her exit or not."We're leaving." Charlotte's hand clamped down on Trill's arm. "Now."The girl dug in, tears turning to fury. "I need to know Nona's not here," she snapped. "You could be lying so we'll leave. Your loyalty isn't exactly a big secret or anything."Oh boy. Charlotte's normally calm demea
The first went down without a sound, mouth gaping open as the former Chosen leader landed on him, legs wrapped around his chest, arms flung around his neck, gaping mouth flashing those very white teeth. Owen didn't hesitate, lunging forward toward us, Trill grasping his hands and pulling him after her as Charlotte spun and landed a bone-crunching kick to the second guard's chest.No, I wasn't kidding. Bone definitely crunched under the heel of her heavy boot, ribs at the very least, if not the man's sternum, giving way to the ferocity of her attack. I let her have her head, the wolf half emerging again, foam dripping from her fangs as her snout elongated, talons hooking from her stretched and knobbed hands."Get them out." She snarled those three words just before she threw herself at the third guard who was already turning to retreat, his feet tangled in the toppling man she'd just disabled while Demetrius's power sucked the life out of his captive.The sight held me for a moment,
Damned fool girl, what was she doing? But the smirk on Belaisle's face told me. Still full of himself, still thinking he could win. The pulsing light of the crystal faded, cooled, and I understood at last why Owen had taken my hand.My crystal. His power. Rather a wicked combination.As for Belaisle, I was a little surprised at his continuing arrogance. Either he was unaware I'd discovered the secret to fighting his kind or he just didn't have the brain capacity to believe he could lose.About to prove him wrong."Where's who?" Belaisle took a slow step forward, his people closing in. Only now they were split in focus as the coven and the clan pushed against them with magic and rage."Bastard!" Trill threw the word at him, as sharp as any knife. "Where is our Nona?""Your precious Nona." Belaisle brushed at one sleeve as though he wasn't standing in the middle of a fight he was about to lose. "Ah, yes. The old woman. I recall now. She died badly, I'm afraid."Trill shuddered, Ow
Mom's mind was closed to mine, no matter how hard I tried to reach her. I stood in the back yard where I'd stopped my forward motion from the park after dumping all of us near the edge of our property, the whoosh and sigh of vampires arriving and departing with coven members echoing behind me.Give me the silent treatment, would she? We'd just see about that.As much as I agree with you, Gram cut through my irritation as she strolled to my side, striped socks soaked by the early-evening rain I'd missed, give your mother a little slack. And go see her in person if you're planning on reaming her a new one.Brilliant idea."We have to go." Trill pulled away from us, hovering with Owen at her side, the glow of the crystal still shining in his hand. "You heard Belaisle. They'll be coming after us. And if they don't have Nona," a single bright spark, that, "we have to get to her before they can track her down for real.""On your own?" Sebastian strode from the dark, holding out his hand
-I gasp for air as fire explodes around me, a line of demons falling back, their power recoiling from the group of sorcerers rushing in to kill them. Fear takes over as I lash out with my magic, calling for the creation power I'd felt before, only to find it hollow and echoing, the full brunt of its ability lost to me though I have access to just enough to save my life when the sorcerers turn the demon's own magic on them, burning them alive.I stagger free, no sign of Trill or Iepa, the battle raging on around me. My feet skid in blood, over the bodies of fallen Sidhe, their endless lives now done, witches collapsed among them, demons, vampires sagging to ash blowing in the air, making my eyes sting, tears rushing to flow and clear them.My mind can't fathom the sound, white noise pressing against my ears, pounding inside my head, the roar of an angry ocean surging in waves of death around me. I spot Trill, crouched and weeping, and rush to her, bending over her, pulling her to her
Demetrius crouched in one corner of the kitchen, keeping out of the way as I said goodbye to the last of the coven, sending them home with smiles and hugs and many thanks, their vampire transportation met with the same level of gratitude. I had many more smiles in return from the undead clan than I expected and wondered if maybe the old class boundaries were finally breaking down.Would be nice. I liked it when everyone got along.It wasn't until Anastasia pressed a cold kiss to my cheek and swept off with the twins Demetrius finally wormed his way out from under the table and came to me, a soft whine escaping his throat, Adam's apple bobbing in time with the rise and fall of his cry.Charlotte moved to block him immediately, but I waved her off, taking a seat at the table with Gram watching from where she leaned against the counter, her favorite green mug in her hands, cooling tea untouched as she observed.Sassafras leaped up beside me, Meira coming to watch as I gestured for Dem
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