I was just getting my bearings when a voice in my head brought me up short.Syd! Meira's faint connection grew stronger by the second. Was she in Nunaresh? Why?Meems. I grasped onto her, using Ahbi's power to boost the connection, reaching for my little sister with a desperation I hadn't known I was hiding. Are you okay?Am I okay? She sounded exasperated, frustrated. Even a little angry. And though this whole thing wasn't my fault, I guess I couldn't blame her. Where are you?Safe, I sent. I'm chasing down Ameline.Theridialis told us, she sent, calming a little, the touch of her stronger than anyone else who'd made it through to me, though still tenuous compared to our usual reach. But Syd, things are really bad here. Let Ameline try to get to the Node-she'll never make it. Dad needs us both here with him.Ostrogotho then. Meems, you know I can't do that. I drew a breath, trying to focus on the pull of the geas and my sister at the same time. Not only do I owe Ameline for my o
The girl was a trembling, sobbing mess, but when I sat on the stairs and reached for her, she rushed into my arms and hugged me as though she knew me.It was impossible to get anything out of her for the first minute or so. I carried her down the stairs and back into the street, following Belkni after his short, "This way," which sounded suspiciously like an order but offered a course of action.I only followed him because I had the girl to worry about. The next time he tried to boss me around, he'd be heading curbside.A narrow park with a small garden overlooking a waterfall into the lower levels of the city offered a perfect place to regroup. Sassy's sister sat next to me, patting the girl's back as she clung to me for dear life. Ram and Belkni kept a look out as frustration at Ameline's escape made it hard to sit still.I finally freed the girl's tight grip around my neck and made myself relax, knowing the poor thing was so shaken if I started demanding answers like Ahbi's magi
Whatever power Ameline used to disguise her path in Bilhaeder, she'd managed to do so again. It didn't take me long to realize she'd laid more false trail, though how she was accomplishing so much diversion I had no idea.Belkni led us to a rebel house where Tara was laid out on a soft bench and left to sleep while the rest of us were served dinner. I stuffed myself on purpose, keeping my mouth full so I didn't have to talk, poking and prodding at the problem of Ameline and the veil blockage until I gave myself heartburn. I left the table before the others were finished, exiting through the large doorways leading to a wide balcony overlooking the center of the city as it plunged in layers below me.It wasn't long before I felt Ram's warmth next to me, the heat of his skin pressed to mine as his shoulder brushed me."I'm sorry, you know I'm sorry, don't you?" He gazed out over the view, not looking at me, voice aching with regret. "Syd, I never meant for any of this to happen. It was
Belkni's watchful eyes met mine as I entered the lounge where Tara sat next to Avenesequoia and approached him."I need to talk to my grandfather." Not Leader. No nonsense. My intention to make an impression either did the job or not, but Belkni nodded regardless."I'll see to it," he said. "About the girl, I presume?"I wasn't sure if he was referring to Ameline or Tara, but I nodded anyway."I have more information he needs," I said. "Some of it might change his mind about his present course of action."Belkni didn't respond, instead spinning and leaving the room in his long, fluid stride, flowing black hair a rippling rope dangling to his ankles. My demon rumbled happily as she watched him go, while I sighed and rolled my eyes.What was it with my magical parts? The moment I found myself in danger, they went all one-track mind on me.I beg your pardon, my vampire sent while Shaylee huffed and my demon chuckled.Honestly.I was just sitting down next to Avenesequoia when Bel
I was sure he'd say no. After all, his little rebellion seemed to be the only thing my grandfather really wanted to worry about. But when he nodded quickly to his bodyguard before meeting my gaze again, Henemordonin surprised me."I'm willing to talk to my son," he said. "But the first order of business is the safety of Demonicon."Wow, that was a quick one-eighty. "Nice to hear you're being sensible," I said. "Which I find incredibly untrustworthy."My grandfather laughed, a deep, echoing belly laugh that brought tears to his eyes."Oh, the Ruler you will make someday," he said."Only there will be no Ruler if you have your way," I shot back. "Enough of the fuzzy wuzzy compliments. Time to go."I didn't bother to wait for his reaction, instead spinning to Ram. "We're heading for your hiding spot," I said. Ram nodded quickly, though his glance over my shoulder at Henemordonin told me my grandfather wasn't so happy being ordered around.General Sydlynn Didn't Give A Crap.Move i
What was she thinking? There was no way Meira was acting under Dad's orders. When the tall and attractive demon woman I already suspected of playing both sides joined her, I found out who was pulling her strings."Mother?" Sassafras and Avenesequoia both cried out in tandem as Theridialis's face flushed deeper red. Sekaniphestat put her hand on my sister's shoulder, a bit of a reach for her now that Meira had evolved so far, a tight smile on her face as she ignored her children and focused on Henemordonin."Did you really think I would ever betray my Ruler?" Her voice purred delight. "He will be most pleased when we deliver his only enemy-his own father-in chains." She moved forward at a sway, hips sending her divided skirt into ripples of motion. "The capture of this ridiculous rebellion's beloved Leader will cement Haralthazar's leadership. Not to mention my position as his mate."Oh hell no. While I had nothing against being related to Sassafras, there was no way it was happening
The veil refused to part. It was enough to shake me out of the grip of my grandmother's power. I pounded one fist against the rock, fury replacing control.The veil was still blocked.Syd, Sassafras sent, paw on my shoulder as Avenesequoia crowded close. I turned, eyes roving over the fight we'd left behind, the sight of my grandfather leading his soldiers against his own granddaughter and Sekaniphestat, knowing he and his small group of rebels, no matter the backup he brought, didn't stand a chance.Couldn't be my problem. Not with a group of Guards detaching from the rest to come after us with Meira in the lead. I had to break through the veil.Had to.Sass, what do I do? Desperation shifted my focus to the steady presence of my demon Persian.Open the veil, he sent.Smartass cat. This was no time for being facetious.Listen to me, he sent. Use us. All of us. I met Ram's eyes, Theridialis's. Avenesequoia's. Little Tara's. She clung to Sassy's sister, tears on her cheeks. Comb
I turned from Theridialis to take my first good look around. At nothing. A round chamber, dome just a few feet above my head without doorways, windows, cracks even. Nada. Zippo.We were trapped."Now what?" Sassafras looked around. "What is this place?""First level of protection," Theridialis said. "Only Node monitors can find it. If, for some reason, those without true knowledge were to make their way here, they would be truly caught for all eternity."Before I could panic, I felt the part of Theridialis's magic he'd given me thrumming softly, while Ahbi's magic pulled me gently toward the center of the space. I found myself approaching a small depression in the floor with the portly scientist on one side and the demon girl, Tara, eyes wide but no longer afraid, on the other. Tara smiled at me, a bright and shining expression before she crouched and poked her finger into the divot in the stone.The whole room hummed to life, walls pushing back in a rush as a massive shield sprea