I ran all the way to Coven Hall, Charlotte right behind me, wanting to ride the veil, but hearing Mom's voice in my head, begging me to play it cool even as the terror I felt at Ameline's cryptic note drove spikes of panic through my chest.The last time she'd contacted me about someone I cared about, I'd found my demon grandmother dead in her apartments and was accused of her murder. So I didn't think anyone would blame me for the blinding fear gripping me as I raced after Liam.Only to crash into his back as he stopped to allow Tippy through the door ahead of him. Liam turned, frowning a little, hazel eyes flat as his strawberry blonde hair hung over his forehead. But his gaze lightened as though he only then realized I was there. He reached for me as I staggered, concern rising in his face in answer to what had to have been open terror on mine."Syd." He hugged me gently before letting me go, the old Liam back again. Now that I knew Ameline was involved, I immediately suspected s
Shenka wasn't even in our room when I arrived home and didn't show up until long after I went to bed. I almost confronted her on her cone of silence, but just didn't have the energy.Drama. Jeeze, did I hate drama.Instead, I lay in bed and focused on the next morning and my alternating worry about something diabolical happening during Venner's lecture and the fear I was overreacting, after all, and putting Mom and Quaid on edge for no good reason.All I had to do was think about the note Ameline sent and I swayed back to the diabolical.What had she meant? That she knew about Liam? It was the second time she'd said it, once in person, now in a note. Knew what? I assumed she was aware he was the Gatekeeper. Kind of hard to keep that little tidbit a secret, honestly. And if she was in contact with Venner, even more so. What was it she knew I didn't-or wasn't taking seriously enough?Fretting never suited me but I couldn't seem to avoid it.The fact Ameline was working with Venner,
I stayed in my seat, Quaid next to me, fuming while Venner shook hands with the board of governors and the Council. I noted Mom was the only exception, as she carefully dodged his outstretched hand with a diplomatic smile, moving another witch forward to take her place in a smooth but obvious snub.There were times Mom and I didn't get along, and times I wished I was more like her.Guess which this was.I was less surprised than I should have been to spot Sonja standing just inside the now-open door, small next to the hulking Enforcers in their black robes. Liam spotted her about the same time I did and left Tippy to hurry through the departing crowd to hug his mother. I left my row more slowly, doing my best to keep an eye on Venner, Spaft and Sonja all at once while Quaid stayed close behind me, his scent and the heat of his body where he brushed against me a sizzling distraction.Hormones? Really? At a time like this. Classy.I paused at the edge of the seats while Quaid pass
I walked out of the lecture theater, mind churning, and into an argument.Shenka practically chest bumped me as I exited the room, head down, and I had to jerk to a halt, squeaking in surprise for the second time. I was one of the last to leave, so at least I wasn't blocking the exit. Because the look on Shenka's face told me she wasn't letting me go until she spoke her mind.Good then. A nice fight was just what I needed to work out the kinks."No hitting," I said.Shenka's furious face fell as she blinked. "Sorry?""The fight we're about to have." I poked my thumb over my shoulder at Charlotte who eased past me, eyes locked on Shenka. "No hitting. Unless you want to end up pinned to the ground with a werewolf taking a chunk out of you."Shenka shook her head, anger returning though more sullen and less apparent."I don't want to hit you," she said. Paused. "Okay, that's a lie."I laughed a little, knowing it wasn't funny, but unable to stop myself. Shenka stomped one foot, he
I waited at the exit to the library for Quaid for about ten minutes after classes ended for the day. When he didn't show, I kicked myself for even bothering. No more waiting around for stray boys to get their crap together, not when I had things to do.Entirely unfair. Quaid's "see you later" hadn't had a time attached to it, outside "later."Still.Sniff.I made a quick bag dump in my dorm, leaving my backpack behind. It didn't look like Shenka had been around, and I worried something happened between her and Tallah. She missed lunch, too, and I had to tolerate Tippy's gushing all over me with no Liam to hit on while the other girls eye-rolled and stayed quiet.Charlotte didn't comment when I turned right back around and left my room, heading out into the Yard. She must have known very well where I was off to, because she didn't miss a step when I turned abruptly and headed for Liam's dorm. It was a quick walk, but it felt like it took forever, now that I was heading his way.
A wave of panic drove a million spikes of fear through me as I threw myself over the threshold and onto my knees next to the silent body of the hound. Visions of the Wild Hunt rising without Galleytrot's vigilance, without protection for Liam, the last Gatekeeper, forced my breath from my lungs. Not to mention he was as much a part of my family as anyone. Personal feelings had a way of meaning more to me than the end of the world.Go figure.I plunged my hands into the fur of his face and dove inside him, Shaylee leading the way.Galleytrot. Where was he? Not gone, please, no, not lost to us. Galleytrot!Nothing. Blackness.Silence. Emptiness.A flicker.Shaylee caught onto that spark, pulled it to her, cradled it in her Sidhe magic, drawing it outward, upward. I supported her with my earth energy, my demon and vampire doing their best to offer strength while Shaylee rescued Galleytrot from the brink of death and brought him back.He groaned softly, a rumbling noise shaking t
Galleytrot chuffed unhappily over Liam while I paced the room again and tried to stay out of his way both magically and physically. The Kennecott twins stepped aside the moment the giant black hound entered the room, hovering together in the corner where I occasionally brushed Alphonse's robe with a muttered apology."We've done what we can." Lula met my eyes as I turned for another pass. Her concern shone out of her pale face, freckles standing out in perfect little brown circles across her cheeks. Hazel eyes that reminded me of Liam's showed more empathy than I was prepared to deal with."Thank you." I stopped long enough to reach for them both with my energy, to express my gratitude for their help the best way I knew how. The twins linked with me without hesitation, the brother as kindly as his sister.If you ever need our help, Coven Leader, Lula said, Alphonse and I are both at your service.Her brother wrinkled his nose. Call me Phon. Please. I beg you.I almost laughed. Wha
The landslide of objections I was expecting didn't come. Not that Mom and Gram didn't try.Absolutely not, young lady.You've lost your fool mind, girl.I loved them so much. Predictable. But neither sounded convinced by their own denial.We can't let the Gate go unprotected, I sent, aiming for cool and logical, knowing that would win Mom over. Liam is absolutely necessary and we all know it.My mother hesitated, but Gram barreled through anyway. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, she snapped. The Sidhe realm isn't some walk in the park.I realize that, I sent back, but she wasn't done.No, she shot at me, words arrows of anger. You don't. You've only had a taste of what waits on the other side. There's nothing real there. Nothing. It's all illusion built on lies and deceit, all for the Queen's pleasure. Wow, Gram wasn't fooling around. The more she talked, the pissier she got. Aoilainn ap Danaan might be Shaylee's mother, but she only has her own interests at 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