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
I was actually a little surprised to step out of the veil in Venner's quarters and find him waiting for me, nasty Unseelie smirk on his face. Honestly, I expected he already ran, figured out a way to deflect the Enforcers, forcing me to waste precious time hunting him down and wringing his scrawny Fey neck.Galleytrot's rumbling fury echoed toward the vaulted ceiling, partially collapsing Venner's smile. My eyes scanned the room, found Sonja sitting in a Victorian chair, Spaft near the door. I didn't have to tell her to act, Charlotte already stalking the tall, skinny woman, blocking her exit."Your little charade is over, Venner," I said as Quaid's power rippled through the room, a blue glow sealing off the two large bay windows of the sitting room as well as the white door with the shining glass knob, sending rainbow sparkles onto the floor."Really, Your Highness," Venner said, bringing his drink to his lips with a casual pinky raise. "Whatever are you talking about?""Was it yo
Mom didn't waste time showing up. We'd just wrangled the confession from Spaft when the seal Quaid made shuddered and parted, the door to the sitting room opening to admit Mom and Pender, three Enforcers at their backs, the scowling board of governors trailing behind them."Really, Miriam," Gertrude's gravel voice made me want to buy her some lozenges, "what is the meaning of this?" She smiled and offered a little wave to Venner before fixing Mom with her baleful beady eyes again. "I thought we told you Lord Venemeth has our full support?"I could tell from the tightness around Mom's eyes she was this close to dropkicking the nasty old woman out one of the windows. I almost wished she would.Popcorn, please. The show was about to start."Lord Venner has some explaining to do," Mom said. Nodded to me. Did he confess?He sure did. I motioned to Venner. "Your precious Sidhe lord here planned to strip the soul from the Wilding Springs Gatekeeper in order to return to his own plane."
Gram waited for us at the bottom of the stairs, outside the cavern entrance. She'd bundled herself up in a rainbow wool coat, a pair of white tennis shoes with florescent pink laces tapping impatiently as she waited, white hair floating around her like a living halo."About time," she grunted before she hugged me, lips pressing a wet smack against my cheek before fixing Venner with a baleful stare. One of her very sharp nails pointed at him, scrawny index finger jabbing the air in his direction. "One false move," she said before bringing her hands together with a loud crack. She cackled, doing a little jig in place before scowling at him again. "Bug guts. Got me, fairy?"Venner's usually charming smile slipped from his lips. "No need to be threatening, Lady Rionach," he said. Who? Oh, right. Gram had a Sidhe soul, too. Jeeze, no one ever told me anything. "Your human aspect seems to have affected your bearing."I took it as an insult, but it just made Gram cackle all over again. "My
I turned to Gram, still holding her hand while Shaylee retreated with a soft apology. "Looks like this is it." Damn, I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this.Moment of truth-who was I kidding? No way was I backing down, not considering what Ameline had almost accomplished on Demonicon. And, in all honesty, I already admitted to myself Ameline was my responsibility. No matter what Thalion had decided, I knew I'd be crossing over anyway. How could I trust anyone else to deal with Ameline?Sucker for punishment or craving danger? I'd leave that for history to decide.Gram let go of my hand to shed the rainbow jacket, revealing jeans and a t-shirt underneath. I stared. I'd never seen her wear anything but faded dressing gowns and long skirts, fuzzy socks and oversized cardigans. Her thin body looked taller, more filled out. Less granny, more Ethpeal.I grinned at her and offered her my fist, which she bumped with a wink."Let's get this over with," she growled.I turned to the others, l