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
Thalion sent his horse on alone with a soft whisper and a pat to its neck. "Dubhlainn will alert Her Majesty we are on foot."I suppressed a grumble at having to walk, only because Shaylee seemed to think grumbling would be rude. If I was going to have to watch everything I said and did because she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, this whole trip was going to be a colossal waste of time.It triggered an understanding in me, though, as we strode along the stone path, Thalion beside me, his hand brushing mine from time to time. On purpose, I was sure. Every time I'd come in contact with the people of one of my egos, I'd always felt connected to them, as if I fit in without effort. I'd always chalked it up to being in danger or running for my life, the fact it took little for me to adjust. I was so used to conflict, I fell easily into the role.But with Shaylee, I realized that wasn't the case. When I traveled to Demonicon, I remembered feeling angrier, more aggressive. And when
I stepped inside the forest, the cool air embracing me, even more earthy and full of delicious scents than the meadow, as the birds settled on branches above, butterflies scattering. I'd thought the path in the trees dark at first, until white globes of glowing light slowly appeared, growing in brightness as I followed the trail, leading the others this time.I knew this path, the walk to home, recognized each ageless tree, smiled at the antics of the excited songbirds and the curious peekings of rabbits and the occasional doe and her fawn. This was home, the most I'd ever felt at home anywhere, the air itself, the ground beneath my feet, the very trees calling my name, singing their joy at my return.Heady stuff. I could understand why Shaylee missed it, loved it so. Being embraced by nature itself had a loving quality mere people could never mimic. It was as though the very plane's heart adored me and wanted me to be happy. I'd felt this level of joy in the core of the Node back on
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