Home. It felt like a trap to me. Like we were sitting ducks, just waiting for the Brotherhood to show up and take our magic, burn our bodies, crush our bones.I couldn't let it happen.Shenka returned from visiting some of the family, only to leave again when a panicked call for support came. Not because we were under attack. But because the family was afraid.Didn't help I was, too. And they felt it, through me. Felt my rage against Mom, my absolute loss as to what to do from here. Gram huddled in the kitchen, sock feet drawn up on her chair, hugging her knees to her thin chest, glaring into space. Charlotte constantly patrolled the house and yard, a ghost of a girl in and out of wolf form. I'd already warned Galleytrot to keep Liam safely in his cavern, away from any harm that could arise.I'll watch over him, you know I will. The big dog's power hugged me, his fear as real as mine. But what about you and the family?We'll manage, I sent. I'm so close to maji, I think I can hand
I took a moment to slip out to the back yard, to gather my thoughts and pull myself together. The instant my butt hit the bench, I thought of Mr. Yummy Leather Pants and how this was Quaid's and my usual meeting place. Or had been. Followed by a dose of guilt and worry about him. I'd left him in a precarious position. And while he wouldn't have survived turning me in if that had been his intent after all, it really wasn't his fault I broke the law.He'd told me in autumn, if I needed him, no matter what, he was there for me. Which made my initial worry he would tell on me anyway fade to non-existence. If Quaid was going to play rat fink, he'd have done it long before now. That look he'd given me in the corridor back at the stronghold, told me he'd known it was me all along.And rather than sending in the cavalry to round me up, he waited in the dark, alone, to corner me himself.As much as I wished it wasn't true, I needed him now. It was likely what I was about to ask of him would
Gram didn't seem at all surprised Quaid was with me when I reentered the kitchen. She fixed him with her faded blue eyes, not moving as he bent over her and soundly kissed her cheek."I wouldn't have turned you in, crazy lady," he said, deep voice rumbling in the quiet."Hrumph," she said, swatting at him, wiping at the place his lips had been like he gave her cooties. But when her gaze met mine, there was a sparkle in it that had been missing since we started our little discussion about the Dumont succession."You two go," Gram said. "At least Quaid will have an excuse and he might be able to make one for you if you can get to Mia before her watchers do."Charlotte didn't ask. Didn't have to. Like she'd let me leave her behind."You'll have to cover for us," Quaid said. "Miriam assigned two Enforcer teams to each coven."Gram's face screwed up in a scowl. "Lot of good that will do now," she said.Hadn't I just had the same thought?I felt the arrival of our new watchdogs just
Mia shivered in my kitchen while Gram gave her the once over. I didn't have the time to coddle the Dumont leader, not while Demetrius linked his mind to me to show where we were going."A high rise?" The looming sky scraper towered over a city I didn't know. My fear of heights triggered as he swooped my view toward the base of the building, flinching as we almost impacted it only to fly upwards like some mental roller coaster, passing row after row of windows as his mind led mine all the way to the top.Where we slammed into a barrier of emptiness, bouncing back from it so hard I snapped out of the vision.Demetrius shook his head, staggering. "Oops," he said. "That's new."A fireball headache burst behind my eyes before slowly fading into a dull ache."The roof?" I pressed my hands to my temples.Demetrius bobbed a nod. "All the way to the top," he said.Of course it was. Wouldn't do to have their weapon of mass magic destruction on the ground or anything. Put it up on the pinn
I stepped out into a warm night at the entrance to a busy street. The humid air hit me immediately, moisture standing out on my skin. Jeans were too heavy, my t-shirt the only saving grace. I heard Sassafras hiss, glanced over to watch his fur puff up as Charlotte gently slid him from around her neck and cradled him against her side with one arm, shedding her leather jacket from the other."Where are we?" I turned to Demetrius, hoping he'd maintained his sanity long enough to get us through this mess. Instead, I found him hopping up and down, from foot to foot, hands pressed to his mouth as he giggled silently into them."Sunshine state," he said.Florida."Looks like Miami." Quaid pulled Mia against him, one arm around her shoulders as she slumped in the heat. "We lived here once, when I was with the Moromonds, a long time ago."I looked up, up at the building, now familiar, reached for it with my power.Came up empty. No pun intended."The whole building is warded now," I said
The tiny pop of electricity preceded me and it wasn't until I noticed the small surveillance camera on the fifth floor landing, black smoke pouring out of its casing, I realized Demetrius was keeping the Brotherhood from tracking us.I'd seen enough cop movies to swear inside my head at myself for not thinking of it first.It was a long climb, but seemed to fly by, floor after floor disappearing beneath me. I'm absolutely positive if I didn't have access to my magic I would never have made the climb. Even with the boost I was a panting, sweating mess by the time we reached the top. Charlotte looked a little ruffled, as though she'd exerted herself in a brisk run. Her breathing returned to normal as she shook herself, setting Sassafras back on the ground. Demetrius, I decided, was completely tireless, as eager as he'd been all along, now pulling on me again as I stopped to catch my wind at the top of the stairs.Mia leaned heavily on Quaid who looked about as worn out as I was, proba
It wasn't like I expected a cake walk or anything. But it would have been nice if we could have just strolled through the exit door, climbed the short staircase to the roof, sauntered up to the machine of doom and broken it into a million pieces while kindly handing Mia's power back, safe and sound.Um hum. Dream time over in three, two, one-I might have done all right against a heavy bag Sage had me working with at the gym, but taking on giant sorcerers in expensive suits was another matter altogether. The second we passed through the roof door and into the narrow stairwell to the top, three of them rushed out, one falling with a cry as Demetrius, more prepared than I was, took him out at the knees with a slash of his crystal. I didn't think the stone itself did the damage. But whatever Demetrius's power did to the big guard, he crashed forward, almost taking out Quaid as he fell, a redwood crashing in the forest. Charlotte's claws liberated another of his life, more blood spraying
Slow.Motion.I heard Charlotte howling, drawn out and garbled, as I fell back, the unexpected blow bending my knees, dropping me like a rock to the stinking rooftop. My head struck the surface, bounced from the asphalt as the burning in my shoulder grew in intensity, from flames to a raging inferno.My vampire hissed in my head, spirit magic surging even as my demon roared her rage. I struggled to sit up, hand clenching around my crystal despite the raging pain racing down my arm, my demon driving me to act, to protect myself, while the ball of fire erupted in agony, gasp worthy pain racing across my chest and down my arm, blooming in time with my heartbeat. I rolled on my side as Quaid sank to his haunches next to me, face crumpled in fear, hands reaching for me. So fast, it all happened so fast, so slow. I turned to Charlotte, in wolf form, as she leaped between me and the advancing line of dark-suited men, the one in the front pointing something at me.At her.Another crack of
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