My woken anger snapped like a cheap bra strap. "You blame the witches for being afraid, for not acting." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm kind of seeing some parallels here, if you know what I mean."Another flash of a grin from Iepa. Okay then. I was really starting to like her.Why hadn't I noticed before how much we were alike?Zeon didn't react with anger, just more kindness, and I began to wonder if I could smother in it. The idea of living here, spending eternity here, wasn't as appealing as it had been. If a life of contemplation and inactivity waited for me in Center, I'd be making my home elsewhere, thanks."You made this mess." I shifted tactics. Let's see if guilt would help. "The sorcerers you created are trying to take over everything. And thanks to the way you made them, it's almost impossible for the other races to fight back."Finally, a flicker of answering anger from him. It didn't last. Zeon clasped his hands in front of his belly and sighed. I was getting
Iepa was already retreating, about to leave me, when I latched onto her with my maji power, anger returning. Sure, she'd proven she was on my side, okay. But I still had questions."You could have told me I was in imminent danger of being wiped out," I said.She didn't fight me as I held her, hovering on the edge of the gash she'd made in the veil. "There was little reason to worry you. Either he and the others would destroy you, or they wouldn't. Prevention of the former was impossible."Far too practical for my taste. "Any idea when the Brotherhood will be ready for an all-out assault? If I don't free Ameline?"Iepa spread her hands in front of her, palms down. "No way of knowing," she said, "but I feel it is close. Very close. If the Sidhe are allowed to fall, I have no doubt the Brotherhood will take that as the sign they need to act."Yet another reason I had to save their arrogant Fey asses."Remember," Iepa said, "Ameline still needs time to develop into full power. You we
I didn't go with him right away. Nope, not yet. I had something to retrieve first.Not that I expected my crystal to be able to help me much, but I was determined from here on in not to go anywhere without it.I dug it out of my underwear drawer, flashing back to the stairs, Charlotte silent, along for the ride, before striding into the cavern and straight through the already open gate, not waiting for Thalion to lead the way.She'd put a geas on one of her own Sidhe to force me to face her. Well now. We'd just see about that, wouldn't we? And her little plan to blame all of this on me?She didn't get to point fingers.I covered the ground in massive strides, maintaining my natural form, again with Shaylee's full support. From the way the earth vibrated under me, how the very grass and trees seemed to shrink from my stomping feet, I knew I was making the kind of entrance I'd hoped for.By the time I stormed over the fancy little bridge and into the main clearing, I gathered a big
Varity's mind felt startled when I reached for her, but she quickly sobered when I told her what I needed.I'll meet you at the chapel, she sent. You're coming alone, I take it?I couldn't bring Gram. No way was I involving her in the jailbreak when it could mean more trouble for our family later. Just Charlotte and I, I sent.She had robes in her arms when we arrived, offered me mine without comment, but hugged me when I'd finished draping myself."She's so proud of you." Varity's eyes glistened with tears, lower lip trembling a little. "You're Ethie's granddaughter all right." Lips curving into a ferocious grin, she tore open the veil to the stronghold, the pull of her Enforcer magic skimming around the edges. "Just promise me you'll let me in on the action when you strip this wretched girl dry."Oh, did I forget to tell her I planned to break Ameline out? That I'd lied to her, explaining I just needed to "see" the prisoner, wink wink, nudge nudge?I was going to hell and never
The moment we reached the bottom, I propelled Ameline ahead of me. She stumbled, spun to snarl, only to find Charlotte in her face, her wolf emerging just enough her snout pressed a wet mark into Ameline's cheek.I grinned, all anger, no humor. "Try it," I said. "I'd love to see what a mess Charlotte's teeth will make of your throat."Ameline shoved my bodywere aside. "You need me." She pointed one long, slender finger at me. "Don't forget it." Spun and marched off, the queen of absolutely nothing.I squeezed Charlotte's shoulder as we went after her. "Nice," I said. "But I really do, I guess."Charlotte bared her teeth at me, her wolf in her eyes. "I can hurt her so much she'll never recover and still leave her breathing."Good to know.Ameline entered the second chamber, going right to the staircase. I'd never figured out how to close it and so it remained, waiting for us. Rough stone carved with names and history passed under my fingertips as we descended, the past meeting the
Had anything ever felt so wrong and yet as though it was meant to be? My entire body burned with the joining of my power to Ameline's as her darkness raced around my edges, my light setting her on fire.I felt the vampires appear, but only peripherally. Knew Iepa and Trinol had gone. Didn't matter we were alone because we weren't alone, Ameline and I.We had each other and the multiple souls we carried. My vampire hissed at her budding undead spirit, my demon snarling at her young fire. Even Shaylee hummed unhappily at the small child who was the Sidhe within my nemesis. But our reactions to each other didn't matter. Not while the maji power, dark and light, combined and bonded us together.It wasn't until I felt Charlotte's distress I pulled free of my hold on Ameline and turned to find Celeste and her vampires had us cornered. Thought they did, at least. And Charlotte stood with her back to me, bent in half, her wolf emerging, clothing torn in places from her shift as she snapped
We reached the border in moments, once Aoilainn ordered her people to stand aside. She looked so tired and worn I wondered if she put the last of her energy into moving us as quickly as possible. It seemed the air shimmered from a blank horizon to suddenly flaring with green flame and a gathered army of fading Unseelie.I approached the doorway to the other side with Ameline next to me, gesturing for Odhran and Niamh to join us at the barrier. They came, looking as beaten down as Aoilainn, their people as weary. At least the giants sat up now, large eyes blinking slowly, sleepily, no longer prone and helpless. I looked up, saw the patch I'd installed still held, but with gaps around the edges.We didn't have much time.Odhran bowed his head to me before letting his gaze fall on Ameline. She didn't say anything to him, but he grimaced before taking his queen's hand."I had not thought to see you come to my border again," he said to the small girl body Ameline wore. "I believe I told
I feared the black, remembering the devouring feeling of it the first time, when Demetrius led me to Wilhelm Castle. But this was different, whether because I was in control or due to Ameline's presence. I didn't suffer soul-eating terror from the crushing pull of the dark. This experience slid past smooth and quiet, like riding an underground river to our destination.We emerged in a stone room, both of us stepping out together, hand in hand. Liander Belaisle hovered over a glass case, shimmering with the same iridescence as the magic Ameline and I wielded. He cried out as he saw us appear, real fear on his face, and rage.A tall, stunning blonde stood next to him, her pale gray eyes flying wide as she pointed to us."No!"But we were already acting, our power reaching for the glass. A woman lay beneath it, prone and either dead or unconscious on a stone bed. I had no idea who she was or why the Sidhe magic was attracted to her, but she couldn't have it.It didn't belong to her.
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