The Sidhe cavern welcomed us with a sigh of power, embracing me as though understanding we were now one, Liam and I. It was odd to be suddenly in the cool dimness, a vast change from the chattering noise and laughter of the back yard.Liam didn't seem to notice, sweeping me into his arms, carrying me across the threshold of his room, setting me gently down on the bed before closing the door. I felt the wards part, the touch of Galleytrot's power as he arrived, settling in to guard us. We'd already discussed with him our desire to have our first night alone, without interruption.I knew the big hound would do everything he could to give us our privacy.Liam stood looking at me, wonder and a hint of shyness in his face.Seriously? I stood, went to him as he ran his fingers through his hair, blushing again."I love you, Syd." His hands shook as he stroked the veil back from my shoulders."Silly," I said. "I love you, too." I slid my hands under his jacket, slipped it from his should
Why did I think I'd be traveling alone? The moment I stepped back from kissing Liam goodbye, Charlotte took her place at my side, expression flat and no-nonsense.I rolled my eyes at her and took my werefriend's hand. "Yes, Mom," I said.My actual mother laughed as Charlotte's expression softened into a grin. "You two be good now," she said. "Play nice with the nasty vampire lady."We'd see.The veil parted before me, Charlotte right at my side as Ahbi scooped us up and carried us, in a pair of heartbeats, across the Atlantic. I stepped out of the rubbery membrane and into a large office to the startled but welcoming power of the European Council Leader.She stood from behind her desk, coming around to take my hand, shaking first mine and then Charlotte's."Syd," Femke said, tall, lean body towering over me, faint Scandinavian accent coloring her English, "that was fast. I just spoke to your mother."I shrugged and sat in one of the velvet-upholstered chairs, eyes drifting to th
I walked the length of the throne room at Castle Wilhelm, smiling at the welcoming vampires who nodded to me as we passed. Not the greeting I had initially, back when Batsheva Moromond led the blood clan, when the Brotherhood's taint controlled and manipulated the vampires. It was a nice change, the friendly greetings, compared to "We hate you forever, Sydlynn Hayle."Well, most of the vampires welcomed me. With one clear and furious exception. Piotr Wilhelm used to keep his distance, his twisted heart still aimed right at my destruction. For some reason beyond any understanding, he blamed me for the death of Yvette, his beloved queen. Personally, any ruler who fell to the likes of Batsheva Moromond got what she deserved.This time was different, for the first time. His go-to tattletale recipient was gone, since Council Leader Margaret Applegate's retreat from the leadership and her ties to the Brotherhood ended with conclave. Piotr's frustration shone clear on his face as he took a
Sunny went right to her rival, lifting the fallen queen into her arms with a tenderness I didn't expect. The Sthol Family Blood Clan moaned around the room, seemingly worse affected by the draining than the Wilhelm's had been. Piles of fallen vampires lay everywhere, tangled among themselves as though they'd clung to each other for support prior to collapsing.They've been under the influence of the taint far longer, Sunny sent. And, from the feeling of them, being the main focus since you freed my family hasn't served them well.I crouched next to Pannera as Charlotte and Piers paced around the room, assisting the vampires. The queen's eyes fluttered open, her face a sunken mummy mask, though not completely drained. But her clear gray eyes, almost colorless in shock, locked on mine, as full of life as they had ever been. She grasped my hand with a withered hand, nails digging into my skin."What..." she trailed off. "What's happened?"Sunny soothed her, feeding her energy even as
I didn't really think she had the right to be so pissed at me, considering the state she'd been in the last little while. And I'd been on the way to rescue her, hadn't I? Not my fault Ameline beat me to it.Sebastian stared at me with open adoration, making me all kinds of uncomfortable as he left his queen to come stand by my side. I could feel it then, now I'd lost my shaky, overly adrenalized moment of joy-joy. How he felt different, his power more like mine.More like a maji.A quick check from my vampire confirmed he was still undead, and yet..."I'm sorry," I said, not really feeling it at all, to be totally honest. At least, for Pannera. But when I looked up at Sebastian, regret raised its ugly head. "I didn't mean to break your blood bond." I thought of Charlotte, spotted her loping back into view, shifting into full human form as she shook her head.Right. Celeste. Managed to escape, it appeared. But watching my werefriend gave me an idea as Sebastian's new power crawled
I leaped out of bed, Liam starting awake as I stumbled over the end of the bed and almost landed on my face. I jerked on a robe, ignoring him in my headlong flight out the door, still tying the thin terry over my naked body, and down the stairs, using magic to practically float down to the first floor.I knew it was Piers before I turned the corner in the dark hall and entered the kitchen, just registering the fact he wasn't alone when I felt Enforcer magic reach through the emptiness of his sorcery.And gaped at Varity Rhodes, collapsing on one of my kitchen chairs, falling from Piers's supporting grip. Both looked ashen-faced, feeling weaker than normal, my Steam Union friend's power crisping and powdering around the edges."What the hell?" I skidded to a halt, Liam impacting my back when I did. I hadn't noticed he followed me downstairs I was so intent on finding out what was going on."Syd." Piers panted, leaning on Varity's chair as the old Enforcer Leader sagged forward, face
Mom's reaction was as expected.What the bloody hell were they thinking? I could feel her jerking back her covers, stomping out of bed and to her office, mind splitting as she reached for the Council. Syd, this is a disaster. If the Brotherhood has access to sensitive Steam Union information, they could be at great risk for attack, even now. How much do those kids know?From what Piers implied, enough.Mom cursed.I know. My anger had mostly burned out, hers making me tired. But we can't just leave them there.Why not, if their foolishness has already given up their people? Her growl of fury turned to a sigh. Damn that boy, she sent. I'm so glad you didn't marry him, Syd. I just couldn't take two of you in my family.Snort. Thanks, Mom, I sent.She laughed, breathless, sinking into her chair behind her desk. I'll alert Eva Southway, she sent.Appreciate it, I sent. As much as I didn't want to tell you, I really wasn't looking forward to that particular conversation.Thanks. Mo
Ahbi released us at the base of the prison tower, the bottom of the steps a familiar sight I'd climbed twice and, hopefully, would never have to again.My thighs trembled at the memory of all those stairs.Quaid grinned at me for my choice."Perfect," he said, speaking in a whisper and, for the first time, I remembered using mental connections and any magic, really, would trigger the stronghold's protective magic. Not to hurt us or anything, at least not here, from what Gram told me. But would trigger warnings of the Brotherhood we were around. The veil was different, the power contained inside it, so riding it wasn't an issue. But any overt, outward magic could create some serious problems.Good thing one of us was thinking."I thought so," I whispered back. "Didn't think there'd be much activity here." At least, hoped. Who knew if the Brotherhood thought some back way into the prison tower was important just because the Enforcers hadn't?Piers's face screwed up in a desperate s