Charlotte stalked past me as Alison's form wavered from corporeal to ghostly and back again. I really should have learned the combination of stones to press to open the secret staircase to the underground, and this time actually watched as my werefriend followed the combination with unerring accuracy.The floor beside her groaned and collapsed, falling down into a set of stone steps leading into the dark. A giant ball of witchlight burst into existence at the top of the staircase as Quaid shouldered past me, face lit with blue light."There will probably be others downstairs," he said. "Let me handle them."Another one who couldn't follow orders. Though Demetrius had the Chosen well in hand the last time I saw him. And from the echoing booms and faint screams I heard coming from outside, the battle was still going strong.I nodded, let Quaid lead the way. As much as I would have loved to barrel my way into the underground, he was right. Focus on Gabriel, let the others do what they
I pushed past Alison, taking the stairs two at a time, not caring I might fall, mind locked on Ameline as my power built around me, before me, flaring outward as I thundered toward her with her death in every fiber of my being.And Gabriel.The bottom step almost took me by surprise and I found myself pouring the last of my forward momentum into leaping into the maji chamber. It hummed with power, but not Ameline's. With the magic of the maji who created it, welcoming me, embracing me.Troubled and angry and happy I was there.I didn't pay attention to it, too focused on the black-robed figure standing beside the long stone slab in the middle of the room, cloak spread out, back to me. I'd seen this, too, Dark Fate's premonition right on the money.I just wished everything else was decided.That was, I guess, my job, right?"Ameline." My voice vibrated with my hate, the world closing in around me as blackened tunnel vision hyper-focused me on her bowed shoulders, her hood-covered
She blocked me. Of course she did. But that didn't keep me from attacking her again.And again.And again.The power I released ricocheted around the room, hitting the walls, the slab, passing through Alison, reverbing back from Max as he protected himself.Can you help me? I threw my need at him, heard him grunt.I will feed you what I can, he sent. But right now I am the only one keeping this house from collapsing.Crap. Never mind, I sent. And thank you.Let Max go. Focused on Ameline. Panted a little as I pulled back, felt her for weakness. There had to be weakness. Just look at her. But no, nothing. Not a hint of a way through the shields surrounding her.No matter the power she expended, she had accessed the magic of the chamber. When I tried to tap into it myself, the same shielding blocked me, the reason, I understood now, for its sadness.Thanks to the magic she hoarded behind her wards, we were equal.Maybe so, my vampire sent as I fumed over the truth. But she carr
Gram's power burst over my enemy in a wash of blue fire. Ameline spun on me, snarled, Gabriel turning to look at me with his glowing eyes.Even as my grandmother's power slapped the magic Ameline stole from her and woke it up.Joined with it as it jerked awake.And hit Ameline so hard from the inside blood burst from her nose to spray over Gabriel's cheek.She bent in half, my son falling to the floor. He landed hard on his sturdy little feet, straightened and turned. Gestured at the shimmering portal.The roaring face of evil and madness.And slammed the Gate in its face.I pulled myself up as Ameline fell, my magic returning to me in a rush so powerful I staggered, light headed and body on fire. Watched and felt as Gram's magic woke the demon Ameline ripped from its rightful place, his amber flames scorching her. Ameline screamed, blisters forming on her skin, smoke rising from her even as Liam's portion of Cian woke and shook her from the inside, more blood flowing from her e
All of her stolen power rushed at me, slamming into me, Gram butting up against the family magic, her Sidhe soul, Lady Rionach, scrunching in next to Shaylee. The taint tried to shoulder aside my vampire essence while the male demon's power growled and snapped at mine even as Cian danced unhappily around the two female Sidhe. The remains of the Brotherhood magic was the only one to go quietly, absorbing into mine, though I could feel the separation remained.Shud. Der.I almost missed Ameline's echo rising as I fought to control the magicks suddenly taking up residence inside me like they planned to stay awhile. Unlike the broken and bloody mass at my feet, her echo was as perfect and beautiful as she'd ever been. And, from the snarling hate on her face, just as evil.I stood quickly, still fighting for control, only to have someone grab my shoulder. Turn me around.Press a warm and wriggling body into my arms as Alison dropped Gabriel on me.Her blue eyes met mine, now solid and
Iepa's concern grew to fear as she reached for me, but I turned my back on her. Focused on my friends, waiting, watching. Max bowed to me."I will see you soon, Syd," he said. And stepped through the veil, vanishing from sight.I felt Iepa leave, didn't care.Let trouble come. Better than some unknown darkness I might or might not be able to survive. We'd faced difficulty before and if my constant state of alertness meant my friends and family-and the planes-would be safe from that creature from another Universe, I'd do it.Time to divvy up the power.I smiled down at my son. Opened my Sidhe magic to him. And felt Cian sigh and slip inside Gabriel, joining the soul my son already had. Two peas in a pod, Liam's and Gabriel's two magicks coming together as though meant for each other.Gabriel giggled and hugged me.So. Amazing.I then looked up and found Demetrius watching me. Smiled at him. He nodded and smiled back.Detached the Brotherhood's power from my sorcery and handed i
The maji chamber said goodbye as I left, not through the veil, but on foot.I just had to see what kind of disaster my friends had wreaked.And yes, I was expecting a mess, especially knowing it took the power of the drach to keep the house from falling in. Was leaving a particularly gory disaster behind myself, one I'd get around to cleaning up eventually.Eventually.Even though I had a picture in my mind of what the destruction would look like, I still winced at the giant chunks of rock littering the round room above, the blackened holes in the walls and groaning, fallen sorcerers and dark maji who struggled to rise as I exited into the corridor, my son in my arms."I take it I don't have to warn you lot not to get into any trouble," I said. "Or try to leave." Flaring blue magic erupted above ground, the touch of Enforcers arriving in droves, probably thanks to Mom after our little tête-à-tête during my near fail with Ameline.The cavalry were more than welcome to mop up the d
Exit stage left. Enter the triumphant heroes.I landed in the kitchen with a massive smile on my face, already heading for the back hall and Gram's room.Almost ran right into Shenka. Who sobbed once and raced for me, hugging me and Gabriel both. I hugged her back, one armed, before pulling away, expecting a smile through her tears.Seeing only terror."Syd," she whispered.And then, I felt it.Or didn't.And I knew then what Gram had really given up. Raced past my second, spun around the bottom of the stairs, burst through my grandmother's door. Saw Lula and Phon, both collapsed in the corner, eyes glazed, energy depleted.Sassafras perched on the pillow, silver fur mingling with wispy hair.Mom kneeling beside her bed, Gram's limp hand between hers, sobbing.Sobbing.Everything froze: time, breath, life, death. There was only this snapshot of a moment.My mother.My grandmother.Emptiness and darkness.A purr broke through, unraveling time, waking me from the moment. A
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