The wall of energy hit us only for an instant and I knew we were done. The creature was stronger than we were, far stronger. Maybe if my demon was at full power we could have stood against it, but she barely had enough essence left to keep me alive.Magic crackled in ropes of electric blue light, driving between us and the creature. I staggered backward, only saved a fall on my ass by Quaid's firm grip on my hand. I wanted to sob in relief. I knew the touch of that power.Mom stood at the cave entrance, glowing like a pale blue star, the family pouring into the cavern around her. I stared at her as she approached, vibrating with power, a vengeful goddess. The blue of her magic rippled with white vampire power and the green song of the Sidhe, polished by the amber of demon fire. She was almost as horrible to look at as the creature, but I didn't care.Mom to the rescue.I tore my eyes away from her and noticed the family wasn't alone. Sebastian and his people were there, too, glidin
I was the first to hit my knees but knew some of the weaker witches weren't far behind me. I watched my mother's face pale and knew she was in trouble. There was no way to fight the draw, no defense against it."You have no recourse," Cesard said as Sebastian wavered, his flawless face sinking slowly into wrinkles. "I will take your power and use it to rule this world and when I have taken all it has to give me, I shall move on to the next."Quaid fell beside me, his hand outstretched to mine and I took it, desperate. Maybe he and I could do something, anything.But there was nothing. No spark, no connection. It was gone and we were almost used up.Mom staggered, but held her ground as I slowly toppled on my side. Her eyes met mine, so much love there I would have cried if I had the energy. As it was I felt like I had been wrung out like a wet rag and tossed aside. When I fell, I landed across Brad's chest and my hand slid across his leg, coming to rest against something cold.I w
I needn't have worried. Sebastian had it covered. He pulled the weakened Cesard from my mother before any damage could be done and threw him to the ground.The vampires descended on him, all of them, clinging to the screaming magician and draining him dry. I couldn't watch. It was too horrible. Instead, I ran the five steps to my mother and hugged her like I'd never let her go.That was the plan, anyway."Syd," I turned at the sound of my name. Brad was watching me, but there was a glazed look to his eyes telling me he wasn't all there yet. "What happened?"I didn't want to leave Mom and didn't have to. Quaid bent over Brad and touched his forehead."Go back to sleep, Football." Brad's eyes closed and he sighed deeply.Damn. I still had that mess to deal with. I met Quaid's eyes. They were empty of emotion and his smirk was back. Double damn.I didn't get a chance to confront Quaid. Raised voices drew my attention. I turned with Mom and watched as Sebastian and Uncle Frank went
So, life went back to normal. Or, as normal as my life ever was.Suzanne recovered completely. Now that the creature was gone, her mind came back to her and best of all she didn't remember a thing. Alison and I visited her in the hospital and were both relieved to find out she was not only okay, Suzanne was actually a nice person. With feelings. Who liked music and could smile. Even though I still mostly avoided her, I agreed to the odd lunch and didn't regret getting to know the new and improved Suzanne. She even apologized for being so mean. Imagine.Guess a life threatening possession will do that to you.The whole Brad thing was still a problem. He just wouldn't take no for an answer. Believe me, I tried. And tried. While I cringed from the hurt in his eyes and caved. And caved. He didn't remember anything either, though, so I guess it was a blessing. But because of that he also didn't remember I'd broken up with him. Try convincing a guy with a serious power addiction you didn'
Book Three: Demon Child Just my luck, the moment my marshmallow browned to sugary perfection, my hand slipped a little too close and-poof-it burst into flames before sliding from the end of my carefully peeled stick and into the fire.Nuts.Simon's glasses reflected the campfire as he grinned at me around a mouthful of white, blackened bits sticking to his lips and teeth. The sight made me slightly nauseated and actually grateful my treat lay crisping to death on the coals.I was just happy to finally be free of a month's worth of grounding. I seriously thought Mom was joking when she told me I'd lost my freedom that morning in the cave where we all nearly died. After all, hadn't I just saved the coven and the Blood Clan DeWinter from the creature who was part human, part Firblog, part vampire plague and part demon? Poor Cesard had a serious case of multiple personality disorder.If it wasn't for my demon power and the misplaced affection of one Brad Peters, we'd all be drained
I sat up abruptly, wide-awake and crystal clear, expecting the fight of my life.So how did I end up at home in my own bed, pajamas on, with the morning sun beaming happily in at me?Did I dream the entire thing? Was it some kind of horrid nightmare? Had to be. How else did I make it home and into bed, safe and sound, when my mind told me I was so close to suffering a fate worse than death?I had almost convinced myself when I happened to look down at my hands. They were filthy, coated in caked mud, one of the nails cracked and peeling, dried blood pooled around the edges. I stumbled out of bed, muscles aching. I limped the first few steps, right leg burning like I'd pulled a muscle before making it to my mirror.And gasping at my reflection. I'd heard the expression, 'looks like hell' before, but always thought it was some kind of exaggeration.I kid you not. I looked like... well. My previously sort of tidy ponytail hung half intact, the elastic clinging bravely to a lock of mat
I found myself at school the next morning trying to desperately come up with a more plausible story than the one I told Alison, or at least to fill in the holes in my horrid lie, failing miserably even as I ran right into my friends.The nook by the door where we all met every morning was in full sunlight, giving me a clear view of the worry on their collective faces. They crowded around me, touching me as if to reassure themselves I was in one piece. Simon's glasses caught the light, his thin face puckered with concern, heavy dark hair falling in his eyes over and over again."Syd," he said. "What happened to your face?"Stupid bruise. How embarrassing. Even more so that I had to lie to cover it up. "I think I ran into a tree." So weak. Pathetic even. But my little friend actually winced and patted my hand."Been there," he said. I believed him. Simon was the king of klutz.Beth actually hugged me twice, the scent of her shampoo reminding me of my mother."I saved you a smores p
By the time school wrapped up for the day, yet another success/failure since I'd failed to really learn much, but succeeded in not harming myself or anyone else, I'd almost forgotten about Benjamin and my weak sort-of promise.That is until I found myself crossing the threshold into Johnny's and saw him sitting at a booth, smiling at me.Oh crap. The last person I wanted to talk to, really."I'm going to head home." Just looking at that smile made my head start pounding. Alison must have seen the pain in my face because her concern was immediate."Another migraine?" She squeezed my hand, offering me an excuse out of one of my own lies.How convenient."Um, yeah." I pulled away, offered a weak smile. "Getting them a lot lately." Benjamin was up and moving toward us. For some reason I felt totally and utterly repelled. Like if he came near me I'd implode or something. The headache excuse was very real at last. "Sorry, gang."I left before they could stop me, heard them call after