“Got! No! If you kill him, I’ll never be able to forgive you.” Erin groaned. He fired again. So loud. She cried out. A tragic wail. She held his arm but got a hand on his face. Blue light flashed between her fingers.
Blake screamed. Water poured down his face. Erin called the water out, reaching deeper, begging every molecule of liquid inside his head to hear her spell and obey. Water gushed from his mouth and nose in waves. She pulled the water out of his brain like she’d pulled the water out of my shoes. Like she’d pulled the water out of the body of the glassworm. He dropped to the floor. Erin fell on top of him. Put her hand on her wound.
An alarming amount of blood covered Blake’s back and shoulders. “We have to get you downstairs,” I said. Light glowed beneath Blake’s shirt.
“What’s that?” Erin wanted to know.
“There’s no time.” Something moved under Blake’s shirt.
Maybe there’s time.
Buttons popped as I yanked his shirt up as high as it would go. A thing not entirely physical emerged from Blake’s back. Small. Translucent. Shimmering. It had arms and legs and a hairless head, bones and skull visible through the skin. It stared with sightless blank eyes and opened its mouth in a sickly cry, two tiny teeth in its gums.
“Burn that ugly thing,” Erin said.
Twin gouts of fire erupted from my hands, turning the cambion to ash.
I didn’t want to damage Blake’s body, but I had to make sure the creature coming out of him was dead. I had no idea what it could do if it got away.
“It’s gone,” I said. “We need to get you help, now. I’ll come back and take care of things when I know you’re okay.”
“All right. Don’t forget the money.”
I almost laughed. She’s worried about the money? I scooped Erin off the floor and hurried to the stairs. I wanted to blink so bad. I tried but it didn’t work.
Erin fell unconscious before I made it to the door.
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Wishing to Blink Again
“She looks so peaceful,” said Bromach.
Caskets with glass covers. They would be completely ghoulish in the mortal realm, but in the Behindbeyond they displayed those we loved in a state of pristine beauty and perfect slumber. I admired, not for the first time, the exquisite fall of hair over her shoulder, her full lips, and the soft curve of her cheek.
“I wish I’d known her,” I replied. “I feel like I remember her from when I was a baby, but it could just be me wanting to remember.”
“She was kind. Everyone loved her. Your father will be up here every day.”
“I’m sure he will.” Footsteps at the door. “Speak of the deamhan.”
The Alder King’s entry was enhanced by Erin, who had her arm through his as she accompanied him into the room. She’d spent several days in the hospital, and the doctors there had done as fine a job as mortals could. She’d needed surgery requiring a dozen units of blood but hadn’t experienced any permanent injuries. As for Blake, we kept the story simple. He attacked us, we sought refuge in a dark office building, we prevailed.
The cambion was ash, spread as far across the carpet as I could get it. I’d had no choice but to leave Blake where he was. There weren’t obvious external signs to show how he’d died. But who knew what someone might think if they discovered his brain was missing its water.
I’d also collected the money.
Bromach nudged me. “Fáidh appears well.”
“I worry about her. She told me she wouldn’t be able to forgive me if I killed Blake. I hope she’s able to forgive herself. Physically, she’s fine. The bullet was silver so it could be enchanted. That meant the bullet contained no iron, so her injuries could also be healed.”
“Unlike Urlabhraí’s injuries.” Bromach’s expression included an overabundance of smug. As the reigning champion of Air Mages, he was entitled.
“It’s hard to feel bad about that.”
“And what of the evil-doers?”
Evil-doers!
“Arrested.” It still felt good to have pulled off a Mission Impossible move without all the gadgets and makeup. “The police searched Katie’s house and found her bomb-making materials. She’ll testify against Marcus to get a reduced sentence. Marcus was picked up ten miles away, buying champagne for a celebration he’s never going to have.”
It was hard to feel bad about that, too.
Bromach looked at me. “It’s unbecoming of a prince to take pleasure in the misfortune of others,” he said. “Yet methinks thou art entitled.”
I smiled, possibly with an overabundance of smug.
I’d consulted with the police about Hope’s disappearance and put the blame for Sarah’s death on the Irish mob. If the video of fake me came to light, I’d have to deal with it. Marcus’s vehicle had also been linked to a hit-and-run the previous night when his SUV had allegedly hit a Mercedes owned by Senator Lima of Coral Gables.
That Karma. What a woman.
Erin looked great in a deep green gown that set off the warmth of her luxurious hair. She’d been given three months leave from the Medical Examiner’s office due to her injuries. When we talked about Blake, we didn’t say his name. All we could bring ourselves to say was “he” or “him.” He’d been dealt with unfairly. I didn’t know how or when he’d died the first time. Logically, it was five years ago. From all I’d learned, it was entirely possible that he’d been revived with necromancy by Urlabhraí and sired a daughter with the Máithrín. Why they’d chosen him, I might never know. The Máithrín could’ve kept him in some corner of Tír Dúchais where time flowed quickly. He could’ve been preserved for twenty-three years by the cambion, barely aging, while they raised Sarah. Then Sarah had met Oz and they’d started working for the wrong people and everything had gone wrong.
Oz arrived. He had a little more spring in his step and an easy smile on his face. While Marcus hadn’t been directly involved with Sarah’s death, he’d been a catalyst, and Oz liked the fact that Marcus was awaiting trial.
“You’re looking well, Oz.”
“And you, sire.”
“Yeah. Don’t call me sire. Got is fine.”
Oz leaned in to whisper, “Even with the Alder King standing right there?”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “Especially then.”
Oz gave me his quick nod. “Have you seen Jons?”
“I haven’t, but I heard he’s back to work.”
“That’s good. How’s the foundation?”
“Great. Again, we’re grateful for your help making all those deposits. We’ve drawn up the papers and we’re filing on Monday. It will be called the Hope Gallatin Veteran’s Center. We’ll be helping vets with Alzheimer’s.”
“Hope would be pleased. Sarah would too.”
“I think so.”
Sir Siorradh arrived with one more guest. Today’s ceremony was all about Hope’s dad.
James Gallatin looked like a man who had awakened from a ten-year nap. I imagined any kind of recovery from Alzheimer’s, even a minor one, would feel that way.
The mages in the Behindbeyond were not only skilled at physical healing, but mental as well. They couldn’t generate new parts of the brain, but they could repair the connections that still existed. I hoped further therapy would bring more of him back over time. I’d promised Hope I’d take care of her dad, and I wanted to do everything I could think of. The results so far enabled James to be more responsive and over the past few weeks he’d started recognizing me. He’d asked about Hope and I’d told him she’d been killed in an accident but we were going to have a service for her today.
The casket next to my mother’s was covered in a finely-wrought silver cloth. It had been up to me to pick what I thought Hope might like in her final resting place.
It wasn’t the only surprise I’d planned.
Sir Siorradh had been working with the enchanters who had created his armor. James had lost his lower legs to diabetes, but now he had two complete legs made of silv
er. As he rolled into the room, excitement spun in my chest.
“Are you ready, sir?” I asked.
“Oh, hello. Yes, Mr. Luck. As ready as I can be.”
I set the brakes on the wheelchair. Siorradh and I helped him to his feet. He was weak, but he managed to stand and take a few steps without help.
“The world looks different up here.” James smiled. “I’d forgotten.”
We laughed and my father applauded softly.
I guided James to the first casket. “This is my mother.” I said.
James nodded hello. I helped him to the second casket.
“We wanted to keep Hope here as well, sir, if you feel that’s all right. You’re welcome to visit her any time you want.” If my father doesn’t like it, too bad.
“Keeping her here would be nice,” he said. He couldn’t take his eyes off the silver cloth. Time to pull it away. It flowed to the floor like water.
The casket was intricately decorated in a feminine floral motif, all silver, with a glass cover etched to extend the same pattern. Flowers and leaves dominated the design but there were little dolphins if you knew where to look. The satin of the lining was a light turquoise shade and the pillow was a cream color with dozens of tiny orange bells around the trim. Her dress was cream as well, with an exquisitely-beaded bodice. In her hands, she held a small bouquet of tiny white flowers. Forget-me-nots. But the most striking sight was Hope herself.
Her hair was arranged in loops and curls that framed her face in blond vines of gold. Her big eyes were immaculately made up in soft, earthy shades and her eyelashes were long and dark with the kind of mascara that would run if she cried. She looked like she was sleeping and the corners of her mouth were curved up just enough that you’d almost not have a heart attack if she suddenly started laughing.
James stood so still I thought maybe we’d stunned him silent. Tears rose over the brims of his eyes and streamed down his face.
“Sir?”
Maybe it was too overwhelming.
“She’s perfect,” he said.
* * *
I had a lot to think about. I’d taken on a task to protect Hope and it was turning into a legacy for her. I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to completely shake the feeling that I’d failed her, but her visions had led her to take actions on her own, and those actions felt more like destiny as time went on.
The things we’d done felt good. Felt right. Even though I was playing fast and loose with the legalities. There was work to be done and if bringing James to the healers here made his Alzheimer’s better, maybe we could bring more veterans with the same problem. It wasn’t like they’d remember much, but I didn’t hold a lot of optimism for it. The Alder King was big on staying out of mortal affairs.
Maybe he shouldn’t have let me grow up as a mortal, then.
It’s complicated, this thing called life.
Outside the castle, I found a path and walked, disconsolate. Time for grieving was easy to postpone because there were things to do but it felt good to be outdoors and think about thinking about it. Maybe I’d see if the Mrs. Fergus had leaves for easing heartache. Or curing heart-anger. Maybe I’d go hiking. The Rocky Mountains would be beautiful this time of year. I could work through my rage and sorrow and anything else if I disappeared for a while and didn’t see anyone who would remind me of her.
My thoughts wandered, like the path through the trees. Before I knew it, I was on the other side of the lake behind my father’s castle. A trillion unfamiliar stars sparkled in a sky saturated with ink while the branches of the trees around me danced in wind-driven choreography. The lights of the castle skimmed the lake. Their reflections drew long, broken shafts across the water. I sighed from the beauty of it.
“What? You still haven’t found what you’re looking for?” I knew that voice and the musical laugh that followed.
A precise square appeared in the air above me and a window rolled open. Light, shockingly bright and tinged with gold, created a column that would have burned the ground and the forest and everything nearby except it had no heat.
A girl stepped out of the light. Her silhouette remained limned in a glowing aura. Her blue eyes shimmered and a smile played across her lips. Narrow rays of golden light waved as if underwater behind her back while a band of gold like an over-sized crown turned slowly above her head. All her Stains transformed into Glory.
“Hello, Got.”
“Hello, Hope.”
“You can hug me.”
We embraced. She had form and substance, but at the same time she wasn’t altogether there. Yet her arms settled solidly around me and the weight of her was real as I lifted her off the ground.
She giggled. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. I think I should be shocked to see you but I’m totally not.”
“There’s so much I want to tell you but I can’t stay.” We broke apart. She remained close enough she had to tilt her head to look up at me. “I have to do one thing first, so I don’t forget. Then we can talk for a minute. Okay?”
“Sure,” I replied.
“Okay. By the way, this is going to hurt.” She bit her lip as she concentrated, which was cute as heck. Then she plunged her glowing hand into my chest, which was not cute at all. I heard myself groan and clenched my jaws so hard my teeth hurt. I wanted to make her stop somehow, but I kept my fists to my side and stood my ground and prayed for it to be over.
When she pulled her hand out of my chest, the relief I felt nearly turned my knees to butter. I put my hands on her shoulders to steady myself.
“Sorry about that.” Hope held something in her hand. She put her other hand flat on my chest and I was suddenly filled with strength. “Better?”
“Better.” I touched my chest, which was whole. I felt like I could run a marathon without breaking a sweat or lift a car over my head without straining a muscle. At the same time, my soul felt lighter and happy. “Seriously better.”
“Good.” Whatever she held in her hand was moving, trying to get away. “Hang on a sec.” She put her open hand on top of the thing, trapping it. Light flared and a small, round box materialized as she moved her hands apart. The box was an inch tall and four inches in diameter and made of gold. “There!”
She held the box and bounced on her toes, excited by what she had done.
There were dials and pointers on it. “It looks like some kind of compass,” I said.
“Yes. Here, take it.”
It was warm to the touch and heavier than it looked.
Hope stood ramrod straight. The expression on her face was solemn but there was an element there I hadn’t seen in Hope before. Knowledge or wisdom or whatever came between. “Brón’s heart is not meant for the higher realms. The heart is an offense against Nature and should have been consigned back to the Deamhan realm. Inside you, it would have continued to fester and corrupt you. Inflaming your anger was only the beginning. You did well, learning to resist it, but over time it would have grown stronger, so it had to come out. You didn’t know the consequences of eating the heart, so you can be forgiven and healed. Now that it’s contained in that box, you are charged with hunting down the Dubhcridhe. The Heartpiece will aid you.”
Heartpiece.
She broke character and laughed. “Can you believe we have a class called ‘Angelic Proclamations’ where we practice saying stuff like that? Honestly, I feel like a secretary bird.” She made her eyes go goofy and tilted her head, which made me laugh.
“Your delivery was perfect. I’ll take my assignment seriously, I promise.”
“Good. Oh! Watch this!” She stepped back ten feet and put her hand out to the side while she bit her lip again. A shaft of light coalesced into a golden sword that was taller than Hope herself. She brought the sword into a two-handed grip and narrowed her eyes to a glare. She took a swing like a heavenly Xena warrior princess. “Ha!” and then, “Whoops!” The weight of the sword carried her around and she almost tripped over her own feet.
She giggled as the sword vanished and she put a hand over her mouth.
I laughed. No way to hide it. “When do you get to use a sword?”
“Oh, they don’t let me actually use it. I obviously have a lot to learn. Technically, I’m not even supposed to show it to anyone, but . . .”
“I’m impressed.”
Hope grew solemn again. “Be careful, Got. You’re an important player in a game that’s getting more dangerous. You won’t be able to pretend the Behindbeyond doesn’t need you anymore. You’ll need to work harder to develop your powers. I can watch over you, but I won’t be able to intervene. Occasionally, I can give you advice. Paradise is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, but I don’t want to see you there for centuries yet. Promise you’ll be careful?”
Hope reached out a hand, not to shake but to hold. I took her hand and we walked along the path. Me in my jeans and t-shirt. Hope in a golden gown of light.
“I’ll be careful.”
“You have questions, I know.” She looked at me sideways.
“I do.”
“Here’s an answer to an easy one. Sir Siorradh started life as a California Oak tree. He grew from a sapling planted in a park across the street from a drive-in movie theater, close to a university. Students often sat under his branches to read. The trees around him died of disease, so he’s a little sad and very protective. When he was cut down for a parking lot, the center of his trunk refused to die and the Alder King brought him to the Behindbeyond and made him a guard. Over time, he became captain because he’s completely loyal and he remembers everything he sees or hears.”
“That explains a lot.”
“Here’s an answer to another question. Paradise, where I live now, is similar to the Behindbeyond. The Behindbeyond stands between the mortal realm and the Deamhan realm. Paradise stands between the mortal realm and the Citadel.”
“The Citadel? Is that Heaven?”
“You can think of it that way, if you like.”
Hmm. “Are you being mysterious, or don’t you know?”
Hope nodded. “Yes.”
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