Full Circle

by Patti Larsen

  He wasn't kidding, either. There, just on the other side, stood a row of demons. And behind them another row. And another, stretching back as far as I could see in the shimmering pink-sky-tinted distance, an army of soldiers ready, willing and able to invade our plane.

  That got Batsheva's attention. “You wouldn't.” She paled, her fear showing at last.

  “I will,” Dad said. “I used blood magic, yes. I am a demon.” He swept the room with his gaze. “Your empty laws do not apply to me. And I will use it again, little witch, right now, to bring my soldiers here and lay waste to your pathetic world.”

  Okay, he was bluffing, I knew that much.

  Wasn't he?

  Batsheva sank back, a sheen of moisture on her face. He had her sweating. Wicked.

  “Call off your army,” she said. “There will be no war.”

  So much disappointment. Too much. Was this it, the real reason for the trial? Was Mom the target—or was Dad? My eyes flew to my mother whose smile was gone, expression thoughtful.

  Exactly, Gram sent. Remember, Batsheva's twisted goals are all about ruining your mother. She knew you'd bring your father to testify. But she didn't expect Harry to bring reinforcements. Or that he is now a Prince. Her tone was grudgingly respectful. Well played, son-in-law.

  Dad let the veil snap closed, though he didn't shrink his size and his voice still boomed when he spoke.

  “This woman is innocent of your weak charges,” he said. “I acted on my own, without her knowledge. She has followed coven law to the letter. If there is anyone to charge, it is me. And you now know where those charges will take you.”

  Was this it? Did Dad just hand us victory?

  Violet stood up. “Not so, Demon Prince,” she said in a sad and heavy voice.

  Oh crap. I willed her to just shut up, but it seemed her sense of fairness ran both ways.

  “Law agrees,” she said, “you are not subject to our ways. But Miriam Hayle, whether willing or not, allowed the use of blood magic at her most sacred coven site. Without her knowledge it might be, but she is still responsible for her family and what happens in the confines of her coven.” She moved to sit, hesitated. “I'm sorry.”

  Dad bowed his head to her. “This is the law?”

  She nodded. “It is, Demon Prince.”

  I saw my father hesitate, knew then he would do anything, including start a war, to save Mom. I drew a sharp breath, fear flooding me as my demon howled her rage and need to join him in the fight.

  “Harry.” Mom's voice, though soft compared to his, made it through loud and clear.

  He turned toward her, shoulders bowing. “I won't allow them to harm you, my love.”

  “Harry,” she repeated in her same loving tone. “I'm here willingly. The laws of my kind are very important to me, you know that.”

  He sighed as he shrank slowly back down to human size. “I honor your commitment to your people,” he said, “but not their short-sighted foolishness.” He turned to face the Council, no longer huge, but just as intimidating. “This witch should be the envy of any coven. Honoring and caring for her people means more to her than her own life.” His jaw worked, eyes going to slits. “I will do as she asks and stand down. But keep in mind my displeasure if you should choose to harm her.”

  “Your empty threats don't frighten us.” Batsheva brushed at the air before her as if he were a lowly fly. “Begone, foul demon.”

  Dad ignored her, turning back to Mom. He leaned close to her and kissed her gently, but with great passion, so much so I heard witches sigh over their love, so clear and obvious. It was hard not to roll my eyes and blush.

  Dad finally pulled away and straightened. As he did, he faded away, the clear crystalline structure of his effigy once again taking on the light of the sun.

  I stood and gestured. Quaid moved forward, wrapping the statue in family magic and taking it away.

  The chamber was silent a long moment before Batsheva balled up a piece of parchment and threw it at the back of the secretary's head, her magic crackling around the room.

  “Well?” She snarled at him. “Don't just stand there, idiot.”

  She must have put power behind the sheet of paper because he rubbed the spot like it still hurt while he read the next name.

  “Sunny DeWinter.” He turned to Batsheva with a bit of an accusatory, sulky tone. “One of the vampires.”

  “I protest again,” Odette said, sweeping to her feet. “We've heard more than enough testimony in this woman's defense.”

  “And yet all of your witnesses were permitted to speak.” Erica's voice was dry, her tone sharp. “Bear in mind, these are special circumstances.”

  “Of course you would speak in favor,” Odette snapped. “She was your leader.”

  “Are you accusing a Council member of unprofessional conduct?” Erica's eyebrows lifted, words and voice mild, but implication loud and clear.

  Odette spluttered, backpedaling. Such an accusation was a serious thing. No one would look at Odette, not even Benita. I wondered if I prodded the Santos coven leader a little harder would she cross sides.

  “Enough.” Batsheva thumped her fist down on the arm of her chair.

  “Forgive me, Council leader,” Erica said at her most sweet, “but I disagree. Miriam Hayle is being accused, among other things, of trying to steal power from foreign magics. How can we see the full picture if the owners of those magics aren't allowed to testify?” She turned back to Odette. “And I have as yet to hear if the Dumont coven leader is accusing me of playing this Council false.”

  Odette's expression wasn't happy. “Of course not,” she muttered before sinking into her seat to sulk.

  Batsheva huffed and pulled herself to her feet. “Fine, we reconvene at nightfall.” She left without another word, stomping off through the hastily opened doorway.

  Two Enforcers approached. “All leaders must be remanded into custody until the Council reconvenes.” I frowned with the others. “No exceptions.”

  Nice. Like Odette would be cooling her heels in some chamber. More than likely she'd be running around looking for something else to do to hurt Mom. Still, I could tell from the stiff and angry twist to Violet's shoulders and the way Irene looked down her nose at the black-robed witches this order wasn't doing Batsheva any favors.

  I was left in a room similar to the ones I'd visited, with a sitting area on the outside, bedroom further in, while the doorway was sealed up by the Enforcers. As tired as I still was, I spent the next several hours pacing, unable to keep still, my magic blocked inside the room with me. And while I knew I could easily break the seal, I held back. No telling what Odette would do with that if I offered it to her on a silver platter.

  It also meant no Gram. So weird to not feel her in my head. Only then did I understand she'd really been there all along, listening, watching. I'd known she hung around, but not that she was a constant watcher.

  I wasn't sure if I felt comforted, pissed off or creeped the hell out.

  Dad's statue was there, at least. But I didn't bother contacting him. He'd done all he could, outside of invading. And I didn't want to give him any ideas.

  I was sure Charlotte paced outside my door, my self-appointed bodywere probably ready to claw her way through to me.

  Despite my intentions, when I felt Dad part the veil, I welcomed him with open arms. He hugged me, grim.

  “Dad,” I pulled away, trying for a smile, “way to make waves.”

  He stroked my cheek. “I did my best,” he said. “But we both know this is a fake trial, Syd. No matter what the Council decides, Batsheva and Odette have plans for Miriam.”

  I shrugged and pulled away. “We'll deal with it when it happens. Until then, we're swaying support, I think.” I wanted to believe.

  “It will all work out.” Way to pull the there, there, dear card, Dad. “No matter what happens, I'll make sure of that.”

  I looked up into his eyes, knowing what he meant. “Dad,” I said softly, “not to pu
t a damper on your whole Demon Prince in shining armor routine, but if you kidnap Mom after she's convicted, it will mean the end of the coven.”

  His face crumpled. “I can't let her die.”

  “I know.” I squeezed his hand. “Me either. And if it comes to it, take her. You hear me? One way or another, Batsheva is going to do whatever it takes to get her hands on our family magic. If Mom is safe, I can live with it.”

  Dad hugged me before parting the veil. “I have something for you.” A small box floated through, real and tangible. It floated in front of me until I took it from the air, the metal warm from its trip. “Though I hate to burden you with more.” I opened the box, gasped at the perfect white jewel inside. It pulsed with life, light, called to me with a familiar feeling. I looked up, fear in my heart.

  “Dad...”

  “We tried to contain it,” he said, “but the virus isn't meant to be manipulated with demon magic. It was destabilizing, starting to draw power. Theridialis tried to destroy it, but I worry he only made it stronger.” He shook his head. “You have to find a way to kill it, Syd. And you need vampire magic to do it.”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty One

  I was still standing there, staring at the glowing light, when the door behind me opened. I spun, tucking the box behind my back, as Charlotte strode in, fury snapping in her wolf eyes.

  “You're free to go,” she said with a snarl.

  “I thought I had to stay in custody?” It was a real relief to know I could escape the room.

  “Evidently not everyone was under the same rules,” she said, her accent worse as her temper flared. “What is true for one must be true for all. When I spotted Odette and Benita Santos talking in the hall I told the Enforcers either make them return to their rooms or rescind the ridiculous order. The Enforcers weren’t exactly all that willing to listen to reason."

  “Okay.” I found myself grinning at her savage expression. “Obviously the first suggestion didn’t go over. Mind telling me what you did to make them listen to the second?

  Charlotte’s eyes tightened, her entire body wound like an animal ready to attack. “I didn’t do anything,” she said in a growl as her eyes altered to wolf coloring. “I just asked them. Nicely.”

  Yeah. Right.

  Her body relaxed, her own smile coming to her lips. “After a few minutes of asking, with some help, I was told to release you.”

  I glanced over her shoulder, saw Violet walk past the room. The old witch wiggled her fingers at me before continuing on.

  Brilliant.

  I turned to Dad's statue and tucked the little metal box in behind his feet, hidden from view. Charlotte cocked her head to the side, anger replaced with curiosity.

  “Never mind,” I said. “Let's go for a walk.”

  She followed me out the door and down the hall toward the foyer. The moment my foot passed the threshold, I felt something pulling me back into the room. I refused to listen, trying to jerk free, but the tugging was stronger than I expected.

  I staggered to the side as the mansion rattled, a ripple of power passing through the stones. It took me a moment to understand what was happening, to recognize the flavor of the magic.

  Vampire. Connected to me, thanks to Dad. And it was not happy.

  Crap. I turned and headed back, Charlotte's brow furrowed in concern as the place shook again. Witches cried out, some ducking fearfully behind doorways, looking up and around. I almost laughed, heard whispers of demon armies and wondered what would happen if I yelled boo.

  The shaking didn't stop until my foot passed back over the threshold. Then, as if an earthquake had been shut off with a faucet, everything settled. I hurried to the foot of Dad's statue and retrieved the box, opening it again.

  “Sydlynn,” Charlotte said, “was that you?”

  “No,” I turned to her, showed her the glowing white marble. “But it does mean trouble.”

  I had yet to see Charlotte truly afraid. But when I filled her in on what the jewel contained her pupils flared to almost crowd out the color as she took a step back from me, breath coming in short, hard gasps.

  “You carry the essence of them in that?” I'd almost forgotten the old feud between vampires and werewolves and found myself wondering where it came from and if it was as contrived as witch's abhorrence of blood magic.

  “Of the virus, yes.” I sighed and tipped it out into my hand. It rolled around in my palm, warm and pulsing like a living thing. It reminded me of the crystal now melded with Dad's statue. It too had a life of its own. But the crystal had been benign, welcoming, helpful. This was the opposite. Need and hunger circled around inside it, tempting me, begging me to release it, to meld my power with its heart, how powerful we would be, how undefeatable. Mom would be safe, the world would be ours, enemies crushed underfoot—

  What the hell is that? Gram's mental voice practically slapped me. Syd!

  I came back to myself, blinked. Well, that wasn't good.

  It's the vampire virus. I slid it back into the box. It fought me, snarled, shot pain through my hand. And the second I closed the lid, the shaking started again.

  Of all the stupid, irresponsible... Gram ran on for a bit, swearing in a few languages. At least I'm pretty sure she was swearing. Just her tone made me blush. What the hell was Harry thinking?

  He's right. I shut her down as I opened the box and glared at the gem. This is my responsibility.

  Gram sighed. Idiot, she snapped. Fine. The moment the vampires are up, you hand that thing over. We have work to do.

  What do I do? I tipped it into my hand again. It freaks out when I put it back in the box.

  You have to wear it on you, silly girl. Gram sounded incredibly put out, like I'd done something so childish it astonished her. What have these fools taught you about magic, anyway? Harry should never have let you open the damned box.

  Oops. He hadn't said a word.

  You'll have to make a necklace for it, wear it under your clothes. Gram shot images into my mind. You need platinum. You do know how to make basic elements?

  She didn't have to be so huffy about it. Yes, Gram.

  Then do it, girl, we haven't got all day.

  Okay then. I closed my eyes, focused on earth. Shaylee perked immediately, offering all kinds of precious metals. Gram shoved her way into the conversation and told my Sidhe princess third in no uncertain terms exactly what was required. Shaylee was shaking and furious when Gram was done, but helped me extract a thread of platinum wire from the ground beneath me, bits and pieces sliding together, forming in the air before me until I had a very precious spool hovering before my eyes.

  Gram took over, buffeting my power this way and that, making links, connecting them, whispering as she bound them with my magic. Nice to be a passenger in this little train wreck. When she was done, a thin chain dropped into my open hands.

  Now bind the thing to the chain, Gram snapped. And be quick about it. The platinum will help reinforce the seal and keep it contained.

  When I hesitated Gram sighed again. Never mind. She took the remaining wire in her power and formed a basket out of it, winding the threads of metal through each other until it was a perfect fit. I quickly rolled the gem into the little wire container before it could fight me and sent a burst of power to it, sealing it shut.

  The vampire virus shrieked its unhappiness, but this time the walls didn't shake.

  So far so good.

  You think so, do you? I hated it Gram could read my thoughts. I slid the chain around my neck and under my shirt, the glowing marble falling between my breasts, a hot, heavy heart beating in time with mine. I shuddered away from it a little, from the pull, but it was much easier to ignore now.

  Suck it up, Gram snarled. She grasped onto my demon and Shaylee and shook them a little. You two watch her and keep her safe.

  My demon growled while Shaylee struggled to pull free, but they both agreed.

  You didn't have to do that. My anger flared at her.


  Yes, she said, blunt tone almost painful. I did. Because somewhere inside you there has to be a lick of sense. I just don't think you'll ever find it.

  She barged her way out of my mind, like she was slamming the door between us. It shook me, left me unbalanced, while I tried to hold off the steady, taunting pressure coming from the stone.

  Charlotte caught my arm, face wreathed in concern. But before she could say anything, someone knocked, the door swinging open only a moment later.

  “Night comes,” the Enforcer said. “Time to resume the trial.”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Two

  The coming darkness did nothing to make my battle any easier as the virus fully woke after the sun went down. I was happy to have Charlotte next to me as I stumbled my way to the hall and the Council chamber, only just pulling myself together long enough to make it to my seat before the virus's whispering temptations returned all over again.

  The Council had marched in while I fought the power inside the gem and I only came back to myself when I heard a familiar name being called.

  Sunny looked stunning as ever, poised like Mom, though her years were apparent in every inch of her. She held herself like a queen, as though she only appeared before the Council from the goodness of her heart.

  Her testimony flew by while I continued my battle with the virus. It kept tempting me, telling me how easy it would be to simply sweep all of the others before me away, whispering its lies and hope into my heart. I was startled back to myself to see Uncle Frank standing where Sunny had, his handsome face perfect again, his tone as cold as hers had been before I spiraled back down into the taunting trap of the stone.

  Girl. Gram's power slapped me, hard. Get out of there.

  I felt my body jerk, saw Tallah look at me sideways as though I was about to pounce on her and eat her. I offered a little smile before answering Gram.