by Patti Larsen
Right. Forgot about that part. Even Dad wasn't that desperate, I guess.
“Gotcha.” I pressed both hands against my jiggling knees, tension making me jittery. “So Dad knows all of this, right?” Sassy shrugged. That was a yes. “Which means none of this really helps us.” I offered a sad smile to Liam as his face fell. “Sorry, I didn't mean it that way.”
He shook his head. “No, you're right. If Harry knows all of this, it means he's already tried everything outside of this.”
“So we build an effigy and tell Theridialis he has to come through.” I thumped my hands down on the arms of the heavy wooden chair.
Sassy snorted. “Yeah, that'll work.”
“I don't see you offering any suggestions.” My temper flared fresh, eager for something, anything to distract me from what was happening.
Sass didn't answer, his eyes taking a far-away look. I was about to ask him what he was thinking about when his gaze suddenly widened, a sharp intake of breath telling me he'd come across something in his brilliant brain.
“What?” I leaned toward him, tapping his knee. He jerked his face toward mine, a veil dropping over his expression.
“Nothing.” He lurched to his feet like he was suddenly unsteady. “We should head home. You're almost out of time.”
Right. Demonicon awaited.
Sassy was out the door first, leaving me to say goodbye to Liam alone.
“Sorry,” I said as he came to stand beside me, towering over me, the scent of earth and fabric softener filling the air between us. “He's pretty messed up lately.” I sighed. “We all are.”
Liam reached out slowly, as if fearful his gesture would be rejected, and enveloped me in his arms. I hugged him back immediately and with strength, pressing my face into the soft cotton of his shirt, breathing in his scent and absorbing his warmth as the green magic we shared twined around the two of us. Shaylee sighed softly, content and I felt a calm which had been missing from my life for, well, forever.
In that moment I knew, if things had been different, if there wasn't a tall, dark and tasty guy in black leather out there somewhere with half of my heart in his hands, I would happily have fallen in love with Liam.
He pulled away gently and smiled down at me, green glitter lighting his hazel eyes. “Everything is going to be okay, Syd.”
I nodded with a lump in my throat, Galleytrot's large head suddenly pressing against my lower back, holding me tight against Liam. The big dog then circled us both, swiping first my cheek then my friend's with his very wet tongue.
I dashed at the moisture with the back of my hand before hugging his huge head, resting my cheek on the soft fur between his eyes. “Love you,” I said, for both of them.
The doorway beckoned, Sassafras impatiently pacing on the other side. I turned to go, only to hear Liam call out to me.
“I almost forgot,” he said as I turned back, one foot through the barrier. “I ran into Beth. She wanted me to give you a message.” One of his hands dove into the fur on Galleytrot's shoulder as the dog stood beside him. “Alison is home and she's looking for you.”
***
Chapter Fourteen
Sassafras sulked the whole way back to the house, refusing to talk to me about whatever it was that came to him. Which actually suited me at the time, considering the bomb Liam dropped on me.
Alison was home. What did that mean? Was she home for good? For a visit? I wanted to see her, but I didn't, too. I had a lot on my mind, on my plate, without Alison coming back into the picture. And depending on how she was, if she'd healed and was doing okay or not, I knew I didn't have time for her otherwise. I simply couldn't take on brittle, broken Alison again.
Couldn't.
I guess that made me a really bad friend, huh?
Sassafras disappeared down into the basement when we arrived home. I still had a little time, so I ran upstairs, passing Mom's closed door on the way to my bedroom. I'd left my phone home, not having much use for it since Alison left. But yes, there it was in black and white, a hand full of texts from the girl who had been my worst enemy and my best friend.
Hm 2 sty. Mss U.
U there?
Plz dnt B mad!
Lv U
Each text felt more and more desperate, like the new, damaged Alison and not like the old, bitchy Alison.
Crap.
I debated a long moment, fingers hovering over the keys to respond before I set the phone on my desk and turned my back on it. I'd deal with Alison later. Demonicon and my father had to be my focus.
The soft buzzing sound of it as another text came in chased me out the door.
I paused outside Mom's room, teeth gritted as I knocked. I heard the soft shuffle of feet before the door swung open. Mom looked exhausted. I glanced over her shoulder, spotted Meira lying next to Dad. They both looked terrible.
Before I could say anything, offer help, Mom moved out into the hall, forcing me to back up, pulling the door closed behind her. “You're ready to go?” She reached for me, smoothing my hair, touching my cheek with her fingertips, a lost and horribly sad smile on her beautiful face.
I swallowed past the huge lump in my throat. “I'll fix him, Mom,” I said, my demon's ferocity pouring out. “I swear it.”
She let out a low cry and embraced me, whispering ‘I love you’ in my ear over and over. I hugged her back, suddenly feeling like she was the child and I was the grownup, incredibly uncomfortable with the fact, but unwilling to let her down.
When Mom finally pulled away, she seemed better, stronger. Even stripped of her power when Batsheva took the family magic away from her she'd seemed more solid than she did right now. But at least the horrible failure was gone from her eyes.
“I know you will.” She returned my insistence with a snap of her own magic. “I know it.”
I left her there, determined to do whatever it took to save my dad.
Whatever. Including. You know.
Blood magic.
If only I could think about it without wanting to hurl.
I made it to the kitchen with my stomach contents intact and counted it a win. The pull of the basement was balanced with the push of my sudden nerves. What if I failed? I couldn't afford to think like that, but it was hard not to considering the odds I was up against.
I stood there a long time, breathing deeply, trying to gain control over my fear and nerves when someone knocked on the door. I actually squeaked out a little shriek, hands clutching my pounding heart as all the blood rushed from my face in fright. I was so dizzy from it I had to grasp the back of a chair to hold myself up, forced to catch my breath for a moment before I went to see who it was on the other side.
I shouldn't have been surprised by my visitor, but with the combination of events pulling at my attention I suppose my little slip of short-term memory was to be expected. I found myself gaping at the lovely blonde girl on the doorstep. Alison smiled at me, a fragile thing, the edges of her lips fluttering even as her chin seemed to vibrate with pent up emotion.
“Al?” I snapped out of my trance.
She lunged forward and, for the second time in a very short period, I was being hugged. But hers, despite being less desperate than Mom's, felt somehow more needy, grasping. I sighed inside, understanding now all the perkiness she'd offered in her emails, the smiles and laughter at Christmas, had been a mask, Alison faking being okay.
She wasn't okay. And I wasn't sure if she ever really would be.
I hugged her back anyway, wishing there was something magical I could do to help her, to heal her heart. But Mom told me I couldn't and I knew she was right. I couldn't fix my friend. In fact, right now, I could barely fix my own problems. I had to let her go.
I think she felt my reluctance because she pulled back suddenly, wiping at her face, her same false smile back on her lips.
“Silly me!” She rolled her eyes, blue contacts making her gaze brilliant. “I'm just happy to see you. Sorry to go all emo.” She winked, long lashes f
luttering. “Might as well plaster on a load of black makeup and buy some army boots.”
I laughed with her, but only on the outside. She'd gotten very good at hiding, at least. I'm sure her parents had no idea how shattered she still was.
“Sorry I didn't answer your texts,” I said. “I forgot my phone home. I just got back.”
“No problem.” Her perky laughter put my teeth on edge. “I've only been home a few hours. I thought we could run to Johnny's. Catch up.”
Talk about the worst timing in the history of the planet. “I can't, I'm sorry.” I watched her spirit collapse inside her eyes while her veneer of happy slipped only a little. “But I promise we will later, okay? I just have some family stuff I have to take care of right now.”
“You got it.” She reached out and clasped my hands in hers, fingers as cold as ice. They felt like bones barely held together with paper-thin skin, as if a skeleton held my grip. I realized then how sunken her cheeks were, how thin and frail her wrists and forearms, the way her collarbone stuck out. She'd lost more weight, weight she couldn't afford to shed.
“Al...” What could I say? There was nothing to say. I hugged her gently, feeling every rib, the tremor in her body as she hugged me back. “I'll call you, okay?”
She backed off slowly, waving, not turning away, all the way to the driver's door of her red convertible. I watched her climb in, still waving, and only closed the kitchen door when she finally drove out of sight.
I sighed deeply, pressing my forehead to the cool metal frame, just wanting everything to go away. When I finally turned, I found Sassafras watching me.
He was smart enough not to say a word, silent as he followed me back down into the basement.
***
Chapter Fifteen
This time the crossing seemed easier, whether because Sassy was with me or due to the fact I was ready for it and knew it was coming I didn't know. I was just grateful to step through instead of falling, my nausea not affecting me to the point of barfing this time.
I glanced to my right, at Sassafras. He looked the same, aside from the red-tinted skin and cute horns tucked into his shaggy hair. He pulled his hand free of mine in a jerk, shoving it into the back pocket of his jeans like my touch offended him somehow.
There was no time to ask him what his problem was. Theridialis stood there before me, beaming a huge smile, arms outstretched.
When did I become such a hugger? I usually avoided hugs. But I couldn't resist his cherub smile, the gentleness in his face.
“Welcome back, Sydlynn.” His amber eyes fell on Sassafras. “Hello, son.”
“Dad.” Sass's voice was a growl. Neither moved to hug, I noticed. Happy moment over.
“It brings me joy to see you return.” Theridialis didn’t move, but I could feel his affection as if it were real. Demon emotions seemed so much more tangible, the strength of his feelings almost making me giddy.
I could only guess Sassafras was immune. “Thank Harry’s power for breaking my banishment.”
His father nodded. “I expected you to figure it out someday.”
Anger flashed over Sassy’s face. “Just like that.” His voice was a growl, more animal than demon. “And how exactly did you think I’d manage it?”
Theridialis raised one hand, extended it, the lighter red of his palm showing deep lines. “Because,” he said. “You are my son.”
Sass jerked like someone cut his puppet strings.
“Now,” Theridialis grabbed my hand and pulled me through the lab, seating me on the same stool as before, pressing a mug of the delicious drink on me. “I've been considering the problem and I have a few things I'd like to try.”
I took the mug eagerly, downing a huge mouthful with a groan of pleasure. The stuff was horribly addictive.
“Nectar?” Sarcasm dripped in ropey coils of fury from Sassy's voice. “Really, Dad? You're feeding her nectar?”
Theridialis didn't blink or show anger at the interruption. “You're welcome to it, if you'd like some.”
I'd never seen anyone so tense. Sassy's shoulders scrunched up almost high enough to touch his ears, face pulled tight in disapproval and distaste. It was like he was trying to crawl out of his own skin and leave the shell behind as a decoy so he wouldn't have to be there anymore.
“Forget it.” He turned his back on us, striding toward the only door in the room. “Have fun.”
I half rose, mug of deliciousness forgotten in my hand, mouth open to call after him, but I was too late. The heavy metal portal slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing through the still air of the lab.
“Sydlynn.” I turned, met Theridialis's eyes. He was still smiling, though it was sad now. “We have much to do and only limited windows.”
“Sunset.” I set the mug aside, not wanting the distraction even though my demon begged me for one more sip. Maybe the whole addiction thing was something I should worry about after all. “Right?”
The portly demon shrugged. “I'm sure your father has informed you we're not positive what will happen if you stay past darkness. But we have hours before that happens yet.”
I tried to put Sassafras out of my mind while Theridialis went to work.
I'd be lying if I said I knew what he was up to, what half of what he did to me meant. There were moments he had me bent into odd shapes like a pretzel, humming while I let my demon power swirl around me. He made me hold odd gadgets and stand on a small circle of black rock that made every single hair on my body stand straight up on end. Through it all, he muttered and mumbled, making notations in the air written in amber fire he would then erase in a swipe of power.
It was the oddest experience of my life and through it all I held my breath, praying he would find an answer.
Finally he sighed and stepped away, prodding at a series of symbols he'd written that now followed him around like a string of happy, sparkling puppies. “There's just too much interference.” His wide shoulders slumped for a moment, round belly seeming to deflate as he shook his head. “The witch and Sidhe magic inside you are just too strong to cut out of the equation. I can’t calculate what I need without access to pure demon power already tied to your plane.”
“That’s it, then?” I couldn’t believe that. There had to be something we could do.
“I'm not giving up just yet, young lady.” His determination made me perk up again. “We only need a different approach.”
He had just finished speaking when the door opened and Sassafras returned.
“Time's up.” Being on Demonicon hadn't seemed to improve his mood any. In fact, he was even crankier. If that was possible.
I glanced at Theridialis who was staring at his son. “He's right, I'm afraid.” He gestured for me to join Sassafras. “But we're not finished, not by a long mark. We have, as yet, to test your magic, my son. Since it is Harry's power that turned you back to your mortal form, I can only imagine it is what resides inside you that will revert him to his natural state.”
I stared at Theridialis in shock. “Why did you waste time with me, then?” A whole day lost! What was he thinking?
The demon's eyes never left his son though Sassafras refused to look at him and the simple love in his face was enough to tell me why. How could Sass be so wrong about his father? He'd been willing to use my magic to fix Dad on the off chance it would work.
Because it meant Sass could stay in human form.
Sassafras roughly grabbed my hand. “We'll see,” he said before reaching for the veil. I tried to pull away, to make him talk to Theridialis, but we were already falling, the demon power flowing from him, through the crystal in my pocket and into me, tearing the veil between planes and dumping us back into our mortal bodies.
I was a little wobbly this time too, but I had enough self-control I refused to let go of Sassy's hand when he tried to pull away.
“What was that?” I jerked him around to face me. He glared back, so much anger and hurt in him I could feel it in the air between us.
“Listen,” I snapped, lashing at him with demon magic as she rumbled her displeasure. “If he's right, if Dad's power can be restored, you can be damned sure you're going through with whatever Theridialis tells you.”
Sassafras actually paled. And fell very, very still. “Do you mean that?” He stopped trying to pull free of me. “You want me to do whatever it takes to save you father?”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” I let him go at last, my anger raging now, fear and worry wrapped up in my need to break something. “Of course I do!”
Sass held still another moment before jerking his head in a nod, the motion sending a twitch through his whole body. He left me there without another word, storming off up the stairs and out past the family wards into the wide world outside.
Oh no he did not. I stormed after him, racing out the kitchen door, reaching for his magic.
Nothing. Only emptiness. A jab of panic was chased off by a further surge of fury. How dare he block me? This was too important for him to just go off on his own and cut me out.
No way was I telling Mom I'd lost him, either. I ended up dodging her mental queries and spent the next hour or so stomping all over Wilding Springs, my mood worsening with each passing block, my temper increasing with time instead of decreasing.
I was in the middle of inventing swearwords when I felt a mind touch mine. I latched on in a rush of rage only to feel soft Sidhe magic soothe me to a calmer state.
It's okay, Liam sent. He's safe with me.
Of course. The cavern. Damn him.
I was only two blocks from town hall when Liam reached me and covered the remaining ground at a dead run, partly to get there as fast as I could and partly to expel some of the anger I'd been nursing for over an hour.