by Patti Larsen
I thought about Sunny’s warning even as I stroked the fur of Sassy’s paw with one fingertip. “I’m not looking for trouble.”
He grunted something I didn’t catch. “Your mother should have sent you off to camp with Meira,” he said. “At least then if something did hit the fan, you’d be far enough away the coven could stay out of it.”
Oh hardy-har-har. Like I was a nine year old to be sent off to camp. I shuddered at the thought. I’d only gone once, when I was about Meira’s age. “I hope she has fun, at least.” I knew she would. My little sister was half demon, just like me, only she wore her heritage on her body. Her red skin, cute little horns and amber eyes said it all. Normally, she was forced to disguise herself. But she was at witch camp, so she would be able to spend the whole summer as just Meira.
I missed her more than I was willing to admit, lost in thought about her and how she’d be horrified to know her uncle and his girlfriend weren’t welcome anymore. Sassy took the opportunity to dig in a jab of his own.
“I’m sure she’ll do much better than you did.”
He just had to bring that up. “It wasn’t my fault.” The old excuse. But I really believed it.
“What happened?” Galleytrot settled next to the bed, chin still at rest, eyes curious.
“We don’t really need to go into that,” I said even as my demon cat chortled with glee. I’d never heard glee before, but this was it.
“She was kicked out.” He snickered and snorted while he went on. “Lasted two days before the councilors demanded Miriam come pick her up.”
“Stupid camp,” I said, a flash of that horrible two days passing through my mind.
“What did you do?”
I exchanged an angry look with Sassy. It didn’t stop him from speaking, mind you. I just figured I had to make the effort.
“There were a few girls who didn’t get along with her.” My dislike of bullies ran deep. Didn’t get along? The trio of young witches whose names I’d purposely forgotten chose me from the moment I arrived as their target of choice. “Syd took it for only a short time.” Like about ten minutes. I may have been a pushover in the real world, wanting to fit in, but I despised being a witch back then and no one was going to treat me like that. “The girls ended up with rather uncomfortable maladies.” I had a habit of speaking things out loud my demon took literally. In that case, I’d been happy about it. “Boils, I believe it was. And rashes.”
Ah, the rashes. Yes, most excellent.
I shook myself free of the memory as Galleytrot chuckled. “Good to know,” he said. “I’ll do my best not to piss you off.”
For some reason I had a moment of worry for Meira. Would she be all right? I just as quickly brushed it away. Of course she would. Miss Meems got along with everyone.
The boys finally settled, Sassafras’s amber eyes falling closed, Galleytrot groaning softly as he curled up on the floor. Their calm helped relax me enough I drifted near sleep. And good thing. It might have been summer vacation for everyone else I knew, but not for me. I had years worth of work to catch up on. I was just grateful the nausea plaguing me in the past was long gone. Now if only I could convince my three magics to work together instead of colliding into each other… if I’d been allowed to develop normally, none of this would have been an issue.
Not that I blamed Gram or anything. She did what she had to do to save our family. Still. Sucked.
I was almost asleep when I remembered my three promises. Namely, the final one. Alison. I had to do something about Alison.
A plan formed in my head even as I drifted off again. She wasn’t going to make it easy, I was sure of that, but then again, nothing in my life was simple, so I had tons of experience.
***
Chapter Three
There’s something nasty about be woken abruptly twice in one sleep cycle. Not like I was given much of a choice the second time. Hard to ignore my entire house shaking violently while a wave pulse breaking the speed of sound forced its way upward, lifting my bed an inch or two from the ground before dropping it back to the floor along with everything else I owned.
Galleytrot yelped in surprise and pain, pawing at his ears as the thunderous boom of the shockwave echoed back. I shook my head, rotating my jaw to try and clear away the resounding thrum of it still bouncing around inside my skull.
I reached for Sassafras, but his silver body was absent. Panic took over as the shock of the event passed. I gasped for air, listening to the tinkle and thuds of the contents of the house fall back into place. The faint scent of smoke shattered the freeze holding me in one spot.
I threw myself out of bed yet again, hurtling down the stairs, feet slipping from one to the next until they were hot from carpet friction. Galleytrot leapt from the top, bounding over the railing to land in the hallway below. He waited for me there, eyes everywhere, taking his intention to protect me pretty seriously.
But we were inside my house! There was really nowhere safer than that. I’d said it to Sassafras the night before and meant it.
Smoke oozed out from the gaping basement door. I rushed to it, pounding down the stairs into chaos.
At least I wasn’t alone. Mom and Gram swayed side-by-side, having arrived just before me, both in their dressing gowns, Mom with coffee spilled down the front of hers. They’d had their morning java interrupted, but by what? I scanned the still smoky basement, hair almost standing on end from the residual power humming in the air, before spotting Dad lying sprawled in the middle of the family pentagram.
Mom saw him the instant I did and let out a low cry of distress. I let her run to him first, holding back despite wanting to rush to him and make sure he was okay. Instead of my own feelings, I did the responsible witch thing and paused to feel around the house. My power encountered Gram’s, welcomed it almost like an old friend. Fair enough, since the core of her magic lived inside me for so long.
Her faded blue eyes met mine, white hair wisping around her face like down. “Morning, Syd.”
Even though she wasn’t nuts anymore, Gram was still odd. “Hey, Gram.”
“I made you oatmeal.” She turned her gaze back to Mom and Dad even as her magic twined around mine. “Hope you’re hungry.” Together, our power explored the house, repairing some physical damage along the way. I helped her seal a crack in the foundation, my earth magic sliding between the two sections and making them whole. I followed her up into the second floor, water magic healing a handful of two by fours supporting the roof. All the while, Gram kept up her commentary. “There’s no orange juice so I conjured some.” Our magic released at last, the house secure. I opened to my power as it returned to me in a rush, finally loving how it felt.
Gram met my eyes again with a grin. “Breakfast of champions,” she said. And winked.
I winked back. Couldn’t help myself, really.
Dad groaned, snapping my attention from the kooky old lady to him. Mom supported him as he struggled to sit up. My heart wrenched at the sight, like watching a train wreck you wish you could avoid all together but just can’t resist. Once a Demon Lord of the Seventh Plane, he was mortal now, his effigy shattered by the Chosen of the Light. And even though his reduction didn’t make me love him less, I knew it hurt him he was trapped here with us with no way home.
At least, not that we’d been able to find. Dad spent so much time locked away in the basement I barely saw as much of him now that he lived with us full time as I did when he was on Demonicon.
Mom looked up at me, desperation in her face. But not for Dad. “Syd,” she said, words tripping over themselves, “hurry. The neighbors.”
Oh crap. I’d forgotten. This could be bad. The rule was, if normals witnessed an act of magic we had to move. Not just us, the entire coven, lock, stock and pentagram candles. Usually it wasn’t a problem, as much as it sucked. But with the burial of the Wild Hunt in our back yard, moving was no longer an option.
Couldn’t just leave them for the next owners to find.
Besides, I had friends here. Well, okay, I was working on that again. The point was, I didn’t want to move.
I raced upstairs, Gram behind me, and out the kitchen door.
Smoke continued to escape, but had thinned by now. I choked on a stray thread still intact, looking around in frantic concern.
One of our neighbors jogged by with her dog on the opposite side of the street. She waved with good nature even though I knew the kitchen was still expelling the last of the smoke. For a moment she frowned, as if realizing something wasn’t right. But almost immediately her smile returned and she continued on.
I looked around, Gram beside me. Not a soul was in sight. No one seemed to notice Dad almost launched our house into space.
So weird. Ever since we moved to Wilding Springs I’d gotten the feeling the whole town was supernatural. Why I had no idea, only that it seemed to serve us very well indeed.
Relieved no one called the fire department or a lynch mob, I turned and went back inside. Gram was grinning like it was funny. She went right to the stove and grasped the handle of the pot sitting there, bubbling with oatmeal, before promptly turning to dump the entire contents into the sink.
“I hate the stuff,” she said. “Don’t you? I’m making pancakes.”
I shook my head and left her there. Yup, loose screws galore. At least she didn’t shout at me to ‘give it back’ anymore. I’d done that in spades.
The basement had cleared out by the time I raced back downstairs. I knelt next to Mom and Dad while he caught his breath.
“Sorry,” he said around a cough. “I lost control of it.”
“Harry,” Mom’s relief was tinged with exasperation and for once I wasn’t on the other end of it. Imagine. “What were you thinking?”
He didn’t have to answer that. The pinched, sad look flickering over his face told both of us what he was thinking. He was trying to get home.
I patted his hand, feeling awkward, but wanting to comfort him. After all, I was the usual family screw up, not him. “Nice sonic boom there, Dad,” I said, keeping it light. “If you wanted me to wake up you could have knocked on my door.”
He smiled back, but it was strained. “I’ll remember that, cupcake. No more shaking the house. Got it.”
Mom and I helped him to his feet. Though mortal, he still towered over me, his broad and muscular physique the same as it had always been. Mom slipped under his arm, supporting him as she walked him to the stairs. She met my gaze, her mind touching mine.
Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll take it from here.
I knew a dismissal when I heard one. When I reached the kitchen again, Gram was whistling and making pancakes, batter splashing everywhere. Meanwhile, Galleytrot stood with his front paws on the counter, lapping hot oatmeal out of the kitchen sink.
Typical morning at my house.
By the time Gram’s messy but super delicious breakfast was ready, Mom returned. She sat at the table while Gram shoved a heaping plate in front of her, a dollop of butter and a slather of maple syrup covering the entire surface. I dove into mine, savoring the hint of cinnamon, giving Gram thumbs up between bites.
“How’s Dad?” I sipped the conjured orange juice gingerly, sniffing first. Gram sometimes created things that didn’t quite meet normal standards. For example, she’d made me a hot fudge sundae one afternoon, but forgot the sugar.
Big time gag. I hadn’t had ice cream since.
Mom shrugged, only staring at her pancakes until Gram jabbed her with a fork. Mom smiled at her mother and took a bite before setting the fork down again. “He’s fine,” she said. Paused.
“This time.” Gram swallowed her entire glass of juice before wiggling her fingers at it. Air and water magic combined as it flooded with more, so cold the sides frosted for a moment. Her faded blue eyes sparkled as she took a drink, smacking her lips together. “Delicious.”
“Yes, Mother, you’re right.” Mom hugged herself, eyes far away. “This time.”
“So what do we do about it?” I rubbed my stomach, full on pancakes and Gram’s addictive orange juice. Whatever she put in the stuff, I was pretty happy when she refilled my glass too. “There has to be something we haven’t tried.”
My mother met my eyes, hers shuttered all of a sudden. “Don’t worry, dear,” she said in her best coven leader voice, face setting into "Mom" calm. “We’ll figure it out.”
Oh no she did not. She totally just shut me down. We’d been doing so well, getting along like we’d never had issues, and now she pulls this crap?
“Don’t do that.” I slammed my glass down harder than I’d planned. Gram scowled at me, mopping at the spilled juice. “Don’t cut me out.”
Mom scowled. “I’m trying to tell you nicely to stay out of it. All right?”
“No, it’s not all right. Oh, and by the way, thanks for telling me about Sunny and Uncle Frank.” I’d hit a sore spot. She actually flinched a little. “Sheesh, Mom, they're family.”
“I didn’t tell you,” she said with steel in her voice, “because I knew you’d over react. This is just temporary.” But even she sounded like she didn’t believe it.
Gram snorted. “Tell them all to go to hell,” she said.
“I’m with Gram.” I pushed my chair back from the table, the legs grinding against the hardwood floor. “I can’t believe you’d take the coven’s side against your own brother.”
Gram grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward her, eyes flashing fury. “She didn’t, foolish girl,” she said, perfectly lucid and totally in control. “They decided together.”
My anger eased a bit. “I didn’t know that.”
Mom looked away. “Your Uncle Frank and I thought it would be best. Who told you?” Why the attack all of a sudden? Okay, so I’d been pushing her buttons. But she didn’t have the right to be mad at me.
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Resentment replaced anger. “None of it does, I guess. Just keep on shoving me into the dark, Mom. Don’t trust me after all we’ve been through to make the right decisions or act like a member of this family.” I was on my feet, heading for my room before she could answer.
Gram got in a parting shot. “You’re welcome for the pancakes.”
Yup. Old lady was still crazy.
***
Chapter Four
I stomped down the hallway, foul humor pushing ahead of me like a wave. My foot was already on the step when something caught my eye. I paused, noticed the back door was open and went to investigate.
Dad sat on the bench just outside, looking off into the distance. My heart immediately softened. It wasn’t his fault. I was sure Mom connived to keep all of this from me without him knowing. I eased my way out and took a seat next to him, pulling my knees up and hugging them in the warm of the morning. The sky was super blue, not a cloud in sight, the air still. Perfect summer day.
That made the whole thing all the worse. It should have been raining, thunder clouds and sad skies to match his weary sorrow. I could feel it from him, my demon connecting with him easily. Even though he didn’t have access to his demon power any longer, the fundamental core of him was still there and it welcomed her even if he didn’t.
“Hey, cupcake.” He tried a smile. It hurt so much to see him like this. He seemed weak to me. Pathetic almost. I smothered the feeling. No way was I judging my dad. Not after he’d risked everything, given up his life on Demonicon to save us.
“Hey, Dad.” I leaned sideways, resting my head on his shoulder. Immediately he hugged me. We sat there for a moment, letting the quiet morning settle over us, the chirping of a couple of small birds at the feeder Gram set up a soft counterpoint to the beat of his heart in my ear.
“You must have things to do.” He pulled away after a moment. “Go have fun, kiddo.”
I punched him in the arm. “I like hanging out with you.”
His smile barely made it into smile territory. “I’m not much fun these days, Syd.”
“That’s okay.” I nudged him. �
��It is.”
“Thanks.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “For everything.”
Could he be more heartbreaking? “We’ll get you home,” I said with as much conviction as I could muster. “I promise.”
Dad just smiled, though this time it was more authentic. “We’ll figure it out,” he agreed.
I wanted to draw him out more. But he fell silent after that and it just turned uncomfortable. I retreated back inside, finding Galleytrot waiting for me on the threshold. His long red tongue lolled out, eyes full of sympathy.
Sassafras was pacing across my bed with great impatience. “What happened?” He looked on edge, fur standing up on end, eyes a little wild. “Your mother won’t tell me a thing.”
“Where were you?” The fur ball took off sometimes, and I never knew where.
“Never mind that,” he said. “Just tell me.”
“Harry almost destroyed the house.” Galleytrot glanced up at me. “Sorry, Syd, but it’s true.”
I fell into my desk chair. “I know. It’s okay.”
Sassy sighed. “No,” he said, “it’s not. But, there isn’t much we can do about it.”
“I don’t believe that.” I sat up straighter, glaring at my cat. “There has to be a way.”
“What are you looking at me for?” He settled, fur shrinking to normal as he regained his calm. “Harry would know far more than I about these things.”
Sometimes I forgot he was a teenager when he was transformed into a cat. My shoulders slumped. “So he’s really trapped here?” It couldn’t be true. As much as I loved my dad and wanted him around, it was the whole, happy dad I craved, not the remains of who he’d become parked on the bench outside like a guy who’d given up hope.