by Patti Larsen
The Sidhe. But why then when Mom cased out this place before we moved here didn’t she catch it? The amount of power needed to control an entire population, even one as small as Wilding Springs, would be phenomenal.
There were two explanations I could think of. One, the only two witches in the coven with Sidhe magic at the time were Gram and I. She was nuts and I was cut off. Besides Mom would have no reason to look for old world magic here.
The second was more of a revelation as I considered the amount of time passed. How the slow, seeping power of the Sidhe might have been able to permeate the very soil, the wood buildings were made from, the crops the population consumed.
No wonder no one gave a crap when we had the odd coven accident. They were indoctrinated with Sidhe power to ignore such things.
The Gate flickered into my mind again, this time without Shaylee’s help. What was it? I felt suddenly ill as I considered the possibilities. What if it was a gate to the Sidhe realm? They’d cut themselves off from us centuries ago for the protection of both populations. But it made sense there might be pathways between. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized this made the most sense. And started to get very, very freaked.
The Wild Hunt was elemental power personified, able to wipe out the world through storms, earthquakes and floods. But the idea the entire Sidhe nation could somehow return to our world was worse. I’d heard the stories, talked to Gram about the fairy folk. They weren’t the soft and fluffy people Hollywood wanted us to believe. They were arrogant, powerful and free of empathy. And that was the Seelie Court, the fair Sidhe. The Unseelie were much worse.
Shaylee sighed in my mind, relief loud and clear. So I was right.
Damn.
I had to reach Mom, and now. The only trouble was she still had her walls up.
Which meant I was on my own.
***
Chapter Fifteen
I gathered up my notes and stuffed them into my backpack, eyes and hand tired from writing, but mind a whole lot wiser. Everything I’d read told me Liam and his family were the corner stone of this place, and if I wanted to get to the bottom of the dream and Shaylee’s anxiety I had to talk to him and hopefully his grandfather.
I’d almost forgotten the new librarian until Shaylee jabbed me on the way out with a shot of pure fear. A hand fell on my arm, his touch giving her the willies even through the fabric of my jacket. I glanced up and into those green eyes, though this time I knew for certain he recognized the Sidhe inside me.
“I’m surprised to find you here, Your Highness,” Venner said softly, long, silky black hair falling over one shoulder as he leaned down to speak to me. “But I am pleased to know your spirit has finally found a new home.”
Shaylee trembled inside me, forcing me to pull free of his grip though I still had no real idea why she despised and feared him so much. And she did, to the core of her, with power of emotion I’d never felt from her before.
But it told me the one thing I needed to know, that and the touch of his power he sent out to explore mine. I shut him down immediately. Well, Shaylee did, with a slap of panic.
I hid my shock as best I could, Shaylee’s emotions doing nothing to help me calm down. Kind of hard to do anyway considering I just realized he wasn’t like me. Not human, carrying a spirit, like I’d expected. And not mortal with the blood of the fairy realm.
Nope. Venner was pure, 100% unadulterated Sidhe.
“Perhaps this conversation is best held in private.” He turned and left me there, heading for a wooden door behind the desk. Shaylee begged me not to go, a fact I blatantly ignored. Obviously I had to know what he was doing here.
I walked into what looked like a small office, closing the door behind me. Venner’s eyes flashed with fairy power as he smiled at me like I was something good to eat.
“A shame you seem to remember so little,” he said, smile charming and oh so awful. I felt his energy press against me for the second time. Shaylee cringed from him even as she lashed out in protective terror. He staggered back as she slammed her power into him, shock showing briefly on his face.
“You have no idea how much I remember,” I said, trying for cold and arrogant while Shaylee shuddered inside me. “Don’t assume, lordling.”
It must have been the right thing to say because he bowed his head to me, smile gone and a new, speculative look on his face. My strength clearly surprised him. If the way the Sidhe princess was reacting to his presence was her usual normal, I wasn’t all that shocked.
“Now,” I said, jerking her forward and wrapping her presence around me like a cloak, “tell me what you’re doing here and how you escaped the fairy realm.”
His eyes narrowed. “I assumed you were here for the same reason as I.”
I took a guess, knowing before I opened my mouth I was right. “The Gate.”
Venner nodded slowly. “It will open soon, with no Keeper to answer the knock.”
Knock? What knock? “And you intend to return?” I was hitting the clown on the nose with this one. A Gate to the Sidhe world. But why was Shaylee so afraid of it? And him?
The fairy lord laughed. “And face endless imprisonment?” He just verified my assumption he wasn’t a good guy, though I hated being in the dark, stabbing at guesses while I did my best to interpret Shaylee’s fearful prompts. At least she hadn’t abandoned me completely. Yet. I felt like a puppet being manipulated by a mistress who didn’t quite know how the strings worked.
“Then why?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He didn’t say anything, not for a long moment, though his smile returned. “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you again, Your Highness. But I really have so much to do.”
He’d figured it out, no longer afraid of me. Okay, afraid was a stretch, but he knew, somehow. I could feel it.
“I’ll be watching the Gate,” I said. “And the Keepers.” Had to be Liam. And Fergus.
Venner shrugged, a graceful and liquid movement. His long black hair, caught in a silver band, swung as he moved toward the door. “Then I’ll be seeing more of you,” he said.
I walked out of the office, hating turning my back to him. His soft whisper spun me around.
“A pity,” he said, “all that power trapped in the body of an ordinary girl.”
Shaylee cried out in fear, but my heart lifted. He didn’t know what I was? Hadn’t felt the other sides of me?
How could I use that to my advantage? I had to see Liam and find out where his grandfather was.
“You have no idea,” I said sweetly before turning and walking away like I owned the place.
And the Oscar goes to…
***
Chapter Sixteen
I headed straight for home after my little encounter, mind running with possibilities. Shaylee seemed tired, unwilling to communicate any further. Maybe she was just frustrated or maybe Venner was right—her power was diminished being in a mortal body. Whatever the case, I was left with my fuming demon for company and she wasn’t helping any.
The house was quiet when I arrived, but I heard the sounds of giggling the moment I set foot on the top of stairs. The bathroom door gaped wide, light blazing. I glanced inside, scowling over the scattered makeup and general mess covering the countertop.
Whatever. Meira could clean up this disaster herself. I wasn’t taking her crap on anymore.
I knocked on her door, annoyance making me tense. The voices inside fell silent and no one answered. My eye roll was a classic.
“Meira,” I snapped, “it’s not like I don’t know you’re in there.” Her glowing amber magic was muted, but easily detectable. My demon snorted over her attempt to hide while I gritted my teeth.
No answer. Whispering, a giggle. Seriously?
Rather than beat the door down with my power, I took the high road, retreating to my room. I paced back and forth, tightly encased in a bubble of energy so no one would hear me swear like a sailor. Sassafras watched me from his place on
my pillow, half-lidded amber eyes tracking me.
When I finally allowed the protection to collapse, I turned and flung myself onto the bed, eyes locked on my sparkly pink chandelier. Soft footfalls disturbed the surface of the comforter, warm breath and whiskers tickling my ear.
“Meira?” Sassafras’s whisper made me turn my head so we could meet gazes.
“Who else?” I sighed. “Not just her.” I sat up and stroked his fur while he stared up at me, thick tail twined neatly around his paws. “Where’s Galleytrot?”
“He left again this morning.” Sassy sounded worried.
“He said we’d talk.” No use fretting over it, but I needed someone to talk to. Until I remembered I had someone right in front of me. I filled Sassy in on the whole Sidhe thing, what I’d found in the archive, Venner and Shaylee’s reaction to him and what I’d discovered about Liam and the O’Dane family.
He nodded once or twice, hissed softly at the mention of the Gate. “You think there’s some kind of portal between us and them?”
“That’s pretty much a big yes.” Shaylee took the time to send out waves of fearful affirmation. “And this Sidhe, who shouldn’t be in our world, seems to have plans for it.”
“And the boy, Liam. Does he know about it?” Sassy’s fur quivered. Was he scared?
“No clue,” I said. “I kind of fumbled that whole conversation with him.”
“No,” he said. “You did the right thing. Especially now, with your mother gone.” His pink tongue snaked out and swiped over his nose as his gaze seemed to drift. Finally, he shook himself. “Any idea why the Gate is going to open?”
Shaylee flashed an image of the moon while the sound of someone knocking echoed in my head. “Something to do with the full moon,” I said, wishing she’d stop that. It triggered the beginnings of a headache. “And a knocking on the other side.”
Sassy’s tail twitched. “Someone’s at the door?” He sighed. “I can’t help, I have no idea what it means.” Amber eyes narrowed, one paw landing on my leg. “My advice? Stay away from the fairy for now, at least until Galleytrot returns. Hopefully he’ll have answers.”
Shaylee scurried for cover, but not before agreeing with him so I didn’t argue. I scratched his cheek, bending to kiss the top of his head. “Thanks, Sassy,” I said. “I needed someone to listen.”
His ears flattened softly to the sides, whiskers sinking. “I’m happy to help.”
I’d never heard him so sad. “What happened?” It had to be Meira. My anger and frustration with her resurfaced as he spoke.
“I’m just not welcome anymore.” He perked a little. “It’s fine, Syd. Really. I just miss our old Meems. But she’s growing up and having me around while she entertains her normal friends doesn’t work for her.”
Friends or not, Sassafras was family. And family always came first.
I carried him downstairs and fed him his favorite raw tuna for dinner before leaving him well scratched and purring softly upside down on a cushion in the living room.
Good thing Gram left a casserole in the freezer. A half hour later and supper was on the table.
I stood at the top of the basement stairs. “Dad! Food!”
It took him a minute to emerge and when he did, he was so distracted I just handed him his plate with a sigh and sent him right back down again. Not like he’d be great dinner company anyway.
Meira, on the other hand, was going to come downstairs and eat if I had to drag her by the collar of her stolen sweater.
Instead of going up to get her, I sent a very sharp message. Kitchen. Now.
I felt her resistance, her power wiggling and squirming in an attempt to escape me. My demon chuffed her annoyance and grasped Meira’s magic firmly, giving her a bit of a mental shake. Sullen and pouty, she finally complied.
Fine. She shot back. But I’m not hungry.
Now, Meira. Not for the first time or the last, I wondered where my sweet sister had gone. As I listened to the sound of two pairs of feet coming down the stairs, I had a moment of fear. What if it wasn’t Meira? What if something did happen, a possession, or worse yet, what if she was some kind of changeling? But as she and her little friend slunk into the kitchen, I gave my demon permission to search her mind and power. Meira glared at me, but didn’t resist.
So no magical explanation, then. Just my formerly adorable and loving sister now a nasty little brat.
I almost wished otherwise. At least that I could handle. This emotional transformation I wasn’t so sure of. I watched her go to the fridge and retrieve two cans of diet soda, handing one to her friend. The other girl was lovely, blonde and blue-eyed like Alison, dressed in the latest designs. She seemed to be a bit older than Meira, but who knew at that age?
“Who’s your friend?” I tried to keep my tone light as I turned and shoveled a scoop of the chicken and pasta concoction onto three plates.
Silence. Really, Meira? I turned back to see the two of them whispering to each other, ignoring me. Their plates landed loudly in front of them, rattling before they settled. The girl finally met my eyes, so much contempt and insolence in her gaze I immediately clenched myself against my demon who growled low and deep at the challenge.
“I’m not hungry.” She shoved the plate away from her like I’d tried to poison her. “And I don’t eat carbs.”
Meira immediately copied her before crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah,” she parroted. “I don’t eat carbs either.”
Her friend turned away from me like I wasn’t even there. “Let’s go to my house.” She climbed to her feet. “We won’t be disturbed there.”
Meira stood up while my brain screamed, oh hell no. I grasped her magic with mine and held her still. She spun on me, fury in her eyes. Hate. This couldn’t be my Meems. At yet it was.
“I’m going,” she said.
“No,” I told her, my voice low and soft so I wouldn’t scream at her. “You’re not. But she is.” I pointed at the kitchen door. “Get out,” I said, “and don’t you dare set foot in this house again until you learn some manners.”
The girl tossed her hair at me, an impudent twist on her lips, before heading for the exit.
“Guess you’re not one of us after all,” she shot at Meira on the way out. I was just happy to see the screen door close behind her.
The moment she was gone, Meira jerked herself free of my demon power and spun on me. “How could you do that to me?” She was literally hopping mad, bouncing from foot to foot, shaking all over. “Now Alicia will never talk to me.”
“That’s the brat’s name?” I snorted as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Honestly, Meems. What the hell? You can do way better than her for a friend.”
“You should talk!” The venom in her words cut the air and actually stabbed into me, backed by her demon power. “Loser!”
I’m not sure what hurt more, the fact she used her magic against me or the word she chose as a weapon. Her calling up her power wasn’t exactly inside coven rules, but it wasn’t what worried me. And it’s not like she put all of her weight behind the jab. No, it was the fact my sister could do such a thing, especially to me. It made me waver rapidly between threatening tears and surging anger.
Sassafras suddenly appeared, leaping onto the table between us.
“Girls,” he said, “gently.”
“Shut up!” She actually swung at him, forcing him to dodge. “I hate you, get away from me!”
Sassy’s whole body shuddered before he slunk to the floor and left.
“I’ve had enough,” I snapped. “Your attitude needs some serious adjustment. I have no idea why you think you have the right to treat Sassy or me like that, but you don’t.” I shook from the energy it took to keep from exploding all over her.
“I hate you, too,” she snarled. “You’ve ruined my whole life and I hate you for it.” This time when her power lashed out, my demon was ready. She countered it easily, crushing Meira’s power slowly, forcing her to relent. I didn’t want to hurt
my sister, but she was out of control.
“How exactly did I ruin your life?” I pushed her down into her chair, letting the family magic do the job, walling up my furious demon once the initial attack was blocked. “Sending your horrid little beast of a friend away? Tough.” My demon snarled and chuffed. She loved Meira as much as I did, but I didn’t trust her temper. Or my own, really.
Meira just scowled at me, arms crossing over her chest as she settled low under the pressure of the coven power. “Our family sucks.”
“Says who?” Okay, so I’d been her once. Maybe I should have tried a little more understanding, a kinder, gentler Syd. But I’d been down the road she was in a hurry to travel and it only led me to years of frustration.
Besides, I had a very good reason to dislike magic. Meira was whole and always had been.
She turned her head away from me, lips a thin line, but not before I caught a flicker of real self loathing on her face. “Says me.”
As much as I would have liked to try, I knew I wasn’t really equipped to deal with her when she was like this. I had a flash of me attempting to explain to our mother why my little sister was suddenly slimy and green with a hankering for flies.
“Go to your room,” I said. “Mom will deal with you when she gets home.”
“If she ever comes home.” Meira let her power ebb enough the family magic released her. “Like I care.”
She ran off in a huff, the now familiar sound of her bedroom door slamming ending our conversation.
My demon paced and snarled and complained when I let her free again, but there was nothing either of us could do.
I was just regaining my temper, scraping uneaten food back into the casserole dish, when I felt Erica reach for me. I grasped onto her instantly, fearing the worst.
What’s wrong? What’s happened? The plate I held clattered to the counter, but I caught it before it could slide to the floor.