by Patti Larsen
The dog nodded. “Though the Keeper’s Unseelie guards will know we are there and surely try to stop us.”
“I’d like to see them try,” Liam snarled. “Let’s go. Daddo will help if he knows we’re taking him home.”
“Liam,” I said, “what if your mother shows up?”
Again that tremble, more obvious now. “Syd, I don’t know.” He crumpled briefly. “She’s my mom.”
“Then let me handle the Unseelie,” Galleytrot said. “Gently, I assure you. You two take care of Fergus.”
Liam looked relieved and nodded agreement.
Which meant it was back into the fire.
Oh goody.
***
Chapter Thirty One
Liam and I were casing the steps of the home when I spotted someone I recognized. Angela emerged from the building and registered my presence at the same moment, a huge smile taking over her face as she hurried to Minnie.
“Syd!” She leaning in my hastily opened window and hugged me. “How sweet of you to come to see Alison again so soon. They are just getting her settled, but you should be able to go in shortly.”
Oh, crap. Al was here?
My smile must have looked pathetic, but she seemed to accept it at face value. “Did she make the trip okay?”
Angela’s smile was much better than mine. “She did, thank you, Syd. Are you a friend of my daughter’s?” She held out her hand to Liam across me. He shook it with great grace.
“She’s a wonderful person,” he said. “I hear you both love my mom.”
A quick chat about Sonja’s hairdressing skills and his acceptance was sealed.
“The nurses might give us a hard time,” I said as I climbed out of the car, a half-formed plan in my head, leaning ever so gently on Angela. I was going to burn in whatever really awful place people went who used their best friends to get what they want.
Angela hooked her arm in mine and marched me inside. “We’ll just make sure they know you can come in any time.”
I found my cheeks heating up in shame as Angela informed the front desk nurse I was like a daughter to her and was to be allowed in to see Alison at any hour. The woman sighed, but wrote down my name, handing us plastic visitor passes on lanyards before Angela escorted us to the elevator.
“I’m running out to pick up some things,” she said. “Fourth floor. You two have a good visit.”
She hugged me one last time before leaving us there, the soft ding of the arriving elevator a knell of guilt on my conscience.
Liam gave me a solid shove, propelling me forward where he hit the button for the fourth floor. “Perfect,” he said. “We can get off on four then take the stairs down.” He glanced at me. “You can open locks and stuff, right?”
“Can’t you?” I didn’t mean to snap at him, but I was still wallowing.
Liam smiled gently, sadly. “I’m sorry, Syd. Is she okay?”
There was no way I was having this conversation right now. Bad enough tears threatened. I couldn’t be in the middle of a crying meltdown while trying to concentrate on breaking Fergus out of the funny farm.
The nurses on the fourth floor smiled sadly at us and waved us through. I hurried down the hall and to the door with the stairs, checking to be sure no one was watching. Didn’t I have a clear view of Alison in her room? Thank goodness she was staring in the other direction. Panicked, I rushed through the door and onto the landing while Liam winced and silenced the alarm that briefly blared.
“Smooth,” he said softly, a flicker of green magic shorting out the system. “We have to hurry.”
No kidding. I raced down the stairs to the next floor, Liam right behind me. We had a tense moment crouched in a blind spot as the door we’d just came through opened, a woman’s voice saying, “Must be the stupid old circuits again,” before it swung shut and latched.
Saved. I held Liam back another moment before moving on, allowing Shaylee to feel her way around the ward.
Fergus was in his room, that was easy. But now that I knew I was searching for Unseelie sympathizers, I let her check for that too. At first she came up empty, mostly because she really didn’t want to have anything to do with this plan, but also because the soft touch of the barrier blocked us. But as I began my descent again, she picked up a trace of Sidhe magic, coming our way.
I waited on the other side of the door to the third floor, holding Liam’s hand so he could feel what I felt. Whoever was guarding Fergus paused by his door. I closed my eyes, the world inside my mind tinted green and all wonky, but clear enough I could see as if through Shaylee’s magic, the nurse who’d called Sonja peeking in on Liam’s grandfather before she turned away and headed back toward reception.
We have to distract her. Liam jumped as I spoke to him mentally. I winced. Sorry, I forgot you’re new to this.
His powered voice stuttered badly before he latched onto me. —coolest thing ever! I assumed he was talking about, well, talking. Why didn’t I figure this out?
No one to talk to, I guess. Will you pay attention? We can play later.
He frowned at me, but his eyes sparkled. Yes, boss. What’s the plan?
We can’t assume the nurse is the only Unseelie guard on this floor. If anything, it was likely she was just very bad at hiding what she was. So we have to act fast. And quiet.
Gotcha.
Are you two going to take all night? Galleytrot’s mind was loud and clear, making Liam squeak and jump.
How? The shielding was still intact.
Now that I know it’s there, I can act around it, he sent.
Fine. Thanks for sharing that earlier instead of scaring the crap out of me. I let out a tense breath. We’re on the right floor. Can you help distract the nurse?
His chuckle was dark and full of thunder and lighting. How’s this?
I felt Galleytrot then, the full power of him, even through the barrier. Couldn’t really miss him, actually. He opened himself up fully, howl reaching the furthest corner of my mind. I could see him in my head, standing outside on the front lawn, head thrown back, the mournful but challenging sound of his cry sending waves of fear through me.
As the last of his cry died away, the barrier around the building collapsed, the howl of an angry Sidhe echoing behind it.
Liam clapped his palms over his ears, eyes huge. I knew how he felt, but no amount of physical blocking would cut out that sound.
When Galleytrot cut off his power, he did so completely and instantly, leaving me numb and shaken, my head ringing while my body tingled all over.
Move, he snapped at me.
I did, without thinking, knowing he was right. I could feel the nurse leaving, running for the elevator, a few others tearing after her. Liam was right behind me as we snuck out the exit door, the alarm already shut down, and peeked out.
I could just see through the glass of the reception desk as three people in white disappeared behind the sliding doors. I raced out into the hall the moment they were gone and went right for Fergus’s room.
He sat up, eyes shining, a tear rolling down his cheek. He spotted both of us, looking stunned and not at all like the man I’d met earlier.
“Damn,” Liam said, anger in his tone as he hurried to his grandfather’s side. “They’ve given him more drugs.”
Fergus looked up at his grandson, hand reaching for the back of his neck. He pulled Liam down until they were face to face.
“The Wild hound,” he said. “Thank him for me.” His green eyes lifted to mine, now more hazel, like Liam’s. “You’re not who I thought you were. And yet, you are.”
I nodded, gesturing to Liam who turned and grabbed Fergus’s robe. “We can talk in the car,” I said, “but right now you have a job to do.”
Fergus grunted as Liam helped him to his feet. “The Gate. This is the third night.”
“It is.” I let him grip my hand as he towered over me, skinny as a pole but with a strength I didn’t expect.
“I don’t know how long the ho
und’s call will keep my mind clear. We have to hurry.” Tears welled in his old eyes as he bent and kissed my cheek. “I follow your lead, Princess.”
Our retreat was fast and furious, Fergus much more spry than I expected and it wasn’t long before we were hustling him out the side of the building. We had to wait a minute while the three Unseelie nurses talked frantically on the front steps, too far for me to hear their words and too risky to listen in with magic before they rushed back inside.
I raced for the car, jerking the door open, pealing around the side of the building to allow Liam to stuff his grandfather into the front next to me.
Galleytrot. I could feel him nearby.
The Unseelie lord is coming, he sent. I’ll lead him away. Go!
Fergus smiled at me, the happiest smile I’d ever seen as I drove off at a reckless pace.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I’m going home.”
“The library?”
“Of course,” he said.
***
Chapter Thirty Two
“Daddo,” Liam leaned forward over the back of the seat to talk to his grandfather. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried.” The old man sagged, hands grasping for Liam’s, “but your mother wouldn’t let me.”
“You know she’s Unseelie?” I glanced sideways at him, risking a look away from the headlong race I ran with Minnie.
His face snapped around. “She’s what?”
Liam softly, sadly filled his grandfather in while I wished I could risk driving faster.
I’ve led him astray, but it’s not working. Galleytrot sounded pissed, but a little smug. I’ve damaged him at least. I think most of his power was tied up in his little shield.
Leave him, I sent. The Gate’s more important. I need you.
I’ll be there. He was gone, but left me with more hope than I’d expected to feel.
“It’s no wonder she took you from me,” Fergus sighed as I returned to their conversation. “Though how Sonja hid it from your father I have no idea. No,” he shook his head, “that’s not true. In all honestly, Liam, I worried for our line. Your father was weak in the power, his blood thin. I despaired that his heir would be the end of our legacy. Until you were born.” I could hear the change in Fergus’s voice and risked a look. He beamed at Liam like he’d rediscovered something precious. “And your mother has herself to blame.”
“You think her Unseelie blood refreshed the line?” I slowed as we neared the center of town. I could keep the police from noticing, but not everyone. A flicker of a black shape on the sidewalk drew my eyes. Galleytrot was back with us, and not wasting any time.
He knows where we’re going, the dog sent. Be ready.
“It makes me wonder,” Fergus said as I struggled to form a plan. “Maybe she didn’t even know she had the blood.”
“Possible,” I said. “Or this was all intentional to gain control of the Gate.”
Liam was shaking his head. “I don’t think so,” he said. “Mom didn’t get all freaky until Dad died.”
Both men fell silent, but I felt their growing understanding. “You think they killed him?” I hated to voice it, but neither seemed surprised so I knew I was right.
“We have to get to the Gate. Nothing else matters now.” Fergus’s hands twitched. “And we have to hurry. I can feel the darkness returning. The fog. Your hound may have put off the inevitable, but if I fade the rest of the way before we get there I have no idea if I can return.”
“It’s not dementia, is it, Daddo?” Liam sounded about fit to hurt someone.
“No,” the old man said. “I’m fairly certain now it’s not. It came on so quickly, had I been aware I would have just sealed the Gate and let the family legacy die.”
“No wonder Mom seemed like she was in such a hurry to get us out of town when Dad had his accident.” Liam sat back, putting him in my rear view mirror where he scowled out the window. “If they killed him, they were probably going to come after you too, and maybe me, and take over the Gate for themselves.”
“But they can’t,” Fergus said. “That plan would never have worked. The Gate is keyed to me, to you, Liam. They would have been unable to do anything.
I paused, a sick feeling in my stomach. “Maybe your mother didn’t know that.”
Liam shot me a look that had more hope in it than it should have. “You think they lied to her?”
I didn’t answer, flinching away as Fergus poked me in the ribs. “There,” he said, “park there. Hurry.” He pointed around the side of town hall and I obeyed at once, tires humming as I took the corner sharply. Minnie rocked as I slammed on the brakes.
“Everyone out. Fergus, stay with Galleytrot.” The old man tilted his head in question before turning slowly to look out the passenger window. The black dog looked back at him, tongue hanging out.
Liam was out already, easing the door open past Galleytrot, helping Fergus to his feet. The old man approached the dog with great reverence, holding out his hands.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You’re welcome, Gatekeeper,” Galleytrot answered. “Please, hold onto me. I’ll try to keep you with us as long as I can.”
Fergus buried his long, thin hands in Galleytrot’s ruff as we headed for the side door. I struggled with Shaylee’s fear, my nerves making me fumble toward the more familiar feel of my family magic while my demon fought to help. I’m sure I was just making it harder on Galleytrot to hide us all and forced myself to calm.
I could do this. Had to do this. I glanced up at the moon, almost fully risen, and hoped I was right.
At least Venner hadn’t shown himself yet, though I wondered if that was a good thing. Once inside the building, Fergus seemed to straighten, his stride lengthening out as he led us to the stairs. I glanced around, nervous. The Unseelie lord knew tonight was the final night. He had to be here somewhere. I hated not knowing, jumping at shadows. If he would just show up, I could act, react. But until that happened, doubt and anxiety bounced me around like a well-struck Syd piñata.
I really wished I had more faith in myself.
All of that went out the window as Fergus paused near one of the old wooden bookshelves. His smile was brighter than the moon outside and more beautiful than anything I’d ever seen.
One hand came free from his grip on Galleytrot and reached out to stroke the ancient wood.
“Oscail,” he said, Shaylee recognizing the Gaelic. “Open for your Keeper.”
Green magic flared to life as the bookcase softly swung inward.
***
Chapter Thirty Three
The air tingled around me as I passed through the magic doorway into the stone chamber beyond. Not just one chamber, it turned out, but a triad of linking rooms, all open to each other through doorless entries. I peeked in the first on our way past, spotting a large carved bed that seemed to be constructed of a huge oak tree. The next was some kind of office or study, stretching back into the dimly lit distance. Fergus didn’t pause, so my chance to look around was brief. What I saw, what I felt, took me back centuries to a time when the Sidhe walked the earth among humans.
But the final chamber, the smallest but most impressive, took my complete attention the moment we entered. There, against the far wall, stood the Gate. I’m not sure what I was expecting, maybe some elaborately carved golden filigree, a giant cast iron monstrosity maybe. Instead, I was greeted by a carved wooden doorway, if that door was built for giants. It stretched upward into the gloom of the vaulted chamber and I realized only then we weren’t in town hall’s basement anymore.
Fergus stopped half way to the Gate, old eyes drifting over it with a loving but anxious expression. “Safe,” he whispered. “And just in time.”
Liam and I exchanged a relieved smile. We’d actually done it. Galleytrot chuffed beside me, sinking to his haunches. Liam approached the old portal, not quite touching the surface. Emboldened by his act, I stepped forward for a closer look. My gaze followed the beauti
ful artwork etchings of fairies and monsters chasing upward from the bottom of the framework, the intricate carvings clearly not created by mortal hands. The wood had a faint greenish tinge, as if the Sidhe magic embedded in it showed through. Three thick metal bands encircled the doorway, large rivets holding them in place. The Gate itself was marked with writing, in Gaelic I assumed, Shaylee’s attempt to translate for me giving me a headache.
Something, something, Moonlit call to Man, something, knocks the Sidhe… something, something… thrice the something. A shiver ran down my spine as I caught the very end.
And all power shall pass over evermore.
I turned back to Fergus, only then seeing we’d left the door to the chamber open. Swearing at myself for failing to notice, remembering I was the one who was supposed to protect the Gatekeepers, I slung out a shield around the exit to the library.
The moment I did I knew I was already too late.
Three people emerged from their hiding place in the study and entered the Gate room. Adrenaline shocked me into stiff silence as I spotted the gun in Ms. Spaft’s hand.
I was right, the horrid woman was in on this. And there next to her, smiling at me with his full lips, perfect Sidhe face alight with anticipation, was Venner.
But it was the sight of Sonja O’Dane skulking next to him that hurt the most. Not for me, it wasn’t personal for Shaylee. But for Liam.
Immediately I lashed out, all three magics trying separately to get to the gun, only to be repelled by a shimmering green shield surrounding Spaft, humming with power, sending glittering sparks flying everywhere. Shaylee’s Sidhe power blazed in answer, a whiplash of green magic returning to me.
The hideous woman didn’t flinch.
“Step away from the Gate.” Ms. Spaft gestured at us, jerking the gun for emphasis. Galleytrot spun and snarled, ready to pounce until green fire chased around the barrel.