by Patti Larsen
So nice to be wanted.
Erica’s magic passed through the wards, a pack of witches behind her.
Time to face the coven and tell them they were right about me.
***
Chapter Thirty Seven
Erica waited for me in the kitchen. “I just saw Celeste leave.” Her expression was troubled, but I just shrugged.
“She has her orders,” I said. Erica paused, like she wanted to ask me what happened, but I was already marching downstairs.
Dad looked up, startled, backing off when I approached the pentagram. The witches followed, a long stream of them, faster than I expected, but silently, expectant.
When the last of our family, Meira and Sassafras huddled in the corner with Dad included, had passed the wards, I sealed them with us inside and opened to the family. Mom’s mind flickered against my attempt to keep her out, but for now I was in charge.
“The Gate is real.” I showed them, dragged them through what I’d been through in the last few hours as they gasped and moaned and raged with me against the Unseelie and the wounding of Fergus.
“Syd,” Erica’s voice trembled, hands reaching for me as I shrugged her off. “You can’t go.”
The whole coven immediately echoed her mentally with their power, wrapping me up in the family magic. Accepting me fully for the first time in my life. I shook with the effort it took me to keep from bursting into tears as their love for me wound around me and held me tight.
I suppose I should have been grateful, but it was too little too late. Nice of them to make the gesture, at least.
“Erica is now your leader.” I sent the family magic to her. It fought me, struggling to return, the power Mom placed on my shoulders wanting to remain, but I forced it to go and it went at last, an unhappy and grieving weight settling around the basement.
“Mom is almost back. But I only have until dawn and that’s,” I checked my watch, “like a half hour from now. Stay here, under the cover of the wards just in case something goes wrong. I’ll send Galleytrot to you when it’s over.”
I turned and left them there, shutting them off, the pull of the magic trying to bring me back. I heard Meira scream my name, felt Sassy and Dad both try to reach me, but I had to go, couldn’t stop to say goodbye.
Couldn’t. Or I’d hesitate, change my mind. Fail. And the world would suffer for my weakness.
It was a horrible, dread-filled drive back to the library. I don’t even really know how I got there. I barely remember even climbing behind the wheel. When I stepped out of Minnie, I patted her roof gently. Even that act was enough to clench my throat in painful grief, make my nose tingle and tighten with impending sobs.
For a moment, I felt a ripple in the family magic, heard a voice crying out, stilled in a heartbeat. It felt like a thread inside the coven power had snapped abruptly. I reached out in search of the lost link in our chain, but met with nothing but a blank wall of emptiness.
Erica was already on it before I could do anything. The brief instant of return to clarity and action faded quickly. As much as I wished it were different, the coven’s problems weren’t mine any longer. In the periphery, I felt her giving orders, sending out witches to investigate. I walled them off on purpose. It was just too hard to feel them, knowing I had to leave them behind.
More tears welled, but I shook them off. I would not go to the Sidhe realm as a weeping weakling. If my fate was to live my existence in the Seelie court, I would do so with resolve and reserve. Shaylee and my demon begged me to reconsider, but I’d made up my mind.
If you two have a better idea, I shot at them at last, hand it over.
They didn’t. I knew they didn’t.
They stop giving me such a hard time and help me.
Grudgingly, sadly, they both agreed. I felt my demon prepare to leave me, though we had no idea if she would be forced to go. That made me stagger, sob out loud. I loved her. Had spent my whole life struggling to accept her. Now that I had, I didn’t want to let her go.
Hands settled on my shoulders, turned me around. I spun, shocked and full of grief, to see Dad standing there, Meira at his side. She grabbed me, hugged me, while Sassafras sat on my feet. And behind them arriving in groups of twos and threes, their cars lined up for blocks, was the coven.
The whole coven. There for me. I collapsed into Dad’s arms, just grateful to let someone else carry this for a moment.
When I pulled away, Erica joined us. “You’re not our leader anymore,” she said, eyes bright with her own tears. “So you can’t tell us what to do.”
I laughed, welcoming the soft release of my sadness.
“You won’t all fit in the chamber,” I said.
“We’ll see about that,” she shot back, grim. The others nodded, a hundred people who loved me and believed in me at last.
We descended together, down the stairs and through the fairy doorway. For a moment I worried they wouldn’t be able to pass, not being Sidhe, but the entry didn’t deny them. I swiped the tears from my face, allowed Dad to hold me on one side, Meira to clutch my hand on the other as we strode as a family into the Gate chamber.
Everything was as I left it. Galleytrot chuffed a greeting to the family, though he was prone on the floor now, panting heavily. I rushed to him, fed him some power. It was barely enough to keep him going. The vast and incredible magic of the hound of the Wild was almost used up.
“Syd,” he whispered to me, “you can’t go.”
“You’re not the only one trying to convince me, you know.” I kept it light, amazed I was able. Maybe the support of the coven did it.
I looked up into Liam’s eyes where he again sat with Fergus’s head in his lap. “I’m sorry,” he said. “This is my fault.”
“It’s not,” I patted his hands, stroked Fergus’s cheek. “It’s Venner’s.”
I left them, approached the Gate. Thalion stared at the large group of witches assembled behind me.
“You must come,” he said. “It’s almost dawn.”
“She will not.” My dad was beside me again, his anger vibrating the air around him. The whole coven took up his lead, their power joining to his, the family magic reaching for me, creating a wall between me and the barrier Thalion maintained. The gathered Sidhe around him drew back with snarls and barks of fear, but the Prince remained unmoved.
“Surely she has told you,” he said in his voice like a song. “There are no other options. She must cross or the Gate will open completely and your world and mine will collide.” He looked very sad. “None of us wants that to come to pass. Do not focus your anger on me or mine. Blame the Unseelie lordling who has made this happen.”
“But she belongs to us,” Erica said. “She is a witch.”
“A demon,” Dad said.
“She is Shaylee, Princess of the Seelie court,” Thalion told them, “and she must come with me now.”
Magic surged, rippled through the Gate and outward. I felt Thalion stretch his power, show us the strength of the Sidhe realm. It was nothing like the touch of Venner, his magic just a ghost of what real fairy power felt like. That power tried to attack the family, winding its way into a lash, striking out at the magic protecting them. Fury fed Shaylee, her rage at his nerve throwing up a whip of her own, fed again with two other sources of power, alien and unknown to him. Together, that shared magic enfolded his and deflected it, sending the green energy sparking through the stones under foot.
Safe, the coven’s anger grew, but I stopped them with a gesture.
“Come,” the Prince said. I turned toward him, stared at his outstretched hand. His fingers cleared the barrier, his palm, until he was exposed to my world up to his wrist. “It is almost too late.”
I stood there, trembling, forcing my hand to rise, my fingers to touch his. One step and I was gone.
Galleytrot’s cry spun me around just as my fingertips brushed Thalion’s. I felt his hand reach for mine, grasping, trying to pull me toward him, but I fought him off, my co
ncern for the black dog stronger. What I saw made me gasp. Galleytrot was on his feet, glowing with power. The magic I’d trapped in the floor, Thalion’s magic, pooled around the black dog, surging up into his shaggy body. And, through him, to Fergus.
The old man’s eyes opened and met mine before drifting to the Prince.
“Your Highness,” Fergus said, “perhaps it’s time to tell Shaylee the whole truth.”
***
Chapter Thirty Eight
I spun on Thalion, a horrible understanding growing inside me. “I don’t have to go with you, do I?”
He met my eyes, his own anger apparent, though he managed a smile. “The Gatekeeper is correct. I haven’t told you the full rule.” He sighed then, shoulders falling a little. I almost felt sorry for him until Shaylee’s mind slapped mine. More Sidhe tricks. “Someone must cross over it is true,” Thalion said. “But it need not be you.”
Of all the lying, manipulative, arrogant… my brain sputtered in fury. “How dare you?”
Thalion’s gaze met mine again, emerald eyes full of tears. “To bring you home,” he said. “But yes, though one does need to cross, it simply must be one who chooses to come to the Sidhe realm, in possession of Sidhe magic. Their mortal spirit combined with the very power attempting to enter your world will reseal the Gate.”
“And you have a volunteer,” Fergus said, the surge of strength from Thalion’s attack fading quickly from the quieting of his voice. Even Galleytrot began to sag again. “Take me with you, my Prince.”
Liam grasped for his grandfather who struggled to rise. “Daddo! No, you can’t leave me.” Tears coursed down his cheeks, marking his freckles with sparkles of moisture.
Fergus gasped for a breath, grasping the black dog’s fur. Galleytrot supported him, but not for much longer. The drain of magic to keep the old man conscious had to be powerful.
“It’s the only way,” Fergus said, sliding his fingertips over Liam’s cheeks. “I’ll die if I stay here, and Syd belongs in this world.” His lips curved into a surprisingly youthful smile. “It’s been my destiny, boy. And yours. Don’t begrudge me the chance to go home.”
“Can you heal him?” I lashed out at Thalion with Shaylee’s power and he nodded, flinching slightly from her rage.
“Yes,” he said. “If the Keeper crosses to our realm, the effects of the Unseelie power will be abolished and he will live.”
“We’re out of time.” Fergus held his arms out to Liam. “I need your help.”
Liam lifted his grandfather into his arms, both of them sparking with Sidhe power as Galleytrot walked at their side all the way to the Gate. Liam gently set Fergus down, keeping one arm around his neck. The black dog groaned and fell to the floor, head on his paws, eyes drifting shut.
“It has to be now.” Thalion simply watched, face now calm. Liam wavered, but I grasped Fergus’s hand and he smiled.
“Yes,” he said. “My Prince, bring me home.”
Thalion’s hand reached through the barrier and grasped Fergus’s outstretched fingers. The moment he touched him, the old man vanished. Liam staggered, the weight of his grandfather gone from his shoulder and I caught him just in time before he too fell through the shield.
The Gate flared to life, all of us gasping at the brilliance before the barrier flickered and went soft. As my vision cleared, I again saw Thalion, but now he was alone. The gathered horde of Sluagh had vanished. In their place stood a tall, handsome cookie cutter version of Liam, so much alike I gaped as I looked back and forth to be sure my friend still stood at my side.
“Be well, boy,” Fergus said, an echo of his grandson’s voice. He smiled as Thalion gazed at me with longing.
“Daddo.” Liam choked on more tears, fingers lifting to touch the thin sheet of green power between them. It sparked at his touch, but wouldn’t part.
The price had been paid.
“Come with us.” Thalion sounded at last desperate and Shaylee shrank from it. I could feel him calling to her, to us, trying to pull us closer and had no doubt if I touched the barrier he would be able to bring me across. Galleytrot was suddenly at my side, shouldering me away from the Gate, great body trembling with weariness, but refusing to allow me to pass.
“Stand down, Prince,” he growled. “She is not for your world.”
It was then Shaylee opened to me completely, let me understand the Prince’s need. And his longing. The third to love her, as unrequited as Venner, not returned. His for her, Venner’s for her, hers for Gwynn. The Sidhe were nothing if not complicated.
“If I find you’ve had something to do with Cydia’s betrayal or Venemeth’s escape,” I said, the family magic flowing through me as my demon’s fire flared, “I will come to court, Thalion, but you will not enjoy my visit.”
He bowed his head, admitting nothing while Shaylee retreated, refusing to believe. When Thalion spoke, it was with respect and love.
“I will inform your mother of your return,” he said. “She will be pleased.”
I wasn’t sure that was a great idea, but it wasn’t like I could stop him. Shaylee continued to hide, refusing to face him any longer. Thalion paused on last moment, heartbreaking, filled with ancient longing, before he turned to Fergus.
Liam’s grandfather beamed a smile at me as he raised his arms and called out in Gaelic:
“Gar Geata. Maidin thagann le haghaidh na Sidhe.”
Liam whispered a translation. “Close, Gate. Morning comes for the Sidhe.”
We had to scramble back as the huge wooden doorway began to swing shut. Fergus waved and waved, still smiling himself silly, until Liam laughed and waved back. Thalion continued to stare at me as the Gate slung almost closed, pausing with the lip still free.
Liam stepped forward, placing both hands on the Gate. “Gar Geata.”
With one last flash of power, it thudded shut, the sealing of it vibrating the stones beneath our feet, the light surrounding it flickering out at last. Even as it did, all of the remaining magic gathered itself into a ball of fire and slammed forcefully into Liam. He gasped, but I could tell he was okay. The transfer of power was complete and the new Gatekeeper stood before me.
Liam turned to me, smiling in awe though with sadness behind it.
“He’s where he wants to be,” he said.
I hugged him. “And you are where you need to be.”
Shaylee shuddered as Liam let out a soft sigh. Together we felt it, and shared it with the coven as the first rays of the sun crested the horizon.
Dawn. We’d done it.
The coven sent me their love, so swiftly, as one, I had to hold onto my friend to keep from shaking. One by one, with their power pulling back more gently, they retreated, my family, my coven, until it was only Erica, Dad, Meira and Sassy still with us.
Galleytrot sat back on his haunches, huge tongue hanging out as he softly panted. “Well done, you two.”
I held Liam’s hand. “Let me know,” I said, “when the knock comes next. So I can be here with you.”
He grinned at me, a little shy but with relief. “I will. Your Highness.”
Surrounded by smart asses.
***
Chapter Thirty Nine
By the time Mom arrived later that day, everything was back to abnormal. Not that I was complaining she was home or anything. Even though she still hadn’t found Gram, she decided to stay. Uncle Frank agreed to go on alone, sending back reports as often as he could, though I could tell from Mom’s frequent moments of quiet anxiety they weren’t often enough for her liking.
It was pretty comforting to have her address the entire coven and tell them as much as she commended them for standing with me in the end, her disappointment at their doubting me from the beginning hurt her deeply. Mom was so good at the whole emotional manipulation thing she had all of the family witches in tears at the end of it, begging me to forgive them. I did, and right away. They’d paid their dues and more.
With one exception, of course. Celeste was a stone s
et so deep in her own slop she refused to budge. And while she calmly accepted Mom’s chastisement, I knew her anger still lived. Naturally the woman claimed innocence, that she only had the well being of the coven in mind, that her little trip to my room was in an effort to locate me. She played the good little witch, but Mom was at the end of her rope.
Since there was no proof, as usual, that Celeste had anything to do with any wrongdoing, I couldn’t come out and accuse her. Getting her kicked out required coven law and so far she managed to keep herself squeaky clean.
Trouble was, she was needed, too. Poor James Crossman was suddenly a widower. The snapped thread I’d felt as I returned to the Gate, the gaping emptiness left behind, belonged to his wife, Sandra. I’d felt her die, we all had, in a terrible car accident, lost while she rushed to meet us all. Yeah, I still carried that guilt, you betcha. As for James, being a former Purity witch, Mom deemed it important he have someone he respected spend time with him and Celeste was it.
Didn’t say much for his taste, but whatever.
I had no contact from Quaid since the night we fought and my fear for him only grew stronger. But as long as the connection between us remained, I could only hope he was okay and just being a jerk still.
Funny how that was my preference.
A few hours after I arrived home from town hall, I received a text from Alison. She was leaving, going to New York with her mom and dad, taking the rest of the semester off. I tried calling her, but her phone just went right to voicemail and no amount of attempts at contact were returned so I sadly let her go.
I’m sure her mom told her I was supposed to show up the night before and when I hadn’t she chose to hold it against me. I just hoped my friend would be okay after a fresh start in a new city.