Dark Promise

by Patti Larsen

  Meems. I grasped onto her, using Ahbi's power to boost the connection, reaching for my little sister with a desperation I hadn't known I was hiding. Are you okay?

  Am I okay? She sounded exasperated, frustrated. Even a little angry. And though this whole thing wasn't my fault, I guess I couldn't blame her. Where are you?

  Safe, I sent. I'm chasing down Ameline.

  Theridialis told us, she sent, calming a little, the touch of her stronger than anyone else who'd made it through to me, though still tenuous compared to our usual reach. But Syd, things are really bad here. Let Ameline try to get to the Node—she'll never make it. Dad needs us both here with him.

  Ostrogotho then. Meems, you know I can't do that. I drew a breath, trying to focus on the pull of the geas and my sister at the same time. Not only do I owe Ameline for my own reasons, she killed Ahbi.

  My sister was quiet a moment. They said you did it, she sent.

  Wow, how sobering. And you believed them? My own sister?

  No, she sent, but there was hesitation in her denial. It's just, you left home so fast and you didn't take me with you. And it was Grandmother calling. And you have her power now. Meira wound down, panic and temper bubbling inside her. She didn't sound like herself at all. Was it just the strain? My typically level-headed young sister didn't often fly off like this. She'd been through as much as I had, thanks to coven life. But she'd never doubted me like this before.

  I didn't hurt her, I sent, softly and slowly, letting Meira feel what she could through the block in the veil. She came to me willingly and is forcing me to hunt Ameline. She wouldn't do that if it was my fault, Meems. Though in the back of my mind, the niggling worry it was my fault, that I'd somehow left my grandmother vulnerable to Ameline despite the old demon's incredible power, ached like a rotten tooth.

  I guess. Meira's mind seemed to drift a moment, a new surge of power reaching me as though something fed her and kept the contact.

  I have to go. I paused on a corner, the three demons with me watching my every move. I'll keep you posted, I promise. But I have to do this.

  The flare of her temper was so unlike her, harkening back to her brief stint as a mean girl after some terrible witches at camp convinced her we were evil. It snapped against me hard enough I felt the source of her power at last and found my heart shriveling in terror at the realization.

  Nectar. She was drinking nectar. And not the watered-down stuff from Ostrogotho.

  Before I could demand to know what the hell she was thinking, Meira's mind shrieked into mine, slicing across my thoughts so fiercely I had to stop and grip my head in my hands.

  THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! She poured on the volume and the blame in equal measure, attacking me with words dosed in nectar-fueled magic. COME BACK NOW!

  I didn't think. Just reacted. And I would always regret it. My magic flashed back over the connection and slammed into her, knocking her back and pinning her where she sat. I had the briefest of glimpses of her sprawled on the deck of a transport with a few demons I didn't know around her before I poured a heap of magic over her and roared in return.

  WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING DRINKING NECTAR! I lost her a moment as the block in the veil pushed me back but caught her again. Where is Sassafras? Does he know what you're doing?

  You're making things worse! Meira's mental voice sobbed in bitter frustration.

  The pull of Ahbi's magic became an eager jerk. I have to go, I sent, chill and furious. We'll talk about this later.

  Would we. I was going to kick her butt so hard she'd not find it for a week.

  And then kill whoever gave her the nectar in the first place.

  Meira's power battled against the edge of my mind a moment like a fluttering moth looking for light, only to collapse under the pressure of whatever blocked the veil. Inconvenient as it was, frustrating beyond belief, at least it kept me from screaming things at Meira I didn't mean in a fit of temper.

  Small miracles.

  Shaking free of my sister's attack, heart now hurting and wanting to go rescue her even though I couldn't if I tried, thanks to the geas, I forced my sister's plight from my mind with the promise I'd find her and fix the mess once Ameline was a dead woman.

  My companions ran with me in silence as we leaped onto a departing sidewalk square. I bounced with so much impatience on my toes the platform actually rocked, finally depositing us on the opposite side of the city.

  Two streets and a sharp right turn later and I was racing, heart pounding, a roar of fury breaking free of my throat, toward an elevated landing pad where Ameline struggled to force the girl in her grip into the back of a small transport.

  She looked up with a snarl, spotted me, hate in her eyes as she pushed the girl toward me. The child stumbled over the stairs, falling into my arms, tripping me up as Ameline leaped into the transport and slammed up the shields. I had just enough time to leap for her, catching the edge of the bubble with my fingertips before she sailed off.

  But not happily. I'm right behind you, I shot at her.

  Damn you, she howled back. How do you keep finding me?

  Ahbi's laugh slapped her mind. Watch your back, Ameline.

  Panting, furious and desperately ripping at the edges of the veil for a way to pursue my enemy, I was forced to stand there on the empty launch pad and watch her escape me. Again.

  Last time.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Four

  The girl was a trembling, sobbing mess, but when I sat on the stairs and reached for her, she rushed into my arms and hugged me as though she knew me.

  It was impossible to get anything out of her for the first minute or so. I carried her down the stairs and back into the street, following Bakari after his short, “This way,” which sounded suspiciously like an order but offered a course of action.

  I only followed him because I had the girl to worry about. The next time he tried to boss me around, he'd be heading curbside.

  A narrow park with a small garden overlooking a waterfall into the lower levels of the city offered a perfect place to regroup. Sassy's sister sat next to me, patting the girl's back as she clung to me for dear life. Ram and Bakari kept a look out as frustration at Ameline's escape made it hard to sit still.

  I finally freed the girl's tight grip around my neck and made myself relax, knowing the poor thing was so shaken if I started demanding answers like Ahbi's magic pushed me to do, we wouldn't get anything out of her.

  “Y-y-you're Syd,” the girl whispered around the hitching of her breath as she fought more sobs. “She h-h-hates you.”

  No need to ask who “she” was. “The feeling is mutual,” I said with a little smile. “Is that why you trusted me?”

  She nodded.

  Answer number one. So far, so good. “You know me, but I don't know you.”

  “I'm Tara.” Her name came out in a thin little wail. “I'm so scared. I want my Momma.”

  “I bet.” I hugged her again, rocking her a little like I used to do for Meira when she had nightmares. This girl couldn't have been more than eight years old. Okay, demon years? Wasn't sure the translation. But her next words told me she wasn't from around here.

  “Can you take me home? Momma and Daddy will be so worried. And Todd's hurt.”

  She sounded like a human kid. But how was that possible? I examined her carefully as I pushed her back again. Tiny horns in her black hair? Check. Red tinted skin? Check. Black fingernails? Check again. She looked like a demon.

  She looked... hang on a second.

  “Tara,” I said. “Where do you live?”

  “1675 Oleander Street,” she said as though repeating something she'd been taught to say. “St. Martin, Pennsylvania.”

  She was like me. Born to a demon parent. It was the only explanation. But how?

  “Sweets,” I said, “do you look like this at home?”

  She shook her head, long hair flying in her face, her ponytail half-undone. “It's scary,” she said. “I look awful.�
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  “This is really important, Tara,” I said. “Does either your Momma or your Daddy look like this?”

  Tara burst into tears. “No,” she said. “I'm scared!”

  I hugged her to me, tucking her head under my chin. “This is bad,” I said. “It has to be how Ameline crossed over.”

  Sassy's sister touched the girl's hand. “Tara, my name is Avenesequoia. I'm Syd's friend.” Stretch. But she hadn't proved otherwise yet. “You said Todd was hurt? Who is Todd?”

  Nice of her to catch what I'd let slip.

  “My brother,” Tara whimpered. “Ameline showed up at our house and had a big fight with Momma then she did something to Todd and he fell over like she hit him only she never touched him.” She trembled so violently I had to cling to her to keep her from sliding around on my lap. “I want to go home!”

  Sequoia. I shortened her name as I reached for her. I have to talk to Sass.

  I'll take her. She slid the girl into her own lap, Tara filling the diminutive demon's arms while I paced a few steps away and turned to Ram.

  I have to break this hold on the veil, I sent. I need your help.

  His power reached out to me. Take what you must.

  Well, that was new. But I wasn't looking this particular gift-demon in the mouth. Instead, I linked my power to his and used him to boost me as I gathered what magic I had and flung it like a stone from a slingshot, my focus on my demon Persian.

  Syd! His power caught mine almost immediately, but I felt him slipping even as it did.

  Sass. I filled him in as fast as I could, not sure how much reached him as he wavered in and out. I finished with, Check on the family, and We need to talk about Meira, before shutting down the faint connection and releasing Ram. I hoped the quick shot would alert Sass there was something wrong with my sister, but there was no way of knowing for sure if he understood, or if he even received half of what I sent him. Cursing softly to myself, I turned to find Ram sagged beside me, hands on his knees, face covered in a sheen of sweat. Guilt winning over my normal irritation with him, I patted his back gently.

  “Thanks,” I said. “Well done.”

  “Might I ask our next course of action?” Bakari had settled himself against a statue base, ankles crossed, arms too, the mostly silent observer now prodding my nerves.

  “I can only guess Ameline somehow stole Tara's brother's power,” I said, “and used it to disguise herself. That's how she crossed over.” Ahbi wouldn't have been looking for differences in the magic. How many demon/witch combos were there on our plane who knew her personally?

  “But why bring Tara?” Avenesequoia still rocked the girl who stared at me with huge eyes, her thumb in her mouth.

  “I don't know,” I said. “But if Ameline wanted her, I'm more than happy she's with us now.” Though it wouldn't be like the evil witch to let the girl go if she hadn't taken what she wanted from her. I crossed to her and crouched, stroking her hair. “Tara, did she tell you why you were here?”

  Tara bobbed her head, sliding her thumb free to whisper. “She wanted me to find the power thingie.”

  “The Node.” Ram sighed. “So it's true.”

  “Thanks for believing me,” I shot with sarcasm before turning my attention to Tara again. “Did you help her?”

  The girl's face collapsed into more tears. “I didn't know how.”

  Awesome. “That's great, sweets,” I said, patting her hand before rising. No luck for Ameline. But if she didn't have Tara, was there a plan B?

  Only one way to find out.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Whatever power Ameline used to disguise her path in Bilhaeder, she'd managed to do so again. It didn't take me long to realize she'd laid more false trail, though how she was accomplishing so much diversion I had no idea.

  Bakari led us to a rebel house where Tara was laid out on a soft bench and left to sleep while the rest of us were served dinner. I stuffed myself on purpose, keeping my mouth full so I didn't have to talk, poking and prodding at the problem of Ameline and the veil blockage until I gave myself heartburn. I left the table before the others were finished, exiting through the large doorways leading to a wide balcony overlooking the center of the city as it plunged in layers below me.

  It wasn't long before I felt Ram's warmth next to me, the heat of his skin pressed to mine as his shoulder brushed me.

  “I'm sorry, you know I'm sorry, don't you?” He gazed out over the view, not looking at me, voice aching with regret. “Syd, I never meant for any of this to happen. It wasn't what Ahbi wanted.”

  Um, what? “What does she have to do with it?” I half-turned to him, a sneaking suspicion growing as he ducked his head before meeting my eyes.

  You know what it means, he sent. I'm not working for the rebellion because I believe in the cause.

  You're an agent for my grandmother. Holy. Just. Holy. Well, how trustworthy of you, Ram. Anger spit and hissed in my stomach, adding to the ache from earlier. So much for your grand ideas and faking offense. I'm sure you're really sorry and that I can believe every word you say from now on.

  I'm telling you so you will trust me. He reached for my hand, tried to pull me toward him, but even my demon, usually so attracted to him, snarled and pushed him away. I don't want to have any secrets between us anymore.

  Just so you know, I sent, I have no intention of telling you everything, so you can just go to hell, spy boy.

  Ram's face crumpled, his emotions reaching me easily as he opened his magic and allowed me look inside. I swear, I've only been working on your grandmother's orders all along. Including when we first met. He twitched, guilt rolling through him. Well, that's not exactly true. A bit of a grin lifted his lips. I was only supposed to follow you, to observe. Never interact. But that day in the market when I saw you on your first official visit to Demonicon, you looked so beautiful, I had to meet you, even if it meant Ahbi's wrath.

  Nice try, I sent, even as my heart softened a little. Damn it.

  I was going to help you when the cousins attacked, he sent, but I wasn't alone. My partner wouldn't let me.

  Forget it. I turned away from him, tried to focus on the beauty of the city before me, climbing buildings marked with hanging gardens of multi-hues, the whole place its own kind of waterfall of demanity cascading from the sky to deep underground. It doesn't matter anymore. Grandmother is dead.

  And you're carrying her magic. Ram stepped closer again, hand covering mine on the rail and this time I didn't pull away. You know I'm speaking the truth.

  Ahbi's power welcomed him, accepted him. Had all along. So I wasn't really all that surprised, now that I thought about it. What was the point of lying to me?

  Ram shrugged. I knew you wouldn't believe me at first. And I figured getting you to Henemordonin was the best way to keep you safe.

  Stupid logical thinking. Okay, so what if you're working for the other side? I refused to relent. Besides what did it matter anyway? Why did he care if I hated his stupid guts?

  I just wanted you to know I'm loyal to you and your family, he sent. To you, especially.

  I turned my head, looked up into his eyes, found his face hovering over mine, closer, closer. My demon had given in to his pleas long ago, begging me to relax and just let him kiss me again, to devour me with his burning demon embrace.

  Yeah. Not happening.

  A chilling blast of air magic mixed with water power cooled the space between us, making Ram's breath emerge in a puff of white mist.

  Thanks for the confession, I sent. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a job to do.

  I turned on my heel and strode away, leaving him standing there. Felt bad. Hell yeah. Still.

  Double “O” Demon could just suck it up.

  Tara was still asleep when I checked on her, so I settled in a chair beside her to wait her out.

  ***

  Ameline tossed, restless, moaning as she twisted and turned on the floor behind the controls of her transport, body fl
ickering from demon to human and back again. One hand fell open, a teardrop-shaped, black rock pressed into her palm. A little boy's screaming denial rose from her, broken off as she sat bolt upright, hand tightening around the stone again. Turned and saw me watching—

  ***

  I woke with a start, gasping for air, sitting forward in the chair where I'd passed out. Avenesequoia reached over from where she perched next to Tara and squeezed my knee.

  “Are you all right?”

  I gulped, nodded. “Fine. Just had a bad dream.” Ew. And yet, from the furious mix of fear and frustration on Ameline's face, things weren't going as she'd planned.

  I'd take that as a win.

  Power gathered in a careful thread, I reached for Ameline, trying to follow the dream connection back to her. But she was blocked to me, even more so the veil, the barrier even tighter than before. I pondered the stone from the dream. Could Ameline be using some kind of crystal variant she found here on Demonicon, similar to the one I had back home to tap into my sorcery? If so, maybe she was the one blocking the veil.

  But no, that was impossible. No way did she control that kind of magic. Only Ruler had the amount of power needed to keep me from riding the veil or communicating effectively. It had to be Dad I had to thank for my troubles. Why he was keeping such a tight rein I didn't know, could only guess was connected to his battles with the family and the threat of the rebellion.

  Damned inconvenient, but I'd have to work around it.

  Syd. Sass's voice surged into my head, the 'd' sound fading before strengthening again. Are you in Nunaresh?

  How did he know that? I'm not sure if it's safe to tell you, I sent back, pouring power into the connection. He felt closer, his touch growing in strength a little. You're on the move?

  Nunaresh was the most logical guess, he sent. Knowing Ameline would likely want to run under the radar. So I'm coming to you. With Father.

  I met Avenesequoia's eyes. There's someone with me who would love to see you.