The Cardinal Gate

by Amy Cissell

  Florence leaned back and whispered loudly, “Savannah has a master’s degree in English lit, can you tell?”

  I saw that a few of the younger-looking witches tried—with varying degrees of success—to hold back giggles. This was obviously an old joke.

  I smiled—hoping for enigmatic—and said nothing.

  Savannah scowled. “You have not answered the question. Why risk what we have now for a ghost from your past?”

  I could tell, which meant that probably everyone else could, too, that Savannah wasn’t talking about the status quo of the Earth or even the coven, when she said, “what we have now.’”

  Florence leaned forward and looked Savannah directly in the eye. “What we have now isn’t worth holding on to if people stop fighting for their convictions. I wouldn’t want to live in a place where people let go their dreams and their hopes because things were going along well enough. A status quo isn’t reason enough to let go of sixty years of loss. Give me something besides equilibrium as a reason to let go of my love for my sister, of my thirst for revenge, and of my hope for this earth.”

  We all looked at Savannah. I held my breath, not sure how I wanted her to answer. I did not want to lose the support of Florence—either at this moment or going forward—but if Savannah could woman up and declare her love, I’d be the first to congratulate Florence before she turned me into a frog.

  The silence was palpable. Savannah lost eye contact with Florence too soon, but still, no one moved. I’ve no idea how long we sat there, but probably not as long as it seemed. Finally, she looked up again. “I can’t give you any reason other than those I’ve already mentioned.”

  Florence bowed her head. Then, she looked up and caught the eye of each coven member in turn. “We have nothing further to discuss. I will stand with Eleanor as she opens the gates. Although I would prefer you stand with us, I understand if you want to stand down.”

  Savannah shook her head. “We can do neither, my sister, my heart. We must stand against you.”

  The wolves paced forward. “You can’t win against us today, Savannah,” I said. “Although we can’t answer your magic in kind, we have enough shifters to take you out, and as you know, shifters are nearly immune to magic. Stand down.”

  Three of the mages rose and stepped back. “We will not fight you today,” they said. “But we will find a way.”

  Two more—one very young and one very old—stepped forward. The maiden and crone. I wondered for a second if Savannah was the mother, but then when I saw bands of power between the maiden, crone, and Florence light up, I understood. Florence was not only the High Priestess, she was their mother. She was a mother. Before my mind could tumble down the rabbit hole of her status as a parent, I shook myself. Now was not the time.

  “We will not fight today,” the maiden and crone intoned, sounding like a Greek chorus. Too many voices coming from only two people. “But this is not the end.”

  Florence bowed her head. The rest of the witches stood and backed away. Only Savannah was left. She stared at Florence. They were both crying now. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to us,” Savannah said.

  “You always knew that I would do anything for my sister.”

  “What about us?”

  “There has been no us for a dozen years. You pulled the plug on us then and can’t pull a relationship card at this late date.”

  Savannah stared a moment more, then turned and walked away.

  Florence collapsed to the ground, and I rushed to her side. “Are you okay?”

  “I suddenly feel all of my nearly seventy years.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “Don’t be child. You will save us all.”

  “That’s what we weapons do!” Florence glared at me. “Hey, you’re the one who said it.”

  We stood up and looked around. The wolves had retreated again as the threat left. I looked at my watch. Still not working.

  “It’s almost 12:30,” Isaac replied.

  “I need to get as close to the gate as possible, and then Florence and I will raise our magic to construct the weir. It will probably be extraordinarily boring, but we’ll be pretty vulnerable while we do this, so if you could keep an eye on us, that’d be great.”

  Isaac walked over, kissed the top of my head, then the tip of my nose, and then my lips. “I’ll keep both eyes on you and trust Rebecca and her pack to keep eyes on Florence.”

  I smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  He helped me up, and then I led Florence over to where I could feel the gate pulsing madly. As I stepped into the invisible vortex, the pain it had been causing lessened. “If what happened last time is anything to go by, you’re going to want to be a little ways away from me. Last time, a few things caught on fire.”

  We sat about five yards apart, and I sank into a meditative state. I reached out and found the energy that was Florence. She began weaving the weir, and I filtered my power to her. It was hard work, and I had a headache—and a butt ache—by the time Florence declared it complete. Then came the task of extricating myself from her and her power, while leaving enough of myself in the weir to anticipate the opening of the gate. I didn’t want to be too connected and send a surge of gate energy into our construct and overload it.

  Finally, I opened my eyes. Florence and I were both drenched in sweat. Isaac handed us both bottles of water.

  I stood up. It was almost time.

  Florence checked her phone. “I have a text confirming that air traffic has been grounded due to a credible terrorist threat. Military planes are in the sky, though. We couldn’t get that concession.”

  “That should be okay, though, right?” I asked. “I mean, how likely is it that there will be any military planes in the pulse zone?”

  Isaac and Florence both looked at me, and I could tell they were debating not telling me something. I looked at Isaac. “You know that withholding information will come back to bite you on the ass, right?”

  Isaac sighed. “Ellsworth Air Force Base is right outside Rapid City. Chances are, there will be military planes in the air.”

  “Well, fuck. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

  “They might be okay,” Florence said. “Any military personnel will have a way to get out of their planes safely if they follow their fail-safes quickly enough. It’s not like a commercial airliner, full of civilians without parachutes.”

  I nodded and crossed my fingers that she was right.

  I could feel the power growing and I stood up.

  “Back up,” I barked out.

  Isaac and Florence backed away as the energy coursed through me. The heat was incredible, but it didn’t hurt like last time.

  As before, I could feel myself being pulled thin, but now I recognized it as the feeling of being connected to the alternate plane, the realm of my birth. The life energy of everything on the mountain swirled around me and I pulled it into me, excluding the bright spots of energy that were my friends and allies. My limbs snapped into an “X” position, and my feet left the ground. I dropped my shields, and the gate energy flowed through me. Magic flowed out of the gate and hit the edges of the weir. It started to pool before dripping over. I hoped it would be enough to temper any disasters, but there was so much, and it was pouring out faster and faster.

  Finally, the magic let me go, and I dropped in a heap on the ground. I could see the gate and wondered if it was visible to non-magical eyes.

  “Not yet,” Florence said. “But it soon will be.”

  “The weir?” I asked.

  “Holding, but barely.”

  “Visitors?”

  “None. When you’re ready, we are free to go.”

  I nodded and tried to stand up. My legs collapsed from under me. Isaac picked me up. “I can carry you.”

  I woke up lying flat in the back seat of a mini-van.

  I sat up—much took quickly if my swimming head was any indication. I lay back down again. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Pr
incess.” Isaac’s voice floated back from the front seat.

  “What happened? Is everything okay?”

  “Do you remember leaving Harney Peak?”

  “I remember you picking me up.”

  “I carried you down to the Blazer, and we drove out to a town called Murdo to trade it in for this minivan. Since then, we’ve been driving east, so I hope that’s the way we’re supposed to be going.”

  “How long have I been out?”

  “Not as long as last time—only about seven hours. We’re nearly to the eastern end of South Dakota.”

  “Can we stop and eat?”

  “Of course. We’ll stop in Sioux Falls.”

  “Any place is fine. I’m starving.”

  A few minutes later, Isaac exited the interstate and pulled into a diner. I ordered an omelet with a side of pancakes and a chocolate malt and ignored the stares of the waitress. As I was finishing up the last of my malt, I noticed Isaac and Florence staring at me. “I was hungry.”

  “I’m used to it,” Isaac said. “Just wondering where we were going next.”

  “East,” I said. “We need to find The Mound.”

  Epilogue

  FINN ABASED HIMSELF in front of the throne. The current occupant of said throne regarded him coldly—not that she knew any other way. She was cold—pale skin, ice blue hair with the points of her ears peeping through— too harsh to be beautiful, but too perfect to be called anything else.

  He waited for her to give the signal to rise and speak. He had a twinge of regret at what he was about to do, and even briefly thought of trying to come up with another reason to be here. Then, he heard her voice again, running through his head on repeat, “...I’ve fallen for someone else.”

  Who did she think she was? He’d been devoted to her. Standing by and watching her with that dog. Now, she had feelings for that animal? He didn’t think so. No one rejected Bricriu Ó Fionnagáin.

  “Rise,” the queen said. Finn knew better than to rise to his feet in her presence. She’d once cut off a retainer’s feet when he dared stand without leave. Finn rose to his knees, keeping his eyes cast at the ground in front of her.

  “What do you want of me, Bricriu, lapdog of the Light King?”

  “I wish a trade, O Glorious Majesty.”

  “You wish to trade with me? What could you, an elven half-breed, possibly have of worth?”

  “I have knowledge of the catalyst. I have been her guard and companion these past six years in the reckoning of Earth time. I was there when she opened the first gate and traveled with her to the site of the second gate. I am joined to her and can track her anywhere on Earth. I know her, know her heart, and know her mind.”

  “And what is she to me? Another of Eochaid’s brats with delusions of grandeur? She will die young, like the rest.” The queen looked down at her nails, feigning disinterest.

  “She has named herself the Dragon Queen of the Dark Sidhe,” Finn said.

  All pretense vanished. “She’s laid claim to my throne? How dare she?”

  The atmosphere in the throne room cooled measurably, and Finn did his best not to shiver.

  Medb stretched her arms, and a dark crow flew down and landed on her hand. She stroked its head softly. “What proof have you of this?”

  “No proof, other than having heard it with my own ears.”

  “And what do you want from me in exchange for this knowledge and for continuing updates on this usurper? For she must open the gates, that has been foretold; our world will fall if she doesn’t complete her task. I would be loath to interrupt at this point.”

  “I require something so small that it is almost laughable.”

  “Do not play with me, half-breed. What do you want?”

  “I want to borrow the prisoner of your vampire friend to lure a werewolf here so that he can be imprisoned and tortured.”

  “That wee young wolf? What makes you think she’d be an effective lure for your rival?”

  “Who said anything about a rival?”

  The room darkened, and Medb’s voice suddenly took on several more timbers, “Do not think to mislead me; I will have you eviscerated, the value of the information you hold notwithstanding.”

  “Fine. My rival. This wolf was once precious to him, and he thinks her dead. He has also sworn revenge on the vampire who holds her. Finding out that both are alive, and that the young wolf is a prisoner and still being tortured, will cause him to leave the side of the catalyst to attempt a rescue. Once he is captured, I can have him for my own use, and the catalyst will have one less protector to stand in your way when the last gate is opened.”

  Medb was still and silent for so long, Finn was worried that she’d forgotten him.

  “It is a good trade. I will talk to the vampire and explain the situation. If this is the wolf she mourns over in her cups, it will benefit us all. She wants him back in a way I do not understand. Why waste time on someone who has shown such utter disdain for you? If they can’t be made to love you, they should be killed or let go. Mooning over unrequited love is the height of foolishness.”

  Finn bowed, choking down a defensive reply. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Come back before Samhain with more information on this so-called Dragon Queen, and I will have the wolf girl ready for you.”

  Finn bowed again and backed out of the throne room.

  As soon as she was certain he was out of sight and earshot, she turned to tapestries lining the wall behind her throne. “You heard?”

  “Everything, Your Majesty. Everything.”

  About the Author

  AMY CISSELL IS an urban fantasy and paranormal romance writer. She grew up in South Dakota and received her BA in English Literature from South Dakota State University. That degree has carried her far in her career as a financial administrator.

  Her first exposure to fantasy was when she picked up her father’s copy of The Hobbit while in elementary school and an enduring love affair was born. Although Amy reads anything and everything, her first love is fantasy.

  Amy is the author of the Eleanor Morgan series. Visit Amy online at www.amycissell.com, and stay up to date with her on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and/or Twitter. You can (and should!) sign up for her newsletter. In addition to receiving deleted scenes and excerpts from her upcoming releases, you’ll get the newsletter-exclusive serial following the origins and first millennium of Raj Allred—everyone’s favorite sexy vampire.

  The Waning Moon

  ~ eleanor morgan book two ~

  * * *

  ISAAC AND FLORENCE were sitting at the motel table poring over maps when I woke up. Three cups of Starbucks were centered on the table. I inhaled the scent and shuddered when I realized how good it smelled. This adventure was destroying my discerning palate. Before too long, I’d be willingly downing Folgers crystals and swearing it tasted like my usual roast!

  “Are you going to lie there thinking about coffee or are you planning on joining us?” Florence asked without looking up.

  “I need you to teach me how to shield my thoughts better.” I hopped out of bed and headed for the coffee.

  “I’d settle for teaching you how to shield your body better,” Florence said after a quick glance in my direction.

  I looked down at myself. Yep. Completely nude. “Sorry.” I hustled towards the bathroom only pausing long enough to grab my bag and snag my coffee.

  I rewarded myself with a life-affirming sip of Americano after successfully putting on each article of clothing and weaponry. Properly caffeinated, dressed, and armed, I returned to the main room.

  “What are you looking at?” I eyed the maps of Ohio, Illinois, and Tennessee covering the table.

  “Mounds,” Florence said.

  I snickered. “Glad you two found a way to bond.”

  Florence glared at me, but the hardness in her eyes quickly gave way to an amused twinkle, and she snorted. “You are ridiculous.”

  “That’s why everyone
loves me. I’m fun.”

  “Barely-controlled chaos is not everyone’s idea of fun.”

  I fluttered my eyelashes at her. “C’mon, Florence. You’re having a little fun, aren’t you?”

  “Between harnessing powerful magic I never dreamed of, breaking ties with the coven I regarded as family, and fleeing my home with a wolf and a dragon?” She smiled. “Maybe a small bit of fun.”

  Isaac ruined my moment of triumph. “Did you know there are over seventy American Indian burial mounds in Ohio alone? I was wondering, Princess Pandemonium” — I stuck my tongue out at him — “if you could narrow it down?”

  “I narrowed it down to mounds, didn’t I? Why do I have to do all the work?”

  “Because you’re the only one who can find and open these gates. We’re the sidekicks,” Isaac said.

  “I prefer minion,” Florence said.

  I rolled my eyes. “You guys are great sidekicks, but to graduate to full minionhood, you’ll need to do a better job of anticipating my needs. Better coffee. Better beer. Maybe a foot massage every afternoon.”

  Isaac laughed. “Can you come look at the map?”

  Isaac’s map was marked with lots of large purple “x’s.” Florence had a tourism guide open with a list of mounds. I sat down and stared at the purple marks. Nothing jumped out at me. Not even a general pull of “start here.”

  “Ummm…” I said. Profundity, thy name is Eleanor. “Maybe I’ll feel something when we get closer?”

  “This area is bigger than the Black Hills,” Isaac said.

  “Bite me.”

  “Pressuring Eleanor to pick a location will probably have a detrimental effect on the overall results. We have over a month to find the gate and can get to Ohio in two reasonable driving days.”