First Plane

by Patti Larsen

  I glanced out the window, noticed the last of the light had faded. What? I had at least thirty minutes, was sure of it.

  Time is different when you're fighting, he sent. We have to go.

  Dad shoved Meira toward me as Sassy bounded to our feet. “Thank you for dinner,” I said directly to Grandmother as I reached for the veil, feeling Dad's power help me, though at the moment I was sure I didn't need him. “It was educational.”

  She didn't move or say anything as I tore the veil open and headed home.

  Tried to.

  The thick rubbery membrane fought me, turned from sluggishly cold molasses to a wall of steel. I pounded against it with my power, felt Dad's magic fight beside me, but it was no use.

  The legends were true.

  Meira and I were trapped on Demonicon.

  ***

  Chapter Fourteen

  Perhaps it was simply my agitation, but the quarters I found myself pacing in seemed conveniently prepared for me. The huge closet room was full of clothing in my size, the massive bath stocked with bubble baths and scented creams. Maybe I was being paranoid, but knowing now the political maneuverings that went on here, I could only assume my sister and I being trapped was part of some grand plan.

  And yet, it was possible, I supposed, these quarters were simply for guests. Since they knew I was coming, and had a wardrobe for me anyway, didn't they need a place to keep it? I wished I could just talk myself into believing it.

  If my grandmother had anything to do with our present situation, she'd be hearing from me, Ruler or no Ruler.

  An ornately carved side door of black wood swung open and Meira bounced through, Dad and Sassafras trailing along behind her. At least we were adjoining so I could be close to her.

  “I love my room!” Meira planted herself on the end of my bed, amber eyes full of happiness.

  She was kidding, right?

  “Don't get comfortable,” I said. She stuck her tongue out at me as I turned my attention to Dad. “So now what?”

  He looked as tense as I felt. “We'll wait for morning,” he grunted, “and try again. It's possible it's simply that easy.” Why then did he sound like he wasn't holding out much hope? “In the meantime, I've been in contact with Theridialis. He's looking into it himself.”

  I trusted Sassy's dad to have our best interests at heart, so I nodded and drew a deep breath in an effort to calm down. Actually, I was amazed at my own restraint. I hadn't thrown anything or hurtled fireballs at anyone yet.

  For the hundredth time, I tested the veil, feeling it as cold and impenetrable as ever. Maybe Dad was right and darkness had some kind of effect on it? But that made no sense to me. I'd ridden the veil many times when the sun was down and never felt anything like this. And if we couldn’t go back…

  “What about Mom?” She and Gram would be in full lather by now.

  Dad winced, crossing his arms over his chest almost as if for protection. “I crossed to tell them what happened,” he said.

  “Wait, you can cross?” I scowled at him, trying to process. “And we can’t? Why?”

  “My effigy,” he said softly, as if trying to soothe an angry animal before said animal went into a flip-out rage. Yeah, close one. “My connection to your plane is through my statue. You two don’t have anything like that to bring you through. Though it still frustrates me. You’re not from this plane. You should be able to go home.” His scowl matched mine a moment.

  “So what did Mom and Gram say?” I needed to change the subject, if only to break the mood I was sinking into. Any word of home might help.

  Dad’s frown turned to a wince. “They weren't happy.”

  I snorted, more tension leaving me, a little smile rising without my permission as I winked at Meira who winked back.

  “Tear you a new one, Dad?”

  My sister giggled behind her hands while Sassafras leaped up beside her.

  Dad sighed. “We'll get this figured out,” he said. “I'm sorry, girls. I should never have given in to my mother.”

  “Nonsense,” Sassafras cut in. “You did what you had to. You know she would have found a way to bring them over herself if it came to it. Ahbi is very determined when she wants something.”

  Dad nodded slowly, face creased into a frown. When he met my gaze, there was fear in his eyes.

  “Just be cautious,” he said. Yeah, yeah. Be careful. So sick of hearing him say it by now it made my stomach churn. “I want you to stay in your rooms tonight. You should be safe here.”

  Like I was planning to wander off. “I can take care of myself, Dad,” I said.

  “Me too,” Meira piped in.

  “Clearly,” Sassafras stopped grooming one paw to fix me with a disdainful stare. “Like that horrendously pathetic disaster you called a challenge battle?”

  It wasn't that bad. “I won, didn't I?”

  “Barely.” He went back to the meticulous cleaning of his silver fur.

  Smartass cat.

  “Besides,” he went on, “we all know this was Ahbi's original intention.”

  Harry looked a little guilty. “She assured me—”

  It was Sassy's turn to snort. “Since when did your mother ever keep her promises, especially when her own goals were at stake?” He dropped the offending paw and lifted the other to give it the attention it required. “I knew from the moment you told the girls where they were going they wouldn't be heading home right away.”

  “So why did you let us come?” I wanted to shake his fat little fur body, temper snapping inside me.

  Again he met my gaze. “And you would have listened to me. Of course. My bad.”

  I was seriously considering heaving him out the open window. Just to test the shields around it.

  Yeah, right.

  Dad's shoulders slumped. “I've been a fool,” he whispered. “As I have been all along. There were times I thought I could resist her.” When he looked up, his sad face pulled me like a magnet and I wasn't the only one. Meira and I both ran to hug him, his strong arms going around us. “I won't let anything happen to you. I swear it.”

  “You don't have much of a say in the matter.” Sassafras finally gave up his grooming and glared at the three of us from his perch on the bed. “You're stuck here, for as long as it takes to find a way to get you home. But you can't stay cooped up in these quarters.”

  “What are you suggesting?” Dad's grip tightened on me.

  “That I train them to fight.” Sassy's fluffy tail whipped around to coil at his feet, eyes narrowing to slits. “That we show Ahbi and the rest of the family just what the Hayles are made of.” He huffed a soft breath. “You know she won't rest until she gets what she wants. So let's give it to her.”

  Dad was already shaking his head. “This is insane,” he said. “I won't allow it.”

  I pulled away, Meira copying me, reaching for my hand. We stood to face him, united.

  “Sassy's right,” I said even as a quiver of fear slid down my spine. “Grandmother is after something. Maybe it's me beside her.” Not going to happen. “Or maybe she's just testing us to see if we're worthy or something.” Stupid, in my opinion. I hated the thought of being a trained dog for her amusement. Not to mention the family's. “But whatever the reason, we're stuck here and I refuse to hide behind you or anyone else.”

  Tell him, Syd, while cringing inside with the need to have Daddy keep you safe.

  Meira's hand tightened on mine. “We're Hayle witches,” she said. “And demon royalty.” She looked up at me with a wicked grin. “I'd love to show them what that means.”

  Fear slid away, a bit of excitement taking its place. I'd spent my whole life hiding my magic outside of the family. For once, we were in a place where using power was common and expected. The idea I could actually toss some magic around without worrying about it was kind of appealing.

  And even though I'd made a mess of the battle earlier, I'd learned some things. Was pretty sure I could handle myself, especially if Sassy taught me
what he knew. The idea of fighting back, of letting my temper out, seemed like a good thing.

  Dad must have seen the shift in me—written all over my face—because he shook his head with a laugh and hugged us both again.

  “My amazing, willful, powerful daughters,” he whispered. “Mother has no idea what she's turned loose.”

  We all laughed. Until Sassafras broke our mood.

  “If you're through patting yourselves on the back,” he said, “perhaps you'd like to discuss strategy. And survival.”

  That cooled me off. “This might be a moot point,” I said. “If we're able to cross in the morning.”

  He didn't seem all that optimistic. “Fine,” he said. “Get some sleep. If I'm wrong and you're able to return home tomorrow, we'll never discuss this again. But,” he hopped down from my bed, sashaying his way to Meira's room, “when I'm right and you're as stuck here as you have been all along, I'll be waiting.”

  “That's hardly fair, Sass.” He paused and turned when my anger rose to snap at him.

  “Fair?” He glared at me as though I'd mortally insulted him. “Throw out the word fair, Syd. Oh, and while you're at it? Toss honest.” He paced back toward me, suddenly a dangerous and menacing presence despite his fluffy silver body. I actually felt my demon clench herself, as though prepared to fight him off, as he stopped at my feet, power radiating out from him. “Integrity. Friendship. Loyalty.” His eyes briefly flickered to Dad. “Am I missing any, Harry?”

  “Family,” Dad said.

  Sassy laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Ah yes, family.” He shook himself, fur puffing up. “You have to adjust and do it quickly. New vocabulary: Self-interest. Distrust. Conspiracy.”

  The hard ball of tension in my stomach started to hurt.

  “Got it,” I said while Meira's hand tightened in mine, her fear reaching me through our contact.

  “No,” Sassy snapped, “you don't, Syd. Neither of you do.” He swatted at my foot, tail thrashing. “I know you very well. Practically raised the two of you. Neither of you has the instincts you need to survive here.”

  Not sure if that was an insult or a compliment.

  “Sassafras.” Dad's frown was enough to tell me he thought the demon cat crossed a line. “Enough.”

  “I'm not done.” He continued to glare at me and I met him in the middle. “Sydlynn, you must be on alert at all times, focused, ready for battle. I don't care about your showmanship at this point.” He shook his furry head. “I don't care how ugly your fighting style. As long as you win. But there's only one way you can do so. By attacking first.”

  “I can handle it,” I said. “I hesitated because it was my first time. I know what to expect now.”

  Sassy sighed. “You have no idea,” he said. “Above all, you must be ruthless.”

  I struggled with my demon as she snarled her agreement. “What do you mean, ruthless?”

  “No matter what they say, no matter what happens, how much pain you’re causing your opponent, you have to take him out.” Sassy’s tail twitched as his amber eyes flashed fire. “Do you understand? It’s not enough to win, you have to kick him when he’s down.”

  “What is wrong with you people?” I shuddered, hugging myself, Meira pressing into my side as we both finally understood. “I'll fight and I'll win, but I’m not a bully.”

  “You have to learn to be,” Sassy said. “Or they will take advantage of your weakness and you'll fail.”

  “I can’t.” I shook my head. “I always swore I’d never be a bully, Sass. And I don’t plan on becoming one to satisfy my grandmother and this screwed-up place.”

  He grunted softly, tail now thrashing. “Fine,” he said. “Then when you’ve finally fallen, stripped to the lowest plane, and they go after your sister,” Sass practically spit the word out, “you can explain to Meira why you threw her to the wolves.”

  Gulp.

  “I can do ruthless,” I said.

  ***

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sleeping wasn't an option. Every time I lay down on the bed my head started spinning with so much information the only way I could quiet it was to rise and pace around the room. At least the pajamas I'd dug out of the closet the size of my bedroom at home were kind of normal. Some kind of black silky stuff that felt like I wasn't wearing anything. A little freaky, but the full-length pants and long-sleeved button up shirt looked so much like normal clothes I couldn't resist them.

  When someone knocked on my door, I lurched to answer it just to shake myself out of the constant whirl of my thoughts. It wasn't until I had the door half jerked open I realized I should have been more cautious.

  Saved by the aide. No battle-seeking relative on the other side to worry about, just Pagomaris, dressed in a long black robe of her own, a smile plastered on her face. She was no longer wearing the giant platform boots she'd forced me into all day and I was surprised to note she was actually shorter than I was.

  “Your Highness,” she bowed deeply to me. “Ruler would like to see you.” When she straightened, there was so much pleading in her face I felt terrible for her. I certainly wouldn't want to work for my grandmother, from what I'd learned so far anyway, nor for anyone else in the family.

  I knew Sassafras would be furious with me, Dad too, but I couldn't stand staying cooped up any longer. Besides, it was the middle of the night and I was on my way to see my grandmother. Surely no one would be lurking around—or risk her displeasure if I was late arriving.

  “Of course.” I closed the door behind me and followed the suddenly fawning Pagomaris out into the hall.

  “Excellent, thank you, Highness,” she said. “This way, Highness.”

  Okay, her new attitude was getting old very fast. Clearly she'd expected me to turn her down and was dreading going back to tell Grandmother I wasn't coming.

  Then again, maybe I could use Pagomaris's extreme gratitude to my advantage.

  “She could have just summoned me.” I slowed my pace, forcing her to as well.

  “Oh, no,” Pagomaris said with a look telling me I'd just suggested sacrilege. “Mental communication is frowned on in the higher planes.” I guessed frowned on was an understatement. Which meant Sassy was taking risks when he spoke to me.

  Interesting.

  I was about to ask her why when the truth hit me. No one trusted anyone else. Touching the mind of another meant a certain level of exposure. Yes, it was possible to shield unwanted thoughts, but it was simple for the connection to be exploited.

  Even more interesting. And definitely an advantage if we could keep it in the down-low.

  Speaking of which. Um, whom.

  Where are you? Sassafras's panicked tone told me volumes. I caught a flash of an image, his view of my room, my bed rumpled, but empty.

  Grandmother sent for me. I showed him my own location and felt him swat at me in rage.

  You idiot, he snapped. What were you thinking?

  You would rather she sent guards to drag me in chains? I tried for cold and logical and succeeded not too badly. Enough at least Sassafras's temper eased.

  Be on absolute alert, he sent. I'm staying with your sister. If you need me... oh, Syd. His mind hugged me fast and hard, the fear behind his anger showing. Don’t do anything stupid.

  He cut off, leaving me shivering, and I almost ran into Pagomaris's back from the distraction of our conversation.

  Her smile was as wide as ever as she gestured at the large double doors flanked by two huge guards. “Enjoy your visit,” she said before turning and scurrying off.

  Abandoning me outside my grandmother's door. Was there more to this invitation than I knew of? Um, duh, Syd.

  Time to take Sassy's advice and pay attention.

  I doubled up on my shielding, feeling my demon writhe and churn inside me as she prepared for the worst. The guards ignored me as I stepped up to the massive entry, both panels thick with carvings, as high as I was tall twice over, large metal handles in the shapes of screaming
demon's faces.

  Pleasant.

  I raised my hand to knock only to feel power slide through the doors as the handles turned on their own and both swung inward.

  Creepy. But a little magic show wasn't going to shake my resolve to stand up to my grandmother.

  A wide entry greeted me, opening into the biggest bedroom I'd ever seen. If it could be called that. Full of statues, a hearth the size of a tractor-trailer, two massive desks covered in what looked like paperwork, sofas, chairs... the bed was stuck off in one corner, giant in its own right but dwarfed by the size of the room.

  All black décor, all the time, aside from the occasional gold accent. It might have been opulent, but I'd never seen anything so freaking dreary. If I had to live here, I'd be depressed in about a minute.

  Everything went away when Grandmother rose from one of the desks and faced me. “Sydlynhamitra,” she said in her deep voice. “Welcome.”

  I was surprised she was alone, fully expecting a small army of attendants to show up at any second, making me pause at the top of the three steps leading down into her quarters. “Grandmother.”

  That made her smile. Okay then.

  She gestured, coming out from behind her desk, dressed in a simple black robe of what looked like the same fabric I wore. Her muscular arms were bare, biceps flexing as she motioned for me to join her. She looked like some old-fashioned female body-builder who refused to let time take away her Miss Universe title. Honestly, I was a little in awe—okay, a lot in awe—of her and found myself stumbling down the first step.

  Did I mention how much I love my demon? She caught me, steadied us, pushed me forward with confidence to join my grandmother where she stood next to the fireplace and a comfortable looking seating area arranged before it.

  Fire crackled with power in the deep cavern of the hearth, the scent of smoke only faint as magic or engineering swept the climbing cloud away.

  Grandmother towered over me, much like Dad did, and I wondered if he got his physique from her. So funny, I'd always assumed he would look like his own father. Showed what I knew. And while I was still guarded, the smile in her eyes was genuine and I felt my demon relaxing somewhat, though neither of us was willing to release our hold on the shields I'd reinforced.