by Patti Larsen
Um, what?
“Nuneresh.” I made the connection, glancing sideways at Pagomaris who nodded just a little. Holy. Civil war—over us? Why?
Vandelarius sat back, smirking now. “That's right. And if the pair of you remain much longer, revolution is likely to spread to other cities.”
“And why exactly is that our fault?” No way was this pudgy demon playing princeling going to blame civil unrest on me or my sister.
“Because,” he snapped, “they've been calling for fresh rule, for a new family to lead them. And with you two here, with your father's advancement, the people now know your grandmother never intends to release her hold on Demonicon.”
Why then did Grandmother insist on the opposite, that our family needed to hold on tight, that Demonicon needed us? She’d made no mention the rest of the populace wanted new blood to lead them. Well, if they wanted another family, it made sense she'd be fighting tooth and nail. But there was no way the pus bag sitting on his fake throne before me was a better alternative.
“Hear me, daughter of Haralthazar,” he said, “the throne is mine and belongs to my line from now on. When the old bitch dies, my family will be in control, my son Second seat.” What little I'd seen of Cypherion didn't make me feel any better. “And nothing will stand in our way.”
“Okay,” I said, going for casual. “Knock yourself out. I don't want your stupid throne anyway. I'm going home—remember?”
“Deceitful child,” he snarled. “I know better.”
Call me a liar, will he? “Listen,” I said, “let's get something straight. You're the one all hot and bothered over the succession. Maybe you have a reason to be worried. Maybe you don't. But if I catch you threatening my family again, law or no law, you'll see what real magic can turn you into.”
It struck me then, with his beady eyes glaring at me, exactly who had set us up. He was just enough of a moron it had to be his plan.
“And if you want to kill me,” I snarled, taking a step toward his little throne while the guards rustled in concern behind me, “do it face to face, you coward.”
“How dare you address your Second Seat in such a manner!” He surged to his feet, pointing at me with one disgusting finger. “Guards, seize her and have her charged with threatening her ruler!”
I felt them moving, shoved them back very firmly with my power, a sense of recklessness taking me over. “You want to give it a go, Vandelarius?” I let him feel my demon as she stretched and pulsed with power. “Feel like challenging me?”
He glared, face crumpling, and I knew he considered it even as my brain screamed at me I had lost my freaking mind.
“Your Highness.” Pagomaris broke our moment, stepping forward, bowing at the waist, smiling, hand on my arm, pulling me back. “There has been some misunderstanding. Her Highness understands completely the weight of her position, the strength of yours.” Her fingers tightened in warning. “Completely.”
Vandelarius sagged back in his seat, eyes still smoldering, but I was sure he was happy she'd given him an out.
Total douche bag.
I turned and left without another word, shaking in anger, wanting more than ever to just go home and get the hell away from these people and their insane way of life. I knew I'd end up on a short fuse for weeks after spending so much time on the edge of my rage, but it was the only thing that seemed to keep me going so I embraced it.
Pagomaris hustled along beside me, the two guards no longer following at least. We were almost to my door when she reached out for me again, pulling me to a halt. She smiled widely, too widely, fake and strained.
“I will see you soon, Highness,” she said. And hugged me.
I almost pushed her away, especially when her power surged around us both.
Listen carefully, she sent in the tightest beam I'd ever felt. He will kill you if he can. And your sister. Your father. Do not challenge him unless you are ready. He appears weak, cowardly, but he is Second Seat for a reason.
She let me go, still smiling. “Be well, Princess.”
Pagomaris left me there, stewing, but with food for thought, to turn and go inside alone.
Sassafras waited for me, Meira beside him, perched on the bed. My sister looked chagrined as the demon cat spoke.
“Wasn't Ahbi, was it?”
I sighed heavily, throwing myself down beside him. “Stupid Vandelarius,” I snarled. “Jerkwad.”
“You can say that again.” Meira slid over to me, snuggling against me. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I was really jealous.”
“Tell you what,” I told her, “next time you can go. Okay?”
She giggled. “No thanks. You can have him.”
I sat up, pulling her along, Sassafras squashed between us. “It was Vandelarius who tried to kill us,” I said.”
Sassy nodded. “I figured it had to be,” he said. “He's the only one who could command the guards to abandon you.”
Meira pulled up her legs and hugged her knees. “What did he say?”
I filled her in on the civil war while Sassy hissed.
“It's not your fault,” he said. “At least, not the way he told you. Your grandmother's speeches about unity and all of demon kind coming together aren't quite accurate. There has always been unrest. Discord. Those who would see the planes broken apart again, or at least given their own rulership, something they lost when the present system came into play.”
“Poor Grandmother,” Meira said. “It must be really hard to rule this whole place.”
I didn't agree with Meira's emotion, but her sentiment was accurate.
“There’s a reason she has such a useless ass as her Second,” I said, reality dawning.
Sassy sighed. “I have to agree,” he said. “It’s likely Ahbi assisted his rise to ensure no one would support him if he chose to challenge her.”
So freaking sneaky. I might not have liked her much, but my respect for my grandmother went up several notches.
“So she advances the worst possible choice so the people would have no choice?” I threw up my hands, pacing again. “I thought she wanted Dad beside her.”
“She’s pushed him, yes,” Sassafras said, “but considering the incredible power your grandmother wields, I’ve always wondered why she’s never forced your father to take his place. Now it’s beginning to make sense.”
“She wasn’t ready.” Meira nodded, a firm, sharp motion. “But now she is.”
“She’s sown the seeds of his rise,” Sassy said, “but it wasn’t until now, for whatever reason, her timetable is imminent.”
“We’re sure it’s not Syd?” Meira met my eyes, worry in hers.
I shuddered. No way in hell could anyone convince me to take over this place. Then again, there'd be some changes. Even better. Or worse.
Sassy’s tail flicked as he considered. “I have no idea,” he finally said. “Ahbi is a mystery even to me. But you can be certain whatever her plan, Vandelarius is not part of it.”
“And if she’s underestimated him?” I stopped my pacing. “Is that possible?”
Again Sassy paused. “I wouldn’t put anything past any one of your family,” he said.
Just lovely.
I so had to get out of here.
My demon spurred me up. “Let's go wander,” I said. “I can't stand speculating and the air in here is killing me.”
Meira's answering grin probably shouldn't have made me smile. Especially knowing what we were purposely walking into. Not that I was looking for a fight, mind you, but I had a big wad of pent-up anger energy burning a hole in my gut and I couldn't stand to have it there another minute.
Four battles for me and three for Meira later and I was feeling much better. And stronger, which probably helped a lot. Sassafras's continued sharp discontent with my fighting ability did nothing to quench my satisfaction. I won. That's all I cared about.
After dinner with Dad, quiet and uncommunicative despite my pointed questions, I'd had enough. Sassafras left with him,
supposedly to get answers, though I knew the demon cat knew more than he was telling. Unwilling to be a pawn any longer, I proposed a plan to Meira, one she immediately accepted. That night, rather than waiting for Pagomaris to retrieve us one at a time, my sister and I went together to visit our grandmother.
The guards at the door looked startled to see us, but when I knocked the doors swung wide easily, welcoming the two of us before closing on the unhappy guards.
***
Chapter Twenty Five
“Welcome.” She stood near the sofa as usual, dressed in her silken robe, arms open to Meira who rushed forward to hug her. I took a seat before such a welcome could be offered, though I thought a hug for me would be a long time coming. Meira perched next to Grandmother, helping herself to the snacks spread out on the low coffee table.
“You're aware Vandelarius is trying to usurp you?” Yeah, she knew already. All of our speculation was dead on from the small, smug grin she suppressed. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, falling into grumpy.
Grandmother didn't seem to mind the lack of small talk. In fact, her amusement grew into a full-grown smile at my pronouncement, sitting back with one arm over the back of the sofa, Meira sliding back to snuggle beside her.
“Of course,” she said. “He spoke to you earlier.”
Not a question. “Told me the civil war going on in one of the cities is our fault.”
Grandmother snorted, still amused. “I'd hardly call it civil war,” she said. “There has been some unrest, yes. But not over the two of you.”
Meira looked up at her. “Then why, Grandmother?”
“I'm afraid it's my fault again,” she said. “I've been Ruler too long, the longest of any Ruler in Demonicon's history. My own father stepped down centuries before his time. But I'm not prepared to hand over control of the assembled planes to just any demon. And certainly not to someone like Vandelarius.”
“Then why did you make him Second Seat?” My anger rose again and forced me to my feet, to pace in front of the vast hearth. “So no one would want you to step aside?”
It was a big accusation, and I wasn’t sure she’d appreciate me calling her a manipulative bitch, or at least implying it. Instead she stroked my sister’s hair like she owned her. “I'm certain you know to keep your friends close,” she said in answer, “and your enemies closer.”
“Mom tried that once,” I said. “With a witch who betrayed us all.” Even now, almost a year later, my rage at Celeste Oberman and her attempts to undermine and overthrow Mom still burned strong. Especially knowing not booting her sorry ass meant the deaths of witches I loved.
“And how did it turn out?” Grandmother seemed genuinely interested.
“Not so well,” I said. “We lost some very good people because she wouldn't act.” Okay, not exactly fair. I had the chance to rid us of Celeste too but let her stay, thinking the way Mom did. Keeping Celeste near meant keeping an eye on her.
Yeah, not so smart.
“You have to trust me,” Grandmother said, “that I have many more years of experience at this than your mother does.”
Fair enough. Still.
“You also need to do the same,” she said. “Though the more I get to know the two of you, the prouder I become.”
That was a shocker.
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Meira beamed.
“I am thousands of years old,” the demon Ruler said. “I've birthed hundreds of children, all from different mates, searching for the perfect progeny.” She sighed, looking suddenly tired and old. It was strange to see her vulnerable for even a second, and of course it didn't last. “None have been up to my standards, nor the standards my own father set for me. Conniving, petty, small minded, all of them. Until your father was born and I knew, I knew he was exactly who I'd been waiting for.”
The idea she'd discarded her own children in the search for the perfect ruler made my skin crawl. Still, I'd met some of her kids, at least been under their judging eyes, fought their children and I had to agree with her they weren't the nicest bunch.
“I worried your human blood would ruin you,” she said as my anger rose again. “But I am pleased so far. You are both worthy of my bloodline.”
Even Meira looked uncomfortable while my fury let loose.
“You don't own us,” I snarled. “We're not creations, we're people. And we choose what we do and for whom.”
I'd seen her blank and cold. I'd seen her tired and old. And I'd even seen my grandmother smile as though she meant it. But until she rose from that sofa, her power surging around her, amber eyes full of fire, I'd never seen her angry.
Oh boy.
“You must learn,” she said, voice booming thunder, magic crackling around her in a storm ready to strike me dead, “if you are to take over my Seat.”
So Sassy was right. She wanted me to rule.
“Thanks,” I said, refusing to back off despite the fact I could feel how much more powerful she was, that the briefest touch from her magic in that moment could have crushed me like a bug, “but no thanks. I already have a job.”
She pushed. Hard. And I pushed back. Held my ground. Barely.
Oh, just barely.
“I need you, Sydlynhamitra,” she said, voice softening as her power ebbed. “Your world needs you. Your father.”
“No,” I said. “My coven needs me more.”
She stilled a moment, shrugged at last, her power retreating. “Perhaps,” she said. “But what about a century from now? Two? Will you not grow bored of leading lesser beings as time goes on?” Her amber eyes burned me up as I processed what she said. “What will you do then, my child?”
Um. Whoa. What?
“What?” My brain swirled, contracted, fought. No. Freaking. Way.
“I assume then your father, in his stubbornness, didn't tell you everything.” Grandmother shook her head. “He is a fool, and yet, these very traits are those that have produced so much power in the two of you.” She fixed me with her blank Ruler stare. “During the experimentation, when Theridialis attempted to find a way to return Haralthazar to Demonicon, he uncovered the truth about you, my dear. The fact you are as long lived as I am. As your demon cat. And as your father.”
I heard Meira gasp, but couldn't look away from the huge demon before me. “You're lying.”
Grandmother smiled. “I’m not,” she said. “And though I know you don't trust me, or believe me, it is the truth. You are far more demon than human, Sydlynhamitra, despite your appearance on the other plane.”
And just what did she know of me on the other plane? Where was she getting her information?
“What about me?” Meira's little voice squeaked the question while my heart clenched and all of my thoughts liquefied, running out of my head in a fearful rush.
Grandmother's smile turned sad. “You will live a very long life if you remain here,” she said. “As long as any demon, because of your blood. But if you choose to live on any other plane, your human side will dominate. How odd, the two of you—one who appears a demon, but is human, and the other her opposite.” Grandmother reached down and touched Meira's cheek. “If you decide to return to what you call your home, you will grow old and die like any human.”
Tears trickled down Meira's cheeks, and I found she wavered before me as my throat tightened, a hand of ice crushing my soul as my mind aged my sister in a spinning whirlwind, turning her into Gram with horns and faded red skin.
“No,” I whispered. “It's not fair.”
“Fair.” Grandmother's voice was full of bitterness. “If only there were such a thing, my child.” She straightened and faced me again. “I am willing to wait for you to grow bored of your little coven,” she said, “if that's what it takes. But you must learn to survive here if you are to rule in my place someday.”
Her bitterness was catching. “Well, I'm trapped here, aren't I?” I turned from her, arms over my chest, but resisting the urge to hug myself. I would not show further weakness.
> “You are,” Grandmother said. “Which means you'd better get used to the idea.”
Round three.
Ding, ding. Damn.
***
Chapter Twenty Six
I left shortly after, unwilling to talk to my grandmother any longer, dragging my sister out with me. She allowed us both to go, though I felt her eyes boring holes in my back as I retreated, head spinning with new knowledge and the fear I really was trapped here forever.
Meira jerked free of me the moment we were out of sight of the guards. I turned to her, not meaning to be angry, and certainly not mad at her, but my anxiety had the best of me.
“We have to go see Dad.” Man, was I going to ream him a new one.
She glared at me, rubbing at her arm where I'd held her. “Says who?”
This was no time for back talk. In fact, the expression on her face reminded me of the brat she'd been after returning from a summer at witch camp, turned to the dark side by the evil of the Dumont family. No way was she regressing to petulant child on me, not with so much at stake.
“Meems,” I said, “what the hell?”
“Don't tell me what to do.” She turned away from me, face set in a pout.
If she said I wasn't her mother, I was going to scream.
“Fine,” I snapped. “I'm going to see Dad. You stand here and act like a child.”
I turned my back on her, frustration driving me to take a step away, though I had no intention of really leaving her behind, when a ball of demon power struck me between the shoulder blades, staggering me.
It wasn't a very big ball. And thanks to my training I had lots of shields built up anyway. But still.
She was so dead.
I turned, rage flaring, to see Meira sobbing silently, face in her hands. Okay, crappy big sister moment, obviously. I rushed forward and hugged her while she struggled to be released, though she didn't fight me too hard and ended up hugging me back after only a moment.
“Meems,” I said. “I'm sorry. What's wrong? What did I do?”