First Plane

by Patti Larsen

  “I almost did what you did,” I said, the sick feeling subsiding slowly. “I almost took her power.”

  He hesitated before nodding. “There's someone you need to meet.”

  Sassy hopped down and led us out into the street, a few brave souls risking a venture out, only to scramble for safety when they saw us. The sight made me feel even worse, like I had become the monster my grandmother wanted me to be. I kept my head down as we crossed two streets and ended up at a ground level train station. This time I didn't worry about being alone, despite the fact this station was much plainer, without the gilt and creative decoration of the higher levels. Somehow the serviceability felt homey, more relaxed, though I didn’t for a moment let my guard down. At least the few passengers waiting for the train didn’t seem to care who we were, just as happy to mind their own business, though I figured the way I was dressed wasn’t helping my reputation on the lower planes any.

  I shrugged out of my jacket, stuffing it into a waste receptacle, hearing the hiss of magic as it was destroyed. The spiked collar went with it, though I salvaged the blades from my hair, sliding them into my boots just as the train hummed to a halt, wards dropping to allow us to enter. Not that I’d need a knife or anything, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

  As I stood, the shields snapping into place as the train began to move, my body swaying slightly, I found myself scowling. The veil was right there, the edge of it as welcoming as it had always been. We could just ride it again, instead of being good little demons, but I held my peace. When I really needed access to the veil, if we were attacked, for instance, it was comforting to know I could take my sister and Sassafras and leave.

  Maybe. After I kicked the bad guys’ asses and cleaned the floor with them.

  Okay, so not all of my aggressiveness was gone just yet. But I could live with that.

  The train ride was longer than I expected. We'd ended up somewhere in the Fourth Plane region, but Sassafras had somewhere much more remote in mind. He refused to answer any of my questions, sitting alone on one of the chairs, huddled in a silver ball. I finally gave up and looked out the window, lost in thought.

  The ride gave me time to think about the veil and my sister. Despite her attempts at home, and mine to teach her, Meira had never been able to access it, to ride it the way I did. Neither of us could figure out why. Dad didn’t seem to have a problem, nor Grandmother. Maybe it had to do with Meira’s being more human than demon.

  Another thing for her to resent me for.

  Glum, I disembarked at the last station behind Sassy and my sister, where the shadow of the mountain barely reached us, two suns still up though the sky was darkening, several moons chasing them. The streets here were clean, but plain, the buildings less ornate. But there was still a sense of nobility about it and I wondered where Sass was taking us.

  He paused at the door of a small house, neat and tidy, a pert little garden out front, before going to the door and using his power to ring the bell. It chimed softly from somewhere inside and, before I could ask him any more questions, the door flew open and a pretty young female demon smiled at us.

  When she looked down and her eyes focused on Sassafras, they flew open very wide. With a cry, she bent to her knees, bowing to him.

  “My lord,” she said. “Please, be welcome.”

  Sassy looked uncomfortable, tail flickering side to side, ears flat sideways, whiskers low.

  “Mistress Sophelara,” he said. “We're here to see him.”

  She stood at once, bowing again. “Of course. Please, come inside.”

  Bemused, exchanging a curious look with Meira, I followed Sassafras into the house. A demon man stood waiting, his eyes as wide as the woman’s as he bowed too.

  “Lord Sassafras,” he said. “We are honored you've chosen to come to our home.”

  Why did my demon cat look so unhappy with such a nice welcome? The nicest we’d had since we arrived. I was actually feeling pretty comfortable in their lovely little house, but his reaction immediately squashed my ease.

  “Knight Deerinalon,” Sassy said. “How has he been?”

  “The same, my Lord,” Deerinalon said, gesturing for us to follow down the hall and to the last door on the right. “How kind of you to visit. This way.”

  The moment we entered the small room, I knew, understood. And my heart broke.

  Sassafras padded his slow way forward through a cluster of toys, across the cluttered floor, to the side of the young demon who played with two wooden blocks by smashing them together with terrible timing. With the grin of a small child, he dropped both and reached for my demon cat.

  “Momma!” His voice shrieked, almost tearing my eardrums. “You got me a kitty!” He focused on Sass, a thin line of drool running from the corner of his slack mouth as he grinned at my demon cat. “Kitty,” the boy said quite seriously, “would you like to play with me?”

  Sassafras sat down, tail covering his front paws as if he needed it to defend himself from the disabled demon before him.

  “Hello, Raneen,” Sassy said. “You don't remember me.”

  I glanced sideways at his parents, saw them gazing at Sass with adoration. I expected fury. After all, this had to be the boy Sassy stripped of power, the cause of his banishment. From the crippled look of him, the child-like way he lived, Sassy’s attack had left their son permanently damaged.

  Why weren't they furious?

  “Lord Sassafras is so kind,” Sophelara said to me as she caught me staring. “He made certain our Raneen was taken care of. He even had us raised in status.” She smiled in wonder. “I used to be 138th Plane. Now we're twenty-fifth. If it weren't for Lord Sassafras, we would never have advanced so high, nor had the ability to care for Raneen.”

  I gaped at her in shock while her husband slid his arm around her shoulders.

  “We'll never want for anything again,” Deerinalon said. “And neither will Raneen.”

  Raneen reached for Sassafras, pulled him into his lap. My friend lay limp, allowing the boy to stroke his fur, sing a silly song to him about kitties and soft fur. But it wasn't long before Sassafras sat up and bolted, running between my feet and down the hall toward the door.

  I went after him, murmuring thanks to the couple, Meira already ahead of me.

  “Is his Lordship displeased with us?” Sophelara looked so afraid I stopped and took her hand.

  “Not at all,” I said, watching relief come over her face. “We just need to go. Thank you for having us.”

  She and her husband waved goodbye as I chased Meira and Sassafras.

  I didn't have far to go. My sister crouched in a nearby alley, stroking his fur while he turned his back to her, body shaking. I bent and scooped him into my arms, cuddling him against me. Sassafras twisted to the side, paws around my neck as he cried on my shoulder.

  Meira's hands pressed to his back as I gently held him until he was done.

  Sassafras finally pulled away, his fur wet, eyes flat and lifeless.

  “Now you know,” he whispered. “Both of you. Please, be careful.”

  We both immediately agreed and I knew, no matter how far I was pushed, I'd never go so far again.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  I guess I should have expected it. But sadness clung to all three of us, slowing our steps, making us inattentive. Not like it mattered, really, but I would have liked to have known my life was in danger.

  Normal state of affairs, so it served me right.

  Twenty or so masked attackers appeared on the train, our car conveniently emptying of riders as the last of the suns went down and night took the city, bathed in the soft pink glow of many moons. I rose to my feet from the molded seat, so not in the mood to deal with these jackasses, not even a flicker of fear crossing my mind, unable as well, oddly, to muster my anger. Instead I faced them with irritation and annoyance, power crackling around me as I beckoned them closer.

  “What are you waiting for?” The two lead masks did
n't seem hesitant, but their pack of followers weren't so secure. I felt them wavering just from the focus of my attention, their magic quivering, made worse when Meira rose to stand beside me.

  “Aw, what's the matter?” Meira winked while two balls of demon fire formed around her hands, bouncing like toys ready to be thrown. “Scaredy cats?”

  Sassafras snorted.

  I lashed out, my magic jerking the masks free, Cypherion and Tanasharia glaring at me now their identities were exposed.

  Oh so obvious, cousins.

  “Sad, right?” I spoke to Sassafras in my most bored tone. “A little originality would have been appreciated.”

  “Not from these two,” he said, the King of Haughty, either recovered from his visit or hiding it in his best Sassafras fashion. “You're simply expecting too much.”

  “We warned you we were going to take care of you two,” Tanasharia said, but she was all bluster and hot air, her power no match for mine.

  “Cowards,” I snapped. “You want to fight? Come fight. Otherwise, get lost.”

  I didn't wait to see what they'd choose. I was done waiting.

  My power hit them both in the guts, bending them in half, leaving it to Meira to clean up the rest of the attackers, now a terrified mob running from our car to the next to escape her flashing balls of fire.

  I'm not sure what they were thinking, or if they were prepared for how strong Meira and I now were, but before either of the cousins could escape or fight back, I had them wrapped up in so much magic it was a wonder they didn't suffocate.

  Easy, Syd. Down, girl.

  I turned to Meira with a grin. “Nice job,” I said. “Proud of you.”

  “You too.” She eyed the cousins critically. “Think his could be a little tighter, maybe?”

  She was right. Cypherion was inching his way free, already reaching for the veil. Despite his higher status, I was surprised to feel his magic was weaker, less solid than what I had control over. The fact I was now stronger than the heir to the Second Seat wasn’t lost on me as I snapped the shield tight again, hearing him moan with some satisfaction.

  Okay, with a huge, honkin' dose of hell yeah. Happy?

  “I think it's time to take this little party on the road.” Sassafras thrashed his tail. “I'm sure your grandmother will be delighted to discover what her family has been up to.”

  I loved my demon cat. So. Much.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty

  I was a good sister. I let Meira have Tanasharia. She did a great job, too, constant prodding of the shields holding the pair her idea. I'm certain it was pretty uncomfortable, at least from the moans and groans coming from the unhappy siblings, but it was a great way to test and be sure we didn't have any weak spots.

  Sure it was.

  The train ride was uneventful the rest of the way, our elevator trip to the top of the mountain equally as quiet. Calm before the all-out crap storm. It was almost a relief to emerge in the throne room and face the music, dragging our charges behind us with ropes of power, Sassafras perched on Cypherion's head as though he were the conquering hero.

  As far as I was concerned, he was welcome to the title.

  I had no idea Grandmother was holding court, though the fact was pretty obvious the moment we set foot on the top of the mountain. No way was I backing down now, not with the whole family watching.

  Quivering.

  Um. Well. Wicked.

  Vandelarius leaped to his feet long before we reached the thrones, spluttering and even redder in the face as we stormed our way down the concourse and finally dumped the two cousins on the shiny stone before Grandmother. If they grunted from the impact, I wasn’t sorry. Sassy hopped down with great aplomb and stood at attention, silver fur shimmering with amber fire.

  Dad struggled at the edge of the crowd, a handful of guards holding him back as his rage burned them, but he stilled when he saw we were all right. Grandmother herself had paused when we appeared, floating golden paperwork fading as she watched our approach. Now she sat as she always did, face a stone mask, eyes empty and cold as I bowed my head to her just a little.

  “Grandmother,” I said.

  “Sydlynhamitra,” she said. “I take it this situation has an explanation?”

  “It does,” Meira said.

  “Release my children at once.” Sounded like Vandelarius had a hold of himself at last. Grandmother's eyes flickered to the side, the barest frown of irritation tugging at her lips before she focused on us again.

  “Explain,” she said.

  I began to, with the attack the night before, how it was the same masked people as the first time, when Vandelarius interrupted.

  “You rode the veil?” He spun on Grandmother as everyone gasped softly, whispers breaking out. I was so tired of their whispering. “Will you continue to allow your progeny to destroy our laws? No one is permitted to ride the veil in Ostrogotho.”

  “They you'd better lock up your kids,” Meria snapped. “How do you think they reached us?”

  Grandmother nodded.

  “Go on,” she said, while the entire court held its breath.

  I threw the two masks to the ground. “They tried to kill us three times,” I said. “First, in the market.” I tapped into my witch magic, the hell with the rules, and cast the image of the event up, over our heads. All eyes turned toward it, murmurs of excitement rippling through the family. Even Grandmother looked up, though her expression never changed. The scene unfolded from my point of view, intermingled with Meira’s as she added to the show, the family magic more than happy to produce the hologram in our defense. “Then on the elevator, as Meira said.” This time I let them fight with me, battle the cousins, slide over the side. Gasps of terror, a few shrieks, told me I was getting my point across. I let them fall with me. Touched them with a breath of air magic, allowed them to feel the rush of the wind and saved them, just in time. Plunging the vision into darkness as my memory entered the veil. “And just now on the train.” It was hard to hold my demon back after I'd let her have her head all day, power built up and ready to use while the family magic finished the show, complete with the cousin’s unmasking.

  The image flickered and went out, the entire family exhaling and shifting, eyes now locked on me and my sister, many of those eyes full of wonder. For a race that lived on magic, I was surprised such a display gave them pause.

  Not the display, Sassafras sent. You’re commitment to each other. They have no idea what real love is, remember?

  I’d had enough. Sickened and frustrated to the breaking point, I focused on Grandmother.

  “I demand satisfaction.”

  That got the family going at last. Chatter erupted, no more whispering. Dad hovered nearby, glaring at Vandelarius. But when he tried to move forward, I latched onto his mind.

  Not yet. I can handle it. I promise.

  He didn't move. Though I could tell I had to hurry or he wouldn't be still much longer, guards or no guards.

  Grandmother held up one hand and silence fell. Just like that.

  “There is only one way to settle this,” she said. “A battle to empty.”

  I thought they were quiet before. Shock makes a great silencer. I just wish I knew what she meant and why it was such a big deal.

  Empty, Syd, Sassy sent. Like Raneen.

  Oh crap.

  Vandelarius looked back and forth between his kids and us, licking his lips like we were good to eat. “A battle to empty hasn't been invoked in centuries,” he said, oily smooth. “But I agree, Ruler. Clearly this situation warrants such a contest.”

  He thinks they can beat you, Sassy sent. What does he know that we don't?

  Dad broke free with a roar so loud it echoed back from the stone walls. Guards tumbled to the side and he was suddenly in front of me, body hunched, sparks flying from him as he shook with fury.

  “Absolutely not,” he rumbled, facing down not only Grandmother, but his brother-in-law. “They attacked my daughters. They need
to be punished.”

  “And they will be,” Grandmother said. “In the battle. If your daughters are powerful enough for the task. Our ways demand it, Haralthazar.”

  There were enough nods of agreement I knew we weren't getting out of this. Dad’s aggressive stance folded, shoulders going back, grim expression telling me he’d lost before he began.

  So much for justice.

  “You will only use your demon power.” Grandmother's face grew suddenly harsh. “Any use of other magicks will be seen as cheating and will be punished with death.”

  Not that I needed access to my other powers, considering how much magic I’d stored up in my full day of ass whooping. But it still wasn’t nice of her to cut our throats like that.

  “These are serious charges,” she said. “Only our most serious trials can end this dispute. We must trust in the system we have created, no matter our feelings. Our way is through battle. And in battle justice shall be found.”

  I didn't like how happy Vandelarius looked, nor his kids, as Grandmother's power severed our hold over them, Cypherion and Tanasharia suddenly free and glaring.

  Not good, Sassy sent. You're stronger, but they are more experienced. And without your alternate magicks to support you… this isn’t the same fight you won on the train, Syd.

  Not much we can do about it now, right? I snapped at him, tension mounting. A bit of positive reinforcement might work better.

  He sighed. Just be careful.

  Was he serious? Not helpful.

  “You will fight together,” Grandmother said. “Two against two.”

  Now it was Vandelarius’s turn to look worried.

  Sneaky and all kinds of awesome. Sassy was suddenly giggling like a little kid. I’m going to kiss Ahbi when this is over.

  Can you fill us in? Meira’s mind was in mine, connecting the three of us.

  She just did you the biggest favor ever, he sent. Think about it.