by Patti Larsen
Syd, help him. Sassy's power reached for Dad, Meira's too, mine surging a close third as we enveloped Dad in our love and held him tight while the power inside him, the primal power of a demon's draining, tried to turn him into a monster.
A long time ago, I'd told him it was my worst fear—that I didn't want to be a monster. He'd seemed surprised, hurt even. But looking at my Dad, the magic he'd taken from Vandelairus poisoning him with the need for more, I knew my worry had been well founded after all.
Knowing what he had just been through, though on a smaller scale, I let the girls out to help, certain it would take all of us to bring him back. It was weird, feeling them reach into him, almost leaving me they went so deep, the thrumming solidity of Shaylee's earth magic holding him still while my demon snapped and snarled against him, the vampire core of me filling him with spirit power. I wound him up in witch energy, the family magic welcoming him as it always had.
I was terrified it wouldn't work, to be honest. The beast in Dad's eyes didn't want to leave, fought us with the power of the Second Seat of Demonicon. But as strong as it was, it could never defeat so much love.
Dad came back to us, sagging as he panted, bending in half, body shaking from the effort. When he looked up, the animal inside him still flickered, but he was under control. I felt around inside myself then, with a touch of panic, and realized mine was still there too.
Good to know. At least I had an army of alternate personalities to keep me in check. Not so my dad.
He staggered to his feet, moving more smoothly by the time he was upright. His whole body shuddered, a ripple of amber magic running through him. Dad sighed, a deep gust of air from far within him before he strode forward and settled one hand on my shoulder and squeezing ever so gently.
Dad didn't say a word as he left us, striding with purpose toward Grandmother and the rest of the huddled family. His sister managed to pull herself together, blood trickling from her nose and mouth, glaring at him with absolute hatred even as she cradled Vandelarius's empty shell in her arms. He had a solid enemy there, but from the quivering fear rising from the rest of the gathering, she could hate him all she wanted.
Dad stopped next to the thrones, both intact despite the fact they’d broken his fall, facing Grandmother.
“Well done, my son,” she said.
He glared at her for a long moment and I knew then the crossroads he'd reached. Sassy hissed at my feet, Meira pressing into my side as they both realized the same thing at the same moment.
Dad was going to challenge her. He was going to do it. Strip his own mother and take the Ruler's throne.
I wanted to reach out to him, to stop him. I loved him, he was my dad, but after what he'd been through, I wasn't sure we could save him the second time. And if he did it, if he took her power, I knew he'd never be the same again.
Grandmother smiled at him. She knew, too, clearly. But she didn't move or make an effort to convince him otherwise. Maybe it was what she wanted? I found that hard to believe. When she finally spoke, her tone was light, almost teasing.
“You make me proud, Haralthazar.”
His body relaxed, the tension easing out of him, shoulders sagging just a little, head bowing and I sighed myself, a shaking exhale of air tasting of poison.
Dad turned then, away from her, and approached his throne, pausing only one more moment before taking his Seat. He cried out, power rippling over him as the throne itself glowed with amber magic, sealing him to it, binding him to the plane and his place.
“Let nothing sever you from your duty,” Grandmother said. “And when the day comes, may you Rule in my place.”
“All hail!” Pagomaris rushed forward, throwing herself prone to the floor. “Prince Haralthazar, Heir to Ruler, Second Seat, Demon Prince of the First Plane.”
***
Chapter Thirty Four
It didn't take Grandmother long to make things even more official. Within an a few hours of the battle, the mess was cleaned up, the two empty demons carted off and Dad's coronation was underway with all the pomp and majesty the court could muster under the circumstances.
We had that short time with Dad, but it wasn't enough, not even close. Not when I again had the sense with every word he spoke he was telling us goodbye. No, he never came out and actually said it, but something about the sadness in him, the way he held my hand, the tone of his voice, made me think I didn't have a dad for much longer.
Probably just my overactive imagination.
It didn't take long for the demon aides to descend on him, for us to be chased off by Pagomaris, hurriedly dressed. I didn't fight her this time, let her drape me in some kind of massive feather thing with giant plumes sticking out of my head. I just didn't have the heart to fight anymore.
I'd had enough fighting for the day, thanks.
Two small thrones had been placed below Dad's, to my shock. The cold stone wasn't my first choice for a seat, but again I didn't argue when Meira and I were guided to them, Sassafras firmly in my lap.
This isn't usual, he informed us. Ahbi isn't done playing.
The coronation itself seemed to take forever as Dad strode up the concourse and bowed to Grandmother. He went through a series of oaths, up and down from his knees several times, had to drink three kinds of wine and eat three kinds of bread. A choir sang, their droning melody actually bringing tears to my eyes before he bent to accept a massive crown, weighed down with a robe crusted in jewels, a deadly looking scepter in his hands before he once again sat on his throne.
“Hathenemeira, Lady of the Seventh Plane, rise and come before us.” Grandmother gestured to Meira who did as she was told, her own feather headdress bobbing over her. She actually looked kind of cool, like a showgirl or something.
Gave me hope I didn’t look like a total idiot.
“You have fought bravely and acquired much power,” Grandmother said. “Because of this, we now declare you Princess of the Second Plane.”
Equals, huh? Meira was smiling, so I was happy for her. Not like we had much competition left, so she was safe enough. I had no doubt she could kick anyone's ass that came along.
Power surged to her from the thrones. Meira bowed and retreated.
“Sydlynhamitra, Princess of the Second Plane, rise and come before us.”
My turn. I stood and set Sassy down, but he hopped off the stone seat and came with me as I stood before the Rulers, ignoring the family around me.
“Your prowess is unparalleled,” Grandmother said. “Your power now without peer beyond the thrones themselves.” Well that was shocking to hear. But as I thought about it, I agreed with her. Cypherion had been Vandelarius's heir after all.
Uh-oh.
“We declare you heir to Second Seat,” she said while Dad scowled like a thundercloud and refused to look at me. “Future Ruler of Demonicon.”
I didn't know whether to thank her with as much sarcasm as I could muster or keep quiet.
Quiet won.
Things wound down quickly after that. The family trooped off to the dining room two floors below while Grandmother rose from her throne, Dad next to her, and led us away. I followed, partly because I wanted to be with Dad and partly because I needed a chance to tell her where she could shove her status.
We sat near a window, Grandmother's power forming a bubble around us as the rest of the sycophants called “family”, those that hovered and hoped for favor, were totally cut off.
Syd’s making friends on every plane.
“I want to thank you, my girls,” Grandmother said with warmth in her voice. “I've been waiting for a very long time for your father to finally come to his senses and challenge Vandelarius.”
I scowled at her, temper clenched like a burning knot inside me. “Don't you dare,” I snapped.
Even Meira looked pissed.
“Hear me out,” Grandmother said. Sighed. Sat back as she looked out the window. “I grow old, dear ones. My life has been long and prosperous. But, unlike yours ever w
ill, my very special granddaughter, the time of my passing finally draws nearer.” She turned back, met my eyes even as Dad shifted beside her, grim, no longer full of rage, but acceptance. “Your father,” she took his hand, squeezed it and he squeezed back, “is the best of my children, I've told you so.”
“I never wanted this, Mother,” Dad said.
“Which makes you the only choice for the throne.” Grandmother's smile was the first real one I think I'd ever seen on her face, her expression open, eyes full of kindness. “I don't trust anyone else. That in itself, from an old politician, should be enough praise for you, my son.”
Dad nodded, smiled a little back. “I know.”
“Please, believe I had no choice.” She seemed genuine. Stressing the seemed. “Things aren't as they appear here on our plane.”
“The civil unrest?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You will make a fine Ruler someday,” Grandmother said. “But yes. Uprisings are more common than ever, politics turning to murder with alarming frequency. The laws that have held us together all these millennia are contracting, falling apart. If we are to preserve our home, we must have strong leadership.”
Dad grunted softly. “Maybe the old ways aren't the best any longer, Mother.”
She looked like the very idea pained her, but she nodded. “I'm well aware,” she said. “Which is why I need you so desperately, Haralthazar, and why now is the perfect time for your ascension.”
His entire body relaxed and, for the first time, I saw Dad give in to what he'd become.
“We'll work this out together,” he said.
“I know we will,” Grandmother said. “And I will have you to carry on the legacy when I'm gone.”
Sassafras's snort startled me. “Excuse me, Ruler,” he said with great sarcasm, “before you go and get all weak and frail on us, I highly doubt you'll be stepping down any time soon.”
Grandmother laughed, reaching out to scoop Sass into her arms, hugging him to her, hands stroking his fur.
“Impudent child,” she said, eyes sparkling. “I still have a few centuries left.” She let him settle in her lap. “But things must change slowly if they are to be accepted and Haralthazar needs time to establish himself.”
I know I should have been a good girl and let my anger go. After all, the fate of Demonicon seemed to be at stake. But I was tired of the manipulation and political maneuverings.
“You can forget about me taking the Second Seat,” I said. “Forget all of it. I'm going home, one way or another.”
Grandmother nodded. “None of us are immune to the ways of our plane, Sydlynhamitra,” she said. “Even I am a pawn in this endless game to keep our people safe. But you are correct in one thing. Your task is done for now. It might be best if the three of you,” she smiled at Meira while handing Sassy back to me, “were to vanish until things settle down again.”
Dad stared at her, face pale, hands clenched on the arms of his chair.
“Mother,” he rumbled. “What have you done?”
She shook her head, gesturing as the veil parted before her, the cold, dim sight of the family basement clear on the other side.
***
Chapter Thirty Five
I'd seen Dad angry, beside himself, in an animal-like rage fed by power. But I've never seen him so full of fury he couldn't speak.
Sassy did it for him.
“You trapped the girls here on purpose.” He growled a soft whine, ears flat, tail thrashing against me. “Took their hope, forced them to fight. Ahbi, that’s despicable, even for you.”
I sat back, not really all that surprised, to be honest, as I met Dad's eyes. “Can you please tell me,” I said, amazed at how light my tone was, “why you ever wanted to come back to this place?”
He shook his head, teeth grinding as he clearly fought the urge to do something unspeakable to his own mother. “You know,” he said, “I really have no idea.”
Dad surged to his feet, holding his hands out to us. “In fact,” he said, “I think I'm about to change my mind.” Meira took one of his hands as she rose, mine sliding over the warm skin of his palm as I joined her. “Well done, Mother. But you've forgotten something.” He pointed at the sight of the basement, the shimmering effigy winking back as someone turned on the single bulb over the pentagram. “I'm anchored to their plane. And I think it's time I went home. For good.”
Grandmother stood, her face crumpling in weariness and pain. “Please, my son,” she whispered it, the first time I saw her weakness. “I need you. Your world needs you. Do not abandon us again.”
I felt Dad hesitate, the weight of his duty pulling him down.
“Dad,” I said, squeezing his hand. “You're always welcome. You know that.”
Why was he so sad? The fear of losing him forever came back. What was really going on here?
“Let's go.” He pulled on my hand, leading me to the gap. I turned before he could push me through and met Grandmother's eyes.
“Thanks for the hospitality,” I said. “And the life lessons. I won't be back.”
Meira jerked free of Dad and lashed out at Grandmother with her power. “Neither will I,” she snarled. “Happy now?”
She ran through the veil alone, but not before I saw the tears in my sister's eyes.
“You will return,” Grandmother said, sadness pulling her face down. “You weren't the right choice, not yet, but someday you will sit next to your father, Sydlynhamitra. But I will see you before then. When I need you the most.”
I refrained from giving her the finger while I worried she might be right and followed Meira home.
***
Chapter Thirty Six
Gram was just releasing Meira as I stepped through into her wiry arms, forcefully pressed to her thin body while she shook and hugged me as if she'd never let me go. I clung to her just as hard, feeling the warmth of Sassafras as he wound himself around our feet.
I was jerked free of Gram's embrace and slammed bodily into Charlotte for half a second before she pushed me away from her and shook me so hard my teeth rattled together.
“Don't ever leave me again!” I had a moment to register she looked like hell before she hugged me again, hands clawed against my back. I let her feel my magic, slid it around her, held her with it until hands gripped her shoulders and gently pulled her free. Her long, blonde hair hung in limp strands around her face, cheeks and eyes sunken with dark circles, lips dry, flaking. She swiped at her face, tears pouring down her patchy skin, once flawless beauty now pasty and damaged.
Mom held her back, one arm around her as I continued to feed the weregirl with my power. She stilled at last, her shaking, twitching body settling down, the color returning to two very bright points on her cheeks.
Charlotte slid free of Mom and squared her shoulders. “You're staying?”
I nodded. Reached for her. She swatted at my hands, the cold expression I was used to returning to her face though she continued to tremble just enough I knew she hid just how much harm I'd done.
“If you go anywhere,” she snarled, “I'll kill you myself. Now, if you excuse me, I have to take a shower.”
She stomped off as if I'd offended her, grumbling and muttering to herself, looking back over her shoulder at me several times before she disappeared up the stairs.
“She's been a handful.” Mom hugged me, shaking herself, though she kept her tone light and soft. “How was your trip?”
I laughed into her hair, inhaling the scent of lilacs, amazed as I hugged her to look over her shoulder and see my very human hands.
“Oh, you know,” I said. “Met the family.”
Mom's deep laugh echoed mine. “How lovely.”
Her blue eyes sparkled as she welcomed Meira, hugging us both.
It wasn't until she let us go and turned to face Dad that all the joy went out of her. I felt Gram's hand take mine, held it tight as Mom approached him.
“Harry.” She reached out as if to touch him as his human
form filled the effigy, grim expression telling her everything wasn't all right. “Thank you for bringing them home.”
“Miriam.” His voice caught as he swept her into his arms. A huge sob rose inside me, but why I didn't know. Damn it, this really felt like goodbye. “It's finally time.”
Mom gasped, pulled away. “My love?”
“I didn't have a choice,” he said. “I had to take the Seat.”
Mom's whole body collapsed in on itself for a moment, but she pulled herself together before Dad could hold her up. “I see,” she said.
“I don't.” I pulled away from Gram and confronted the two of them, Meira right beside me. “Dad's been acting like this is the end of something ever since Grandmother made him fight.” I looked back and forth between them, feeling my heart splinter as their eyes met, both of them so sad I knew what was coming.
“We have to sever our mating,” Dad said, apologetic, broken.
No. No way. Not after everything we'd been through as a family—
“Now that I'm Second Seat,” he told us, “I must take a demon wife. Have demon children. It's part of our law.”
Mom let out a soft sound, tears on her face, but she didn't buckle, didn't waver again, looking as much like a statue as the one Dad inhabited.
I wasn't so solid. “This is all my fault.” The sob finally came out, my chest aching from its release. “Mom, Dad. I'm so sorry.”
But Dad was shaking his head, Mom too.
“Sweetheart,” Mom said. “It's not.” She sighed out some of her own sadness, the air heavy with it. “We both knew this day would come eventually.” She smiled up at him, glittering tears making shining paths down her face. “Harry is immortal. I made him promise we would end our mating before I was too old.”