by Parker Blue
“Alejandro and I helped rescue Micah when he was kidnapped,” he reminded her.
“From one demon, not a freakin’ horde of them. And the rest of the world wasn’t in danger.” She shook her head. “You’d better come up with a doable plan fast, or Micah will never agree.”
“He’ll agree,” Austin said with confidence. He had to.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Val
I HEADED HOME after the duel, glad it was done and that Austin had won—not that I had any doubt he would, but I hadn’t been sure Luis would play it honestly. In any case, I was exhausted and wanted to rest.
Unfortunately, Ivy had let Shade into the townhouse, and they were both waiting for me when I got home, reading the encyclopedia.
“What’s the matter?” Ivy asked, seeing my face. “Austin didn’t lose, did he?”
“No, I’m just tired.” I gave her a weary smile. “Those two hours you guys spent in this world while I was trapped in the other were more like six to me.” I hadn’t done anything physically demanding, but it still felt as if I’d been up for days.
WORRY WILL TAKE A TOLL ON YA, Fang said sympathetically.
Yeah—and I’d done plenty of that in the other dimension and while watching Austin fight—not that I’d let him see anything but confidence in his ability.
“Where’s Austin?” Shade asked. “Aren’t we going to do the rescue now?”
His eager puppy bounciness made me want to slug him. “Austin and Luis were both injured in the fight and need a little time to heal.”
“I can—”
“No,” I said, stopping him with a raised hand. “They want to heal on their own. Besides, Austin has already rallied everyone to meet tomorrow night at the blood mansion.” I dropped into the soft cushions of the couch, which felt really good right now.
“Val needs rest, too,” Ivy reminded him.
Amen to that. “Besides, you still need a plan Micah will agree to.”
“But—”
I shook my head. “Enough, Shade, please. I’ve thought about it, and I’m not going to go against Micah’s wishes. If he feels it’s too dangerous, and that he doesn’t want to risk many people to rescue a few, I’m not going to argue with him.” Before Shade could put forth another argument, I said, “It’s him you need to convince, not me. I’ll do whatever Micah says.”
WAY TO DUMP THE RESPONSIBILITY ON SOMEONE ELSE, Fang snarked.
Yeah, well, that’s why Micah gets paid the big bucks.
“I already called and asked him to meet us here,” Shade said stubbornly. “If you’ll call Austin and have him come over, we can settle this now. There are still a couple of hours until dawn.”
“He’s healing and just settling in to his new job—”
“That’s BS, and you know it. This is the most important thing to Austin right now—and to me. Let’s get it settled.”
HE’S NOT GOING TO GIVE UP, Fang warned me.
“Okay, okay.” I texted Austin quickly, and he texted right back. “He’s coming over,” I said wearily. “Can I rest now?”
The doorbell rang, and Ivy answered it, letting Micah in. Guess not.
“We’re waiting for Austin,” Shade told him. “I’m sure he has a plan by now.”
DOES HE? Fang asked me.
Not so far as I know. At least, not one Micah will buy.
AH, I SEE. SHADE IS IN THE LAND OF WISHFUL THINKING. WE ALL LIVE THERE SOMETIMES.
Truth.
Micah nodded, and Ivy took over hostess duties, offering our guests drinks. When she brought us each a soft drink, Micah glanced down at the books on the coffee table alongside Shade’s laptop. “Are you about done compiling the digital list of known demons, Shade?”
“Yes, I’m done with that, but a list of the spells would come in handy, so I’ve been trying to record them, too.”
It would be handy, but. . . . “The spells?” I said in disbelief. “That’s not—”
“Just a listing for an index,” Shade assured me. “None of the details. And none of this is connected to the Internet, so you don’t have to worry about it getting into someone else’s hands.” He shook his head. “But it’s getting harder and harder to read them. Sometimes it’s as if the book doesn’t want me to know what the spells are.”
I nodded. “The books are supposed to open up fully only to the Keeper.” And Shade was only an alternate.
“But Ivy doesn’t seem to have a problem reading them,” Shade said.
I glanced at my roomie. “One of your stones helping you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. But the text doesn’t seem to blur and twist for me the way Shade said it’s doing for him.”
“But I thought you used some spells, Shade.” He’d used the one-way portal, blocked Fang, talked to the books, and who knew what else.
“I did,” Shade said. “But it’s harder now. I only seem to be able to read one complete spell at a sitting, though I can skim the titles, a bit.”
Odd.
MAYBE THE BOOKS DON’T LIKE HIM SO MUCH ANYMORE, Fang suggested.
Could be. Fang must have broadcast that to Micah and Ivy as well, because they glanced down at him.
Micah looked thoughtful. “Didn’t you say before that only potential keepers can use spells in the books?”
Shade answered him. “Yes—and mage demons, of course, but we’ve taken care of those. It seems the Keeper can use any spell, but potential keepers can only use some of them.”
“Which ones?” Micah asked.
“I don’t know—it seems to change at the books’ whim.”
Micah nodded. “You think Ivy might be a potential keeper, and that’s why she can read it?”
“Why don’t you ask the books?” I suggested. “Shade can talk to them with a spell they gave him.”
Micah raised an eyebrow, and Shade opened one of the books to a place he’d bookmarked. “Is Ivy a potential keeper?” he asked.
Yes.
“Why do you need so many?” Shade asked.
We don’t. We only need one keeper. And we choose Ivy Weiss.
Everyone looked stunned, especially Ivy. “What? What does that mean?” she asked.
“Explain,” Shade told the books tersely.
The keeper has a great responsibility—to use our power wisely, keep us safe, and keep herself safe. With mage demons no longer a threat, our need is less for protection than it is for continuity and reliability. The demons known as Val and Shade have risked themselves too much and plan to do so even more in the future. Ivy Weiss will be a wiser Keeper.
Well, I couldn’t deny I was a bit offended that they didn’t want me anymore, but since the demon from the broken crystal had restored my powers, I didn’t really need the strength spell the books had provided. I also had to admit to some relief. I wasn’t a scholar like Shade—I hated doing research in them. And I hated the balancing act I had to perform between Lola’s powers and the spells I’d used. Now that crossing dimensions had stripped the spells from me, I didn’t have to worry about them anymore either.
“I don’t even know if I want this,” Ivy protested.
“Why Ivy?” Shade asked the books, sounding annoyed. He had more to lose than I did.
Because she has the gemstones to assist her, along with the wisdom and maturity to handle the responsibility without harm to herself or others.
Huh. Did the books just call me immature?
Fang snorted. SURE SOUNDED LIKE IT.
Fine. I didn’t need them anyway.
AAAAND YOU JUST PROVED THEIR POINT.
Micah looked thoughtful. “Ivy, I believe you were planning to stay here in San Antonio?”
“Yes,” she said cautiously. “But I’m not sure a
bout this. What does being Keeper entail?”
I shrugged. “Well, they’re not worried about mage demons anymore and don’t need protection, so mainly, it means looking up spells in the encyclopedia and using them to help the Underground when necessary.” I paused, then added, “So far, I’ve used a locator spell, a strength spell, and an exorcism one. None of those are dangerous in and of themselves, unless you put yourself in harm’s way.” Which is what the books were probably getting at. “The books are selfish in getting what they need to survive,” I added. “They were made that way deliberately, to protect themselves at all costs. And it looks like they think you are the best person for the job. Keep them safe, use them wisely, and I think you’ll be a great keeper.”
“I agree,” Micah said. “And you would be doing us a great favor in taking on this job.”
Ivy blew out a breath. “I . . . okay. I was wondering how I’d fit into your organization here, anyway. Looks like the books made the decision for me.”
And with her agreement, it felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Interesting—I hadn’t even realized it had felt like a burden before.
A knock came at the door then, and Ivy let Austin in. It hadn’t been all that long since the fight, but he looked better already—the bruising around his eye looked days old, and the cut was nearly healed.
“Come tell Micah your plan,” Shade urged.
Austin took off his hat and sat next to me, his arm along the back of the couch behind me. Lola burbled happily, making me feel all smooshy and girly inside.
HE’S GOOD FOR YOU, Fang said. A VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND . . . WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?
Certainly not me. Six months ago, I hadn’t even realized there was such a thing as a “good” vampire, and I’d pretty much slain every bloodsucker I met.
“The plan is simple,” he told Micah. “Tomorrow night, Shade will open a portal, small enough that no one can come through from the other side. Fang will be able to tell us how many demons are there, so we’ll be prepared and know how many people we need to take through to combat the demons on the other side, if any. After my strike force goes through, Shade can reduce the size of the portal again so no one can get through, but Fang can still monitor what’s going on over there.”
“How can Fang monitor anything?” Micah asked. “He can’t read your mind.”
“No, but he can Val’s.”
Micah raised an eyebrow. “You will not risk my Paladin without my permission.”
Austin glanced at me, but I kept my mouth shut and held my hands up in surrender. I wasn’t going to get in on this argument. “It doesn’t have to be me,” I said, trying not to sound as if I were taking sides. “Any demon will do. I’m sure Andrew would volunteer.”
“I know he would,” Shade said eagerly.
“If I agree to let you open the portal,” Micah reminded him.
“Why wouldn’t you?” Shade asked.
“Because the plan is flawed. You may know where Alejandro went through, but there is no guarantee he’ll still be in the same spot days later. And you have no idea what’s waiting for you on the other side.”
“I might be able to help with that,” Ivy said. When we all turned to look at her, she added, “When Andrew went through the portal, I gave him a stone to enhance communication. While he was there, I was able to still hear the stone. It was able to give me some intel on the situation on the other side. If we toss a stone through the portal, we could get at least some information that way.”
“And I will have personnel massing on this side,” Austin said, “ready to strike down any demons who make it through. With the help of some of your people, we should be able to keep the danger contained.”
“See?” Shade said, as if the question was settled.
Micah shook his head. “The problem still remains that you don’t know how long it will take to find him or how fast time is passing over there. How long can you keep a portal open, Shade? Can you do it for hours? Days? If you can’t, what happens to the people on the other side when they need to come back?”
Shade kept silent for a moment, as we all thought about how complicated this could get. But he wasn’t about to give up so easily. “If I create a one-way portal to take us through, with plenty of provisions, I can bring us back with another one-way portal when it’s safe.”
“If you’re still alive,” Micah countered. “There’s no guarantee you’d survive, and if you’re dead or unconscious, the rest of the team will be trapped there, forever.”
Dang, Micah had some good points.
“There are always problems with any plan,” Austin gritted out. “We won’t know what we need until we get there and assess the situation.”
“And that’s why I can’t agree,” Micah said, looking regretful. “My first duty is to the Demon Underground, then to the people of San Antonio. You know how much damage Emmanuel did—and he was only one demon. Imagine what a whole horde could do. I can’t risk the lives of everyone in the city to rescue one man.”
“Two men and a woman,” Shade reminded him. “Did you hear back from Diesel yet?”
“Yes,” Micah confirmed. “Diesel called me back. His hellhound Max admits he may have lied when saying Sharra was dead.”
“May have?” I repeated. “Was she alive or not?”
“He doesn’t know. He said what he had to say to keep the portal closed.”
“I knew it,” Shade exclaimed. “Sharra is alive.”
Micah shook his head. “You don’t know that for sure. Nor do we know if Alejandro and Vincent are still alive.”
Austin took a deep breath. “Alejandro didn’t hesitate when it came to assisting in your rescue,” he said softly. “Won’t you do the same for him?”
OH, MY. HE WENT THERE, Fang said admiringly.
Well, he was a hard man who tried hard to be civilized, but that didn’t mean he backed down.
Micah stared down at his hands. “Before I left the club, Tessa gave me a prophecy about this situation. She said, ‘Trust in the Paladin’s judgment.’ ” He glanced up at me, apology in his eyes. “So, Val, you have all the data, both pro and con. What should we do?”
Fang hooted. SO MUCH FOR ABDICATING RESPONSIBILITY.
Well, crap. I didn’t want to make this decision, didn’t want to screw anything up, or tick off anyone I cared about.
Everyone assumed I was going to take their side. “Can you let me sleep on it?” I asked, stalling for more time.
“No,” Micah said. “You have all the information you need. Decide now, please.”
What should I do? I asked Fang plaintively. No matter what choice I made, it would piss someone off.
TESSA SAID TO TRUST THE PALADIN’S JUDGMENT, NOT FANG THE WONDER DOG’S. BUT WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, I’LL BACK YOU. AND SO WILL MICAH AND AUSTIN.
I sighed and gave in. “Okay, give me a minute to think.”
I closed my eyes and let the details flow through my mind. Both sides had excellent arguments. I would definitely like to see Alejandro and Vincent back in this dimension. Not only because I liked them, but because Alejandro could help stabilize the uncertainty that was threatening to tear his Movement apart. And bringing Sharra back—dead or alive—would do a lot toward making me feel less guilty about screwing up Shade’s life.
But Micah had a good question. Was it worth risking the lives of many people to save just a few? Especially when the outcome was so in doubt?
The arguments went around and around in my head, and I didn’t know what to do. Help me, I begged Fang.
TESSA HAS CONFIDENCE YOU KNOW THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WHAT IS IT?
I had no idea. What was right? Going with my feelings and bringing them back despite the consequences? Or using cold, hard logic and abandoning them there?
Aba
ndoning . . . that word struck a nerve. When I’d been lost for only a few hours in the other dimension, the thought of not being able to return home had frightened me more than any vampire or demon I’d ever faced, and I hadn’t even been in danger. I couldn’t get an image of Sharra out of my head, huddled in a corner, wondering how long to wait. Wondering if anyone would come.
I couldn’t abandon anyone to that sort of fate. No matter what the consequences, I knew I would’ve desperately wanted someone to rescue me. I looked at Austin. I looked at Shade. I looked at Fang, and I knew. As surely as they came for me despite the consequences, we were coming for Sharra. For Alejandro. For Vincent.
They were family. You came for family. It was the reason I was Paladin—to protect my family. I had to remember that. I had to stop putting up walls and protecting myself by pushing them away and assuming they couldn’t love me, forgive me . . . trust me to be more than just a Paladin. I was Paladin because they trusted me to come for them. No matter what.
I took a deep breath and announced, “I’ve decided. We’re going in.”
Austin expelled a relieved breath as Shade shouted, “Yes!”
Micah sighed and nodded. “I trust you as well as Tessa’s prophecies. We will give the members of the Underground the opportunity to assist if they wish, but I will not require them to do so. Shade, I give you permission to open whatever kind of portal you need tomorrow night. Val will make the decision as to when, where, and how long, and you will abide by her decision.”
“You got it,” Shade said exultantly.
“And Austin,” Micah continued grimly. “I must insist that whether Alejandro returns or not, you must agree to talks with demons and humans about revealing yourselves to the world.”
“Done,” Austin said instantly, giving me a one-armed hug I wasn’t sure I deserved.
YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION, Fang assured me.
Yeah, I thought so too. I just hoped it wasn’t too late.
Chapter Twenty-Eight