by Patti Larsen
Hard not to grin and salute. “Yes, ma'am.”
She left in a swirl of lilacs, the scent clinging to my dress, my skin, the part of my mother always taking me back to childhood.
No. Freaking. Crying.
Good thing I had a distraction. The sound of grating stone made me turn around, a small hole appearing in the wall below a tapestry as Demetrius eased his way into the room with a big grin on his face.
“Perfect, just perfect, isn't it perfect?” He hopped up onto a chair and bounced a few times.
“Glad you see it that way.” I sank down again, depression setting in. Demetrius stepped down and came to hover at my feet, still beaming.
“Joining her clan,” he said. “So perfect. Couldn't have asked for nicer perfect, not at all.”
“I'm sure Pannera will be delighted to have me.” Sucked, but not like I had a wide variety of choice. At least she wasn't two cracks from shattered like her fellow Queen.
“Oh, nonononono.” Demetrius clutched at the hem of my dress while Charlotte hummed a warning. “No, you musn't.”
Um, what? “I'm joining Pannera's clan,” I said.
“And when you attack Batsheva,” he said, fear in his eyes, “your own clan will kill you for beginning a war.”
I guess I hadn't thought this through all the way after all. Not like me.
Yeah, right.
Dread formed a roiling, painful ball in my belly while Demetrius leaned in close, whispering.
“You must do it,” he said. “Only then will you be able to challenge her. You have no choice. You must beg Batsheva to allow you into her clan.”
It finally happened. I'd died and gone to hell.
***
Chapter Twenty
Demetrius didn't give me time to wallow in my sorrow.
“You will join her,” he said, madness in his eyes, but cunning too. And the cunning I trusted. “You will be her responsibility.”
Charlotte chuffed softly and I caught her actually laughing. Not a little laugh like she sometimes allowed to escape. She drew a breath and began to howl, slapping her knee with her open hand, wiping tears from her eyes as Demetrius grinned at her.
Clearly I was missing something.
“Brilliant,” Charlotte choked. “Just brilliant.”
“I'm all ears.” I looked back and forth between them, patience so thin I could poke a finger through it.
“She will be forced to protect you,” Charlotte said while Demetrius bobbed his head and wheezed a laugh. “Meanwhile, you can gather power and plot to kill her and no one will say anything.”
What kind of screwed up system was this? “So if I'm outside the family, she's off limits, but if I'm one of hers, I can kill her and no one will give a crap?”
Charlotte let out another deep, belly laugh. “As much as I hate to sound like the troll, he's right. It's perfect.”
Demetrius ignored Charlotte's insulting nickname. “All are expecting you to choose Pannera,” he said. “You have friends in her clan, at least. Family even, of your own. Batsheva believes you will make yourself an easy target for her by joining the one side you will be unable to act from.”
“Vampire rules are so tricky,” Charlotte said, humor fading, concern returning. “So many things to remember. Without acting openly, she could arrange it so you stepped over a line you didn't know you couldn't cross and BAM.” She slammed one hand down on the back of the couch. “Pannera would be forced to kill you and share the essence.”
“And you can believe Batsheva would ensure she took the lion's share.” Demetrius's blue eyes spun in crazy circles, as though sounding coherent meant sacrificing more of his sanity. “This will blow her mind.” He burst into giggles, bouncing on his haunches.
Sounded better than my plan, which, despite what I told Mom, wasn't much of one. And included what these two just told me not to do. So, Batsheva.
Well now. The possibilities were delicious for making her life miserable if she wasn't able to harm me.
Demetrius dug in his pocket, pulling out a flat metal box about the size of a deck of cards. He flipped it open, showed me the glittering powder inside. I instinctively pulled back, but he snapped it closed and pressed it into my hand before Charlotte could stop him.
“What remains of hers,” he said. “Last resort. Not sure if it will work. But worth a try if you have to.”
I clutched the thread of hope in my hand as a thought came to me. “My crystal.” I leaned toward him. “I need my crystal.” Not just a touch of hope now, but a surge of it so strong I almost felt my demon. Wishful thinking, but still. I had no proof it would help, despite my previous experience. I also had no proof it wouldn't.
He frowned a little, but bobbed his head. “Might work,” he said. Brightened. “Might work.”
Good enough for me. “Can you get it?”
He hesitated. “Difficult,” he said.
Like I cared. “It's in the top drawer of my wardrobe at home,” I said. Blushed.
Underwear drawer. Couldn't go there.
Demetrius finally smiled again, whatever he'd been thinking of worked out in his damaged brain. “I'll fetch it,” he said.
Awesome. He scampered off, waving to me before diving into the hole in the wall and pulling the small stone door shut behind him.
Castles and their secret passages. Reminded me of the vampire mansion back home. Which just made me homesick.
Sigh.
I stuffed the box into my corset, feeling the cold metal warm to skin temperature, shoving it down as far as I could so I wouldn't accidentally open it and breathe more of the stuff in.
This could work. If that was the case, why did my vampire sound doubtful? Though you must be careful. Those laws he spoke of, the convoluted nature of vampire society, worries me deeply.
How much do you know? Might be an advantage having her with me at this juncture. I knew the vampires wouldn't expect me to have much knowledge.
Not enough. She shifted around inside me, restless with frustration. Felt so weird I wanted to squirm too until she fell still again. I had brief glimpses of vampire life with Sebastian and his clan, a few insights, but nothing that will help here. Bummer. Still, I do think this is our best option of the two.
Grim and grimtastic. Yeah. Story of my life.
“What if they demand you actually become a real vampire?” Charlotte was on her feet, prowling the room.
Never going to happen.
You already are, the vampire said and I repeated it to Charlotte who shrugged and continued her patrol. I am you and you are me. You can't become any more a vampire just by dying.
Nice to know. Considering I had no intention of finding out what dead was like on purpose.
Time to face the music. I rose, went to the door. Set my hand on the latch. Are we ready?
As we can be under the circumstances.
I reached out and hugged the vampire inside me for a moment. Thank you.
She seemed startled, took a second to respond. For what? I've only caused you trouble since I emerged from the cave.
No way, I sent. I can't imagine life without you.
Head high, a pleased vampire essence musing inside me and a very nervous weregirl at my back, I opened the door and faced the two Enforcers.
“I'm ready,” I said.
The bowed, backed out of the way. Allowed me to lead our little procession to the black carpet, to march the length of the throne room and face down the two vampire Queens, one staring and cold, the other near giggles in anticipation.
“I have made my choice,” I said, using my Mom volume. “I will honor this decision, on one condition.”
Margaret sighed. “Get on with it.”
It all hinged on this. If they demanded I become a vampire, I was running. Screw that.
Deep breath, Syd. “I remain as I am, and not be forced to become undead.”
The vampires protested, of course they did. Not really a "oh, wow, really, you want me to die?" moment
or anything.
I let them run on, eyes fixed on Margaret. And then, when they'd worked themselves into a froth, I let my vampire out.
She glowed, a star, a shining beacon, rippling through me as she spoke.
“She is already more vampire than any of you,” she said with so much contempt I almost ruined it by breaking her hold and laughing. “This is not up for debate. If you choose to insist on her joining the ranks of the undead, I myself will begin this war. And I will finish it.”
Margaret's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. “Agreed.”
“Council Leader!” Pannera was on her feet. “This is not your choice to make.”
I don't know if Margaret was just sick of the situation or if Mom had finally gotten through to her, but whatever the reason, she spun on her comfortable looking shoes and pinned the vampire Queen with her heavy stare.
“You've pushed me,” she said. “And I've allowed your little game to unfold. But don't think I won't take steps, Pannera. This has gone as far as I'll allow it. The girl remains as she is.”
Girl. Eye roll. At least she shut Pannera up. The vampire Queen hissed softly, but sat down again, hands steepled before her as she stared at me with hollow eyes.
Let her hate me. The feeling was growing to be rapidly mutual.
Batsheva on the other hand, just nodded and flipped her hand at me. “Agreed,” she said.
“Now,” Margaret turned to me. “Your choice?”
I could feel Sebastian trying to reach me, Uncle Frank. But Sunny was oddly quiet. Probably because, of the three of them, she trusted my judgment the most after all we'd been through.
Hoped I wasn't about to make her doubt my sanity.
“As much as I'm sure you'd make a fine leader, Pannera,” a little heavy on the sarcasm, but who knew with vampires how much it took and I wanted to get my point across. “But I've decided to do things a little differently.” I locked eyes with Batsheva who scowled, sitting up straighter while Celeste stared through slitted eyes.
Got them both, it seemed.
“Your Majesty,” I said with a little curtsy, “I formally request you allow me to join the Blood Clan Moromond.”
Oh, how it hurt to say those words. But the hateful look on her face was worth it.
***
Chapter Twenty One
Batsheva immediately demanded a recess of her own and, through another heaving sigh, Margaret granted it.
I wasn't alone in my chambers long before company rushed in to ask me if I'd been knocked from my rocker.
“You can't do this.” Sebastian swept into the room, sweeping toward me, hands out. He gripped my shoulders, shook me ever so slightly, though the pressure of his hold told me just how agitated he was. He was nearing vampire strength, not be-nice-to-the-frail-witch-girl strength. And though I understood his concern, I had no desire to test the limits of my immortality under friendly fire.
I didn't get a chance to free myself. With a growl and a swipe of her arm, Charlotte knocked him back, away from me. Sebastian's eyes flared white a moment, fangs showing, his quick reaction to her protection also letting me know he wasn't happy.
Not even a little.
Charlotte just bared her teeth, sliding between us, the wolf coming out in her hands, the shift of her shoulders, and though I couldn't see her eyes, I knew it rose there, too.
This was no time for friends fighting friends. If there was ever a time for that.
“It's okay.” I touched Charlotte's arm, felt her calm a little. “Back off, Sebastian. You of all people should know better than to come at me like that after the time she's had.”
He did retreat, face settling to his normal handsomeness. “Forgive me,” he said, voice deep and harsh. “I didn't mean to put more pressure on you, Charlotte. Considering what you've been through.”
She nodded quickly, backed up until she stood behind my right shoulder.
Buddies again. Yippee.
Sunny seemed the only one who wasn't about to freak on me, so I focused on her, refusing to meet Uncle Frank's disapproval just yet as he hovered near. Not for the first time I understood no matter their relationship, how much they loved each other, she was his superior and, for vampires, that meant a lot, I was learning.
Wait a second. Did that mean when they got married they'd be equals?
How interesting.
“You have a plan.” Sunny came to me, hugged me gently, even leaned forward to squeeze Charlotte's hand. I loved that about Sunny. So generous.
“Of course.” I just wished it wasn't dependent on a very damaged Demetrius Strong. But I wasn't telling them that. Or how much my plan seemed to change moment to moment. Fly by the seat of my very airy pants, that was me. “I already talked to Mom. You're just going to have to trust me.”
“We do,” Sunny said. “But we worry.”
“You're going to challenge her.” Sebastian's hands tightened into fists. “You understand our laws well already.”
“I had a crash course,” I said. “And there's no way I'm staying put, not like this.” I waved my arms around, indicating the castle, the vampires, everything. “I have to find a way to end this, and killing Batsheva is the only out I can see.”
Even Uncle Frank nodded at that, though his blue eyes seemed sad.
“Can we do anything?” His turn to hug me. I wasn't about to turn him down.
“I'll let you know.” I released him to find Sebastian staring at me. “I promise.”
“What will you do with the power once you've won?” He shook his head, a little smile on his lips. “I've known you only a short time in my very long life, Sydlynn Hayle, and yet I cannot imagine any scenario in which you and your particular brand of luck and magic can fail.” Nice of him to say so. Boosted my confidence a fraction. “So I ask again—what will you do with the magic of your new clan when you're through?”
“I haven't decided.” I didn't mean to sigh, to sink to the chair next to me, to show them any kind of weakness, which might make them worry more. My only job at this point. No need for all of us to be in a lather. But I just couldn't help it, not with the giant task I still had ahead of me looming behind a beautiful face and insanity.
“You can't lead,” Uncle Frank said. “You have a coven to take care of.”
“I know,” I said. “I'm working on it. Look,” I climbed to my feet, squared my shoulders, put on a brave face I almost believed myself, “this will go one of two ways. Well, or down the crapper so fast you won't even know I was here. In either case, I want the three of you to stay out of it.”
They all paused, thought about it. Nice to be loved, but seriously.
“I'll kill that bitch the first chance I get,” I said, “while she's forced to keep her hands and arms inside the ride at all times. Easy peasy.”
Sunny's frown told me, okay well, not so easy, but it was Sebastian who spoke. “You may not need to worry about Batsheva herself,” he said. “You are correct she won't be able to harm you once you've been adopted into the clan. But that isn't true of other vampires in your family.”
Well, that would have been nice to know. “Open season, huh?”
Uncle Frank crossed his arms over his chest. “No way, this is ridiculous. You're going home and the hell with the Queens.”
Sebastian reached for my hand and held it a moment, ignoring Uncle Frank. “Missteps can happen easily,” he said, “and the smallest slights can be seen as a reason for battle. But they must have a reason to fight you. Do you understand?”
“So they can come up with some stupid excuse, but if they just attack it's a no-no?” More rules. My head felt like it was going to explode.
Sunny laughed softly, without humor. “We are the masters of nuance,” she said. “These rules we abide by keep little networks running, but can trip you up without understanding why. And we could easily tell you ours, if we had several years, but those of this clan are different. And change all the time.” She shuddered and looked away. “This is why I hate court.�
�
“Your personal clan isn't like this.” I felt a little relief when Sebastian shook his head.
“There are moments,” he said. “But I've never allowed it in my own family. But even I must bear it here, under the hand of my Queen.”
“Well, it's not like I haven't been down this road,” I said. “Demonicon isn't a happy place either. Only they don't need a reason to challenge you.”
“Except on Demonicon they only take a portion of your power,” Sunny said, voice soft and grim. “Here, if you lose, they strip you of your magic and blood and leave you out in the sun to die.”
So, a little more extreme, then.
“I need access to my power.” I squeezed Sebastian's hand, getting to the point I'd almost forgotten I had to make. “Which means clearing away the control this powdered crystal has over me.”
His forehead furrowed. “I remember,” he said. “The night we found Cesard. It is the same substance?”
So quick. “You got it,” I said. “Can you help again?”
Sebastian nodded without a spark of hesitation, his power entering my mind. I felt him this time, his doubt and concern, his anxiety he was betraying his Queen, but he didn't stop, the spirit magic animating his form reaching far inside me to link with my own.
The internal bite was harder this time, giving me an instant headache making me cry out, but the wave of spirit power flowing outward from it healed me almost immediately. Where once there was silence, I now heard a roaring in the distance, felt thrashing and clawing, the sound of uncontrollable weeping stilled and turned to shrill screaming of my name.
The hum of the family magic was strongest, reaching for me with so much longing I found tears on my cheeks when I pulled free of my internal review and smiled up at Sebastian.
I was still partially blocked. Whatever Demetrius did to me this time around, whether a stronger dose or a different one, the vampire's bite was only able to open me up about a quarter of the way. But I could feel them again, hear them, my demon finally settling though she continued to pick at the wall holding her back while Shaylee calmed and poured earth magic into the gap between us.