by Patti Larsen
She lied! I knew it, could feel it. “My sister.” Shaylee’s sadness rippled through us, down into the very ground which shuddered in sympathy. “My lord, she was jealous of our love then and is yet, and it is her envy that tore us apart.”
Gwynn held still, his anger still powerful but held in check. “My princess,” he said, “I have suffered for your love for far too long.” He stepped away from me. “Your father banished me to an eternity with the dark riders of the hunt in punishment for killing you.”
Tears trickled down my cheeks, hot and stinging. “I know,” we whispered. “But I forgive you, my love.”
He faltered even as Cydia hissed. “She forgives you?” She sparkled with Sidhe magic, but it was laced with darkness and we knew she was no longer pure but had gone to the Unseelie, showing all she was the source of the blood magic. “How dare she speak to you that way? She betrayed your heart and dared to mock the lord of the Underworld. She must pay again, they all must.”
“By destroying this world?” We didn’t look at her any longer, but kept Gwynn’s gaze.
“Yes!” She stomped one foot, the ground shaking with the power she released. “To finally end this world so we builders may begin again.”
“No,” we said softly as Shaylee finally understood and shared it with us. “So you may finally control everything. You know the hunt will destroy even the Unseelie Court. Only those who ride with the Wild will survive to rebuild. She deceives you for power, my lord, as she lied to you once before in an effort to control you.”
The tears falling now were mine. So much pain over so many centuries. Gwynn’s sword returned to its sheath, his anger draining away until only he remained, the Sidhe lord Shaylee loved.
She pushed us forward to embrace him, kissing him one more time directly on the scar he hated and she embraced without judgment. “Let this be ended,” we said. “Let our souls finally rest, my love. And let this world live.”
He hugged us back, but his sadness made his regret clear.
“I have woken, my riders with me,” he said. “There is no hope. I am sorry, my princess. I must fulfill my destiny.” He looked up and over our shoulder. We turned to see Mom and Dad standing there, Gram beside them. “You fought well and hard,” he said, “and have given me the greatest gift in the end.” He nodded once to Gram who nodded back. “All I have ever wanted was to see my true love again.”
“Is there nothing we can do to convince you?” Mom’s voice was quiet, calm. Bless her.
Gwynn shook his head. “Nothing. When the human witches stole my hound,” he gestured at Galleytrot who sat nearby, his gaze fixed on Pain, “they stirred something never meant to be stirred. And the presence of my love,” he looked down at me, “finished the summoning.”
We knew he was right. Shaylee spoke for us. “Ethpeal’s power did its best to hide us,” she said, “but when our demon side departed, there was so little left to keep us protected. While her essence kept us from using magic, she couldn’t prevent the release of our touch on the world.”
“I’m sure my use of Sidhe power didn’t help any.” Mom nodded once. “You understand we won’t let you destroy us without a fight?”
Gwynn nodded. “I do, brave witch. And I wish you well. But you cannot stand against the full might of the Wild Hunt.”
The energy gathered again, pounding against the eye of the magical storm where we stood. Shaylee retreated again, full of sorrow, but at a loss. My demon side wanted to fight, but I knew there had to be another way.
Cydia chose that moment to leap to the attack. I spun around, saw her coming, knew Galleytrot would reach her a heartbeat too late and lost myself in the understanding I was about to die.
The crystal in my hand flared to life, struck out with Sidhe power and drove her to the ground. I saw it envelop her, choking her, and almost rushed to help. But then I understood the truth. It wasn’t killing her, but driving the essence of Cydia from Pain’s body. A tall, wavering form stood over my friend, glowing green, cascading black hair and over large eyes glaring pure hate at me.
No, she spoke directly into our minds, you will not!
When she struck, this time it wasn’t at me, but at Gwynn. The crystal flashed as Shaylee surged forward, not with her power but with her very soul.
Cydia howled her rage as the power struck us and drove us backward. Shaylee fled from it, crippled and weakened. But my demon and I were strong, very strong.
The spirit of the deceitful Sidhe princess shuddered as I drove my power at her image, my demon sheathing her in fire. She cried out, this time in pain and fear as our combined effort crushed her before shattering her completely. What remained of her dissolving into flashes of extinguished embers.
Shaylee cried for her sister while my demon and I comforted her. I looked down at the crystal in my hand, still pulsing green, and saw the future.
“My lord,” I said. “There is a way after all.”
***
Chapter Thirty Eight
Gwynn took a step back, his people gathering more substance as they started to cross over.
“There is no way,” he said.
“Yes,” Shaylee told him through me, voice full of her tears. “There is. Please listen. I can put you and the Wild back to rest, but you must trust me.”
He hesitated. “I do trust you, my love. Forgive me for that failing in the past.”
“I do,” we said. “Always and forever.”
Gwynn’s sadness lifted a little. “This way of yours,” he said. “I will accept it. But only on one condition.”
Shaylee knew what he was about to say and prepared me and my demon for it, but it still wasn’t good news.
“You must join me,” he said, “in my eternal slumber. So when I wake at the ending of this world, you and I will be the ones to rebuild.”
Crap. I knew Shaylee would have gone with him, but I had other life plans in mind. She didn’t fight me. Still, I knew it hurt her, what I was about to do to him.
“I can’t.” I said it, with my demon backing me. “I’m no longer just Shaylee, princess of the Sidhe. I’m Sydlynn Hayle, demon child and witch of the Hayle coven. My life isn’t the one you’re looking to share.”
“I will love you like no other.” I was suddenly surrounded by warm, loving magic wrapping me up and holding me. Shaylee knew this power and sadly rejected it.
He scowled, anger rising yet again, as volatile as the forces he commanded.
“I demand you join me.” He tried again, so much desperation inside him I wished it could be different. This time he hit me with coercion, trying to bend my mind to his will. But my demon, untouched by Sidhe magic, just snarled at him and batted his power aside.
He crumpled in grief, his eyes begging me while his power did too, offering me a place to belong. “I’m so alone,” he whispered. “Please, don’t leave me.”
This was my task at last. Very gently and with as much kindness as I could muster, I detached myself from his magic and let it go.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
His rage was sudden and horrible, the coven swaying from the pressure of it, and when he struck at me I wasn’t sure if I could hold him off. Until his energy hit my shields and I understood.
In tandem, my three sources absorbed and reinvented the power, sending it back toward him. He recoiled from it as though burned by it and tried again.
This blow was harder and yet even easier to contain. On my demon’s impulse, I instead converted it and sent it back through my connection to the family to refuel their weakened resources. I felt them sigh around me as their power returned.
His third attack made me stagger and the ground shake, but I didn’t waver from the blow but from the effort it took to not send that magic out into the world, to find a way to contain it and use it to my own advantage.
In a rush of energy, it flooded the crystal in my hand.
Gwynn sagged, sobbing quietly, his heart so clearly broken I wished things could be differen
t.
“My lord,” I said, feeling the crystal in my hand throbbing like a newborn star. “Let me help you return to your rest so you can forget again.”
His eyes met mine. “Yes,” he whispered.
“I can offer one last gift,” I said as I raised the crystal. “Dream of her, Lord of the Underworld, and when you rise again, find her in your realm.”
He bowed to me. “Thank you,” he said. “But what word do I have that this rest will be my last?”
“By mine,” Mom stepped forward, her hand sliding into mine, “and that of my coven.”
“And mine,” Dad was there, “by the power of Demonicon.”
“I offer mine,” Sunny stepped forward, “with the force of the undying.”
“And mine,” I said, “with the strength of the Sidhe.” I held the crystal out to my family and saw the force of their magic enter it and turn the star into a prism rainbow of magic.
“Our combined power will guard and watch over you,” I said. “And when the day comes this world is done, you will finally know real peace.”
Gwynn hesitated.
“My lord,” Galleytrot spoke up. “Will you hear me?”
Gwynn nodded.
“I have never met those with such honor, to rival even the Sidhe.” He bowed to us, shaggy head so close to the ground his nose tickled the grass. “They will do as they say and not forsake us.”
Gwynn met my eyes. “My dog speaks for you,” he said. “And I believe him, as I trust you, my love.”
“One boon, I beg you, my lord.” I spoke before I could stop myself, knowing I had to try.
“I will hear you,” he said.
“Galleytrot has served you well,” I said. “And he is my friend. I would ask that he be allowed to remain by my side to remind me of you every day.”
Gwynn’s face softened. “And why should I release him if you choose not to join me?”
“Because,” I said, “he will be here to watch over you all the days of this existence. Even when the Hayles have gone, his power tied to yours ensures your safe rest and that we will meet again when this world is through.”
Gwynn sighed and in that sigh I felt his agreement. “Care for her well, my hound,” he said. “I expect you to be waiting for me when I wake.”
Galleytrot bowed low. “I am honored, my lord,” he said. “And I will remain faithful to you until you call me again for our final ride.”
The entire Wild sighed as one, a few of the hounds howling softly, their voices drifting on the wind.
Galleytrot stepped free of the ring and joined me, his great tongue swiping over the back of my hand.
“I am unable to deny you anything, my love,” Gwynn said.
“Time to rest, my lord.” My heart broke for Shaylee and Gwynn, but even she knew it had to be this way.
I felt the storm calm as the hunt faded, the forms of the riders insubstantial and ghostly as Gwynn remounted his horse.
“Into the quiet and the deep, my riders,” he said. “To the long and still darkness once more.”
I sent my Sidhe power into the crystal and released the pent up power inside it.
“Rest well, my lord,” I said. “And dream of love.”
The magic exploded outward in a flash of light so bright I had to look away and even then had spots in front of my eyes. When my vision cleared, the Wild Hunt was gone, their power quiet. But when I stepped forward and reached down below me, I felt them there, felt him, deep beneath the earth, tied to the magic of my family and of the demon plane, bound by the power of the vampires and lulled by the green energy of the Sidhe.
“Farewell, my love,” Shaylee whispered.
***
Chapter Thirty Nine
Mom hugged me so hard I was sure she would break something.
“Syd,” she whispered, “you are amazing.”
“No,” I whispered back. “I’m whole. It makes a difference.”
I was still getting used to the other two people in my head even though they were so much a part of me it was hard to tell us apart. Still. I’d have to be careful who I told about the voices.
Straightjacket, anyone?
In the meantime, the family gathered around me, their happiness and relief so comfortable I wanted to hug them all one at a time.
“Whatever happens,” I raised my voice so they could all hear me, “no one can screw up. Leaving town is no longer an option.”
Laughter. They laughed. Wow, how cool was that?
I did get hugs, first from Gram, then Dad, then Gram again who kissed my cheek and smiled so wide I laughed at her. Uncle Frank and Sunny engulfed me in a vampire sandwich, making me hope they could fix the mess I made for them.
Even Anastasia took a turn.
“Well done, demon girl,” she said.
Galleytrot nosed his way to my side. “Thanks, Syd,” he grumbled in his earthy voice. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Erica was looking at him like she couldn’t decide what to do about him.
“You’re welcome,” I said. I reached out and touched his forehead. “But you’re not my slave, Galleytrot. You’re free.”
He shook his great head as a rush of power traveled from me into him. I was a little disappointed he was still a dog, but at least his eyes didn’t glow red anymore.
When I tried to apologize, he licked my hand. “It’s enough for now,” he said.
“I have a question.” Celeste strode forward, her usual harsh expression looking odd in the sea of shining, happy faces. “Why is she still here?”
Mom seemed confused. I know I was.
“Explain, please?” Mom crossed her arms over her chest. Oh boy, was Celeste in for it.
But the tall, gruff witch wasn’t backing down. Her brown eyes flared with outrage. “You ordered her to stay away,” she said, voice ringing, carrying to every member of the coven. Everyone stopped and stared at her, a growing concern rippling from witch to witch. “She disobeyed that order. She must be banished.”
She was freaking kidding, right? After I saved the world? I almost lashed out at her just to shut her up when Mom smiled. Actually smiled. And shook her head.
“You’re right,” she said. “I did order Syd to stay away. From the coven site.” She met gaze after gaze as the family relaxed, their own smiles returning. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Celeste, we aren’t at the coven site.”
She scowled. “All of the coven magic is here now,” she said. “This is in effect the new site and you know it. Sophistry will not save your child.”
Mom’s anger flared to life in a heartbeat. “My order was very clear,” she said, voice low and deep and full of power. “And Syd abided by it. What say you, Hayle coven?”
“Aye,” they said as one.
Celeste’s scowl deepened. “Careful, Miriam,” she said so quietly only Mom and I heard her, “your arrogance will be the end of you.”
She turned and disappeared into the crowd before Mom could say anything.
Just as well. Between Mom and I there wouldn’t have been much left of her and I didn’t want to spoil the mood by turning Celeste into a smear on the bottom of my shoe.
I stepped away from them as the coven converged to share their relief. My heart still ached for Gwynn and I wished I had more to offer him than eternal sleep. I looked up and spotted Quaid hovering at the edge of the yard. His dark eyes met mine for a moment. I moved to go to him, reaching for his mind at the same time, but he blocked me out, turned and left, circling the house before I could reach him, leaving me standing in the driveway as he sped off on his motorcycle.
Mom’s arm slid around me on my left and Dad on my right. Meira was in front of me, arms lifted. I lifted her, hugging her to me even as I felt Sassy’s weight on my feet and the soft pressure of Gram’s hand on my back.
Together we stood in our driveway and watched the sun rise on another beautiful day.
***
Chapter Forty
I was expecting him. Was
already sitting in the back yard, on our bench, waiting when he pulled up in the dark on his motorcycle. I hugged my knees to my chest, forcing myself to breathe as the sound of the motor died. Heavy boot falls echoed around the side of the house, thudding over the patio stones.
I sat still and let him settle, leather creaking, the scent of it so delicious, mixed with the smell of him I almost couldn’t bear it. As it was, I was unable to resist the small ribbon of my power that escaped and slid close to him, waiting for him to accept me.
For a long moment, my heart stopped beating, my breath frozen in my body. He didn’t move, made no effort to reach for me, though I knew he felt my magic waiting there. I had already sworn to myself I would not cry, I would not, but tears threatened anyway, past the tightening in my throat.
A gentle breeze rose up, cooling the heat in my skin and tickling my nose. I drew a breath at last, breaking the spell of fear and despair I’d woven around us.
In that same instant when my heart thudded hard against my ribs, he groaned and leaned toward me in a rush of movement, arms engulfing me as his energy rushed out to meet mine.
I sobbed once against his shoulder, nose pressed against the warm skin of his neck, holding him as tightly as I could while my body shuddered away what was left of my terror. The absolute surety he was leaving me, he didn’t love me, that I was to be alone again in the very moment I finally knew what and who I was.
Quaid pulled back, hands in my hair, gripping me tightly, lips descending, devouring my mouth with an intensity I’d never felt from him. I answered with my own, wrapping him up with my magic, all three threads of it, tying him tightly to me even as my hands slid under the hem of his T-shirt as if of their own volition, fingers stroking over his stomach.
He gasped and pulled away, brown eyes burning with power, hands trembling as they held me.
“Syd,” he whispered, voice thick, my name vibrating from deep inside him. I felt his body clench as I ran my hands around him and up his bare back. “Oh, Syd.”