by Patti Larsen
So many questions for which I really needed answers, but was almost afraid to ask.
Almost.
Time to confront Trill and find out what was really happening to me. I didn’t feel any more unusual than ever, though admittedly more in balance than I had in my life. But I equated that to growing up, to losing the geas keeping me from using my magic when I returned Gram’s power to her. To accepting and finally embracing what I was.
Could there be more to it? Trill certainly seemed to think so. And now I knew the maji also had an influence over me, I was starting to wonder if the parts coming together inside me were accidental or some kind of grand plan I had no control over.
More manipulation? I wouldn’t put it past Iepa. No, I didn’t know her well yet, but if I’d learned anything it was those in power didn’t hesitate to use the tools they had access to when a job needed doing. And I was really getting sick of being a tool.
I’m not sure why I didn’t go to the cavern right away. Wishful thinking, maybe? Instead, I quietly slipped inside the house and down the hall to the kitchen. I waited a moment at the basement door, hand on the knob, debating if I wanted to add a heavy heart to all of the confusion in my mind, but I couldn’t seem to resist the pull. Trusting my instincts, I opened the door and went downstairs.
Cool air greeted me, the thrum of the family magic welcoming as I set foot on the concrete floor, a faint glow of blue lighting the pentagram etched and painted on the floor in answer to my presence. I stood in the center of it, drew in my power, let the coven’s energy warm me and hug me, instantly lightening my mood.
A slow pivot turned me to face the fabric-draped statue of my father, crystalline feet peeking out from under the woven magic sheet Mom made to cover his effigy when Dad severed their mating and went home to Demonicon. I’d called him a few times in the last six months with no luck, when I was home to do so, but only once since I returned from school for the summer. My efforts had been half-hearted at best, almost fearful. Better to call him quietly and fail then put my heart and soul into it for nothing.
Three steps put me at his side, my hands jerking free the sheet. I looked up into Dad’s diamond face, guilt washing over me in a wave. It was my fault he was gone, forced to take Second Seat, a position he never wanted and fought against during his very long life. I’d allowed Ahbi to manipulate me, thus cornering him, doing what so many others had tried to in the past—tear our family apart at last.
I could call him. Maybe he’d come if I really tried. But there was nothing he could do, I knew that already. And yet the vision Iepa showed me had demons fighting side-by-side with witches. Which meant he deserved a warning.
I’d take that excuse.
Nerves tingling as anxiety tried to worm doubt into my magic, I pulled my demon tightly to me, feeling her chuff and squirm.
We have to reach him. Would he answer? Would she let him? My teeth ground together at the thought of Ahbi. Mom might have manipulated me, but she’d done so out of love, I was certain of it. Ahbi on the other hand, had spent so many centuries as a political creature, I highly doubted she had feelings anymore, outside of worrying about keeping her throne.
Determination cut through my nervousness and sent it packing. I had to try, if only to fill him in, to warn him about what was coming. But more so, to prove to myself I could.
My demon writhed, but in agreement, temper crackling as I held her in check. One last drawn breath and I let her out, my magic calling for Dad.
Tears welled as his effigy instantly flooded with life, my father’s spirit stepping across the veil and into his statue. I choked them back, chest tight, throat burning with sobs that wanted to escape as I stepped forward and into his waiting arms.
His warm chest was as strong as I remembered, the softening of his statue to human form almost complete.
“Syd,” he whispered into my hair. “Hi, cupcake.”
I was laughing and crying all at once, one hand smacking his arm as he grinned down at me over the old nickname. Funny, I didn’t really mind it anymore.
“Hey, Dad,” I said. “Don’t call me cupcake.”
We smiled at each other for a moment, a father-daughter instant in time where nothing had changed and I could just be happy to see my Dad. But it couldn’t last, I knew it couldn’t, as much as I clung to my flash of need to be young and innocent and just a girl who adored her father.
Not in the life I lived.
Dad broke the moment, hands gripping my arms. “I don’t have long,” he said, eyes full of sadness. “Are you all right? Your sister? Miriam?” So much sorrow in him, and a desperation, as though he’d been waiting for word while trying to pretend he was someone else.
I hugged him quickly again. “Meira’s fine, loving school. Mom’s… well, Mom is Mom, you know?” Dad smiled, nodded, though I could tell he wanted more. “Dad, you’re right, I don’t have much time either. But there are things happening you need to know about.”
I filled him in as quickly as I could, for once not rambling on in my usual scattered way, proud of myself for managing a succinct breakdown of the past two days or so. Dad listened as Mom had, mostly just listening. When I finished with the conversation I’d had with her, he sighed, lips twisted in a grim line.
“As much as I wish she wasn’t,” he said, “your mother is right, Syd. It’s not so easy.” He frowned, arms crossing over his chest as his mind visibly churned. “I’ll warn Ruler about the sorcerers, but it’s unlikely she’ll listen. We’ve been busy putting out fires in Demonicon and I know what she’ll say.”
“It’s not your problem.” I had a feeling that phrase was going to get old fast. And that I’d better get used to hearing it.
“I believe you,” he said. “And I’ll take the warning from this maji seriously. But Syd, there’s a lot you don’t know about the maji. Ask your friend Liam to look into it further. That library of his should turn up Demoniconian history. Specifically about the forming of the planes in the first place.” His expression deepened into a scowl. “They may come across as benevolent, but remember they created the planes and the demons who occupied them. I’ve always believed we were some kind of experiment they chose to run. You might ask her about their real motives when you speak to her again.”
Well, that was news. But again I wasn’t really surprised. It was just one more layer of proof Iepa had an agenda. As long as our goals remained the same, I’d pay attention. But the moment I even suspected something was hinky, she’d find out what screwing with a Hayle really meant.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said. Stopped. Felt guilty again. “Are you okay over there?” His face tightened, shoulders sagging just a little before he straightened and nodded.
“I’m fine, Syd,” he said. Which naturally meant he wasn’t. “There’s been a period of… adjustment. But I’m dealing with it.”
Oh, Dad. I could have pressed him, made him talk to me maybe. But the look in his eyes asked me not to and, though I felt like a coward for backing off, I took the easy road and let him be.
The feeling of him shifted, the sharpness of the crystal making up his effigy cutting through a little before Dad’s human form returned. I was running out of time. But the act made me think, connected two ideas together, old ones I’d almost forgotten.
“The crystal.” I tapped his chest. “The one that turned your effigy from metal to diamond. It’s sorcerer magic. It’s too bad I can’t have it back.”
“You’re welcome to try,” Dad said. “But Sassafras and I tried everything to damage this new form, remember?” Did I. I’d caught the two of them at it and screamed at them for being total idiots before bursting into tears. Sassafras died to send Dad back to Demonicon, all because his old statue had been destroyed. And the pair of morons thought it would be a good experiment to see how strong the new one was.
“I remember.” I wrinkled my nose, irritation returning. Dad just laughed. “The crystal had an effect on your power. Made you able to stay here longer?”
Dad nodded slowly. “I feel different when I’m here,” he said. “My magic isn’t as raw. More defined.”
I knew what he meant. The fire-based power of demons had a wildness to it, an almost primal feeling. What had the crystal done to him?
“I wish I could be of further help.” He reached for me again, hugging me close, cheek on my hair.
“You have,” I whispered into his broad chest, feeling our demon power connect. “You listened. And I just wanted to see my dad.”
“You have no idea how good it is to see you.” His voice choked off. Dad cleared his throat before gently pushing me away, moisture standing in his eyes. “I have to go.”
“I know.” I stepped back, felt his power retreating, hugging myself, trapping the remaining warmth from his embrace.
“Syd,” Dad said as he faded away, “I love you. Be careful.”
Ha. Didn’t see that coming.
I bent to retrieve the sheet only to toss it in a half-open cardboard box. Mom might have decided to write him off, but I had a feeling I’d be needing my father again and draping him like he was dead or something just didn’t seem right.
The crystal winked at me in the light of the single bulb swaying softly over the pentagram. Hmmm. I’d gotten the one Sassafras used to save Dad from Demetrius Strong, the leader of the Chosen of the Light. A sorcerer. But surely it wasn’t the only crystal, nor he the only sorcerer who used such a tool? Demetrius was gone, taken by Batsheva Moromond when she was ousted from the Council Leader seat during Mom’s trial, when it was revealed she used blood magic to steal the Council’s power. But there had been other sorcerers in his group.
Maybe they knew where he found the crystal. Or had their own.
As much as the idea turned my stomach, I knew what I had to do. I needed a weapon against the Brotherhood and there was only one person I could think of who might lead me to what I needed.
Angela Morgan’s nasty little maid, Rosetta, was going to be so happy to see me.
***
Chapter Seventeen
Charlotte was waiting for me at the top of the stairs when I emerged from the basement. She touched me with trembling fingers, face pale in the low light of the tiny bulb over the oven, eyes frantic. But she calmed the moment our skin made contact, her hand clenching around mine almost painfully before she settled, taking a step back.
“Here’s the keys.” She handed them to me, no longer trembling, as though it was no big deal.
I really loved her sometimes.
Together we rode the veil to the library. This time as I entered the slice between planes, I purposely felt for the difference. Yes, it was Charlotte and the power connection she had to me muting the pull of Demonicon. Completely one-sided, formed when she bonded herself to me out of some misplaced sense of honor, it anchored me to her and, thus, to my home plane. My demon didn’t complain either, and I considered the possibility Charlotte’s connection to me was more than just a bond. Something much more.
I really had to stop worrying about her feelings and figure out what the magic between us was all about.
But later. Yeah, always later.
Liam waited for me with Galleytrot at his side as I passed through the barrier. His arms slid around me, hugging me as he always did, his favorite form of greeting. Shame on me, I didn’t resist, loving—yes, loving—the feeling of his arms around me.
I was a horrible, horrible person.
“Did you find out anything?” Liam led me past his room. A glance inside showed Owen curled up with a book, Meira at his side, though the open tome lay across his chest and both of their eyes were closed. I smiled a little, wanting to go to him and brush the hair out of his face, to kiss Meira’s cheek, surging protectiveness rumbling inside me. Poor kid, he had to be exhausted. This was probably the first time in a long time he was somewhere safe from the Brotherhood.
My sister’s eyes opened. Fixed on me. She slid from the bed and came to my side, taking my hand, covering a yawn with her free one. A glance to the left showed me Trill on Liam’s computer, sitting at his desk, Sassafras curled up on his favorite chair, watching her. His amber eyes winked at me as I passed, energy touching mine. I continued following Liam as the silver Persian hopped down and waddled his way after us.
Galleytrot sank to the floor with a groan, big head falling to his front paws as Liam stopped beside the Gate, glancing back the way we came a moment before focusing on me.
“What did you find out?” His voice was soft, not quite a whisper, and I wondered at his sudden need for secrecy.
“Not much,” I said. Hated to admit it, really. Sassafras hissed at me when I mentioned Belaisle and my first encounter with the Brotherhood, tail swishing as I told them what Mom said.
“Damn her,” Sass snapped. “What is she thinking?”
I kept my suppositions about Mom’s motives to myself. “I managed to reach Dad,” I said.
Sassafras perked, amber fire flashing in his gaze while Meira looked momentarily angry. “Harry?” Was that hope in his voice? Longing? Did Sass blame himself as much as I did for Dad’s present circumstances? Probably. There was lots of guilt to go around. “What did he say?”
“About what Mom did.” I didn’t intend for that to come out so glum. “He’s going to warn Ahbi, but doesn’t expect her to take any action. Oh, he did mention I should ask you,” I turned to Liam, “to do some research into the maji’s creation of the demon planes. Dad seems to think Iepa isn’t to be trusted.”
Sassafras snorted while Liam nodded. “Of course she isn’t,” he said in his most condescending tone.
Smartass cat.
“You’ve been acting like you know more than we do,” I said, focusing on him as his tail twitched in irritation. “Time to ‘fess up.”
He shifted from one front paw to the other, eyes glowing as he looked away. “The Zornovs were friends once upon a time,” he said. “Vasek and his wife Josephine. Your great-great-great grandmother Auburdeen was involved with them. And the Brotherhood.”
I knew how much it bothered him to talk about the past, but this was important. “And?”
“It’s odd,” he said. “Josephine was a sorcerer and Vasek maji. But both were enemies of the Brotherhood. It’s a long story,” he turned to me at last, “and has little bearing on what’s happening now. Except your two families used to care for each other. Fought together.” Sassy sighed then, a sad sound full of years of memory. “But from what I knew, the Brotherhood disbanded, thanks to their efforts, and Burdie’s.”
Interesting. “Obviously not.”
Sassafras hissed softly. “Obviously.”
“At least now we know Trill and Owen are safe here in the cavern.” I found myself glancing back toward the entry, mimicking Liam’s tone of voice. “The Brotherhood may be here, but if they can’t find what they’re looking for, they might just leave.”
“They’ll never give up.” How had Trill snuck up on us like that? One second the entry had been empty, the next she stood there, body tense, Owen’s sleepy but unhappy face beside her. “You’ve just succeeded in trapping us here.”
Owen murmured something to her before meeting my eyes with his intense blue gaze. “We’re really grateful,” he said. “But Trill is right. We can’t stay here forever while the Brotherhood tears apart your town looking for us.”
Damn, I hadn’t warned the family. I reached for Gram, just caught the edge of her mind. But the Sidhe wards were too strong. I’d have to leave to talk to her.
“We need to go.” Trill turned, grabbing her brother’s arm, the scowl back on her face. “Thanks for nothing.”
I went after them, but it was Liam who held them back. The wards at the exit flared, green magic blocking them in. I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep Trill contained for long while I struggled for a way to convince her to trust me.
Sassafras reached her before I could, standing on his back legs, front paws on her thigh. “Please listen,” he said. “You aren’t tr
apped. You’re safe. And we’ll find a way to get rid of the Brotherhood. You just have to trust us.”
Trill shook her head, anger rising on her face while Owen just slumped, defeat written on his entire body. “You don’t know that,” she snapped. “They’ll find a way to reach us, to breach these defenses.” She looked up, met my eyes. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”
“I do,” I said. “I’ve faced off with sorcerers before.” Was I getting through to her? Did she just relax a little? There was shock on her face, enough to tell me I needed to keep going before she talked herself out of listening at all. “Not the Brotherhood, but the Chosen of the Light. And we defeated their leader, destroyed their order. We can do this, but only if you don’t run off and do something stupid.”
Great choice of words, Syd. The tightening around her eyes told me instantly I’d gone too far. But Owen was listening. And the despair he’d been trapped in was gone.
“Trill, we have to listen.” He pulled against her, drawing her back from the wards. They flashed once and faded, Liam releasing his power. An act of trust I probably wouldn’t have shown her.
But it worked. Trill hugged her brother, anger gone, a moment of hope crossing her face before she nodded.
I just hoped the risks I was taking with my coven and Sebastian’s blood clan, now targets thanks to my meddling, would be worth it in the end. But though I still didn’t know exactly why these two were so important, I had to trust my instincts.
As long as those instincts weren’t maji implants to control my actions.
Choosing to believe in the former, I stepped away from the others, motioning for Galleytrot while Liam kindly herded the pair of siblings back into his office. Meira looked back at me, face dark and expression closed and I winced privately.
Thanks for waiting for me to talk to Dad. She shut me off, not letting me back in as she left me there with her guilt-trip doing its job.