by Patti Larsen
I watched the pair of them go, knowing I could probably help, but not sure I wanted to ease his suffering after all.
Petty, Syd. So petty.
Promising myself I'd check in later to sneak him some healing after all, I instead turned to catch Mom's eye. She looked up as my magic touched her and nodded just a bit.
We need to talk, I sent even as I dreaded it. Venner is up to something.
Her brows pulled together.
Syd, she sent, an edge of anger in her mental voice, I watched him the entire time. And I felt nothing. Her blue eyes narrowed. Nothing.
I know, I shot back, temper returning. You're not Sidhe.
What does that have to do with anything? Mom's exasperation actually pissed me off. I was doing my due diligence, wasn't I? And keeping my nose clean, passing off the information instead of tearing the slimy slime lord apart with my bare hands.
It means, Gram's voice cut in so suddenly I almost cried out, one hand pressed to my chest as Charlotte released a yip of surprise at my reaction, you're being a fool again, Miriam. And it doesn't look good on you.
Mom flinched, only enough I caught it. Stay out of this, Mother.
My grandmother, still back in Wilding Springs but tied to me for so many reasons I could hardly count, cackled in my head. Things are quiet here, she sent. No big explosions or apocalypses to keep me company. I have to outsource for my entertainment. Her mind hugged me. Now, the whip came out again, listen to your daughter or I'll come to Harvard and kick your ass myself.
Very well. I could tell Mom's irritation level was reaching critical, but with Gram on my side, at least I had backup. What do you mean, Syd?
He was looking for those with Sidhe ties. I waited for the gasp of surprise, didn't hear it from either of them. Okay then. Quaid couldn't see it either, Mom. Because he isn’t Sidhe. And if your Enforcers aren't descendants, they wouldn't see it either.
Nor would anyone not looking for trouble, my vampire added her thoughts to the mix. It was only because we were all watching we sensed it at all. I doubt very much the ones Venner examined have any idea they even have Sidhe blood.
Mom fell quiet a moment before answering as she faked a smile and nodded to one of the board of governors who spoke to her. So, she sent, you're telling me you could see it, but no one else could?
I could do without the heavy sarcasm, thanks.
Listen up, Ethpeal sent. If he's searching out witches who carry Sidhe, he's definitely planning something. And Syd is correct in assuming only those with the heritage would be able to sense something like that. I was pretty sure Gram was smudging the truth just to have my back, but I loved her for it. So unless you have an Enforcer you can call on who has Sidhe blood, you're going to have to rely on Syd to watch this critter.
Mom paused again, but when she spoke up this time, her anger was gone, replaced with weariness. You're right, of course. She sighed in my head, a heavy sound making me worry about her. But with no evidence of wrongdoing outside Syd's word, there's nothing I can do. And Syd needs to keep her nose clean, Mother. You know that.
They'd been talking about me behind my back, had they?
I know. Even Gram sounded subdued. But there's no way any of us will stand by and watch this Unseelie lordling act if we can stop him.
Agreed. Mom's magic hugged me, sliding around Gram's until the three of us were locked together. I'll find out if any of my people have Sidhe blood, Mom sent.
There’s more. There was always more. He’s working with Ameline.
Mom grunted her surprise. You’re sure?
Did she just ask me that question for real?
Sorry, she sent. Reflex. This changes things. But I take it you don’t have proof or I would have heard by now.
I hated it when she was right.
I told her about the note anyway, Charlotte’s nose troubles. Won me a sigh and a mental headshake.
If Ameline is involved. Mom sounded like she didn’t believe me. Imagine. And I say if, Syd, she’s not your responsibility. And until I can find someone to corroborate your findings, you'll just have to watch Venner. But be careful. And do not, under any circumstances, take action without telling me first. All right?
I grumbled my agreement as Gram whispered support in my ear. If you get a chance, take that bastard down.
***
Chapter Eleven
I walked out of the lecture theater, mind churning, and into an argument.
Shenka practically chest bumped me as I exited the room, head down, and I had to jerk to a halt, squeaking in surprise for the second time. I was one of the last to leave, so at least I wasn't blocking the exit. Because the look on Shenka's face told me she wasn't letting me go until she spoke her mind.
Good then. A nice fight was just what I needed to work out the kinks.
“No hitting,” I said.
Shenka's furious face fell as she blinked. “Sorry?”
“The fight we're about to have.” I poked my thumb over my shoulder at Charlotte who eased past me, eyes locked on Shenka. “No hitting. Unless you want to end up pinned to the ground with a werewolf taking a chunk out of you.”
Shenka shook her head, anger returning though more sullen and less apparent.
“I don't want to hit you,” she said. Paused. “Okay, that's a lie.”
I laughed a little, knowing it wasn't funny, but unable to stop myself. Shenka stomped one foot, her own anger leaving her.
“You're ruining it,” she wailed.
“I'm sorry.” I straightened my shoulders and nodded to Charlotte. “Try to hold back if she hits me, okay?”
Shenka giggled, eyes welling with tears before she sighed and slumped. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I've just been so worked up about this.”
“About what?” I took her arm and led her aside, out of the path of milling students now prepping to go to their classes. Doors appeared out of nowhere, the influx of teen witches and their teachers flowing around us.
Shenka wiped one wet cheek with the back of her hand. “Why did you ask Tippy to be your second?”
Um-hum. No shocker here. And yet... “I didn't,” I said, rolling my eyes. “She found out I was looking and went all fangirl on me.”
Shenka giggled again, her sadness lifting a bit, though I could tell there was much more to this. So I prodded her.
“You were the one who wouldn't talk about it,” I said. “I thought you didn't want the job anymore.” And did I want her to have it? This was the second time she'd pulled away from me, that I'd had to wrangle her. Would she make a good second anyway?
Shenka drew a breath, shoulders straightening at last. “I must seem like a total wash to you now,” she said, as if reading my thoughts. “But I swear, Syd, I'll make a great second. And I really, really want the job.” Enthusiasm rose in her voice, a smile returning. Only to fade. “I just don't know how to tell Tallah.” More tears. “I know being your second is the right thing for me. I've never felt so sure of anything in my life.” She dashed at the tears with anger. “But how do I leave my sister?”
I hugged her quickly with my arms while doing the same with my magic. That embrace lasted long after I pulled away and nodded.
“I totally understand,” I said. “We've talked about this, but not enough, obviously. Shenka, I know you'll do a great job,” and it was true, my doubts melting away, “but if doing so means breaking up your family or hurting Tallah, I don't know if I can let you go through with it.”
Shenka leaned against the wall, her book bag falling from one shoulder to land on the floor with a thump. “Tallah will get over it,” she said. “It's telling her at all that's holding me back.”
“Did you want me to talk to her with you?” A united front might make it easier for Shenka, but how would Tallah react? I knew her as a friend, but I hadn't really seen her in action as a coven leader, other than during Mom's trial. The laid-back, kind-hearted Tallah I knew could easily freak out if the two of us confronted her.
&nb
sp; I was willing to try, though.
But Shenka's sudden determination, her face now set in a small smile, brown eyes sparkling with resolve, told me she'd made her own decision.
“Thank you,” she said. “But that's my job, isn't it? And I won't be much of a second to you if I can't stand up to my own sister.”
“Will she bully you?” I didn't get that vibe from the sisters, but being pushed around came in many forms, sometimes too subtle for an outsider to see.
“In her way,” Shenka said. “But I'm not a little girl anymore. And Mama would have wanted us both to be happy, no matter what Tallah thinks.” Shenka grabbed her bag, slung it back over her shoulder while her smile softened. “I'll tell you about our mother sometime. And the stupid promise she made us make. Sometimes the best thing for a family is to go our separate ways.”
I almost spoke up, almost told her no, that family came first. But selfishness won.
I watched Shenka march off, not to class, but out into Widener Library, knowing she went to talk to Tallah. Guilt warred with pride as I passed through the door to my next period, knowing I'd made a great choice after all.
***
Chapter Twelve
I waited at the exit to the library for Quaid for about ten minutes after classes ended for the day. When he didn't show, I kicked myself for even bothering. No more waiting around for stray boys to get their crap together, not when I had things to do.
Entirely unfair. Quaid's “see you later” hadn't had a time attached to it, outside “later.”
Still.
Sniff.
I made a quick bag dump in my dorm, leaving my backpack behind. It didn't look like Shenka had been around, and I worried something happened between her and Tallah. She missed lunch, too, and I had to tolerate Tippy's gushing all over me with no Liam to hit on while the other girls eye-rolled and stayed quiet.
Charlotte didn't comment when I turned right back around and left my room, heading out into the Yard. She must have known very well where I was off to, because she didn't miss a step when I turned abruptly and headed for Liam's dorm. It was a quick walk, but it felt like it took forever, now that I was heading his way.
A knock on his door didn't rouse a response, so I snooped. My magic curled under the lip, over the hardwood floor, a subtle thread I hoped Liam wouldn't take personally. Not that he usually would. My Sidhe friend was nothing if not kind and sweet at all times. Except lately. So what changed? Yes, he was sick. But before that...
Sonja. I couldn't bring myself to believe his own mother could turn him around so easily. Not when she had years to do so without anyone interfering.
Venner? If he was tampering with my friend, Mom or no Mom, threat to me or not, I'd be sending him back to the Unseelie Court, all right.
In a body bag.
Temper, Syd. Temper.
That left Ameline.
If she touched him, it would take her years to die from the pain I inflicted.
“Liam?” I accompanied my questing magic with another knock. “Are you home?”
Still quiet. But no, he was there. I could feel him, if barely. I heard him cough, a deep, tearing sound and stepped back from the door.
Minding my own business wasn't my best characteristic.
The door was locked, but gave way under a twist of air magic, letting me inside. The moment I passed the threshold, the scent of illness assaulted my senses, metallic and dark, a tang of early decay and old sweat hanging in the air. I coughed myself, Charlotte growling softly as her eyes shifted to wolf and back again.
Someone had pulled the shades, engulfing the room in shadow, but enough light came through the open door I could clearly see the end of Liam's bed and his long, bare feet poking out from under the covers.
“Liam.” I crossed to him, anxiety taking over as I sat next to him, cradling one of his big hands in mine. Charlotte stalked to the window and threw open the shades, pouring sunlight over the room, over my friend.
I choked on a cry and touched his face even as I reached for Mom.
I need help. I felt around his power, desperate to heal him, only to feel my touch rejected.
Syd. Mom's sharp response couldn't break through my fear. We've talked about you interrupting—
Instead of telling her, I showed her exactly what I saw. Liam's ghostly face, veins blue beneath his transparent skin, closed eyes sunken into his head, bruise-like bags dark and terrifying. He wheezed breath out through his open mouth, lips cracked and bleeding, skin so parched from dehydration I thought he might fall apart like one of his precious books if I touched him too forcefully. He looked like he'd lost twenty pounds since I saw him earlier.
What the hell happened?
I'm on my way. Mom cut me off without another word, her own concern leaving behind a powerful aftereffect. I tried again to offer Liam healing, but nothing made it through. He'd closed himself off, shielded so tight I could barely feel him at all. But why?
What was he thinking?
Liam's eyes flickered open, but nothing of awareness lived in them. “No,” he whispered. “Not you.”
Um, what?
He twitched, turned from me, or tried to, as if struggling to escape. “Go away, don’t want you. Go away!”
Wow. That was nice, wasn’t it? No one else was here to take care of him the ungrateful—
Syd, my vampire reached for me. Something’s wrong.
No freaking kidding. What’s going on with him?
I don’t know, she sent. But there is magic here. Subtle. Repelling you. Repelling us.
That makes no sense. I reached for Liam again with all of my power and finally felt what my vampire did, a slick of oily nastiness on the surface of his shields, like a film of waste. And embedded in that waste was my image.
Gross. And evidence of tampering.
Shaylee shuddered as she touched it while my demon snuffled the edges and gagged on the stench. Sidhe, she sent. Glamour.
Oh hell no. Venner? I was going to track his ass and beat him senseless.
I don’t… she stopped. No. Someone else.
Lovely. I reached for Liam again only to have his body convulse, eyes bulging wide as his mouth gaped open in a silent scream of horror.
We have to break the glamour. Shaylee pushed me aside with more force than I’d ever felt from her. If we don’t, we won’t be able to help him.
I was all for that. How?
Just let me work. I felt her coil tight as she touched his shielding, a soft song rising from her magic. It thrummed as it grew louder, sliding across the slick surface of the repellant magic, sending ripples over its oiled surface. Liam continued to shudder, as though in some seizure, but I refused to release his hand, knowing if I did Shaylee’s job would be that much harder without contact.
“Hang on, Liam,” I said through teeth clenched so tight I could barely speak.
Almost there. Shaylee shuddered delicately even as she uncoiled, her magic sliding over the breaking surface of the glamour. For one disgusting moment she—we—covered the full space around him, the filthy slime absorbed into Shaylee’s energy. I instantly wanted a shower from the inside out even as her song rose in volume, her magic vibrating the repellant glamour into bits until it broke apart and vanished with one last gasp of energy.
Liam collapsed, exposed skin slick with sweat, eyes rolling into the back of his head as he wheezed for air.
Shaylee slid back into place, giving me control. It’s done, she whispered, feeling exhausted but full of anger. The worst kind of glamour, Syd. Thrall tied to hate.
Liam’s eyes slid forward, lids drooping, but this time when he saw me, he didn’t fight. Instead, the hand I held between my own twitched ever so slightly. His lips closed, opened again, a thin sound emerging.
“Gate,” he whispered as I leaned in to listen. “Gone to the green.”
Charlotte's shadow hovered over me, a bottle of water, dripping condensation, thrust into my view. “He needs to drink,” she said. “Now
, Sydlynn.”
Normally, I would have ribbed her for being bossy. Just didn't have the time. Not while I did my best to ease a few drops past Liam's parted lips, only to have him choke on the precious fluid.
Charlotte made a sound very close to a frustrated growl and shoved me aside, sliding in behind him, drawing my friend's torso up until he half-sat against her.
“Try again,” she said.
Better. At least I wasn't drowning him anymore. By the time Mom rushed in with two young witches behind her, I'd managed to coax half the bottle down Liam's throat. And while I was happy we'd managed that much, he showed no signs of improvement.
Mom sank down next to me, hand on Liam's chest, her power reaching for him as mine had. A frown pulled her face out of its normal beauty as she turned to the two witches. Both appeared only a little older than me, with golden brown hair, a brother and sister from the look of them. They joined us at Liam's bedside, their joined magic sliding over Mom's.
“Syd,” Mom said, holding her hand out to the pair, “this is Alphonse,” the male half of the two nodded his head, gaze warm and kind. “And his sister, Lula Kennecott.” The girl smiled, her power brushing the edges of mine in greeting.
Mom didn’t have to tell me why there were there, or explain the soft, gentle magic they carried with them behind their matching hazel eyes.
Twins. Healers.
Awesome.
I told the two healers about the glamour and what Shaylee and I had done, glaring at Mom as I did. I stepped away and left them, not wanting to interfere, sliding down the end of the bed, keeping a loose physical grasp on Liam's foot as the two healers smiled sweetly at me before displacing Mom at his side. She stood, coming to hover over me, as the pair did their job.
Tried to. I didn't want to get in the way, but this was Liam. I couldn't just sit there. So I piggybacked, staying out of their magic flow, just in touch enough to feel how he pushed them back, too.
But wait. I’d missed it before. It wasn’t Liam pushing back.