by Patti Larsen
“We've done what we can.” Lula met my eyes as I turned for another pass. Her concern shone out of her pale face, freckles standing out in perfect little brown circles across her cheeks. Hazel eyes that reminded me of Liam's showed more empathy than I was prepared to deal with.
“Thank you.” I stopped long enough to reach for them both with my energy, to express my gratitude for their help the best way I knew how. The twins linked with me without hesitation, the brother as kindly as his sister.
If you ever need our help, Coven Leader, Lula said, Alphonse and I are both at your service.
Her brother wrinkled his nose. Call me Phon. Please. I beg you.
I almost laughed. What family? I'd never met them before despite the fact they looked about my age.
None, they sent together. We were raised by the Council and the Enforcer order, but we've remained autonomous.
Well now, how interesting was that? Any reason why?
They shrugged in unison, their power tied together as much as their physical bond and I found myself thinking about the Lawrence sisters. Except there was nothing creepy about Lula and Phon.
We haven't found a family we trust enough to pledge our magic. Lula slid her hand into her brother's. Neither of us cares for politics.
Growing up raised by the Council? I could hardly blame them.
Well, thank you. I turned back to Liam, hearing Galleytrot groan softly as he sank to his haunches next to the bed, turning his big head to meet my eyes, red fire glowing deep within. I have no doubt the two of you kept Liam going. Galleytrot's slow headshake dropped my stomach to my toes. And I might have to ask you to keep it up, if you're willing.
They nodded immediately. Our pleasure, they sent, bowing their heads to me.
I left them with a final burst of gratitude from my power before sitting on the edge of the bed next to Galleytrot. My fingers found the thick fur around his left ear and dug in as I focused on my sick friend. He looked better, at least physically. Whatever the twins managed, they stabilized his body. But I could tell from the sadness and anger rumbling deep inside the great hound they'd been unable to restore the part of him which made Liam whole.
Still, I had to ask. “How is he, Galleytrot?” I looked up as he answered, eyes drawn to the door and the sound of murmured conversation as Mom waved off a pair of Enforcers in black robes before coming back inside on quiet feet. I gestured for her to join us.
“It is as you feared,” Galleytrot said. I heard Gram sigh in my head, her connection to me as strong as ever. “The Sidhe soul he once carried has been stripped from him.”
“How?” Surely the connection he had with his Sidhe was as strong as the one I had with Shaylee. Considering he'd been born that way and was now the Gatekeeper. I knew my princess ego would fight to the death before she'd let anyone strip her from me.
Shaylee's firm agreement was all the reassurance I needed I was right.
“The virus,” Galleytrot said. “It's weakened not only his body, but his mind, muddled his thoughts. Because of this, his Sidhe would have been equally as vulnerable.”
Ripe for the picking. “What's the Sidhe's name?” Now that I knew the soul was his own person, it seemed important information.
“Cian,” Galleytrot said. “The creator of the Gate.”
“Hang on,” I said. “I thought the maji made the gates.”
“The barrier between planes was created by the maji,” the hound said. “But the Gates were built by the Sidhe. Each Gate by one builder, whose soul is carried by the Gatekeepers.”
That's why all the O'Dane men look alike, Gram sent to us. They are literally the same person, thanks to Cian's influence and the pressure of the Gate.
“So when Ameline went over...” my heart clenched.
She still looked like Liam, Gram sent, finishing my sentence. Like Cian the builder.
“Will Liam survive if the soul is not returned?” Mom was being practical, I knew that, but it didn't keep my fury from forming a pulsing knot in my lower back.
“He may.” Galleytrot gently licked Liam's hand. “But I doubt it, Miriam. He was born to bear Cian's soul. And with all of the Gatekeepers of his line but him gone, at least from this plane, Liam is the only carrier here. Unlike Sydlynn,” he looked up to meet my eyes, “who is used to having Shaylee's full soul, Liam spent most of his life sharing it. When he took on his father's portion after he was killed, Liam grew stronger in the power of the Sidhe. And with Fergus's near death, forced to retreat to the Sidhe realm, he left a further portion behind for his grandson.”
“To which his body adapted.” Mom nodded. “And now that it's gone...”
“I'm certain Syd can tell you just how painful it can be to go without a part of herself.” I hugged the dog while Mom grimaced.
“I know the feeling myself,” she said as my mind flickered to Batsheva Moromond and Mom being stripped of the family magic. It felt like a century ago. “But we both survived.”
“Because you're witches,” Galleytrot said. “Your bodies are infused with magic, no matter what's taken or blocked from you. Liam's body is human without the magic of his Sidhe soul. It spent his entire life infusing him with its power. Now it's gone, his human form can't support itself any longer.”
“Like an addiction?” I tried to wrap my head around it.
“In a way. But worse, because it's not something from which he will recover. Every cell in his body will collapse eventually without the Sidhe magic to support him.”
“What about other magic?” Mom's voice was steady, but the hand stroking Liam's hair out of his face shook just a bit. “Can we shore up his physical form with earth power?”
Galleytrot shrugged, wet nose drooping as he bowed his head. “I've been trying,” he whispered. “Am I succeeding? I have no idea.”
“Okay,” I said, sitting back, crossing my arms over my chest in absolute refusal to accept any of this was going to stop me. “So as far as we know, Ameline has taken another soul against its will and crossed over to the Sidhe realm. But why?” I hated her so much in that moment I could barely speak. “What is she after this time?”
And why did she bother to warn me? Why did she want me to know—some sick sense of humor? Taunting me?
I'd have thought she'd learned her lesson on Demonicon. But she'd had a goal in mind when she lured me to my grandmother's dying side.
Did she have a further goal now?
Galleytrot grumbled a low growl, the distant sound of a thunderclap in his displeasure. “If I'm to understand correctly,” he said, “she is attempting to become maji. And to do that, she needs all the powers of the realms. Sidhe, demon, witch.”
“And a few more,” I said.
“She failed on Demonicon because she had stolen a soul.” Galleytrot pawed the hardwood floor, nails clicking over the varnish. “No demon would willingly give up their power, however. Correct?”
My demon roared her agreement. “Yeah, that's a safe bet,” I said.
“I'm afraid that's not the case for the Sidhe,” he said. “There are those souls still trapped in spirit form in the realm who would willingly join her just to exist again.”
“So all she really needed was to cross,” I said, my tension driving my right knee to jiggle at a rapid pace. “She can then dump Liam's stolen Sidhe soul and take on one more willing to help her out.” Lovely. Just. Freaking. Lovely.
Why didn't it feel quite right?
“It's not that simple,” Galleytrot said. “She would need permission from Her Majesty. As would the soul looking to be reborn.”
“But there's nothing to keep the Seelie Queen from saying yes, is there?” I heard Shaylee sigh in my mind.
My mother would do so if she knew it would cause mischief, my Sidhe princess agreed. But I think I see a flaw in Ameline's plan.
I opened my mind to Mom, Galleytrot and Gram, who remained oddly silent through the whole conversation. Go ahead, Shaylee, I sent. What is Ameline missing?
She
doesn't need just any soul. Shaylee paused and I could feel her consciousness working out what she wanted to say. You are my equal. As is your demon. And vampire. We all share your body. We aren't just guests.
That gave me the creeps for a minute, but I agreed. My demon had taken me over enough times back when I still rejected my magic I believed it. And Shaylee was a Sidhe princess after all. Considering the vampire inside me was the mother of all undead...
So you're saying Ameline can't just help herself to any Sidhe soul, I sent. She needs one that's her equal.
I believe so, Shaylee sent.
There aren't many, Galleytrot rumbled. As much as I hate to admit it, Ameline’s power, her witch magic, is probably as strong as Syd’s. Oh no he did not just say that. Which means to find an equal, she will need someone similar to Shaylee. The Queen, for example. Shaylee herself. Perhaps Thalion.
What about Cian? He was the creator of the Gate, after all. Why wasn’t he powerful enough for her?
Cian is a strong soul, Galleytrot sent. But there is a reason he was a Gate creator and not in the ruling class. His power was sufficient to create the Gate, now fed by all the magic of the Sidhe realm as it pours through the veil between planes. But that was the extent of his ability. And after so many years being diffused through O’Danes, having his own magic supplanted after the Gate’s creation by the magic of the realm, Cian just isn’t strong enough to be considered her equal.
But the other two you mentioned are still alive, Gram finally spoke up, voice a whip-crack of irritation. And if she kills them for their souls, it's not likely they'll go along willingly.
As much as Prince Thalion kind of pissed me off the last time we met, I didn't wish death on him. Or an eternity with Ameline for company. What about the Unseelie?
Galleytrot's mental snarl was punctuated with the sound of a rockslide. Yes, he sent. Possible. There are a few Unseelie souls lurking who might fit the job.
And Liam's soul? I hugged myself as I stared down at my friend. He never mentioned Cian talked to him, if he even did.
Made me wonder if there was communication between the two and Liam never mentioned it, what else had he kept from me?
If she finds one strong enough, Galleytrot sent, she can merely dump Cian and leave him behind.
Stranding Liam on our side of the Gate without his Sidhe soul.
I love him, Syd, Galleytrot sent. But Liam's loss is bigger than how we feel. Without him, the Gate is unprotected.
Which meant we were right back to where we started with the whole Gatekeeper problem. And I was left with a single solution.
Bracing myself for the fight I knew was coming, I touched all of their minds with as much conviction and confidence as I could muster.
There's no other choice, I sent. I have to go after her.
***
Chapter Fifteen
The landslide of objections I was expecting didn't come. Not that Mom and Gram didn't try.
Absolutely not, young lady.
You've lost your fool mind, girl.
I loved them so much. Predictable. But neither sounded convinced by their own denial.
We can't let the Gate go unprotected, I sent, aiming for cool and logical, knowing that would win Mom over. Liam is absolutely necessary and we all know it.
My mother hesitated, but Gram barreled through anyway. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, she snapped. The Sidhe realm isn't some walk in the park.
I realize that, I sent back, but she wasn't done.
No, she shot at me, words arrows of anger. You don't. You've only had a taste of what waits on the other side. There's nothing real there. Nothing. It's all illusion built on lies and deceit, all for the Queen's pleasure. Wow, Gram wasn't fooling around. The more she talked, the pissier she got. Aoilainn ap Danaan might be Shaylee's mother, but she only has her own interests at heart.
Shaylee didn't argue. Not a good sign.
So what do you suggest we do, Gram? I hated to throw it back at her, but I was done sitting around and not getting involved. Trouble or no trouble, Liam was my friend and Ameline the biggest menace since the Brotherhood.
Ameline, a maji? Shudder.
Gram's pause told me volumes. This is the stupidest idea I've ever heard, she finally snapped.
Nice to hear I have your confidence, I sent, words sarcastic, but mental tone gentle. If there was another way, Gram, I'd be the first one to take it.
Liar. She grumbled another moment. You can't go alone.
Agreed. Mom's hand reached for mine.
She won't be, Shaylee sent just as Galleytrot hummed low in his chest.
Neither of them will be, he sent.
There, see? Bright and sparkly wasn't cutting it, but I'd committed now and couldn't stop, no matter how lame. I have a Sidhe princess and a hound of the Wild Hunt beside me. What could go wrong?
Gram snorted a laugh without humor in it. This is a disaster.
It is. Galleytrot leaned against me. I'm sorry, Syd. But Ethpeal is correct. This will end badly.
Way to make me feel better. Here's the plan, I sent. We go to the Gate and call Thalion. The idea of seeing him again made Shaylee feel sad. I guess I understood since he was in love with her while she still pined for her sleeping love, Gwynn ap Nudd, buried with the Wild Hunt under my backyard. I wasn't sure how I felt about her loving a guy who sent her to her death, but it was her heart, not mine, and who was I to judge? We tell him about Ameline and ask him to warn the Queen. I knew things would go further than that, but if I convinced Mom and Gram, I could at least act when I had to without too much guilt.
And if he turns you down? Way to ruin my plan, Gram.
Then we have to cross, I sent, firm and decisive. There is no other alternative.
You're forgetting Fergus O'Dane, Gram sent. If Ameline does release Cian, he won't be homeless. He’d return to the one person in the Sidhe realm with whom he has a connection.
That made me feel a little better. So we contact Fergus too, I sent. And hope he had a way to help beyond moral support.
I think you give Ameline too much credit, my vampire spoke up. When has she ever willingly released power unless it meant her own survival?
You think she'll keep Cian even while she takes on another soul? Was that even possible?
Um, Syd? Count your egos, sister.
Right.
I'm sending an Enforcer with you. Mom released my hand.
You can't, I sent back. Mom, a witch Enforcer will be vulnerable in the Sidhe realm without a soul. Not blood, as I’d been taught but now knew to be false. Wow, I actually listened in class, even if it was the wrong information.
Wicked.
Someone strong in earth magic should be all right for a short time, Galleytrot sent. And having a warrior with us might make Aoilainn pay attention. There are certain games she enjoys when others approach her, and sending a suitable party to satisfy her sense of arrogance could mean the difference between her receiving us or our summary expulsion.
He turned and chuffed at Charlotte who cocked her head to one side, eyes meeting his. After a short, private moment, she bobbed her head.
Charlotte will come too, Galleytrot sent. She will be the second hound. Which gives us a princess, a knight and two hounds. But we could still use an elder.
You leave that to me. Gram's magic rippled toward me. I'll meet you at the Gate.
Mother. Mom's panic was as real as mine. You can't both go. You'll be leaving the coven open and at risk.
There are no promises any of us will return if we are forced to cross, Galleytrot sent. Ethpeal, we should use another.
To hell with you all, Gram snarled. I was an Enforcer. And I've had direct dealings with Her Royal Pain In The Assness. So I'm going. No more arguments.
Mom, I reached for her, my turn to take her hand. I want Quaid. No question.
He's not fully trained. I felt her fret, but knew she agreed with me. And yet.
He knows me. And I know h
im. Intimately. Blushing. Our power fits seamlessly together. Another Enforcer would just get in my way.
Mom nodded quickly, eyes going distant as she left us a moment to send a mental command. I turned to Galleytrot who laid his great head on the bed, eyes blinking slowly as he stared at silent Liam.
“How much damage is being done and how quickly?” I took Liam's cold hand in mine, feeling how thin his skin had become, how shrunken his form.
“I don't know,” Galleytrot groaned. “There is no way of knowing.” His big head lifted as he licked his chops. “While I know this is secondary to saving him, we need to find Sonja. And Venner.”
I met Mom's eyes as she returned to the conversation. Her jaw clamped tight, gaze narrowing, but I knew her anger wasn't aimed at me this time.
“Lord Venemeth has outstayed his welcome,” Mom said. “I've already triggered the watching Enforcers to tighten the leash.”
Magic whooshed in the air, two black-robed figures appearing in the middle of the room with barely enough space to spare. I looked up, met Quaid's eyes, felt his power slide around me even as Pender Tremere, the tall, lean leader of the Enforcer Order, scowled at Mom.
“You can't be serious,” he said. “Miriam, Quaid might be my best trainee, but he's not ready for a solo mission.”
I stood and reached for Quaid's hand, feeling all of my magic respond to him as our energy met before opening up to Pender to let him feel us together. The man's eyes widened before his shoulders sagged.
“Sir,” Quaid said. “Permission to take the assignment.”
Pender nodded slowly. “I had no idea you two were bound,” he said. “Granted.”
Hmmm. What?
I didn't get to ask what Pender meant. Nor did I care at the moment. Likely it had something to do with the stupid promise Mom made Batsheva when Quaid and I were babies, betrothing us to each other.
Yeah. That turned out well.
No time for regrets in the love department. I motioned for the twins to join us and turned to Liam. “Please do what you can,” I said. “He needs as much earth support as possible.”