by Patti Larsen
The very full chamber.
***
Chapter Thirty Three
Mom spun on the other side, eyes wide, waving at me with urgency while a crowd of Enforcers flanked her. Three familiar old faces, pinched in fury, stared at me through the wavering bubble. The board of governors had come, probably looking for Venner. Though, as far as I was concerned, he wasn’t their problem anymore. If he ever was at all.
Damned witch politics.
Looked like it was frying pan to fire time.
Bring it.
I couldn't hear Mom through the barrier, probably Thalion's doing. Or the fact she didn't have Sidhe blood.
Not that I did anymore either.
“Thank you.” I turned to Thalion. “Hopefully we're not too late.” Please. Please, let us not be too late.
He bowed his head to me and backed away. I caught Gram hugging Fergus out of the corner of my eye and a spark of curiosity bloomed. I'd have to ask her about the little smile they shared as she let him go.
Later. When Shaylee was safe and Ameline was dead.
I plunged my hands into the barrier, but felt myself repelled. “I can't get through.” Panic rose while my demon howled her frustration.
Gram grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “Silly girl,” she said. “Like this.” Her Sidhe soul parted the veil while Thalion gasped. Gram looked over her shoulder at him with a wicked smile.
“Don't try to trick my granddaughter again,” she said. If you had managed to break the seal, he could have kept your own soul here.
The bastard. I almost aimed a kick at him, but chose to ignore him instead. So much for trusting me.
“Forgive me,” he said, real sorrow on his face. “You’re all I have left of her, despite your human form.”
He’d be getting a piece of me, all right. Just not the one he wanted. My foot, his butt.
Look out.
Shaylee's touch vanished when Gram parted the veil, pulling me back to what was really important.
She's gone. No panic this time. Good work, Syd.
Gram shrugged. The touch was residual at best, she sent. We know where Ameline went, at least. And will have an easier time tracking her on the other side without the glamour to distract us.
Shaylee.
And the other two souls Ameline carries. Gram snorted. That girl is nothing if not predictable when it comes to power. You think she's given up Liam or Bronagh? Not likely. I'm betting she hasn't made it far and probably has a bit of a battle on her hands now that the three of them are inside her.
I hadn't thought of that. But it made me feel heaps better.
Mom beckoned again and this time I didn't hesitate. The soap-bubble feeling of the veil sucked at me before I popped through on the other side, staggering into my mother who caught me as I stumbled over the stone floor. The air felt different, heavier, thicker, the glamoured perfection of the Seelie kingdom fading to memory.
Quaid came through after me, Charlotte at his side. She shuddered as she returned to human shape, shaking as if she was still a wolf before crossing to stand behind me. Whatever transformation happened between there and here, her hair, once dyed black, was blonde again.
Weird.
Quaid paused next to me, drawing me against him, hugging me close. I breathed in his scent, let his magic surround me a moment before pulling away.
“Thanks for the help,” I said.
“I just wish it ended better.” He turned to Pender who hovered behind Mom. “Ready to report, sir.”
I watched Quaid go, the warm feeling he left me with fading as I thought of Shaylee. The gaping hole inside was closing over, filling in with my other magicks, but I knew it would never heal, not completely.
Not without her.
Before I could open my mouth to deliver my own update, Gertrude Santos shouldered Mom aside, tiny body quivering, wrinkled face pruned in anger.
“What have you done with our prisoner?” Like she’d arrested him personally or something. Or even wanted to admit when I’d told them first Venner wasn’t to be trusted.
Sigh.
“He’s with his king,” I said. “The Unseelie ruler. Big guy. Super scary. I’d be having kittens if I was Venner.” When had I learned to lie with so much sarcasm?
The news took the woman aback, one hand pressing to her creased bosom, lips forming a puckered “O” of horror. “You terrible, terrible child,” she said.
“Terrible,” Elegance Faster agreed, thin body towering over even the Enforcers. She made me think of the Sidhe and the Unseelie all over again.
Sad, but she’d probably fit in, no problem.
Periwinkle Rhodes bounced her round self between Mom and Gertrude, a bright pink, monogramed handkerchief waving in front of her nose, tiny glasses sliding to perch near the round ball end. “What have you done?”
Well, Mom warned me. Didn’t she?
Gertrude turned and snapped her fingers at an Enforcer hovering behind Mom. “Arrest this miserable child,” she growled in her gravel voice while the other two bobbed their heads.
Mom’s face had settled into a stone mask. Which meant she was about to explode.
I had to salvage this somehow.
“Coven Leader,” I said with a push of power behind it. That made them stare. Good.
Time to use the rules to our advantage, Gram sent with an evil chuckle. Finally.
She was so right. “Since he is Sidhe,” I said, almost casually, “and attacked a Sidhe Gatekeeper, this is really none of your business.”
I wished I had a camera. Video, preferably. Just to catch all the spluttering.
“But his association with that terror, Ameline Benoit!” Gertrude turned to her friends, clearing seeking support.
“Actually,” I said in my best Mom tone while my mother’s cheeks turned very pink, lips twitching from holding in what was obviously a sudden turn from anger to laughter, “as it turns out, it was only Hortense Spaft who had dealings with Ameline. And so, Venner’s crimes were against the Sidhe alone. And the Sidhe are dealing with him.”
Pender joined us, planting himself at Mom’s side. And from the stern look on his face, he’d heard enough.
“Ladies,” he said, “while the Enforcer order and the High Council appreciate your commitment to the safety of all witches, you are severely outside your jurisdiction.”
More huffing. Until Elegance jabbed one of her long, skinny fingers at me. “She is a student at Coven Hall,” she said with a smug smile. “That makes this a situation of interest.”
“As is the Sidhe boy,” Gertrude pounced on her friend’s reasoning.
Were they really serious?
Mom’s magic crackled at last, sending them scurrying back.
“As your Council Leader,” she said in that quiet tone I knew not to push against when it was aimed at me unless I wanted a nuclear argument, “I’m siding with our Enforcer order. Ladies, return to your duties. At once.”
Not even they were willing to go up against Mom head-on, I guessed, because they huffed and they puffed and they gathered themselves up before turning for the exit.
But not before Gertrude fixed me with her baleful stare.
“We’re watching you, miss,” she said. “See you back at school, dear.”
Shudder.
Mom’s mind touched mine as they left. Very quick thinking, she sent. But such excuses will only hold up for so long, Syd.
I know. I shrugged. What did you want me to do?
Are you done badgering the girl, or are you going to hear what happened? Gram’s mind reached through me to Mom’s from across the barrier where she still stood with Fergus.
Mom’s eyes widened when she turned to look at her mother. But she stayed quiet, so I dove in.
It took about two minutes to dump everything on Mom. I watched Galleytrot cross next while I spoke, the big dog shared a hugging goodbye from Fergus. I knew Mom listened, but grinned at the shock on her face as Gram, the young and beautiful version of
her, kissed Fergus soundly before turning and sliding through the veil. It was so weird, not just watching her—me, in a way—kiss someone—Liam, really—but even more so when she emerged on our side. For the barest heartbeat, she remained as she had been, young and stunningly Sidhe before the real world resumed control and her old, familiar face with its halo of white hair and florescent-laced tennis shoes reappeared.
Gram grinned at me before turning to blow Fergus a kiss. He returned the gesture with a beaming smile that reminded me of Liam.
Another ache to heal.
Thalion stared at me as the Gate swung shut, eyes never leaving mine until the doorway closed and he and Fergus were gone.
Mom listened as I finished telling her what happened, fidgeting slightly from time to time as though wanting to ask questions, but not interrupting. When I finally wound down, she gestured to the Enforcers surrounding her.
“Fine Ameline Benoit,” she snapped. “She made it past us somehow and I want to know how.”
“It's possible she left here before you arrived.” Gram sighed and looked down at her wrinkled hands. “Sucks getting old,” she said. “Don't ever do it if you can help it.”
“Not something I have to worry about,” I said. Paused. Maybe I did, now.
Gram fixed me with a glare before pinching my cheek, as if knowing where my mind went. “We'll find them both,” she said. “Let's get cracking.”
Mom's hand on my shoulder stopped me before I could follow. “I've stretched this as far as I can,” she said, pain on her face, in her voice. “In Syd’s own words to the board of governors, this is Sidhe business. And Syd is no longer Sidhe.”
Gram growled. “Sophistry,” she snapped. “Is Liam still dying or isn't he? Is the world still at risk because of Ameline or not? Don't be a fool, Miriam. This has to end, and Syd is the only one who can draw Shaylee out of Ameline when we find her.”
“Then, when we find her,” Mom said, “Syd will be summoned.”
Summoned. Yeah, like that was going to happen.
“Don't get in my way, Mom,” I said, pulling my arm free. “If the Council wants to bitch about interference, let them. If they want to arrest me for it, fine. But I'm getting Shaylee back. And I'm taking Ameline down. With or without your help.”
Mom hesitated. Slumped. “Oh, Syd,” she whispered. “If only they understood how valuable you are to them. What your courage could mean for all of us.” She hugged me quickly. “Liam is here. We had to take the risk and move him. I hoped the Gate's proximity would help, but he's weaker than ever.”
I left her, pushing my way through the crowd of Enforcers, stopping at Liam's bedroom door.
He lay under the spreading canopy of leaves, pale and still, the twin Kennecott’s still beside him. And Sashenka, holding his hand. A stab of jealousy broke through only to die away when Shenka looked up and met my eyes.
“Syd!” She left his side, coming to hug me. “You're all right.” She hesitated, her magic touching mine before one hand covered her mouth, tears welling. “Shaylee?”
“Long story.” I crossed to Liam, sat where she had sat, knowing I had to go, that I didn't have time for this, but unable to just leave him without a moment to check in.
“He has stabilized,” Lula said without prompting. “The cavern knows him, welcomes him. But that is all.”
Sidhe magic. Time was different in the realm, wasn't it? Maybe that was true here, as well. If so, it might be slowing the progress of his degeneration.
To my shock, Liam's eyes fluttered open and met mine. I never expected him to wake and, from the surprised look on the twin's faces, they hadn't either.
“Syd.” He coughed softly, tried again. “Where did you go?”
Tears trickled down my cheeks as the hopelessness and frustration finally won their way out of me. “I'm sorry,” I whispered, choking around my tears. “I'm trying to save you.”
He smiled, a sweet, crooked smile. “Silly,” he said. “You already have. Do you know how much I love you, Syd?”
My heart clenched as I reached for his hands, gripped them in mine. No magical connection linked us and yet I felt him still. In my heart. Part of me always worried the only reason I felt attracted to him and he to me was because of our shared magic. And while not a bad basis for love, there was no promise such a tie would last past the fire of that power's passion.
But as I sat there, his thin hands in mine, his fading life still loving me, the last of my resistance burst and my heart bloomed open.
“I love you, too.” I did, oh, I did, so very much. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his forehead, his cheek, his lips. All my worry and fear for him, my terror for the loss of Shaylee, my hatred for Ameline and Aoilainn, faded in the light of his love. And mine.
He answered with the barest movement, but he answered.
“I'm sorry we don't have time,” he breathed in my ear. “But if I have to die, it's happy, knowing you love me.”
He had to go and shatter my heart all over again, didn't he?
Not this loss. Not now.
“Don't give up on me,” I said. “Or yourself. Hear me, O'Dane? This isn't over yet.”
Liam nodded ever so slightly before a racking cough tore out of his throat. The twins' magic dove on him, smothering the cough, putting him back to sleep.
“He doesn't have much time,” Lula whispered. “If you're going to return his soul, you have to hurry.”
I leaned away from him with a firm nod, swiping at the tears on my face. Turned to stand, to leave him, as hard as that was, harder than I thought it would be. Looked up.
Into Quaid's sad eyes.
He'd seen it. All of it. Heard it too, no question.
I need your help. It wasn't fair of me to ask.
But Quaid didn't hesitate, offering his hand. No matter what we feel for each other, Syd, no matter what's to come, I told you I'm always here for you. And I am. Even when I screw up so badly I lose the only thing that ever really mattered to me.
I took his offered support, let my magic reach for his. Let's find Ameline.
***
Chapter Thirty Four
Why does it always seem to be what goes around comes back again? I left the confines of the Sidhe wards, with Gram's help, stepping out into the cool, musty air of the basement hallway. And reached for the veil while my demon sniffed out Shaylee.
She was surprisingly easy to find. Just like Gram said. And it was all because of greed. The veil parted and welcomed me, Quaid and Charlotte beside me, Galleytrot at our backs, sliding the short distance through the flexible membrane toward our target.
I leaped from the edge of the veil when it opened, power surging, rage rising as never before, almost consuming me as I prepared to confront Ameline.
She wasn't there. But the trace of her was. Outside the gaping hole of a cavern I knew well, that I'd once thought would be my death at the hands of Cesard and my vampire essence, tied to the demon trapped there. And once to save Sebastian and, through him, my mother when she stood trial.
So like Ameline to try to hide. I stomped my way past the reopened entry, past the stone Sebastian and I reset before leaving last time. I had Ameline cornered in a cavern where elemental magic was worthless.
Where Sidhe earth magic was worthless.
What was she doing?
I hate this place. Quaid shuddered as we traveled the dark, musty tunnel to the main cavern. I remembered. We'd been here once before, and almost died. He'd tried to protect me when my magic was blocked, my demon power held back by the wards, which kept the demon lord Torsh from escaping.
Me too, I sent. Keep your eyes open.
Maybe she chose this place because she thought it might unnerve me.
Not by a long shot. I still had a demon and a vampire to back me up. A wereguard and a hound of the Wild Hunt. And a very protective Enforcer who, powerless thanks to the element blocking wards or not, would be there when I needed him.
Ameline better watch the hell o
ut.
I fumbled my way along in the perma light as my demon adjusted my vision, the large cavern looming ahead. She was ready for anything, as was my vampire, tense and crackling with magic.
Anything but what we found.
Ameline had fallen to her knees in the center of the cavern at some point, but didn't make it back to her feet. She clutched at her stomach while her body rippled with green fire. Expecting a trick, I threw up a wall of demon magic as a shield while I let my vampire sniff her out.
Ameline looked up, eyes flaring green, face contorting as her features twisted from face to face to face.
Liam.
Bronagh.
Shaylee.
They fought her, all of them, twining together, driving her to gag and moan, tipping her over onto her side, blood leaking from her nose.
Caught by her own greed. Just like Gram said.
Perfect.
Quaid eased forward, looking around as he did. I hadn't considered she might have backup. Silly of me, really. She hadn't hesitated to use others in the past. But no, she was alone.
Just her and three very angry Sidhe souls.
“Let them go, Ameline.” I crossed to her slowly, standing over her, my shields firmly in place just in case it was some kind of trick. That I would never put past her.
She shuddered, let out a whimper. “No, I need them.” She writhed on the stone floor, reaching for my foot, crying out when her hand hit my shield and was repelled with amber fire. “Help me!”
I laughed. Out loud. Doubled over from it. Choked on it.
“You've got to be kidding me.” The urge to slam her into the ground with as much power as I could muster was so strong it was only my vampire's firm hold on me that kept me from turning Ameline into a multi-colored smear on the ground. “You are really. Freaking. Kidding. Me.”
She sobbed once, rolled over, rocking as she clutched herself, more blood leaking from her nose, from her right eye, sliding from her ear to pool on the ground.