Unseelie Ties

by Patti Larsen

  “All of this.” My power bunched, ready to slice and dice. “Liam, Venner, all of it. Just to steal Shaylee from me.”

  “She would never leave on her own,” Ameline whispered. Coughed. “I had no choice.” She shuddered then, moaning before falling still. “You must help me,” she said. “I'm dying.” “Good,” I said, absolutely without sympathy. “Hurry up and get it over with. I have stuff to do.”

  Ameline's lip curled. “You fool,” she groaned. “Don’t you understand who we are to each other? We will be allies in the fight to come.”

  “Never.” I poked her with the toe of my sneaker. “Are you not done dying yet? Really, you can't do anything right.”

  Ameline coughed, spraying blood against my shield. The droplets burned up without touching me. I shuddered. So. Gross.

  “You should have learned your lesson with Todd.” The demon boy whose soul she stole the last time she tried this ridiculousness hadn't wanted her to control him, either.

  “I had to try.” She choked on more blood, spitting it up. “I need them to be maji. You know that. All must be equal, in balance, or the transformation can’t be completed.” News to me. Nice of Iepa, my maji connection, to share that bit of info, though I figured she hadn’t had to bother. What Ameline fought for, tooth and nail, had come naturally to me.

  If what Ameline said was even true.

  Something to be said for this fate stuff, I guess.

  Ameline’s eyes narrowed, and even in her pain her vindictive spirit showed. “You're not maji anymore either, are you?”

  Before I could respond, Shaylee's face took over, her fury rippling over Ameline's body while the tortured girl screamed.

  “Syd.” Quaid's low voice caught my attention. “We need to take her into custody now.”

  “No,” I said. “We need to wait. Just a few more minutes.” I looked down at the dying girl. “That should do it, right, Ameline?”

  Syd. Quaid's mental voice wouldn't let me ignore him. Listen to me. You've never killed anyone. Or let them die. It's a huge thing. You have to trust me on that.

  Like I cared. Back off, Quaid.

  I won't. His mental voice was weak, but he clung to me anyway, despite his muted power. You're not this person, Syd. Let her go to trial. Let them burn her at the stake for her crimes. There is a more important job for you to do right now.

  Liam. He was right. And yet... just a few more minutes and I'd never have to worry about Ameline again.

  Fine. I pulled away from Quaid. But I'm taking the others before you bring her in.

  Agreed. Quaid joined me while Charlotte hovered.

  I reached for Shaylee, my demon and my vampire calling to her, the echo of the family magic reaching out. And she came, in a surge of power, flooding me, linking with me, sobbing her joy, pouring into me so fast I rocked on my heels and hand to clutch at Quaid to stay upright.

  Ameline gasped, a moment of relief turning to more agony as the other two souls, clearly understanding their release was nigh, redoubled their efforts.

  Syd, Syd, Syd, Syd! Shaylee hugged me, clasped me close, her power filling the empty space as I sobbed and welcomed her home, my other magicks doing the same. It was as if she'd never left, her earth magic flooding me with power, not dampened by the elemental controls of the cavern.

  I am Sidhe, she sent. These wards can't contain me.

  Ameline's mistake. She must have thought the cavern would give her the breathing room to figure out what to do.

  I loved it when a bad guy's plan went to hell in a hand basket.

  I turned to Galleytrot, my hope, at last, alive and well. “Go tell Mom we found her,” I said. “To send Enforcers. We're bringing Liam's soul back.”

  Galleytrot chuffed and spun, racing off without a moment of hesitation.

  I turned back, refocused on Ameline and her struggles. We can't hold the others, Shaylee sent when I tried to reach for Liam. But there are two here who can carry them if they are willing?

  I glanced sideways at Quaid. Shaylee says you'll have to carry one of the souls. And Charlotte the other. Can you handle that?

  He nodded, gritting his teeth. You're going to give me Liam's aren't you?

  I almost laughed. Almost. It's either that or a girl.

  He grunted. Give me fairy boy, he sent. And hurry up about it.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Five

  I resealed the entrance to the cave again before turning to watch the six Enforcers, led by leader Pender Tremere himself, bundle up the still weak and hurting Ameline in their grasp and whisk her off to prison.

  It wasn't until they finally disappeared, the witch girl firmly wrapped in Enforcer magic, her eyes never leaving mine with that old, cold smile on her face, that I actually let out the breath I'd been holding.

  So sure something would go wrong. Any second now.

  But I had other things to think about. Charlotte shuddered a few times, her wolf emerging in her eyes as she struggled to settle the Sidhe soul inside her. While Bronagh's spirit had gone to the weregirl willingly, it was clear the two weren't really happy with the situation.

  Quaid simply stared at me, in a bit of a daze, though when I reached for his hand, his magic slid over my skin, love tied to Liam's.

  Freaky weird.

  I tore open the veil and pulled them along with me, slipping through the welcoming edge of the barrier, feeling my demon grandmother's soul, trapped in the Node, whisper welcome. She and I hadn't been the best of buddies or anything and as much as I wished she was still alive so Dad didn't have to be Ruler of Demonicon, I kind of liked her better now.

  Death became her. Tragic, yeah?

  The Gate wards parted easily for me as I crossed from the library basement and into the cavern. Usually, I worried a little Liam or I might catch trouble from the maintenance guy who kept town hall and the old archive going, and that was just two of us. Adding Charlotte, Galleytrot and a whole heap of Enforcers, not to mention the healer twins, Mom, and Gram meant a big chunk of magic went toward keeping the normals who worked here out of the know.

  Not that it was hard, to be honest. All these years living with the Gate and its subtle pressure to ignore anything unusual did part of the job for us. Still, Mom had her hands full.

  Not my problem. I steered Quaid into Liam's room and to his side while Mom and Gram rushed forward from the Gate where they talked with a group of Enforcers. The twins looked up, hope on their faces as Quaid sat down next to the young Gatekeeper and took his hand. Awkwardly. With a grimace.

  “Now what?” He looked up, chocolate eyes meeting mine.

  Shaylee had the answer. She embraced Quaid with her energy, reached for Liam, already eager to go, and created a bridge between the two. Liam's lost soul, the Seelie Cian, gushed from Quaid in a torrential river of green magic, slamming into Liam’s wasted body so hard my Sidhe friend gasped. Sighed. Opened his eyes.

  Smiled up at me as his face filled out, skin flushing with color, the spark of green back in his hazel eyes. His power, that of the soul he carried, reached out for me and hugged me close.

  Thank you, my love, he whispered.

  Teary, me? Naw.

  Quaid left me there and, though I wanted to follow him, talk to him, make things right between us after the choice I’d made, Liam took priority. I'd chosen him, hadn't I? And I needed to be sure he was going to be okay.

  In a few short minutes he looked so much better I thought he might try to get up.

  “Not just yet,” Phon laughed. Lula stroked Liam’s forehead, making his eyes droop.

  His mind, still solidly connected with mine, fought sleep. I felt his love for you, Liam sent. While he carried Cian. Syd, are you sure?

  I bent and kissed his lips, sparks of Sidhe fire passing between us. Liam breathed me in, hands strong again gripping my face as he opened his heart completely and welcomed me inside.

  Silly question.

  He fell asleep with a smile on his lips.

  I'd cel
ebrate later. One last task to complete first. And it weighed on me yet.

  Mom hugged me, Gram too, both silent as I passed through the door and headed for the Gate. A touch and a call to it sent flashes of green fire along the edges. It swung open, almost happily, as though welcoming so much activity, probably the most it had seen since it was created. I stood there, a firm hold on my heart as the door gaped wide.

  Thalion stood waiting in the same spot I'd left him, as if rooted in that place. And beside him, her face a composed mask, was Aoilainn. Shaylee hissed softly at the sight of her mother while Charlotte twitched once.

  This is your chance. I spoke directly to the Sidhe princess inside me. You could have your life back, if limited. Though I'm sure there's a way to make your new body stronger.

  Sydlynn, she sent, hugging me, drawing all of my magicks to her. This is where I belong.

  “Mother,” Shaylee spoke up. “Thalion. I understand Sydlynn promised to give me a chance at my freedom. To return to you. If I so chose.”

  Neither spoke. Shaylee's magic cracked like a whip, sending a flare over the barrier between planes.

  “I will never leave her,” Shaylee said, voice vibrating with power. “We have a job to do together, a greater destiny. And I will not fail her or the fate in store because of some selfish queen and her need to control her daughter.” She met Thalion's eyes. “Or a spoiled prince who pouts over being denied.”

  Careful, I sent to her, wincing a little. We might need them eventually.

  No, Shaylee sent. They will need us.

  Okay then.

  Aoilainn turned and left without a word, passing from view in a moment. But Thalion lingered, his magic touching the barrier, reaching for us. Charlotte stepped forward, one hand touching the surface of the bubble. With a soft growl from her and a musical sigh from the Sidhe soul she carried, Bronagh oozed out of the weregirl and slid through the veil. She formed for a moment on the other side, a thin column of green before flashing into intense light and vanishing.

  “We will care for her,” Thalion said. “And, if she chooses, find a host on your plane to whom she can be reborn.”

  I hadn’t known the real Bronagh, but Shaylee’s contentment with his words was enough for me.

  “She might not see it,” Thalion said as he stepped back from the veil, “but I understand. I will watch, and continue to confer with Odhran and Niamh of the Unseelie. And I will be waiting when you call for me.”

  With that, Thalion bowed his head, flowing silver hair falling forward to mask his face as the Gate sighed and groaned and finally closed.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Six

  I didn't go back to Harvard right away. The Kennecott twins wanted to watch over Liam in the cavern for a few days. And I needed to stay near him.

  When I finally went home to my house, collapsed on my own bed, the quiet night outside soothing me close to sleep, I was thankful for the break. Shenka returned to school, promising to catch me up on work if it killed her. I wasn't worried, not really.

  If I failed Elemental Interactions, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

  Snort.

  When I felt him in the back yard, tears welled in my eyes, but my body was already moving, carrying me down the stairs and to the door. I sat next to him in the chill September night, my hip tucked against his on the bench, so familiar, this meeting place, it almost felt like it would never end.

  But everything ends. Everything. Eventually.

  Quaid slid his arm around my shoulders and I settled against him, though without romantic intent. Just a comfortable, calm and soothing moment, two friends supporting each other. Sharing the stillness without needing a thing.

  Until he spoke.

  “I felt his love for you.” His deep voice rumbled from his chest, leather jacket creaking as he shifted just a fraction. I turned to look up at him, to feel the warmth of his breath on my face as he met my eyes.

  “He said the same thing.” I touched the stubble on Quaid's cheek with my fingertips, the chase of magic racing through me and to my toes. My demon hummed her discontent, but sadly pulled back as I let my hand drop.

  Quaid nodded, jaw working.

  “Thank you,” I said. “For being there for me. When I really needed you.”

  He shrugged. “I seemed to be more of a hindrance than a help,” he said.

  “Not this time. You have no idea.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “It means a lot to me, Quaid. To know I'm not alone.”

  My magicks hugged me gently. Never alone.

  “You know I love you,” he said. “And every day I struggle with the choice I made.”

  “I know,” I whispered. “But Quaid, no matter how much we want to hold on to each other, there's comes a time when we have to admit it's done.” I couldn't believe I said it. That I was so calm about it. Would probably sob my heart out later. But, for now, I meant every word.

  And he knew it, from the way his magic retreated from me, his body tensing. He didn't pull away physically, still cradling me against him, but the last of the magic that held us together was broken.

  “What I felt in him... he really loves you.” He sounded like he just admitted that truth to himself. “And he'll take good care of you. So I don't have to worry.”

  I laughed. “Like I need someone to take care of me.”

  Quaid kissed my temple. “Syd,” he said. “Someone has to.”

  “All I ever wanted was for you to be there,” I said. “And you were, this time. But I need someone who always will be.”

  Quaid stood, pulled me up beside him, hugged me to his broad chest while his heart beat against mine before letting me go for the last time and stepping away.

  “Be happy, Sydlynn Hayle,” he said.

  I sat there a long time after he was gone, trying to decide if the ache in my chest was real or just regret.

  Regardless, Quaid and I, after all we'd been through, were finally done.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  School. Wow. My dorm room felt like an alien planet. But Shenka's smiling face and an eager hug greeted me when I finally returned, so that made all the difference.

  She immediately began to grill me, dragging me down to sit on her bed beside her. “How's Liam?”

  “He's completely fine,” I said, tucking one leg under me. “The healers said he's made a full recovery.” And from what I could tell, from what Shaylee felt, that was true. I still worried, especially now I'd decided I was going to throw caution to the wind when it came to him.

  When, I still hadn't settled on. I wanted to make sure he was back and life was even a little normal before trying the relationship thing.

  Shenka smiled and squeezed my hand. “I'm so happy for you two,” she said. “You know Tippy's going to be all kinds of jealous?”

  Let her. “Oh well,” I said. “She's got lots of prospects.”

  Shenka laughed. “Tell me about it.”

  “Thank you, by the way.” I hugged her impulsively. Her scent always reminded me of her home in California and the ocean. “For taking care of Liam.”

  She leaned back with a big smile, white teeth flashing against her lovely dark skin. “What's a second for?”

  Okay, that floored me. “Seriously?”

  She nodded, fast and jerky. “If you still want me?”

  I didn't get to shriek and hug her again in excitement. Not because I didn't want to, but because the door to our room was knocked upon quite firmly, twice, before it swung open to bang with some force against the far wall.

  I stood, my magic surging around me in protective mode, Shaylee snarling. She'd acquired a certain level of bravery since I'd reabsorbed her into myself and her reaction made me proud.

  Not that my pride would do much against the shaking and clearly angry Tallah Hensley who stood just over the threshold, glaring at me. A flicker of motion over her shoulder drew my eyes, Mom nodding slowly to me as I turned my attention back to the leader of
the Hensley coven.

  Shenka's sister ground her jaw a moment before she spoke. “I understand you're trying to poach my second, Coven Leader Hayle.”

  That was hardly fair. “Your second volunteered,” I said, going cold. I liked Tallah, but no way was she pushing me around.

  Tallah's eyes narrowed as she turned to Shenka. I glanced at my friend, saw how pale she'd gone, an ashen tone to her dark skin. But Sashenka held her ground under the pressure of her sister's magic.

  More pride. Hell yeah.

  “Is that true?”

  I wanted to protest. No coven leader should use their magic to coerce one of their family to stay. Mom's quick headshake told me to stay out of it.

  Trust her, Gram sent in a thin thread. Of course she was paying attention. Nosy old—

  At least one of us is, she grunted. Watch.

  Shenka's shoulders went back, unbowed, her chin rising. “It is, Coven Leader Hensley,” she said. “I've considered for quite some time it's not a good idea for me to be your second. That you, and our coven, need someone you can lean on, consider an ally. Not a little sister who you think needs protecting.” She turned to me. “I approached Syd about being her second. Not the other way around. I have you to thank for the skills I've learned.” Her tone softened as her magic reached back for Tallah. “I am an excellent second. But I can't do my job effectively if I'm always considered to be someone you can't take seriously.”

  Tallah's face crumbled, her magic retreating. “I don't do that, do I?”

  Shenka's smile was impish. “Sometimes. Tal, I need to fly. And so do you, sis.”

  What was I doing? I'd struggled with this before. Tallah was my friend, Shenka, too. How could I break up their family? But the quiet moment the sisters spent, finally smiling at each other, their magic now warm and kindly, told me Shenka had done what she felt was right.

  As long as it didn't mean hard feelings between Tallah and I. But if it did? So be it.

  Tallah glanced at me, her smile fading. “Take care of her,” she said. “Or else.”