Full Circle

by Patti Larsen

  “Vampires and demons have something in common,” I said. “Blood magic.” It made my stomach turn just to think about it, thanks to the centuries-old geas placed on all witches by the church who desperately wanted to control and destroy us. “The connection might be enough. If I can't help Sebastian integrate, Dad might be able to use blood magic on his plane to pull the virus out.”

  Sunny looked down into her leader's eyes. “Do you understand what she's telling you?”

  The rattling sound was louder this time, mixed with a breath of expelled air.

  Okay then.

  I reached out and grasped Sebastian's hand one more time. “For better or worse,” I said, “here goes.”

  It was clear to me almost immediately integration wasn't going to work. There simply wasn't enough of Sebastian's own power left to fight. He tried, oh he tried, the weak thread remaining grasping for me, but I knew he was just barely hanging on to who he was. If his thread snapped, he might as well be dead.

  I pulled back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, disappointment bitter.

  Sunny sobbed once, stilled. They all knew what it meant.

  “Okay.” I stood up, backed away. “Extraction it is.” Even though I now knew it could kill him. Sunny was right. If the virus was pulled out of him, he would die. There just wasn't enough of Sebastian left.

  But I had to try. I couldn't leave him here, not like this, suffering endlessly until one day he broke at last. I just couldn't.

  My heart heavy, but knowing I had no other choice, just hoping Dad had a better idea, I reached out with my demon power, tapped into the feeling of my father and drove my magic into the veil, calling his name.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Dad arrived in a rush of energy, the veil tearing as he burst through. He wavered above me, in full demon form, his energy nearly as powerful as when he crossed into his effigy. It made me wonder how strong he was on Demonicon and if it made a difference.

  “Syd.” His voice boomed in the cave. “Tell me what you need.”

  Love and gratitude surged inside me and I caught myself blinking away even more tears. I was turning into my mother for sure, a freaking supernatural faucet. But I loved the fact he didn't hesitate, didn't ask questions, just offered his support.

  No matter what happened before, the old resentment I'd finally released, tied to his life-long absence, I knew then I had the best dad.

  Ever.

  I filled him in quickly. Or started to. Just as I began to tell him everything, the veil parted further and the glowing image of Theridialis appeared next to him. I felt my hope rise even further. Sassafras's father was a preeminent demon scientist, a brilliant mind. If these two demons couldn't help me, no one could.

  They both nodded their way through my explanation, Theridialis asking the odd question for clarification. When I rambled to a gasping halt, they turned to each other.

  “It is possible,” Theridialis said. “But it's the sustaining of Sebastian's life which is necessary. From what Sydlynn has told us, to remove the virus will surely kill him.” He turned back to me. “May we examine the patient to be sure?”

  I shrugged. “Can you?”

  Dad smiled, gently, with love. “Through you, cupcake.”

  I hated that nickname so much. But for once it made me smile.

  I let my demon magic reach out, dive into Sebastian again even as the two demons linked with me and followed my lead, exploring along the way. Only a few moments passed, while Theridialis examined Sebastian's glowing white heart, before they pulled out, drawing me with them.

  “Yes, it's as you feared, I'm afraid.” Theridialis's amber eyes narrowed. “But I still believe this can be done.”

  “How, Demon Lord?” Sunny sounded desperate. I hadn't realized how much she worried about Sebastian all along. We'd had so much happen to all of us since he disappeared, I was ashamed to admit I'd forgotten about him and his plight.

  “With living blood,” he said. “I understand you normally ingest pre-drawn nutrition?”

  She flushed and nodded. “We do not feed from humans,” she said. “If that's what you mean.”

  “It is.” His voice was gentle. “Though you know there is no shame in it. Yet another curse magic kind has to lie at the feet of the church.” He sighed. “There was a time when humans and vampires worked together, partners. But that history lesson is for another day.”

  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by the revelation. Sunny certainly looked shocked. So did Uncle Frank.

  But Theridialis was right. We had work to do.

  “So what, then?” I knew what he was suggesting and honestly was terrified by the prospect. But Sebastian had to feed.

  And it had to be on one of us.

  “I suggest one of the vampires,” Dad said. “Syd's blood might be human, but it's tainted with Sidhe and demon power.” He grinned at me. “Didn't mean it the way it sounds.”

  I grinned back, knees suddenly weak from relief. “Thanks for that.”

  “I'll do it.” Uncle Frank scowled at Sunny as soon as she started to protest. “It has to be me. You're the leader now, if only by default. If something happens and this doesn't work, you have to take the last of his power, Sunshine, and finally rule our clan by blood. You know it.”

  Sunny continued to stroke Sebastian's face, almost as if she'd forgotten she was doing it. What a choice to make. My heart broke for her. It was like Uncle Frank was asking me to strip Mom of the family magic for everyone’s good.

  Not a decision I hoped I’d ever have to make. After a long moment, Sunny nodded once, sharply and looked away.

  “Excellent.” Theridialis clearly had a different definition of what was a good thing. Then again, if this worked, I'd be the first to high five him. “Now, this must be done in tandem. The feeding and the drawing out has to happen simultaneously or his power could weaken too fast and he will perish.”

  “The power has to come through Syd,” Dad said to his friend. “Channeled through Frank so we can control it. Which means I'll shed blood.” I saw him reach out for something on his side of the veil, caught sight of a shining blade as he lifted it.

  Felt a sudden surge of terror and a flashback to our basement, Dad on the floor, hand covered in blood, Sassy in human form. Dad met my eyes, as if he understood what I was reliving.

  “You’re safe, cupcake,” he said, compassion in his gentle smile. “You’re not practicing, just acting as a conduit. And I’m only casting on Demonicon, not on your plane. Trust me. This is the only way.”

  I found my head bobbing. Okay then.

  “Syd,” he said. “Get ready.”

  I shook off the sick feeling and opened to them both. I felt Theridialis reach for me, Dad linked to him, but this time was different. The portly demon used his magic to target mine, turning it into a type of funnel, aimed directly at Sebastian's glowing core. I sat at his feet, hand gripping his leg and nodded to Uncle Frank.

  The vampire and the demon cut each other at exactly the same instant, the surge of power driving into the pit of my stomach, making me cry out in agony. I turned to the side, noisily threw up what little I'd had to eat, but kept a firm hold on the desiccated body before me.

  Good thing Theridialis was doing the delicate work. I could barely focus, felt Sunny move to my side, hold me up, while I watched, gasping in agony as Uncle Frank's blood poured into Sebastian's mouth.

  The change was immediate. Sebastian's face filled out as if he were a balloon, skin stretching, thinning, hair rustling as it shed the filth encrusting it. While the blood raced through his system, Sebastian's power surged back.

  And with it, the virus.

  But Theridialis was already pulling it free, siphoning it away from the dying vampire, through Uncle Frank and to me. I watched my uncle shudder, how the glowing white power ripped through him, tried to hold onto him. He held his place, face twisting in pain as Sebastian's hands rose, filling out as I watched, grasping
Uncle Frank in a grip of iron as his mouth locked on the offered vein, pulling Uncle Frank down toward him. White light, the creepy takeover I'd seen in Sunny when she'd been in furious vampire mode, flooded Sebastian's eyes. Mindless, starving, he drew on Uncle Frank's strength even as the virus tore out of him and into the younger vampire.

  I cried out as it touched me, shuddered from it. I felt a sting deep inside, the same feeling I’d had from Sebastian so long ago. He’d saved me from the powerlessness forced on me by Demitrius, former leader of the Chosen of the Light, through a strange, white powder. Like a vampire bite, the jab of pain overrode the illness of the blood magic for an instant and for the first time I wondered what exactly Sebastian had done to me that night he’d freed my magic.

  The virus tried to enter my body through the old bite Sebastian had made all that time ago, a link I had no idea still existed. It dove inside, tried to take over. I was so damned lucky I had my demon, Sidhe and witch magic to reject it. I pushed it out of me with all my strength, watching as a glowing ball of white power began to form over Sebastian, the virus taking on shape, substance in the still air of the cavern.

  And still Sebastian fed. Uncle Frank sighed, sagging, his own skin shriveling, light fading.

  “We have to stop him.” I tried to reach forward, but Theridialis wasn't done.

  Not by a long shot.

  “Not yet!” He drew harder, pulling with all of our combined power. I felt the last of the virus jerk free, its powerful teeth jerking loose from inside me, just as Sebastian's lips lifted from Uncle Frank's arm. The vampire leader cried out, a scream of loss and agony so loud my head rang from it.

  The virus hovered in the dim light, wavering, hissing softly, a living thing in need of a host. Sebastian reached toward it, a mix of horror and need on his face even as a bubble of amber power flashed, sealing the virus inside.

  Uncle Frank collapsed, Sebastian beneath him, both vampires falling still. I felt the stabbing pain from the last of the blood magic use ease, then end. Gasping for air, I rolled over onto my side and held my stomach, just breathing.

  Just breathing.

  Inside the bubble of power, the vampire virus wailed its despair.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Four

  I sat with my head in my hands, whole body trembling from the aftermath of agony I'd endured. I was sure if I tried to move or speak I'd shatter into a million, bite sized Syd pieces.

  The world went on around me, Theridialis chattering with great excitement.

  “Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Have you ever felt anything like it, Haralthazar?” Dad must have answered to the negative because Theridialis went on. “Nor I, my friend. A living entity whose sole purpose is to feed from the life force of another. Like a parasite, only spirit based.”

  Someone groaned. It was enough for me to risk looking up. I'm glad I did, because it proved to me I wasn't going to fall apart after all. And better, I was there to see Sebastian sit up, shake his head, raise his gaze and meet mine.

  “Demon child,” he whispered, voice still slightly hoarse, but completely recognizable. “Are you well?”

  Hell of a thing to be asking me considering what he'd just gone through. I managed a nod, weariness making my head feel heavy.

  He examined himself quickly, looking at his hands which then patted over his chest and legs. “I appear to be restored.” Sebastian looked up at the two wavering demon forms. “My deepest thanks to you both for your timely assistance. I fear had you not aided me I'd soon be gone and that thing in control of my body. Or what was left of my body.” His gaze fell to Sunny who cradled Uncle Frank in her arms. She was weeping openly, soft sobbing sounds, blonde hair falling forward to cover my uncle's face.

  A moment of panic rose, driving me to move though doing so made me groan in pain. But as I acted my body relented, the remnants of agony easing until I merely felt achy, as though I'd overdone a run.

  “Sunny.” I reached for her, brushed her hair back. “Is he okay?” Sebastian had taken so much blood. My eyes fell on Uncle Frank's bare arm. He looked all right, skin young and fresh, no sign of the shrunken state he'd been falling into while feeding Sebastian what he needed to recover.

  She looked up, cheeks wet from tears, but she was smiling.

  “Syd,” she whispered. “Oh, Syd.”

  I looked down then, into Uncle Frank's face, and gasped.

  He was whole. The damage done to him had been healed, most likely by the vampire virus as it moved its way through his body. Blue eyes flickered open, caught mine, then Sunny's.

  “The pain is gone,” he said with a hint of wonder before his eyes closed again and he went limp.

  Sunny sobbed again, hugged him, but pulled herself together, beaming at me. “He'll be fine now,” she said. “Just fine.”

  Sebastian leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, to both of you. I'd long given up hope.” His hand lifted, stroked my cheek. “I do not deserve such friends.”

  “Syd.” I spun and looked up at Dad. “We're going back.”

  “And we're taking this fascinating power with us.” Theridialis rubbed his hands together, face alight with almost child-like excitement. “Thank you for the gift.”

  I found myself laughing, hopelessly. “You're welcome.”

  Dad saluted and vanished, Theridialis with him, the bubble surrounding the vampire virus disappearing with a soft pop of displaced air as the veil snapped back together.

  Sebastian's eyes locked on mine when I turned back around. My power reached for him, an automatic thing. It was still there, a little of it, the vampire virus. But the personality of it was long gone, existing only as a kind of antibody like he’d had the flu. Because of its presence, Sebastian felt as powerful as ever, even more so.

  “Yes,” he said as though reading my thoughts, “it remains in part. I will carry its taint the remainder of my days as well as the new power it’s brought me.” His brow furrowed and I realized despite his calm and seeming normality there was a great deal of suffering he hid from me. “I can foresee strife arising from this freshening of my spirit.”

  He did feel different, I was right. Stronger. His magic more refined. I had no idea what it meant for him, but if he thought other vampires wouldn’t be happy, I took his word for it.

  “No blood clan will dare challenge you now,” Sunny said, fierce and furious, arms tightening around my sleeping uncle.

  He sighed and shrugged, an elegant motion, despite his ragged dress and overgrown hair. He looked like a gorgeous statue come to life and I felt myself flush at the sight of so much of him exposed.

  Bad Syd. No staring at the hot vampire.

  “We're getting short on time.” Sunny stroked Uncle Frank's forehead much as she had done for Sebastian just a short time ago. “I want Frank safely in his cupboard well before sunrise.”

  “Is it prudent to return to the mansion?” Sebastian obviously heard every word we told him.

  “There is nowhere else,” she said.

  “Not true,” he said softly. “Our clan could come here.”

  But Sunny shook her head after only a moment's thought. “You really want to allow the witches latitude? To think they've defeated us?”

  “I suppose a war is preferable.” He laughed softly at her expression. “Peace, little sister. I've been long away from my kind, from my clan. The returning has made me giddy and prone to joy.”

  Totally fair enough.

  I made it to my feet. “You three head back to the mansion then while I seal up the cave,” I said. “I'll follow when I’m done. I want to confront Batsheva immediately.” The look on her face would be so worth it.

  Sunny was already standing, Uncle Frank in her arms as if he weighed nothing. It was easy to think of her, of all the vampires, as human until they pulled a stunt like that. And even though I'd just watched a desiccated husk return to mortal form by devouring the blood of another, somehow seeing Sunny casually cradling a man almost a foot t
aller and pounds heavier than her was the most startling.

  “Let me travel with you.” She bit her lower lip, eyes dropping to Uncle Frank's peaceful face.

  “I'll be fine.” I leaned forward and kissed my uncle's now undamaged cheek. It was so good to see him whole again. “No one can catch me when I'm in the veil.”

  “And yet, I agree with Sunny.” Sebastian stretched as he stood, revealing some very interesting boy parts making me flush bright red, and would, I was sure, feed a few dreams.

  The blonde vampire handed Uncle Frank over to their leader. “We’ll be right behind you,” she said. Sebastian nodded, turning toward the exit. He paused as he spun, eyes locked on mine again, before bending and kissing me softly on the mouth.

  His vampire lips felt like warm velvet, his breath sweet. “I owe you my soul,” he whispered before flickering into shadow and flashing toward the tunnel.

  Not him, too. My fingers found my mouth, the tingle of contact still there. I turned to see Sunny grinning at me.

  I swore my cheeks would be permanently damaged from all the damned blushing.

  We walked out together, hand in hand. I took a moment at the cave mouth to return the rock to its place and recreate wards around the entrance. This time I used all three kinds of my magic, drawing Sunny's vampire power into it and keyed it so only someone with access to all four powers could open it again. Probably not completely necessary, but it wouldn’t do to have normals stumble over it. That would be awesome, right? A bunch of anthropologists doing the dance of joy over a cavern filled with magic.

  Not on my watch.

  The moment I was done I jerked around, feeling that prickling sensation between my shoulder blades telling me I was being watched. Sunny spun at the same time, so I wasn't imagining it at least.

  Not in the least. We both saw the dark hooded figure near the tree line who spun and ran from us.

  Sunny was after the watcher in a flash while I cursed softy under my breath and let her do the chasing. She was back a few moments later, empty handed.