by Sam Cheever
King Al looked down at the table. His wide mouth twisted unhappily. “She was a good friend. I hated to do it, you must believe that, LA.”
I shook my head, tears rolling down my cheeks. “Why didn’t she tell mother or me what you’d done?”
“She would have, surely,” he said. “But I informed her that I would kill you both. Her silence was the price paid for your lives.”
“And yet you still killed my mother!” I could barely see for the tears flooding from my eyes.
“She lives, LA.”
Despite myself I closed my eyes, sighing in relief. Then I snapped them open. “I’m surprised you didn’t just slaughter her and be done with it. She’s not going to just walk away and let you take over the council.”
“I’d much rather have her at my side, my dear. But that will be up to her.”
I bit back the words I wanted to scream. That my mother would never bow to him or any other. That she came from a long line of powerful Familiars and she’d fight him to the death. I couldn’t say those words because I was afraid.
Afraid he’d just kill her and be done with it.
Afraid I was wrong.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to live with it if she did give in.
So, I changed the subject. “How did you get the key to the other dimension?”
His expression was smug, though I could tell he tried to fight it. He was proud of his trickery. “I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out by now.”
But I had. “Star. She pulled it from the web when she ravaged it.”
He nodded. “Very good. It was buried in the protections, infused into the warding.”
I shook my head, suddenly feeling so tired. “I hope you’re consumed by the power you’ve grabbed. I hope it tears you to pieces. Your treachery won’t be forgotten. I can promise you that.” My eyes scanned past my mother and I saw the slight, stooped figure standing at the back of the room. Bracketed by guards who held her upright between them, Trudy’s head was down, her hands folded in front of her. She appeared to be staring at the ground.
“Are you part of this, aunt?”
For a long moment she didn’t respond. Then I saw her shudder, her narrow shoulders rounding just a bit more before she lifted her head.
I gasped at her face, which was framed in blood that ran from wounds beneath her hair. She stared at me through eyes that were dark with rage. Her beautiful mouth was tight with it, and I finally recognized the shimmer in her frame as being rage rather than the weakness I’d thought it was.
I longed to reach for her mind with my energy but I couldn’t. Not with my arms trapped.
Something shifted over Trudy’s gaze and I started. I’d seen it before.
The shadow passed over her again. I recognized the dark, restless energy squatting within her frame and I nearly smiled.
Holding my aunt’s fierce gaze, I nodded slightly.
“Why do you look so pleased with yourself, my dear,” King Al asked. When I glanced his way, I saw the worry written in his expression and knew. Despite his brave words, and the outward appearance that he’d won, he wasn’t entirely comfortable. I had to wonder why. “Where is Celeste?”
He feigned sadness. “I thought you knew, child. She passed. I believe she’s resting comfortably in the Elysian Fields about now.”
I seriously doubted that.
“If she is, your betrayal will wrench her back to this world.”
He shook his head, giving me a pitying look. “You know that’s not possible, LA.”
“Isn’t it?” I took great pleasure in the doubt that formed lines between his heavy black brows.
The king jerked his head toward Adriel. “Take her. We’ll let her calm down for a while.” The king stood from his chair and gave me a benevolent smile. “I’ll see you at dinner, my dear.”
Static filled my head and agony sizzled up my arms. I gritted my teeth against the pain, knowing what it meant. “I’m staying here. You and I need to talk.”
He blinked, clearly surprised by my attitude. I was surprised too. I really should have been a drooling puddle on the floor by that point. But if Trudy was going to pull off what she needed to pull off, she’d need my help.
I sent Deg a quick thought, biting back a cry as I delivered the SOS. Flames burst from the whip and sizzled against my arm. I screamed and fell to my knees, using the opportunity to position myself closer to Adriel.
“You should know better,” he whispered as he leaned down.
I made myself heavy, my hand grasping the tail of his armored coat. As he jerked me upright, I grasped the hilt of his sword and pulled it free of its sheath.
With one, quick flick of my wrist I sliced it across Adriel’s wrist. He released the whip and it fell away.
I spun, screaming. “Now!”
Trudy’s form straightened with a jerk as I swung the blade at the next guard. They were moving in on me in a wad, their hands filled with swords and their gazes bulging with hate.
I kept them at a distance until I saw the wraith slide from Trudy’s slender form and swoop toward the King. The shadow dove toward him, sliding easily into his big body.
He jerked upright with an enraged bellow, effectively drawing the guards’ attention to himself.
I wounded a few more while they were looking away and then took a deep breath and screamed. “Down!”
Pulling copiously from Deg and my shared power, I yanked my energy forward and let it explode outward on a power word. “Confusio!”
Guards blew away from me like leaves on a brisk wind.
I rose into the air under the destructive power, spinning helplessly as it burned itself out. Furniture flew away from my power vacuum, slamming into the massive guards and knocking them against each other.
It was a desperate move, meant only to create chaos and discombobulate the guards. I had nothing left to follow it up with once everything settled down and the guards pulled themselves back together.
I prayed my friends would hurry. They were near. I could feel them.
Beyond the commotion, the king was screaming as Celeste had her spiritual way with him, no doubt terrifying him with her heavy hand on his brain.
The door blew open and I slammed to the ground, my energy washed away in a wave of fresh magic.
My friends flooded into the room, along with some I would have never expected, including Trudy’s handsome soldier.
I made a mental note to get the story on him. But in that moment, I had something more important to do. I crawled toward the injured council members, mother first, and pulled them under the heavy council table for protection. I was pleased to discover that only a couple of them were beyond help. I hoped with the Nephilim’s healing powers and some time, they’d recover completely.
I wrapped myself around my mother and rested, my back against the leg of the table. I watched my friends kick the demons’ butts and wished I had the energy to help. But my explosion of power had taken it out of me.
It was all I could do to just sit there and admire the view.
To my relief, Brock was one of the most aggressive of the council’s defenders. That made me happy.
Mandy and Deg did me proud with their seamless magical attacks. And, when I spared King Al a glance, I saw that Celeste had him well in hand.
He was slumped in a corner of the room, babbling to himself and twitching at shadows.
I couldn’t help grinning. It never paid to underestimate a Mapes.
Chapter Twenty
Sitting on the large flat rock in the center of my sanctuary, I watched a new group of kittens play with a fuzzy ball I’d thrown out for them.
Observing their silly antics made me feel a bit better, though I’d been deep in depression for the last week, since I’d had to face the fact that Celeste was truly gone.
Yes, she’d pulled some strings at the Elysian Fields to come back as a wraith. But that had been extenuating circumstances, no doubt aided and abetted by Mabel, who had
some pull in the right places. But I figured that would be the last I saw of Celeste. At least for a while.
And that made me sad.
Though I’d spent a large part of my adult life trying to avoid the strings attached to my family, I’d come to know…too late of course…just how much they contributed to my sense of self and happiness.
I sighed as the smallest kitten snagged the ball out from under the pink nose of the largest one and finally grinned as she flattened her bigger sibling when he tried to get it back. The four fuzzy babies scampered away, to the spot in the sun where their less social mother lie resting from her recent ordeal on the streets.
I’d made some progress with the distrustful feline over the last several days, but her animus toward the human type critters in her universe was deep seated. It would take us some time to become friends.
A feat I fully intended to pull off.
The interior door into the sanctuary opened and closed quietly behind me. I knew who it was before she joined me on the sun-warmed rock.
Mother reached for my hand and clasped it as she eased into a spot next to me. “How are you, Peaches?”
I bit back my usual, too fast, response of “I’m fine,” and answered truthfully instead. “I miss her.”
Mother sighed. “Me too. But I know she’s very proud of you. What you did for us…” Queen Katherine sighed. “Well, it took more courage than I think I’d have had under the circumstances.”
I frowned. “I didn’t do anything.”
She gave me her patented look. “LA, I tested my powers against Reginald’s cuffs. I know how much it hurt to go against them.” She frowned. “Trudy told me those cuffs are impossible to beat. Yet, according to your friends, you did it several times. How did you manage it?”
I shrugged. “Darned if I know. It happened by accident the first time and I just kind of figured, I had nothing to lose by trying it again.”
Mother’s red-gold brows arched. “The first time?” She patted my hand. “You amaze me.”
We sat quietly watching the kittens play for a few minutes. Mother laughed heartily at the antics of the tiny female. “I like her. If you’re looking for a home for her, I’d love to have a cat again. I’ve missed the company.”
“Mama Cat and I haven’t discussed it yet but I’ll put in a good word for you.”
Mother grinned. “Thanks, Peaches.”
“How’s Trudy?” I asked. I’d kept my distance from my aunt since the day in the council chambers. I wasn’t sure how I felt about her yet. Even if she’d had nothing to do with King Al’s treachery, she’d surely been a part of the plot on some level. And I might have lost my mother because of her duplicity.
“Physically she’s healthy. But emotionally…” mother shrugged. “I think she was hoping to see Celeste again.”
“She kind of saw her up close and personal,” I said, grinning.
Mother shuddered. “Don’t remind me. Ew.”
I laughed softly. Resting my head on her shoulder, I gave myself up to the pleasure of just being with her. But in the back of my mind was the usual question when my mother showed up unannounced. Why is she really here?
She finally fessed up so I wouldn’t have to ask. “Which brings me to the reason I’ve come…”
I lifted my head and gave her my full attention.
She stared at the kittens for a beat and then turned to me. Her pretty blue-green gaze, so like Celeste’s, was filled with uncertainty.
It was a look I wasn’t used to seeing in my mother’s eyes.
“I wanted you to be the first to know. I’m stepping down as the figurehead on the council.”
I stared at her, trying to determine from her expression exactly what she was telling me. “You aren’t going to be queen anymore?”
She shrugged. “You and I both know that was just a title. There are no real kings and queens in our world. It was just a way to indicate a hierarchy. But I’m not so sure that’s a good idea anymore.”
Realization hit me. “This is Trudy’s work.”
“I won’t deny she’s had some influence on me. But I was really considering this change before she arrived back home. With mother’s passing…”
Grief crept over her pretty face. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “I supported the practice for her. Because she’d earned the position. She was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. I couldn’t possibly fill her shoes…”
“That’s not true,” I objected.
She held up a hand. “Nor would I want to. I want something entirely different. And that’s why I’ve come to see you, LA. It became crystal clear to me during this latest crisis just how much we depend on our young ones. You, the Witches and Brock saved us. You put yourselves in great danger to protect us from ourselves. You should not be relegated to the sidelines any longer. More importantly, I want fresh blood on the council.”
She touched my arm as I felt my pulse speed. There was no way she was suggesting what I thought she was suggesting.
I started to shake my head.
“Don’t say no. Not without giving it some thought. And just to be clear, I’m not suggesting that only you join the council. I want your friends too.”
I was speechless with shock.
Mother stood up and nodded. “I know it’s a lot to take in so I’ll leave you to think about it.”
The outer door opened and Deg came through. He ground to a halt when he spotted mother. “Queen Katherine.”
She shook her head, giving me a look filled with sadness, and then left.
Deg waited until the door closed behind her to ask. “Is she all right?”
“I think she will be. She just has a lot on her mind. And with Celeste…” I shook my head.
Deg sat down next to me and the kittens immediately ran over to attack his shoe laces. He scooped a tiger striped male up and nuzzled it against his face. After a moment he looked into my eyes. “How about you? Are you okay? I’m worried about you.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “I will be too. I just miss her a lot, you know.”
“I do know. If you need to talk…”
I nodded.
A pretty white female with startling blue eyes leapt at the tiger and the two of them had a spirited game of bat-face before the female got bored and scampered away. The little tiger curled up in Deg’s lap and promptly fell asleep. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with the queen?” he asked with studied nonchalance.
I frowned. It was strange thinking about mother’s title going away. But I did like the idea of the new order. It made sense. And while it would make some in Illusion City unhappy, it would probably please a lot more. “I’ll let her tell you. She has big news.”
His expression was filled with curiosity, but he didn’t press. “I understand Trudy’s staying.”
“Yes. Mother thinks she can help.”
“But you don’t agree?”
“Let’s just say I’m going to be keeping an eye on my Auntie.”
“Probably wise. We still don’t really know if she was working with Reginald.”
I realized I hadn’t gotten the scoop on that. “So, what happened after I left? I haven’t seen Mabel or her brothers. Are they safe?”
“For now. When the Heavenly realm discovered how close they’d been to being breached because of the Nephilim, the three youngsters were recalled.”
“Did Al really use Ralph and Mack to breach the other dimensions?”
“Reggie couldn’t get them to cooperate. But they were imprisoned in the catacombs with us and they used them for leverage.”
I frowned. “Then how did they breach the other dimensions?”
“They didn’t. It was a big magic show to make the council believe all was lost. Al was working them hard, trying to talk them into giving up without a fight. He was willing to take us by force, but if he could pull it off without a fight so much the better.”
“Jerk.” Then I realized what he wa
s telling me. “He only wanted the human dimension.”
“Well, to be accurate, Reginald wanted the Heavenly realm too. But this is where the real power and opportunity is. Humans are an untapped resource and the mix of supernaturals here makes for a vibrant society. We’re the key to the future and the other dimensions all know it.”
Deg’s finger moved rhythmically, scratching the kitten under its chin as it purred and stretched.
“I’m sorry about Mabel. I kind of liked having her around.”
“Me too. I have a feeling, knowing Miss Mabel, that she’ll be back.”
We shared a grin.
“What happened to ol’ Reggie?” I asked, my grin widening.
“He’s currently residing in his catacombs with King Al.” Deg said happily. “We thought it was a fitting punishment for the two of them.”
“Absolutely. I guess he was hoping to get control of Axismundi?”
“Maybe. But I think he’d set his sights a bit higher. Al promised him the Heavenly realm if he helped. Between you and me, I have my doubts about whether he would have honored that promise.”
“Ha! So much for equality,” I scoffed. “I think you’re probably right about Al stabbing him in the back. Those two are a couple of snakes.”
“They are for sure,” Deg agreed.
“I wonder who’ll take Trudy’s spot in the afterlife?”
“For now, Ebbot, her boyfriend will keep things running in Mundala.”
“The hand…erm…the guard she seemed so chummy with?”
Deg lifted a dark brow and then nodded. “Yes. He never turned against her, I guess. He was working with Reggie as a spy. He was the one who warned Mabel about Reggie’s plans to lock us in the catacombs.”
“And Mabel went along with capturing me because Reggie had her brothers?”
“ Yes. But Ebbot told her where she could find them and she released them with us. They apparently assumed Reggie would be easier to sneak up on if he thought he was running unopposed.”
“Seems they were right. He was freakishly cocky.”
“Yes. He was.”
“Adriel?”
Deg shook his head. “That one confused me. I have no idea why he helped us initially and then turned on us.”
