The Undying

by Patti Larsen

  And the nasty little fur ball went back to his nasty little petting session.

  “I can't.” I turned from Shenka, ignoring her outstretched hand and how her magic tried to hold me, gently but firmly. “I can't just choose someone like that.” Faces swirled in my mind: Liam, the demon Rameranselot whom I'd met on Demonicon, the vampire leader Sebastian. Sage.

  Quaid.

  Always back to Quaid.

  And, superimposed over all of them, me. Maji. Immortal and likely invincible.

  It took me forever to choose Liam because of the state of my being. Only to end it before it began.

  I rushed to the house, not caring they stared, needing to escape their eyes, the wave of sympathy now rolling across the back yard as the rumor spread, the understanding I hadn't known.

  That I didn't know I was about to be forced to sell my body for the coven.

  Okay, a little harsh, but it still rang true. Yes, I'd get to choose. But what if I didn't pick someone? Would they force me? I couldn't step down, not now. I needed to keep them safe.

  But marriage?

  Holy crap on a hell-bound train.

  Just what I needed. More complications in my life.

  I'd barely reached the kitchen when the door slammed and Gram ran from the hall and into the darkening space to hug me. Her anger was gone, her sharp edges soft and kind as she pulled me against her.

  “I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I'm so sorry, girl.”

  I hugged her back, knowing she apologized for far more than this moment. Her power kept me from realizing my full potential for a long time, though I now wondered if that blockage saved me. If Gram's magic core kept me from becoming maji too early, before I could handle it.

  I let her feel what I was feeling, know where my train of thought took me and felt her guilt ease.

  “Things happened the way they needed to,” I said, knowing now as I did how powerful destiny could be.

  “If I hadn't...” Gram cleared her throat, voice thick. “I know. You're right. But I should have made sure you knew everything.” She shrugged, thin shoulders rising and falling under her pink sweater.

  “If you hadn't given me your magic,” I said, “I'd be dead now. Or part of another coven. Or taken by the Brotherhood.” The thought made me shudder. “Right?”

  My alter egos all chirped their agreement, hugging Gram with their energy.

  She pulled me close again, sharp nails digging into my back as she squeezed me tight.

  “I'm still sorry,” she said.

  “Is there any way around it?” I already knew the answer, the ball of knotted stress in my gut telling me so.

  Gram shook her head, white hair floating around her like a halo. “No.”

  And she'd know, wouldn't she? “Gram,” I said. “Did you have to marry Grandfather Ivan?”

  She stared at me, mute. When she spoke again, she sounded frail, almost weak.

  “Your great aunt was dead,” she said. “And I couldn't just abandon the family.”

  Tears welled, not for me. I choked on them, touched her cheek. She gripped my hand, pressing it under hers, firmly against her face.

  “That's why I gave you such a hard time over that Sidhe boy,” she said. “Now you understand.”

  She had. Told me he was too weak, that Liam wouldn't be able to stand up to me.

  If only I'd known why she brought it up.

  Okay then.

  Married by twenty-one. In eleven months.

  Choke.

  ***

  Chapter Four

  I left Gram in the kitchen, exiting into the driveway. I still missed seeing Mom's classic blue Mustang, her baby gone with her to Harvard. And I really needed to replace my own car Minnie, the electric blue Cooper a wreck thanks to explosives placed by the Dumont brothers.

  Did I have proof they blew up my car? Technically, no.

  Did I need it?

  Snort.

  Funny how the past flowed around me as I stood there, images of my old high-school boyfriend Brad and his big black truck, of Demetrius Strong when he was leader of the Chosen of the Light handing me pamphlets, explaining why I was evil and really had to die. Quaid on his motorcycle. I hugged myself, looked up into the gathering dark as the door eased shut behind me.

  I didn't have to turn around to know who stood there, unobtrusive, watching.

  “What do you think, Charlotte?” I stayed where I was, making myself breathe, trying to keep the pressure of what I'd just learned from taking me to my knees. “Should I just cut and run?”

  I heard her grunt, turned at last, and caught the flare of wolf in her eyes before it retreated.

  “You have a duty to your family,” she growled. Literally growled, her voice vibrating with the were inside her. “If that means marrying, so be it.”

  Honor and duty were her thing. So her attitude didn't really surprise me. But I thought we were better friends than that.

  Who was I kidding? As hard as I tried, Charlotte wasn't my friend.

  “Even if it's someone I don't think is right for the job?” I took a step toward her, saw her shudder ever so slightly.

  “Even so.” She looked away, shoulders tight. So strange to see my bodywere show emotion physically. “For the good of the family.”

  I laughed, didn't mean to. Nor did I intend for the sound to be so sharp, bitter. “I've been hearing that particular phrase my whole life.” And I'd given in, hadn't I? Given up, caved. Even embraced the fact this was my destiny—this and more.

  But there were lines in the sand I wasn't sure I was willing to cross.

  “I've given them everything,” I said, without anger, as my body sagged a little, my heart sighing even as my alter egos nodded and agreed. “Can't there be something left for me?”

  Charlotte's whole being snapped, the crackle of her werepower shuddering through her. “No,” she said. “There can't.” She spun and left me there, slamming the door behind her even as I wondered who Charlotte was really thinking of.

  Because it sure as hell wasn't me.

  No sulking. My vampire sent it gently, but with authority.

  I know. I turned back to the dark again, the quiet of the early summer neighborhood, the sound of kids laughing in the distance, a mother calling to come inside. The distant wail of a siren silenced. The air around me stilled, the whole world soft and enveloping. Time held its breath.

  Yes, I had duty to think of. Yes, I had the coven to appease and protect.

  But the decision was mine.

  A face crossed my mind, one I hadn't seen in a while. One I missed. Sebastian confessed his feelings to me at Uncle Frank and Sunny's wedding, though neither of us acted on them. My biggest struggle with choosing a partner came from the worry I would outlive him. But in Sebastian's case, that wouldn't be a problem.

  Though children would be. I had no idea if vampires could have them.

  My vampire sighed. Unlikely, she sent. But knowing you, anything is possible.

  Regardless, as I stood there thinking about the delicious vampire leader, my concerns about him and Uncle Frank and Sunny grew. I'd been meaning to reach out to them again. There had been no contact in almost a year. Minding my own business held me back, knowing I was being scrutinized. But I realized I now had an excellent excuse to at least check on Sebastian.

  The maji chamber under his house was the only way I knew of to contact my maji guide Iepa when she didn't initiate contact first. I'd been meaning to visit, but kept putting it off. And I wasn't about to lie to myself and make up reasons why I hadn't yet. The answer was simple.

  I'd have to ask Iepa if Ameline was really necessary and I was afraid I wouldn't like the answer.

  Avoidance, thy name is Syd.

  No more of that. It was dark enough I knew Sebastian would be up for the night. I reached for him, let my spirit power tie in to the vampire essence and sent her out to touch him.

  Nothing.

  Which was totally and utterly weird. I could feel the o
ther vampires at the mansion waking, but no Sebastian. Had he returned to Austria, to Pannera Sthol’s side permanently? His Queen was a big part of his life for centuries, his decision to move his blood clan to North America a sticking point with her.

  Maybe he'd given up his family and gone home to Pannera.

  Hmm. Didn't sound like Sebastian. Not without saying goodbye.

  Then again, how well did I really know him?

  The mystery of his disappearance distracted me from my present predicament. And, though I knew going anywhere near the vampires could be seen as stepping over the line, I couldn't imagine Sebastian or any of his blood clan would raise a stink.

  Charlotte. I reached for her and heard the door open immediately. “I'm going out,” I said.

  She didn't comment, simply came to my side as I walked down the driveway to the street, my mind touching Gram and Shenka.

  Have to check something out, I sent. Be right back.

  Got it covered, Shenka answered.

  Troublemaker, Gram sent.

  I hoped she was wrong.

  ***

  Chapter Five

  Was it a bad thing I felt relief to leave the party behind as I tore open the veil and slipped through?

  Probably.

  Didn't keep me from diving into a possible adventure. In fact, as I exited the veil on the front lawn of the vampire mansion, I dutifully admitted I was happiest when I had a problem to solve. Not like it was a big shocker or anything. Quaid hit the nail on the head when he said I went looking for trouble.

  Well, not looking, exactly. But calm and peaceful didn't really do it for me anymore. And considering the fact every time I did fall into trouble there was an excellent reason for it with a so-far-so-good outcome, I wasn't complaining.

  Evasion Tactics Level: Expert.

  Seriously, though, I'd been very selfish letting this whole vampire silence thing ride. I loved Uncle Frank and Sunny, missed them with a pinch of regret so sharp when I thought about it I flinched. How had I let this go for so long without checking in?

  Life was complicated, but family was everything.

  As I approached the front door, I told myself next stop after finding out what was up with Sebastian was a trip to Europe to see my two favorite undead. Whether Council Leader Margaret Applegate liked it or not.

  We'd parted ways not too badly last time, with Margaret admitting I was in the right when the Queens tried to steal my vampire essence from me. But who knew what kind of political maneuverings went on since then? Mom was under stress from her own Council power. I could only imagine Margaret had to be, too. And from what I knew of her, she didn't have half of Mom's strength.

  Enough of that for now. I'd figure out the vampire mystery, no matter what it took.

  My firm knock on the door was answered in moments. Stewart, Sebastian's butler, seemed relieved to see me, though a flash of something akin to fear crossed his face a moment later.

  “Coven Leader.” He bowed to me.

  “Hi, Stewart,” I said. “Mind if we come in?”

  He hesitated. Okay then. Something was definitely up and I'd dropped the ball. When he backed away, he said, “Watch your step.”

  I had the distinct impression he wasn't talking about my feet.

  The cool interior of the giant foyer loomed dark, only a few lights glowing in the distance down hallways running left and right, and deeper into the mansion. The gloomy feel of the place added to my unease, goosebumps rising on my arms as the door swung shut behind me.

  “Just here to see Sebastian,” I said as Stewart turned to face me.

  “Ah,” he said. “I'm afraid that won't be possible.”

  Alarm bells. Damn it, how had I just walked away from this and not looked into it before now?

  “Mind telling me why?” The press of spirit magic touched me, some familiar, some not so much as the vampires in residence started to take notice. An undercurrent of fear ran through them, matching Stewart's.

  So. Not. Good.

  “I'm sorry to say,” he told me in his precise tone as I spun to face him, “Sebastian DeWinter is no longer master of this blood clan.”

  Um, what?

  “That is correct.” I knew that voice. Hated it and the vampire it was attached to.

  Turned slowly around. Glared with a viciousness I hadn't felt since the last time I laid eyes on Celeste.

  The traitorous witch-turned-undead sycophant smiled at me, long braid swinging over her shoulder. But gone was the horse-hair quality of it, vampire magic turning it silky even as her man-hands now looked elegant and strong rather than burly. Her long, dark brown gown matched the color of her hanging braid, polished skin almost glowing in the low light.

  Celeste had been an ugly witch. Vampire magic might have changed her outside to something more appealing, but she was still hideous on the inside.

  “Says who?” I didn't have a leg to stand on here. Yes, I carried the vampire essence and, technically, I was actually invading another blood clan's space considering Sunny reinforced my membership in the Wilhelm family. But Sebastian was my friend. I'd gone to great lengths to rescue him from the very essence I carried and, truth be told, my fondness ran along the lines of lust as well as liking.

  And I didn't abandon my friends.

  Well, not forever.

  Wince.

  “Considering it's none of your business,” Celeste said as she drifted closer, even as some of the vampires from the clan peeked in to watch, “I don't owe you an answer.” Oh, but she was going to give me one, wasn't she? I could tell from the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes, the way her smile widened as she drew near. “But out of courtesy, I inform you now I've been placed in control by Her Majesty, Queen Pannera herself.”

  She did what? What the hell was Pannera thinking? Celeste was the enemy, or had been. Stood next to Batsheva, Pannera's opposing queen for a time, pulled her strings for the Brotherhood as far as I knew. And Pannera welcomed her into her clan?

  “She's lost her mind.” I didn't intend for those words to slip out, but they did. And I meant them.

  Celeste merely shrugged. “Her Majesty understood I am a greater asset than enemy and offered me a place in her family.” She smiled again, baring her fangs. “Explanation complete.”

  Not by a long freaking shot. “Where's Sebastian?” I couldn't feel him, couldn't feel much of anything. Celeste's power blocked me when I tried and, though I knew I was more than strong enough to break her wards, I couldn't risk it. Not with the Council's threat hanging over my head.

  No, they weren't witches. And vampire laws were different. But I wasn't about to give Celeste the means to manipulate our laws to see me burn.

  She just wasn't worth it.

  But was Sebastian?

  Celeste gestured at Stewart who bowed with a sad expression and opened the door.

  “Sebastian is not your concern,” she said. “As leader of the Blood Clan Oberman, I'm asking you to leave.”

  She was kicking my ass out. Shock and frustration tumbled around on high heat in my head.

  “I have to go to the maji chamber.” If Celeste didn't know about it, I just let the cat out of the bag. But her evil smirk told me she'd known all along. And was probably part of the reason she was here.

  I was an idiot. How could I have missed this happening right under my nose?

  “You are not welcome here,” Celeste hissed as she stopped within inches of my face. Charlotte snarled behind me, Celeste's eyes flashing over my shoulder to my bodywere before locking on me again. “Or your filthy dog.”

  I'd taken worse insults from better enemies. She'd have to try harder if she was looking to provoke me into something stupid.

  A moment later I found myself standing on the top step to the entrance of the mansion, turning to see Stewart watching me with fear and grief as he closed the door behind me. Charlotte chuffed, snuffling the air, baring her teeth almost like Celeste had.

  “Evil lives here now,” she said
.

  No kidding.

  So now what? Now, nothing.

  Defeat sucked. With no other options, I went home, nursing my anger and concern for Sebastian. Oh, and shall we pile on worry over being cut off from the maji chamber?

  Perfect.

  The edge of the park was quiet, the back yard empty, party over. I paused there a moment, gathering my thoughts. Okay, so Sebastian had to be in trouble for Pannera to depose him like that. But where was he? And did this have anything to do with Uncle Frank and Sunny's silence for the last ten months?

  They had to be connected, didn't they? Because that would be just my luck.

  The air beside me shuddered into deeper shadow. Charlotte tried to move me aside, her strong body sliding between me and the apparition, but she'd forgotten how much working out I'd been doing. I held my ground, power pulled tight around me even as a tall, blonde vampire appeared in the cool night air.

  At first I thought it was Sunny until she looked up and met my eyes. One of Sebastian's most trusted lieutenants stared back at me with a hollow, haunted expression. Anastasia looked terrible, her face paler than usual, skin sagging and wrinkled. I'd met her ages ago, back when I first encountered Sebastian and, though I hadn't liked her much, irritated by her arrogance, she'd proven to be faithful and loyal and rather friendly once I took the time to get to know her. She'd been Sebastian's third, just beneath Sunny and, I could only guess, took Sunny's place at Sebastian’s side when my friend ascended to the Wilhelm throne.

  Gone was the stunning vampire I knew. She shivered and hugged herself, licking her thinned lips, eyes massive in her sunken face.

  “Help us,” she whispered. “Please, Sydlynn. Sebastian is in trouble. And she's starving us.” No need to say who “she” was. But why would Celeste starve her own blood clan? Anastasia shuddered, eyes darting from side to side before she reached for me. Charlotte growled another warning, but I ignored her, horror growing as the desperate vampire allowed me feel her weakened spirit. I gave her some strength, watched her cheeks fill out a little even as crystal tears trickled down her face. She pulled away. “The Queens have gone mad.” Her lips peeled back from her white teeth, fangs bared. “I beg you,” she said. “You must help. Or we're lost.”