The Undying

by Patti Larsen

  I couldn't do this alone.

  And there was only one other person who had the powers I did, but was connected to the dark.

  No. Freaking. Way.

  I was going to need Ameline to save the Sidhe.

  Odhran and his queen watched me with weary resolve, their disappointment no longer showing.

  “You were our last hope,” he said. “But if we are to fall, it is on us.” He reached for me, took my hand. “Our thanks for trying.”

  I couldn't just leave it like this. But no way was I cutting Ameline loose. There had to be another answer.

  “Send emissaries to Aoilainn,” I said, trying to keep the desperation from my voice. “Thalion, you have to convince her. You need each other.” The divide in the realms made them weak. I could feel it, the seam in the storm, drawing on the Sidhe like a leech. Dark and light called to each other here at this level as much as they struggled and combined in the storm above.

  Thalion sighed but nodded. “I will do my best.”

  “I have to go,” I said. “But I'll be back. I just have to track someone down and get some answers.” Whether she wanted to give them to me or not. And that was only if I could break into the vampire mansion and reach Iepa.

  If, if, if.

  I left them there, still fighting, resolute and failing and knew if I didn't find an answer, the Sidhe realm would fall.

  And the Brotherhood would win.

  Charlotte and I crossed back into the Gate room, the portal sighing shut behind us.

  Liam had been pacing, stopped with his hands clasped in front of him, Galleytrot's large eyes flaming red fire as they focused on our return.

  “Well?” Liam came toward me, face falling as I grimly shook my head.

  “Not good,” I said. “I'm working on it.”

  He nodded quickly. “I'm combing the archive,” he said, voice shaking as his hazel eyes sparked with green glints. “But there's nothing, Syd.” His strawberry blonde hair stood up in weird angles, the cause apparent as he ran his hands through it for what had to be the millionth time. “Nothing.”

  I hugged him, whispered some platitudes I don't remember and which did little good before leaving him there to stare at the quiet Gate.

  Galleytrot followed Charlotte and I out into the basement hall. I turned to him as he head-butted me.

  “We can't let the Sidhe fall,” he said.

  More people stating the obvious.

  “I'm doing my best.” I tsked at myself before hugging his big head. “We'll figure it out. We always do.”

  Until we didn't. When would that day come?

  Couldn't think like that.

  “I'll talk to Mom.” That was going to be a joy and a half. I could just imagine my conversation with my Council magic controlled mother. How the Sidhe were their own people and had nothing to do with witches. Galleytrot didn't seem all that inspired by my statement either. “At the very least, she has to be kept informed.”

  He shook himself, mane swinging, the scent of a summer storm and crushed fresh grass rising from his coat. “If there is anything to be done,” he said in a voice rumbling like thunder, reminding me of the storm I'd just left behind in the realm. “I know you'll find it. Just hurry.”

  He didn't have to tell me twice.

  Charlotte took my hand even as I stretched out mine for hers the moment we exited the side door, a heavy moon hanging overhead. I tore at the veil, distracted, heading for Mom, knowing seeing her in person would be the only way she'd listen.

  She wouldn't like it. But I had no choice.

  The moment I stepped into the veil, Ahbi Sanghamitra showed me she still had control over me after all, dead or not. Before I could fight her, instead of delivering me across the rubber membrane to Harvard, the Node's power, my demon grandmother fused to it, sliced open the way between planes.

  Dumped me out onto polished black stone over a pair of booted feet. On my hands and knees, a growling creature crouched beside me.

  I looked up.

  And into Meira's startled amber eyes.

  “Hi, Syd,” my sister said. “What are you doing here?”

  ***

  Chapter Nine

  I gaped at Meira for a minute, her demon form taking me by surprise. Not that I didn't grow up with her red-tinted skin, thick, black nails and cute little horns peeking out of her hair, but it had been a while and she was so...

  Mature.

  Being on Demonicon aged her, took her lovely, sweet features and rounded them up at least a decade, if not more. She looked as old as me, though there were eight years between us. I took her offered hand, a little surprised to see my own was still human.

  The dark creature at my side growled again and it was only when I looked down and met its eyes I realized “it” was a “her”. Charlotte somehow crossed with me this time, her wolf form turning into an oddly reptilian and altogether vile looking, black-skinned critter with fangs like dagger blades and three jointed back legs giving her an odd squat.

  I reached out and touched the top of her knobby head, rough like sandpaper as her giant eyes sparked her fury. “Sorry about this,” I said. “No idea how she managed it. We won't be long.”

  Charlotte's voice was more a cry than a growl, high-pitched and painful.

  “You have a tame rimoranolis?” I looked up, realized only then Meira wasn't alone. That my grandfather, Henemordonin, was with her. And, at the other end of the table, staring in fascination, sat Theridialis, Sassy's father.

  “She's a werewolf,” I said. Glanced down at her new form and tried not to shudder. “Well, at home, anyway.”

  “Fascinating.” Theridialis heaved his bulk out of his chair, round belly preceding him as he approached. He hugged me briefly, amber eyes full of questions as he looked me up and down before turning to Charlotte. “Quite remarkable, really.”

  Right. I was still human. Had to have something to do with my tight hold over my humanity in the Sidhe realm. I relaxed my grip, felt myself stretching out, my skin taking on a red hue, fingernails growing slowly, thickening as my perspective changed from feeling really short to almost being at height with Meira. She wore a pair of her favorite platform boots, giving her a few inches on me and I did my best not to stand on my tiptoes in an effort to be taller.

  My demon chuffed softly.

  Thanks for letting me out, she sent.

  Smartass alter ego.

  “I take it you're not here by choice?” Henemordonin crossed his big arms over his wide chest, face furrowing in a frown as his steel gray brows descended in a sharp “V” over his eyes. Poser. Drove me nuts when he did that. But I guess centuries of being a politician embedded certain behaviors.

  Still irritating, though.

  “Grandmother didn't give me a choice.” I'd stopped calling Ahbi that at one point, still thought of her by her given names. But it wouldn't hurt to remind Henemordonin I was his granddaughter.

  Ugh.

  Theridialis's eyebrows rose. “Your claim our beloved former Ruler lives on inside the Node is still up for debate.”

  Seriously? Sigh. When would people start believing me for once? “Yeah,” I said, “well, debate it with her, would you? I have stuff to do at home and this little side-trip wasn't my idea.”

  The door at the end of the room opened as I finished. I glanced toward it and felt the little girl inside me who still missed her daddy squee in excitement. Everything fell away, all my worries and fears, as I ran to Dad and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, lifting me from the ground to swing me around.

  “Cupcake,” he whispered in my ear.

  Sheesh. I'd be an old woman—if that ever happened—and he'd always call me "cupcake".

  Funny, I wasn't really upset about it anymore.

  Dad set me down and pulled away first, smiling at me though a frown just visible enough I knew he worried. “Nice to see you,” he said.

  “You too.” Couldn't help beaming. Man, I loved my dad. Hard not to let some
sadness creep in, knowing he and Mom would never be together again. That being here was the only way I could see him.

  Way to ruin the happy daughter moment, Syd.

  His eyes went to Charlotte, brows rising to meet his hairline. “Something you want to tell me, Syd?”

  It only took a few minutes to let them in on what was happening in the Sidhe realm. Why wasn't I surprised when Dad stopped me part way through with a stunned expression.

  “The Brotherhood?” He sank into a chair, pulling me down into the one next to him. “I think you'd better start from your last visit, cupcake.”

  So odd going back through it all, my first trip to the Sidhe realm, the theft of the Dumont power, the attack of the Brotherhood. Miami and the machine I'd destroyed. Mom's fight with the Council power. I felt a little guilty as I filled them in, glancing sideways at Meira, wondering why she hadn't told Dad already. Knowing, from the look on her face, she had no idea.

  And that it really was my responsibility to keep everyone up to date.

  Turns out the vampires weren't the only loved ones I neglected.

  When I wound down with my worries about the present struggles in the Sidhe realm and my fears about Ameline, Dad sighed and sat back, one big hand pressed to the black stone table, fingers tapping a slow rhythm while my grandfather stood and paced to the large window beside us, staring out with his hands clasped behind his back.

  Meira had no trouble meeting my eyes, at least, a far cry from the cold and awkward relationship we'd shared since she'd fallen prey to Sassy's mother and her altered form of nectar. I worried about Meems so much, but here she sat, calm and composed, more poised than I was, every inch a demon princess.

  While I felt like a shlump.

  Dad finally looked up, eyes troubled while Theridialis rocked in his chair, tapping his chin with one finger. “Things have been quiet,” he said. Grinned. “For Demonicon.” Yeah, quiet. I bet. “But there have been subtle fluctuations in the Node.”

  “The monitors explained that,” Henemordonin said without turning around, though, from the tone of his voice, he wasn't buying what they were selling, at least not completely. “The Node is still settling after the incident.” What a lovely way to describe the fact Demonicon almost split back into its tiny parts shortly before my demon grandmother's spirit became lodged inside.

  Incident. Okay then.

  “There's no proof it's Ahbi,” Theridialis said before Meira snorted, eyes sparkling, lips turning up into a smile.

  “I'm with Syd,” she said. “It might not be overt, but every time I use the veil, I feel something.” She sat back with her arms crossed over her chest. Holy. Did she have a bigger rack than me?

  And was I jealous? At a time like this.

  Shallow, Syd. Really damned shallow.

  “Regardless,” Henemordonin said, turning to face us. “Demonicon is fine. No signs of interference.”

  Ahbi brought me here for a reason, though, didn't she?

  “We need to be on alert.” Meira stood, pacing past the end of the table. She'd taken up my favorite habit in times of stress. “If Grandmother brought Syd here, something has to be wrong.”

  Wow. We were thinking alike now.

  Freaky.

  And even better—or worse, depending on how I looked at it—as Meira came to a halt, one hand pressed to the table, shoulders back, face set, I realized what the real difference was. Beyond the fact she wasn't angry or sad or bitter anymore.

  She fit. This was her place, her world. She looked, acted, felt like she should be here.

  Lucky. I wondered if I'd ever feel like I fit anywhere.

  The door opened for the second time, a tall, handsome demon closing it quietly behind him before approaching the table. A grin split my face, despite the pressures of home, the nervousness triggered by my unexpected arrival. Rameranselot grinned back before bowing to Dad.

  “Ruler,” he said. “You summoned me?”

  Dad looked confused then nodded. “Sorry, forgot.” He gestured at me. “Our visitor has broken my train of thought.”

  Ram smiled at me again, smirked. Yeah, I missed that smirk, no matter how much it made me want to punch him.

  Kiss him.

  Punch—

  Aw, hell.

  “I'll speak to the monitors.” Henemordonin looked more troubled than upset, as though he didn't want to believe Ahbi still existed. “Double our protections.” He met my eyes. Nodded. “Just in case.”

  I watched my grandfather sweep from the room, hoping whatever reason Ahbi had for bringing me here could be solved with doubled protections.

  “And I.” Theridialis came to me, bent to kiss my cheek. “You've made me consider perhaps my view of the Node, of our planes, is a narrow one. Imagine.” He smiled suddenly, patting his wide belly. “Ahbi, still alive and in control.” He chuckled. “Wouldn't she just love that?”

  Did she ever.

  And that left three. Dad stood himself, took my hand, helped me to my feet.

  “I have something to take care of,” he said. “But keep in touch this time?”

  I nodded as he hugged me, squeezing him hard. I'd have to set up some kind of schedule with each of the races so I didn't forget anyone.

  Dad left then, though when Ram tried to follow him, Dad winked at me.

  “You two take a minute to catch up,” he said, before leaving us with Meira.

  Ooh. Dads and their matchmaking.

  And then, naturally, it was my sister's turn.

  “Come see me before you leave,” she whispered in my ear as she hugged me, kissing my cheek.

  So how did a life and death situation lead to suddenly being alone with a delicious demon who looked at me like I was good to eat?

  I had the weirdest life.

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  He started moving the moment the door closed, my demon rumbling a welcome as he entered my personal space. Ram's handsome face bent over mine, the shine of his horns catching the light from the window, wide lips welcoming me.

  What's a little kiss between friends?

  Strong hands cupped my face, his mouth covering mine, gentle but hungry at the same time. And my demon—hell, all of us—leaned into him, fingers sliding over the bare skin of his chest where his tight tunic gaped open, showing off the chiseled muscles under his red flesh.

  Ram tasted delicious, like honey and cinnamon and heat. I let myself relax into him, trying to picture us together.

  Pulled away.

  Sigh.

  “What are your thoughts on an effigy?” Weak joke, but I was half serious. Like Sebastian, at least Ram wouldn't die on me. Not for a long time, anyway. Except being with me would mean giving up some of his personal safety, tying him for eternity to a statue on my plane.

  Not much to ask or anything.

  The frown pulling his face into a squint told me I'd thrown him a curve ball.

  “Sorry?”

  “Never mind.” I hugged him quickly before releasing him. “Thanks for kiss. I needed it.”

  Ram's frown disappeared, a troubled look crossing his face.

  “You're not okay,” he said.

  “Just... stuff at home.” Which I really, really had to get back to. I reached for the veil, felt it resist me. What the hell? The touch of Ahbi's spirit was so clear, her intent so vivid, I gasped and stared at Ram.

  Wait. I was here... for him? My grandmother brought me across the veil, dumped me here while the Sidhe were in imminent danger, all because Ahbi wanted me to have a demon for a mate?

  Was she freaking kidding me? Talk about skewed priorities.

  But there was more. Much more. As I let her in, let her wind her power through mine, I finally understood.

  I'd need them. And they'd need me. Sooner, rather than later. The Brotherhood would come and I had to be able to act without worrying about politics.

  Which meant having good relationships with everyone involved.

  So not about Ram, not really.<
br />
  I hugged him again. Kissed him gently. “I have to see my sister.”

  He let me go, watched me leave, and I felt Ahbi's sigh of sadness as I did.

  Okay, so maybe it was about Ram for her.

  Sheesh.

  Charlotte's reptilian form glided along behind me, her freaky three-jointed legs making her bob up and down like a really hideous carnival ride. I couldn't look at her, instead focusing on the corridor in front of me. The door at the end.

  The door I knew. Because it was next to the room I'd lived in when I was here on Demonicon.

  Meira waited for me, smiling when she greeted me at the entrance to her quarters.

  Hugged me tight.

  “I missed you so much.” The tears in her voice were as powerful as the choking tightness in my throat and chest.

  “Meems,” I whispered. “Oh, Meems.”

  We leaned back, smiling at each other, blinking away mutual tears as Ahbi's spirit hugged us both. Meira shivered, looked around in shock only to grin.

  “Grandmother.”

  I nodded. “I think Dad and Henemordonin are in for a bit of a shock when she finally figures out how to take form again.” And I had absolutely no doubt it was on my grandmother's agenda.

  Like she wasn't powerful enough before. Now she had the very core of Demonicon at her disposal.

  “She feels different, though.” Meira sighed. “I suppose dying will do that to you.”

  “Not to mention being bonded to a planet's power source.” I rolled my eyes. “Don't worry about Ahbi. She's got it covered.”

  Meira took my hand, led me to the small divan placed in front of her gaping window. I tried not to look outside, the vision of falling, falling toward the Parade below still haunting me, though it had been ages since our cousins attacked us on the elevator and pushed me to what should have been my death.

  “I've wanted so much to see you.” Meira looked down, long black lashes fluttering a little before she met my eyes again. Hopeful. With longing. “I've been such an idiot, Syd.”

  “No way,” I said. “Not even a little. We both... went through a lot.” Her more than me.