The Undying

by Patti Larsen

  She led me to the bed, sat next to me, hands shaking so much I clutched them between mine to steady us both.

  “Syd,” Mom whispered. “Oh, Syd.” She touched the necklace again, fingers gripping it so tightly they turned white. “What have I done?”

  “Nothing,” I said, a little surprised by the snarl in my tone. “Not you, Mom.”

  She shook her head, brows coming together, eyes haunted as she drew a panicked breath. “I fought so hard.” Mom gasped for air, chest hitching. “Syd, I fought and I fought, but I couldn't break free. I knew what was happening, but there was nothing...” she choked off, hugged me again. “I almost destroyed us all.”

  “Not you,” I repeated. “The Brotherhood.”

  She sat back, hand finally dropping the pentagram to her chest where it glowed softly with blue power. Her power. And mine as a shimmer of iridescence raced over it. “How did you know?”

  “Sorcerers use the inherent magic in objects to gain power.” I'd done so myself just recently. To save Gram. “They must have stolen your pentagram. Remember Margaret's ring?” The leader of the European Council admitted the Brotherhood tainted her through the ring she'd worn. “Mom, I should have known, but the Council power wouldn't let me look closely.” It hovered inside her now, calm and relaxed, a tame lion ready to pounce. “They must have used your pentagram to control you and, through you, the Council's magic.”

  Mom shuddered before rising to pace. “I've failed,” she said.

  I couldn't have her crumble on me now. “Mom.” She turned to face me. So beautiful I smiled, beamed. I had my mom back, damn it. How awesome was that? “Listen to me. The Brotherhood is insidious.” Had proved it so many times I could hardly count. “The most important thing is you're free. And so is the Council power.”

  It made so much sense to me now, Mom's mood swings, the way she seemed to struggle against her own will. Not the Council magic, but the Brotherhood's manipulation.

  “They will know by now you're free,” I said. “We have to put up safeguards to make sure you stay that way.”

  Mom sat with me again, hands holding mine, face composed, though a deep hurt still shone in her eyes. “The Council,” she said. “They will all need to be tested.” Her innate sense of responsibility kicked in, visible in the set of her shoulders, the determination on her face. “And dealt with if they are also under control.” She shook her head, dark hair swinging. “How could I have let this happen?”

  Wow, that sounded familiar.

  “They tried to break you by inches,” I said. Knew it was true. Recalled Mom's slow deterioration up to this point. “You wouldn't have felt it at first, since their power is empty to you. Bits and pieces, influencing you on choices you normally wouldn't have made.” Now I knew it, I could feel it, see it in everything she did, right from my first day at Harvard. “I'm as much to blame as you are. More. I have sorcery. I should have recognized their influence for what it is and acted a long time ago. But I thought it was the Council power controlling you and knew you'd never give it up.”

  Mom nodded, lips thinned in anxiety. “You're right,” she said. “Syd, I was so close to breaking.”

  I squeezed her hands. “But you didn't.” I laughed again. “I bet they didn't factor in just how freaking strong you are, Mom.” Her blue eyes glistened with more tears, but she listened. “I'd love to know how many sorcerers you broke before they managed to make you do anything.”

  Her mouth turned up into a little smile. “I hope it hurt,” she said.

  That was my mom, all right.

  Mom's little moment of vengeance died when she gasped and paled. “We have to get you out of here.”

  Oh, now she remembered I was in prison.

  “I don't know how.” She might as well have the truth. “Mom—”

  She shushed me immediately. “I'm here to take your statement,” she said. “Since you are unwilling to give it, I have no choice but to leave.”

  Rules. Laws. Okay then.

  “Mom,” I said, feeling my own desperation rise, though not for me. “Gram?”

  She hesitated. But when she answered, it wasn't with bad news, just uncertain.

  “I don't know,” she said, grief coming back. “I think I sent the Kennecott twins to her.” I liked them both, trusted them, knew Lula and Phon would take as good of care with Gram as they had with Liam when Ameline stole his Sidhe soul. Mom swept to her feet, pulling me up with her. “I'm going to go home and check on her now.” She hesitated before hugging me again. But this time without fear, no longer shaking. When she leaned back and met my eyes, a powerful Council Leader looked back.

  “We'll find a way to free you,” she said, “if it's my last act as leader of the High Council.”

  She reached around her neck for the chain to my necklace, but I shook my head with a grin.

  “I'm good,” I said. “You need it more than I do.”

  Mom kissed my cheek gently before embracing me with her magic as she strode out the door, calling for Pender.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Maybe I shouldn't have been so optimistic, but knowing Mom was going to be okay, that she was finally herself, went a long way to making me feel better.

  While I still didn't believe she would be able to save me from being condemned to death, at least she was whole and could help Gram. And Shenka when the time came I had to release the family magic.

  I kicked myself for not filling Mom in on everything that happened, but since she seemed to think I had to stay quiet in order for her to do what was necessary, spilling the beans would have to wait. I could only hope Demetrius would think to warn Sunny about Alison. If his brain was even firing on partial neurons at the moment.

  I paced, struggling with the knowledge it was likely Margaret Applegate never really left the control of the Brotherhood. I certainly wouldn't put it past them to try to snare her again and piled on another coating of guilt I hadn't checked in.

  You do realize most of what you're beating yourself up about really isn't your responsibility? My vampire's gentle hug went a long way to helping me shed the pressure of regret.

  You warned them, my demon snarled. They did nothing while we put our lives on the line for them. And that makes you guilty? Her internal snort was accompanied by a blast of demon fire warming my insides.

  It is their failing, Shaylee sent. We have saved them so many times, perhaps they need to fall in order to understand just what it is they face.

  Hopefully the Sidhe had the message now. But I wasn't holding my breath. It's always easier to blame the messenger, I sent, glum.

  Indeed, my vampire sent. And for the messenger to do the same.

  Got it. Shake it off, Hayle.

  I went to the tall, narrow window and stared out into the barren landscape, the dark gray sky matching my mood no matter how much I tried to convince myself I'd done the right thing. Of course I had. But the inevitable consequences almost did me in.

  What would I do without my family? I'd fought being part of the coven most of my life. But now? Now I cherished them, each of them. Even more, I cherished my connection to the family magic, full of centuries of history and the power of dozens of witch leaders, even those before my line took over. What would my ancestors have done? If this were Thaddea Hayle, our first family leader, or her daughter, Auburdeen who Sassafras spoke so highly of?

  I wished I knew.

  It didn't help I stared out into the very place the battle between magicks was destined to take place. The last stand of witches, demons, Sidhe and vampires against the sorcerers.

  It doesn't have to be this way. Iepa's mental touch was gentle, kind and hesitant, as though she expected me to give her the boot again. I almost did.

  Almost.

  Explain. Abrupt and rude? Hell yeah. She had a long way to go to earn my respect back.

  When the time comes, she sent. If you are willing, this can be decided another way. Among the four.

  News to m
e. Then why all the doom and gloom battle for the fate of everything crap you've been drilling into me for so long? Temper, temper. Screw that.

  She was silent so long I thought she'd left and jumped a little when she did speak. Our side has rules, she sent. The other doesn't follow them.

  Typical. So break them, I sent. Blunt was my only option at this point.

  Again silence. A sigh. Be well, she sent and left me.

  As frustrated as ever.

  At least now we know more than we did before. My vampire was nothing if not practical.

  My demon, on the other hand, snarled her irritation while Shaylee pouted.

  I was with them, frankly.

  Maybe we should just run. I slid my arms around myself, the soft fabric of my robe so thin I felt a chill despite the steady temperature of the room. More from the thought of acting than any shift in the weather.

  Perhaps, my vampire sent. Though it would be easier to do so once we are out of this plane.

  Not so sure, I sent. We've been riding the veil through some powerful magicks lately.

  You don't have your crystal. My demon's grumbling flared with anger. The Enforcers seized it, remember?

  True.

  Patience, my vampire sent. Your mother is whole again and has a great deal of power at her disposal. And we all know we will never allow them to kill us. The moment of choice will come. But it is not this moment.

  Was it wrong I was happy for the out?

  I turned and crossed to the small desk, sitting on the low bench, fingers tapping on the wooden surface. The moment I touched it, I felt a breath of power. Not enough to stir the protections in the stronghold, clearly, but enough it woke my curiosity.

  Carefully shielding my power, I let it slide out over the surface until it connected with a thin wisp of magic left behind.

  Maji magic.

  How ironic, Ameline's voice spoke in my head. We've traded places. Because you failed to understand they will never let you do what you must. When you've had enough, break the chains holding you to their pathetic laws and come to me. To destiny.

  By the time her voice faded, my hands were clenched into fists so tight I was sure I'd find blood on my palms when I finally let them relax. Nope, just eight neat half circles of brilliant red fading fast as my maji heritage healed me before my eyes.

  She knew. Expected me to get caught. Left me a message to taunt me.

  Oh, I'd be coming to find her all right.

  But she'd better look the hell out.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Just as I was about to freak out from the solitude and my own spiraling thoughts, the seal around my door sighed and it opened. I braced myself, not sure who or what to expect. And winced at the sight of Varity Rhodes. She stared at me with a blank expression, draped in her heavy Enforcer robe, jaw tight, but eyes hooded and revealing nothing.

  I felt terrible for what I'd been forced to do to her, thought of Charlotte and wondered if my poor bodywere was catatonic yet.

  Before I could offer the apology I owed her, Varity spoke.

  “Was it you who came to me?” Her voice seemed to echo in the stillness between us and I felt the brush of Enforcer power running beneath her words. “Was it you who asked me to bring you here?”

  Um, weird question. I opened my mouth to confess.

  Felt a jab from a place I wasn't expecting.

  Lie, Quaid sent. Lie your face off. Just do it.

  Huh? Okay, confused.

  Tell her you have no idea what she's talking about. Quaid's deep voice was edged with desperation. Don't argue with me.

  My temper flared. Bossy pants.

  Syd, he snarled. Don't be an idiot.

  Fine. But he'd pay for it later.

  While I was getting much better at lying when it meant saving the world, lying to cover my own ass still gave me problems. I shrugged and went for nonchalant while my vampire sighed her disgust and took over.

  “I don't know why I'm here,” my vampire said, keeping my face straight. While I cringed inside for the untruth. Jeeze, even to save my life I was a goody two shoes. Sad, really. My vampire hissed at me before going on. “And I have no idea what you're talking about.”

  Varity relaxed suddenly, her power retreating, the empty look on her face easing. She didn't exactly smile, but the cold contempt was gone and I took that as a win.

  She left without a word, the wards resealing as she left.

  Weird. But there had to be something behind it, didn't there? Though it was pretty obvious it had been me who approached her.

  What was Mom up to?

  And why did she recruit Quaid to help knowing it would get him in trouble?

  The last thing I wanted was to put anyone else at risk. But I guessed the people I loved had other ideas and since I was locked up in here with no way to give them a hard time over it, I just had to yell at them for being stupid once I broke out.

  No way this little plan would work. No way.

  Syd. Quaid's voice reached me again, distant, faint. I tapped into our connection despite knowing it might trigger the protections surrounding the stronghold. But his power must have been enough to keep it quiet, because after a brief rumbling stir of the magic wards around my cell, everything went silent again.

  Okay, so fill me in, please. I wished he was here. That I could hug him and kiss him. Taste his power, feel his body against mine. But the thin thread between us would have to do.

  I don't know what you did to Miriam, he sent, excitement and tension coloring his mental voice, but she's not the woman who went into your cell.

  He could say that again. What is she doing?

  She has a plan, he sent. Paused. So did I, but she wouldn't let me break you out after you turned Meira away.

  That was you. Of course it was. You showed Meems how to find this plane. Love surged, warmed me up, made tears prickle my eyes, throat tight and hot. You idiot.

  He laughed in my head and my memory showed me his dark chocolate eyes, the flash of his white smile. Someone had to do something.

  I have a plan of my own, I sent. And I can break myself out, thanks. Without putting your head on the block with mine.

  Doesn't matter, Quaid sent. The intensity of the connection increased, his magic winding around me, pulling me close. I can't let anything happen to you.

  He loved me, I knew it. Could feel it, embraced it as much as I sent my own love to him. And yet here we were, unable to be together. Would never be.

  What the hell was wrong with us?

  Just be careful, he sent, voice fading. Syd, they're coming. You'll have to—

  His connection severed, though I could still feel him. But our little discussion was over.

  Which left me wondering: I'd have to what?

  When the door unsealed and Pender entered, followed by Santos Councilor Huan Wong, Rhodes Councilor Willa Rhodes and Hensley Councilor Lauren Noble, I understood his warning.

  They'd come to ask me questions. And I had to lie again. Convince them of this new truth, that it wasn't me who'd corralled Varity into leading me to Ameline.

  Yeah, hello crash and burn of epic proportions.

  Don't be so cynical, my vampire sent, shoving me aside just as my demon shouldered past me, Shaylee shunting me behind her until the three of their spirits stood in front of mine, their egos sharing my body.

  Freaky. But not like I hadn't given up control before. I waited, the family magic winding around me like an eager cat, as Pender bowed to me and repeated Varity's question.

  “Coven Leader,” he said. “Did you manipulate one of our Enforcers to bring you here with the intent to free Ameline Benoit?”

  The pressure of magic surrounded me, Council power seeping through my shields. On purpose, as my alter egos let them in. Showed them what they wanted the witches to see. Me, innocent.

  “I did not, under any circumstances, coerce Enforcer Rhodes.” That much was absolutely true. She brought me here of her ow
n free will. Still, if I could help Varity, throwing around the coercion thing, maybe they would think by suggestion she'd acted out of magical influence. Since she was still walking around, had come to see me earlier, I could only imagine she was in the clear. Wouldn't hurt, though.

  They waited while my vampire went on.

  “Nor did I enter this place at any time prior to my arrest.” Blatant lie number one. We'd been here twice already. “In fact, I have absolutely no idea why I'm being held and refuse to give a statement until I'm told what is going on.” Blatant lies number two and three flowed from my lips so easily I cringed. They had to feel it. Had to know I was full of crap.

  Hush, my vampire sent as my demon took over.

  “Considering how horribly I've been treated in the past,” she said with my mouth, “I am appalled such accusations led to my arrest without a single word of my crimes being declared to me.”

  Pender's head bobbed, cheeks dark red even as the Council members flushed.

  “It was our understanding you freed Ameline Benoit from this very cell.” Huan's round face tightened. “You deny this?”

  “Absolutely and without question.” That was Shaylee. And I realized then why they took turns. So the witches could feel all of my magicks. As proof I told the truth. Which meant I'd have to step up at some point.

  Yikes.

  “I would like to know,” Shaylee said, “why I was not informed the witch who threatened my family's wellbeing was allowed to escape.”

  “Because we believed you freed her.” Huan stumbled over the accusation, losing steam. But she quickly recovered, nostrils flaring as she set her jaw. “You're not working with Ameline to undermine witch power?”

  That one I could answer 100% with honesty and did so.

  “Never,” I snapped. Yes, I was working with her, under duress. But the caveat? To undermine witches? They had no clue.

  None.

  They asked a few more questions, more of the same, twisting the words around until I finally turned my back on them.