by Patti Larsen
Didn’t break. Awesome.
Nothing’s wrong, Syd. Erica sent soothing magic. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.
Then what? I wasn’t being the nicest, I know, but after the snub I’d gotten from her, she was lucky I was talking her outside of a disaster at all.
Just checking in. Her tone became more subdued. Do you need anything?
No, thank you. I would have loved to dump the whole Meira issue in her lap and let her deal with it, but the memory of her stabbing me in the back just fed my anger further. And while the flicker of guilt telling me I probably should also inform her about Liam and the Sidhe mess coming our way was stronger, I smothered it as well. Did you need something?
The long silence was filled with her disappointment. No. I can come over if you want?
I’m going out. I’d just decided, but I realized I really needed to get away from my house. Night.
I cut off the connection before her regret could make me feel bad. I’d talk to her about what happened the other night, but face-to-face and not while I was still wired from a fight with my sister. Mom taught me that much at least—my temper and calm conversation wasn’t the ideal combination.
With firm orders for Sassafras to stand guard and the kitchen scrubbed clean, I headed for the door. I sealed the wards behind me as an extra precaution. If Meira tried to leave or someone tried to enter, I should know about it the moment it happened.
Minnie’s engine had just fired up when my phone buzzed. I checked it, a text. Surprise, surprise, it was from Alison.
SO SRY PLZ 4GIVE ME
Sigh.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the message. My phone buzzed again.
M A JERK DT H8 ME
Double sigh. Did I really want to go there again? I loved Alison, don’t get me wrong. But her spiral into neediness and jealousy was almost more than I was willing to take. I had enough problems. And I’d made it through most of my life without friends, so going back to a ‘just me’ state wouldn’t be the end of the world.
The phone vibrated one last time.
LV U
Damn it. My fingers found the keyboard.
On my way 2 Jnyz
I was such a sucker.
***
Chapter Sixteen
Alison was waiting for me when I arrived at Johnny’s. I saw her standing by the door, bouncing impatiently on her toes as she stood there, alone. As soon as she spotted me she began to wave, jerking little motions with her hand, a wide smile plastered on her desperate face. My heart, already softening, cracked open and forgave her.
She rushed forward the second I parked, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could feel every bone in her ribcage. Alison was always thin, but how did I miss she was turning into a skeleton?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” endlessly, on and on, whispered into my ear until I pushed her gently away and tried a smile.
Succeeded. “Al,” I said. “It’s okay.”
She shook her head, ponytail swinging wildly, tears standing in her blue eyes. “It’s not,” she said. “I should never have doubted you. I know better.” She shifted from one foot to the other, hands winding together as if to keep from latching onto me again. “You’re my best friend and I know I need to trust you. Over Page.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m such an idiot.”
“I did try to reach you.” I armed Minnie’s alarm as we headed for the glass door to the diner.
“I know.” She flushed. “I lost my phone after the battery died. When I picked up my new one I got your messages.” Her hand landed on my arm and she stopped me just before I pulled the door open. “I’m just feeling…” her eyes drifted away from mine, mind obviously churning. “Unbalanced. Like I have no idea what my life is for.” She shrugged her slender shoulders, the strap of her purse sliding. Alison automatically reached up to adjust it though I was sure the motion was subconscious. She was still lost inside herself. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a loser.”
I hugged her then, impulsively. “We all have our stuff, Al,” I said. “I’m just as guilty. Let’s just forget it and move on, okay?”
She sniffed and smiled, tucking back a stray piece of hair. She looked the most like herself she had in a long time, the brittle vulnerability easing. “Perfect.” She paused. “Liam?”
I wasn’t going to stop being his friend. In fact, I needed to be at this point. But Alison surprised and impressed me.
“I was jealous,” she spoke in a gush, “because I thought you wanted to be with him and not me. Silly.” Her giggle was soft, child-like. “Besides, you’re taken and he’s adorable.” She winked at me.
Why did that thought make my stomach churn with my own green monster?
“What happened to you thinking he was gay?” It came out harsher than I intended.
She actually flushed, the color traveling down her neck so I knew it was genuine. “I was being mean,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”
Alison didn’t need to tell me she was sorry. I wasn’t the one she’d judged. But then again, Liam had no idea. I was glad I hadn’t said anything and let it go.
We spent the next couple of hours just hanging out, being normal. It was nice and helped me find my own kind of balance. With my outside-the-coven life being in upheaval, I hadn’t realized how much it added to the stress of what was going on at home.
By the time I left Alison we were besties again. And while she still felt a little clingy, the horrible desperation in her was gone, or at least mostly so, which allowed me to stop worrying about her.
Naturally that led my mind to Mom and Gram and Uncle Frank and my anxiety notched back up. By the time I pulled into our driveway, I was a mess again. But at least I’d managed to have a little time to unwind and forget.
It was later than I intended and the house was dark when I let myself in the kitchen and flipped the light switch. A shriek escaped me, power surging forth at the sight of Celeste standing in the middle of the room. I clutched at my T-shirt as adrenaline pounded my system, my demon snarling in her own reaction.
“What the hell?” My nerves turned to anger in a flash, fed by amber power. “You scared the crap out of me. I almost disintegrated you.”
Celeste’s face settled. Only then did I realize she wasn’t just standing there, that she seemed to be heading further into the house by the position of her body and that she’d looked as startled as me.
“I came to offer you my aid.” Her long, brown horsetail braid hung past her shoulder, swinging by her right knee as she pivoted her large body toward me. Man hands almost the size of my dad’s stroked the ever-present rope of hair. The gesture, clearly a habit, always gave me the creeps, like she was petting a dead animal or something.
My eyebrows pulled together, body stiffening. Like I’d even for a second accept any help from her. Not after her continued attempts to take my mother down. And especially not now that I knew she was a Purity witch absorbed into our coven.
“Thanks,” I said at my most dry, “I’m sure that’s why you’re here.” I felt around her, noticed her power was shielded. No wonder I hadn’t felt her pass the seal on the wards I’d set earlier. She made sure I didn’t. “You could have knocked.” What was she doing in my house?
“The source of our coven’s power lies in the basement of this place.” Her huffy tone hid something, I knew it. “Your mother saw to that. Which means the entire coven must have access to it at any time.”
Likely excuse, but not exactly plausible. “You needed access why?”
Celeste didn’t answer my question. “I know we’ve been at odds in the past,” she said, tone supposed to be soothing I think, but coming across as threatening. “But I want you to know I have only ever had the best interests of this family at heart and I am here to offer you guidance.” She took a step toward me, voice dropping lower. “It was reprehensible how Erica treated you the other night, in front of the entire coven. I’m here to be your right hand if
you choose to depose her for her error.”
Ah. So it was the old divide and conquer. Did she think I was a total idiot? Or that vain? Like I’d ever choose her over Erica, no matter what the other witch did. Erica was Mom’s choice, someone I’d known and trusted my entire life. My gripe with Erica was between her and me.
I smiled sweetly, my demon snarling at me while Shaylee lent me her poise. “Keep dreaming those deluded dreams, Celeste.”
Her face stiffened, whole body retreating from me as she drew herself to her full height, towering over me. “You’d do well to be more respectful,” she growled, power suddenly free and shifting around her. “You don’t have your mother here to protect you any longer and there are those of us who put the good of the coven ahead of her wishes to have you play leader.”
Oh she did not just threaten me. I let out my own magic, all three forms surging to the surface. I didn’t let it touch her, just wanting her to feel the strength at my disposal. Following Mom’s lead, I showed her exactly what she was up against and allowed her to decide.
“I know who you are,” I said, keeping my tone light and low, but firm. “I’m aware you were a Purity witch and Mom accepted you and the few who survived into our coven, our family, after your leader betrayed you all.” Celeste’s face twitched with each word, and I could tell she longed to lash out at me. Part of me wanted her to, just so I’d have reason to crush her once and for all. “And I also know you would do anything you could to bring my mother down. Isn’t that right?”
I watched with something very close to glee as she grappled with her rage, certain at any moment she would implode if she held it much longer. But the beet redness in her face faded, the hands clenched around her braid falling away. Rats. I was so hoping for a show.
“Heed my warning, Sydlynn Hayle,” she said. “The days of such impudence, such arrogance, are numbered. This coven will not tolerate another disaster.”
“And you just threatened me for the last time.” I stepped aside, pointing at the door. “Get out and don’t you dare set one foot back in this house unless you come ask me for permission first.”
So. Freaking. Fun. As pissed as I was, this leader thing was a blast. Especially this part. My demon roared her laughter and even Shaylee giggled like a girl.
Celeste knew I wasn’t afraid of her. I could see it in her eyes and she hated me for it.
I let my magic slam the door behind her as she stomped her way out. Only then did I laugh, hugging myself to hold it in. Not that it was really funny. She’d pretty much just told me she was still working against the coven, Mom, me. And I knew I had to take the threat seriously.
But just for a second I wanted to enjoy the fact I’d finally won a battle, if not the endless war.
***
Chapter Seventeen
I tried checking in on Dad, but he had the basement door warded. Part of me was pissed he wasn’t paying attention when Celeste broke in, but the other half was grateful. It was probably those very wards which would have kept her from doing what she was trying to if I hadn’t arrived home.
That thought made me pause at the bottom of the first floor stairs. What if she wasn’t heading for the basement? But if not, what was she after? I pondered the question all the way to my room. A brief touch behind Meira’s door told me she was sleeping. At least I didn’t have her to deal with tonight.
There was still no Galleytrot waiting for me and nor could I reach him.
I sat down at my computer and checked for messages. And no Quaid either. Great, it seemed everyone was ignoring me. Sassy lay curled up on the bed sleeping, so I let him, sliding under the covers myself.
***
The hum drives me to my knees, shaking my soul as the pounding footsteps draw closer. I lift my eyes, looking up at the Gate as it begins to glow, gathering the light of the shining moon, sucking illumination from the silvered world around me.
I reach for it, desperate to stop the inevitable as the Gate pulses once.
Someone knocks, as though a great fist has struck the surface, making it ring like a bell. The sound intensifies the shuddering of the ground, setting the very air to vibrate, my teeth chattering together from the assault.
A second knock, this one louder than the first, tearing great rents in the earth beneath me.
A third. As my body shakes apart, my essence scattering in a million fragments, my scream dies under the sound of marching feet.
***
Oh hell, no. I swiped at the sweat running down my face, my gaze drawn out my window to the glowing full moon hanging over my back yard. Foreboding so powerful it made me groan gripped me in an iron hand and squeezed. Shaylee cried out, running to hide, cowering behind a wall of green magic I was unable to break through.
My conversation with the Sidhe Venner came rushing back to me. He’d mentioned someone knocking on the Gate. But I still didn’t know what it meant, outside of the fact it wasn’t good. I had to talk to Liam. No more waiting. Whatever was coming, I had to deal with it. I had a moment of nerves, remembering Celeste’s warning. One more disaster. Well, maybe I could get to the core of this one before all hell broke loose.
Just keep lying to yourself, Syd.
Galleytrot, I need you now. Without Shaylee’s power I knew I’d have a harder time reaching him.
Nothing. Damn it.
I continued trying for the remainder of the morning, dawn soon arriving, through arguing with Meira over bathroom time leading to the inevitable screaming of, “I hate you!” and the slamming of her door, past breakfast and all the way along my walk to school. I finally gave up trying to reach the black dog, though my fear for him didn’t go away.
Of course I was worried about Galleytrot himself, despite knowing he was an immortal hound of the Wild Hunt and not much could really harm him. But he was, after all, the anchor to which I’d placed the seal of the Wild when Gwynn ap Nudd finally agreed to go back to sleep instead of ripping the world to shreds. If something were to happen to Galleytrot, I wasn’t sure the seal would hold.
Alison seemed even more normal that morning and I found myself grinning at her jokes, just like I used to. I really missed her. I just wished I had more time to spend with her, now that she seemed to be on the mend. I ditched her as gently as I could and went searching for Liam.
I spotted him easily, his reddish blonde head topping most of the other students. But when I smiled and waved at him he turned from me and vanished into his classroom.
I would have gone after him except the sight of Ms. Spaft staring me down made me think twice. I’d almost forgotten about the horrid woman, but the memory of being in one of her detentions was enough to keep me from pushing my luck.
It wasn’t until lunch I had time to chase him down, but Liam was nowhere to be found—not in the cafeteria where our table sat empty and lonely, not outside on the hill where we’d had lunch yesterday. I finally risked letting some magic out, knowing it wasn’t exactly against the rules, but definitely stretching them. Shaylee latched onto him in a heartbeat, carrying me right to the stairs and up to the library.
Of course. He’d said it himself, he loved libraries. Duh, Syd.
I found him hunched over a book, head in his hands. The moment I sat next to him he looked up, startled, before his face took on an angry edge. Liam closed the book as he moved to rise and I knew then I had to do something radical or this was all over.
“Yes,” I said, “you’re right. Me too. Okay? Happy?”
His anger was gone in a flash, replaced by a mix of relief and an odd joy. Liam grinned at me, everything forgiven. I told myself I’d have to teach him what a poker face was as he spoke.
“I knew it.” He touched one fingertip to the back of my hand. Shaylee instantly reacted, a spark of green magic jumping between us. We both twitched, but this time instead of hiding it, I shrugged.
“It’s a family thing.” True enough. No, I wasn’t about to tell him about my coven, but the Sidhe stuff? That was mine to share and
Celeste and the others be damned.
He nodded quickly. “Me too,” he whispered. “My dad had it. And my grandfather. I think it’s part of the reason Mom hates it here. Because we’re, you know. Different.”
“You’ve always known?” I needed him to not only fill in his family history, but resolve this mystery.
“Ever since I was little.” Liam traced a pattern on the back of his book over and over again and I realized as he did it was a Sidhe symbol. And I knew it, had seen it. I touched his hand as he began to follow the path he made again and green magic lit it up ever so softly.
The Gate.
Liam grinned at me, suddenly trembling with excitement. “Cool. This sign?” He gestured at it, but I’d already let the power fade. Couldn’t have someone wander by and spot it. “I keep seeing it in my dreams.”
My heart seized up before thudding painfully back into action. “What kind of dreams?”
“There’s this gate or doorway,” he said. “And the moon is huge, really full and bright.”
I found myself nodding. “Did someone knock last night?"
Liam gaped at me like he had no idea who I was. “You too?”
I tried really hard not to sigh. Didn’t win, but I tried. “I think I know what’s going on,” I said. “But I need your help to figure out the rest of it.”
I’m not sure what I said that made him suddenly stiffen. Liam pulled away from me, physically and emotionally.
“I have class.” He moved so fast it left me speechless. What the hell just happened?
I managed to hook his arm with one hand. “Liam—“
“Sorry, Syd,” he muttered, “but I’m starting to sound as nutty as Daddo.”
“Daddo?” I thought his father was dead?
“Grandfather,” Liam said and my brain made a connection so powerful my demon yelped. Daddo. His grandfather? Of course. The old man was the source, the one I had to find. He was the Keeper. I had to find out what Venner was up to and Fergus, not Liam, was my best chance at answers.
