by Patti Larsen
I pulled away at last, wiping at my face against the shoulder of my T-shirt. “I used magic,” I whispered. “I had to.”
Erica squeezed my hands. “You saved her life,” she said. “You did the right thing.”
How did she know?
“We all felt it,” she said. “We’re tied to you now, remember?”
Damn. That meant Celeste—
“Can go to bloody hell.” Erica said it so firmly and with such conviction I actually laughed.
And started crying again. I let her guide me to one of the plastic chairs. I needed to be strong, but it was so hard.
“I don’t know how Mom does it.” It was tough to admit I was a failure, especially to her. Trying hard didn’t mean getting it right.
But Erica smiled and blushed. “Actually,” she said, “you’re doing really well. Considering.”
I snorted through my tears. “Yeah, right. A Sidhe Gate is about to open, I’ve used magic on a mortal and Celeste is poised to ruin everything. Nice try.”
Erica’s eyes met mine, shining with her own tears. “I haven’t exactly had your back, have I?” She sighed deeply. “I’m so sorry, Syd. I’ve gotten used to Miriam saving the day. I forgot what it was like, for your mother and me, when she took over.”
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t really up for story time, but the distraction was welcome.
She chuckled, sweeping her blonde hair back from her face before taking my hands again. “Think about it, Syd. Your grandmother was suddenly crazy, crippled and unable to lead the coven who loved her. Miriam had to strip the family magic from her without her consent. Yes,” her eyes took a sad, far away look, “Ethpeal fought her. It was horrible.” She shuddered, the feeling of it traveling through her into me through her touch. “So here’s Miriam, twenty one years old, with a brand new baby fathered by a demon, something the coven was just starting to accept, wrestling power from her own mother and taking over.”
Holy. I had no idea. Respect and amazement surged inside me. “Poor Mom.”
“They hated her for it, Syd. And then she goes and offers the remaining living Puritys a place in the coven.” Erica shook her head, a little awed even after all this time. “I was sure everything would fall apart. And the fact she insisted Frank be included in coven matters… bad enough her brother was a vampire, but to make him one of us was almost the last straw.”
I tried to imagine. Gram, the Enforcer come back to lead the coven then does the unbelievable and saves them all. Their hero. And along comes Mom with her unconventional ways and changes everything.
“It took her years to build their trust and confidence,” she said. “So don’t be hard on yourself. Remember what they’ve come from, most of them.”
I wasn’t sure if I felt better or worse about it.
The appearance of Angela meant it didn’t matter.
***
Chapter Twenty Five
I went right to her and hugged her, careful of her freshly bandaged arm. Angela pulled away from me, letting out a sad sound as her fingertips touched the cut on my neck. I’d forgotten all about it.
“How is she?” I felt Erica hovering behind me, but was grateful she kept her distance.
“She’s fine, thanks to you. I really think you arrived just in time.” Angela still shook, but she managed a small, quivering smile. “The doctors said if she’d managed to cut any deeper she wouldn’t be with us anymore.” She sagged for a second then straightened again as if by sheer will. “They think the alcohol in her system along with the jolt of pain from cutting herself finally just shut her down and made her pass out.”
If Angela remembered what she witnessed, she wasn’t saying and I knew then I had done the right thing.
“They have her in for observation,” she choked on a breath, “and suicide watch.” Whispered, those last two words. As if they were bad, evil. Her blue eyes leaked tears. “It’s for the best, don’t you think?”
I hugged her again, wishing then she was stronger, could be the mother Alison needed her to be, but trying not to judge her for it.
Angela stayed with Erica who seemed to know all the right things to say as I drifted down the hall to Alison’s room. A little more magic, what could it hurt, and the nurses and doctors just ignored my passage.
I followed the feeling of her sleeping mind and found her tucked into a very white set of sheets, looking pale and broken lying there. Deep blue circles sunk her eyes deep into her head, her blonde hair free of its ponytail, making a stringy puddle around her face. Her left arm was bandaged heavily, breathing shallow and soft. I sat on the bed next to her, stroked some hair back from her face and felt the tingle in my nose and throat fight against me. But I was done crying. She was okay, they would fix her. And while I didn’t really believe that, at least she was somewhere she would be watched.
My demon grumbled at me and I shared her wish. Was there a way to heal my friend? To burrow into her mind and smooth away the old hurts, to rid her cells of their craving for alcohol? Could I turn this sad, shattered soul into the young woman she was born with the potential to be?
Mom’s mind touched mine, embraced me and I could no longer hold back my weeping. I clung to her and let her soothe me with the rich and lovely support of her magic. I smelled lilacs, the scent smothering the tang of hospital antiseptic, and almost looked up, hoping she was there, but knowing it was just her way of doing what she could to be with me.
You can’t fix her. The regret in her mental voice was as deep as any I’d ever felt, but oddly eased my pain. We can’t tamper with their lives, not like that. You do what you can for her every day, Syd. It has to be enough.
But it isn’t. I hugged myself, staring down at Alison’s sleeping face. She frowned suddenly, twitched, moaned. I rubbed the back of her hand and she fell still. And it’s not fair.
I love you. Mom smothered me in that emotion, wouldn’t let me go until I let it all in. She finally eased back, her touch fading. I’m so proud of you. Just love her, Syd. You’re doing it right.
Mom was gone again, just like that.
I left Alison, heart heavy, but knowing Mom understood.
Erica wanted to drive me home, but I assured her I was fine. She followed me the whole way, tooting her horn as I pulled into the driveway. It made me smile, our little convoy of Mini’s. My whole body felt like lead as I trudged to the kitchen door, the light of the rising sun stabbing its way through the window and into my eyes.
I was so not in the mood for cheery, thanks.
He’s home. Galleytrot’s mind touched mine, a hint of sympathy in it. I started, standing there in the kitchen with the warming tiles under my filthy feet, heart frozen. I’d forgotten all about the Gate, the trouble we were in.
Is he alone?
No, the dog’s voice vibrated, his mother is with him. He paused again. They’ve been fighting.
I had a very powerful feeling if I showed up again, his mother wouldn’t let him go anywhere with me, especially if their aborted trip and argument were about his past. What was behind this hate on she had for all things Wilding Springs?
Keep watching, I’ll be right there. Grim, I headed for the stairs and the shower. Just let that woman try to keep me from Liam and fulfilling my coven duties.
Meira stood in the hallway, sleepy, wiping at her eyes. She looked so much like her old self I went straight to her and hugged her. Sassafras twined between my legs, purring his distress.
“I’m so sorry, Syd.” Meira burst into tears and hugged my waist. “Is she okay?”
Damned coven connection. “She is,” I said. “She will be.”
Meira nodded, lower lip still trembling. Sassafras climbed my leg and I took the hint, lifting him into my arms. One silver paw touched the cut on my neck. It still stung.
“I’m okay too,” I said, kissing his nose. “Can you watch Meira today?”
He nodded at once while she made a face.
“We’ll be good,” she said, every inch a cove
n leader’s daughter. “Go fix it.”
The shower was welcome, though I spent five minutes of cursing and bleeding, even aided by magic, prying the sliver of glass out of my skin. Glass had an odd composition that made it hard to hold onto with power.
I let it wash down the sink drain along with the crusted blood and fresh accompanying it. A whisper of demon fire stopped that nonsense, but I’d have a nasty looking mark for a bit I hoped wouldn’t scar.
The kitchen smelled like toast when I made it back downstairs and I found myself smiling as Meira proudly served me a double set, dripping with butter and jelly. Just how she liked it.
I choked it down anyway and kissed her and Sassy on my way out.
And ran right into Beth. She was hurrying up to the door when I burst out and almost bowled her over. From the redness of her eyes and cheeks and the trembling in her hands as she covered her mouth in fright, I knew she heard about Alison.
“My mom,” she whispered. “She wasn’t supposed to say, but she knows Alison is my friend and she couldn’t help it.” Beth hugged me quickly, the scent of her shampoo filling my senses. “She said you were there at the hospital?”
Right. Beth’s mom was a nurse. She must have seen me in the waiting room.
“She’s going to be okay,” I said, feeling like it was a platitude. “Just an accident.”
Beth knew I was lying, but she nodded quickly and accepted it because that’s what friends do.
“If I can help, do anything…” She backed off a bit. “Let me know, okay?”
“Maybe once she’s out, we’ll all go to shopping or something.” Alison would love that.
“You got it.” Beth snuffled softly before hugging me again. “Okay. I’ll see you?” She turned and left, head down, shoulders slumped, arms slung around herself. I watched her drive off, waving and trying to smile.
She’s just left. Galleytrot’s mental voice broke my melancholy. For a second I thought he was talking about Beth then shook myself. Right. Liam’s mom. He’s alone.
I’ll be right there.
He only lived a few blocks away. Rather than taking Minnie, I chose to run. I was tired and needed the adrenaline to keep me going. By the time I crouched next to Galleytrot behind some bushes on the other side of the street from Liam’s front door, I was wide awake and buzzing.
He joined me as I approached the house, stayed by my side as I knocked. Liam appeared within a moment, startled, then sullen.
“We need to talk,” I said, “and it can’t wait.”
“I’m grounded,” he said.
“I don’t care if you’re chained to the kitchen table, get your butt out here and come with me.”
Sweet, right? Tough patooties.
He hesitated another moment then shrugged. “Give me a minute.”
Nice of him to invite me in. I waited impatiently on the front step, Galleytrot shifting from paw to paw beside me. Liam finally returned, looking even more unhappy.
“Can’t we just talk here?” He was already coming outside, sliding on a denim jacket. His eyes widened as they fell on the black dog. “Holy crap, what’s that?”
Galleytrot grumbled softly while I scratched the top of his head. “My dog.”
“You could put a saddle on that thing and sell pony rides.” Liam reached out his hand for Galleytrot to sniff, but the hound simply snorted all over him, leaving a nice spray of mucus.
Served him right, I guess.
Liam wiped his hand on his pants. “Well?”
“We don’t have much time,” I snapped, “and no, we can’t talk here. Let’s go.”
I turned and strode away, looking back to see he still hesitated.
“You’re going to get me in more trouble,” he said, that sullenness he showed when I first appeared returning.
“I really don’t give a damn.” I sighed and tapped one foot. “Liam. You know this is important. You know.” I took a risk with my next statement. “That’s why you came back.”
Why didn’t he look startled? “You’re stalking me now?”
I huffed out a breath. “Am I wrong?”
He shook his head slowly, eyes going to the cracked pavement of his walk as he started moving in my direction. “No,” he whispered. “Let’s go.”
As we crossed the street, I felt a pinch between my shoulder blades and glanced around, hating the feeling someone was watching me.
Ms. Spaft’s black eyes glared at me through her windshield as she drove past us and sped down the street. She was gone around the corner before I could shake the feeling I wasn’t the only stalker in town.
Meira and Sassafras were already back upstairs by the time I sat Liam down in my kitchen with Galleytrot between us. I could have told him what I needed to tell him elsewhere, but in order for him to truly understand I had to show him certain things best done under the cover of the family wards.
I could have done it gently, eased him into it, but we had very little time. I instead chose to rip off the band aid and give it to him.
“I am like you,” I said, “and more. We share Sidhe blood, the power of the fairy realm. But I’m also part demon,” I let her out, send the flare of amber fire to my eyes and heard him gasp as his jaw dropped. “It gets better. I’m a witch.” The blue magic rose from my hands, formed a soft fireball that flickered and danced with the joy of the Hayle coven magic.
Liam stared like I was about to pounce on him and tear his throat out. His mouth worked, Adam’s apple bobbing, sneakers pushing against the floor, sliding his chair back away from me as he struggled to speak.
“Gah!”
I rolled my eyes. “Really? Come on, Liam. You can do better than that.”
Was that anger in his face? Good. Anger was good. I watched him relax a little because of it.
“Who are you?” Normally, Liam’s voice was pretty deep, but the squeak that came out of him actually made me laugh.
“I already told you,” I said. “Weren’t you listening?”
He glanced sideways at Galleytrot who stared at him with his huge, dark eyes, tongue lolling out to the side. The black dog was so big the pair of them were almost at level with each other.
“This is crazy.” Liam lurched to his feet. “Mom warned me, told me not to listen to this ridiculous magic talk. You’re as bad as my dad, as bad as Daddo.” How could he possibly deny what I showed him was real? But he had a stubborn look on his face, and I realized then the years of conditioning from his mother wasn’t allowing him to open up when I really needed him to. “I’m out of here.”
Galleytrot casually stood and moved toward the kitchen door, sitting down right in front of it.
“You’re not going anywhere, Gatekeeper,” he said.
***
Chapter Twenty Six
Liam sank back into his chair, all the pink in his cheeks draining away until I could count his freckles. “This can’t be happening.”
“Well, it is.” Galleytrot returned to his place between us, sticking his huge head in Liam’s space. “And you must listen now, Liam O’Dane. The fate of the world is in your hands.”
Liam shook, but too his credit he didn’t pull away. And as Galleytrot breathed on him I understood why. His hand reached out, slowly, fingers sliding into the silky, thick fur on the top of the dog’s head. The moment he touched him, a ribbon of green magic slid between them, winding around Liam’s wrist. I heard him sigh, saw him relax, slump really, into the wooden chair, his eyes locked on the dog’s.
“Mom is going to kill me,” he said. “She warned me to stay away from you.” Guilty, he looked up at me. “I told her you wanted to meet Daddo and she lost it. Dragged me out of town. I finally convinced her to turn around, take me back. But she’s afraid of something, Syd. And it has to have to do with what I am.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” I said, softening my tone. Galleytrot had won Liam over where my browbeating failed. I quickly filled him in on what the dog told me, about the Gate, his family, how his g
randfather was supposed to pass the torch on to his father.
“But Dad died.” Liam nodded now, both hands deep in Galleytrot’s fur, scratching his ears. “I barely remember. I was pretty little, Mom and Daddo fought over her taking me away. He said something about my responsibility, my destiny. That he needed me.” Liam straightened a little. “Mom wouldn’t listen and we moved the next day.”
“Leaving your grandfather the last Keeper of the Gate,” Galleytrot said. “But why then didn’t he seal it?”
“Pure stubborn probably,” Liam said, lips twisting. “Then he got sick… maybe he still thinks he can answer it.” He shrugged. “They’ve been keeping him drugged lately. Mom says he’s acting funny, won’t let me visit.” Liam smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of one hand. “The Gate.”
“The Gate.” Galleytrot turned to me. “We need to talk to this man. Unless your grandfather shared with you the secret to finding the Gate and answering the knock?”
Liam shook his head. “No such luck.” He looked very troubled, guilty even. “All these years I thought he was nutty, you know? Mom told me he was crazy. Convinced me. That the whole power thing was my imagination.” He stopped petting Galleytrot, hands falling to his lap. “If only I’d believed in him.” Hazel eyes snapped with anger. “Mom knows, she has to.”
“But why keep this from you?” And how was his mother involved?
“I have no idea,” he snapped, “but she’s tried very hard my whole life to convince me none of this was true. She’d only do that if she knew it was.”
“Can we get in to see him?” I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already 10:00 a.m. and the final knock came tonight.
Liam was on his feet and heading for the door. “Are you coming or not?”
The drive was a quiet one, with Galleytrot hanging his big head through the front seats, panting in my ear while Liam stared out the window. It was pretty clear he struggled with his past and was trying to come to terms with everything we’d told him.
