Gatekeeper

by Patti Larsen

  “Heed the Gate.” He sounded almost young, rippling with his own power. “You must answer the knock when it comes.”

  “I thought he had his own protections.” We had to do something, but I had no idea what. “He should be okay, shouldn’t he?”

  “He does,” Galleytrot said. “That’s why he’s still alive at all.”

  Small comfort there.

  Liam meanwhile hovered over Fergus. “How, Daddo? How do I answer it?”

  But the old man was gone again, unconscious, and unable to answer. Liam looked up and met my eyes.

  “We’re so screwed,” he said.

  As if to reinforce Liam’s astute observation, Galleytrot suddenly chuffed and stiffened, head swinging toward the large portal. “Something approaches,” he said.

  I wanted to believe it was another enemy trying to break into the chamber, but I knew the truth. At least an outside force I could do something about. But the feeling Galleytrot had, the same one I now felt running through me, the growing hum of the Gate brought my dreams back.

  I struggled to my feet under the weight of the swelling sound, knew we were right at the cusp, the moment of the knock. I grabbed Liam, spun him around, shoved him forward toward the portal.

  “Answer it,” I said, my whole body feeling heavy and light all at once as the pitch of the hum increased, rising and falling in cadence like a song. It was almost impossible to remain upright from the weight of the music of the Gate. Even Galleytrot whined and sank lower though the flow of his healing magic never wavered.

  Liam tried to back away, shaking his head, eyes sparking with green fire as his fear shone in his face.

  “I can’t!” He looked at me with pure panic. “I don’t know how!”

  “Maybe it’s instinctual.” I was grasping in desperation, even though I knew the likelihood of that was slim to none.

  The growing, consuming terror in his face told me I was right.

  “The study.” I spun toward the room with the books, but Liam caught my arm.

  “There’s no time,” he said.

  “We have to do something!” My demon howled her rage right in his face, but he didn’t flinch. At least letting her out eased some of the pressure from the sound of the Gate. Just enough so despair won through.

  I’d failed after all.

  As if to acknowledge my thought, the Gate began to glow, the song growing louder still until I finally shoved Shaylee down as far as I could and smothered her with demon magic to keep us from flying apart. Not that I worried we really would, like in my dream, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

  The glow grew, the power of the Gate reaching through even my attempts to protect my Sidhe side, enough my heart raced, pulse pounding in fear as the shining magic surrounding and permeating the Gate suddenly flared until it glowed like a small star.

  I was expecting a knock, but not the deep and vibrating boom echoing through the three chambers and back again, bouncing from stone walls and making my very bones quake. Liam looked at me, resigned as much as fearful.

  No way I was letting this happen. No. Way. The Unseelie would not win. As the knock’s echo finally died, a crack appeared in the seal around the Gate. I pulled Shaylee to the fore, linked as strongly as I could with my three magics and grasped for Liam’s hand, making him the fourth.

  I only had one more breath to wait before the massive Gate groaned and slammed open, the bright light beyond it blinding as the power of the Sidhe shone through.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Five

  The moment the Gate’s power released the seal between worlds, I threw my power at it and created my own.

  I think I was more shocked it worked than I was relieved.

  They were clearly visible, the horde of the Sluagh, pressing against my magic, already worming their way to the edges, looking for a break, a chink in my armor, a place I was weak. But with Liam’s Keeper blood tied to the barrier I’d erected, the Gate responded by welcoming my shield and feeding it with its own magic.

  For now.

  “Now what?” His voice was a little high-pitched, palm sweating in mine.

  I wished I had a clue. “Galleytrot, we need Fergus!”

  The faces of the Unseelie gathered behind the barrier were coming into view. I wanted to look away, afraid of what I might see. But Shaylee forced me to focus, to look on her people, and I realized then that as evil as we humans might perceive them to be, they were beautiful to her.

  Large, as big as bears some of them, larger, with distorted features and patches of hair hanging from their misshapen bodies. Claws on one massive hand while a perfectly formed human hand hung from the other monstrous arm. Small, almost tiny were others, bits of fluff and sparkle, with eyes looking so human I wanted to weep for the unfairness of their existence.

  A few of the Seelie stood among them, tall, achingly beautiful, flawless in their perfection on the outside, while inside their souls and magic were as alien as the Unseelie. I held my ground, my vision wavering from time to time as tears rose and fell in a nearly steady stream.

  When he appeared, making his way between the others to come to the front of the group, I felt my heart wrench in agony at his perfection. More, the aching sadness Shaylee felt at the sight of his flawless, ageless face forced a choking sob from my lips.

  He stood there, shining silver hair flowing around his shoulders, eyes the greenest I’d ever seen seeming to peer into my very heart. One of his hands lifted with the utmost grace, gestured for me to come closer. I did, Liam clinging to me as I approached, halting only a nose from the shield I’d created, so close I could study the poreless satin of his skin, the emeralds of his eyes.

  “Shaylee,” he said, voice reaching through the barrier like a caress. “Your Highness, well met.”

  “Thalion, Prince,” Shaylee said. “Well met.”

  Thalion de Danu, Prince of the Seelie, bowed his head to me, silver strands of his flowing hair sliding over each other like a waterfall of moonlight. “I had never hoped to see you again, my Princess.”

  Shaylee recoiled slightly from the term, but I didn’t have time to figure out why.

  “I need your help.” It was me asking, and I’m sure he knew it, but the Prince just nodded.

  “The Gate must not remain open,” he said. His eyes drifted to Liam who trembled beside me. “Gatekeeper, why have you failed us?”

  “It’s not his fault.” I quickly told the Prince what happened, the Unseelie involvement. Even the horde at the Gate seemed to retreat slightly as Thalion’s rage sparked and his magic flared against them at the sound of Venemeth’s name. Most collapsed at his side, begging and groveling for his forgiveness.

  “This must not be.” Even the deep scowl and his anger could not erase his absolute beauty. He stared for a long moment at Fergus, at Galleytrot. “Can you not heal the Gatekeeper, hound?”

  “I cannot, my Prince,” Galleytrot said. The weariness was more pronounced, the rumble of his earth magic fading. “He dies from the taint of Unseelie power.”

  “We aren’t prepared to make the realms one again,” Thalion said, “least of all at the hand of the traitor, Venemeth.” A sorrow so great crossed his face and I started crying again. “You will pursue him, then?”

  “I will,” Shaylee hissed around my sadness, “though it take me my lifetime or my second chance at life, I will see the evil one dead.”

  “There are so few Gates left.” Thalion paused, troubled. “But the rules must be obeyed. They are all that keep us from destruction.” His eyes lifted, held mine. “There is a way to end this, Shaylee, to reseal the Gate. But it comes with a price.”

  Galleytrot grunted suddenly, at the same moment Shaylee sighed in my head. Of course. Tricky Sidhe. There was always a price.

  “It must happen tonight,” Thalion went on, “before dawn lights the land over this Gate.”

  “And the price, my Prince?” If Shaylee already knew, she wasn’t filling me in.

  Instead o
f answering right away, he reached out, fingertips brushing over the barrier. “Your mother and father will be pleased to know your spirit survived,” he said. “As am I. I shall bring word to them, to prepare them for your return, after all this time.”

  The price. Shaylee understood before I did, though I wasn’t that far behind her, about in line with my demon. We all protested in one great surge of power driving Thalion back from the barrier, away from the combination of our magics.

  “I must hunt the evil one.” Shaylee’s voice snarled out between my lips, the Prince clearly as startled by our power as he was her sudden fearlessness. “My place is here.”

  “And yet,” Thalion said, “that is the price. To seal the Gate, to return the balance, power must replace power, Sidhe spent, Sidhe returned. You must cross over, Shaylee. You must come home.”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Six

  “I can’t just leave.” That was me again. Shaylee was so angry she could barely collect her thoughts. She was taking this whole standing up for herself thing pretty seriously. “I’m not just Shaylee, and you know it. I’m human, mortal, carrying her spirit. But I’m also a demon.” I felt her surge inside me, my demon, wanting to reach out and tear this arrogant snot’s throat out.

  I figured it was probably a bad idea.

  Thalion shrugged, the most graceful shrug I’d ever seen. “The rules aren’t mine to make or break,” he said. “But at least choosing this path, your world and mine are both saved.”

  Liam clung to my hand. “There has to be another way.”

  Maybe there was. The Sidhe were known for their deceit, for getting what they wanted. But we were out of time and ability to find a way around it. Even Galleytrot, when he met my searching eyes, was at a loss.

  I knew then as much as I couldn’t do what he asked, I had no choice.

  “Fine,” I said in a rush, while Shaylee struggled and my demon howled at me to listen. “But I can’t just leave right now.” My mind went to Mom, to the coven. More tears, damn it. I didn’t want him to see me so weak. “I have loose ends to tie up.” Erica. I had to talk to Erica.

  Thalion’s smile lit me up, warmed me from the inside out as his power stretched outward to match to mine. “I will hold the shield,” he said, “but I can only do so until dawn’s first rays meet the place where the Gate resides. When the morning light comes, the Gate will be exposed to the day and no one will be able to prevent the entrance of the power.”

  The Sluagh still hovered around him, waiting, and expectant. For a moment I didn’t trust Thalion, not until Shaylee whispered I could. I let go of Liam, released the field of power and saw Thalion’s snap into place.

  “Hurry,” he said. “Hurry back to us.”

  I spun on Liam, a little disoriented from all the magic use, having to cling to him for a second as my world spun, dizzy. “Stay here,” I said, “with Galleytrot and Fergus. See if you can find a way to heal your grandfather.”

  “Syd, you can’t go.” He clutched my upper arms, held me. “You can’t cross over.”

  “I have to.” I reached for Erica, but with no luck. The protections around the Gate were too old, too powerful, especially with it gaping open like this. “I’ll be back.” I turned to go, only to hear Galleytrot call my name. I paused one last moment, met his dark eyes flickering with red fire.

  I will find a way, he sent. Do not trust the Prince.

  There was nothing I could say to that except, I’ll see you soon.

  I ran out, through the still open doorway and into the cool and damp of the library basement. The change in the air was so sudden I actually gasped for a breath. The real world felt so solid, so sharp edged and tactile, even the oxygen I inhaled somehow stronger and more tangible.

  I shoved all of that aside as I raced for the stairs, mind slamming into Erica’s.

  The house, I sent. Now.

  Startled, she didn’t argue as I slammed my shields up and ran for home.

  Not that I wanted to cut her or the coven off, but I had thinking to do and having them inside my head along with the two very unhappy others I carried around wouldn’t be the best way to hash out my choices.

  Minnie made a fast trip to my kitchen door. I raced inside and headed for the basement, frantic thoughts lost in what I was going to tell my mother when I felt someone in the house. It was the faintest touch, as if that person was shielded. I spun and headed for the stairs and my room, the source of the feeling.

  Celeste was already moving, but not fast enough. She ran right into me, her face flashing through sullen guilt into the cold and nasty expression she usually wore. I glanced over her shoulder into my room, fury powerful she’d dared go into my private space, feeling that fury fall away in a surge of terror as I noticed the screen on my computer was lit.

  And on Skype.

  Quaid.

  “You’re finally home.” Celeste’s tone tried to blame me for being absent. “I wanted to talk about your attitude earlier.”

  She was such a liar. My demon’s growl was so loud, the power of her rejection of Celeste’s clear fabrication so strong the woman backed away a pace. I have no idea how I looked, if my demon took me over for a moment physically, but it was enough Celeste knew at last she’d pushed me past my limit.

  “Get. Out.” I clenched my teeth against the power rising inside me. “I don’t have time to deal with you right now. But when I do, be afraid, Celeste.”

  Her eyes narrowed, thoughts clicking together visibly. Damn it, did I give her something to use against me?

  “What’s happened?” Her demand was backed with power. “What have you done, you evil child?”

  My brain sputtered for a moment as she accused me of—she did what? Without thinking, without a chance to gather my thoughts or get over the shock of her audacity, the family magic rose in response to the attack and slammed into the arrogant witch, wrapping her up so tightly that when it propelled her backward into the door jam she struck so hard she cried out.

  I felt Mom’s startled touch, the surge of her mental arrival at the wakening of the magic. I ignored her, but let her in, to feel what was happening, what had happened and welcomed the full force of her support.

  “Celeste Oberman,” we said together with one voice, Celeste’s eyes widening as she felt Mom’s touch, “you are ordered by your coven leader to return to your home and remain there until such time I permit you to leave.”

  A direct order. Perfect. Celeste had two choices—obey or be kicked out of the coven forever, stripped of her portion of the family magic. I actually hoped she’d act out and was sure for a second she would. The fury in her face, the old resentment and bitterness, was enough. I was sure.

  Then she caved, the coward, though her anger didn’t fade. “I obey my leader,” she ground out through clenched teeth and around the strangle hold I had on her with my power.

  I released her grudgingly, let her go. Felt her descend the stairs and exit out the kitchen door. I didn’t bother following her all the way home. Maybe she’d try to disobey after all and then I’d get to strip her of her magic.

  That would be awesome.

  For now I had other worries, not all of them to do with the Sidhe. I raced to my computer, checked the history on Skype.

  Syd, Mom sounded calm compared to me as I checked to see if Celeste found anything. Tell me what’s going on.

  I filled her in, heart pounding as I sat back. No Quaid, at least, and I’d erased our history. It was no shocker Celeste would be passing information to the Dumonts. But if so, I hoped she didn’t have anything on Quaid. I sent him a quick note as I finished telling Mom about the Gate, keeping the whole crossing over thing to myself until I finished my message of warning.

  Celeste was snooping. Watch your back.

  I hit enter and turned away. I’d done what I could for him. The Gate was my priority now.

  Mom, I finally got to the point, the Gate is open. But the Sidhe magic can’t pass, not yet.

 
Well done, she sent back. She felt like she was in physical motion. I’m on my way back to you. Can you hold them?

  Not me, I said, unable to keep the regret from my thoughts. A Sidhe Prince is doing it for me. I only have until dawn to get the Gate sealed again.

  What do you have to do? Mom was so perceptive. As much as I tried to hide the truth from her, or soften it anyway, she was already going into coven leader mode with me, my guess as a means to hide her anxiety.

  Mom… I wanted to cry all of a sudden. This was wrong, unfair. What the hell was I thinking? Leaving my family forever to go live in some fairy realm? Was I nuts? This was the first time since Thalion told me what I had to do I actually had time to stop and think about it.

  Mom felt every emotion, heard every word of my inner turmoil and the power of her rejection of my decision was so strong I shuddered.

  Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle, she sent in a pointed and magic-filled thread, I forbid you to cross over to the Sidhe realm. Do you hear me? I’ll be there soon.

  A direct order. Mom, I sent. I have to. And if I do, chances are the magic won’t come with me anyway. My demon howled. Would I lose her, too?

  Syd. Mom’s voice was suddenly panicked. Please, Syd. Just wait for me.

  Can you be back in time? I wanted to dump this on her, to let my mom come home and fix it. But I felt the knowledge in her mind, the truth that she was just too far, too slow, that there was no way she would make it back before dawn.

  This is all my fault. Her mind’s voice raged at herself. I should never have abandoned you. I should have come right home when you told me about the Gate in the first place.

  I love you, I sent to her, feeling small and suddenly resolved even though the last thing I wanted to do was leave my family. I cut her off as she shouted at me, begged me.

  Decision made. I’d screwed this up. I could have risked the family magic, acted faster, sooner, smarter. But I didn’t. I’d missed the adversary who now was most likely searching for a way to keep the Gate open while a Prince of the Sidhe wanted me to cross over to his realm.