by Patti Larsen
Another time and place. We have to leave!
I wasn't leaving. I had a job to do. Until the now-familiar squeal of a Guard siren warned me otherwise. More Guards were coming from up ahead. If I went after Ameline now, I'd be running straight into a battle I wasn't sure I could win.
Snarling in savage frustration, I whip-cracked a lash of power through the Guards before me, sending them screaming to the ground again, before spinning and following Ram out into the city.
***
Chapter Twelve
As we wove our way through the city, Ram moved with surety I wished I trusted. I fought off my demon grandmother's need to return to find Ameline and crush her like an insect. The pain was enough of a distraction I was grateful for Ram's guidance, following him almost blindly as my vampire, Shaylee and my own demon assisted my family magic in wrapping up Ahbi's insistence and smothering it before it left permanent damage.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief and came back to the outside world just as Ram pulled me to a halt in a shadowed overhang, cursing softly under his breath. I peered over his shoulder, realizing we'd circled back to where we'd left our transport only to find it under guard. But not by Guards. By a handful of nervous-looking demons who could only be rebels.
Ram backed into me and I took the hint, retreating a few feet while he spun on me and drew me into his arms. Though the embrace seemed heated and passionate, the tension in his body as he bent over me told me this was subterfuge.
The only reason I didn't smack him.
His lips brushed my cheek as his mind touched mine. We have to steal another.
I could easily have blown through the ones hovering around our transport, but not quietly. Fine with me, I sent back, running my hands up his back as two people walked by, the female demon with her nose in the air while her companion whistled at us. Where had this willingness to break the law come from? Oh, yeah. It showed up right after I was framed for my grandmother's murder.
Criminal, it was.
Ram pulled away, but only a little, fingers wound through mine as he guided me across the street, free hand cupping my cheek, pulling me in to him, making it hard to walk straight.
Overdoing it a little, you think? The edge in my mental voice only made him grin.
Sorry, he sent back with a touch of magic stroking mine, I thought you were enjoying yourself.
Creeperino pigeramous.
And so, in full view of the other pedestrians, we sauntered up to a small transport and climbed inside. Ram didn't waste time, his power activating the control panel and we were quickly rising into the air in our new ride.
“You're pretty good at this,” I said, offering up my shielding power once again as Ram turned to look back at me. Smirking again. Ass. Hat.
“I'm good at a lot of things,” he said, energy reaching out to my demon again. He leaned back, pressing his shoulders against my chest, forcing me to lean into him if I wanted to keep my balance.
“Yeah, just so you know?” A shaft of magic from my vampire stabbed him in the kidney, making him cry out and jerk away. “Your romantic skills aren't one of them.”
Darkness swathed the landscape as we flew free of Milanseme and moved on. I had to admit, the city was gorgeous at night, pinpricks of illumination glowing, the polished points shining in the multiple moonlight. But I was happy to leave it behind, especially when the throbbing pain still plaguing me no matter how much my other powers tried to protect me suddenly eased.
“Ameline's heading this way, too,” I said without thinking.
“Then we have the same goals after all,” Ram said. “You might want to thank me at some point.”
Creepy creeping creeporilla.
Rather than answering with the smack to the back of the head I longed to deliver, I settled in my seat with my arms crossed over my chest so he couldn't repeat his little touchy-feely routine and stared out the bubble.
“I hope not all of the rebel commanders are like Luprimustica back there,” I said, hoping to prod some information out of him. “Otherwise we’re going to be in a bit of trouble trying to track down this Leader of yours.”
I could tell by the twitch of his shoulders he agreed with me. “Each city has their own commander,” he said, “autonomous, chosen from among those who wished to rebel. She was clearly an unfortunate choice.”
He could say that again. “Best fighter wins, huh? Not a great way to pick a leader, Ram.”
“No one said anything about fighting,” he shot back over his shoulder. “You have a poor impression of us, Princess.”
Oooh. There he was again with the “Princess” crap. I’d be shoving my Highness boot up his butt if he didn’t quit it and see how princessy he found me then.
“Then how, smarty pants?” I prodded his kidney with one sharp index finger.
“By voting,” he said.
I laughed. Couldn’t help myself. The very idea of some kind of rebel election, held in secret, naturally, stirred up my sense of humor and images of cloak and dagger demons tripping over each other’s egos.
Ram didn’t comment, keeping his face forward, but from the look of the side of his jaw, I’d struck a very sensitive nerve.
I could have prodded him further, but it didn’t seem worth it. Maybe when we were safely on the ground again.
I had to take my fun where I could get it, after all.
The rainforest on the other side of Milanseme glistened in the light of the low-hanging moons, canopy a black, glittering mat I was certain was thick enough to hold me if I fell. Not that I was willing to test it. The shining river winding through it ran pure silver, a ghostly trail bisecting the towering trees.
All thoughts of tormenting Ram disappeared when a flash of movement caught my attention. I pressed myself to the shield, grinning like a little kid as a pair of dragons, their multi-hued hides glowing softly, tumbled and danced, great wings spread.
“Hang on,” Ram said, though there was joy in his voice. “We're about to have company.”
Two more whipped past us, tossing the light transport as the backwash of their wing strokes buffeted our ride. I gasped in delight, laughing over their antics.
“How do they know we're here? I thought the shielding made us invisible.” The impulse to leap out and onto the dragon's back was so strong I felt giddy.
“Apparantelo don't see or sense things the way we do,” Ram said. “From what I remember of my studies, that is.”
“Are they friendly?” Come on. What girl didn't want her very own dragon?
“In the air,” Ram said as the same two who dive-bombed us dropped to hover near our shield.
I wasn't listening to him anymore. Not when a huge eye of dazzling diamond gazed back at me from behind the shield. I traced my fingers over the magic between us, my power reaching out to the creature on the other side. His power reached back, sourced in air and grounded in fire. His large wings fluttered, a slow blink registering his curiosity.
“I've never seen an apparantelo do this before.” Ram's voice held as much awe as my heart.
“It's my air magic, maybe,” I said, releasing a little more. The dragon—forget what Ram called him, he was a dragon, no doubt—did a barrel roll, calling out in a deep, thrumming voice, his song echoed by the female who rose to hover on his other side.
And then, in a flash of wings and staring eyes, we were surrounded, cocooned inside a flight of them as they matched our speed and trajectory perfectly. Ram's nerves made me laugh as I glanced at his turned head and caught the fear on his face.
“Don't worry,” I said. “They won't hurt us.”
“Says you,” he said, but he relaxed a little.
My dragon—oh dear—blinked slowly again, craning his long neck around until his face was so close I could have touched it if the shield was open, wound his magic around me one more moment, the touch of him gentle but full of power.
Friend, he sent.
Before I could answer, shock taking my wits, the flight broke, dragons swoopi
ng away as one, gone as quickly as they'd come, diving for the trees and out of sight as their song rose and enveloped us, fading gently until it, too, was gone.
I wiped at tears I didn't know I was crying, unable to remove the smile wreathing my face.
“Holy,” I said.
“Amazing,” Ram agreed.
In silence, my heart full of something wonderful for once, we flew through the night toward our next destination.
***
Chapter Thirteen
Either the transport Ahbi used to give us our tour was much faster or Ram's magic just wasn't up to the same task, because it took us a couple of hours to reach Bilhaeder, just as the first of the suns was starting to come up. Nights were short on Demonicon, all those spinning stars making it almost impossible to predict, though I was sure there was a calendar of sunrises and sets somewhere.
Just as well. The view was even more spectacular than I remembered, the rainbow quality of the city's domes catching the early light, throwing back flashes of reds and blues and greens as we swooped low, still disguised by my power, into the edge of the city. I sighed sadly as Ram set us down on a quiet street, looking up at the tall domes further off, wanting to hold onto the wonder and contentment I'd felt through the ride, a welcome respite from the urgency of the last day or so.
Ram dropped his magic and I did the same, but he shook his head as he leaped out and turned to catch my eyes.
“I'm not risking you this time,” he said. “Put the shields back up and stay here. I'll come back for you when I know if the local leader will listen to reason.”
There went my good mood. “You're kidding me, right?”
Ram sighed, a fast, tight sound as his jaw clenched once. “Princess,” he said, words honed to blades, “I realize you're used to getting what you want all the time—”
Snort. “You don't know anything about me,” I shot back.
“—but I'm actually trying to keep you safe. Okay?” Ram's foot actually tapped on the ground as he waited for my answer. Was I getting to him?
Sweet. I shot him a girly smile and batted my lashes. “Yes, o brave and mighty warrior. Go save me. Please, please, save me.”
His eyes narrowed, but he managed to keep his temper. Barely. The pulsing vein in his forehead told me I'd pushed his buttons. Wickedsauce.
“I'll be right back.” He spun on one heel and marched off, disappearing through a door into a nearby building, the sound of the hissing seal opening and closing music to my ears.
The second he was gone, I dropped the shields and leaped out of the transport. Time to cut him loose and find Ameline so I could go the hell home.
And she was here, oh yes she was. I could feel her, thanks to Ahbi. The tug had grown stronger as we settled to the street, strong enough I knew if I let it lead me, I'd have my hands around her throat in no time.
One glance down at myself told me I would have to do something about my appearance, especially when passing pair of young demon girls giggled and pointed. I ducked down an oddly shaped alley, the two buildings bowing in toward each other and, as luck would have it, came across a clothesline hanging outside a doorway. A heavy black robe swayed in the breeze next to an embroidered dress and several pairs of undergarments I wasn't willing to examine. Guilt twinging inside me, I liberated the robe and slunk off as I pulled it over my head, a true criminal now.
The deep hood did wonders to hide my face, though the short bows and gestures passing pedestrians offered me made me nervous. My luck I'd taken the vestments of some demon priest or something. But no one seemed off put by the fact I was a girl or challenged me in the least so I smiled back and repeated their gesture as best I could.
Worked for me.
The tug of my grandmother's power led me several blocks to a massive, domed building with writing etched in amber magic across the face. I had as yet to learn to read demon, but from the other black-robed citizens entering, it had to be a church or some kind of library.
Either way, I was dressed for the part. Confidence in every step I didn't feel on the inside, I strode with my head up across the street and through the large double doors into dim coolness.
Okay, so a cross between a church and a library. I was a good guesser. There were altar-like stands on either side of a massive entry, all glowing with power, rows upon rows of massive books just beyond. Above, floating on a transparent platform, were several demons dressed like me, etching words into the air as they chattered away at each other with great vigor.
University? A gong sounded and every demon turned and bowed to a large statue in the center of the room. I hastily joined them, shocked to discover I was genuflecting to my grandmother. The giant effigy rose majestically into the dome, standing, robed and holding a book the size of a transport in her hands. I felt a moment of regret, and sadness, as I gazed up at her face, feeling her inside me, and knowing, despite our differences, I'd miss her.
“May I help you, colleague?” I turned to find a small demon smiling at me, his thin horns barely turning a half crescent. Young then. And not very powerful.
“No, thank you,” I said. “Just admiring Ruler.”
He sighed, looked up at her, bowed. Wiped at one eye. “So tragic,” he whispered. “You've heard?”
I nodded. Had I.
“I hope they burn her, the one who took our great Ruler from us.” His tone had turned nasty, bitter. “She deserves the magma.”
What was with burning people? I'd endured the risk of that at home, too. Shuddering, I shrugged to hide it.
“Things aren't always as they seem,” I said. “Have a good day, colleague.”
He bowed and moved on, though I noticed he glanced back at me over his shoulder and the look he gave me wasn't exactly friendly.
Goody. Syd's making friends again.
No time to waste. I continued to follow the pull of Ahbi's magic, growing stronger as I passed through the glowing, arched entry and into the library proper. I paced the rows of huge books, feeling the tug of Ahbi's urgency grow more insistent, until I eased around the end of a bookcase and spotted Ameline at last.
She stood before a large tome, open on the table before her, speaking to the girl she still clutched with one hand. The girl was weeping again, but quietly, as Ameline whispered to her. The girl shook her head, looked up at Ameline, whispered back. I watched Ameline shake her a little, felt the surge of her power as she did, knew from the fresh fall of the girl's tears Ameline had done more than shake her.
Enough. Time to act. Though I worried about the child and how I could protect her, Ahbi's geas had enough observing and fought me for control.
What is she looking for? My vampire broke through the pull and helped me regain composure.
Exactly, I sent. I want her dead as much as the next geas, but her goal makes me nervous. We have no idea if she's already put something into motion that could cause us trouble later. I'd rather know for sure before I rip her heart out with my bare hands.
An excellent plan, my vampire sent, though I advise you do it in private. That much blood could draw unwanted attention.
I shoved down a giggle, knowing my vampire didn't understand sarcasm and was being absolutely serious. Which made it even funnier.
I eased closer, head down, pretending to look at books while Ameline flipped a page and asked the girl another question. I was almost close enough to hear what she was whispering when she straightened and said in full voice, “Oh, there you are, Syd. How lovely of you to join us.”
Ahbi's power shrieked at me to pounce, barely restrained as I closed the distance between us in a few strides, the table between us. Ameline was as stunning as usual, though her icy eyes were amber like mine, skin a pale red, the palest I'd seen on a demon, perfectly curved horns as glossy as her hair. As much as I hated to admit it, she looked almost better as a demon.
Though I supposed it fit.
“Nice to see you too, Ameline,” I said with a vicious smile. “Time to die.”
; She didn't really look all that happy to see me, despite her words, frustration creasing her angry face. But she forced a throaty laugh, the girl beside her quivering as she stared at me in terror. “Don't be silly,” she said. “I have far too much to do yet.”
“That's what you think.” I gestured at the book in front of her. “What are you looking for?”
“You'll see.” Ameline winked one eye very slowly. “But for now, you'll have to wait.”
“I'm done waiting.” Ahbi's voice broke out of me as she seized my vocal chords. “I owe you a death, girl.”
Ahbi writhed for control, but my vampire was right. If I was going to kill Ameline, it had to be somewhere less likely to draw attention and a gazillion Guards.
“Let's take this somewhere we can talk,” I snarled. “And you can bleed without making a mess.”
“I think you have something else to worry about right now,” Ameline said.
It was only then I caught the flicker of movement and glanced around, noticing at last I'd been quietly surrounded. Black-robed demons crowded us, cutting me off from Ameline as she smirked and turned to a young male who made an odd gesture with one hand. Ameline repeated the gesture and pointed at me.
“As I told you, Fenukamadi,” she said, voice smooth as butter and sweet as a candy apple from her very red lips, “the fugitive, now in your hands. Leader will be pleased.”
“Well done,” Fenukamadi said. “Can we assist you with your quest, colleague?”
“Not at all,” she said with a smile to me. “You already have.”
And while the pack of rebels disguised as scholars closed in around me, Ameline left, the girl held tight by one hand, waving with the other.
***
Chapter Fourteen
I could have let my grandmother's power out and attacked them to get to Ameline. Easily. Effortlessly. But doing so would have hurt and possibly killed a number of innocent demons and I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
