by Patti Larsen
Only to be burned away by blue flames. Quaid’s magic grew, pushed outward, pulsing with the combined force of all paranormal races, fed by the Council itself. I had never truly understood the vast reserves of Enforcer power, why it was so different from ordinary witch magic. But I caught a glimpse in that moment that made me wonder if there was an end to the energy of it.
“I dare.” He didn’t raise his voice. Quaid didn’t have to. Moa backed off, sullen, fury still burning visibly inside her. “Danilo Moreau will meet justice, Empress. But justice must be allowed its evolution. For the sake of all paranormals.”
This isn’t over, she sent directly to me before turning her back. I let my jaw unclench as the tension in the room eased somewhat, though my teeth ground together a moment later as she spoke over her shoulder.
“Jiao.” The young woman in black bowed abruptly. “You will go with these,” she gestured at us as though we were unimportant, a side note to her anger. “And you will be my voice with the Council.”
Jiao’s face twisted briefly, as though she were about to protest. I caught the subtle push of magic the Empress forced on the girl before Jiao bowed again and strode toward me. Her dark eyes were empty of emotion, face a plain, uninterested mask. But her magic churned a moment, the oddness of it reminding me strangely of Max before she shut herself down.
“We will keep you apprised,” Quaid said. “The Council thanks you for your patience and assures you we are treating this issue with the utmost concern and speed to avoid further conflict.”
The Empress didn’t bother responding. I should have stayed, talked to her further, maybe tried to diffuse the situation with her. But Quaid was already lighting his blue fire and dragged me—the staring Jiao still facing me—along with him.
***
Chapter Nineteen
Femke was waiting for us outside the Council meeting room when Quaid and I arrived in Hong Kong. From the grim expression on her face he’d either filled her in on what happened or things weren’t going well on her end. She greeted me warmly and personally, so I could only assume the latter and was actually bummed. At least if she was mad at me that meant there might be progress made.
“Welcome,” she said to Jiao after Quaid introduced the young woman in black. Jiao simply nodded her head and left us as Femke instructed her secretary to lead the Empress’s envoy inside. Femke faked a little shiver when she turned back to me, voice low. “Is it just me or is there something… off about that girl?”
“Max gave me the impression he knows more than he’s saying,” I said. “So, yeah.”
Quaid’s scowl told me he was about to give me trouble, but I saved him the effort.
“You’re probably not going to like how I handled the Empress,” I said.
Femke just waved me off. “What I don’t know won’t hurt me,” she said, before gesturing for Quaid to leave us alone. That surprised me and, from the shock and faint irritation on his face, him, too.
Quaid left us with his back straight, shoulders stiff, entering the Council meeting room alone. It took everything I had not to go after him and shake him, just to see if sense fell out. Then again, I wasn’t exactly the poster child for manners these days so I guess we were perfect for each other after all.
“Tell me.” Femke lowered her head, blonde hair falling across her cheeks, blue eyes sharp and intent. I sighed and filled her in while she listened with her usual focus.
The WPC Leader finally sighed when I finished and shrugged. “There are times when diplomacy doesn’t work, Syd,” she said. “Especially with certain personages who think themselves above the law.” That was a bit of a dig. She was right, though. I’d break the rules anytime, anywhere, if it meant saving the Universe from disaster. “Having someone like you to handle those moments of need is invaluable.” She stared hard, lips thin. “And I understand the implications of even asking and of you acting. So, we do our best to find balance and hope. Instead of damage, we do good.”
“Agreed.” I let my shoulders sag a little, the fight with Quaid troubling me more than ever. He knew I didn’t play by the norms others did. There were times I just didn’t have a choice. Or did I? From Femke’s mixed approval and her own previous battles with her need to act versus her need to trust the system hanging over us both, I wondered if I was only making things worse.
Femke hugged me quickly before motioning toward the door. “I know you’re not officially a part of the Council,” she said. “And I would never ask you to use your influence to my benefit. But I could use your help in there, Syd.”
Gram’s warning bubbled up while I shoved it aside. Femke was asking, not ordering. And I wanted to help. I nodded. “After you, Council Leader.”
I took a seat at the edge of the room, next to Varity Rhodes when she gestured me over. I almost grinned as she unceremoniously shooed one of the other Enforcer leaders from the chair next to her, sending the tall man scrambling for another place to observe. The old witch pulled me down beside her, eyes flashing, wrinkled, long fingered hands still as strong as ever no matter the deep lines on her face or the iron gray of her now close cropped hair. I missed her bun, but the severity of her new haircut made her look fierce.
“Can’t stand that twat,” she said loud enough I choked on a laugh and caught the glare from the retreating leader. The volume of her voice made me wonder if she was having hearing problems or just didn’t give a crap. Probably a mix of both. “Tell me you’re going to go kick Danilo’s ass so we can all go home.”
I squeezed her hand as Femke shot me a subtle stare to silence the old Enforcer leader, though my mother, only a few feet away, seemed amused by Varity’s bluntness instead of embarrassed.
“I’m sure the Council will come to the proper conclusion,” I said, just as loudly as Varity while silence fell over the group when Femke rose to her feet, “and take the necessary steps to ensure peace.”
I looked up to find everyone staring at me. And though a tiny blush crept up my neck, I held my confidence in my whole body. They needed to know this was their responsibility, that no one would be coming to save them. Mom nodded ever so slightly to me while Femke addressed the Council.
“Thank you for coming,” she said to the various leaders who watched her with trepidation and concern. The mix of witches, human vampire servants and even a Sidhe lord held their peace for the moment. It troubled me the only two werewolves in attendance were Charlotte and Sage. Soft footfalls and a grunt later and I had a demon cat in my lap as Femke went on. “We are faced with a difficult choice and must deliberate the consequences before making our final decision on the matter of Danilo Moreau and his leadership of the werenation.”
From Quaid’s attitude you had some fun in Nepal. Sassafras’s voice snapped with annoyance.
Sorry to leave you behind, I sent.
He sniffed, his focus on me, clearly, as Femke continued to address the gathering in diplomacyspeak. I found my eyes glazing over and was just as happy to have him to talk to. What did the Empress say?
The usual, I sent. Hate, anger, revenge, blah blah. But I think we pinned her down as the source of Piotr’s attack in the first place.
Interesting, Sass sent. Have you talked to Sunny?
A stab of guilt reminded me I hadn’t. The former Wilhelm Queen and my uncle’s wife had fallen off my radar since she and Uncle Frank were removed from the thrones of the Wilhelm Blood Clan. Shame on me, though I’d been busy. Was the fact they were no longer powerful keeping me from seeing them as important?
Stop that, Sass sent, as grumpy as I was. They’ve been quiet. I’m sure Sunny and Frank have their reasons.
Okay, panic now. They’re okay? With the disappearance of so many vampires in the last little while thanks to the damage to the spirit magic of our plane, I worried they might one day just poof.
Of course they are, Sass sent. I’m keeping an eye on them. I meant they have their own issues to work out. And I’m sure Sunny is putting two and two together when it comes
to the Empress. It might be a good time to drag her out of her funk and enlist her aid.
Great idea. I stroked his soft fur, sighing inwardly. So many balls in the air.
That’s why you have me, he sent. Now, pay attention. Femke’s talking, you know.
I snorted behind one hand as I refocused on the Council Leader.
“My attempts to speak personally to King Danilo have been rebuffed,” she was saying. Finally getting to the point. “And since further pushing would have resulted in the need to assault the palace, I chose retreat in favor of this deliberation. I will take no action, nor condone it, through this Council until we have all agreed on what needs to be done.”
“There are those of us who are confused why we are even talking about this.” I didn’t know the dark skinned man on the far side of the table, but he felt human, tinged with spirit magic. A vampire servant, then. “This clear attack on our vampire queen cannot be allowed to stand.”
A few mutters greeted his words, his accent reminding me of Africa. And seeing Council Leader Ife Maalouf nod in agreement told me I had the right territory. It was odd for witches to take sides, so I guess I should have been heartened to know she wasn’t sitting on the sidelines. But I didn’t want this to turn into them against us and knew Femke didn’t either.
“We cannot lose sight of facts, however.” Everonus always gave me the creeps. The Sidhe Lord who joined the Council, with the full backing of both the Unseelie and Seelie living on our plane, stroked his long, black hair with one jeweled hand, silver eyes speculative. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Sidhe in the first place, at least not the full born who called our plane home. The few I’d met along the way had rarely given me reason to trust them, their slippery natures and manipulation of normals enough to stir my anger—and that of Shaylee, despite her heritage. But Everonus had a distinctly Seelie feel to him, despite his claims to the contrary. And because I trusted Shaylee’s mother, Aoilainn, about as far as I could toss her skinny fairy ass, his role on the Council was harshly suspect.
No way did he just appear out of the woodwork. His presence smacked of Aoilainn trying to gain some control or presence in our plane when she should have been minding her own damned business in the realm.
Femke nodded to him and motioned for him to speak. Everonus stood, crisp black suit hugging his tall, slim frame to perfection, the dark eyeliner rimming his plump lashes giving him a lush, over ripe look that just made me uncomfortable. But his smooth voice seemed to calm the watching Council as he spoke.
“Is it not true Queen Yana died thanks to an attack on her person by the Wilhelm blood clan?” No one protested. That was common knowledge. “And we sit here deliberating King Danilo’s guilt and his attempt to exact revenge against the death of his wife at the hands of vampires?”
“No,” Mom spoke up, crisp and clear as agreement began to sway his way. “That is not accurate.” She stood herself, the picture of poise and calm that only my mother could shoulder. “Piotr Wilhelm was taken into custody to stand trial for the death of Yana Moreau. But he and his entire blood clan disappeared before he could be brought to justice.” She met eyes as her gaze traveled around the room. “The remainder of the vampire race has nothing to do with the death of Yana and should not be held responsible in this manner.” She finally faced off with Everonus, a faint, almost apologetic smile on her commanding face. “I would be the first to support Danilo Moreau in seeking justice against those who wronged him. But not in encouraging genocide by a grief stricken madman who seems bent on embroiling all of us in a race war.”
I do hope Charlotte forgives me that, Mom sent.
She knows the stakes here, I sent in return.
“In my opinion,” Mom said, voice dropping its commanding tone, turning deferential, “Danilo Moreau has led us to the brink, not only of a war between paranormals, but discovery of our existence by normals. Such exposure alone is reason enough to have him arrested and brought before a tribunal to explain his actions and answer for them.”
Everonus opened his mouth but it was Charlotte who spoke before he had a chance.
“As the sole representative of the Moreau family present,” my werefriend said, “I stand with the Council against my brother’s actions. Whether justified in his attacks on the vampire blood clans or not, his blatant disregard for the safety of all paranormals must be addressed.” She stepped forward, nodding to Femke, face a mask of nothing. I reached out to her with magic but she blocked me, the cold, stoic Charlotte façade keeping me at bay.
Femke nodded back. “I can only guess at how hard it is for you to speak against your brother,” she said.
“Or not at all,” Everonus said, though quietly. Still, I had the impression he wanted everyone to hear. Charlotte turned to glare at him and he shrugged elegantly. “You stand to take the throne if your brother is deposed.”
“Charlotte Girard,” I spoke up, stressing her last name, “has already turned down that throne on numerous occasions. You might want to get your facts straight before you open your mouth.”
Syd. Femke’s soft chastisement was just my name, but it was enough. Damn it.
Sorry, I sent in a huff. But I’m not sorry.
“I stand corrected.” Everonus bowed to me, though there was enough cynicism in his tiny smile I knew he was mocking me. Whatever. Asshat Sidhe, just try to stir up more trouble.
Femke addressed the full Council, her power touching each and every one of us in the room, decisions makers or not. Sassafras glowed briefly with amber fire as he shifted in my lap in response.
“What say you?” She looked around slowly, meeting every eye at the table and, to my surprise, not one person turned away or seemed inclined to shirk their duty. In fact, one at a time, the gathered witches, Sidhe and vampire servants all sent their own power into the center of her magic, Charlotte’s joining in the end.
Femke bowed her head, releasing them. “Thank you,” she said, sad but firm. “It is decided. We shall gather a force and return together to apprehend Danilo Moreau and bring him to justice.”
***
Chapter Twenty
I truly intended to have a conversation with my husband about our little confrontation in Nepal but didn’t get a chance. And while I was sure he was, in fact, avoiding me when I approached him shortly after the meeting broke up, I let it happen. From the grim expression on his face and the way he blocked my power he wasn’t in the mood to rehash our discussion at the moment. We really did have bigger things to worry about, so I let it go.
For the time being. But the more conflict that burned between us, the more nervous I became. I second guessed my treatment of him as I joined Mom after a quick hug for Femke and Charlotte. Sassafras in my arms, I rode Varity’s flames back to Harvard while I tried to decide if I’d done more harm than good in my need to control the situation with the Empress.
The only thing that saved me from turning around and running to Quaid to beg him to forgive me was the enthusiastic pair of squealing kids who tackled me the second we emerged into Mom’s front room. They were supposed to be in class but I was immensely happy to discover them here. Sass leaped from my arms as my son and daughter lunged for me, their joy washing away every worry I ever had, if only for that instant it took for me to pull them against me and absorb the pure happy that was my children.
Mom’s soft smile wasn’t lost on me as she and Varity retreated to her office. I thought a day off would be a good idea, she sent. They’ve been waiting for you to come visit. I know she didn’t mean to add to my guilt, but she did. Instead of wallowing and ruining the moment, I nodded to Galleytrot as the big, black hound sank to his haunches, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
“Nice to see you, Syd,” he said in a voice like a spring thunderstorm. The scent of earth and fresh morning wafted toward me when his magic greeted mine.
“Hey, Galleytrot.” I sank into the stiff cushions of the formal sofa, for once not even caring if the paintings of the previous Council Le
aders stared down at me in their judging way. Ethie snuggled her little face into my neck while Gabriel perched on my knee, gentle smile his father’s through and through.
“Missed you, Mom.” My son’s soft voice held no recrimination but was enough to beat me firmly with the truth—I was a terrible mother. I gathered him to me, rocking them both though they’d grown well past the size it was comfortable to do so.
“I missed you guys so much,” I said, choking up from the sudden surge of sadness. I was losing giant chunks of their day-to-day thanks to my responsibilities. And though I knew they were far safer here in Mom’s care, out of the path of destruction as it were, I still had doubts anywhere was safe except right beside me. So hard to know which was the truth.
The door to the main hall opened and Dad entered. He had finally begun to age now he’d given up his demon immortality to be with Mom. But time just made him more handsome, adding threads of silver to his temples, a few deeper laugh lines around his incredible blue eyes. I smiled at him as he crossed to us, bending to kiss my forehead.
“Hi, cupcake,” he said in his deep voice, sinking down next to me. Gabriel giggled as his grandfather tickled him gently, falling back into Dad’s lap. My father, once Demonicon’s Ruler, now a professor here at Harvard’s Coven Hall, seemed the most content in his simple role as grandfather.
That made me immensely happy.
“Your mother back, too?” Dad rested his cheek on the top of Gabriel’s head while Ethie toyed with the end of my ponytail.
I nodded, gestured at the door. “She and Varity are in a meeting,” I said, sighing my body deeper into the cushions while Sassafras perched on the back of the couch behind me, amber eyes sparking.
“I take it the Council came to a decision.” Dad’s good mood tempered with sadness. Though my kids were smart, and the children of power, I did my best to keep the truly awful stuff out of their lives if I could. In fact, they knew little of what happened before they were born, or even of Gabriel’s role in the battle of Fates. Dad’s subtle questioning was a product of his agreement the kids didn’t need to know how much stress we were under.
