by Patti Larsen
“What do you have in mind?” His power pushed outward and I felt how firmly he held my daughter under his protection.
“It seems like today is the day for introductions,” I said. “And I know there’s one more person who would love to see you again.”
I just hoped seeing Ameline wouldn’t add fire to the frying pan.
***
Chapter Twenty Two
Gabriel hadn’t been to the vampire mansion since I recovered him from Ameline, but from the interested look on his face—a nice change from the sad brooding that gripped him during the drive—when we pulled into the long, paved lane, he remembered. He turned his hazel eyes to me with a spark of understanding, though didn’t say anything while his sister kicked the back of my seat with her sneakered toes.
“Where are we?” Sassafras leaped onto the center console between Gabriel and me, Ethie straining against her seat belt to see. I usually arrived at this place through the veil, in a hurry, on a mission. Rarely did I ever just drive up and watch it appear at the top of the hill, surrounded by green lawns and trees. It reminded me just how amazing this place was, and triggered more memories than I assumed it would. Of creeping through the darkness with Sunny and Quaid in search of my demon, held captive by the then Brotherhood controlled Demetrius. Of Mom’s trial, back when Batsheva Moromond found her way to becoming Council Leader. To saving Sebastian from certain death, and altering him forever.
The gravel topped asphalt crunched under the tires of my minivan as I pulled to a stop in front of the grand stairs leading up to the entry. I’d fought a battle here with my friends and family against the Brotherhood, seeking the son that sat next to me. A black night full of anger and fear and hope, when Creator’s Dark Brother almost came through to our Universe, when I was certain I’d failed and Ameline’s grasp on Gabriel was near complete.
So much time had passed and yet goosebumps rose on my arms as I sat there and looked up at the stone mansion, stretching out in its stately glory on the well-manicured lawns.
“Can we go in?” Gabriel’s voice was hushed and low. I realized then even Ethie had fallen silent, my son’s question breaking the hold the quiet moment had over me.
I unhooked my seatbelt in answer, joining my kids outside the van. Sassafras sat in Ethie’s firm embrace, paws resting on her forearm as he curled his tail around her wrist. Galleytrot padded beside Gabriel, my son’s hand in his thick, black ruff. I let them go ahead of me, trailing behind them, still wondering if this was a good idea, but somehow feeling the calmest and most composed I had in a very long time.
The mansion stood empty these days, aside from a few human servants who remained behind just in case Anastasia and her blood clan returned. I knew that wouldn’t happen—or, at least, assumed that was the truth—but their loyalty and worry told me at least Sebastian’s family cared for one another outside the connection vampire magic drew around them.
The kids waited for me at the door. I didn’t get a chance to knock. It swept open, and, to my surprise, a tall, stunning redhead who reminded me of an old fashioned Amazon, smiled and reached out to embrace me.
“Chambrelle.” I hugged her back as Sunny and Uncle Frank’s assistant squeezed in her eagerness.
“Syd.” The statuesque woman smiled down at my children, green eyes catching the sunlight and making them glow. Not even her well-tailored dress made her appear less powerful. I always had the impression if Chambrelle Strait wanted me dead, she’d manage it somehow, immortal or not. “Hello, Ethie. Gabriel.” She nodded to the hound and cat next. “Galleytrot. Sassafras.” The big dog rumbled a greeting, walking past her at a steady pace before she could even step aside. Gabriel followed with one of his sweet smiles, my daughter going after him, a faint squeal echoing back from inside as the two disappeared into the large foyer.
“I didn’t know you’d moved in.” The sunlight was warm and comforting on my back, the darkness of the interior a little too gloomy for my taste as Chambrelle closed the heavy wooden door behind me. I caught sight of the reason for my children’s laughter as a tall, handsome blond swept Ethie into his arms, Sassafras protesting with a grunt of irritation. I smiled and waved at my Uncle Frank who winked back, smooching my daughter’s cheek to the tune of an enthusiastic raspberry.
“We have no claim to the castle in Austria any longer.” Chambrelle didn’t sound all that concerned, though she kept her voice down as the stunning, ice blonde woman with the most amazing smile I’d ever seen swept out of the side corridor and hurried toward my children. Sunny barely managed a wave in my direction before she joined Uncle Frank in mauling my kids. “Since Sunny was once a part of the DeWinter Blood Clan—”
“I’m not arguing,” I said as gently as I could.
Chambrelle grimaced slightly before nodding. “Apologies,” she said. “You of all people would understand.”
I did. And so would Sebastian. Sunny and Frank were family, though. They could have come to me. Then again, as I crossed the marble floor with Chambrelle to hug my vampire uncle and his equally undead wife, I remembered my conflict with Sunny over the Empress. I’d thought our argument cleared up, but maybe they didn’t feel welcome. If they didn’t, that was my fault. And would be rectified immediately.
Sunny didn’t give me a chance to open my mouth, though. All worry I’d left our relationship in a mess vanished as she set Ethie back into Frank’s arms before sweeping me into a giant embrace, her cool lips pressing to my cheek before she tightened her embrace into a full body squeeze. She might have been in need of a drink to warm her up, but Sunny gave great hugs.
Before I could let her go, Uncle Frank stepped behind me, now kidless, and hugged me, too. Tears leaped to my eyes, my throat seizing a moment. Suddenly, I was sixteen, lost, confused and alone. Until these two made me part of a vampire sandwich. I sank into the hug and wished, as sometimes happened, things were simpler in my life. That my dream of normal had come true and this family I loved were all just plain old people.
Liar, my demon whispered.
That made me smile before I leaned away at last and met Sunny’s eyes.
“Hey, stranger,” I said. “Missed you so much.”
Her own blues filled with tears, but she was smiling, too.
“Dear Syd,” she said, finger tips running down my cheek. She finally let her hand fall, stepping back a pace. “You’re not here to visit?” There was no accusation in her voice, just a faint question. I took her hand as Uncle Frank hoisted Ethie and Sass again, my other linking with my son who walked with us toward the side hall. Red carpet called me, the long, arched corridor’s doors closed, the space quiet.
“It’s time the kids knew certain things,” I said.
Sunny nodded while Uncle Frank bit his lower lip. He had to be fighting an argument but knew better. He’d practically raised me, he and Sunny and Sass, while Mom ran the coven and did her best not to screw me up too badly. I shrugged at his reticence but didn’t stop until I stood outside the door to the library. And the entry to the maji cavern below.
“We’ll leave you to it.” Sunny tilted her head at her husband who sighed and set Ethie down with one more kiss to her cheek, a ruffle of Gabriel’s hair following. I stepped in and hugged my uncle one more time.
Don’t worry, I sent. I might not know what I’m doing, but Sass and Galleytrot do.
Uncle Frank laughed in my head. They’re Hayles, he sent. They’ll be fine. I met his eyes and smiled. I wasn’t the only one who’d been through a trial at the hands of our family. The whole reason Uncle Frank was a vampire was thanks to his need to have power. Being born without magic to a family like mine drove him to embrace the undead. I often wondered if he ever doubted his choice. But as he stepped back and took Sunny’s hand, the smile they exchanged dashed that, as always.
Uncle Frank made the right choice for him. And, though I’d been bruised, battered and left broken a time or two, so had I. All I could do was trust my kids and hope I’d done as good a job with them
as Mom, my vampire family and Sass had done with me.
We left them there, me leading the way this time. I stopped at the stone wall at the back of the room, realizing with a grin I didn’t remember the damned combination of stones to press. Just for an instant, a giggle rose and threatened to push me into hysterics. So odd. And yet, as I crushed it down, hand over my mouth, my brain shuffled and sorted while the girls held me up.
These ones, my vampire sent, gently, tenderly as she showed me the wall with her choices overlaid with a pale, white glow. Are you all right?
I’m fine, I sent to them, all three hugging me. I really am. This has just been one hell of a day so far.
I pushed the stones while the kids watched, both of them silent—even Ethie, for once. My vampire had it right, as it turned out. Because when I pressed the last one, the floor beside me ground with the sound of stone on stone. Both kids gaped then grinned at each other. This was an adventure to them, after all. They had no idea what waited below. And, as their curiosity about the mystery grew, my smile grew with it.
Okay, yeah. This was kind of fun.
I led them down the stairs, Sassafras’s amber eyes staring at me, the glow of his magic lighting his gaze as we left the lit room above and descended underground. Ethie walked carefully with him in her arms, cradling him as though he were some precious discovery and she was an intrepid explorer. I could just imagine the thoughts running through their heads. Were they treasure hunters, finding a secret passage to an unknown destination? Or a prince and princess uncovering the truth of their past for the first time? I allowed my own mind to wander, to permit this moment to excite me as much as it excited them. By the time we reached the bottom of the stairs and I gestured down the long, low ceilinged stone hall, I was grinning.
They grinned back, Ethie setting Sass on his feet. “Race you!” She took off before her brother could register she’d started without him, but Gabriel was close behind her as they pounded down the hall and disappeared into the side chamber.
The upper room held them captivated as I took my time, Galleytrot on one side, Sass on the other. It was amazing to me to see this place through their eyes, as though for the first time, and I took a long moment to admire the carvings, the writing etched in the walls.
It had been Liam who figured out how to enter the chamber beneath. I rarely left it open, preferring to close it behind me when I emerged, if I even used the stairs at all. And I was glad I did. Though, when I stepped up to the center pedestal, the perma light glowing from the ceiling above casting its pale, white glow over everything, I paused and turned to wave to Ethie.
She came right to my side, eyes huge, while Gabriel spun on the spot, as though trying to absorb what he was seeing all in one go.
“Mom,” he said. “I know this place.”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I lifted my daughter into my arms and pointed at the pedestal where a five fingered shape beckoned.
“You know what to do?” I had no idea if she would be able to succeed. The opening of the chamber stairs required maji blood. But, she was my daughter and though not full maji like I was, should have enough, like Trill and the Zornov family, to allow her to activate the way.
Ethie leaned forward without hesitation, her bravery and excitement written all over her face. Sassafras sighed behind me and I met his eyes as my daughter’s little hand pressed firmly to the stone.
Another one, he sent. I’ll have my hands full with her.
You love it that way. I turned back at the sound of a whisper of power and smiled at Ethie. She beamed at me, clapping her hands together in enthusiasm while the curving staircase sighed open, sinking down into the ground below.
Gabriel went first, without pause, half trotting his way down into the dark. I let Ethie down to go after him when she wiggled. She pushed past Galleytrot on Gabriel’s heels while Sass and I took our time again, my hands trailing over the writing on the stones. History, Liam had said, the history of magic. Of our family and all those of maji blood who came before. He didn’t get the chance to research it as he’d wanted. But, maybe one day, Gabriel would.
I’d like that very much.
I almost ran into Galleytrot at the bottom, realizing as I stopped with his furry butt against my legs there was a logjam at the entrance. Sass slipped past me between the hound’s legs and my son’s feet, stepping over the threshold. His encouragement through action released the kids from their stall, though both Gabriel and Ethie seemed tentative as their shallow steps carried them into the room.
I held back, my heart aching suddenly, the song of the maji chamber singing to my children. Gabriel’s face flushed before paling, to bright points of pink on his cheeks while Ethie sighed and cupped her own face in her hands, turning to meet my eyes with a gaze full of wonder.
“Mom,” she said. “This is awesomesauce.”
The air on the other side of the central slab shimmered and a familiar form appeared. I held my breath for a long moment, while the dark haired beauty smiled at my stunned son, her icy blue eyes full of happiness.
“Gabriel,” Ameline said. “Hello, my dear.”
***
Chapter Twenty Three
Why did her gentleness push more tears to the surface? I stood helpless, knowing I could comfort my son if he needed it, but allowing him to face the woman who stole him from me, who forced his little body to grow faster than it should have, who triggered the wakening of his incredible power. I could tell he knew right away who she was, the recognition in him not the startled, angry or frightened response I was expecting. Instead, Gabriel smiled at her.
“Ameline,” he said. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
She laughed and my heart did, too. Though my daughter watched the soul of Ameline Benoit with suspicion borne of her natural state of being, Gabriel immediately crossed to the spirit and offered one hand. Ameline sank to her knees and for the first time I saw her own tears glitter on her cheeks as her full, lower lip trembled.
“You forgive me, then,” she said, barely a whisper that carried to me in the quiet of the chamber.
“Of course,” my son said. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
With a low cry she embraced him and Gabriel hugged her back.
I had to look away, to gather myself. I hadn’t realized just how important this moment was to me. The fear she’d done some irreparable harm to his heart had lingered with me for years, though I should have known better. The toughness I’d sensed in Gabriel wasn’t, in fact, scar tissue left behind by Ameline, but the part of me I passed along. Maybe that shouldn’t have made me feel better. After all, his father was as gentle and kind as anyone I’d ever known. But I was well aware Gabriel would need his strength along the way, considering the power he carried. Seeing his heart was as open as ever almost did me in.
Ameline released Gabriel who held her hand as she stood. He guided her toward us while her soul unabashedly wiped tears from her cheeks. She felt real to me, the power of the maji chamber giving her form, and it was hard to remember she had once been an evil, torn, driven woman bent on hurting everyone she could. I think from the look on her face as she met my eyes there had to be times like this one she was as astonished by her transformation as I was.
“Ethie,” Gabriel said. “This is Ameline. She took care of me for a little while when I was a baby.” An understatement. She’d stolen him from me, made me believe he was dead by exchanging his infant form for a bespelled normal child already passed on. But I let his description stand because this was about my son, not me. I’d come to peace with how things ended a long time ago.
My daughter wasn’t buying it completely, but she bobbed her head, arms crossing over her chest. “I know about you,” she said in her best Hayle voice. “Gabriel told me some things.”
“I see.” Ameline just smiled. “There is much I regret, and yet, everything happens for a reason, Ethpeal Hayle. Please, always remember that.” Again, Ameline met my eyes. “Everything.”
; I shivered a little, hating the feeling of premonition I had from her words. Nothing, likely. Still, I knew better than to ignore my intuition.
“Sassafras.” Ameline bowed her head to the fluffy Persian. “You look well.”
“As do you.” He wasn’t cold with her, at least. I’d told him enough he’d forgiven her, too, perhaps. “You definitely feel much better.”
Ameline nodded. “I do,” she said. “The pain is gone. Though there are times I wonder what I did to deserve such respite.”
“What you had to do.” Galleytrot’s deep voice sounded dull, sad. Though his head hung low as he spoke, I felt his power pulsing with understanding, if not forgiveness. His anger with her lingered, though he did an excellent job holding it at bay. “And though I miss him still, none of us had a choice when Fate came to call.”
Ameline left Gabriel a moment, going to the big dog’s side. Her hesitant offer of a caress was welcomed as he lifted his big head, the crust of old hurt breaking from around his heart as his magic gave way. She bent slightly, kissing the top of his nose as he sighed out a breath of spring air that reached even me from the strength of it.
“I would undo it if I could,” she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. “And every moment my heart longs to do so.” She straightened and shrugged, turning back to Gabriel. “It is he who should be here, Gabriel. Your father. Not me. And, perhaps, that is the ultimate punishment Creator intended.” Ameline’s wry smile held no malice as she spun to me. “Had you considered that? Cleaning my soul of my ego, so I might know forever the pain I caused and relive it in endless understanding?”
I shook my head, unwilling to believe that. “I think you have more to do,” I said. “And that Liam’s time was done.” Why was it so hard to say those words? I choked on them a moment, had to cough away the thickening at the back of my tongue, draw a shaky breath past the pain I thought too old to make me feel this way again.
