Weregirl

by Patti Larsen

  I haven’t long to wait for an answer to my call. Nor should I ever have worried she wouldn’t hear me. With a crack like thunder, the air beside me rips open and Syd comes flying through. She’s dressed in pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt, her hair free of her usual ponytail. But her maji power surges in a rainbow of tornado light around her and despite her attire there is nothing weak or comical about her.

  “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?” I sob once as she looks around the throne room, hair flying, magic blazing, eyes falling to me. “Charlotte.” She lunges for me, stopping the instant she sees Sage, unconscious, at my feet. Her anger turns to shock and then to worry as she crouches next to me, gaze traveling around the room, taking in the familiar—and not so familiar—faces watching us.

  “Syd.” I gasp her name, not caring I show weakness, gripping her hand in mine. “You have to save him.”

  Oleksander rumbles his discord at me, but Syd’s anger flashes back to life as she pins him with her blue eyes.

  “Not a freaking word,” she snarls. “Until I get to the bottom of this.”

  They are on good terms, my grandfather and my friend. How can I draw her into this? But Sage… I can’t let him die for my mistakes.

  “Syd.” Femke’s voice is soft, soothing. The Hayle leader meets her gaze next. “Allow me to fill you in.”

  I hover over Sage’s silent body as Femke tells Syd what she knows. I can feel Syd’s maji power engulfing me, wrapping me in rainbow light, keeping me and Sage safe from the rest of the room’s magic. My hands scramble for the files and I tuck them in my jacket as Femke finishes her story and falls silent.

  Syd’s hand touches my shoulder, her mind in mine. Tell me what you want me to do.

  I meet her eyes, tears still running down my cheeks. Save him.

  I can try, she says, so much sorrow in her I know she’s disappointed in me. Charlotte, why didn’t you tell me about you and Sage?

  So her unhappiness with me is not for the reason I thought. Because we can never be, I send. I was so selfish, Syd. And now he’s going to die and it’s all my fault.

  Her mind hugs me, holds me tight. Not if I can help it, she says. Syd stands, helps me to my feet. I don’t want to straighten, longing to lie down beside Sage’s still form and comfort him. But it’s best to face the watching crowd with strength, not more weakness. My hands quickly scrub at the traitor tears on my cheeks as Syd speaks.

  “Has anyone tried, I don’t know, fixing this?” She glares at my grandfather who scowls back.

  “There is no way to fix it,” he says.

  “Oh, really.” Syd’s belligerence blossoms and I love her for it, wish I had half her confidence. “Because, you’ve tried everything to heal him, is that it?”

  Femke looks startled, then a tiny smile appears and disappears quickly from her lips. “I don’t believe that’s been attempted,” she says.

  “Well, then,” Syd snaps, “by all means, just kill the guy and let’s be done with it.”

  Oleksander pales, suddenly hesitant. “You can do this thing?”

  Syd shrugs, hand holding mine. Only I feel her worry. “We won’t know until we try, will we? Seriously.” She tosses her dark hair back over her shoulders, rumpled and grumpy. “What is wrong with you people?” Syd turns and gives Andre the once over. “Never mind,” she says. “I know what’s wrong with you.” She then spins and points her free hand at Caine. “You, I’m not so sure about, but I have no doubt your flaws will make themselves known.” Finally, she scowls at Piers. “Should have realized you’d be in the middle of this.”

  He spreads his hands, smile returning. “Happy to add to the mayhem,” he says.

  Femke steps forward. “I’m delighted to offer the assistance of the High Council’s healers in this matter.”

  “And I,” Sebastian bows to Syd who waves like they just ran into each other on the street, “also offer my aid if my unusual physiology can somehow be of help.”

  Hope blooms, something I thought dead the moment I set eyes on Sage and the tell-tale bite on his shoulder. Syd starts cracking orders while her mind touches mine again.

  I have no idea if this will work, she sends, letting me feel the full brunt of her nervousness. Charlotte, I’m willing to do whatever you want to save Sage. But you may have to accept the fact there is nothing we can do.

  I won’t give up on him. My savagery shocks me, especially aimed at her.

  Neither will I. She turns to meet my eyes while the Dumonts are forced back from us, Caine and his werewolves herded out of the throne room and a quartet of wereguards appear with a stretcher to carry Sage away. And this will work. Or we find another solution. But if he starts to turn… Charlotte.

  If he loses his humanity and goes to evil, I say, I will kill him myself.

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Lula and Phon Kennecott arrive in a wash of blue fire as Femke and Syd talk in the corner. I hover outside the door where Sage is being held. Syd won’t let me inside and it’s probably for the best, but I just want to be with him and try to heal him myself if I can. A gasp of relief escapes me at the sight of the healer twins, and Miriam who appears behind them.

  Syd’s mother hugs me, kisses my cheek, her warm magic cradling me as though I am a child. Charlotte, her mind whispers in mine. We’ll help him, darling. Don’t despair.

  I cling to her, missing my own mother so much in that moment I am grateful for Miriam’s kindness and strength. Lula waits for Miriam to release me before hugging me herself, her tall brother bending to press his cheek to the top of my head as one hand rubs my back.

  “Thank you,” I whisper to them, at once cursing the emotional rollercoaster that is my life and welcoming the love and kindness that comes with expressing myself to them.

  Lula’s hazel eyes smile at me, her gentleness as soft and sweet as I remember. “We’ll do everything in our power,” she says. “Thank you for trusting us with this, Charlotte.”

  I can’t speak any further, I only nod and watch as she and Phon step through the door after a moment with Syd. She follows them inside and I wait, body still but mind pacing and pacing, my wolf unable to stop her motion, until Syd comes out again.

  “It’s weird,” she says, taking my hand, addressing Femke and my mother while a pair of wereguards watch over us. “He feels funny, almost like something else entirely. Not fully were and not human, either.”

  I cling to the conversation as they talk around me, Sebastian leaving the room with Alison beside him. “I have to agree,” the handsome vampire says, perfect brow pulled down over his blue eyes. “I had hoped my healing nature and new vampire makeup might be of some use.” He offers me a sad smile. “I regret that is not the case. But Lula and Phon have no equal when it comes to healing. I’m certain they will be successful.”

  I nod, misery waking, controlling me, but I am willing to accept his offer of comfort if only until I find out the result.

  “This might be off topic,” Syd says, “but what the hell are the Dumonts doing here?” She shrugs off the story Femke told her. “Aside from their madeup request to hire bodyguards. Because there’s no way I’m buying that one, thanks.”

  I focus on her, welcoming the distraction. “Exactly.” My free hand feels for the files in my jacket. “I think they have something to do with the revenants.”

  Femke didn’t share that part of my confession. Syd seems to have made the same supposition, proof or not.

  “I wouldn’t put it past them,” she says. “Though the Brotherhood angle makes me nervous. If Andre is working with them, Erica has some serious housecleaning to attend to.” The North American Council Leader, Erica Ployer, was also Miriam’s best friend and former second of the Hayle Coven. I always disagreed with her appointment as Council Leader, knowing she wasn’t nearly as strong as Miriam. But when Syd’s mother stepped down, the Council wanted another Hayle in the lead and Erica was their best option, already being a member of the Council in the first place.
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  Miriam’s grim expression mirrors Syd’s. “I’ll have a talk with her,” she says. She offers me another kiss before disappearing in a rush of blue magic. I let her go, clinging to Syd’s hand as my friend turns to me.

  “No matter what,” she says, “we’ll get to the bottom of it, Charlotte, I promise you.”

  I can only nod yet again. Piers appears, joining us, not meeting my eyes and I know exactly why. I’ve hurt him, but I can’t worry about that now, not while Sage’s life hangs in the balance.

  When my love was well and safe and far away in Wilding Springs, I could ponder my life without him. But his immediacy and the danger he is in is sending me into a downward spiral I’m not sure I’ll escape. If Sage dies because of me…

  I can’t contemplate that just yet.

  The door opens in a whisper, Phon emerging first. He looks tired and sad and I know immediately there is nothing they can do. A whimper escapes my lips before I can silence it, my wolf grieving Sage’s loss already.

  “Lula is still trying,” he says. “We’ve managed to stop the bleeding and heal the wound partially, but it’s resistant to our magic for some reason.” His hands extend before him, wobbling back and forth. “It’s like trying to pour water and oil together. The infection slips away from us when we grasp for it.”

  Syd chews her bottom lip, eyes narrow. “There has to be something we haven’t tried.”

  I’m trembling, her hand tightening in mine.

  “Can you identify who bit him?” If I can pin this on Caine, that would be the proof I need to at least have him imprisoned. Then I can have the witches examine the Californian wereleader for signs he’s a revenant.

  But Phon’s shake of head dashes even that small hope for vengeance. “Maybe if we’d reached him immediately,” he says. “But the infection is spreading and it’s already adapting to Sage’s DNA. It’s altered too far to tell us anything.”

  “Is he showing any signs of changing?” Femke won’t look at me, no one will. They know the truth I’m barely holding at bay.

  “None,” Phon says, as if that tiny ray of hope means anything. “But, I’m afraid, it’s only a matter of time.” The door sighs open behind him and Lula emerges. Her eyes are red, cheeks wet with tears. She bursts into sobs as she closes the door behind her and rushes to me, hugging me close. I cling to her with my free arm, refusing to let go of Syd, my lifeline.

  “I’m so sorry,” Lula says as her mind connects with mine. I can feel his love for you, she sends, more sorrow in her mental voice than even in her physical. He’s fighting it to stay with you. But I can’t help him, Charlotte. I don’t know if anyone can.

  I nod into her hair as she pulls away, wiping at her tears. “There’s one thing that makes no sense to me,” she says, gathering her poise to her. “I’ve never had a chance to examine a living revenant, but I always expected worse. More darkness, the loss of self that I’ve been told comes with the condition. He shows none of those signs.” She sighs. “Unless it’s just too early.”

  But no, I agree with her. He doesn’t have the off scent, either, the taint of the revenants I’ve encountered either in the past or just over the last little while.

  “What does it mean?” I hold her gaze as she shrugs her thin shoulders.

  “I wish I could tell you,” she says. “I’d need more time to study him.” She turns to Syd. “What are the chances we could have him returned home for us to continue working with him?”

  She was thinking about it, her mind working it over as Femke sighed and shook her head.

  “I’m sorry,” she says. “There’s only so far I can take this before I seriously start treading on some toes I’d rather not damage.” Femke’s sorrow did nothing for me as she faced me. “Charlotte, you know what happens now.”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Three

  My teeth ache from grinding them together and I’m sure I’ve bruised Syd’s hand from my death grip. But I will no more let him go than I would her.

  “Let’s not jump to any decisions just yet.” Syd’s calm helps me stay level as wild ideas run through my head. “We still have until his infection manifests physically before the law demands he be dealt with, right?” Bless her for being careful around her wording.

  Femke nods, but she doesn’t look optimistic. “That could happen at any time.”

  “Or not for seven days.” I pat the files in my jacket, tongue freed by renewed hope.

  “What’s with the week thing?” Syd looks back and forth between us.

  “It has been documented,” Femke says, “it can take up to seven days for a revenant to change, but there will be manifestations before that time, Charlotte.”

  “Maybe we can hide them from my grandfather.” I’m more than willing to stand guard over Sage until a solution can be worked out. Even if he bites me, he can’t do me further damage. I am immune to his infection.

  Or am I?

  “That won’t work, and you know it.” Femke lays one hand on my shoulder. “Unless we can find a real solution, Sage only has until the revenant takes over the first time. And then, we have to destroy him.”

  It’s not her fault, and she doesn’t deserve my hate. Especially when that feeling should be aimed inward. But I can’t help it, she’s giving up on him so easily. Giving up on me.

  And in that moment, as the Council Leader who is supposed to be my friend tells me it’s over for the one I love, I make a decision and calm descends.

  “What about Caine and his people?” If they are revenants, and there is a cure or a solution in them, Femke might be able to coerce them to cooperate, something I know Caine will never do willingly. I still believe he is the one who bit Sage, if only to get back at me for my rejection. And as I remember the bite my grandfather gave him, my mind grasps it’s the same shoulder. Proof enough to me. As I think about it further, if my supposition is correct and he and his pack were created, the solution to Sage’s problem could be in my grasp.

  “What about them?” Femke shakes her head. “They aren’t revenants, Charlotte. I’ve had my people look into them. And even if they were, there is no way they would have survived this long.”

  “Unless a sorcerer really did figure this out.” Syd is on my side, just like always.

  “I find that hard to believe,” Femke says. “Considering the revenants we’ve been uncovering.”

  No, she can’t be right. She can’t be.

  The answers are out there. But I might have to go to California to find them. And there is no way I’m leaving Sage here to face his death alone while I try to hunt a cure.

  Which means there’s only one thing I can do.

  “Thank you for trying.” I pull free of Syd at last, stepping back from her, from Femke. They both seem startled, Syd a little hurt by my retreat and frowning at my sudden change of composure. “But my grandfather is right. This is werebuisness. And since there is no cure for what is happening to Sage, it’s time for you all to go.”

  Femke tries to reach for me, but I won’t allow her access and rather than push the issue, she pulls back and turns away, heading for the stairs. Presumably to tell my grandfather the bad news.

  Syd stays where she is, Piers watching the two of us as Phon and Lula go after Femke. Sebastian leaves as well, head down, hands clasped behind his back. A swift glare from the Hayle leader sends my sorcerer friend on retreat, too, until it’s just Syd and I in the hall outside Sage’s room.

  “What are you doing?” Her scowl deepens as she tries to hold me with magic. I bat her power away, the cold of my training finally coming to save me. My mother’s voice is in my head, telling me I’m a silly girl, to hide my pain from those who can’t help me. And she’s right.

  “Nothing,” I say. “It’s over.”

  “It’s not.” Syd’s voice carries despite the hissing whisper of it. “Sage is my friend, Charlotte. I won’t let him die here because some asshat decided to make an example of him.”

  I stare at her, mute
and stiff until she shakes her head, hands running through her dark hair.

  “Damn it,” she sighs, all the fight running out of her. “If you had just told me, maybe I could have kept him in Wilding Springs.”

  My fault. All my fault.

  She seems to realize what she’s said and jerks her head up. “No,” she says. “I’m sorry, that was the stupidest thing I’ve ever said in my entire life. I do enough of the whole beating of Syd to know where you’re going in your mind right now.” She pokes me firmly with one finger. “This is not your fault, and don’t you dare blame yourself.”

  I can’t speak. I must hold my coldness to me and not allow cracks to show.

  Syd hugs me, but I don’t hug her back. When she pulls away, I do manage a few words.

  “I’m sorry to have dragged you into this. Thank you for coming.”

  I’ve hurt her worse than ever, I can see it on her face. But I can’t think of her as the four wereguards with the stretcher appear in the hall and go into Sage’s room. I force myself to remain still as they carry him out, my gaze finding his face. He looks peaceful at least, no hint of the evil lurking inside him showing.

  Not yet, at least.

  “Where will they take him?” Syd watches them go, voice low and aching.

  “To the dungeons,” I say, crisp, grateful for my years of obedience and the shielding of my emotions I used to use so easily. The woman who helped me knock down those walls stands close to me, longing for my comfort as I long for hers almost breaking my will. But I persevere, keeping my mother’s teachings closer to me than I have for years as Sage and his carriers disappear down the stairs. “He will be observed until he changes the first time and then he will be killed and his body burned.”

  “Fire.” Syd spits the word. “It’s always damned fire, isn’t it?”

  I don’t respond. She seems to want to say more, but I’m closed to her and she knows it.