by Patti Larsen
He crawled forward on his hands and knees, looking up at me with the rictus of his smile firmly in place, snot and tears mingling on his red cheeks, tracking through dirt and over what looked like old bruises. A scar ran from under his right eye, down the side of his face to curve in a crescent, pulling the corner of his mouth askew. I backed off a pace as he emerged into the light, blinking and smiling and shaking.
“Are you hiding from her?” I could see why, if he’d broken down like this in her care. Batsheva would simply kill him if he was no longer of use to her.
“Evil,” he whispered, eyes wide again, innocent almost, as he clutched at my pant leg. Charlotte shoved him off with one foot, her distaste clear on her face. He whimpered and backed away, holding himself as he crouched at my feet, still weeping, still smiling.
“She is evil.” Nice he finally saw it, even if he had to go bonkers first. “Where is she?”
He shook his head suddenly, a high-pitched whine coming from his throat. “Nonononononononononono.” Demetrius pointed one finger at me, his black nail cracked and broken. “No more of her. No.”
Okay then. I could let Batsheva go for now. But here at least I had a source, if I could break through his insanity, of another crystal. And though my disgust almost did me in, I sank to my haunches next to him and met him on his level.
“Demetrius,” I said. “What do you know of the Brotherhood?”
Again fear, but not as powerful. He sank back, a puppy kicked one too many times. “Can’t go near them, not ever. Not ever. Not anymore.”
So he did know them. “You worked for Belaisle, didn’t you?”
He shook his head, a spark of rage in his eyes. “Never. She is evil. He is despair.”
Lovely. Someone worse than Batsheva Moromond.
Demetrius reached for me again, slowly this time, his smile coming back, head tilting from side to side as he did. I shooed Charlotte off, let the former Chosen leader stroke the back of my hand with his fingers, the barest touch, feather strokes, though my need for a shower just increased tenfold.
“Please,” he whispered, the sound still oddly piercing, sharp and jagged in his need. “Please, will you fix me?”
It took me a moment to understand what he meant. I couldn’t heal his mind, could I? But when my demon roared her denial, I knew then she’d figured it out before I had.
She’d punished him for trapping her, for stealing some of her power for his crystal. When we’d defeated Demetrius and left him behind at the mansion for his people to find, he’d been in the physical guise he still wore. Black horns, one chipped, the shine long gone, peeked from his silver hair, his red skin mottled and pale rose in places, the demon version of gray. She’d made him look like her, the only way she had to ensure his people would reject him, maybe even kill him.
But he’d somehow escaped them, and now I knew not all of the Chosen saw him as the enemy. Maybe at first, but the fact he found refuge with the remains of his sect told me they were desperate for leadership, even from someone as shattered as Demetrius.
“You want to be human again?” I thought about it even as my demon turned her back, crossed her arms over her chest and pretty much told me where I could shove my willingness to consider it. I hardly blamed her.
More tears, more snot. Seriously? I was going to stand under hot water until I cooked.
“Lovely, kind, generous one,” he continued his light caress. “Fix me?”
“What do I get if I do, Demetrius?” No way was I going to battle with my demon if there wasn’t something in it for me. And the feeling I had he knew more than he was saying about the Brotherhood was confirmed when his face compressed, a nasty smirk replacing his openness.
“Anything,” he whispered. “Everything.”
Quite the offer. But could he, in his condition, deliver?
“I need a crystal,” I said. “Like the one you used on me.”
His head bobbed immediately, Adam’s apple bouncing in time as his throat constricted.
“Yes, yes. I get you anything, all of it, you want it, you have it.” He cackled suddenly, falling back, rolling over on his side, giggling and rocking himself while his bare feet scrabbled on the floor. Charlotte firmly grasped my arm and pulled me up, back, putting herself between Demetrius and me.
“Will having one help me against the Brotherhood?” If he could give me the answers I needed, be my secret weapon, this trip would pay off big time.
Demetrius straightened, saw my bodywere between us and whined softly. “Mistress,” he said, sing-songing the word and the ones after. “Trust me. I’m not your enemy.” He reached for Charlotte who bared her teeth at him. He shrank back, but not far, easing forward again when she stopped. “Let me help you, you be my new Mistress?” Demetrius laughed, a horrible sound full of crazy.
Oh crap.
“I’ll make you one, a crystal, the perfect one. Kill Belaisle, kill them all.” Demetrius stood up, hopping around in a circle, one foot to the other. “Make my Mistress the most powerful Mistress in the. Whole. Wide. World.” He stopped, stared at me with his manic amber eyes. “Fix me?”
I could have lied to him. Said I’d do it. But my heart constricted, my conscience weighing on me. We’d done this to him, as horrid and evil and nuts as he’d been before. This crumpled remnant of what used to be a human being was my responsibility. And if he could deliver what he promised, if I could find a weapon that would ensure we could defend against the Brotherhood, it would be worth it to give this pitiful creature back what he longed for.
Only one problem. My demon. Sigh.
Come on, I sent. He’s suffered enough. And we need him.
Silence. Cold and yet burning at the same time as she slammed up a wall and drove me back.
You achieved what you wanted. He’s in pain, endless pain. And even if we turn him back, he’ll never recover. You know that.
Chuffing breath. Absolute fury.
Sometimes being more than one person really sucked.
Consider, the vampire core of me spoke up, surprising me when she did as she addressed my demon. The transition could be made painful.
That got her attention. The wall came down at least.
That’s kind of sick, don’t you think? My stomach rolled around a little at the thought of causing suffering on purpose.
Naturally, it made my demon even happier. Not happy, nope, nope. Just happier.
Even more shocking? We could ensure when the transformation is complete, every moment is agony, Shaylee spoke up. Shaylee. Who never spoke up.
And when did she become so bloodthirsty?
Their support was enough, turned out, even though I could only splutter inside my own head while the three of them plotted their nastiness.
My demon turned back and snarled her consent.
We all really need to have a serious talk, I sent to them. When this is over.
Still fighting my stomach and the fact I harbored some seriously cruel people inside me, I refocused on Demetrius and nodded.
He practically fell over himself trying to get to me while Charlotte flung him backward, his weakened body impacting the wall across the room. I shoved her aside and went to him, reaching for his hand, pulling him to his feet while he whined and shivered.
“We need him, damn it.” I met her eyes, saw the rebellion in them.
Hell no. The three hardheaded women sharing my existence might have been able to get away with it, but my bodywere didn’t get that kind of slack.
“I mean it, Charlotte,” I snapped. “Back off.”
She did at last, though I caught the moment of hurt as it crossed her face.
Tough cookies, cookie.
“Fix me?” So pathetic. I glanced back at Demetrius whose amber eyes begged me. Yeah, like I’d be turning him back any time soon. No way I trusted his crazy ass, not until I had what I wanted.
“Crystal first,” I said. “Fix you after. Deal?”
He bobbed his head, grasped my hand, kissed i
t.
Now I needed boiling water, an entire jug of soap and bleach.
We left Rosetta and the remains of the Chosen behind, stepping into the veil from the apartment. The little maid hadn’t woken yet, and I had no desire to find out what kind of mood she’d be in when she did.
The veil sucked us in, Demetrius clinging to me all the way, stumbling as we emerged into the aging night on the soft grass of the library lawn. The air was so crisp and fresh I took a moment to fill my lungs, sniffing at myself as we walked to the door, finding I still carried an aroma with me.
Screw the soap. Bleach it was.
Though I hesitated to take the ailing sorcerer into Liam’s cavern, I didn’t want him out of my sight. While Galleytrot chuffed at me, his unhappiness with my choice as clear as Charlotte’s, I stepped through the wards and into the cavern with Demetrius still clinging to my hand like a lost and terrified child.
The moment we passed through, I felt it, the sharp spike of fear in Liam’s power, tensed as he emerged from the archive with Meira and Owen beside him. My Sidhe friend’s face told me what I needed to know, though Owen’s tear-streaked cheeks cinched the truth around me like a noose.
I groaned, shaking my head, as Liam spoke.
“I’m sorry, Syd,” he said, voice shaking. “I don’t know how it happened. One minute she was there, the next…”
“It’s my fault,” Owen said, voice steady. “I should have been watching her, too.”
“Damn it,” I said. “How long has Trill been gone?”
***
Chapter Twenty
I didn’t wait for an answer before firing off another. “Where’s Sassafras?” I was already turning, heading for the exit.
“He went looking for her.” Liam moved as if to join me, hesitated.
“You have to stay,” I said. “Galleytrot, watch over them, would you?” I gave Demetrius a gentle push. “Stay here.” I met the big dog’s eyes. “Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him out of your sight.”
He growled. “Not even for a moment.”
Charlotte beside me, I barged through the wards and leaped into the veil, a heartbeat of fear all it took to exit the slice between planes, landing in the driveway outside the mansion.
Neither of us missed a beat, running for the front door. I opened it with magic, not bothering to knock, freezing as I passed the threshold to the sight of Sebastian standing over Trill, three vampires keeping her contained as he confronted her.
His blue eyes met mine as he looked up, lips a grim slash. “We’ve uncovered an intruder,” he said at his most polished. “I assume she’s one of the two you mentioned earlier?”
I glared at Trill who glared right back as I shoved my way between Anastasia and another vamp to confront the girl. “What were you thinking?” My magic lashed out, wrapping her up in shielding until I could barely feel myself let alone her. “How did you find this place?” Charlotte quivered beside me and I could only guess what I was forced to do also affected the bond she had with me, but I wasn’t in a position to go easy on anyone.
Least of all a stupid maji girl who just put everyone I cared about at risk.
“I’m not sorry.” Trill’s voice quavered, telling me otherwise. “I had to come.” A slip of paper in her hand told me she’d found the address, probably on Liam’s computer.
Stupid, Syd. Really stupid.
“Alone and unprotected.” My desire to smack her silly had returned with a vengeance.
“Yes,” Trill said. Took a breath. “No offense, but I have no real way of knowing if I can trust you.”
Um, what? “Excuse me?” Charlotte growled beside me. “Still? Really? What the hell is your problem?”
Trill didn’t answer, just crossed her arms over her chest after an angry adjustment of her glasses.
“Considering you’re so worried about putting my coven and my vampire family at risk,” I snarled, “this wasn’t exactly the smartest move you could have made.”
She had the good grace to flinch at that, at least.
Sheesh.
“This little stunt of yours could very well have told the sorcerers exactly where to find your brother, have you thought of that?” What would it take to get through to her?
“I left Owen behind so he would be safe.” A moment of fear, gone as fast as it came.
“Did you not hear what I told you when I left you there?” Shaking her was imminent. Like, any second now I’d be rattling her teeth together. “You were both safe as long as you stayed put. But your leaving likely revealed the entrance to the cavern. And the location of your brother.” I punched my hip to keep from using my fist on her in my frustration. “Not to mention my friends. I took you in, protected you, even when it meant danger for my family and myself. And you. Don’t. Trust. Me.” I spun away from her, had to. Stalked off a step. Drew a breath. Caught my temper between my teeth before turning back. “I want the two of you out of Wilding Springs. I’m done playing nanny to a spoiled girl who refuses to accept help when it’s offered. And since my assistance is clearly not wanted, you can go back and pick up Owen and get the hell out of my town.”
Trill shook, hands clenched at her sides. If she had any plans to come after me…
Tears. Were those tears trickling out from under the shine of her glasses? Were her lips trembling as much as her body? I held myself clenched and tight, unwilling to back off, but starting to feel like a bitch.
“I did it for Owen.” She crumbled, hugging herself while Sebastian kindly held her up. “I have to protect my brother.”
Sigh. “That’s no excuse, Trill.” Okay, maybe it was. Would I have done the same, pursued, hunted, Meira at my side? Would I take stupid risks to protect my sister?
Um, yeah.
Damn it.
“He’s the important one.” Trill pulled herself together, shaking off the handsome vampire leader, wiping at her face with both palms. “I don’t care what Nona says, the stupid light and shadow business.” Her hands chopped downward as though cutting off the very idea. “Owen is the key, not me.”
I gestured to Sebastian, who, in turn, waved off his vampires, though Anastasia glared at Trill as she flickered into shadow and vanished. Trill didn’t move as I approached, just stood there shaking, but holding her ground.
“You never explained what it meant.” Anger ebbing, I reached for her, half-expecting her to reject me, but instead she took my hand.
“I know,” she said. Followed by a whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The only problem with having a temper was the guilt after. And how well I knew that lesson. Oh well. I refused to let it get to me too badly. She was the one who screwed up. Nice to know I wasn’t the only one who could.
“Come on,” I said. “Since you’re here, and now that you’re shielded, you can at least see what the fuss is about.” I met Sebastian’s eyes, caught his nod.
We’ll watch, witch girl, he sent. But dawn approaches.
Crappy crap on a crap-covered cracker.
Trill missed our exchange, still holding my hand as I guided her quickly down the hall and to the room with the secret stairs.
“There’s some stupid maji prophecy,” Trill said as we made our way down the tunnel to the maji chamber. “About a light and a shadow—a maji and a sorcerer, born of the same blood. The maji is to be the salvation of the world, but he will be her downfall.”
I could see why she didn’t want to pay attention to something like that. Not when the meaning was clear enough. She had a job to do, and Owen would betray her. Though I knew, as I’d already agreed with upstairs, if it was Meira and me I’d be just as stubborn about it as Trill.
“He’s my brother.” Trill stumbled a little as she passed over the threshold into the maji chamber. “I love him. I will do anything I can to protect him.” She met my eyes, despair and hopelessness making my heart hurt. “He can’t be my shadow.”
How much did this suck? Instead of answering, wishing I had some comfort to offer, I le
d Trill down the winding stone stairs. She didn’t seem to notice or care where we were going, head bowed, cold fingers still clasping mine, the odd tear escaping from behind her glasses, which she attacked with a fierceness that worried me.
The moment we touched the last step, everything changed. I felt her energy shift, quiet, the pull of something drawing both of us onward. And as much as it made me nervous, we needed answers and it seemed whatever solutions were to be offered, I required Trill’s presence to receive them.
I stayed with her, Charlotte close behind, as Trill approached the slab in the middle of the room and climbed up on it, lying prone, her dark hair spreading around her. I heard her sigh, could almost see the air leaving her lungs as her maji power reached outward—
***
Chapter Twenty One
—the battleground. I rise above it, Trill at my side, Iepa hovering before us, infinitely sad.
I know you doubt, the maji says, and I can hardly blame you. But please believe, no matter the mistakes my people have made in the past, this one we wish to unmake.
A line of demons fall, the ground crumbling beneath them, swallowing them as they scream in agony. Witches shift to save them, earth magic joining with Sidhe.
Your father is correct, Iepa says. Not all of us have the best of intentions. Like all races. The formation of the demon planes, the division of their race, was never meant to go on for so long. An experiment? Yes. We’ve tried for time unknowing to perfect our creations.
Witches die under a cloud of poisoned smoke, choking, lifeless even as the Sidhe retreat from the advancing sorcerers. We’re losing, badly.
This can’t happen. The very earth protests, heaving and bucking beneath the feet of the enemy, but for those who fall, ten more take their place.
