Chapter 33: Werebusiness

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.

"I'm not giving up on him," she says. "But I have to check into some things. There has to be an answer."

I shrug. "Do as you choose," I say. "Pack law will do the rest."

She looks like she wants to hit me, but instead her power flares, a gap appearing in the veil. "Don't shut me out, Charlotte." Her magic is warm but angry as she hugs me with it. "Not me, of all people. We'll find a way."

I watch her go without comment, and as the veil closes behind her, I nod.

She might have her own plans, but I've my own to enact. There is a way. And I'm going to make it.



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