Chapter 244: Escape To The Gate
"Daddo," Liam leaned forward over the back of the seat to talk to his grandfather. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried." The old man sagged, hands grasping for Liam's, "but your mother wouldn't let me."
"You know she's Unseelie?" I glanced sideways at him, risking a look away from the headlong race I ran with Minnie.
His face snapped around. "She's what?"
Liam softly, sadly filled his grandfather in while I wished I could risk driving faster.
I've led him astray, but it's not working. Galleytrot sounded pissed, but a little smug. I've damaged him at least. I think most of his power was tied up in his little shield.
Leave him, I sent. The Gate's more important. I need you.
I'll be there. He was gone, but left me with more hope than I'd expected to feel.
"It's no wonder she took you from me," Fergus sighed as I returned to their conversation. "Though how Sonja hid it from your father I have no idea. No," he shook his head, "that's not true. In all honestly, Liam, I worried for our line. Your father was weak in the power, his blood thin. I despaired that his heir would be the end of our legacy. Until you were born." I could hear the change in Fergus's voice and risked a look. He beamed at Liam like he'd rediscovered something precious. "And your mother has herself to blame."
"You think her Unseelie blood refreshed the line?" I slowed as we neared the center of town. I could keep the police from noticing, but not everyone. A flicker of a black shape on the sidewalk drew my eyes. Galleytrot was back with us, and not wasting any time.
He knows where we're going, the dog sent. Be ready.
"It makes me wonder," Fergus said as I struggled to form a plan. "Maybe she didn't even know she had the blood."
"Possible," I said. "Or this was all intentional to gain control of the Gate."
Liam was shaking his head. "I don't think so," he said. "Mom didn't get all freaky until Dad died."
Both men fell silent, but I felt their growing understanding. "You think they killed him?" I hated to voice it, but neither seemed surprised so I knew I was right.
"We have to get to the Gate. Nothing else matters now." Fergus's hands twitched. "And we have to hurry. I can feel the darkness returning. The fog. Your hound may have put off the inevitable, but if I fade the rest of the way before we get there I have no idea if I can return."
"It's not dementia, is it, Daddo?" Liam sounded about fit to hurt someone.
"No," the old man said. "I'm fairly certain now it's not. It came on so quickly, had I been aware I would have just sealed the Gate and let the family legacy die."
"No wonder Mom seemed like she was in such a hurry to get us out of town when Dad had his accident." Liam sat back, putting him in my rear view mirror where he scowled out the window. "If they killed him, they were probably going to come after you too, and maybe me, and take over the Gate for themselves."
"But they can't," Fergus said. "That plan would never have worked. The Gate is keyed to me, to you, Liam. They would have been unable to do anything.
I paused, a sick feeling in my stomach. "Maybe your mother didn't know that."
Liam shot me a look that had more hope in it than it should have. "You think they lied to her?"
I didn't answer, flinching away as Fergus poked me in the ribs. "There," he said, "park there. Hurry." He pointed around the side of town hall and I obeyed at once, tires humming as I took the corner sharply. Minnie rocked as I slammed on the brakes.
"Everyone out. Fergus, stay with Galleytrot." The old man tilted his head in question before turning slowly to look out the passenger window. The black dog looked back at him, tongue hanging out.
Liam was out already, easing the door open past Galleytrot, helping Fergus to his feet. The old man approached the dog with great reverence, holding out his hands.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome, Gatekeeper," Galleytrot answered. "Please, hold onto me. I'll try to keep you with us as long as I can."
Fergus buried his long, thin hands in Galleytrot's ruff as we headed for the side door. I struggled with Shaylee's fear, my nerves making me fumble toward the more familiar feel of my family magic while my demon fought to help. I'm sure I was just making it harder on Galleytrot to hide us all and forced myself to calm.
I could do this. Had to do this. I glanced up at the moon, almost fully risen, and hoped I was right.
At least Venner hadn't shown himself yet, though I wondered if that was a good thing. Once inside the building, Fergus seemed to straighten, his stride lengthening out as he led us to the stairs. I glanced around, nervous. The Unseelie lord knew tonight was the final night. He had to be here somewhere. I hated not knowing, jumping at shadows. If he would just show up, I could act, react. But until that happened, doubt and anxiety bounced me around like a well-struck Syd piñata.
I really wished I had more faith in myself.
All of that went out the window as Fergus paused near one of the old wooden bookshelves. His smile was brighter than the moon outside and more beautiful than anything I'd ever seen.
One hand came free from his grip on Galleytrot and reached out to stroke the ancient wood.
"Oscail," he said, Shaylee recognizing the Gaelic. "Open for your Keeper."
Green magic flared to life as the bookcase softly swung inward.
***
