Chapter 268: Ostrogotho
I was hesitant leaving the lab. I could almost pretend I was still home, in a way, while in the confines of Theridialis's workshop. That this was some kind of dream, not real at all. Walking through the heavy metal door meant accepting I was part of this world I knew very little about.
The hallway on the other side was a slight disappointment. It looked like any hall, really, at least how I imagined a castle hall would look. The center of the polished stone floor ran with a long, red runner, extending to the right down a flight of stairs and to the left toward a sharp bend. I took Theridialis's directions and went left.
As soon as I turned the corner, I immediately caught sight of the balcony. It wasn't some flimsy, narrow thing I'd been expecting. Two huge doors stood open, leading out into the air and a deep, massive space full of carved stone furniture and a tumbling central waterfall.
It was almost impossible not to stare, despite the circumstances of my arrival. The view was breathtaking, the sweep of the city beneath me spreading out in all directions. I found myself practically hanging over the edge of the thick marble-like railing, trying to see as much as I could. People, well demons, moved around down below, far in the distance, and what looked like vehicles though nothing like the cars I was used to. Something whipped past on a thin rail not too far from me and I gasped, pulling back, hand pressed to my chest in fright.
"It's just the mag," Sassy said. I turned to find him standing next to me. "Public transport."
I looked back out over the view, how the city drifted out in the distance, ending in some kind of flatland with thick roadways disappearing over the horizon. Off to my right stood towering, jagged mountains like nothing I'd ever seen, the rock run through with glittering paths of pink, gold and the deepest purple veins. The edges looked sheared away, as though a giant knife cut them cleanly to the base. Their shadow fell over the city, standing guard over the buildings below. To the left shone the mirrored surface of a huge lake, or even possibly a sea, the water still and calm, tinted an odd shade of reddish gold, lit by the deep amber sun. Um. Suns. Two of them, one largish and orange, the other smaller, though still larger than the one I was used to, a lighter shade of yellowy crimson, butting up against the first like an annoying little brother.
I drew a deep breath, taking in the sweetly scented air, a little surprised it was so clean even as my brain shrugged and accepted everything at face value. "No pollution."
Sassy made a face like it didn't matter. "Not when everything is powered with magic."
Right. All demons had abilities, unlike our plane where only a select few could wrangle the elements. The realization Earth could be this clean made me sad. If only.
"We have to go back." I reached out and brushed a lock of hair from Sassy's eyes so I could see him more clearly. He didn't flinch away, but didn't respond either. "Sass, it's not your fault."
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the railing, eyes lost in the distance. "You know if I could save Harry, I'd do anything."
"I know." I did. There was no question. Why were we back here again? I'd already had this conversation with him.
"What price is too high?" He glanced at me, amber eyes empty of emotion. "What price would you pay, Syd?"
"What do you mean?" A thread of anger rose inside me. "We've tried everything. And Dad's already paid, with his power. With his life."
I froze, heart thumping uncomfortably in my chest. That was it, wasn't it? Life. Death.
Blood magic.
"Okay," I said softly. "I get it. He was on the right track, wasn't he? With the blood. But he didn't go far enough." I drew a breath. "I know what to do. Thank you."
Someone had to die to bring my father back. With demon power. And I was the perfect candidate.
Sassy barked a laugh so bitter I stepped back a pace. "Don't be an idiot," he said. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
Rage surged. "Thanks a lot," I snarled. "I'm willing to do it, if it will save Dad."
"He'd never forgive you." Sassy settled into his sullenness again. "Neither would I."
Fine. Whatever. Jerk.
Sassy lurched upright, hands returning to his pockets.
"All right then," he said. "Let's go."
I grabbed his arm, pulled him back to me and made him meet my eyes.
"Why, Sass?" I looked out over the city and back to him. "What happened to you?"
He shook his head, shaggy hair swinging. "Not now," he whispered. "I can't. But ask me again sometime, Syd. Okay?"
I let him go, nodding. He hugged me quickly, as if the act was unnatural for him, before turning away and going back inside.
Theridialis waited for us in his lab. I lingered a moment, not wanting to cross back, if only because it meant giving up, failing at last. I wanted to ask the older demon what he thought of my idea, a life for a life, but surely he would have mentioned it if there was a chance such a plan would work.
The veil tugged against me, trying to keep me in Demonicon, but I forced it aside, sliding between planes until I stood once again in my mortal body, Sassy beside me. Theridialis held my other hand, his demon form wavering inside the pentagram.
The moment Mom saw him, she cried out softly, as if she understood why he was here. I guess the looks on all of our faces probably told her what she needed to know. Meira started to weep, burying her face in Mom's blouse while Theridialis, still holding my hand, bent over Dad.
My father's eyes flickered open and met his friend's. A slow, sad smile spread over his face. I reached down, freeing myself from Sassy long enough to feed Dad a large dose of demon power. It perked him up, but did little to reverse the deterioration this time.
"Haralthazar, my very dear friend." Theridialis's face was wreathed in a gentle smile. "I had feared for you. Now I see you've made it this far. I only wish I had the means to reverse what has happened to you."
"Riddie." Dad's whisper was a dry-throated croak. "Thank you."
The older demon reached out, his hand sliding over Dad's, his residual energy just strong enough to allow contact. "Songs are sung of you, Demon Lord," he whispered. "I will add one more to your opera."
Dad's eyes drifted closed. Theridialis straightened, met Mom's eyes. Tears tracked down his demon face, crystal moisture disappearing back to his plane as the fat drops fell. "My darling Miriam," he said. "You must not blame yourself. He has loved you more than anything or anyone in his very long life. And he would never give up the life he's lived with you, not for all the power on Demonicon."
Mom choked down her own tears, bowing her head with a grace only she could muster under the circumstance. "Thank you, old friend," she said.
Theridialis turned to me, reached out and stroked my cheek. "You are the perfect offspring of their union," he said. "Be well, Sydlynn Hayle." His eyes drifted then to Sassafras who refused to look up. "Farewell, my son. You are missed."
His hand pulled free of mine as Sassy looked up, shock in his expression, but too late to speak up.
Theridialis was gone.
***
