Chapter 318: Dad To The Rescue
That was my cue. I stood and gestured at the Enforcers near the entrance. "Open the door."
Batsheva glared at me, but the two black-robed witches obeyed without even hesitating. The seal retreated, the wooden portal swinging open. Batsheva's magic climbed around it as she fought to keep control. Quaid entered first, Dad's statue floating behind him. I joined my power to his, bringing Dad's effigy forward to stand front and center, right in the Council's faces.
Even better? I placed it right in the path of a sunbeam. The light caught the facets of his effigy and turned it into a sparkling star.
"Behold," I said, letting my magic boost my volume, "the Demon Lord."
Dad didn't need my help. I felt him hovering there, waiting for my signal. And, right on time, he seized the moment and tore open the veil, stepping though into his statue.
More gasps. You'd think they'd never seen a demon before, the way he flooded the diamond with life, red tinted skin not reverting to human tone. Instead he stood there in all his demon glory, shining black horns jutting forward from his ebony hair, amber eyes on fire, huge hands lifting as he crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at the Council.
But like Galleytrot, he didn't stop there, body stretching and growing until he filled the space from floor to ceiling, towering over them while his amber magic crackled around him.
"Who dares summon me?" His voice boomed like a thousand drums, shaking the floor under my feet.
If they were scared of Galleytrot, they were terrified of my father. I forgot how good a show he could put on, the fact most of the assembled witches had little if any experience with demons. And while I thought he was laying it on a bit thick, it was his show.
"I do, Father." He turned toward me, arms dropping to his side.
"Daughter." His voice softened just a little. "Well come."
Odette leaped to her feet, hand shaking as she pointed at Dad.
"Enforcers," she shrieked, "seize this demon!"
Um, yeah. Like that was going to happen anytime soon. Not one of them moved.
Dad focused on Odette, his scowl deepening as he bent over her, his breath ruffling her hair.
"You think you can challenge me, little witch? Haralthazar, Demon Prince of the Second Plane?"
Whoa. What? Dad got a promotion? Since when?
Even Mom looked startled. Okay, so he'd been keeping that particular tidbit under wraps.
Go Dad.
Odette shrank back, Violet and Benita sliding sideways out of the line of fire, though if Dad chose to strike we'd all be at risk. The old Dumont leader's eyes flashed to Batsheva who was scowling like she'd eaten something putrid.
"You are the reason for this trial, demon." Batsheva leaned forward, unafraid. Damn. I was hoping he'd scare her too. "Your use of blood magic has brought this witch to trial. Will you let her die for your mistake?"
Dad roared like a freight train running too fast, and this time the whole room shook. Witches shrieked, dumped from their chairs, the chandelier shaking and shivering while the window panes hummed with the pressure, close to shattering.
"YOU DARE ACCUSE ME?" Dad lashed out beside him, claws rending the air and I gasped, almost afraid myself at last as the veil between planes tore open and gaped wide. "THIS IS WAR!"
He wasn't kidding, either. There, just on the other side, stood a row of demons. And behind them another row. And another, stretching back as far as I could see in the shimmering pink-sky-tinted distance, an army of soldiers ready, willing and able to invade our plane.
That got Batsheva's attention. "You wouldn't." She paled, her fear showing at last.
"I will," Dad said. "I used blood magic, yes. I am a demon." He swept the room with his gaze. "Your empty laws do not apply to me. And I will use it again, little witch, right now, to bring my soldiers here and lay waste to your pathetic world."
Okay, he was bluffing, I knew that much.
Wasn't he?
Batsheva sank back, a sheen of moisture on her face. He had her sweating. Wicked.
"Call off your army," she said. "There will be no war."
So much disappointment. Too much. Was this it, the real reason for the trial? Was Mom the target-or was Dad? My eyes flew to my mother whose smile was gone, expression thoughtful.
Exactly, Gram sent. Remember, Batsheva's twisted goals are all about ruining your mother. She knew you'd bring your father to testify. But she didn't expect Harry to bring reinforcements. Or that he is now a Prince. Her tone was grudgingly respectful. Well played, son-in-law.
Dad let the veil snap closed, though he didn't shrink his size and his voice still boomed when he spoke.
"This woman is innocent of your weak charges," he said. "I acted on my own, without her knowledge. She has followed coven law to the letter. If there is anyone to charge, it is me. And you now know where those charges will take you."
Was this it? Did Dad just hand us victory?
Violet stood up. "Not so, Demon Prince," she said in a sad and heavy voice.
Oh crap. I willed her to just shut up, but it seemed her sense of fairness ran both ways.
"Law agrees," she said, "you are not subject to our ways. But Miriam Hayle, whether willing or not, allowed the use of blood magic at her most sacred coven site. Without her knowledge it might be, but she is still responsible for her family and what happens in the confines of her coven." She moved to sit, hesitated. "I'm sorry."
Dad bowed his head to her. "This is the law?"
She nodded. "It is, Demon Prince."
I saw my father hesitate, knew then he would do anything, including start a war, to save Mom. I drew a sharp breath, fear flooding me as my demon howled her rage and need to join him in the fight.
"Harry." Mom's voice, though soft compared to his, made it through loud and clear.
He turned toward her, shoulders bowing. "I won't allow them to harm you, my love."
"Harry," she repeated in her same loving tone. "I'm here willingly. The laws of my kind are very important to me, you know that."
He sighed as he shrank slowly back down to human size. "I honor your commitment to your people," he said, "but not their short-sighted foolishness." He turned to face the Council, no longer huge, but just as intimidating. "This witch should be the envy of any coven. Honoring and caring for her people means more to her than her own life." His jaw worked, eyes going to slits. "I will do as she asks and stand down. But keep in mind my displeasure if you should choose to harm her."
"Your empty threats don't frighten us." Batsheva brushed at the air before her as if he were a lowly fly. "Begone, foul demon."
Dad ignored her, turning back to Mom. He leaned close to her and kissed her gently, but with great passion, so much so I heard witches sigh over their love, so clear and obvious. It was hard not to roll my eyes and blush.
Dad finally pulled away and straightened. As he did, he faded away, the clear crystalline structure of his effigy once again taking on the light of the sun.
I stood and gestured. Quaid moved forward, wrapping the statue in family magic and taking it away.
The chamber was silent a long moment before Batsheva balled up a piece of parchment and threw it at the back of the secretary's head, her magic crackling around the room.
"Well?" She snarled at him. "Don't just stand there, idiot."
She must have put power behind the sheet of paper because he rubbed the spot like it still hurt while he read the next name.
"Sunny DeWinter." He turned to Batsheva with a bit of an accusatory, sulky tone. "One of the vampires."
"I protest again," Odette said, sweeping to her feet. "We've heard more than enough testimony in this woman's defense."
"And yet all of your witnesses were permitted to speak." Erica's voice was dry, her tone sharp. "Bear in mind, these are special circumstances."
"Of course you would speak in favor," Odette snapped. "She was your leader."
"Are you accusing a Council member of unprofessional conduct?" Erica's eyebrows lifted, words and voice mild, but implication loud and clear.
Odette spluttered, backpedaling. Such an accusation was a serious thing. No one would look at Odette, not even Benita. I wondered if I prodded the Santos coven leader a little harder would she cross sides.
"Enough." Batsheva thumped her fist down on the arm of her chair.
"Forgive me, Council leader," Erica said at her most sweet, "but I disagree. Miriam Hayle is being accused, among other things, of trying to steal power from foreign magics. How can we see the full picture if the owners of those magics aren't allowed to testify?" She turned back to Odette. "And I have as yet to hear if the Dumont coven leader is accusing me of playing this Council false."
Odette's expression wasn't happy. "Of course not," she muttered before sinking into her seat to sulk.
Batsheva huffed and pulled herself to her feet. "Fine, we reconvene at nightfall." She left without another word, stomping off through the hastily opened doorway.
Two Enforcers approached. "All leaders must be remanded into custody until the Council reconvenes." I frowned with the others. "No exceptions."
Nice. Like Odette would be cooling her heels in some chamber. More than likely she'd be running around looking for something else to do to hurt Mom. Still, I could tell from the stiff and angry twist to Violet's shoulders and the way Irene looked down her nose at the black-robed witches this order wasn't doing Batsheva any favors.
I was left in a room similar to the ones I'd visited, with a sitting area on the outside, bedroom further in, while the doorway was sealed up by the Enforcers. As tired as I still was, I spent the next several hours pacing, unable to keep still, my magic blocked inside the room with me. And while I knew I could easily break the seal, I held back. No telling what Odette would do with that if I offered it to her on a silver platter.
It also meant no Gram. So weird to not feel her in my head. Only then did I understand she'd really been there all along, listening, watching. I'd known she hung around, but not that she was a constant watcher.
I wasn't sure if I felt comforted, pissed off or creeped the hell out.
Dad's statue was there, at least. But I didn't bother contacting him. He'd done all he could, outside of invading. And I didn't want to give him any ideas.
I was sure Charlotte paced outside my door, my self-appointed bodywere probably ready to claw her way through to me.
Despite my intentions, when I felt Dad part the veil, I welcomed him with open arms. He hugged me, grim.
"Dad," I pulled away, trying for a smile, "way to make waves."
He stroked my cheek. "I did my best," he said. "But we both know this is a fake trial, Syd. No matter what the Council decides, Batsheva and Odette have plans for Miriam."
I shrugged and pulled away. "We'll deal with it when it happens. Until then, we're swaying support, I think." I wanted to believe.
"It will all work out." Way to pull the there, there, dear card, Dad. "No matter what happens, I'll make sure of that."
I looked up into his eyes, knowing what he meant. "Dad," I said softly, "not to put a damper on your whole Demon Prince in shining armor routine, but if you kidnap Mom after she's convicted, it will mean the end of the coven."
His face crumpled. "I can't let her die."
"I know." I squeezed his hand. "Me either. And if it comes to it, take her. You hear me? One way or another, Batsheva is going to do whatever it takes to get her hands on our family magic. If Mom is safe, I can live with it."
Dad hugged me before parting the veil. "I have something for you." A small box floated through, real and tangible. It floated in front of me until I took it from the air, the metal warm from its trip. "Though I hate to burden you with more." I opened the box, gasped at the perfect white jewel inside. It pulsed with life, light, called to me with a familiar feeling. I looked up, fear in my heart.
"Dad..."
"We tried to contain it," he said, "but the virus isn't meant to be manipulated with demon magic. It was destabilizing, starting to draw power. Theridialis tried to destroy it, but I worry he only made it stronger." He shook his head. "You have to find a way to kill it, Syd. And you need vampire magic to do it."
***
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