Chapter 386: Not Just A Demon
"Considering you seem to be misinformed," I said, "allow me to clear up the issue and introduce myself." My demon growled behind my words as every single pair of eyes latched onto me and refused to let go. The pressure was unbelievable, but my temper carried me onward, for good or ill. "I am Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle, leader of the Hayle coven, daughter of Miriam Hayle, Leader of the North American Witches Council. I am also Sydlynn, demon child of Haralthazar, Prince of the Second Plane." I paused a moment, ignoring the open-mouthed shock of the family, the way Pagomaris's hands fluttered ineffectually as though her worst nightmare had come to life, only focused on the steady, steely gaze of my grandmother. "I am Shaylee, Princess of the Sidhe Seelie Court. And I am the essence of all vampires, born of the maji." As I ran through the list of my personas, I felt a shiver of pride. Not because I was powerful-I was, without question-but for the first time in my life I recognized and acknowledged publicly the honor of who I actually was, the lives I carried inside me, and it all finally hit me.
Whoa. How cool was I?
Grandmother didn't seem all that impressed and from the sudden rumble of anger and shock rippling through the family, I hadn't made any friends with my little proclamation. But I refused to back down, buoyed by the grim smile on Dad's face and the fact Sassafras hadn't mentally chastised me yet.
Let them think what they wanted. I was Sydlynn Hayle and damned proud of it.
Grandmother let the chatter go on for a moment before raising her right hand. The sudden silence felt like she'd numbed my ears. Not once did she blink or turn her gaze from me, amber fire eating away at the edges of my resolve despite my best intentions. Now that my temper had cooled somewhat, I realized the position I'd put myself in. Front, center. Yay me. Brilliant move, Syd. And yet, my sense of pride didn't leave me and so I remained where I was, back straight, head up and heart beginning to beat a little faster the longer she stared me down.
Before I could cave under the weight of her gaze, Grandmother gestured, again with her right hand, motioning me forward. Another gasp, this time without anger, only pure surprise and I knew I'd won.
This round. Good thing I was going home soon.
"Welcome, granddaughter." She purposely left out every single name I'd used, but I didn't argue. What was her game now? "Your family has long despaired at your absence and that of your sister."
Yeah, sure they had. I could just feel the sickly sweet love and compassion oozing from my relatives. Any more attention from them and I'd likely end up with a terminal case of adoration overload.
Grandmother went on as if she spoke utter truth. "It is wonderful to have you both home with us at long last and we hope you enjoy all being children of the ruling family has to offer."
Careful, Sassy sent very softly, that tight band of connection so weak it barely reached me. He was being uber cautious, clearly. We're getting to the real reason you're here. Don't piss her off further until we know what she wants.
Then I can finish the job? No idea why I was feeling so cocky.
We'll see. Sassy's chuckle was full of venom. That was absolutely brilliant, by the way. Don't ever do anything like that again.
We'd see.
Grandmother gestured for Meira to join me and I felt my sister slide in beside me. I half expected her little hand to slide into mine, but it never happened. Of course. That would be a show of weakness and Meira, as young as she was, clearly understood the stakes here, even if I was only beginning to.
What kind of family did Dad have? I wasn't really liking them much and I didn't even know them.
"Now is the time for your plane selection," Grandmother said. Sassy's mind jabbed me so violently I almost jumped, though there were no words, only a spike of fear I was sure he never intended to reach me.
"I protest, Ruler." Dad stepped forward immediately, to stand at my sister's side. "Neither of my daughters are born of this plane. And considering they will be departing in a few short hours, plane assignments are unnecessary."
Grandmother glared at him. "You would deny your own daughters their status, Haralthazar?" She tapped the fingers of her left hand on the arm of her throne even as Vandelarius glared at Dad with pure venom. "It is the decree of the Seat no demon child shall be without status."
"So decreed," Vandelarius said. Hissed, more like. His voice was kind of whiny, not that I was surprised, high pitched. Made my skin do a creepy crawly dance.
Dad hesitated, looked like he wanted to argue. Finally fell back with a grunt, face frozen in anger.
This is really important, Sassy sent. Pay close attention. Ahbi's real goal is right here, in the plane assignments.
Whatever that meant.
Grandmother turned her gaze to my sister. "Meira," she said in a ringing voice, power reaching forward from her to envelop my sister, "I rename you Hathenemeira, and declare you a Lady of the Seventh Plane."
Meira gasped softly as the power snapped into place, her eyes flaring with light before she bowed her head to our grandmother.
Muttering. Dark looks. My heart, now beating faster than normal, did an odd jump making my chest hurt. What was the big deal? Dad used to be a seventh plane demon. Kind of made sense Meira would be too. The renaming thing kind of annoyed me, but why were most members of the family now staring at my sister like she was the enemy?
Syd, Sassy sent. This is very bad. Very, very bad.
If Sassafras was nervous, I had good reason. As Grandmother turned to me, I felt her power wrap around me, chill for demon fire, normally full of heat. Curious and on impulse I traced her magic back to her, hoping for some insight, only to meet with a massive wall of amber stone, shields built and reinforced for literally centuries.
But her power wasn't alone. I traced a second source to her left, found Vandelarius's magic hiding behind hers, probing me, checking me out. I jabbed back with some anger, felt him retreat. He might have been second seat, but he wasn't nearly the demon she was and it would seem he wasn't prepared to openly challenge me or my sister at this point.
Ah, family love. Wonderful, wasn't it?
Grandmother's power tightened around me like a blanket, bringing goose bumps to the surface of my flesh. "Sydlynn," Grandmother said, "I rename you Sydlynhamitra."
More gasps, wide eyes, shaking of heads. I was sure Sass or Dad would explain why when this charade was over even as Grandmother's power leeched inside me. My demon struggled suddenly, bound, though the amber fire could do nothing against Shaylee and the vampire, nor the other four elements I controlled. I felt them push Grandmother back. She retreated to only my demon who finally relented, though in that moment I was well aware if Ahbi Sanghamitra wanted to push me, it was likely I'd be a crushed smear on the floor.
Grandmother's lips curled into a partial smile, her massive presence hovering over me.
"Well met, Sydlynhamitra," she said. "For your strength and the purity of your power, I declare you a Princess of the Second Plane."
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