Chapter 407: Holding Court
I was a good sister. I let Meira have Tanasharia. She did a great job, too, constant prodding of the shields holding the pair her idea. I'm certain it was pretty uncomfortable, at least from the moans and groans coming from the unhappy siblings, but it was a great way to test and be sure we didn't have any weak spots.
Sure it was.
The train ride was uneventful the rest of the way, our elevator trip to the top of the mountain equally as quiet. Calm before the all-out crap storm. It was almost a relief to emerge in the throne room and face the music, dragging our charges behind us with ropes of power, Sassafras perched on Cypherion's head as though he were the conquering hero.
As far as I was concerned, he was welcome to the title.
I had no idea Grandmother was holding court, though the fact was pretty obvious the moment we set foot on the top of the mountain. No way was I backing down now, not with the whole family watching.
Quivering.
Um. Well. Wicked.
Vandelarius leaped to his feet long before we reached the thrones, spluttering and even redder in the face as we stormed our way down the concourse and finally dumped the two cousins on the shiny stone before Grandmother. If they grunted from the impact, I wasn't sorry. Sassy hopped down with great aplomb and stood at attention, silver fur shimmering with amber fire.
Dad struggled at the edge of the crowd, a handful of guards holding him back as his rage burned them, but he stilled when he saw we were all right. Grandmother herself had paused when we appeared, floating golden paperwork fading as she watched our approach. Now she sat as she always did, face a stone mask, eyes empty and cold as I bowed my head to her just a little.
"Grandmother," I said.
"Sydlynhamitra," she said. "I take it this situation has an explanation?"
"It does," Meira said.
"Release my children at once." Sounded like Vandelarius had a hold of himself at last. Grandmother's eyes flickered to the side, the barest frown of irritation tugging at her lips before she focused on us again.
"Explain," she said.
I began to, with the attack the night before, how it was the same masked people as the first time, when Vandelarius interrupted.
"You rode the veil?" He spun on Grandmother as everyone gasped softly, whispers breaking out. I was so tired of their whispering. "Will you continue to allow your progeny to destroy our laws? No one is permitted to ride the veil in Ostrogotho."
"They you'd better lock up your kids," Meria snapped. "How do you think they reached us?"
Grandmother nodded.
"Go on," she said, while the entire court held its breath.
I threw the two masks to the ground. "They tried to kill us three times," I said. "First, in the market." I tapped into my witch magic, the hell with the rules, and cast the image of the event up, over our heads. All eyes turned toward it, murmurs of excitement rippling through the family. Even Grandmother looked up, though her expression never changed. The scene unfolded from my point of view, intermingled with Meira's as she added to the show, the family magic more than happy to produce the hologram in our defense. "Then on the elevator, as Meira said." This time I let them fight with me, battle the cousins, slide over the side. Gasps of terror, a few shrieks, told me I was getting my point across. I let them fall with me. Touched them with a breath of air magic, allowed them to feel the rush of the wind and saved them, just in time. Plunging the vision into darkness as my memory entered the veil. "And just now on the train." It was hard to hold my demon back after I'd let her have her head all day, power built up and ready to use while the family magic finished the show, complete with the cousin's unmasking.
The image flickered and went out, the entire family exhaling and shifting, eyes now locked on me and my sister, many of those eyes full of wonder. For a race that lived on magic, I was surprised such a display gave them pause.
Not the display, Sassafras sent. You're commitment to each other. They have no idea what real love is, remember?
I'd had enough. Sickened and frustrated to the breaking point, I focused on Grandmother.
"I demand satisfaction."
That got the family going at last. Chatter erupted, no more whispering. Dad hovered nearby, glaring at Vandelarius. But when he tried to move forward, I latched onto his mind.
Not yet. I can handle it. I promise.
He didn't move. Though I could tell I had to hurry or he wouldn't be still much longer, guards or no guards.
Grandmother held up one hand and silence fell. Just like that.
"There is only one way to settle this," she said. "A battle to empty."
I thought they were quiet before. Shock makes a great silencer. I just wish I knew what she meant and why it was such a big deal.
Empty, Syd, Sassy sent. Like Raneen.
Oh crap.
Vandelarius looked back and forth between his kids and us, licking his lips like we were good to eat. "A battle to empty hasn't been invoked in centuries," he said, oily smooth. "But I agree, Ruler. Clearly this situation warrants such a contest."
He thinks they can beat you, Sassy sent. What does he know that we don't?
Dad broke free with a roar so loud it echoed back from the stone walls. Guards tumbled to the side and he was suddenly in front of me, body hunched, sparks flying from him as he shook with fury.
"Absolutely not," he rumbled, facing down not only Grandmother, but his brother-in-law. "They attacked my daughters. They need to be punished."
"And they will be," Grandmother said. "In the battle. If your daughters are powerful enough for the task. Our ways demand it, Haralthazar."
There were enough nods of agreement I knew we weren't getting out of this. Dad's aggressive stance folded, shoulders going back, grim expression telling me he'd lost before he began.
So much for justice.
"You will only use your demon power." Grandmother's face grew suddenly harsh. "Any use of other magicks will be seen as cheating and will be punished with death."
Not that I needed access to my other powers, considering how much magic I'd stored up in my full day of ass whooping. But it still wasn't nice of her to cut our throats like that.
"These are serious charges," she said. "Only our most serious trials can end this dispute. We must trust in the system we have created, no matter our feelings. Our way is through battle. And in battle justice shall be found."
I didn't like how happy Vandelarius looked, nor his kids, as Grandmother's power severed our hold over them, Cypherion and Tanasharia suddenly free and glaring.
Not good, Sassy sent. You're stronger, but they are more experienced. And without your alternate magicks to support you... this isn't the same fight you won on the train, Syd.
Not much we can do about it now, right? I snapped at him, tension mounting. A bit of positive reinforcement might work better.
He sighed. Just be careful.
Was he serious? Not helpful.
"You will fight together," Grandmother said. "Two against two."
Now it was Vandelarius's turn to look worried.
Sneaky and all kinds of awesome. Sassy was suddenly giggling like a little kid. I'm going to kiss Ahbi when this is over.
Can you fill us in? Meira's mind was in mine, connecting the three of us.
She just did you the biggest favor ever, he sent. Think about it.
Um. A little on the brain fried side at the moment, Sass. I didn't mean to snap, but this was no time for a life lesson. Or guessing.
But Meira's mental gasp told me at least one of us wasn't as slow.
One on one we'd lose, she said, without a hint of shame. But together...
I met Grandmother's eyes, saw her nod just the barest bit toward me.
Before I could finish processing, she drew a breath, shields snapping into place around the four of us, Sassy scrambling out of the way just in time.
"Begin."
Okay then. Not much warning, was there? I dodged as Cypherion threw a ball of fire at me, just slamming more power into my shields in time to prevent it from setting me alight. Meira went the other way, already lashing at Tanasharia with long whips of flame.
Remember what I said before? Sassy was right there in my mind still, my demon humming and howling for me to let her out. Forget all of it. Do whatever it takes to bring his ass down.
Raneen's face flashed in my head. I don't know if I can. I said I never would.
Cypherion will kill you, Sass said bluntly. And Tanasharia will kill Meira. Have it your way.
My demon was more than happy to come out to play.
***
