Chapter 548: Another Terrible Idea
The landslide of objections I was expecting didn't come. Not that Mom and Gram didn't try.
Absolutely not, young lady.
You've lost your fool mind, girl.
I loved them so much. Predictable. But neither sounded convinced by their own denial.
We can't let the Gate go unprotected, I sent, aiming for cool and logical, knowing that would win Mom over. Liam is absolutely necessary and we all know it.
My mother hesitated, but Gram barreled through anyway. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, she snapped. The Sidhe realm isn't some walk in the park.
I realize that, I sent back, but she wasn't done.
No, she shot at me, words arrows of anger. You don't. You've only had a taste of what waits on the other side. There's nothing real there. Nothing. It's all illusion built on lies and deceit, all for the Queen's pleasure. Wow, Gram wasn't fooling around. The more she talked, the pissier she got. Aoilainn ap Danaan might be Shaylee's mother, but she only has her own interests at heart.
Shaylee didn't argue. Not a good sign.
So what do you suggest we do, Gram? I hated to throw it back at her, but I was done sitting around and not getting involved. Trouble or no trouble, Liam was my friend and Ameline the biggest menace since the Brotherhood.
Ameline, a maji? Shudder.
Gram's pause told me volumes. This is the stupidest idea I've ever heard, she finally snapped.
Nice to hear I have your confidence, I sent, words sarcastic, but mental tone gentle. If there was another way, Gram, I'd be the first one to take it.
Liar. She grumbled another moment. You can't go alone.
Agreed. Mom's hand reached for mine.
She won't be, Shaylee sent just as Galleytrot hummed low in his chest.
Neither of them will be, he sent.
There, see? Bright and sparkly wasn't cutting it, but I'd committed now and couldn't stop, no matter how lame. I have a Sidhe princess and a hound of the Wild Hunt beside me. What could go wrong?
Gram snorted a laugh without humor in it. This is a disaster.
It is. Galleytrot leaned against me. I'm sorry, Syd. But Ethpeal is correct. This will end badly.
Way to make me feel better. Here's the plan, I sent. We go to the Gate and call Thalion. The idea of seeing him again made Shaylee feel sad. I guess I understood since he was in love with her while she still pined for her sleeping love, Gwynn ap Nudd, buried with the Wild Hunt under my backyard. I wasn't sure how I felt about her loving a guy who sent her to her death, but it was her heart, not mine, and who was I to judge? We tell him about Ameline and ask him to warn the Queen. I knew things would go further than that, but if I convinced Mom and Gram, I could at least act when I had to without too much guilt.
And if he turns you down? Way to ruin my plan, Gram.
Then we have to cross, I sent, firm and decisive. There is no other alternative.
You're forgetting Fergus O'Dane, Gram sent. If Ameline does release Cian, he won't be homeless. He'd return to the one person in the Sidhe realm with whom he has a connection.
That made me feel a little better. So we contact Fergus too, I sent. And hope he had a way to help beyond moral support.
I think you give Ameline too much credit, my vampire spoke up. When has she ever willingly released power unless it meant her own survival?
You think she'll keep Cian even while she takes on another soul? Was that even possible?
Um, Syd? Count your egos, sister.
Right.
I'm sending an Enforcer with you. Mom released my hand.
You can't, I sent back. Mom, a witch Enforcer will be vulnerable in the Sidhe realm without a soul. Not blood, as I'd been taught but now knew to be false. Wow, I actually listened in class, even if it was the wrong information.
Wicked.
Someone strong in earth magic should be all right for a short time, Galleytrot sent. And having a warrior with us might make Aoilainn pay attention. There are certain games she enjoys when others approach her, and sending a suitable party to satisfy her sense of arrogance could mean the difference between her receiving us or our summary expulsion.
He turned and chuffed at Charlotte who cocked her head to one side, eyes meeting his. After a short, private moment, she bobbed her head.
Charlotte will come too, Galleytrot sent. She will be the second hound. Which gives us a princess, a knight and two hounds. But we could still use an elder.
You leave that to me. Gram's magic rippled toward me. I'll meet you at the Gate.
Mother. Mom's panic was as real as mine. You can't both go. You'll be leaving the coven open and at risk.
There are no promises any of us will return if we are forced to cross, Galleytrot sent. Ethpeal, we should use another.
To hell with you all, Gram snarled. I was an Enforcer. And I've had direct dealings with Her Royal Pain In The Assness. So I'm going. No more arguments.
Mom, I reached for her, my turn to take her hand. I want Quaid. No question.
He's not fully trained. I felt her fret, but knew she agreed with me. And yet.
He knows me. And I know him. Intimately. Blushing. Our power fits seamlessly together. Another Enforcer would just get in my way.
Mom nodded quickly, eyes going distant as she left us a moment to send a mental command. I turned to Galleytrot who laid his great head on the bed, eyes blinking slowly as he stared at silent Liam.
"How much damage is being done and how quickly?" I took Liam's cold hand in mine, feeling how thin his skin had become, how shrunken his form.
"I don't know," Galleytrot groaned. "There is no way of knowing." His big head lifted as he licked his chops. "While I know this is secondary to saving him, we need to find Sonja. And Venner."
I met Mom's eyes as she returned to the conversation. Her jaw clamped tight, gaze narrowing, but I knew her anger wasn't aimed at me this time.
"Lord Venemeth has outstayed his welcome," Mom said. "I've already triggered the watching Enforcers to tighten the leash."
Magic whooshed in the air, two black-robed figures appearing in the middle of the room with barely enough space to spare. I looked up, met Quaid's eyes, felt his power slide around me even as Pender Tremere, the tall, lean leader of the Enforcer Order, scowled at Mom.
"You can't be serious," he said. "Miriam, Quaid might be my best trainee, but he's not ready for a solo mission."
I stood and reached for Quaid's hand, feeling all of my magic respond to him as our energy met before opening up to Pender to let him feel us together. The man's eyes widened before his shoulders sagged.
"Sir," Quaid said. "Permission to take the assignment."
Pender nodded slowly. "I had no idea you two were bound," he said. "Granted."
Hmmm. What?
I didn't get to ask what Pender meant. Nor did I care at the moment. Likely it had something to do with the stupid promise Mom made Batsheva when Quaid and I were babies, betrothing us to each other.
Yeah. That turned out well.
No time for regrets in the love department. I motioned for the twins to join us and turned to Liam. "Please do what you can," I said. "He needs as much earth support as possible."
They both nodded, taking Mom's place as Galleytrot stood and backed up until he leaned against my hip, Charlotte standing close behind me.
"First things first," Galleytrot growled. "I have to talk to Sonja and find out what Venner knows. Maybe there is something I'm missing." Mom's mind flashed the location, one of the senior housing apartments off campus. At least she'd been smart enough to keep Venner away from the students directly.
"Good idea." I saluted Mom and Pender. "Warn your Enforcers we're coming," I said as I tore a hole in the veil, not even waiting to leave to do it. The Enforcer leader's arrival made me bold and Mom didn't protest. "You might want to be right behind us so nothing regrettable happens."
I personally hoped they were late as I dove into the tear between planes, pulling my three companions along with me.
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