Chapter 630: More Bad News
Margaret and her band of unmerry Enforcers appeared shortly after we returned to Castle Wilhelm. She barely gave me time to pick up Gram. Watching the Council Leader glare at me from outside the castle gates as Sunny led me inside, I considered staying, just to piss the woman off. After all, she had no authority in Sunny's domain.
But I'd stirred up enough trouble, from what I could tell, and I really didn't have time to play power games with a stubborn, old, British witch.
Sunny hugged me as we prepared to leave, sparing me a few more minutes despite the fact a line of vampires, growing by the second, clamored for her attention.
"I'll keep you updated on Pannera," she said, kissing me softly on the cheek. "I hate to lose the day, but I have no choice." Her eyes seemed haunted to me, though her face settled into her usual calm and kindness. I worried Sunny might punish herself too much for what happened and promised myself I'd be back as soon as I could to talk to her and offer what support I could.
When this was over.
If it ever ended.
"I'm coming with you." Uncle Frank had changed into jeans and a leather jacket, hair as short as I always remembered it. Not that a haircut and swap out of clothes could make him less attractive, but he looked more like his old self and less like a vampire. "Miriam might be fighting the Council's power but she-and it-can't ignore what's going on forever."
I silently wished him luck, sure he'd get about as far as I had, but welcoming the chance Mom might crack if her brother showed up.
Yeah, wasn't holding my breath.
Uncle Frank left us as we stepped out into the grass of the park into full night again, but not before hugging me. I was suddenly sixteen again, needing my tall, strong uncle to lean on, feeling his chilly body, unfed, leeching warmth from mine.
Syd, he sent. I love you. Please, be careful.
You too, I sent back. Mom's... just be prepared, okay? I let him see an image of her, as I'd seen her last and Uncle Frank flinched.
Damn her. He pulled away, looked down at me. She's too stubborn for her own good.
Is that what you call it? I couldn't help the wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
Uncle Frank laughed. "I guess it's my turn to see if I can make your mother cry."
That old joke actually made me giggle. "You can have that job," I said.
He reached for Gram, squeezed her until she swatted him. He planted a wet smack on her forehead.
"I'll need a place to crash." He winked at me. "Hope the basement is still available?"
"You bet." I waved, feeling a little forlorn, like he was riding off into a battle he'd never win as Uncle Frank saluted before flickering into shadow and disappearing.
I followed Gram and Charlotte into the yard, Demetrius hopping and bobbing beside me. When I finally met his eyes he pointed at my pocket.
"Kill it," he said.
Huh? My hand settled over the denim, the tiny bulge reminding me what I carried. I slipped the compressed taint out into the open air and had a look at it.
How innocent it seemed now, like a tiny black diamond, glittering in the light from over the back door.
"I take it you have a plan to destroy it?" I met Demetrius's gaze again and heard him groan in agony.
"You must," he said. Slammed both fists into his thighs several times before speaking again in a broken stutter. "But, d-d-don't let it o-o-out."
That would probably be bad. I let my power ease forward, felt around the edges of the gem, now nervous. "If it escapes, can I contain it again?"
My vampire answered this time. There's no way of knowing, she sent. But if it does manage to flee, it could contaminate vampires here. Or worse, return to the Brotherhood.
Why worse? They could have it as far as I was concerned.
My vampire's disgust with my attitude came through loud and clear. There is a great deal of power contained in that gem, she sent. Paused. Almost as much as my own.
Well, there was a revelation. Are you saying this is some kind of alter you? Dark you?
She shrugged inside me. No, she sent. It has no sentience. But its power base has built in hundreds, if not thousands, of vampires.
So destroying it won't be some walk in the park. Sigh. Nothing was easy, was it? I thought of the cave on the edge of my territory, the very one I'd only just shielded and hidden from view. I think I know a place we can try it.
Yes, she sent. But not in the dark.
Daylight, then. A few hours yet. I pocketed the gem and patted Demetrius's shoulder.
"I'll take care of it," I said with way more confidence than I felt. He sagged a little, shrugged and walked into the house like I'd disappointed him.
Wow. Sorry. I was only doing my best.
Not good enough vibes really weren't helping matters any.
I was barely inside the back door when I felt Liam's mind touch mine. Great. Probably more bad news. I braced myself, hanging on to the bottom post of the banister, hearing the others talking quietly in the kitchen as his power embraced me.
Thalion was here, he sent. I couldn't reach you. Could have come across as an accusation, but he managed to keep it gentle.
I was dealing with another problem, I sent, mental tone dry.
I assumed, he sent.
How are things in the realm? I sat on the bottom step, looking out the living room window into the street beyond, the lights casting cold illumination over the quiet block. I focused on that normal scene, took strength from it as he went on.
Not good, he sent. He just wanted to update us. He spoke to Aoilainn who had him banished for speaking up. Liam sighed. She's totally deluding herself, Syd. The Unseelie are doing their best, holding off the deterioration, but I think there will come a point they just won't be able to any longer.
Any idea how much time they have? I hugged myself, rocking a little, knees to my chest as I continued to stare. How could the world outside seem so normal when everything I knew was falling apart?
No, he sent. But Thalion said he's starting to notice weakness on the Seelie side, so the queen's power to hide it has finally reached her limit.
Though I knew Ameline was my only choice, I couldn't bring myself to act.
Coward? Maybe. But taking that step before I explored every possible angle was impossible. I just couldn't do it. Despite knowing I was out of options and had no other angle to run with.
Damn it, there had to be something.
I'm still working on it. I stood and turned, walking upstairs, going back to my room, body heavy with guilt and stress all over again.
Syd, Liam sent. We can't let the Sidhe fall.
Like I don't know that. I didn't mean to snap at him. But he took it gently.
Stay in touch, he sent before hugging me with his energy and letting me go.
To sag to the end of my bed in what felt like defeat.
No. I refused to be beaten. I lay back, closing my eyes, focusing on my power, calling out to the maji I was becoming.
And to her.
***
This time I am in control as I appear on the battlefield in the Enforcer realm. Iepa is waiting for me, a sad smile on her face.
Well done. She lifts her hand to touch my cheek, but I slap her hand away.
I'm not here for platitudes. I've had enough. We're out of time and options. I need to help the Sidhe now and I refuse to free Ameline until we try everything else.
Iepa nods. I warn you, they won't listen.
The other maji. We'll see about that.
My guide's shoulders round forward as her chin drops, but she nods again.
Wake.
***
I sat up, eyes wide, to find her standing next to me. I took me a moment to process this wasn't a dream.
Iepa was as beautiful in real life as she was in the sleeping world where we usually communicated, her golden hair shining in the low light I left on in the bathroom.
"Come then, Sydlynn," Iepa said, holding out one hand to me while the other gestured. The air parted, a slice opening in the veil. "Let us see if you are more persuasive than I."
***
