Chapter 730: Vampire Revelations
I didn't really think she had the right to be so pissed at me, considering the state she'd been in the last little while. And I'd been on the way to rescue her, hadn't I? Not my fault Ameline beat me to it.
Sebastian stared at me with open adoration, making me all kinds of uncomfortable as he left his queen to come stand by my side. I could feel it then, now I'd lost my shaky, overly adrenalized moment of joy-joy. How he felt different, his power more like mine.
More like a maji.
A quick check from my vampire confirmed he was still undead, and yet...
"I'm sorry," I said, not really feeling it at all, to be totally honest. At least, for Pannera. But when I looked up at Sebastian, regret raised its ugly head. "I didn't mean to break your blood bond." I thought of Charlotte, spotted her loping back into view, shifting into full human form as she shook her head.
Right. Celeste. Managed to escape, it appeared. But watching my werefriend gave me an idea as Sebastian's new power crawled over mine, as though looking for a place to merge.
"I can try to fix it," I said. "Remake the bond?"
Pannera might have been damaged and unable to rise on her own, but her piercing eyes never left the tall, delicious DeWinter as he laughed out loud and hugged me.
"No," he said, eyes sparkling as his cheeks flushed. "Never again." How? He hadn't drunk any blood.
Where was the blush coming from?
Pannera's sharp voice snapped his name. "Sebastian! Return to my side at once!"
He was already turning toward the exit as though she hadn't spoken. I pulled him back by my hold on his hand, still stunned by the cheerful, almost boyish look on his face. I'd never seen him so glowing, more handsome than ever, a tiny shiver of desire quickly batted aside as I tried to focus.
On anything but the way he looked at me.
"Sebastian," I said. "Your blood clan. You'll just abandon them?"
His forehead pulled together, a quick nod bouncing his dark hair before he spun around, found them gathered around, watching him with aching hunger.
But I knew, even before he reached for them, that bond was broken, too.
He held out his arms to Anastasia who sobbed softly into her hands before coming to him, not from the compulsion of his blood tie, but out of what had to be her need for comfort.
"We were certain you were gone," she whispered against his shoulder, just loud enough I overheard. "And now that you're free, it's come true."
He released her, kissed her gently. "Anastasia," he said, "do not weep for me." His hands flexed around her shoulders. "I'm in a place you cannot possibly imagine. But I hope for you. Someday." He let her go. "And do not weep for yourself, my old friend. As your former leader, I relinquish control of this blood clan to your capable hands."
"I decide who leads," Pannera snapped.
Oh no, she did not. I glared a moment. And she backed down.
Just push me, lady. Just try it.
Syd. Sunny's mind nudged mine. Take Sebastian and go. I'll deal with Pannera. But I think it's best if he were out of her sight quickly.
Probably a good idea. I tugged on him, but didn't really need to. He was already turning again, ready to leave his old life behind. Eager, really.
What had I done to him?
I meant to open the veil, to get him out of there lickity split, but his long strides carried us away, his beaming smile infectious. Through the front door and into the night. The moment we stepped out into the humid dark, he turned to me and lifted me from my feet, spinning me around before setting me down again.
Okay then. Someone was a happy boy.
"Syd," he said, all intense, face next to mine as his hands first gripped my shoulders then ran slowly down my arms. "Do you know what you've done?"
I shook my head, shivering from the contact of his power with mine, his warm-how were they warm?-hands on my skin.
He leaned away, index finger rising to stroke my jawbone. "You've freed me," he said. "My blood craving is gone."
Um, what?
He laughed, a delighted sound, like a kid having the time of his life. He hugged me again and I couldn't help hug him back as my vampire sighed her own happiness.
We've done well, she sent. I think... Sydlynn, I think this is how vampires were meant to be.
Not again. I pulled back from him. The maji won't like me playing Creator, I sent, though, in the same moment, I remembered Iepa's encouragement when I freed the werewolves of the sorcerers' control.
Do you care what the maji think? My demon's growl was full of amusement.
Well. There was that.
Sebastian's hand paused in mine, raising my left to examine the rings shining there. He didn't say anything about them, but sadness flickered over his face a moment before he bowed over my fingers and kissed them.
"My very dear friend," he said. "I can never hope to repay all you have done for me. And, I hope, for my people." Sebastian took a step back, raised one hand in salute. "There will come a time and place, Sydlynn Hayle, when perhaps what I once hoped for can come to pass. Until then, be well. And be loved."
He flickered, but not into shadow like a vampire. Into a rainbow of sparking fire. And vanished.
"I take it you two were an item?" Piers's dry humor snapped me out of the little ball of sorrow I found myself in.
Holy hell, woman. You just got married twenty-four hours ago. Yes, the delicious vampire is yummynom. But you have a husband.
At home.
Waiting for you.
I turned to Piers with a smile and punched him in the chest as hard as I could.
"Mind your own business," I said, still grinning. Reached for Charlotte's hand as he rubbed his wounded pride and person with a sullen frown. "You can find your own way home?"
And left him there.
Smartass deserved it.
We appeared in the kitchen, my werefriend releasing me as we did. Hung her head.
"I'm sorry I lost Celeste."
Right. Grumble. "Not your fault," I said as Liam looked up from the large book he hunched over, sprawled out at the kitchen table.
"It is," my werefriend growled. "I don't know how she evaded me."
Funny how the sight of Liam's head cocked to one side, slight concern on his handsome face, drove worry about Celeste Oberman from my mind.
"Let Pannera's people hunt her," I said. Shrugged. She felt inconsequential to me now. Like a loose end I'd eventually wrap up when I felt like it. "She's cut herself off from all support, aside from the Brotherhood. And without a power base to offer, it's likely she's no good to them anymore. When I find the time, the two of us will go hunting."
Charlotte snarled a smile. "Can I kill her?"
"We'll talk about it." I hugged the wereprincess who bowed her head to Liam before slipping past me with, leaving my husband and I alone.
I went right to him, sank into his lap. Kissed him firmly before snuggling into the strength of his arms and the welcome embrace of his power.
Home. Where I was meant to be.
"Great first day of marriage," I said. "How was your night, dear?"
He chuckled, the sound vibrating in my ear. "Much less exciting than yours, I imagine." He kissed the top of my head, resting his cheek on my hair. "Want to talk about it?"
Sebastian's face flashed in my mind, a surge of heat that drove a blush to my cheeks. I leaped from Liam's arms and dragged him up before jumping and wrapping my legs around his hips.
"Bed first," I said. "Then, maybe."
Liam didn't argue.
Wonder why?
Snort.
***
I lay in the darkness of my room, watching my husband sleep, shivering a little when my mind used the word. Amazing, I was married. And I loved him so much.
So my body had other ideas from time to time. I was pretty sure finding a hot vampire like Sebastian attractive had to be normal. But my heart was Liam's.
And that was all that mattered.
A pinch of guilt struck me, forcing me to roll over and focus. Mom.
Sweetheart. She answered me immediately, the image of her sitting at her desk, a single light beside her, making me sad.
You should be in bed, I sent, worried about her now. She might be whole again, and mine, but I knew she suffered still, blamed herself. Worked herself too hard to try to make up for the effects of the Brotherhood possession.
So should you, she sent.
I giggled behind my hands so as not to wake Liam. I am.
Mom's wicked laugh made me giggle harder.
I take it you had some success this evening? I could feel her rise, heard the click of the light as she turned it off, knew she was taking my advice.
I filled her in as she prepared for bed, shielding herself from me until I felt her, at last, sink under the sheets.
Well done, Syd, she sent. Though I wonder what this will mean for Sebastian and all vampires. Do you think you could recreate what you've done?
My vampire answered, quiet and thoughtful. Unknown, she sent to Mom. And I'm not sure it will be necessary.
What do you mean? Mom's mind hugged me as she spoke to my vampire ego.
That perhaps Sydlynn granted him the means to heal others of the undead, she sent. That in granting him maji power, as she did the werewolves, she's not only created a new race, but the means to alter those meant to develop as he has now done.
Through blood? I let my hands fall. But he doesn't crave it anymore.
No, my vampire sent. Through a better, more efficient means. Through magic.
Mom and I both fell silent as my demon and Shaylee listened, waiting.
Whatever the case, Mom sent, Sebastian is free. And he has you to thank. We'll monitor his progress from here and offer aid if we can.
If he allows it, my vampire sent. I have a feeling Sebastian DeWinter is on a soul-quest of his own making and will only come back to us when he's worked out what he needs to.
What of Pannera? Mom obviously wasn't talking to me. Will she recover?
My vampire hesitated. I don't know, she sent. There is so much damage. Not just to her, but to her entire clan. She has little support, very little power left. Another pause. We shall see.
And Ameline? I forced myself to relax, tension making my right knee jump, jiggling the bed. Liam didn't need to lose sleep over my stress. Mom, she only needs demon power now. And she specifically told me she's after Meira.
Mom's worry was as powerful as mine. I don't know what to do, she whispered in my head. From what your maji guide told you, Ameline must complete her transformation to defeat the Brotherhood.
Mom, I sent. Not Meira.
Her fierce agreement hit me like a blow.
No, she sent. Not your sister. But you will likely have to help her find another source. If Iepa is to be believed.
I wasn't the maji woman's biggest fan, but I was pretty sure the whole battle thing was going to come true whether I liked it-or whether Ameline had what she needed-or not. Thing was, if Ameline wasn't full maji in time, the results would be disastrous.
Not even kidding a little.
Still, the idea of finding and sacrificing a demon to that bitch-
Mom finally sighed in my head. Get some sleep, she sent. Meira is safe on Demonicon for now. You know Ahbi will never allow Ameline to hurt your sister. I felt her yawn. We'll talk more in the morning. For now, snuggle that sweet husband of yours-so much sadness in her voice-and enjoy your night, sweetheart.
She left me then, with my thoughts.
Like those were conducive to sleeping and everything.
I spun back to look at Liam, needing the distraction, tucking my hands under my cheek.
Just as he stirred in his sleep, murmuring my name. The same heat from the moment we were married burned suddenly in the base of my stomach, radiating out across my pelvis, into my thigh muscles. I welcomed it, embraced it, the subtle earth magic grounding me to Liam like nothing else ever had.
The warmth made me sleepy and, finally, my eyes drifted closed, fingers reaching out to twine loosely through Liam's.
Waking suddenly to the feeling of emptiness breaking the family wards, a mental voice calling my name in frantic need.
No rest for the wicked.
***
