Chapter 732: Plotting Against The Brotherhood
Mom's reaction was as expected.
What the bloody hell were they thinking? I could feel her jerking back her covers, stomping out of bed and to her office, mind splitting as she reached for the Council. Syd, this is a disaster. If the Brotherhood has access to sensitive Steam Union information, they could be at great risk for attack, even now. How much do those kids know?
From what Piers implied, enough.
Mom cursed.
I know. My anger had mostly burned out, hers making me tired. But we can't just leave them there.
Why not, if their foolishness has already given up their people? Her growl of fury turned to a sigh. Damn that boy, she sent. I'm so glad you didn't marry him, Syd. I just couldn't take two of you in my family.
Snort. Thanks, Mom, I sent.
She laughed, breathless, sinking into her chair behind her desk. I'll alert Eva Southway, she sent.
Appreciate it, I sent. As much as I didn't want to tell you, I really wasn't looking forward to that particular conversation.
Thanks. Mom's dry tone made me chuckle. Oh, Syd, she sent. Do you think we'll ever come to a time when the world doesn't feel like it's about to end?
I hope not, I sent. Then what would we do?
I've always wanted to learn to knit, she sent.
We laughed together, the amusement of two people pushed to the edge too often and used to jumping in anyway.
I love you, she sent. Please be careful. And bring those kids back.
Um. Wow. I have permission to rescue them?
Mom hugged me before letting me go. You do, she sent. And the Brotherhood be damned. But Syd, please remember, our plane is in one piece. I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Hell yeah.
I let Mom go, tingling with excitement all of a sudden. No, I didn't have Ameline. And shouldn't be contemplating what I was contemplating. The very idea of going to the stronghold was stupid, irresponsible, went against my fate. And yet.
And yet.
The opportunity to kick some Brotherhood ass was just so tempting.
You're as bad as that Southway boy, Sassafras sent.
Eavesdropper. I turned and found him standing behind me, the sound of talking coming from the kitchen, the light illuminating him in a back glow in the dark hall. Only the pinpoints of amber fire that were his eyes showed clearly as he watched me.
You're not seriously considering this. He growled softly, body shaking from it. Syd.
Sass. I bent and scooped him into my arms, trying to cuddle him while he hissed and struggled. Who else is there?
He finally fell still. You would have gone with them, wouldn't you? If he'd found a way to ask?
Aw, hell. I don't know, I sent. Maybe.
Liar.
You are our hope against the Brotherhood, Sass sent, paws pressing to my cheeks. And I don't think cheating is going to be allowed. You be careful.
I will. I kissed his forehead, the soft fur tickling my nose. I promise.
As I carried him into the kitchen, I felt my burst of enthusiasm fade to nerves. Sass was right, of course. My arguments to myself about how I could handle this myself, without Ameline, maybe change my destiny fell short, rang hollow.
Damn it.
I looked up to find Trill staring at me, Owen and Apollo behind her. All looked rather determined. Which made me suddenly nervous.
"Absolutely not," I said, setting Sassafras on the table. "You three are staying put."
"Make us." Trill stomped one foot, arms crossed over her chest as Owen mimicked her. Even Apollo, typically smirking and joking, looked like he'd been transformed into a stone statue. A very stern stone statue.
"Trill." Was I surrounded by adventure seeking, honor loving bratskis?
"Syd." Trill set one hand on Varity's shoulder. "When do we leave?"
"Fine." I wasn't going to win, knew it, felt her stubbornness. Knew her well enough I could already see her following me regardless of what I wanted. "But we need more than you three if this is going to work."
I hated the thought of involving him. Didn't want to see him again, not so soon. But there was no way I was taking Varity with me and I needed an Enforcer, didn't I?
Liam looked up at me, a little frown on his face as my mind reached for his.
I'm sorry, I sent. But I have to call Quaid.
His frown smoothed out instantly, hand reaching for mine.
He's the best choice, Liam sent. And I want you to be safe. So Quaid it is.
I loved my husband.
Quaid. I felt his power snap into place with mine the moment I reached for him.
Syd. Was that a hint of panic? Sure was. What's wrong? Probably because he knew I'd only be calling if there was an emergency.
This qualified.
I need your help, I sent without a hint of ego. No time for our little back and forth battle. Besides, I was married now. The part of my life involving Quaid and my heart was over. Time to create a professional relationship in its place.
Sure, Syd. Keep telling yourself it's just work.
Sigh.
I'm on my way. He cut me off, power flaring just before he did. I barely had time to turn to Varity when Quaid's magic broke through the family wards and he stepped through the kitchen door.
She took one look at him and snapped a scowl at me. "You're not leaving me behind," she said.
"I am." I pushed her down with power when she tried to rise. "You are going to Mom and explain every single thing that happened." Her rebellion pushed against me, but I was far stronger. "Varity," I said, softer, with kindness. "Please. I really need you to do this for me."
She hesitated, shoulders slumping. "I suppose a stronger, younger Enforcer might be a better choice," she said, voice crisp.
I crossed the kitchen, at her side in three steps, gripping her arms in my hands. Shook her just enough she straightened. "I need you," I said. "And so does Mom."
A little smile broke at the edge of her mouth. "You don't have to try to make a foolish old lady feel better, girl."
"I'm not," I said, stepping back. "I'm asking a former Enforcer Leader to inform her Council Leader of all the details and keep her up-to-date on what we're doing." I looked at Quaid. "Because I'm assuming you can link up with Enforcer Tinder here in real time?"
Varity turned to Quaid, nodding thoughtfully. "Brilliant," she said. Smiled for real this time before saluting. "Be safe," she said, blue fire flaring around her, vanishing into it as the family magic allowed her the courtesy to leave with her pride.
"Now," I said, turning toward the hall again, "if someone could fill in Quaid, I have to go put on some clothes."
Because invading the stronghold in my robe wasn't on my list of to-dos at the moment, thanks.
Liam joined me, sitting on the edge of the bed as I jerked on a pair of jeans, cursing over the clasps of my bra. He laughed, came to help, strong fingers connecting the hooks for me, smoothing the straps over my shoulders. His lips brushed across my neck, hands lifting my hair free, making me shiver all the way down my spine.
I turned and hugged him, face pressed to his bare chest, breathing in his scent, making it part of me. "I love you."
He nodded against the top of my head. "I love you, too." Liam leaned away, grabbed a t-shirt, held it out to me. "Don't you have a world to save or something?"
I laughed, pulling the soft fabric over my head, scooping my hair out from under the collar before nabbing an elastic for the heavy stuff. "Just a few idiot sorcerers," I said. "Slow day."
Liam's chuckle held my grin in place until he kissed me. "I'll be here," he said without a trace of resentment or envy.
And didn't tell me to be careful.
The. Best. Husband. Ever.
Back in the kitchen, I outlined my hastily prepared plan. As in, I came up with it while walking down the stairs still twisting my hair into a knot at the back of my head.
"We stay together," I said. "No heroics, no running off to get revenge for anything." That was for me, mostly. And Quaid. Though who knew what Belaisle did to Trill and her brothers? From the tightening of Apollo's face, he must have thought I was talking to him. "I cut the veil," okay, would try to, but was pretty sure it would work, "so we show up where the Brotherhood won't expect. Quaid," I turned to him, "you know the stronghold," I'd only been there a couple of times, mostly just to prison. "I'll need you to navigate us and keep us from running into trouble if Piers can't do his part."
He nodded brusquely, no comment.
Good solider.
"Piers," I focused on the now trembling Steam Union sorcerer, his eagerness to move clouding him, I was sure of it. "Pay attention." Sassafras snorted behind me and I almost laughed. Wasn't that his favorite thing to say to me? And Gram's? Piers shivered, but jerked a nod. "As soon as we arrive, I want you to tell Quaid exactly where your friends are and find them. Once we know and he can show me, we veil in, grab them," hopefully with very little fight, "and veil out again." I was, of course, running on the supposition the Steam Union members weren't being held in a place shielded from my power. And that Piers could find them amid all the sorcery.
While I was sure I could figure out how to ride the emptiness as Demetrius did if I didn't have access to Ahbi, I didn't really want to repeat the experience.
That left my determined trio.
"Trill and company," I scowled at the Zornovs, "aren't necessary, so you stay behind me and be good or I'll kill the three of you myself."
"I beg to differ," Apollo said. "We can track the movements of the Brotherhood while Piers focuses on his friends."
Trill looked smug. "So there," she said, though I was certain she had no idea Apollo had such a plan in mind until he spoke up just then.
Owen just grinned and winked at me.
Bratskis. To the bone.
"Okay, you lot." I turned and hugged Shenka, kissed Liam one last time, ruffled Sassafras's fur. Finally spun on my motley crew. "Shall we?"
Because, there really was no time like the present for a little mayhem.
I reached for the veil, felt Ahbi's touch. Showed her where I needed to go. And, with a flare of amber magic, stepped into the veil.
***
