Chapter 744: Unhappy Partnership
I half expected to land in the empty plane right then and there, wind knocked out of me in a deep exhale of relief as Max delivered us into the basement of my house. Not that I wasn't up for the challenge or anything-sure, Syd, keep telling yourself so-the sight of Mom standing there, waiting for me, was almost enough to bring me to tears.
Almost? Okay, so a few were involved, but I hid them in her hair when I stepped forward and into her arms.
She held me a long moment, a solid rock, my rock, not speaking, her power saying everything she needed to say. When I finally pulled away, I felt more stable, less likely to fly apart, everything Fate told me kind of hitting me in one big blow.
But yeah. I could take it. Just watch me.
Intros all around, Mom didn't miss a beat, welcoming the drach to our plane, even graciously ignoring Ameline. Instead of, you know, beating her to an undignified pulp. Mom amazed me with her restraint.
"Anything we can do to help," Mom said, turning to me, power blazing as the Council's magic answered. "The witch nation stands ready."
Oh boy, exactly what we didn't need. Hadn't Fate told me her brother's version was the one where everyone died and the planes blew up? Ameline's version. She couldn't have it. Not going to happen on my watch.
And if I fell, well... I wouldn't be around to see it end, would I?
"I need you to stay out of it," I said as Mom's shoulders tensed, face hardening in stubborn rejection. How did I know where her mind went? Because I knew exactly how I'd feel if she told me to keep calm and carry on. "Mom, I need you to watch over the family. And this plane." Felt my own tension mount as she frowned. "Under no circumstances are you to assemble an army and come after me."
Her blue eyes flared with fire before she finally nodded, anxiousness easing. "How did you know?" She shook her head. "I've been in touch with all the Councils. We've been quietly assembling as many Enforcers as we can in preparation for an assault."
Just like the visions Iepa showed me predicted. "Mom, you have to trust me," I said. Heard Ameline snort in derision behind me. Wanted to smack her even as I kept my focus on Mom. "This is my job. Mine and Ameline's. Liander Belaisle's." I paused, drew a breath. "And Demetrius Strong's."
Mom's eyes flew wide, mouth open a moment before snapping shut. "Syd," she said, a whole argument in her use of my name.
"I know," I said. "He's nuts. Cracked down the middle. Ready for the crazy train on a one way ticket to Loopyville. But, Mom, he's necessary." I hated using the very wording Fate did, but had to convince her. "His destiny is as tied to this as mine. Let me do what I've been created to do." Shudder. "What you raised me to do."
She still hesitated, I could feel it in her energy. Damn it, the last thing I needed was for her and the rest of the witches to stumble roughshod over what was supposed to be a very exclusive engagement.
"Miriam Hayle," Max said, his power filling the basement, though this time the house didn't shake, thank the elements. "Your daughter's fate was decided long before her birth. As was yours. You must follow your destiny or risk losing everything."
Mabel hummed softly in agreement, counterpoint to his words. And not just her, either. I could hear them then, the drach, speaking through her, their song heavy and ancient, but with a hint of hope.
Mom finally nodded, swallowing hard, her power backing down. I hugged her again, swiftly.
Thank you, I sent. It's going to be okay.
I believe it, Mom sent back, fierce and full of power. You be safe. Always.
I let her go. Focused on another mind, one I really barely knew.
And called Demetrius Strong.
He came as though he'd been waiting for my touch, a pool of blackness appearing before me. Demetrius's slim form danced through the empty gap, the slurping sound of it sealing behind him making me feel a little queasy. But he smiled a sunny day at me, blue eyes bright, eager as he came forward and grasped my hand, smooth cheeks as soft as any cherub, white hair curling around his face.
"Is it time, Syd?" He twitched, sorcery butting up against mine, vibrating with his excitement. "The pretty girl with the white eyes said it would be soon."
Pretty girl? Ah. Fate. Nice of her to talk to the crazy dude before me.
Grumble mumble.
Demetrius's eagerness reminded me of a puppy, kicked one too many times, but ready to trust just in case love was coming after all. Impulse drove me to hug him and, with a soft sigh of happiness, he hugged me back.
"It's time," I said, voice thick. "But I have some things to do before we go."
He pulled away, clapping his hands, feet shuffling a joyful dance as he spun in a circle.
"Okies," he said. "Ready when you are, Freddy."
I left them there, turned to the stairs, began to ascend.
"Where are you going now?" Ameline's impatience came through crystal clear.
Ignoring her felt so freaking good I was grinning by the time I reached the kitchen.
Morning had come while I was out there, wandering the planes in search of answers. Shenka sat, knees bouncing, at the table, Sassafras perched next to her. She didn't move as I smiled at them both and turned down the hall, heading for the back yard. I felt them follow, welcomed their presence as I reached hall.
Found Liam sitting at the bottom of the stairs to the second floor, waiting for me.
I took his hand, led him with me out the back door and into the soft grass and the early morning.
Dew soaked my shoes, the hem of my beat-up jeans. I felt the Wild Hunt beneath me stir, stretch in their slumber, settle again as Shaylee soothed them with a song.
I wasn't here for the Wild, though they were as much a part of me and my magic now as anyone or anything.
But no, I was here for a far different purpose. Opening my magic wide, all of my egos adding their own, my maji power pushing farther than I'd ever reached before, I called to the family.
And felt them come to me.
Mind after mind linked with me, the coven first, woken in the bright new day, their love pouring through the connection, washing over me with so much comfort I felt tears break the rims of my eyes and trickle down my cheeks. Sassafras, Shenka, Liam, Mom, the Lawrence twins... all of them, over a hundred souls, from the youngest babe to the oldest of us, gave me everything they had as I returned it.
Only one remained outside, but I would see her before I left.
Had to.
Just in case my loss was her.
Onward we pushed, drawing power through the veil to Demonicon, reaching for Meira, Dad, Henemordonin, Ram. The demons answered with a roar of strength, feeding me with their power, their anger, their pride.
The Sidhe realm welcomed Shaylee, Odhran and Niamh, Unseelie and Seelie alike, even Aoilainn's magic reaching for me in the end.
The sleeping vampires woke, not to rise, but to the pressure of my presence, their consciousness aware as they embraced me with the cold glow of their power. Sunny, Uncle Frank, the Wilhelms and Sthols, though I could feel the failing of Pannera and knew her time was short. And, in a rush of magic so familiar, Sebastian, in joy.
In love.
The weres were next, Oleksander and his people howling their encouragement, Charlotte's magic giving me courage.
I never meant to go this far, only wanting to share with the ones I loved. But my reach took on its own life. I felt Max beside me, and, as though he understood this new need, his vast power added to mine and increased my reach until I had them all-the Steam Union, Piers and his mother Eva, Clover and father Felix, every one of them linked to me. Bigger, wider, more vast our touch, until we embraced all witches, all magical races. I felt Pender and his Enforcers, Femke and her people, even Quaid on the other side of the veil, in the empty plane, alive as Fate showed him to me. Safe.
And then, at last, Owen. Apollo.
Trill.
The time is now, I sent to them as Max's magic hummed around me. Be ready, be together. And know I will do everything in my power to protect you.
Embraces, hope, and they left me, the ones I loved leaving last, until I was alone on the grass with Max holding my hand.
I turned to him, hugged him. "Thank you."
He cupped my face in his big hands. "I expected greatness," he said, "of the Light One. But you, Sydlynn, exceed all my expectations."
Choke.
One last task. The house beckoned. Her door. I entered without knocking, found her sitting in her place, sunbeam shining over her wispy white hair, washing out her faded blue eyes. Gram's jaw was set, angry, her bare feet tapping an odd beat against the carpet.
"I'll see you," I said, amazed at how casual my voice sounded. At how light my soul felt. I really was ready, after all.
She didn't answer.
I didn't expect her to.
But as I turned to go, I heard her move, felt her hand on my arm, jerking me around.
Lost my breath as she hugged me with her whole body.
"Love you," she whispered.
"Love you, too," I said.
Gram leaned back, wiped her nose with the heel of her hand, eyes bright with tears.
"You'd damned well better come back," she snapped, "or I'm coming after you."
Maybe laughing wasn't appropriate. But I couldn't help myself.
I kissed her softly on the cheek. "I'll see you," I repeated. "And I'll have a gift for you when I'm done."
Her power. Because the moment this was over, Ameline was a dead dark maji.
Gram didn't say anything, just stood there, hands pressed to her heart, as I turned to meet my destiny.
***
