Chapter 780: Faithful Ones
No more waiting. Not when I had a target to track down. And I knew the perfect person to help me do it. A small jolt of worry followed as I thought of Galleytrot. Realized I hadn't seen him since my wakening.
Sought him out as I left Maurice to his broken mind. And I wasn't alone in my departure as the group crowding the room thundered after me, out into the open room then past the second door and into the hallway.
Touched the veil with my maji power, through the kindness of the stronghold. Chased back home, to my plane. Floated above it, power seeking Galleytrot.
Touched down in Wilding Springs as his trail led to town hall. Through the wards underground.
Felt the black hound at last, in the first place I should have looked, his power, weak and distant, in the Sidhe cavern.
Of course.
Did another search. For Ameline. Came up empty.
Gabriel. Same.
And Rosetta... damn it.
Galleytrot it was.
I released my search, shaking myself a little as I returned to my body. Reached for the veil with a huge thanks to the stronghold for allowing me to use his heart as a hub.
Froze at the sight of two Enforcers, heads bent together. One in tears, the other rigid and full of anger.
Chocolate eyes lifted, met mine.
Poor thing can't handle her job, I sent at Quaid. Not to him. He'd been with me in the catacombs, but the connection I felt to him was shattered by her presence, my gratitude poisoned as he comforted her. Now I knew where he went. Not to question Maurice, but to hold his little girlfriend. Might want to tuck her in a read her a bed time story before she hurts herself.
Quaid didn't answer, still simmering with fury.
But.
Not at me.
Interesting.
What had she done to piss him off that much?
Not my problem, not when Gabriel waited for me. I could hear his giggle, feel the weight and warmth of him in my arms even as I tore open the veil.
Spun and faced my posse as I realized a plan of some kind might actually be a good idea.
"I'm going to get Galleytrot," I said. "We need to find Rosetta." Alison's old housekeeper, a witch, traitor to her own race, working for the Brotherhood. Twisted and fanatical about destroying those with magic though she was one herself. He'd sniffed her out once before, tracked her when nothing else could lead me to her. And I knew he would do so again, in a heartbeat.
To save Gabriel.
Why wasn't Galleytrot here?
Didn't matter. Not now. "I'll be right back. Wait for me here."
And stepped through the veil.
One breath.
Out again. My feet touched down on more stone, this full of Sidhe power as I strode, heart pounding, into the Gate room.
A large, silent mass of black fur lay before the portal, ribs barely rising. I felt how weak he'd become, his own sorrow devouring him, as mine tried to devour me. But I had help, didn't I? And left him to deal with this on his own.
Galleytrot. The others thought they failed me. But I failed him.
I sank to my knees next to the big hound, touched his shoulder. His fur had matted in places, ribs sticking out of his coat, tongue trailing across the rough floor as his eyes blinked once, not a glimmer of fire inside.
How long? It was the first time I wondered at the amount of time passed, though I registered my own weight loss, knew a considerable amount had passed. Now, seeing him, how emaciated he'd become, magic the only thing sustaining him, did I realize I'd lost a larger chunk of my life than I thought.
Three weeks, my vampire said, voice soft.
Three-
Wow.
I shook off the knowledge. Didn't matter now. All that mattered was my son, now almost three months old.
In Ameline's clutches.
For three. Freaking. Weeks.
New urgency spurred me to act as I sent Galleytrot power, Shaylee embracing him, filling out his wasted form, polishing his black fur from the dullness of despair to health and vitality. But he didn't move, even when his body stretched and expanded into his former glory.
"I'm sorry," I whispered in his ear. "I shouldn't have allowed you to go through this alone."
He groaned. Fell still.
"Galleytrot," I pressed my cheek to his. "I need you now. And so does Gabriel."
No response.
Until I showed him. Let him feel and see and experience what I did. The tomb. The bones.
His head shot up, whole body tense and shaking. Blazing red fire lit the dog's eyes as his met mine, tail thumping once in pathetic hope, tongue sweeping over his snout.
"Syd," he whispered.
"If you ever want to see Gabriel again," I said, "you'd better get your ass up and hustle."
Galleytrot surged to his feet, shaking his huge body, green Sidhe fire flaming around him as the coals of red in his eyes blazed in answer.
His howl rocked the chamber, shook the foundations of the Gate, and Shaylee screamed along with him.
When his head fell, his jaw gaping as he panted, I did my best not to crumble. Hard to do when he approached, nudged my hand with his big nose, leaned into me with a soft groan.
"You'll have to fight me for her," he said.
"How about we kill her together?" Sounded like a plan.
Galleytrot chuffed his agreement as I tore open the veil and, on impulse, carried him home with me.
The kitchen felt cold despite the summer sun and my imperviousness to temperature. Because it was empty. I'd grown so used to the sound of laughter, lots of voices, the feeling of layered powers and the excitement of my growing family.
The giggling, bright green joy of my son.
I'd have it back. Shivered and hugged myself as I felt around the house. And encountered the empty place I'd been hoping to find.
Demetrius bounded up the basement stairs, blue eyes huge and full of hope.
"He's alive," he said.
He had to say it, with all that happiness and excitement in his voice? I crumpled for the first time, unable to stop myself, Galleytrot supporting me as Demetrius rushed forward, held me up and guided me to a chair as my knees buckled and the world swayed around me in a film of moisture.
"He's alive," I whispered. Smiled through my tears. Bounced in my chair.
Demetrius laughed. "Syd," he said. And that was all.
It was all he had to say.
I found my voice again, told him about Rosetta. Demetrius was nodding immediately, anxiety and anger mixing together as his sorcery butted up against mine.
"They were owned by the Brotherhood," he said. "The Chosen. But I can see how easily they could be shifted to a new belief system since theirs fell apart." He sat back, fingers tapping on the table. "And the dark maji-especially led by Ameline-would make excellent candidates." He'd know. He was one of them, set up as their leader by Liander Belaisle after the Brotherhood leader broke him and drove him mad. "I've been keeping an eye on them, peripherally. The Chosen are more a danger to themselves, now, or so I thought." He shook his head. Opened his mouth. And I know he was going to say it.
I'm sorry.
I shut him down. "Doesn't matter now," I said. "Galleytrot can find Rosetta."
The big dog nodded. "I recall her scent perfectly," he said.
I scratched his head, turning back to Demetrius. "But I was hoping you might take the fight out of her for me. If Rosetta sees you, will she crumble?" Not that I wasn't interested in a fight, hell yeah. But an all-out battle would put Gabriel at risk and that, I wasn't willing to contemplate.
Demetrius stood, took my hand, helped me to my feet. My knees were working again, at least, nice and solid.
"I will speak to her," he said, voice shaking. "And she will tell me what she knows."
***
