Chapter 785: Vampire Mansion
I was practically flying when I hit the ground at the bottom of the stairs, already shrunk to my normal size. The urge to keep going, pound my way through the veil and to the vampire mansion, smear opposition and cut the bitch's throat was so powerful I had to force myself to breathe. Knew it was my demon's impulsiveness driving me.
Sure it was, Syd.
I fixed my waiting friends with a grin of evil delight. "The mansion," I said.
Sebastian groaned softly, tapped his forehead with his fingertips. "When I left them, Anastasia gathered the blood clan and took them home to Austria, leaving the house in the care of their human servants."
I thought of Stewart and the helpless staff who were now, quite likely, dead. Just another tick on the tally against Ameline.
She was racking up the points, yup yup.
Time to cash in her ticket.
I almost giggled at that. Even in the face of trouble-hell, usually in the face of trouble-there were times I cracked myself up.
"According to this Fate," I jerked my thumb over my shoulder in his general direction, "only one of us is going to come out of this alive." Way to be blunt and everything, Syd. But my friends didn't comment, their grim expressions telling me who they expected to live and who they planned to make sure never saw the light of day again.
Ameline was in so much freaking trouble.
"The only problem is, I know she won't be alone." If the small selection of dark maji and the few Chosen she left behind at the Star Club were only a selection of bodies she left behind, that meant she'd likely gathered an army of opposition against us. Had to be expecting me to show up at some point.
And I refused to disappoint.
"I have access to a lot of magic." Went without saying. "But my focus has to be Ameline and Gabriel. Which means we need a plan."
Why were they laughing suddenly? Quaid snorted, smirked. Charlotte coughed, looked away and then back, eyes sparkling. Piers grinned at me while Sebastian's eyebrows shot up. Trill giggled, hands over her mouth. Even Demetrius chuckled like I'd said something funny.
"What?" I glared around at them as they pulled themselves together.
"Sydlynn Hayle wants to make a plan." Quaid's deep voice was warm with amusement. "Wow, I think I can now die with my life complete."
They all laughed again.
Smartass friends.
And yet, I grinned, hands on hips, feeling a huge swell of joy and love inside me, excitement stirring as they waited for me to go on. Without question, hesitation. Ready to act.
I couldn't have asked for more.
"Trill, you and Piers are to take care of the dark maji." She sobered immediately, nodded while my Steam Union friend bobbed his head in answer, gray eyes intent on Trill for a moment as they met eyes with determined expressions. "Demetrius?"
"The Chosen." He bowed a little to me with his cherub smile making my grin wider. "I shall endeavor to convince them of the error of their ways."
"If I may," Sebastian said, "might I pursue Celeste and any vampires who might remain in her thrall?"
I wanted her for myself. But his grudge seemed much bigger than mine these days, so I nodded.
"Just don't kill her," I said. "If you can help it."
He snarled a smile, handsome face flickering with iridescent magic. "I will do my best to take her alive," he said.
Yeah. Wasn't holding my breath.
So much fun to be had.
"Quaid, I want you to back up Demetrius." He looked like he wanted to argue, but I wasn't going to give him the chance. "When the Chosen are subdued, follow us."
He nodded abruptly and moved sideways, putting himself behind the sorcerer who smiled over his shoulder at the tall Enforcer.
"I promise you'll have lots of time for fun," Demetrius said. "My old order won't last long against me."
Quaid grinned and squeezed the sorcerer's shoulder.
Bloodthirsty much?
Charlotte's flat expression told me I'd better not expect her to leave my side. Made me laugh and hug her before stepping back.
"Princess Sharlotta," I said, "if you would be so kind as to escort me in your old capacity one last time?"
Tears rose in her eyes, lower lip trembling as she caught her breath. I hadn't expected that reaction and impulsively hugged her again.
"My honor," she whispered.
I stepped back, met Galleytrot's eyes, filled with red fire. "You, my friend, I want scouting ahead."
He chuffed, tail thudding against the ground.
It took me a moment to find Alison, hovering in the background. I held my hand out to her and she came to me, shy and nervous, eyes down.
"Alison," I said, pulling her close to me. "I need you to find Gabriel."
She looked up, blue eyes wide.
"You saved my heart and my life," I said, tears trickling while my old friend's face crumpled in sadness. "Now save my son."
She nodded swiftly, wiping at her own tears. Kissed my cheek.
"I won't let you down," she whispered.
"You can't," I said.
Quaid's eyes lifted over my shoulder before settling on mine again.
I knew what he was asking. Felt the hulking form behind me, sensed the incredible power of the drach. Turned and looked up into Max's eyes.
His sparkled, diamonds full of calm, his face composed. Not a trace of the sadness he'd worn the last time we'd been together, a sadness I thought he carried for another reason, but I now knew foretold his fate. Forcing me to watch Liam die.
There was no such expression this time, only steady willingness.
"I will do as you ask, Light One," he said. "And am happy to serve."
Fear so powerful it made my stomach clench tensed my entire body a heartbeat before I let it go.
"If you betray me again," I said, "I'll pursue you to the ends of the universe, no matter the cost, no matter how much time it takes. And I will kill you."
He nodded. "I would expect nothing less."
Okay then.
I turned back to the others, all of them tense and ready.
And smiled one last time.
Opened the veil.
"Let's get this party started," I said.
And stepped through.
Knock, knock, Ameline. Time to end this one way or another.
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