Chapter 792: Power Share
Lepa's concern grew to fear as she reached for me, but I turned my back on her. Focused on my friends, waiting, watching. Max bowed to me.
"I will see you soon, Syd," he said. And stepped through the veil, vanishing from sight.
I felt Iepa leave, didn't care.
Let trouble come. Better than some unknown darkness I might or might not be able to survive. We'd faced difficulty before and if my constant state of alertness meant my friends and family-and the planes-would be safe from that creature from another Universe, I'd do it.
Time to divvy up the power.
I smiled down at my son. Opened my Sidhe magic to him. And felt Cian sigh and slip inside Gabriel, joining the soul my son already had. Two peas in a pod, Liam's and Gabriel's two magicks coming together as though meant for each other.
Gabriel giggled and hugged me.
So. Amazing.
I then looked up and found Demetrius watching me. Smiled at him. He nodded and smiled back.
Detached the Brotherhood's power from my sorcery and handed it over. The small sorcerer bowed backward, body shuddering as the magic joined his and, for a moment, as blackness floated over his eyes, I worried I'd ruined him all over again. But when it cleared and he drew a breath, his beaming smile told me this was exactly the right thing to do.
I reached out with my demon and guest, flew across miles to the west coast. Felt the empty shell, the fearful family. Released him into his statue where he flared into life again.
Keranitheronius, he sent. Demon Lord of the Sixth Plane. My Ruler will hear of your bravery, maji. My thanks.
Say hello to Dad for me. I laughed as he started and let him go.
Trill was next, though she hung back, almost hiding behind Owen and Apollo. I gently pulled her forward with magic until she stood before me, hands wringing in front of her.
"I don't want it," she said.
"I know," I said, feeling sorry for her, now understanding the pressure of the dark maji. The need of it, almost as hungry as sorcery, but with its own power to sustain it. "I don't either. And I have no one else I trust to give it to."
Trill nodded, miserable and, though I felt terrible for her, I also knew in a flash of intuition, this was exactly how things were meant to be.
Separated the maji creation magic, the blood power, from my own and slipped it inside her.
She didn't react beyond a shiver, rubbing her arms. Backed away.
I'd talk to her about it later. Help her reconcile it.
For now, I had one more to deliver here.
Before the last one.
Alison watched, again apart from the group, as though doubting she was welcome even yet. I smiled at her, shook my head.
"I thought I lost you," I said.
She grinned. "The taint, yeah. Well." Ran her hand over her ponytail. "I have a little experience with that, don't you know." She winked and laughed. "And an extra kick of power to help me clean it and use it. I guess Ameline didn't know that."
I glanced at Sebastian. "I can split it," I said. "The two of you can share it."
But he shook his head, speculation on his face before he smiled at Alison and bowed to her.
"The lady has earned it," he said.
"Has she ever." Tears welled all over again as I kissed Gabriel's soft hair. He should have been getting heavy by now.
Wasn't.
The taint went to Alison almost eagerly, as though wanting to devour her. I watched her flare with my magic, the blackness shuddering over her until it burned off, brighter and more shining than ever.
And when she smiled, I knew everything was going to be okay.
Because I still had Ameline's power. But I also had a group of amazing people behind that power.
Bad guys had better watch the hell out.
One to go. And though I knew I could do it from here, I wanted to deliver Gram's magic back to her in person.
Bounced my son who giggled and clapped his delight.
"Home, Momma," he said.
Home.
***
