Chapter 800: Gateway
I looked down into my son's sleeping face before sinking into the rocking chair beside his crib and releasing of the last of my stress. He was really too big for the thing now, but I needed to do some thinking about a bed and a room for him and just didn't have the energy to deal.
A soft, furry body landed in my lap, Sassafras purring as he kneaded my leg a few times before turning in a circle and settling himself.
"Nice to see them together again," he said.
I knew exactly who he meant. Mom and Dad wasted no time taking off for Harvard for some private time. I blushed at the thought of my parents and what they were probably doing right now.
Shudder.
Galleytrot groaned from the end of the crib, eyes flaring with red fire as he looked up.
"What about you, Syd?" His rumbling voice shifted my shudder to a shiver. "Have you thought about a new mate?"
Not going there. "I've been thinking," I said, totally changing the subject. Yes, on purpose. No judging. "About Gabriel and his power." My eyes went right to my son, the cat and dog's with me as though we were all drawn to watch him like iron to a magnet.
"We don't know what being a Gateway really means," Sassafras said. "From what you've shown me of his ability, it could be anything."
I really had to find out. But later.
Right now I had another task ahead of me.
"I think," I said, heart weighing heavy, "in light of everything that's happened, we should seal the Gate."
Neither of them protested.
"I was thinking the same thing," Galleytrot said, ears drooping, chin hitting his paws again.
"And me," Sassafras said. Sighed. "Gabriel may be a Gatekeeper, but this Gateway power of his-do we know or can we guess if it might affect the Sidhe Gate?"
"Not a freaking clue," I said. "But it doesn't matter. It's not like I need a Gate to visit the Sidhe anymore. And not having to drag him to the cavern to answer the knock every year would be a bonus." As much as I'd miss it.
All of it.
Because sealing the Gate meant saying goodbye to Liam.
Forever.
"It's a huge responsibility to put on one so young," Galleytrot said. "And I have a feeling our boy is going to have other things to focus on as he grows without the weight of the Gate holding him back."
Permission from the one person I needed to hear it.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He nodded, head still down. "It's time we all said goodbye."
Gabriel chose that exact moment to wake. His beautiful eyes met mine as he yawned, stretched. Smiled.
I scooped him up, hugged him, kissed his soft cheek.
"Up for an adventure, little man?" Yes, it was late. I was tired.
But there was no time like the present.
I bundled him in his new jacket and slipped shoes onto his feet. But when I tried to pick him up, he slid from the edge of my bed and wobbled. Stood. Held out his hand.
How much of his development had I missed?
No. Not going there.
I would enjoy every second I had from now on. End of grieving.
"Let's go, sweets," I said, laughing at myself for giving him a nickname I only now realized I had.
Like parents, like daughter.
Sassafras purred, pressing against Gabriel's legs. The smiling boy took a soft hold of the Persian's tail even as Galleytrot rose to his feet, shook.
Not a moment of fear passed over my son's face as the giant dog came to tower over him and ever so gently nudged his cheek with his big, black nose.
"'Alleytot," Gabriel said. "'Assfras."
Snort. Chuckle.
So. Freaking. Funny.
"Not a word," Sass snarled. "You should have heard what you used to call me."
No comment.
Giggle.
The veil parted easily, though I still missed Ahbi's welcome as we entered, stepping through into the Gate room, the cavern rejoicing immediately at Gabriel's arrival. He laughed out loud, squeezed my hand before letting me go, running forward to press himself against the Gate.
As though hugging it hello.
And the Gate sang to him, its love and joy pulling him close, cutting us off as the two became one, Cian's power, doubled in Gabriel, called to the magic of the Gate.
The seal flared with green power, Gabriel tottering back as it opened under his touch. I rushed forward, catching him before he fell, looking up into the endless green of the realm into two familiar faces.
Thalion's smile was as real as the warmth in his eyes. He'd evolved past any Sidhe I'd known, his empathy growing, it seemed, by the day. And while I knew it was a wonderful thing, I wondered how he would survive his people, now his heart was open.
"Lord Gabriel," Thalion said, bowing so his long, white hair slid over the ground. "It is a great joy to see you again."
Gabriel clung to my hand, suddenly shy. But he wasn't looking at Thalion.
He was staring at Fergus, one hand in his little mouth, eyes huge.
Liam looked back from his grandfather's face. It didn't hurt so much to see him, this time. I smiled, waved. "Gabriel," I said as I pointed. "That's Fergus. Your great-grandfather."
Gabriel suddenly smiled. Laughed his sparkling laugh. And ran right for the open Gate.
Passed through before I could stop him, slippery as an eel as I lunged to catch him. Hugged Fergus as the old Gatekeeper knelt and swung my son into his arms.
Smiled at me.
"He looks just like us," he said in Liam's voice.
I thought I'd be okay.
The tears on my cheeks told me, yeah. Not so much.
Gabriel kissed Fergus on the cheek before wriggling. His grandfather let him go. My son paused long enough to wiggle his fingers at the smiling Thalion before dashing back through the Gate and into my arms.
"I think we both know why you're here," Thalion said as I smoothed Gabriel's hair back from his cheeks. "You wish to seal the Gate."
"It makes the most sense to us, as well," Fergus said. "Now that you can cross to the planes of your choosing, this Gate is no longer necessary."
I let out my breath, glad to hear my furred companions and I weren't the only ones who thought this was a good idea. Knowing Fergus felt the same took a huge weight from my shoulders.
The weight of my guilt over abandoning Liam and the place he loved so much.
"What about Wilding Springs?" It was really my last concern, the only question I had left. "Will the town revert right away?" To the ordinary, the hum of Sidhe power that had been a part of every tree, flower, rock and building cut off with the loss of the Gate.
"I don't think so," Fergus said. "At least, not right away. Over time, maybe. But I think having you and your extraordinary family in residence will more than make up for the loss. As will the continued slumber of the Wild Hunt here on your plane."
Good to know.
I didn't get a chance to say so. My son was already trying to get down. I set him on his feet, watched him go back to the Gate. Wave at Thalion and Fergus who waved back.
"See you," he said. And the Gate sang.
Swung closed for the last time.
I tried to step forward, wanting to help, but the gentle pressure of the Sidhe magic asked me not to.
He must do this alone, Shaylee sent.
He's just a baby. And I was his mom.
He is more than that, my vampire sent. And you know it.
Just let the boy be, my demon snapped.
Fine.
Bossy bunch.
The Gate must have known what Gabriel needed, though how my son understood I have no idea. For the moment it sealed, the flare grew in power. Instead of dying in a flicker of flame as it usually did, it roared to life, forming a wall of green flames.
And rushed at Gabriel.
I know I screamed. I could hear the after echo of it bouncing around the cavern. But I was too late.
And it didn't matter.
Gabriel absorbed the magic, drew it into his little body until he glowed like a Christmas tree bulb, shimmering and sparkling. The magic rushed from the cavern itself, the energy sustaining this place pouring into my son.
When it was over, it snapped like a rubber band. I could feel traces of power still left behind. Sleepy and dreamy magic, yawning and ready to rest.
Gabriel's glow snapped off like a light-switch was thrown and he giggled, hands over his mouth.
"Momma," he said. "That tickles."
Oh. My. Swearword.
I choked out a laugh, half terrified, half in awe, and opened my arms. He ran to me, snuggling close when I scooped him up.
"Well now," Sassafras said. "That was..."
"Something else." Galleytrot shook his great mane. "I think it's time to go."
Gabriel looked around. Nodded like he'd made a choice. "Home, pweese."
He felt fine. And his beaming smile told me he was okay.
So I released the last of my fear. Turned in a slow circle. Headed for the exit.
Felt the last bits of Liam leave me as I walked past the archive, his room-our room-and into the entry. Stopped one more moment to look back.
And walked out through the wards.
We all stood in the dark basement of town hall and watched as the Sidhe shielding protecting the cavern flickered out.
And vanished.
Taking the Gate with it.
And Liam.
Gabriel's little face pinched a moment, in a frown, lips quivering. And then he sighed and bobbed his head in a nod.
"'Bye," he said.
***
