Chapter 81: Powerless
It wasn't until the truck came into view that I realized we were leaving. I grabbed Quaid's arm and pulled him around, the effort making me dizzy.
"We can't go," I said. "The creature is so close!"
Quaid nodded once and pressed a set of keys into my hand. "I know," he said. "Go home."
He turned and stalked off without me, going right back the way we came from.
No freaking way was he leaving me behind.
Quaid knew I was following him and stopped in place, blocking the path.
"I said go home, Syd."
"Forget it." My demon snarled in support. "I'm coming with you."
"You're not even supposed to be out here." He scowled down on me like that would scare me off. Maybe at one time it might have. But not now. I almost died. He could scowl all he wanted.
"It's close," I said, "and you're alone. Do you really think you can tackle it yourself?"
He didn't say anything, just loomed over me like he always did.
"We can link up," I went on in a rush. "Like we did before. I figured out what the problem was." I shuddered, thinking of Brad and his stupid necklace. If he was okay, I was going to kill him. "Together we have a chance. Maybe. But it will kill you if it catches you alone."
"All right." It was whispered, but I heard it. He caved? That easily? "On one condition."
"What's that?"
"You prove to me you're okay."
What? Of course I was okay.
He reached for me and shoved me with his power. I instantly blocked him, my demon lashing out in fury. But I understood him, then. What he meant. I staggered backward as his power pushed us around. My demon was furious and frustrated but exhausted from the effort. My whole body felt like pins and needles jabbed everywhere, killing the feeling in my skin and numbing the connection between my demon and me.
I found myself on my ass in the dirt. Quaid offered me a hand, but I ignored him and made it to my feet on my own. "I just need a little time."
"We don't have that time," he said. "Syd, believe me, if you were at full power... if you weren't almost just burned alive..." he trailed off for the second time and turned his face away. The faint moonlight caught the tightness of his jaw, the distant glow of the fire which nearly killed me reflecting from his dark brown eyes. Was that fear in his face? "Go home. Tell the twins. They'll reach your mother. I'm going after that thing."
He left me again. And I went after him again. He sighed so deeply I thought his chest would cave in. When Quaid turned on me this time there was just enough light I could see his smile.
"You are the most stubborn, hardheaded, contrary..." His shoulders slumped in his leather jacket. "Fine," he said. "You win. I don't have time to argue. Just, stay close and whatever you do, don't get yourself killed. Your mother would never forgive me."
We kept to the path, me stumbling along while he seemed to glide over the uneven ground. He finally took pity and held my hand. The link between us rushed to life, and I could see.
Just in time, too. Something crouched at the bend up ahead, another something sprawled beneath it. Dressed in what was left of a white robe, now stained black in the darkness. The creature looked up from feeding and hissed at us. I almost threw up again. The Chosen member was missing some of his insides. A lot of his insides, actually. A gaping hole showcased the remains of his guts.
No time to fall apart. The creature rose slowly, easing toward us like smoke over the ground, a liquid menace I could feel to the center of my bones. It was still wasted thin, but there were features now, as if its feeding had given it back some semblance of life. The hooked nose quivered over its protruding fangs, a crackle of red energy sliding over and around it in a ripple of light.
Quaid's power and my demon locked in place, so familiar I welcomed it for the first time ever. It was nice to have our foundation to lean on as the creature drew near. It helped me keep absolute terror from sending me shrieking.
"Too soon," it snarled at us, voice ragged. "I'm not ready for you yet."
"Too bad," Quaid said. We attacked together, a woven net of our combined power locking together before us, already in motion. It shimmered in the dark, enveloping the creature, dimming its magic as it shuddered back from the touch of our magic. That lasted only a moment. The creature snarled and threw itself against the barrier, the sound of sizzling flesh and the hum of straining energy filling the still air. And, for one brief and shining moment, we held.
Until my power collapsed, exhausted.
The net gave way, half of it unraveling in a spiral of dissipating magic. Quaid's shattered, no longer supported by mine, the brightness of it flashing out, leaving spots in front of my eyes. I stumbled forward, crying out for Quaid, terrified the thing was about to pounce, but instead it took one look at us and ran away.
Quaid spun on me and eased me to the ground. I sobbed in frustration.
"What did he do to me?" We both knew who I meant. Whatever the powder was, it crippled my magic and I was so weak I couldn't even stand.
"We don't have time to find out." Quaid gripped my face between his hands. "You have to go for help, Syd. Do you hear me? I'm going after the creature. But you need to find your mother."
I clung to his hands. "You can't," I said. "Quaid, not alone."
His face bent over mine, his lips warm and soft. I breathed him in and welcomed his touch and kissed him back with all my heart. When he pulled away it was only far enough he could speak without our mouths touching.
"Be safe, Syd," he whispered into me. His lips met mine for one more moment before he was gone.
I cried then, fat tears, gross and mournful, overcome by everything that happened. My demon cried with me, her longing for Quaid as powerful as my grief and for a terrible moment we just sat there in it and let it all out.
But I couldn't leave him hanging. He needed me to act. So, I dragged myself to my knees, my feet. My demon still sulked and I lashed out at her.
He needs us, I told her. We have to get it together. Do you want him to die?
Of course she didn't. She snarled at me and tried to turn away.
We have to work together, I insisted. If we don't, he's dead, we're dead. The family is too. Is that what you want?
She grumbled and groused.
Help me! I opened myself to her. Please.
My demon relented and let herself in.
I stumbled two steps up the path when I felt a mind brush mine. I latched onto it with everything I had, still weak, but fighting the numbing tingle holding me back as hard as I could.
Syd? It was Sebastian. Where are you?
Quaid! I sent him the creature's last location. Find my mother!
Sebastian's mind supported me and I almost gave in again.
A moment. He felt around inside me. His power felt like cool silk and a hint of cinnamon. You are shackled.
The Chosen. I showed him the powder.
His snarl vibrated, vicious. Them. What were you doing with them?
We didn't have time but he refused to let go. So I opened up and showed him what happened.
His mind fell silent for a moment. Well done, demon girl, he sent, very gently. Don't fight me. His mind caressed mine and before I could understand what he meant, I felt something like a bite inside my head. White magic poured into me, making me shake all over. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air that wouldn't come, dying, knowing I was dying, my blood as hot as a sunrise and boiling in my veins.
Fear not, he sent as his magic retreated. The powder he used is rare, very difficult to come by. I'm surprised he had access to it. It seals off your contact with the elements and only works against witches. I heaved my lungs full, coughing into the dirt as he went on, feeling my body spasm over and over as the last of the powder's influence dissipated.
Not my best work, but we have little time for finesse. Now hurry, demon girl. We're right behind you.
My demon howled in fury, her own power returning, thanks to his intervention. I wasn't sure if I should be angry or not, but she had no such compunction. Still, it was too late. It was over. He was gone and my obligation was done. I made it through. Quaid would have help.
That wasn't enough for either of us.
I dragged myself from the ground and checked myself over. Everything seemed to be working. A small ball of air formed over my hand, did a nice dance of joy before I doused it. I dug into the earth with my magic, feeling the thrum of the planet under my feet. Fire, water, all there. And my demon, despite her continued annoyance at Sebastian, flared to full power.
Next time I saw him, I'd punch the vampire for scaring the crap out of me. Then, I'd kiss him.
No more time for thinking about the future. There was only now. And someone who needed me.
I spun and went after Quaid.
***
