Chapter Six

 

I’d crossed enough times I was used to the falling feeling in the pit of my stomach, the way everything wobbled slightly as my feet found solid ground again. At least I didn’t have to pitch forward onto my hands and knees and puke this time.

That would have sucked. Not because I cared if Theridialis saw me throw up. He’d been my main witness the first time it happened. But because his tower laboratory wasn’t as empty as the previous times I’d visited.

Meira wobbled next to me, but Dad’s firm grip on her saved her from a face-plant. Damn, hadn’t I warned her? Maybe. I guess there was no real way to adequately explain the experience. One had to go through it personally. I was pretty impressed she was upright and a little jealous, to be honest.

All of those thoughts flickered and fluttered through my mind as I tried to grasp the large group of what looked like guardsmen and the tall, slender female demon standing next to Theridialis. Sassy’s father looked rather uncomfortable even as the woman surged forward with a huge smile, her black hair tied severely at the nape of her neck, tiny triangles of gemstones winking from her right cheek. She wore a flowing gown of gold and red floating from her like a cloud, though the tall and imposing collar seemed slightly ridiculous.

“My Prince.” She bowed deeply. “You’re arrived at last.” She clapped her hands before her, long, thick, black nails clattering together as she observed us with her amber eyes. “Delightful. You must be Sydlynn.” She grasped for my hand, squeezed it. My eyes traveled to our physical connection, noting I once again assumed my demon persona. I glanced at my sister, for a moment wondering if maybe life’s irony had taken control. Since she looked like a demon at home, having to hide her reddish skin and cute little black horns, did that mean she would actually appear as a human here?

Lucky for her, she was as adorably demonish as ever. Though for some reason she seemed even more mature. What would being on Demonicon do to us both?

Only one way to find out.

Dad stepped in front of us as the woman tried to reach for Meira. “What is the meaning of this?” He waved at the collection of guards in their matching Roman-like outfits. They even wore swords across their backs, though each was easily a full head taller than me and broader in the shoulder than Dad. Did they breed them to look alike?

Wouldn’t have doubted it.

“Ruler requested an escort to the banquet for you and her grandchildren.” The demon woman hesitated, face crumpling as though torn between orders. Theridialis grunted softly and shook his head ever so slightly at Dad.

But he wasn’t taking the warning, if indeed it was one, even as my butterflies had babies and multiplied. “Banquet?” Dad’s chest swelled as he echoed my own mental question in that one word, the demon in him much more lively here on Demonicon. “This was to be a private lunch with Ruler.”

The woman beamed. “Oh, it is!” She smiled at us, genuinely happy to have an answer she was sure would soothe him, at least from her expression. “Only the family.”

Dad groaned, shook his head. “The family,” he said, voice strained.

That had to be bad.

“And a very few close friends.” She pushed past him, observed us a moment. “Forgive my rudeness, I am Pagomaris, first aide to Ruler. I’m thrilled to have you both here. It’s my responsibility to ensure you are presentable for the parade.”

Presentable? Parade?

Dad gurgled something, face even redder than normal, but Theridialis put his hand on his arm and started whispering to him in a low voice as the demon woman went on.

“Everyone is so excited to meet you.” She turned and clapped, a pair of young female demons dressed more simply than her scurrying forward with armloads of what appeared to be cosmetics, jewelry and the most elaborate clothing I’d ever seen. “Shall we begin?”

I’m not normally a stubborn person. Okay, stop laughing. But something about the woman’s attitude ramped me up to dig in my heels so hard I expected the stone floor to split under me.

“No,” I said.

Pagomaris turned back, the two girls joined by two others. And two others. How many helpers did we need? “I’m sorry, my dear? What did you say?”

Meira’s hand slid into mine as I scowled and repeated myself. “No.”

Dad’s grin flashed so fast I almost missed it as he hid his mouth behind one hand.

Pagomaris hesitated, smile fading a little, same worry returning to her eyes. “We must prepare you for the parade,” she repeated as if she’d been programmed. “Ruler awaits you at the Seat.”

“That’s nice for Ruler,” I said, adopting Gram’s favorite tone of voice and seeing Dad twitch with amusement. “But we’re here for a private lunch with our grandmother, not to be decorated and shown off like possessions.”

Pagomaris faltered, glancing at Dad and Theridialis. “But, we must.” She turned back to me, trying another smile, clearly not prepared for defiance. “Ruler ordered it.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” I said. “But she can’t have everything she wants, can she?”

Even the guards gasped. Pagomaris looked like I slapped her.

“She is Ruler.” Like that meant everything.

“She’s my grandmother,” I said. “And if she wants to see me, she can ask nicely.”

The poor demon aide stuttered even as the guards shifted and looked dangerous. If they were thinking about making me, they could just take a flying leap.

“Fine,” I said, turning away, looking at Dad. “Let’s go home.”

“Oh, no, please, you can’t!” Pagomaris lunged for me, took my free hand. “Ruler will be most displeased.” Was that real fear now? What kind of monster was my grandmother?

“Oh, yes we can.” Dad gestured for me to join him. “Any time you’re ready, sweethearts.”

Syd. I stopped in preparation to move as Sassy’s mind touched mine. I’d almost forgotten about him, spotting him at last standing beside his father, silver fur vibrating as his amber eyes flashed. You can’t leave.

Why not? Dad was prepped and ready, but Theridialis looked concerned. From someone whose default expression was jovial good humor, it was a wakeup call. Consequences?

Not to you, Sass sent. But for Harry.

He doesn’t seem to care. Dad’s amber eyes locked on mine, as determined to take me home as I was to go.

Of course he doesn’t, Sass sent. He loves you both and wants to protect you. But your grandmother will make things very uncomfortable for him if you refuse. Ahbi Sanghamitra is not the most forgiving demon.

Read between the lines, big trouble for Dad. And he’d had enough of that in his life in the past few years.

I squared my shoulders and faced Pagomaris. “I choose what I wear,” I said. “And don’t for a second think I’m waving and smiling.”

Her thrilled expression told me I was totally screwed.

 

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