Chapter Nineteen

 

I wasn’t all that surprised to be called on again in the middle of the night. In fact, I was expecting it, already up after a short nap.

Sassafras warned me about the possibility as we dined in private with Dad.

“She’s fishing for something,” he said of my grandmother. “Don’t underestimate her.”

“She’s a mistress of subtleties,” Dad agreed. “You won’t know what she’s after until she has it from you.”

“Just be careful what you say,” my demon cat said. “And for goodness sakes, control your temper.”

I fell into a short sleep after leaving the others to talk, feeling much more refreshed for a bit of rest despite the fact I should have been exhausted. A long shower in the amazing bathroom, piping hot water pouring from a huge fountain gushing over my body, did wonders for my state of mind.

By the time Pagomaris knocked, I was smiling and ready.

No more hesitation. I strode into Grandmother’s presence like I was the one ready to ask questions. Her powerful magic didn’t intimidate me this time. What was the worst she could do? I was already trapped here, fighting for my status. It wasn’t like she was going to challenge me. Maybe she could make my life miserable, but I was willing to take the chance if it meant keeping my dignity and my head.

She clearly saw the change because her welcome was cooler than the night before. When she sat next to me on the same couch, observing, hands reaching for the nectar, I laughed out loud.

“Just ask me,” I said, not sure where my bubbling good humor came from, but willing to let it ride and see where it took me. Maybe I was so past the stupid games I felt I had nothing to lose.

Grandmother’s smile was dark and dangerous, but she nodded and began.

This time she pulled nothing, direct and blunt. But she didn’t quiz me about home or my other magicks, but about the battles I’d fought and won so far. Why did I choose this particular attack or that specific defense? Was I thinking when I went in this direction or just reacting? How much of a disconnect was there between me and my demon?

That question made me pause. Consider. Laugh again.

“None,” I said with total honesty. “We’re one.”

My demon rumbled her agreement.

By now my happy-go-lucky feelings faded. How did she know anything at all about who I’d been? How Gram’s magic kept me from bonding with my demon from birth? Where was Grandmother getting her information? As far as I knew, the only other demon who understood my story was Theridialis.

No way. A traitor? Would he really betray us?

I found myself mentally shaking my head as Grandmother’s prying questions went on. It couldn’t be. It wasn’t like I knew every single demon Dad confided it. It was likely one of them betrayed him. Or, for all I knew, he’d told her himself.

That would be a jackass move, yes. But I couldn’t bring myself to believe Theridialis stepped over the line like that. No, I didn’t know everything about him, but he’d never given me a reason to doubt his loyalty to Dad.

Besides, Sassy would never forgive him. And from what I could see of their relationship, things were finally mending between father and son. Surely the kindly older demon wouldn’t risk his newly minted bond with Sassafras.

When Grandmother asked me why I chose to use the sand attack, I paused. “What would you have done?”

She actually looked startled, the first open and honest expression I’d seen on her face, as though she never once expected me to have the nerve to ask.

Grandmother sat there in silence for a heartbeat or two before nodding. “I would have done as you did,” she said, tone grudging, but with a hint of respect I took as a win.

She surged to her feet and, for a moment, I considered remaining where I was. But the tightness around her eyes told me I’d pushed her as far as she was willing to be pushed right then, so I stood and nodded to her in my very best coven leader mode with the small smile Mom reserved for those she had to be nice to.

My expression, my stance, had the desired effect. Grandmother’s jaw clenched as she bent over me.

“Sleep well, my dear,” she said in a voice rumbling like a waking volcano, her power pushing down on me. In that exact instant I knew her, who she was, why she was and I pushed back.

“You too, Grandmother,” I said while the bully inside her backed off.

End round two. Ding freaking ding.

Small victory, really. I watched my sister enter the chamber, paced with Sassafras while Meira had her visit. It was much shorter this time, though she was smiling when she emerged, and seemed quite happy.

I couldn’t begrudge her how she was feeling, not when there seemed to be so little around here to be happy about. Instead, I took her hand and followed my demon cat down the dark stone hall, bare feet making soft sounds on the polished floor.

“What did you talk about?” I was curious enough to ask. After all, Meira didn’t have many battles to keep Grandmother interested.

“Nothing really,” she said. “Syd, would you ever want to live here?”

That was sudden and absolutely flabbergasting. “Sorry?”

Meira shrugged. “I like it,” she said. “Feels like home.”

Sassy’s tail twitched ahead of us, ears flickering, but that was the only response he gave to her statements. I personally felt a surge of concern and wondered what Grandmother had been telling my sister. Not like Meira was gullible. She’d been through hell and back again too, with the coven and Nicholas DeWinter kidnapping her to use her against Mom back when I lost my demon.

Not your choice, Sassy sent. It’s Meira’s decision if she chooses to like it here.

He was absolutely right.

Didn’t make me feel any better, though.

A part of me groaned in annoyance as we rounded the last corner and came face-to-face with a demon blocking our way. He was pretty short, more Meira’s height, and seemed young. I felt my irritation twist my face as I crossed my arms over my chest and glared down at him, fully aware as I let him feel the full push of my power I was acting like my grandmother.

“Seriously?” I nudged him. “Go home, squirt.”

He scowled at me though his gaze never left my sister. “Hathenemeira,” he said, “I am Jarismorthistal, Knight of the Nineteenth Plane and I challenge you for status.”

 

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