Chapter Thirty One

 

There's only one way to win this. Meira's mind latched onto mine. We have to work together.

Brilliant. Sassy was right. The moment I could, I’d make up for not hugging my grandmother. One look at the pair before us and I knew what she figured out long before I had—our love for each other was the biggest advantage Meira and I had.

What the entire demon population seemed to be missing.

I let my sister link to me without hesitation, feeling the odd sensation of her body moving in tune with mine for a moment. It was almost distracting enough to get me in trouble as I fumbled my magic in the instant of our connection. But thanks to that same connection, Meira was right there with me and able to pull up the slack, her power feeding mine, a combined one-two of fireballs and whipping flames saving me from the lashing magic Cypherion let loose.

Let's take them down. I had to grin at Meira's grim yet excited tone, the classic clichés coming from her. Too many action movies, I guess.

She wasn't the only one.

Our combination began to pay off immediately as the pair of cousins stumbled over each other while Meira and I fought as one. Though the brother and sister team had clearly decided on which of us they wanted more, the fact both of us fought them together threw their divided attacks off easily. I found myself grinning, Meira laughing next to me. She’d been so right. If we’d been forced to fight them one at a time, it was likely neither of us would have survived. They just had too much combined experience. But that was their downfall, ultimately—the fact they couldn’t work together.

Meira and I slashed and cut and bullied our way through their attacks and defenses, pushing them back against the edge of the wards protecting the two thrones and the rest of the family, finally crushing them between our power and the sizzling shields.

Well done. Sassy's mental voice reached us. Very, very well done.

Seems we'd impressed him finally. Wonders never ceasing and all that.

Seeing the cousins panting and terrified before us was all the encouragement I needed.

Time to finish it. Meira fist-bumped me before I turned to Cypherion and reached for his magic.

I'd grown used to taking a portion of magic each time I fought, so the feeling was familiar. And I’d been fully prepared, my demon in total control, to strip the scarred girl in the city below. But what I didn't count on was the pain I felt reflected back as I drew more and more power from my cousin. My feeling of triumph faded as he writhed in agony, still pinned to the shielding, eyes wide, hands opening and closing in claws of desperation.

I started to ease off, unable to complete the draining even as my demon screamed for more.

You must. Sassy's mind prodded me sharply, desperately. You have to finish him or all of this has been for nothing.

I can't. I pulled away even more, the drain turning to a trickle. This isn't right.

Maybe not, Sassafras sent, but it's necessary. Look at Vandelarius.

I let my eyes rise, focused on the face of Cypherion's father, saw the evil hope in him as he realized I couldn't go through with it.

He doesn't care about his son, Sassy sent. Only the fact if you fail he will win. Do you understand? Your life is in your hands—and your sister's. Your father's. Mine.

My stomach knotted tight, heart pounding painfully in my chest as I met Grandmother's gaze. She hadn't changed expression, still as blank and cold as ever.

I don't want to be her. It was desperate, that message, sent to my faithful friend. His love wrapped me up and held me tight.

You never will be, Sassafras sent. You are far more than she could ever hope to be, Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle. But you know there are times when a leader has to do what's best for all, not just for her. Finish what you started.

He was right. I knew without a doubt he was. But it didn't help any.

Perhaps I was wrong about you. Grandmother's mind cut through mine like a blade of disappointment. You aren't worthy after all.

My fury lashed back, cutting her as deeply. You have no idea.

Teeth gritted, back straight, I turned up the heat on Cypherion and did my duty. But not for her, never for her. For my real family. As my cousin crumpled, his pain searing me as the last of his magic surged into my body, my demon near hysteria from the power of his agony, I told myself I would never, ever take my grandmother's place on the throne.

Ever.

But I did at least understand why draining other demons was no longer permitted outside of special circumstances. It was as though my demon was suddenly high on pain, boiling away inside me, begging me to turn on Tanasharia, the need for more power fed by the pain she'd caused. No wonder it was forbidden and why demons had such a bad reputation. If this was a normal reaction, it was amazing my ancestor was able to convince them to stop stripping each other empty.

Lucky for me I wasn't just a demon. With Shaylee and my vampire core to help, we wrestled her under control. When I finally felt like I was back in command I looked up, panting, to see Cypherion crumpled to the ground, shivering and vacant, amber eyes dull.

Vandelarius was on his feet, shouting something while the family made their own noises, an echoing cacophony I could barely hear through my demon's begging to be set free. I turned slowly to Meira who stared at me with fear in her eyes, but her determination was more powerful.

She must, Sassy sent, his sadness as crystal clear as the truth he spoke. When it's done, you have to control her.

I reached for my sister. It's awful, I sent. But you can handle it. I'll be right here.

She nodded once and turned to Tanasharia. The demon girl quivered in terror, twisting and turning, trying to tear free of us, but I grimly held her in place while Meira's power jerked hers free.

“Wait! Stop!” Tanasharia's desperate cry made Meira pause. “This was all Father's doing!”

Now silence again. Vandelarius's face twisted in rage, his power lashing at the shields between him and his daughter, but couldn't break through.

“Lying little traitor!” He rose to his full height, magic blazing around him.

“It's true, Ruler, believe me.” Tanasharia wept, crumbling under the weight of our energy. “It was his idea to kill the newcomers, to discredit Haralthazar, to ensure they could not interfere when he had you assassinated.”

Oh boy. The smile spreading across Grandmother's face had nothing to do with humor.

“Go on, my child,” she rumbled as guards pressed forward to surround Vandelarius. His power no longer crackled, but sputtered, his face paling, belly jiggling as he began to shake.

“Ruler,” he said, “you can't believe a word from her lying mouth.”

Grandmother's hand came down on the arm of her throne, power coiling around him, pulling him down into his own seat. “I will hear her out,” she said in her booming voice, “and you will be silent.”

Tanasharia, eyes alight with the chance she might be spared, spilled her guts. Everything from exact times and dates of conspiracy meetings to who was with her when we were attacked to the type of poison Vandelarius had just procured and the chef he'd bought to begin slowly killing my grandmother.

I watched Ruler carefully as the girl spoke, absolutely certain not a word she spoke was news to Grandmother and appalled by the fact she’d allowed the plan to go as far as it had.

When Tanasharia rattled to a stop, her trembling was worse, whole body twitching in our power. I finally let her go, leaving her for Meira to take, but my sister retreated as well, disgust on her face.

The wards protecting the family from our battle fell as Grandmother glared at Vandelarius. Her rage was obvious, power spreading outward, the family cringing, some fleeing in terror though most remained, sick fascination on their faces as though unable and unwilling to leave such a fascinating show, while Dad stood rigid and furious. No fear there.

“You have betrayed your throne,” Grandmother said, rising to her feet, body stretching and growing until she towered over all of us, a giantess, a titan, amber eyes like beams of pure sunlight, her voice making the mountain tremble. “Vandelarius, I disown you.” Amber power shattered in a rush of broken shards, the shining bits winking out like campfire sparks. Vandelarius cried out, falling forward, grasping his chest as the throne itself dumped him on his hands and knees. His power suddenly alone, unsupported by the Seat, pooled and eddied around him, uncertain, as though even his magic knew how much trouble he was in.

Grandmother ignored him, turning her gaze to me, huge hands gesturing. “Sydlynhamitra, it is time. Take his power and your place at my side as Second Seat and serve your people.”

 

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