Chapter Thirty Three

 

Just like the cold-hearted snake he was, Vandelarius was prepared, surging immediately into massive shape to confront Dad, lashing out with his power without warning. I spun toward Meira, our power forming a protective shield around us and the scrambling Sassafras, just avoiding the fallout of the attacking demon's power. We ran for cover, away from the main concourse, just as Dad's massive hands latched onto Vandelarius and tightened around his rival's throat.

Not just a battle of power. The two grappled with each other physically, Dad's fist impacting the smaller demon's face. Vandelarius spun sideways, energy pushing him up even further, making him bigger, shoulders pressing into the shielding around the throne room. Dad lunged forward, fists impacting the other's guts, but Vandelarius's magic lashed out at the same moment, leaving burning welts across Dad's chest, his tunic shredded and hanging from his muscular chest.

Dad roared, body swelling further, joining Vandelarius in a push against the sky while his magic flew from his clawed hands into arrow-shaped fireballs, puncturing Vanderlairus's shields. The Second Ruler flew backward, landing hard, sliding along the polished floor, taking out part of a wall with his massive fist while the shielding flickered and fought to keep the dome contained. Dad went after him, us following. I held Meira so tightly to me it felt as if we were one person, gasping in fear as Dad bent over Vandelarius to deliver a blow only to have him fly back himself, landing hard on his back over the two thrones with a groan of pain, a large, smoking circle in the center of his chest.

Dad! I reached for him, feeding him power, Meira and Sassafras doing the same. Dad surged to his feet, shaking off the attack, only to have Vandelarius shriek in fury.

“Not allowed!” He pointed one black claw at Grandmother who had shrunk to her normal size when the fight began. “There can be no interference!”

“Not true.” Her voice still seemed as loud, no matter her size. “You yourself can find allies to feed you power if you so choose, Vandelarius.” Was that satisfaction in her voice?

He shrank back, fury vanishing, desperation taking over as his gaze flickered around the small group of demons huddled, watching. Not one of them seemed inclined to help him.

Aw. What a shame.

“Maybe if you weren't such an ass,” I suggested, grinning. Couldn't help it. Really couldn't.

He snarled and attacked Dad again, but we knew now the party was over. His low blow could have taken Dad out if he'd been alone, a sneaky and underhanded shaft of fire aimed at Dad's more tender parts. But with us to reinforce his shields, leaving Dad his full power to fight back, the attack merely bounced off, returning to its sender, taking Vandelarius full in the crotch.

Even I winced, though I had no sympathy for him as he crumpled to the ground, hands covering what had to be a world of pain, his body shrinking slowly. Dad tromped forward, power pressing down on his rival, a massive hammer of magic, amber glow throwing sparks, hovering over his head. With a set and determined look on his face, Dad began to pound the other demon into the polished floor, as though he were driving home a particularly stubborn nail. By the time he was done, they were both normal sized and Vandelarius lay, curled on his side much as his son had been, eyes vacant, a string of drool trailing from his lip to the floor.

Someone was screaming, the same female demon I assumed was Dad's sister. She rushed forward with a hiss, hitting him over and over again. Dad turned on her, toward us from his hunched position over the fallen demon, eyes glowing with power, a massive bellow erupting from his chest as he struck her, sending her flying.

Syd, help him. Sassy's power reached for Dad, Meira's too, mine surging a close third as we enveloped Dad in our love and held him tight while the power inside him, the primal power of a demon's draining, tried to turn him into a monster.

A long time ago, I'd told him it was my worst fear—that I didn't want to be a monster. He'd seemed surprised, hurt even. But looking at my Dad, the magic he'd taken from Vandelairus poisoning him with the need for more, I knew my worry had been well founded after all.

Knowing what he had just been through, though on a smaller scale, I let the girls out to help, certain it would take all of us to bring him back. It was weird, feeling them reach into him, almost leaving me they went so deep, the thrumming solidity of Shaylee's earth magic holding him still while my demon snapped and snarled against him, the vampire core of me filling him with spirit power. I wound him up in witch energy, the family magic welcoming him as it always had.

I was terrified it wouldn't work, to be honest. The beast in Dad's eyes didn't want to leave, fought us with the power of the Second Seat of Demonicon. But as strong as it was, it could never defeat so much love.

Dad came back to us, sagging as he panted, bending in half, body shaking from the effort. When he looked up, the animal inside him still flickered, but he was under control. I felt around inside myself then, with a touch of panic, and realized mine was still there too.

Good to know. At least I had an army of alternate personalities to keep me in check. Not so my dad.

He staggered to his feet, moving more smoothly by the time he was upright. His whole body shuddered, a ripple of amber magic running through him. Dad sighed, a deep gust of air from far within him before he strode forward and settled one hand on my shoulder and squeezing ever so gently.

Dad didn't say a word as he left us, striding with purpose toward Grandmother and the rest of the huddled family. His sister managed to pull herself together, blood trickling from her nose and mouth, glaring at him with absolute hatred even as she cradled Vandelarius's empty shell in her arms. He had a solid enemy there, but from the quivering fear rising from the rest of the gathering, she could hate him all she wanted.

Dad stopped next to the thrones, both intact despite the fact they’d broken his fall, facing Grandmother.

“Well done, my son,” she said.

He glared at her for a long moment and I knew then the crossroads he'd reached. Sassy hissed at my feet, Meira pressing into my side as they both realized the same thing at the same moment.

Dad was going to challenge her. He was going to do it. Strip his own mother and take the Ruler's throne.

I wanted to reach out to him, to stop him. I loved him, he was my dad, but after what he'd been through, I wasn't sure we could save him the second time. And if he did it, if he took her power, I knew he'd never be the same again.

Grandmother smiled at him. She knew, too, clearly. But she didn't move or make an effort to convince him otherwise. Maybe it was what she wanted? I found that hard to believe. When she finally spoke, her tone was light, almost teasing.

“You make me proud, Haralthazar.”

His body relaxed, the tension easing out of him, shoulders sagging just a little, head bowing and I sighed myself, a shaking exhale of air tasting of poison.

Dad turned then, away from her, and approached his throne, pausing only one more moment before taking his Seat. He cried out, power rippling over him as the throne itself glowed with amber magic, sealing him to it, binding him to the plane and his place.

“Let nothing sever you from your duty,” Grandmother said. “And when the day comes, may you Rule in my place.”

“All hail!” Pagomaris rushed forward, throwing herself prone to the floor. “Prince Haralthazar, Heir to Ruler, Second Seat, Demon Prince of the First Plane.”

 

***