Chapter Thirty

 

Shaylee's keening echoed in my head as I was pulled to the ground and pinned under countless bodies. I fought them, screaming in answer to my Sidhe's cries, my vampire pushing them away over and over as the clan rushed in and struck me countless blows.

“Stop fighting.” Batsheva's laughter followed her order as my body went limp and unmoving though my mind still tried to move my limbs. Even my vampire was still, Shaylee's crying now, soft sobs, her power reaching out to support me though she knew the same thing I did.

We were going to die and there wasn't anything we could do to stop it.

“Strip her clothing.” Claws tore at my dress in response, slashing great rents in the fabric, pulling it free, exposed to the night air where I lay, shivering but motionless, looking up at the clear crystal stars while my brain spun in circles of panic.

But my heart... my heart was quiet. Still. Calm. And, as Batsheva bent over me, her long hair falling to brush my bare shoulder, I felt my mind retreat to huddle like a silent, terrified child and await our fate.

Immortal, yes. Invincible?

Well, I was about to find out.

“Feed.”

They leaped on me, their fangs puncturing my skin, countless pinpricks of pain, some tearing the flesh as their cold lips locked on me and drew the blood from my body. Tears welled in my eyes, blurring the sky above, trickling slowly down the sides of my face and into my hair as I felt my life leaving me, the world drawing out, further, elongating as my heartbeat slowed.

Slowed.

Slowed.

I blinked once, sight dim, only vaguely aware now, though I heard her voice.

“Enough.”

The pain was gone. I floated, almost happy. My vampire reached for me as Shaylee sighed softly and fell asleep, my family magic coiling around me before it, too, faded.

I'm sorry. I grasped the essence with the strength I had left, feeling her wind around me.

As am I. Believe I won't go willingly. And that I love you, Sydlynn Hayle.

Love you too.

Batsheva's face blocked my view, darkness closing in around the edges. Even crying was an effort now. She laughed, the sound bouncing around in my head, reverberating as I faded farther away.

I felt her fangs though my body was cold. But only because she drew my vampire away, drinking what remained of my blood and, through it, the essence.

So. Hard. Clinging... feeling her slip away from me. Feeling me slip... away from me.

My heart beat.

Slowing.

Slowing…

A flutter of magic, a rush of power short lived as the last of the powder burned away, leaving me free.

Remember, Ameline whispered in my mind, you owe me for this.

A jolt of magic where once I was drained, enough to wake my demon, screaming, just the right amount she needed to tear at the veil. Batsheva shrieked at me to stop, but there was little of her blood left in me. No hold. I was free.

The veil was cold and soft and welcoming as I fell inside and into the darkness forever.

 

***

 

flash

flicker

spark

silence

black

quiet

nothing

Nothing.

***

Something?

I'm floating. Weightless. There is pain, but only peripheral, as though it's someone else's and I'm holding onto it for them.

But no. This is what it feels like to die.

I think I should be sad about it, but it's hard to feel anything. The world is a dull, soft place without edges and as I float, the pain fades too, leaving me alone.

Alone. As I always knew I'd be in the end.

That wakes something in me. I might be crying, but it hardly matters. No feeling sorry for myself in death. Won't do me any good.

You cannot die, Sydlynn Hayle.

I know her, the voice. The wavering image I can almost see clearly.

Iepa. Her name is an effort.

You are of the Undying, dear one. And you must survive.

She should have mentioned that to the vampires. Before they drained me.

Why are you haunting me? She needs to leave. There will be a light or something soon, I hope. To show me where to go.

You are still in the veil, she says. And you are very much alive. Pause. Well, alive.

I find myself snorting laughter, though I don't have the strength to make any sound.

Use the center of your power, the magic that has been with you your entire life. She prods me, lets me feel what I'd forgotten.

The blood of the maji. Pure creation energy.

Rise, my child, she says. Rise and heal and end this strife. You have much more work to do before you rest.

It's there, pulsing deep within. Patient, waiting for me to reach out and touch it—

My demon wakes, trills a call of weariness and agony. Shaylee breathes a sigh. My family magic stirs, trembles.

My vampire... is gone. But not completely. Residue remains, enough I weep for her and her loss. Enough to remind me, to make me hope. Even if it's just a little.

Very good, Iepa says. Now. Before it is too late.

Maji power winds through demon and witch and Sidhe and the barest breath of vampire, while in my pores, the hum of another power stirs. Cold. Colder than the vampire essence, hungry and yearning for something to devour.

My soul? Maybe. But for now, I use it for my purpose and hope it is enough.

The veil tears, a whisper of a gap, enough I can feel the real world on the other side.

Help. So tiny that cry. So pathetic. Help. Is that the best you can do, Hayle? Help, please. No one is listening. No one will help you. Just give up.

Just quit already.

Syd? I know that voice, too, feel her reach for me while I sob in relief and the veil parts and I am falling, falling into Trill's arms while Iepa whispers in my mind.

Be well, my child.

 

***