Our war meeting finished, the others leave Syd and I alone for a moment, though by design or accident, I’m uncertain. My limbs tremble as she closes the distance between us, her face crumpling into hurt before she hugs me in fierce need.
Someone informed her of my captivity, that much is obvious. She doesn’t whisper an apology or blame herself, but I know both run through her to the bottom of her soul. The Dumonts are witches, after all. But I can’t allow her to shoulder a burden that’s not hers.
“I’m here,” I say softly in her ear, only for her hearing though the others have retreated far enough, backs to us, I know they can’t discern my words. “And I’m safe.” My arms tighten reflexively around her as she nods against my shoulder. “As for the rest, it will resolve itself someday, when the ones who hurt me have suffered sufficiently.”
Syd leans back, wipes at tears on her cheeks with the shoulder of her t-shirt, blue eyes sad. “Can I watch?”
I laugh, without pain or sorrow behind it, just for the joy of being with her. Our bond might be gone, but I will always feel better when I’m at her side.
“It will be messy,” I say, “and involve screaming.”
She shrugs, hands diving into her pockets. “Earplugs are cheap,” she says. “And I’ll stand back.”
We grin at each other, a pair of crazy women, but I know her offer is real and I love her for it.
“I understand if you have to go again,” I say. “The safety of the veil comes first.”
She shakes her head, brow furrowed. “Not this time,” she says. “Max and his crew can handle the mop up. I would never have gone if I’d known you’d been kidnapped.” There’s her guilt again, shining in her face. Her hands twitch in her pockets. “I should have stayed and made sure you were safe. But Femke assured me she’d keep you from attacking until I got back.” Her blue eyes fill with tears. “I didn’t meant to be gone so long, but time in there,” she jerks her thumb over her shoulder, referring to the veil, “goes by so differently than out here.”
I touch her cheek with my fingertips, brushing back a strand of her hair won free from her ponytail. “You did exactly as you needed,” I say, “and all is well.”
Her lips twist in protest, but she sighs and nods. “What happened?”
“Do you really want to know?” I won’t tell her, regardless. She carries enough with her already and I am strong enough to endure.
Grim, she reaches for me, fingers tight on my wrist. “I really do.”
I manage a smile, tight and angry, but not at her. “It doesn’t matter now,” I say. “Femke has ensured the Dumonts will never set foot in Europe again. And though I hold out little hope for her support, perhaps Erica will deal harshly with them for their involvement in this mess.”
Syd’s eye roll and wry snort mirror my own feelings. “Likely,” she says. “The day Erica actually does something useful is the day the Universe comes to an end.” She winces at her reference, makes a little sign with one hand in rainbow light. “Knock on elements.” Her eyes tighten, a few tiny lines showing, the crease between her brows so much like her mother’s I almost smell lilacs. “You’re more patient than I am. I’d have just killed them and been done with it.”
We both know she’s lying. Syd avoids such ends at all costs, even more now she’d been the deliverer of Ameline Benoit’s death. The girl deserved it, and I am still proud of Syd for doing what she had to, to protect her family and the Universe. But she is mostly bluster and temper, though I’m not complaining.
“Forgive the intrusion.” We both turn at the sound of Piers’s voice, though I felt his approach moments before he spoke. “I’m about to contact my mother and was wondering if the two of you would like in on the conversation?”
Syd links arms with me. “Wouldn’t miss it,” she says.
I hesitate to speak, though we follow Piers to where Sunny and Frank await with the rest of our friends. Only then do I notice Alison, Sebastian’s shadow and Syd’s former best friend turned ghost turned who knew what, hovering on the periphery. She still held herself apart from the rest of us, despite all the years that have passed. I gesture for her to join us and see the surprise in her eyes, the gratitude, before she slips ahead and stands at Sebastian’s side.
“Why have we decided to include the Steam Union?” The last we talked, I assumed we were leaving them out of it.
Piers shrugs. “Even with such powerhouses as Ethpeal and Demetrius,” he bows to them while they grin back, “there are only three of us. We have no idea how many friends Rupe has brought with him.”
“If any,” I say.
My father shakes his head. “There are a number of sorcerers at the palace,” he says. “Young and inexperienced from what I can tell, but they follow Rupe’s orders.”
Syd releases me, turns to face me. “It’s up to you,” she says. “I can back up Piers if you want to keep Eva in the dark.”
They wait for me to answer while I turn it over in my mind. When I finally nod to Piers, he looks relieved.
“Very well,” I say. “But she must agree to the same terms as the rest of us.” I gesture at Femke. “If she won’t accept the leadership of the Council, she’s not invited.”
“Agreed,” Femke says, face stormy. I know she won’t take "no" for an answer.
Piers’s black power pools at his feet and, within a moment, a gaping tunnel of darkness opens behind him. I hold myself still as Eva and a string of her sorcerers enter the throne room at Wilhelm. She looks angry, frustrated, but not aimed outward, so I can only hope she agrees to our terms.
“Eva.” Femke steps forward, face cold. “You’re late to the party.”
“Maybe if I knew there was one,” Piers’s mother answers, equally as chill. “My invitation seems to have been waylaid.” She meets my eyes a moment, drifts her gaze past me as though I’m unimportant, settles on Syd. My jaw jumps in anger. Considering I’d shown her a measure of kindness not so long ago, her attitude rubs me the wrong way.
“Oh, do get over yourself, Mother.” Piers’s taunt tightens the skin around his mother’s eyes. “You’re here now, aren’t you?”
“We have confirmation the rogue sorcerer Rupe and some of his companions are right now in residence at the werewolf palace in Ukraine.” Femke holds up one hand as Eva tries to speak. “The Council has agreed to a coalition force to approach the usurper wereking and demand the surrender of the sorcerers and the Californian pack we believe were created and not born.” Eva doesn’t try to interrupt this time, just listens. “My Enforcers, along with a force of Wilhelm and DeWinter vampires,” both rulers nod their agreement, “choose to stand with the true heir to the throne.” Femke’s cloak rustles at her feet as she straightens her shoulders. “We would have the Steam Union join our coalition and stand with us.”
Eva’s frown eases slightly, though she still smells cautious. “Under your command, I assume?”
Femke nods. “That is the requirement of the Council,” she says. “We do not wish to tread on the toes of autonomous magic races, but it has long been known by all if we are forced to do so, we will not hesitate.” Considering how many more witches there were than the rest of us combined, I knew Femke had the power to follow through if she had to. Mind you, she and her Enforcers would be no match for the Steam Union, no matter their small numbers, sorcery able to counter any magic. And yet, I wouldn’t put it past Femke to have developed her own sorcerers to counter such a threat.
Eva shrugs at last, resistance gone, though I can sense a taut anger in her still as she replies. “Very well,” she says. “The Steam Union welcomes the opportunity to work with other races to our mutual benefit.”
Femke nods, turns in a crisp half circle outward. A tall, handsome witch in a black robe bows to her.
“Albert,” she says, “it’s time. Assemble our Enforcer legion and escort the werearmy to the gates of the palace.”
“Yes, Council Leader,” he says, vanishing in a flash of blue fire.
“I go.” Femke comes to my side, hugs me. “I’ll see you shortly.”
I let her leave without comment as a small group of vampires flicker into shadow and vanish. Sunny remains behind, Frank leading her forces. Sebastian bows over my hand, kissing the back of it, blue eyes mysterious.
“All will be well, Your Highness,” he says.
“With your help, I can’t believe otherwise,” I say.
He winks and leaves me, Alison taking his place. I’m surprised by her sudden bravery, but she hugs me anyway.
Eva Southway has her own agenda, Alison’s mental voice reaches me, cold and distant, but clear.
I have no doubt, I send back. But thank you for the warning.
Alison curtsies a little before leaving with Sebastian.
Ethpeal and Demetrius join us as Piers leaves with his mother. Her glare at Syd’s grandmother and her husband aren’t lost on me. When the Southways and their people are gone, I grip Ethpeal’s hand in my own.
“She resents you,” I say.
The former Enforcer and coven leader snorts. “There’s a shocker,” she says, sounding so much like her granddaughter we all laugh.
“Have no fear,” Demetrius says, loving eyes on his wife. “I’m far more clever than Eva will ever be. Nothing will happen to harm my girl.”
Ethpeal pats his cheek, but she’s blushing. “Silly man,” she says. “I can take care of myself.”
I know better than to worry about them, I suppose. But they are family, so I can’t help it.
“We have a plan to rescue your grandfather,” Ethpeal says. She exchanges a look with her husband who nods to her. “It’s risky, but we’re pretty sure we can break through Rupe’s defenses long enough to reach Oleksander.”
I hesitate, heart aching. “And Sage?”
Demetrius’s bright blue eyes are sad as he shakes his head. “It’s one or the other, I’m afraid.”
I squeeze Syd’s hand. “Then we go in and save them both by force.”
Syd lets out a big gust of air, beaming a smile. “Shall we join the army?”
I grin back at her. “Nice to be on the other side for once, isn’t it?”
She laughs. “Tell me about it.”
***