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The ceiling of the barrow was a good thirty feet over our heads, while the walls enclosing us were granite on three sides. The fourth side opened into a huge ravine, and from below, I could hear the sound of water running. A stream or river wound through the bottom of the channel, but it was so deep and dim that I couldn’t see which. I wanted to go exploring but reined in my curiosity. Right now, we had more important things on the agenda.
Chase had just been released from the hospital. We were officially back together again. Though we hadn’t quite decided on the terms on which we were going to establish our relationship, we were determined to make it work. I sat there, his hand in mine, blessing the fact that he was alive.
I glanced around the room. I still hadn’t told anybody about meeting my sister yet, and I wasn’t entirely sure why. There was just something that kept me silent, some desire to keep the experience mine for as long as I could before I let anybody pick it apart and dissect it.
At that moment, a knock resounded from outside the barrow, and Smoky crossed to open the door. He stood back, bowing gracefully as the Elfin Queen—Queen Asteria—entered. She was followed by Trenyth, her assistant. I noticed Smoky staring outside, a look of surprise on his face. He said nothing, however, just shut the door and followed them back to the table.
After the round of introductions, everyone presented their news.
Venus went first. “Zachary will recover, but he’s out of the game for a while. His plans to run for councilman are on hold, so we’re pushing Nerissa to run in his place. I’ve marshaled the Elders and put my foot down. They agree to sponsor her, and they agree that it’s in our best interests to offer you whatever help the Puma Pride can give you. We’ve spoken to some of the other tribes who are going to sign the Supe Community Treaties. Within a month, we’ll form a militia. Let’s just say reading about the troll incident with Camille, and then Zachary being attacked by the R?ksasa spurred them into action. ”
Tim stood up. “I’ve almost completed all the programming for the database, and we’ll have an expansive phone tree printed out soon. This will go to the elders of every tribe participating, as well as to individual members who are heading the different committees. ”
Venus leaned forward. “Sounds good. What about privacy?”
Tim nodded. “I’ve managed to rig it to maintain a degree of privacy while still allowing us to reach everyone on the rolls within an hour, providing they’re near their phones. But the only people who will have access to the entire organization’s files will be the council, once it’s elected, and Camille, Menolly, Delilah, and me. ”
Camille nodded and turned to Lindsey. “What do you have for us?”
The newly pregnant—and thoroughly delighted—newcomer to our group gave everyone a timid smile. Lindsey had been so much help with Erin Mathews, and she was a well-known priestess among the FBH witches, so we’d decided to bring her into the fold. She’d been terrified when we told her about the demons, but she was more than willing to help.
“As you know, most human pagans and psychics are a scattered lot and not taken too seriously, but I’ve managed to convince several of the larger magical orders that there are dangerous energies around, and that you’re trying to help deflect these. We’re working together to seal areas of the city with protective runes. It’s too early to tell, but we should keep an eye on the crime rates in those areas. Several of the Fae you recommended we talk to are working with us to strengthen our own magic. Kind of scary, but we’re with you. ”
“Then it seems,” Menolly said, “that we’re building our allies. ”
“Good. Speaking of allies, we have much to discuss and little spare time, so if you will allow me to go next,” Queen Asteria said, “then I can return to Elqaneve before morning. ”
She glanced around the table, her gaze lingering on the three Earthside Fae Queens. “First, I have important news about the war in Y’Elestrial. Tanaquar’s forces have breached the city, and she’s claimed the crown. ”
My sisters and I let out a cheer, but Queen Asteria held up her hand. “Lethesanar is on the run, but she and her armies are murdering everyone in her path as she attempts her escape. The city is burning. She decided to raze it rather than hand it over to her sister. ”
My stomach lurched, and Camille blanched. Menolly stared at the Elfin Queen, her eyes dripping bloody tears. Our home, our beautiful home. Our family was missing, and now the city of our youth lay in ruins.
Camille let out a long breath. “At least Tanaquar has taken the city. If she can destroy Lethesanar, then perhaps Y’Elestrial can be rebuilt. ”
Queen Asteria nodded. “Yes, it’s very good news indeed. Though there has been so much destruction that it will take a long time before Y’Elestrial returns to its former glory. ”
“Will Tanaquar help us out, when she gets the city back to order?” Menolly leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Or are we still on our own?”
Queen Asteria let out a long sigh. “The death threat on your head has been rescinded, but the OIA will be a long time in reforming. Tanaquar made it quite clear she intends to overhaul the entire structure of the government. I’ve tried to impress upon her the gravity of the situation, but she is as strong-willed as her sister. And . . . there’s something else. Something that may present a problem in the future. ”
She paused and looked over at Camille. “My dear, I know you did as the Hags of Fate required, but the fact that you broke the spell holding Aeval in stasis is causing quite the concern, as is the fact that you now bear the horn of the Black Unicorn. I’ve kept both bits of news quiet, but somehow, rumors have filtered back to Otherworld. You and your sisters—but especially you—are fueling debates all through the cities there. ”
Camille flushed, looking so downcast that I wanted to wrap my arms around her and hug away the pain.
“Wonderful,” I said. “We’re over here busting our asses to protect our home, and we’re being singled out for controversy? Let them put their pussies on the line and see how quickly they talk. ”
Queen Asteria smiled at me. “Easy, child. While only the Elemental Lords and the great Sidhe lords who commenced the Great Divide can punish Camille for breaking their spell, there are magicians aplenty who wonder how to claim her powers for themselves. You must all be careful. The enemy is no longer just the foe you see in front of you. It might just be the friend you thought was backing you up. ”
“You see?” Aeval said, shaking her head. “This is the thanks you get from those who ran away. Stay here, you are part of our world, too. ”
“Hush!” Queen Asteria rose and glared at the Queen of Darkness. “Be silent. Quit making things worse. These are but tidings I bring. My main reason for coming is to discuss how we can make a concerted effort to help these girls in their fight against the demons. They seem destined to lead the army against the damned, so we must back them up. ”
Aeval let out a long sigh. “Oh very well. We’ll put aside petty grievances for now. I will speak for the Triple Threat. ” Here she gave us all a dark smile. It was my turn to blush.
“Come the summer solstice, we play host to the first gathering of Earthside Fae this world has seen in thousands of years. At that time, we will coronate the new Courts and establish our sovereign state. We will align ourselves with no one nation but will fight against any foe who might seek to harm this world. ”
Titania smoothed her hair and flashed a gracious smile around the room. “In return, we’ve claimed autonomy. We’ve purchased a parcel of land on which to establish our palace within this dimension, and it will host our sovereign state. While most of our work is done between the worlds, our land will be considered sanctuary for the Fae, and we will be choosing an ambassador to represent us to the world. ”
Everybody broke into conversation at once.
Titania rose, holding up her hand. “Our Fae militia will also be at your s
ervice, should you need it. We intend to host both magical and military brigades. Think of us as a Special Forces unit. The warriors will be connected to the FH-CSI, by the way. So, Detective Johnson, you may have reserves at hand sooner than you think. ”
The room grew silent as we digested all of this. My heart began to soar. Good news at last. One month, and we’d have allies. One month, and we’d have help to fall back on.
Queen Asteria broke into a smile then. “I have another tiding to add. As soon I can make arrangements, we will be sending over more of our people from Elqaneve to work in the medical unit here. I’ll also be assigning an ambassador to Earthside on a permanent basis. And so will Tanaquar. Meanwhile, she bade me to introduce you to her new chief advisor. ”
Why would Tanaquar want us to meet her advisor? Unless we were going to be reporting to him.
Trenyth glanced at the Queen. “May I have the honor, Your Majesty?”
“Of course,” she said, gracefully resuming her seat.
Trenyth turned to Camille, Menolly, and me, beaming. “After all the bad news I’ve brought you, it gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce you to the man who will be working alongside the new Court and Crown of Y’Elestrial. ”
Smoky silently walked over and opened the door.
A man stepped through, clad in the rich blue and gold of Y’Elestrial. As he pulled back the hood of his cape, Camille gave a little scream, and Menolly’s eyes widened. I rose, unable to believe what I was seeing. As my gaze fastened on the face of my father, I trembled and started to cry.
“Delilah—what is it—” Chase started to say as I broke away and raced across the room. All three of us converged on him, though Menolly hung back, waiting. He caught Camille and me in his arms, looking weary and tired but alive. His hair was tied back in the raven-blue braid he always wore it in, and his smooth cheeks gleamed with tears.
“My girls. My girls. Oh how I’ve worried . . . ”
I buried my face on his shoulder, never wanting to let go. Father was here. Father was alive and safe, and everything was going to be all right.
After a moment, he let go and stepped forward, staring at Menolly. Bloody tears stained her face as they trickled from her eyes. Our father—Sephreh ob Tanu—had always hated vampires. In fact, he despised them. When we parted, his relationship with Menolly had been strained. He wanted to love her, but we’d all seen the struggle in his face.
But now he hung his head and held out his arms.
“Please forgive me, my child. Forgive me for everything. I was wrong. You are my daughter, through life and death and life again. And I beg you to forgive me. I love you. I accept you as you are, fangs and all. ”
As he waited, Menolly glanced over at me, looking ready to panic. I could see the hope and disbelief warring in her eyes. And then Roz stood up and pushed her forward. Just enough so that she stumbled into Father’s arms. As they stood there, embracing, it occurred to me that bleak as the future was, at last we were finding our way. Forging allies. Laying plans.
I glanced at Chase. The odds were against us, all right. But with help, maybe we had a chance, after all.
Camille, Menolly, and I sat by the edge of Birchwater Pond. Dawn was an hour off, and we still had a little while before Menolly had to retreat for the day. Iris and Maggie were snuggled asleep, and Father was sleeping in the parlor.
“We’re outgrowing the house,” Camille said. “Morio and Trillian can stay with me, but I think we need to build a studio or something on the land. Roz, Shamas, and Vanzir can sleep there when they need to. Sort of like a stable. ” She smiled softly, staring at the water as it rippled under the fading stars.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Menolly said. “Did Queen Asteria have anything to say about Trillian?”
Camille shook her head. “No, and I didn’t ask. I’m not supposed to know about his secret mission, but now that Father’s safe, we should be hearing from him soon. I only hope that he can adjust to all the changes. ” She let out a long sigh, looking a little nervous. “I guess we start searching for the fifth seal now. At least Father’s safe. ”
Our father had been captured by a party of the Goldensün, or the golden Fae as they were often known. With gilded skin and jet eyes, they were xenophobic and lived high in the mountains. They’d imprisoned him when he accidentally stumbled into their lair. They hadn’t harmed him, but it had taken him a while to escape. The information he managed to deliver to Queen Asteria had turned the tide in the war and allowed Tanaquar to route Lethesanar. Our father was a hero. And he’d always been one in our eyes.
“Whatever happened to Fraale?” I asked. “I lost track of her during the fight. ”
“She returned to Otherworld. Roz says they can’t be around each other without arguing. She still loves him. He doesn’t think they can make it. ”
“Maybe he should give it a try,” I whispered softly. And then, under the stars shining so brilliantly, and the moon deep in her dark cups, I knew it was time. “I met my twin sister. ” And I told them about her, about the fight. “She didn’t give me her name, though. I’ll ask Father. He’ll have to be straight with me about what happened. ”
“So we had a fourth sister,” Menolly said. “It feels odd to think about. ”
“What are you going to do about Chase?” Camille asked, after a moment.
“We’ve decided to give it a try. We aren’t promising exclusivity, not right now. But Chase asked me about something and I didn’t know what to say. ”
“What is it?” Menolly gazed at me.