Talk about a shock to the system. I gaped at the well-dressed and impeccably groomed man standing before me with a sweet smile on his cherub face. Though his hair was still white and softly curling, Demetrius's scar was gone, skin flawless. He looked at least twenty years younger, more Mom's age than the beaten, broken nutpot I'd known.This Demetrius appeared much more like when we'd first met. Back when he was leader of the Chosen of the Light, the sect of fanatical magic users intent on destroying all those they deemed unworthy and unclean. Not his fault, I knew now, as much as I'd hated him then. Shattered and reassembled by Liander Belaisle, Demetrius's prior life had been as a Steam Union sorcerer.A story I still didn't have the full text of yet. But hoped to one day. Because I knew it involved Gram somehow.For now, it was wonderful to see him in his pale gray suit coat, clean white t-shirt beneath, dark jeans. He looked like a really cool college professor or internet mogul

Amazing how such little fingers and toes could hold endless fascination. Perfectly formed. Tiny replicas of my own, miniature flawlessness in a sweet bundle I wanted to hold forever.His tiny button nose wrinkled in sleep, bow lips working as he sucked his tongue. Gabriel's scent evolved past his father's into summer and freshness with a hint of the most delicious vanilla, his little body warm in my arms. I feared I'd lose the ability to physically feel that part of him, my temperature sensation curtailed by my power. But though my maji magic kicked in after his birth, returning me to my normal lack of sensation to heat and cold, something about Gabriel made things different. I could sense a change from moment to moment as his body adjusted. Warming in sleep, cooling a little as he woke, rising again when he fed.But it was the warmth of his power and his darling little soul that made me want to hug him and never let him go.I was forced to release him, set him down from time to tim

So much for diving into action. I arrived home from the Sidhe cavern to an anxious Mom and Shenka. Ever eager, Gram took Gabriel from me, fighting Charlotte for the chance to snuggle him. Sassafras's clear irritation at my departure lulled me back into keeping my family happy. I allowed myself to settle into that same pattern of care and love for my son.I did have a moment of intense fear jolt me from sleep only a few nights later, a nightmare reminding me of Fate's words to me:"You have so much more to do, Syd. I wish I could lay the burden on another, but you were made for this."Which meant, among other things, I wasn't done, was I? Fate had so much more in store for me.And, one day, I would outlive my son.Couldn't go there. Think that way. Lurched from bed and snuggled Gabriel close while he woke and cooed to me as though in comfort.Met Sassafras's glowing eyes in the dark where he slept in my son's crib.Sobbed.The demon cat sighed, rose, came to me. Set both front p

I missed Charlotte's steady presence when she returned home at Oleksander's insistence. It was selfish of me to want her around all the time, to want everyone around. I wasn't, it turned out, the Center Of The Universe.When did that happen?I never expected to settle into a quiet life as a mom and love it. But Gabriel made everything so much better, simpler. Distracted me from the old angers and sorrows enough I fell into a kind of Mommy haze.So when I felt spirit power enter the back yard followed by the familiar touch of Sunny's magic, I shook myself free of my stupor and greeted her at the door with a big smile and a giggling baby in my arms.She swooped forward, a joyful cry on her lips, and lifted him from my grasp, swinging Gabriel around as he laughed, the sound so fresh and sweet I had to swallow the lump rising in my throat.I made him. Imagine.Sunny came to a halt, tucking my son against her, kissing his forehead while he ran his little fingers through her blonde hai

I hated to give her hope, but felt it rise like a flare of flame, her fingers trembling in my grasp. "You have a cure?"I couldn't help but turn and look at Sebastian who nodded to me before bowing to his former queen.Pannera coughed again, softer this time. "My darling Sebastian," she said. "How I've missed you."He came to her side at once, kneeling next to me, face so sad I wanted to hug him. "Sweet Pannera," he whispered. "Let Sydlynn help you."Her gray eyes went from his face to mine. "Tell me what you have in mind."Sebastian's power flared, engulfed her and Pannera gasped. "You know I've changed," he said. "But I'm certain you have no idea just how much."The Sthol vampires sighed as one as they felt his life, heard his heartbeat. I held my breath as the sound of it, amplified by his magic, thudded against the stone walls before he let it fall silent.Pannera's eyes flared with spirit power. "You can do this thing?""I can try," I said, suddenly afraid. What if I faile