All of her stolen power rushed at me, slamming into me, Gram butting up against the family magic, her Sidhe soul, Lady Rionach, scrunching in next to Shaylee. The taint tried to shoulder aside my vampire essence while the male demon's power growled and snapped at mine even as Cian danced unhappily around the two female Sidhe. The remains of the Brotherhood magic was the only one to go quietly, absorbing into mine, though I could feel the separation remained.Shud. Der.I almost missed Ameline's echo rising as I fought to control the magicks suddenly taking up residence inside me like they planned to stay awhile. Unlike the broken and bloody mass at my feet, her echo was as perfect and beautiful as she'd ever been. And, from the snarling hate on her face, just as evil.I stood quickly, still fighting for control, only to have someone grab my shoulder. Turn me around.Press a warm and wriggling body into my arms as Alison dropped Gabriel on me.Her blue eyes met mine, now solid and

The maji chamber said goodbye as I left, not through the veil, but on foot.I just had to see what kind of disaster my friends had wreaked.And yes, I was expecting a mess, especially knowing it took the power of the drach to keep the house from falling in. Was leaving a particularly gory disaster behind myself, one I'd get around to cleaning up eventually.Eventually.Even though I had a picture in my mind of what the destruction would look like, I still winced at the giant chunks of rock littering the round room above, the blackened holes in the walls and groaning, fallen sorcerers and dark maji who struggled to rise as I exited into the corridor, my son in my arms."I take it I don't have to warn you lot not to get into any trouble," I said. "Or try to leave." Flaring blue magic erupted above ground, the touch of Enforcers arriving in droves, probably thanks to Mom after our little tête-à-tête during my near fail with Ameline.The cavalry were more than welcome to mop up the d

I'd sat here before, on a bench in the Council chamber, watching a trial unfold before me, Shenka at my side. But this one was far different. I had no regrets, no old grief-at least not for the creature about to stand before my mother.Any sorrow I felt around Celeste Oberman centered on the Hayle family members she'd killed. Martin and Louisa Vega, the darling couple who loved and cared about me when there were times no one else in the coven seemed to. Sandra Crossman, leaving her husband, James, alone to raise their daughter.Old wounds long since healed over, but never, ever forgotten.Worse, Gabriel wasn't with me. Antsy pants wriggled my butt in my velvet skirt as I fidgeted and held him tight with my magic while he laughed at something and ignored me.My own son, a traitor.Sigh.Shenka squeezed my hand, smiled a little. "He's fine," she said."I know," I whispered back. Not needing to. We weren't the only ones chattering. The gathering for Mia's burning-it seemed so long

I glared at my reflection in the mirror. "I'm not going.""You are." Sassafras growled softly at me before sighing heavily. "And so am I, remember?""They're not going to make you wear a ridiculous outfit and parade around like you're their property." More glaring.I. Was. Not. Going.Sass hopped down from the bed and waddled to my side, tail quivering. "You can't let Meira down," he said, leaping into my lap. I stroked his fur absently. "It would be a terrible thing for her to have to sit through Harry's marriage alone.""So maybe he shouldn't get married." Whiny much? But there was the crux, wasn't it?Today was my father's wedding day.And the last place I wanted to be was Demonicon. In fact, a hole somewhere deep and far away would have been preferable. Anything other than having to endure my father marrying a demon.That would be the end for Mom and Dad. The real end. And I didn't think I could handle it."Harry has made his choice," Sassafras said, meeting my eyes in the

Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair."Comfy," she said. Winked.Oh. My. Swearword.Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you.""You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only fourteen with that evil grin, hands rubbing together in expectation. "I'm going to do some housecleaning first. Then the real fun will start."I shook my head, giggling. "Just leave a few of the planes standing."She shrugged, inspected her nails. "We'll see.""I take it the Node is fine?" It felt fine, Demonicon still intact at least."It was in balance long before Ahbi took up residence," Meira said. "She was only just hitchhiking anyway."I looked up at Dad who sighed deeply, lines of anxiety leaving his face."You're cra