Chapter 8: Vampires And Demons

Sebastian. I welcomed his mind's touch with a little smile.

Sydlynn. How I loved the velvety way the vampire king's power felt against mine even as I blushed and reminded myself as I always had to when I was around him that I was happily married to the man of my dreams. And yet, there was something alluring and delicious about the DeWinter blood clan leader that heated my insides with carnal thoughts.

Didn't help we'd shared a kiss or two once upon a time. Or that I'd once considered him a candidate for my husband.

I shook off the old lust as I realized he felt far closer than he would if he were in Europe. Where are you?

Doing a little digging. He showed me the view from his eyes, a circular stone chamber covered in carvings. I knew the place, had almost lost my life-and my son-there. The maji chamber under the vampire mansion on the outskirts of Wilding Springs.

His power hummed affirmative. Alison and I are testing a theory, he sent with his usual air of mystery. I was happy to know he and my old best friend were still hanging out together, though I'd never had the courage to ask them what their arrangement entailed. The fact Alison was now a ghost with the power of a vampire, thanks to a car accident and some magical intervention, couldn't make their relationship any easier. But she'd been altered by my power as much as Sebastian had. Not only could he now walk in sunlight without being burned and had a heartbeat, she could take and maintain tangible form. And the clearing of the near-insanity which controlled her echo-the part of her that stayed behind after her soul fled at her death-made her almost seem like the old Alison again, only better.

Way better.

Maybe you'd like to fill me in? I ran my hand over the end of my ponytail, thinking I must look a fright before making him an offer. Dinner's happening now if you want to join us.

We would be delighted, he sent. Alison's familiar feeling passed through Sebastian's magic, also in agreement. We shall see you presently.

I let him go and sighed softly into the quiet air of the basement. I would not run upstairs and brush out my hair or put on more mascara or change my clothes. So silly. Besides, I was thrilled for Alison. She earned happiness, if that was what she found, and all my old feelings for Sebastian were moot at this point, anyway.

Damned hormones.

Instead of dwelling on the imminent arrival of the vampire and his companion, I instead batted at the twitching magic of my demon as she harrumphed in my head. Grinning now, I reached into the veil and tore it open, my focus on my sister.

The gap opened easily, the soft breath of my demon grandmother washing over me as she said hello. Ahbi Sanghamitra had been part of the Demoniconian Node before, the teardrop shaped power cell holding all the planes of the demon realm together, but this time was different. When she'd died in my arms and her power inside me, she felt angry, overpowering and we waged an almost constant struggle. Her joining with the Node and leaving me only meant big problems for Meira when Dad abdicated and my sister took the First Seat. But with the fall of Demonicon and the building of the new Node-partially in thanks to Ahbi- my grandmother had mellowed quite a bit, as though all ego was lost to the making of the power cell. No matter the truth, I was just grateful she survived.

Meira and I might have been Hayles, but we had the added strength of our demon grandmother in us for good measure.

I smiled at my sister where she sat on a divan under a giant window. The view outside of Ostrogotho, the capital city, made me nostalgic. I really had to visit again soon. Meira's own grin was fast and bright, white teeth flashing against her dark red lips, glowing amber eyes sparkling beneath thick black lashes. Her curving horns caught the light as she ducked her head, long, black curls falling loose over one shoulder, brushing the cheek of the beaming demon girl in her arms.

"Auntie Syd!" Zuzameirhaylynn squealed my name. Though only two years old, she-like most demon children-was growing at a rapid rate, with the size and intelligence of a six year old.

I waved and blew her a kiss. "Hey, Zuze. Cuteness, you got bigger since the last time I saw you."

Her tiny nose scrunched, red tinted skin pinking on the tops of her round cheeks. "Of course," she said in a tone that reminded me so much of my daughter I laughed out loud.

Meira rolled her eyes at me. "Don't say it."

We shared a knowing smile.

"Ahbi said I could come visit." Zuza bounced on her mother's lap, clapping her hands together. "Can I come now?"

"Not tonight, cuteness," I said. "But soon. I know Ethie and Gabriel would love that."

She pouted, leaning her little head back on her mother's shoulder, but the temper tantrum I expected-thanks to my hotwired daughter's behavior-didn't come. "Okay," she said. "Soon, though, right?"

Someone stepped into the opening, sitting next to Meira a moment. Rameranselot waved at me, hands reaching for their daughter before I could respond.

"Nice to see you, Ram." Another old suitor, though one I knew would never work out. He made my sister happy, at least. I had a feeling all along he never felt for me nearly what he did for her.

"Syd." He pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek, then his daughter's. "I'll make sure Miss Busy Pants doesn't interrupt you further." I was almost sad when he swept upward, Zuza laughing in his arms, and left the gap, out of sight.

Meira's distant smile told me she watched them leave the room before focusing on me again. "Social call or end of the world, oh my swearword, we're about to die?"

I laughed, shook my head. "Ha freaking ha."

She grinned, winked, shrugged. Meira had become an amazing demon woman, the little girl I remembered from childhood long grown up, though she retained her sense of humor, at least. "So, which?"

"Not sure," I said. And asked her what it felt like I'd been asking a gazillion people all day. "Have you been feeling dull, out of it, bored lately?" And went on to explain Sassafras's worries.

Meira frowned slightly, but shook her head in return. "Nothing like that here," she said. "Want me to pop over and see if I can help?"

"It's fine." I stood up, stuck my hands in my jeans pockets. "Thanks anyway. I'm sure it's nothing."

Meira hesitated. "Just let me know, and I'm there."

"Why?" I raised one eyebrow, smirking. "Bored or something?"

She tsked at me before laughing. "Damn it," she said. "I wish something would happen." And gasped in a breath, both hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling.

It was a joke, we both knew it. But even while I grinned I tensed. Waited. Worried.

But the world didn't implode or fall apart and time kept ticking.

Meira's hands dropped and she winced. "Yeah, sorry," she said. "I'm happy with boring."

I let my sister go, turning slowly on the ball of one foot, staring at the floor as I worked it over in my mind. I hesitated on the last call I had to make, only because Erica Plower and I weren't really on good terms anymore. Not that she was my enemy or anything. Mom's former second in this very coven had taken her place as leader of the North American Witches Council. Since then, she and I had butted heads countless times over issues of law. In fact, I hadn't talked to her much in the last two years outside of official events, not since I defended Charlotte against Erica's orders to deport her and Sage back to Europe.

But, if anyone would have a bigger picture view of what was happening, it would be Erica. I might not have agreed with her way of doing business, always thought she was the worst choice possible for leader, but she was efficient, I'd give her that. And while I knew the Council only chose her because with Mom's retirement they insisted on another Hayle at the helm, it had to eat at Erica she was second best. Again.

Not my problem. I gathered my thoughts to reach out to her the same moment I felt two people cross the family wards and sighed in relief. I'd contact Erica later. I had paranormal guests to welcome.

Saved by the vampire.

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