The Outcast Read online

  Our son finally nodded and gestured again. The gate closed as he slumped forward, dejected.

  I had to do something. The poor sweets was crushed. “That was amazing,” I said. Gabriel perked, smiled tentatively. “But I need you to promise me something.”

  His smile faltered and he sighed. “Don’t do it anymore,” he said.

  “No, baby.” I touched his cheek with my fingertips. “Now that I know you’re experimenting, we can’t close that door. You’ll be making many, many more gates in the next little while.” His face lit up again. “So many, you’ll be sick of it by the time we’re done.”

  His expression told me he thought I was looney. “Okay, Mom.”

  “But.”

  He hovered, intent and waiting for the “but” to be described.

  “From now on,” I said, “you can only do this with supervision.” Ethie’s mouth flew open and I glared at her, pointing an index finger. “You, little miss,” I poked her belly, making her giggle, “do not count as a supervisor.” I broke out into a sudden cold sweat thinking of the trouble these two could have gotten themselves into. But they were here and safe and as far as I knew nothing horrible had happened.

  As far as I knew.

  Dear elements.

  Yet.

  “Okay, Mom.” Gabriel offered his hand and I shook it, Quaid repeating the gesture. “Deal.”

  Crisis averted. For now. I hoped.

  All I could think of as our son lunged forward and hugged me was how Mom would laugh her head off when she found out. Not because of Gabriel’s ability being free, no sirree. Because I’m sure she figured out long ago something I was only realizing.

  I thought I only had one of me to raise. Turned out I had two.

  ***

  Chapter Five

  Sassafras leaped from the bed and waddled his way out the door, Ethie chattering at him with one hand wrapped around the end of his tail like a leash. Gabriel kissed us both and followed his sister, leaving Galleytrot behind to take up the rear.

  The huge dog didn’t move as the kids left, instead lifting his great head to me with a mournful expression.

  “Syd,” he said in his rumbling voice like a spring thunderstorm. “I’m sorry. I have no idea how they managed to sneak this around me.”

  “Not your fault,” I said, slipping out of bed and heading for the bathroom and a badly needed shower. “Ethie is a mistress of deception.” I really had to learn to watch that girl more closely. “And if she doesn’t want you to know something, she’ll find a way to hide it.” It took me almost six months to find the baby squirrel she was nursing back to health, hidden carefully in her walk-in closet and masked with magic. She cried when I made her turn the tiny creature loose, but it still came to visit her more than a year later and I had a feeling she made sure her power would always protect it.

  Determination and stubbornness wrapped in a heart of gold? I’d take it.

  Galleytrot slumped from the room, head down and I knew no matter what I said he’d blame himself. We were a great bunch for guilt.

  Quaid joined me in the big shower, though gritted his teeth and dodged the superheated water for a minute while I grinned at him and scrubbed, oblivious. Though, honestly, I missed the feeling of intense temperature, especially in the shower, a former hot water addict. By the time he was able to tolerate the warmth, I was done and out, snapping his bare butt with the end of my towel while he wiggled it at me.

  So. Freaking. Tempting.

  Instead of giving in, stomach rumbling and begging for breakfast, I brushed out my long, dark hair. No question I was a Hayle any more than Ethie. I was looking more and more like my mother every day, a faint line forming between my brows from frowning too much. I checked myself out, just in case. After all, if I had to live forever, I didn’t want a body that looked the part.

  While I ran one hand down the side of my face, I had a troubling thought, staring into my own blue eyes in the mirror. “Quaid.”

  “Yeah, babe.” Soap lathered over his waist, trailing down his muscular legs on the other side of the steamy glass wall. But the worry in my heart just now didn’t allow me to appreciate the view.

  “You don’t think Gabriel messing with his power has made things worse?” That would kill me, it really would. All this fighting Max and I were doing to eliminate the creatures of the Dark Universe. What if my son’s antics, driven by the encouragement of his precocious sister, were allowing monsters to cross?

  “I doubt it.” His voice came muffled as he soaped his face. “You said there were no new rifts, not since Demonicon, right?”

  “Not that we know of.” But Max would have told me, wouldn’t he? I bound my hair back into a damp ponytail, some of the tension easing as Quaid went on.

  “Is Max concerned about new rifts?” He met my eyes through the glass, wiping at the condensation to see me better.

  I shook my head. “No,” I said, tightening my towel around me. “He seems to think we’re just finding new batches of critters because they are scattered all over the Universe.”

  Quaid turned off the water and stepped out, taking the towel I handed him and rubbing it firmly over his skin. “Then trust Max,” he said.

  I know. “But, what if—”

  Quaid leaned in and kissed me, soft and lingering. He smelled delicious, like soap and chocolate and spices. “If,” he said. “We deal with it. Like we always do.”

  He was absolutely right. I hugged him, fierce and full of love. “Okay.”

  “Besides,” Quaid said. “Maybe it’s time to find out what Gabriel’s power can do. He’s seven, now.”

  “But.” I bit my lip, pressing my forehead to his smooth chest. “He’s so young and innocent, Quaid.”

  My husband laughed softly, a deep, warm sound. “He is,” he said. “He’s his father’s son.” I looked up, saw the sadness in Quaid’s face, but he waved it off. “I knew this day was coming. And I’m glad he knows, now. But Gabriel isn’t just Liam, Syd. He has your strength, something Liam never had.”

  I wanted to protest. Liam was an oak tree, his power running deep. But I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Not only because the love of my life was looking down at me, but because I knew he was right. And I was grateful for it.

  Smells of breakfast lured us both downstairs. Quaid held my hand, our arms swinging between us like we were a couple of kids and when he turned his face to me just a little, I spotted the tiny smile on his lips. And caught my breath. Everything about him made me happy, filled me with joy and excitement, even after seven years. I stopped him at the bottom of the stairs and wound my arms around his neck.

  My nose touched his. “I love you,” I whispered over his mouth. “So much.”

  His lips brushed mine, a tiny spark of power jumping between us. His magic was strong, almost hot, and always made me tingle.

  “Sydlynn Hayle,” he whispered back. “I love you, too.”

  Smiling and fuzzy with all kinds of happy, I accepted his offer as he turned around and presented his back to me. Giggling, unable to contain it, I took the piggy back ride into the kitchen.

  And blushed, slipping to the floor at the sight of our two visitors. Charlotte arched an eyebrow, though she was clearly amused. My former werewolf bodyguard looked away, but not before I caught the laughter in her blue eyes. Her husband, Sage, grinned openly, one hand in his jeans pocket, the other lifting to wave a welcome.

  I went to them, kissed my martial arts teacher on the cheek before hugging Charlotte tight. Her werewolf magic embraced me fully as did her arms. It was only then I noticed my daughter clutching at Charlotte’s leg, bouncing on her toes, Gabriel watching from a few feet away.

  I released the blonde werewoman and stepped back just in time to avoid being shoved aside by my daughter. It was clear she’d already been in Charlotte’s arms, but my friend didn’t hesitate to lift the girl up and carry her to the table, sitting with my daughter in her lap while Gabriel took Sage’s hand and lead him to sit b
eside them.

  “Mom,” Ethie said with authority. “Auntie Charlotte and Uncle Sage came for breakfast.”

  Charlotte booped her nose. “And we’re starving.” Her last word ended in a growl as she dove forward and blew raspberries against Ethie’s cheek. My daughter squealed her delight while Charlotte pulled away and met my eyes. “Have any delicious children I can eat?”

  Ethie’s shrieks of laughter filled the room as I turned to Shenka in time to take two plates full of pancakes. She winked and smiled at me, my sweet and caring second, and I felt a surge of gratitude she was here, taking care of all of us. I couldn’t do her job.

  I was just turning back with the hot pancakes steaming in my hands when the door opened and Ethie’s cries changed. She leaped from Charlotte’s lap, abandoning her like last week’s news, with an ear splitting, “Nana!” before hurtling herself at my mother.

  Mom smiled at me as she lifted my daughter into her arms, kissing the girl soundly. Ethie wriggled until Mom handed her over to Dad, grinning like a fool behind her. He bounced Ethie a few times, swinging her around and making her laugh until she was breathless. Mom came to me, a kiss for me as well, another for Quaid and finally for Shenka before she bent over Charlotte and Sage with more of the same. Gabriel shyly giggled as Mom stroked his hair and hugged him close.

  I stood there in the middle of the kitchen, steaming pancakes and fresh-brewed coffee filling the room with their heavenly scents, light pouring in through the windows over the happy, chattering, loving people sharing hugs and kisses all around. In that moment, I was almost overcome with emotion, eyes burning with tears that I got to live like this, this life, with the most amazing family ever. My handsome parents doted on my kids, the retired Hayle coven and North American Witches Council Leader and former Ruler of Demonicon bought the house next door when our neighbors unexpectedly moved. Though Wilding Springs was so steeped in magic thanks to the Sidhe Gate that permeated the area with “it’s all fine” power, normals still had trouble with us from time to time. And considering the light show and issues we had the night the Enforcers came for Charlotte and Sage when they were trying to prove his innocence, I wasn’t surprised in the end the Harrisons finally moved.

  In fact, most of the neighborhood was coven owned, now. When we first came here—could I have been sixteen, really?—the place was crowded with normals. But, over the years, we managed to buy up all the homes vacated by bewildered but clueless normals who knew something had to be wrong, but couldn’t put their fingers on it.

  It was so wonderful to have Mom and Dad next door, at least this time of year. The pair were still teaching at Harvard, Mom in magic theory, Dad in fire element. Summer was a blessing and the kids adored having them home full time.

  Plates rattled as Shenka served more pancakes, driving me forward, out of my thoughts, to deliver mine to Mom and Dad. Within minutes we were all seated, sharing maple syrup and butter, the coffee flowing freely along with tall glasses of milk for the kids and a bowl for Sassafras, fresh ground beef for Galleytrot and hot toast to top off our pancakes.

  As I sat there, I listened to them talk. The squeaking but demanding voice of my daughter, the way Charlotte handled her expertly. How my son’s quiet words were a perfect counterpoint, the way Sass’s purr as he licked up his bowl of milk added a soft echo under the conversation. The rumbling groan of the big hound as he settled, content, at the threshold to the kitchen door. I felt the warmth and love of my family hug me as surely as their arms.

  Quaid was right. I was so used to conflict—still honed by my work with Max and the drach—the moment anyone suggested there might be a problem I freaked out. Sass’s warning aside, Gabriel’s experimentation, too, everything seemed quiet and peaceful. And moments like this I was happy for it, no matter it would drive me crazy with nothing to do.

  It might be nice to let them know, my vampire sent.

  Agreed, Shaylee sent, teary again. I really blamed her for my overly emotional state.

  Gives us something to come home to, my demon sent.

  Sure did.

  “Thank you,” I said before I knew I was going to say something out loud, despite my vampire’s suggestion. Everyone fell quiet, watching me with smiles and gentle expressions. “I don’t tell you enough how much I adore all of you. How much you mean to me.” Damn these tears. I swiped at them and grinned. “This is how things are supposed to be, right? For a normal family?” The part of me that longed for normal was so far gone I barely remembered her. But Mom got the joke.

  She laughed, raised her coffee mug, and everyone followed suit, including the kids. “To our family,” she said in her rich voice, vibrating with her own emotions. “Not normal, but better for it.”

  I clinked mugs with everyone I could reach and whispered “Amen” in my head.

  ***

  Chapter Six

  The kids ran out to play, Galleytrot plodding along behind them, but I noticed Sass remained behind, hunched over his place setting, eyes half lidded. I pushed back my plate, stomach groaning from eating far too many of Shenka’s delicious pancakes and gulping way too many cups of coffee.

  Dad’s blue eyes meet mine, sparkling with good humor. I sometimes miss the glow of his amber gaze, the tint of red to his skin, his shining black horns, all given up for a human appearance since he abdicated the First Seat of Demonicon to spend the rest of his now mortal life with my mother. “The kids are getting so big.” He said that every time he saw them and I grinned, but this time, there was an edge to mine.

  “Are they ever.” I sighed and shook my head before telling them all about Gabriel and Ethie’s inquiry about his father. Mom’s lips tightened, but she held her peace. She wanted Quaid and me to tell Gabriel long ago, but I wasn’t interested in hearing her say it again.

  Even her eyes widened when I shared Gabriel’s experimentation with the gates.

  “I thought you made sure he couldn’t access that power,” Mom said.

  My teeth ground together, but I did my best not to react with anger. There were still some old buttons Mom and I were really good a pressing in each other and I was having too nice of a morning to let my temper ruin it.

  Imagine that.

  “So did I.” I toyed with my fork as Mom sat back in her chair and smiled.

  “It was bound to happen,” she said. “The most important thing now is getting him instruction.”

  “Are you volunteering?” I wasn’t an idiot. In fact, I was well aware of my failings. I’d make a terrible teacher, especially for my kids. I just didn’t have the patience or the skill. All of the things I did, all of the lessons I learned, were done through trial by fire and I preferred my children not go through the same ordeals.

  “Of course, sweetheart,” she said. “I was going to suggest it when you thought the time was right.” She turned to Dad and patted his hand. “In fact, we’d both like to share the job.”

  Relief washed over me. I had no idea I was this worried about what I was going to do about training the two little munchkins. “You have to go back to Harvard,” I said.

  “I think they can do without us for a semester or two,” Mom said so primly I wondered if she had this planned all along. Dad grinned at me over his coffee mug, pretty much answering my question. Maybe I should have been irritated my mother continued to meddle in my life, but I was too grateful for her offer. Besides, her meddling was often the only thing that actually went right.

  When I shut up and let it.

  “It’s settled.” Mom’s smile told me she was delighted by my yes.

  Quaid nodded and shrugged. “Better you than us, Miriam.”

  She winked at my husband, leaned forward to pat his hand. “Considering your children are very powerful magic users,” she said, “and since I have experience teaching the single most stubborn witch ever born,” her eyes flashed to me as I groaned and rolled my eyes, “I think we’ll manage.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, laying on the sarcasm before sending her
a magic hug. “Really, thanks. But I want to make sure their sorcery is woken at the same time.”

  Mom’s head tilted to the side, the line between her brows reminding me of mine. “All right,” she said. “But why?”

  “No more holding back.” I took Quaid’s hand and he squeezed it.

  “We agreed long ago,” he said. “Full potential for our kids. We don’t want them hobbled by outdated rules and old fears. Everything they have access to, we want them to know how to control.”

  Considering using sorcery meant understanding how to destroy rather than create, I needed the kids to grow up respecting all forms of power at their command and what consequences could come from misusing those powers.

  “An excellent idea,” Dad said. “Miriam, we could ask Ethpeal for help in that department.”

  I laughed out loud, shaking my head. “You both know how much I love my grandmother,” I said. “But can you see her teaching Ethie?” Mom snickered and Dad grinned while Charlotte and Sage laughed openly. Even Shenka hid a giggle behind her hands, Sassafras snorting as he cleaned his paws. Gram was an amazing woman, a powerful witch and now an equally powerful sorcerer. But. There was a reason we named our daughter after her.

  “Yes, I agree,” Mom said. “Who did you have in mind?”

  “Piers Southway.” I’d thought about it long and hard. He was a good friend, a former member of the Steam Union, the branch of good sorcerers opposing the dark sect I’d fought. Though no real match for the Brotherhood, the Steam Union weren’t bloodsucking asshats who wanted to own the world. They understood the balance of power and sided with us on many occasions. Though I knew Piers parted ways with his old organization, partly due to a falling out with his mother, their leader, he was still my number one choice.

  Charlotte shifts in her chair. “I haven’t heard from him,” she said, probably knowing I’m about to ask. “He’s been spending all of his time in California lately. With the Oracle girl we met.”