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Ysandra nodded. “Yes…although it was only hinted at, I know what they are talking about. The dead will start hounding you—you are to be one of their speakers. You have a natural talent for it, and now they know that. This is heavy magic, indeed, and not one that is borne lightly. I’m afraid we’re going to have to do some focus work teaching you how to strengthen your warding and personal barriers of protection.”
Closing her eyes, Luna let out a slow breath. “I said I was willing to pay the price. I guess…they are taking advantage of that.”
I wasn’t sure what was going on—both Ysandra and Luna seemed to understand something I didn’t. But thoughts of Rhiannon crowded in, pushing away my worry over the bard.
“We have to get down there before dark. Before the vampires rise.”
Luna jerked her head up, sharply. “So we know where to look?”
“They gave us a riddle, but Peyton has figured it out. The Abby Theater, below the streets. There’s a dungeon down there. And they have Rhia locked away.” I jumped up. “What are we waiting for? Let’s gather the guards and go.”
“Patience, winged one.” Ysandra held up her hand and motioned to Grieve. “Get a dustpan and whisk broom, please, and sweep up the salt. I’ve opened the Circle, so it will be safe now.” To Chatter, she said, “Bring some cheese and meat and bread. Luna needs her strength back. Channeling the dead is a serious undertaking, not to be taken lightly or shrugged off.”
As both Grieve and Chatter hurried to her command, Ysandra motioned for Peyton to enter the Circle with us. “How are you feeling? Can you go with us, or do you need to stay here? Your father…”
“My father died protecting me. I’m not going to cower away. His death will have meaning.” She paced back and forth. “I still haven’t told my mother. I suppose I should find out what her reaction is.”
Ysandra frowned. “I’m not sure that’s the wisest move at this moment.”
“I won’t tell her anything else. But I need…I need to make her realize this hurt me. I need her to know that someone is mourning my father. If she knows, if she’s in league with them, that’s all she’ll know. If she’s not, then maybe it will jog her into being the person she was, before all this shit came down.”
She stood there, defiant.
Ysandra finally nodded. “Very well, but if I motion for you to stop, you stop. Grief can make us say the stupidest things without realizing what we’re doing.”
“Fine. We have a deal.”
As Grieve was sweeping up the salt and Chatter placed a plate of carefully sliced meats and cheeses in front of Luna, along with a dinner roll and butter and honey, Peyton punched in a number on her cell phone.
A moment later, she cleared her throat. “Anadey…yes, it’s Peyton…Why? Because you tried to kill one of my friends and my father—isn’t that enough reason for me to stop calling you Mother?”
A pause. We were all listening, blatantly, but Peyton didn’t try to lower her voice. She rolled her eyes at me, then gave her head a tight shake.
“Too fucking bad. You brought it on yourself. I just wanted you to know that part of your plan worked. Rex is dead…Yeah, that’s what I said.” Another pause, then, “Vampires. Just the way you planned it out.” After yet another pause, she let out a sigh. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not, but fine. You’re sorry. And so am I. Rex was a good father, Anadey. And you kept him from me all of those years. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you.”
I winced. The pain in Peyton’s voice was palpable, and the anger right below the surface. I gave Ysandra a long look, and she nodded back. We needed to get Peyton into some counseling when this was all over.
If it ever is…
We’ll do our best to make it happen, Cicely. Ulean’s soothing breeze wrapped around me like a cloak. I let out a soft murmur of contentment.
Thank you, my friend. I wish you could help Peyton.
I wish so, too, but she cannot feel me, not very well, not even when I try to contact her.
Peyton was struggling now. Tears were welling up in her eyes and her voice sounded raspy, as if she had a cold. “Fine, I believe you’re sorry. Sure you are. But your jealousy and your anger kept me from having a father most of my life. You can never make that up to me…I realize that. No, I said…Stop. Just stop. I’ve got to go.” She paused one last time, then whispered, “No…not right now. Maybe sometime. Maybe…but now, I can’t come over. I just can’t. Bye…Anadey.”
As she flipped her phone shut, she slumped into one of the chairs. “She wants to see me. But I can’t. Not now. Not till I know things are taken care of with Myst. Not until…I believe she means it when she says she’s sorry.” She glanced at me. “Mother wants to see you, too. She wants to apologize.”
I recoiled. “I don’t think I can do that. At least not now.” Being at the mercy of her spell, feeling her drain away my feelings and energy…No, I couldn’t forget that. Not ever. And I couldn’t forgive it.>“Show me where the salt is. I don’t care for poking around through others’ drawers. You never know what you might find.”
At first I thought she was joking, but as we entered the kitchen, I glanced at her and realized she meant every word.
“We had twenty-pound bags of salt until the Veil House burned, but I believe it was ruined in the fire.” I began rifling through the cupboard, coming up with a box of sea salt. “Will this work?”
“Yes, that will be fine.” She paused before turning back to the living room. “Cicely…did Luna explain what the spell might do to her? The way payments work in the yummanii magical world?”
I shook my head. “No, but she seemed pretty solemn when she first told me about it.”
