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"No. Of the Van Alens, only Lawrence was a gatekeeper. Remember the Order of the Seven. One gate in each family."
"Leviathan and Corcovado." Schuyler understood now.
"Yes. Your grandfather was the keeper of the Gate of Vengeance, Leviathan's prison. With Lawrence's murder of an innocent, the gate opened and released Leviathan. But what the Silver Bloods did not know was that the Gate of Vengeance was a solom bicallis . It can only be used once, and in one direction. Once Leviathan was freed, the path was closed to all.
The Silver Bloods will not rest. They will seek out the guardians and the gates, until all the Paths of the Dead are free once more.
Schuyler, it is up to you to find the remaining members of the Order, alert them of the danger, and keep the gates secure. As long as the gates hold, Lucifer cannot cross from the underworld to this world. That is the Van Alen Legacy, and now it is yours. That is the Van Alen Legacy, and now it is yours."
"You mean, it is ours."
"Alas, that is not to be. I cannot help you in your quest. I have to find Charles. He was lost, somewhere between worlds, when the Silver Bloods let loose that subvertio. Our destiny is intertwined. He needs me more than ever now. There is something broken in the universe that only we can fix together... which is part of your journey as well."
"Mother, you are leaving me. Again. Now that I need you the most," Schuyler cried, shocked at her mother's news and the enormity of the responsibility that lay before her. Find the gates? Find the guardians? Save the world? How was she supposed to do that alone?
"I am not leaving. I am always with you," Allegra said, holding Schuyler in her arms. "My daughter, I am in you. Never forget that."
"So that was really you, then, with the sword? In my dreams?" Schuyler asked.
"Of course." Allegra smiled gently, then stood up. "Now listen closely. Leviathan has shown his hand in Paris. We know he is looking to open the gate formerly located in Lutetia. The Gate of Time. Of this I am sure, for I was there when Michael and I made him keeper. It was guarded by Tiberius Gemellus. Find him. Secure the gate."
ER 51
Bliss
"What did you say?"
Bliss was paying for her new dress when she was jolted by the Visitor's voice in her head.
"Do you take Amex?" she asked the salesgirl sitting at the desk. She tried to maintain her composure while inside the Visitor's excitement made her head ache.
"Allegra is awake? Allegra is alive?"
"Why does this bring joy to you?" Bliss asked. "Why would you care? She's just a coma patient in a hospital room."
"Did you say something?" the salesgirl asked, shoving the purple dress into a plain brown bag and stapling the top with the receipt.
"No. Sorry." Bliss grabbed her bag and headed out of the room. She bumped into a few girls walking in.
"Do they still have good stuff, or is it all picked over?" one of them asked.
"Uh... I don't know," Bliss muttered, pushing through. She knew they would think her incredibly rude, but it was as if her head were going to crack open.
Bliss raised her hand to hail a cab. It was five in the afternoon, and all the taxis had their "Off Duty" signs on, a shift switch, and worse, it was starting to rain. New York weather. For a moment she missed Bobi Anne's Silver Shadow Rolls and the driver who always took her around. Finally Bliss caught a town car that had just dropped off some executive at the corner.
"How much to 168th Street?"
"Twenty."
She got inside the car, which felt warm and cozy after standing in the suddenly freezing rain.
She could still feel the Visitor's excitement and agitation. Why did he care? What did he care about some stupid woman in a hospital?
"Show some respect, the Visitor said coldly. Do not speak of your mother that way."
"So it's true. I am her daughter. I am Allegra's daughter", she thought. Her heart was pounding so loudly it hurt her chest a little bit.
"Of course you are," the Visitor said in a reasonable voice that made Bliss feel even more nervous. "We made you together. Now, I think it's time we said a proper hello to Allegra."
