Shadowfever
Page 181

You push into mine. I merely projected an image with the push this time, to give you something to look at. He gave me a faint smile. Wasnt easy getting in. You give a whole new meaning to rock-head.
I laughed. I couldnt help it. He invaded my thoughts and gave me guff even here.
I found you standing in the street, staring at the sign over the bookstore. Tried talking to you but you didnt respond. Thought Id better take a look around. What are you doing, Mac? he said softlyBarrons at his most alert and dangerous.
My laughter died and tears sprang to my eyes. He was in my head. I saw little point in hiding anything. He could take a good look around and see the truth for himself.
I didnt get the spell. My voice broke. Id failed him. I hated myself for that. Hed never failed me.
I know.
My gaze flicked to his face, bewildered. You know?
I knew it was a lie the moment you said it.
I searched his eyes. But you looked happy! You smiled. I saw things in your eyes!
I was happy. I knew why youd lied. His dark gaze was ancient, inhuman, and uncharacteristically gentle. Because you love me.
I drew in a ragged breath.
Lets get out of here, Mac. Theres nothing for you down here.
The spell! Its here. I can get it. Use it. Lay him to rest!
But you wouldnt be you anymore. You cant take a single spell from that thing. Its all or nothing. Well find another way.
The Sinsar Dubh poisoned the moment. He lies. He hates you for failing him.
Shut it down, Mac. Ice the lake over.
I stared at the Book, shining in all its glory. Power, pure and simple. I could create worlds.
Ice his ass over. Hes just worried youll be more powerful than he is.
Barrons held out his hand. Dont leave me, Rainbow Girl.
Rainbow Girl. Was that who I was?
It seemed so long ago. I smiled faintly. Remember the skirt I wore to Mallucs the night you told me to dress Goth?
Its upstairs in your closet. Never throw it away. It looked like a wet dream on you.
I took his hand.
And just like that, we were standing in the street outside Barrons Books and Baubles.
Deep inside me, the Book whumped closed.
As we headed for the entrance, I heard gunshots, and we looked up. Two winged dragons sailed past the moon.
Jayne was shooting at Hunters again.
Hunters.
My eyes widened.
KVruck!
Could it be that simple?
Oh, God, thats it, I whispered.
Barrons was holding the door open for me. What?
Excitement and urgency flooded me. I clutched his arm. Can you getme a Hunter to fly?
Of course.
Hurry, then. I think I know what to do about your son!
54
Jericho Barrons buried his son in a cemetery on the outskirts of Dublin, after five days of keeping vigil beside his lifeless body, waiting for it to disappear and be reborn wherever it was they were reborn.
His son never disappeared and was never reborn.
He was dead. Truly dead.
I kept a vigil of my own at the door to his study, watching him stare at the beautiful boy through the long days and nights.
The answer was so simple once Id thought of it.
It had taken a while to find him flying over the city, but hed finally soared in beside me, blacker than blackness, with his Nightwindflyhighfreeeeeee comments and his old friend remarksserene and smooth, chuffing the night air in small frosted puffs. The wind had steamed like dry ice in his wake.
Id asked a favor. It had been the best kind for a Hunter. It had amused.
It took Barrons and five of his men to get the beast from beneath the garage up onto the roof of a nearby building, safely restrained.
Once theyd been far enough away, they radioed me and I had my new old friend fly in and do what he does best.
Death isnt nearly as final as a good KVrucking.
When he closed his great black leathery wings around the beast and inhaled long and deep, the beast turned into the boy.
And the boy died.
As if KVruck had simply inhaled his life essence.
After hed suffered who-knew-how-many thousands of years, the child was finally at peace. So was Barrons.
Ryodan and his men had sat with Barrons through the days and nights, waiting, wondering if it was possible one of them could actually be killed. Theyd seemed as offended as theyd been relieved. Kasteo had sat in the room and stared unblinking at me for hours. Ryodan and the others had to drag him away. I wondered what theyd done to him a thousand years ago. I knew what grief looked like when I saw it.
And when theyd left, although hostility had poured off them in my direction, I knew Id won a stay of execution.
They wouldnt kill me. Not now. I didnt know how long they might feel benevolent toward me, but Id take what I could get.
And if one day they decided it was war between us, it was war theyd get.
Somebodyd made me a fighter. With him by my side, there was nothing I couldnt do.
Hey baby, you up there? Daddys baritone soared up from the street.
I peeked over the edge of the rooftop and smiled. Mom, Dad, and Inspector Jayne were standing down below, in front of the bookstore. Daddy was carrying a bottle of wine. Jayne had a notebook and a pen, and I knew he was planning to grill me about methods of Fae execution and try, once again, to get his hands on my spear.