Chapter 28

The dawn eventually broke, ending the longest night of my life.

While we had raided the mountaintop, the Lampads had seen to the enthralled Chians, removing the madness that had hypnotized them. The Hounds and the Keres had gone to work on the undead, until our final assault on Salvago had ended his hold over them. Some had remained mobile, but the vast majority had collapsed where they stood.

Once it was over, the Lampads had returned the Chians to their homes; or what was left of them, at any rate. Some awoke to burnt out husks, while others were simply deposited in the town squares, where others found them disoriented and lacking any recollection of what had transpired. Families were reunited, but not everyone had survived Salvago's assaults on the cities, and the fires that burned in the wake of his passage.

It fell to the Hounds and the Keres to restore the bodies of the dead to their restful slumber. By morning, there was little trace of any grave-robbing, and the reports of such from the days before were scoffed at as juvenile pranks. Such things were the last of mortal concerns, however, as everyone's efforts were focused on subduing the last of the wild fires and finding shelter for the displaced.

The world barely took notice of the wildfires that destroyed a good portion of the forests of Chios. Arson was suspected of starting the blaze, which had quickly spread thanks to winds and drought conditions brought on by a summer heat wave. Reports of crazed citizens attacking others were explained by the airborne fungal growth Kyveli had first described. Some had become deranged under exposure, while others experienced hallucinations that made them think they were living in a zombie movie.

Thanks to the Shepherds of Hades, there were no bodies left strewn about the island, so there was no evidence supporting the wilder theories that floated about. Video footage was discredited as faked, and eventually went missing. I suspected the White Council to be behind that, but Nelson assured me later that they weren't. I was left wondering who was responsible along with everyone else.

Anya was the first to depart the island. After everyone returned to Chios Town, I'd offered her a chance to feed. She'd declined quickly, and went to her own room. Confused, I'd gone to get some much-needed shut-eye myself.

When I woke, the others informed me that my friend had left on a private flight first thing that morning.

"She didn't say goodbye," I said softly to Nelson after he broke the news to me.

"Word has it that the White Court was somehow involved in the hunt for Morgan," he informed me. "I don't know everything, but I've heard their headquarters in Chicago was attacked."

"Damn," I said with a shake of my head. "I hope she's not in trouble for leaving town."

I also hoped my friend was okay. She'd spent a lot of energy in the fight, but apparently hadn't fed from anyone. I knew I'd need to call on her when I got home. Something had happened to her that night in Anavatos. Something that was making her distance herself from me. Something that had her worried.

And I was afraid of what it might mean, for her battle with the monster inside.

Later that day, the wizards departed from the island as well. A fresh contingent arrived to oversee any lingering fallout from events, as well as investigate Anavatos for any traces of Salvago and Katya. Kyveli had greeted them, and she and her sisters put them to work. Those that I'd fought beside were set to depart on the boat that had delivered the fresh faces.

"Wizards, traveling by boat?" I said in disbelief.

"There's some concern that the Ramps heard about events, and are stalking the ways, looking for wounded prey," Simon explained from his wheelchair.

I blinked at him, his use of the term for the Red Court surprising me. He smiled, and offered me a bandaged fist to bump. "Don't worry, I'll help spread the word of your cause."

I carefully wrapped knuckles with him. I knew his hands were still beat up from the lightning strike, and I didn't want to aggravate his injuries. Word was that the wizard healers would get him in working condition in no time. "Thanks. It just seems disrespectful to call them 'Reds'."

"Oh, no, I think it demeans and belittles them more than their regular name. And disrespecting them is what it's about," Simon said with a grin. "Hopefully the entire supernatural community will be calling them Ramps before long."

"I'm sure," Nelson said as he walked up. "You're up."

"See you around, Woody," Simon said with a wave of a wrapped hand. I saw him wave his bandaged hands together, and some kinetic force started pushing his wheelchair down the dock. I laughed at the wizard while shaking my head. Wizards.

Vaccaro had already been wheeled out, much to the delight of Amy the Goth Wizard. The sober master had thanked me for helping. I wasn't sure, but I think his gratitude had more to do with encouraging him to spare Penny than stopping Salvago. His spunky apprentice gave me a conspiratorial wink as she pushed him by, and I knew the girl would be in touch.

After the fight in Anavatos, I'd recovered the rest of my things that the Lich and his people had taken. When Amy had spotted all of my magically crafted items, the enchantress had grown excited. She ended up hunting Q down and making him promise to teach her some of his tricks. And despite the goblin's grumbled replies, I knew he'd enjoy that. He was an enchanter at heart, even if the passion came wrapped up in deadly ninja death skills.

"I have some arrangements to see to," Nelson said soberly as we watched Simon wheel himself onto the boat. "But I'll give you a call when I can."

"Sure, no hurry," I assured him. Knowing that some of those arrangements included seeing to his former apprentice, I figured it'd be a while before the monk wizard got in touch.

"Here's the one," he said as he passed me a notebook. I took it, and opened it to see a copy of the drawing he'd drawn on my stomach. The one that allowed me to tap into the power of the seed and fuel not only my healing, but my body as well. "Be careful with that. You don't want to mess up the pattern, or you might turn yourself inside out."

"Oh," I said, startled. I didn't realize he was joking until a wane smile broke across his face. "Right. Thanks."

"I'll provide the others when I can," he said with a nod. "With your unique situation, I can't guarantee they'll do you any good, but we'll see."

I nodded. "Take care, Nelson."

The wizard gave me a wave farewell, and then made his way toward the ramp. Following him up were the gurneys with Penny and Martin. Both were still unconscious, and a shiver ran through me as I looked at them. They reminded me of Violet, and I worried if any of them would ever truly recover.

"Do not worry for her," Argondian said from behind me. I turned to find him waiting, allowing the others to take his apprentice aboard. "That one has a little something extra within her."

He'd found another eclectic suit somewhere, this one a long-tailed dress coat the color of tapioca over a ruby red shirt and black slacks. It was almost normal, save for the rhinestones on the jacket and the frills of the tuxedo shirt. Something told me the wizard wasn't so much trying to express his sense of fashion as much as not conforming to norms. But at least he still had his floppy artist hat.

"Still no word about Stenguard?" I asked. The old wizard just shook his head. There was still no confirmation that he'd died in the blast, and some of the wizards arriving were supposed to search for him as well.

"What about Martin?" I asked, knowing Anya would want to know. I hadn't even met the guy before he'd been taken by Salvago, and the only thing I knew about him was that his magics hurt. I felt bad that most of his bandages were because of me, but the deepest wound was Salvago's.

"I cannot say," Argondian said. "It is no small thing to have your mind and will broken by another. But others have recovered from such things in the past. Perhaps he will as well."

"But Penny…" I said, trailing off in confusion. "You think she will when he might not?"

Argondian studied me for a moment, his thick gray eyebrows twitching thoughtfully. "Penny's ancestry is… different," he finally said cautiously. "You recall we spoke of something similar before?"

I looked to where they were pushing the girl's gurney up the ramp. "She's a changeling?" I asked softly.

The old wizard gave a soft grunt. "There are many names for many things," he said cryptically. "Perhaps she is such one creature; perhaps she is something else." His eyes focused on me. "What would you call a changeling that chose humanity?"

"A human," I replied, although I wasn't as sure about that as I would have been a few moments earlier.

"Perhaps," he said thoughtfully. "And perhaps, even having made such a decision, a certain potential remains within such a creature."

"You mean she can change her mind?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"Hardly," Argondian said. "I speak of magical theory. Perhaps the girl herself is unaware of her potential; perhaps she has yet to choose."

The last word echoed on the wind, and a chill ran through me.

"Regardless, even paths not taken remain etched into our life's journey," Argondian continued. "Links to what might have been. Links that might form a chain down the generations. Links that might lead others to those same paths not taken."

I had no idea what he was talking about now, but for some reason it had my heart racing. I found myself rubbing at the wound in my side, and for some reason thinking of bees.

"Perhaps that's a conversation for another day," the old wizard said lightly, and I found myself breathing easier. "I would like to keep in touch, if that's alright."

"Of course," I said as I shook his hand. "Turns out some of you wizards aren't so bad after all." The wizard smiled graciously at that. "Safe travels, Argondian."

"You as well, Mr. Hayes," he replied with a tip of his cap. With that, he started down the dock to the boat.

"Hey," I called out, suddenly remembering something. At the sound of my voice, the old wizard turned around. "How did you know my last name?"

The old wizard gave me a weighing look. "I asked the faeries, of course."

"The faeries?" I repeated, confused.

"Yes, they know almost everything about everything," he said.

"But I thought Penny couldn't reach any?" I asked, growing more confused. I was sure that's what the girl had said back when we were trying to find traces of where Salvago might have been.

"Ah, well, Penny was trying to reach the locals," Argondian said with a smile. "I know some that are a little… higher up."

"Oh," I said with a frown. "Should I be worried that they know my name?"

"Undoubtedly," he said, his smile widening. Sensing that his answer hadn't eased my fears, his grin softened. "Those I know are fond of the arts. Some purchase my own work, while others… others are still fans of the late Mr. Reuel."

Now I was really confused. "Wait, are you saying faeries knew my uncle? And they know of me because of him?"

Unfortunately, the old perverted wizard didn't seem to hear me. He'd caught sight of something pretty that sashayed past him, and his concentration broke. He sent one last hurried tip of his cap my way, and then he was gone, leaving me perplexed.

I was watching Sal enjoy a charred snack while I filled in Q on everything he missed, who listened with a frown. It took some time, but we had plenty of that to kill until nightfall.

We were situated in a small park outside of Chios Town. The area was abandoned due to the lingering smoke from the forest fires. It wasn't enough to bother Q, and smoke was no problem for me or the salamander.

Q was covered in bandages, to the point that he almost didn't need to bother with an illusion to look human. He did so all the same, just in case someone happened by to tell us to evacuate the area. But we were unmolested, and Sal did his best to single-handedly consume the remnants of the burnt-out Chios forest.

When I was done, the goblin studied me, his not-quite ruby eyes shadowed by his drooping brow.

"I don't like that they got away," he finally said.

"Neither do I," I agreed. "But a few of the wizards are going to keep in touch. They'll let us know what they find."

"Mmgh," Q grunted, sitting up on the bench. "Dangerous being tied up with wizards."

"They said they'd keep our names out of it as much as possible."

At that, Q gave me a doubtful look.

"No, really," I assured him. "Nelson said they'd be covering up events as it was. They don't want word spreading about Salvago's dip in the dark end of the pool while the Council is already in so much turmoil. From the way he and Vaccaro described it, the wardens will be sweeping this one under the rug."

"Yeah, right," Q rasped. "Seems more likely that they'll file a detailed report on this, and send a copy to their mid-west Regional Commander for review."

I frowned at that. "Don't jinx us, man."

Q just grunted again, but let me hope for the best.

"Besides, I need to stay in their good graces," I explained. "Nelson's going to help me with the spells, and I'm hoping to get more out of Argondian."

"About what?"

My grimace turned a little sour. "I'm not sure. Argondian seemed to be dropping hints, but I honestly don't know what he was getting at. He kept bringing up changelings, but I know I'm not one."

"Oh?" Q said, his voice gravelly.

"Yes," I said confidently. His tone sounded odd. "Unless you have some insight you want to share?"

Q looked away before taking a deep sigh. "Woody, it's time I told you the truth."

I turned to him, surprised. "What?"

The goblin continued looking away, and I was left staring at the wispy hair escaping the bandages around his face. "The truth. About your parents."

"What?" I asked, leaning back. "You're not about to tell me you're my father or something, are you?"

The goblin's head turned slowly, his ruby red eyes shining through his illusion as he fixed his gaze on me. "No," he said softly.

"I'm your mother."

I stared at him.

He stared back.

Sal chomped on burnt forest.

Our staring contest continued, until the goblin finally lost, and burst into bone-wracking laughter. He kept at it, even after it was clearly aggravating his injuries.

"Your…" he gasped. "Your face."

"Bite me," I grumbled, turning to watch Sal.

"Oh, that was funny," Q wheezed, gripping his side. The bell hadn't burned him there, but a chunk had landed heavily enough to break ribs. No doubt a deserving punishment for being an asshole.

I let him finish, and finally his laughs and whimpers trailed off. "I'm serious, though," I said. "He was getting at something."

"You're not a changeling," Q whispered through a tight grin. "I've smelled both of your parents. You're definitely a product of the two. Although what your mother sees in—"

"Watch it," I warned.

Q waved it off. "Either way, both of your parents are human."

"Then what did he mean?" I asked. I thought of links in a chain, spanning generations…

"I don't know," Q said softly, his voice sobering. "But regardless, I will tell you one thing."

I turned back to him, and was surprised by how serious he looked. His gaze was elsewhere, and not necessarily on anything nearby.

"If you are something, something that gets a choice in the matter," he said soberly. "Make sure you know what you're getting into. And make sure you know what your choice will cost."

I nodded, unsure of what to say. Or even if he wanted me to say anything. He didn't seem to expect a response, nor even an acknowledgment of his words.

It was the closest he'd ever come to sharing about his own choice. I knew he was different from other goblins, even having never met one. And I knew, in theory, that he likely had faced a choice somewhere along the line. A choice to become a goblin, or remain human.

And not for the first time, I wondered why he'd made the choice he had.

"When is she going to arrive?" Q eventually grumbled, clearly changing the subject.

"When the sun goes down," I replied, giving the answer he already knew.

"Maybe I'll just take a plane," the goblin said. "I don't think I'm up for a long walk."

"Hard to get the weapons through security," I replied. Anya had taken some of her own, but left Q's swords behind. Both of them, to my surprise. Another mystery for another day. "Rose said it would be faster going back. Something about time zones or something."

Q just snorted at that, while we watched the grizzly-sized Sal roar as he crashed into a twenty-foot tall tree. The charred flora toppled under his weight, and the massive salamander started tearing the bark from the trunk.

"Is she going to take back the power she gave him?" Q asked.

"Apparently not," I informed him, as Sal savaged the tree. "She said last night that it had merged with his own power, and taking it out again would be more hassle than it's worth." The grizzly salamander picked up the top of the burnt-out tree with his front claws, only to stomp on the trunk with a back leg. The tree snapped in two, and Sal started rolling with the half he held. "She's calling it payment for services rendered."

"And your own?"

"The translation power?" I asked. "She's letting me keep that. Said I'd need it for a while."

"No, not that," Q said. I glanced to him, and he nodded toward my right hand. "I meant that."

He was gesturing to the ring I wore. The one made from Violet's torch, which protected me from fire and flame. The one that was a simple sliver of bone-white marble. Or maybe marble-white bone. I couldn't be sure.

Either way, that's what it used to be.

I looked down at the ring. The band had widened somewhat, increasing the overall size considerably. It still fit comfortably on my index finger, and the edges were still bone-white.

The flickering band of amethyst crystal encircling the center was new.

"She had nothing to do with that," I told him.

Q frowned. "But… if she didn't do it, and Violet is still unconscious…"

Me, a soft voice echoed in my head as light flickered along the crystal inset.

"Apparently no mortal has been chosen as a torchbearer before," I said as I waved the hand at him. "There are side-effects not even Rose could have guessed at."

"But you've bore it before," Q said. "Back in Undertown. And so did that other guy."

"No, not really," I told him. "We carried it, but the torch never really adopted us as torchbearers. The spells on the box that tortured it drove it mad, to the point that it lost its way. Had they not twisted it with magic, it never would have worked for us. It just would have driven us mad until we got it home. Instead, it became crazed, trying to make us burn the city down."

"The torch? Adopted?" Q asked, looking at the ring in confusion. "You talk about it as if it had a mind of its own."

My mind. Mine, the soft voice echoed.

Yes, yes, I know, I told it.

"So are you working for Hades now?" Q inquired with a concerned look. "Will you be working nights, shepherding souls and all that?"

"No, I don't think so," I said. "It's more like a gift from the torch, I guess."

Q's gaze was flat. "Woody. Power is never free, nor freely given."

I shrugged. "I guess we'll see."

The goblin sighed, but let his concerns go for the moment. "So, what? Does it do something new?" Q asked. "Will it let you talk to Violet or something?"

"I don't know," I said honestly. "Neither does Rose. Neither does it."

"It?" Q repeated.

It, the soft voice echoed. It wants name.

In time, I assured it. Names are important.

Yes, the voice echoed. Important. But want name with more than one letter. 'Q' is stupid name.

I laughed out loud, which drew a questioning look from he with the stupid name. Will you be able to let me talk to Violet, or her torch? I thought.

Who is Violet? it echoed.

Porfyró's bearer, I reminded it.

It doesn't know, it replied.

"Woody?" Q asked, drawing my attention back. "You alright?"

My attention drifted back to Sal, who was bringing another tree crashing down with his new-found power. I thought of the spell Nelson had given me, and the ones he'd promised. The power that came to me when I used that circle; the power to heal and to strengthen myself. And the power that might come from the ring on my finger. The ring that was more than it had been, and more than Rose thought I could bear.

Strength gained, but at a steep cost.

Friends injured. Friends hurt.

Love lost.

I thought of Rose, and what she'd said of Violet. "She will heal. In time."

"In time," I repeated softly. "I'll be alright in time."