"Conduits?Like subways?"
"Kindof. But, more like inside you."
Shepulled out a stool from under the work bench and sat. "You think the bloodinside you is human?"
"No?I'm a witch."
"Andwhat do you think makes a witch a witch?" She crossed her arms and staredat me.
"Magic?"
"Precisely.And how do you think we got the power to use said magic?"
"Stoleit? Bought it at Walmart? Gift from the gods?"
"Someis stolen, some was a gift from the gods, but some of it came from ourancestors. Humans that bred with demons, elves, dragons, you name it. Mostnon-magical humans have some fey or demon blood running through theirveins, but it is so diluted they can't touch, see, or harness that power. Someof us have more than others and it keeps us young and it gives us magic. A fewhave too much, and you get the fey blooded, who are hunted for the liquid goldthat flows through their veins."
"DoI want to know our family tree?"
"Yourmother did the horizontal mambo with a god, and you're going to act shockednow?" Nana laughed.
"Whatabout you, Nana? You never mentioned Mother's father. Was he human?"
Nanagot a dreamy look on her face. "That was a time long ago. I have forgottenwho sired her."
Nanawas a fucking liar. That was a story I wanted to hear, and I would get it outof her sooner or later. The Blackwells were powerful. It had to havecome from somewhere. It made me wonder about Nana's parents… She had nevermentioned them either.
"So,what do family trees have to do with conduits and planes?"
"Ifyou have the right blood in your veins, you can travel to those planes."
"So,when I summoned Dar, that means we have demon ancestors?"
"Youcan look at your mother and seriously ask that question?"
Ilooked at my mother. "Never mind. I believe you."
"Justas your Grandmother can open a portal to the Jurassic plane, dear."
"Again,with the dinosaur jokes, Madeline?"
"Ifthe foo shits, Mother."
Isighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose. "So, how does all of this help usto get to Tartarus?" I wanted the Cliff's Notes version.
"Bysailing the seas of Ethereum, straight into the bowels of Hell."
"Dowe have a boat?"
"It'snot the vessel you should be worried about, it's the captain." Nanasighed.
"Colorme confused?"
"Theonly people who can safely traverse Ethereum are the gods."
"Okay?So, that rules this little current plan of attack out, right?"
"Didyou forget that you are a god, Child?" Nana narrowed her eyes.
"No.But I've been trying to. So? What? I can go to Tartarus?"
"Notwithout a guide. You would be lost in Ethereum for eternity."
"So,who did you have in mind?"
Nanalooked at Mother. Mother stared back. "Belenus."
"Who?"I asked out of shock, I knew who Belenus was. The god who hated my father anddone everything she could to destroy him. The god I had fought in Underhill.The god of Light and the overworld. His ex-wife.
Chapter 6
"You want to take my car?"
Chiefwas holding open the passenger door of his police Jeep like it was a limo. I'dridden in it several times, and between all of the communications equipment,laptops, shotgun, and other law enforcement themed paraphernalia, I had nevergotten out of said vehicle without bruised knees or shins. Sure, I was a witchand healed shortly thereafter, but a bruise was a bruise. "Nah. We getbetter parking in the cop car."
"Okay,"I acquiesced. "But you're rubbing my poor knees and shins later."
"Oh?You're already planning on being on them for extended periods of time?" Hegrinned as I got in.
"Well,I was. But if you're not going to show an iota of consideration…"
"Howabout I kiss your poor shins and your abused knees. Give you a gentle backrub,and then hold you tight for the rest of the night? Would that be considerate?"
"It'sa start." I returned his grin and let him shut the door. "Where areyou taking me to eat?" I asked once he got inside the car and started theengine. "And you better not say the diner."
"Nope.Some place new."
"New?There isn't any place new in Cedar Falls."
"Didn'tsay we were staying in town, now did I?"
Hebacked out of the driveway and headed for the highway. "We going toAmersville? My second trip today. I should write that down in my record book."
"Youwere there earlier?"
"Yeah.Yuki and I made a run to Wally World."
"I'msorry."
"Meh.It wasn't that busy, really."
"It'sa Christmas miracle."
"Christmasis over. Now we can concentrate on the three months of shit weather."
"NewYear's will be fun. Our first."
"Yukiwants to have a party."
"Areyou?"
"Imight. Can't promise I'll stay up 'til midnight, though. That shit is foryoungins."
"Oh,please. When was the last time you went to bed before midnight?"
Ishrugged. My sleep schedule had been all sorts of fucked up as of late. Therehad been times when I stayed up for two days straight and got off with a lightnap. Then there were days I didn't want to get out of bed. Especially when Iwasn't alone.
Trafficgoing into Amersville was twice as bad as the traffic leaving. We drove pastthe Walmart and the mall and headed to the south side. I'd driven through itonce or twice, but never noticed it was a little posher than the north side.More chain restaurants became prevalent and I figured we'd end up at the TGIFridays, but Chief pulled into someplace called Brewskies.
"Asports bar?"
"Kindof. It's like a mixture of sports bar, raw bar, steakhouse, and brewery."
"Okaythen." I chuckled, opening my door and sliding out of the Cherokee,careful not to let my dress ride up too high. Didn't need to be flashing theparking lot the skimpy black panties that matched my dress and had been Chief'srequest.
"Honestly,next to the seafood place, they have the best food in town. Their wings are todie for."
"Wasjust picturing something a little more romantic."
"Yeah.That isn't what this is about." He chuckled and opened the door for me,ushering me inside. "Hi. Reservation for Bill?"
"Notabout romance? I think you're missing the point of a date, Chief."Something was afoot and I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Rightthis way," the hostess smiled at him, grabbed two menus, and led us to ourbooth. In the back. In a very unbusy area. In fact, the only otherpeople close to our seats were Jimmy and Dennis in the booth
