"Huh?"
"Itmeans watch a movie and fuck."
"No,it doesn't."
"Yes,it does. Ask Jimmy."
"Everythingmeans fuck to Jimmy."
"Goodpoint."
Chapter 24
Judging by the number of metal doorswith bars lining the hallway on the other side of the door being guarded by theangels, I would have guessed we were in the right place. I'd actually wanted towait for the others to catch up, but Yuki had talked me into seeing what was onthe other side of the door. Cell by cell, we peered through the bars. Finally,I gave up and shouted my father's name.
"Dorothea?"My name was croaked through the bars of the very last cell at the end of thehall.
Stoppingthe search, I put one foot in front of the other until I was running the restof the way, using my vampiric speed without realizing and leaving even Yuki inthe dust. Slamming against the door, I gripped the bars and peered inside.
Myfather hung from burning hot chains against the far wall, his flesh smoking inthe manacles. "Oh, my goddess," I whispered and kicked at the door.And kicked again. I was pounding and screaming in an effort to get to my fatherwhen Yuki pulled me away. "Together," she reiterated.
Webacked up as far as we could and hit it together, blasting it from the hingesand jumping over it as we fell into his cell.
"Itold you not to come," he groaned through the pain.
"AndI told you I would," I answered and looked at his bonds. His flesh wasburning, but healing just as fast, keeping him in a constant state of pain. "Bheith fuar," I canted, watching theburning hot chains freeze against my spell. They were already warming as Icanted, "Fuascail," Frantically pulling them offhis wrists before they burned him again. He fell into my arms.
"Thankyou, Daughter."
Loweringhim to the ground, I leaned him back against the wall. For being imprisoned forover ninety years, he looked surprisingly well. His clothes were tattered, hisflesh drawn, and his beard nearly to his waist, but he was alive. "We needto get out of here."
"No.You do. I thank you from releasing me from my chains, but I cannot leave."
"Why?"
"Because,Daughter. If I were to take my power from you, you would not survive. It is whyI told you not to come!" He smiled at me sadly.
"Funnystory about that," I said with a small chuckle and reached into the pocketof my jeans, pulling the stone and tucking it into his hand without showing itto him.
"Areceptacle? How?"
"Giftfrom Delron."
"Thatdastardly elf!" He chuckled, but then looked at me again sadly. "Thenyou no longer have my…"
"Godhood?Nope."
Hetilted his head and stared a moment, looking between Yuki and me. "But…"
Isighed. There was so much to tell him. Once we were back in the mortal realm.We would have all the time in the world. "Long story. Tell you later."
Therewas a flash of brilliant red light and he let the dust of the gem fall to theground beside him. Shimmering, his beard disappeared as his skin filled, hisclothes mended, and he radiated black power. The power of the night. He liftedme to my feet.
"Somuch better," he said and stretched, sounding much stronger. And then hehugged me.
Thesmell of the father I hadn't seen since I was a child wrapped around me, comfortingme, soothing me. His chest pressed against my face as he kissed the top of myhead and held me close. The tears started falling, soaking his shirt, as thesobs began wracking my body from the depths of my soul. The man I had thought Iwould never get to meet was real. And he was holding me.
Yukijust smiled and leaned back against the wall beside us, her hands folded behindher.
"Icannot believe how beautiful you are," he whispered and pushed me back toarm's length, getting to look at me with his own eyes. "Nor how strong.You look just like your mother."
Itwas funny, coming from my father's lips, for the first time, it felt like acompliment. "Thank you, Father."
"Oh,shush. Call me Dad, or Aodh, if you prefer. You're all grown up now."
"Ladyof her own coven, Lord of the vampires, Master of the dark elves, and Lady ofthe shadows, too," Yuki chimed in proudly. "Just like her father."
Aodhstared into my eyes, put his hands aside my face and shifted his gaze to theair around me. "I see. That is why you no longer needed my power. You haveyour own." His face split in a grin. "Just like your father. Moreeven. Since you have witches behind you, too." He sounded almost…proud.
Isniffled and rubbed my nose against the sleeve of my sweater. "Well, thisis a conversation better left for home. Let's get the hell out of hell. I needsome coffee."
Weslipped out of the cell and down the never-ending hallway, breaking out intothe bottom of the circular cavern just as the others dropped off the last ofthe stairs.
Mymother fell to her knees. Nana smiled happily. Ellis, Shea, and Dar bowed tothe floor, taking a knee. The rest of my boys looked at my father nervously.But Josie… Josie stared and didn't know what to do.
"Isee you told her?"
Ilooked up at my father, smiling proudly. "Yep."
"Kids.They never listen." He chuckled and let go of me, taking a step closer tomy sister. "Hello, Daughter."
Josiedidn't run, but she didn't walk either, towing Candace behind her as shecrossed the cavern and stopping short. "Uh… Hi. I'm Josie. Your otherdaughter…"
Aodhhugged her just as hard as he had hugged me. "I am sorry for not being inyour life," he said sadly and pulled back.
"It'sokay. I know you were…uh…busy." Josie smiled.
"Andwho is this?" He leaned around his daughter and smiled at Candace.
"Thisis Candace. My…fiancé. We're getting married."
Hesmiled again. "My, how times have changed. I have a lot of catching up to,I see. It is a pleasure to meet you, Candace." He held out his arms forher, too.
Shyly,she hugged him back.
"Yousmell like," he started.
"Sunshine,"Josie and I finished.
"Yes!Welcome to the family, daughter of the light."
"Thankyou," Candace managed to whisper.
"Shallwe go?" He offered her his arm.
∞∞ ∞
Weran into two more groups of angels, but with my father's power, we didn't evenslow as we headed for the front door
