Me and My Shadow - Katie MacAlister [39]
“No one can stop me from doing what I wish,” he said with deceptive mildness. “That said, I have no intention of allowing Magoth to rule any world, let alone one in which I have an interest.”
I frowned, confused, sliding Jim a glance. Its eyes looked like they were going to bug out of its head. I wanted badly to ask it what it saw that I didn’t, but refrained. Bael would view such an act as a sign of weakness, and above all, I wanted him to continue thinking I was a badass dragon with whom it would be a very bad idea to tangle. “So you won’t be giving him his powers back?”
“No.”
“But the Doctrine . . . ?”
Sally giggled again. “This is so fabulous, May. I can’t believe you haven’t guessed!”
“Guess what?” I asked, but the second the words left my lips, a horrible idea came over me. I turned to Bael with what must have been an appalled look on my face. “You don’t mean . . . you can’t . . . it’s not possible, is it?”
“You are Magoth’s consort,” he answered with a little shrug. “As far as the Doctrine is concerned, you and he are of the same body. Therefore, it is to you his powers have been granted. I wish you joy of them, dragon.”
Chapter Six
My cell phone rang the same instant I walked in the front door.
“Gabriel?”
“Little bird! I got your voice mail. Where are you?”
“Home. In London, I mean. Bael summoned me to his English home, and pushed me out here rather than Latvia.”
“What did he want of you? All your twin said is that two demons came to fetch you, but they did not want Magoth. And yet you took him with you?”
“I had no choice, either in seeing Bael or Magoth coming along.” I gave him a brief recap of what had happened in Bael’s house. “Gabriel, I can’t tell you how upset Magoth is going to be when he finds out. The words ‘going ballistic’ wouldn’t begin to cover the hissy fit he’ll have. Not to mention the fact that I don’t want to be a demon lord. I’m not Aisling. I’m not meant for this sort of thing.”
“I doubt if Aisling feels she is, either, but that is neither here nor there. Tell me again what Bael said—did he imply you were taking Magoth’s place, or just receiving his powers?”
“Just getting his powers. Agathos daimon—you don’t think he intends for me to take over Magoth’s seat?”
“No. He would not want a dragon in power in Abaddon,” he answered slowly.
Reassurance eased some of the worry that was leaving me feeling itchy and uncomfortable. “What am I going to do with his powers?”
“I wish I was more learned in the ways of Abaddon, but it’s not something I’ve ever paid attention to. Aisling should be able to help you, however. Or rather, her mentor will, since I doubt if Drake will allow her to do more than speak to you.”
“I planned on talking to both of them, but figured I’d check with you first to see if there was some way you knew of to unload these powers. Not to mention what on earth we’re going to tell Magoth. And then how we’re going to keep him from going on a rampage.”
“I will see to it that he is taken care of.”
I glanced out of the window, noting the taxi driver was struggling with a large object. “I don’t think we have much time. Sooner or later he’ll wake up, and notice he still doesn’t have his powers. He might not guess that Bael would give them to me, but he will find out at some point.”
“We could ask Aisling’s mentor to banish him to the Akasha.”
“I have no doubt Nora could do it, but it’s really not such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
I made a wry face at Magoth’s body. “Because I’m bound to him, and he has just enough power left to summon me should he so choose. And I can guarantee you that if he was banished, he’d take me with him.”
Gabriel uttered a word I decided it was best I not acknowledge. “I will have Maata remove him from the house. That should give you a little breathing