by Patti Larsen
“We have been too long under the control of those without honor.” She wiped at the tear on her face, the piece of ice falling free. “It is time to live our own lives, to make our own way. A way built on the principles we choose.”
I nodded while the werewolves did, too, hanging on her every word while Oleksander beamed in pride.
“Will you help us?” I'd never seen her look so happy, so much like just a beautiful young woman without the accustomed hard shell she usually wore. “Will you free us from them?”
“I will,” I said. “But I can only break the first bond at this point.”
Maksym grunted and spoke up. “She did as she promised,” he said to his pack. “She freed us of our individual bonds to them.” He spit on the ground, the beautiful tile crystallizing with frost from its exposure to the open air. His eyes met mine. “We are ready to be free of all constraints.”
Finally, murmuring hope, the shedding of guns, a hundred pairs of eyes staring at me while, through Charlotte, I felt hundreds more out there, in the world, working for sorcerers they despised.
Their handlers were about to get a very unhappy wakeup call.
I turned to Mom and the others, seeing Meira perk as though she knew what I was thinking.
“I need your help.” They gathered around, Sunny and Uncle Frank despite the threat of coming morning. Piers and Eva, Mom, Meira, even while the few Enforcers Applegate left behind tried to break us up.
Pender took care of things above while I connected with the others.
I need to use my maji power, I sent. But in order to do it, I need to act through you to disguise what I'm doing.
Mom didn't hesitate. Neither did Meira or Sunny. Eva looked confused and alarmed. But when Piers freed himself from the girl at his side and reached for my hand while my jealousy twinged despite my focus, she slapped it away.
Tell us what you need us to do, she sent, mental voice as crisp as her spoken one.
Just let me in, I sent. I'll do the rest.
You're hoping this works. Leave it to my vampire to douse me with a splash of cold reality.
I am. I didn't have a Sidhe power to work through, but since Applegate couldn't access the magic of the Fey, I wasn't worried about her poking holes in my story.
No, I needed witch magic. But using the others to diffuse my magical scent would go a long way to keeping what I was about to do under wraps.
You hope, my vampire sent again.
Oh, hush, my demon growled at her.
Shaylee's giggle made me grin.
I turned to Charlotte, pushing myself into the magic users behind me even as I spoke. “You want freedom?” I beamed at her as I then reached to her, through her, down the path of her blood to every werewolf alive. “You got it.”
***
Chapter Twenty Nine
I was just funneling my power back out through the others when I felt the whispered touch of maji magic in my mind.
Sydlynn. Iepa, my maji guide/pain in the rear embraced me gently.
Don't tell me this isn't allowed, I snapped at her in auto-defense mode. Because that would be just like her, popping in at the time when happiness was a thread of power away.
She released me, sighed softly. To the contrary, she sent. What you’re about to do, the freedom you offer them, is how the werewolves were meant to be.
Huh? What do you mean?
The sorcerers didn't create them, per se, she sent. Yes, they finished the job, sealed the shifting race to them. But the initial creation was mine.
You again. I wished I could throttle her. Why didn't you rescue them?
I couldn't, she sent. But you can.
Why am I so special? Bitter? Naw.
Because you share a bond with one of them, she sent. Had me focus on Charlotte again. Your black hound friend had the right of it. She showed me what he did, the quaking of the edges of the bond. But you need to take it even further. Instead of earth magic severing a hold, she pushed me deeper, into the very cells of my werefriend. Each one was surrounded by black. You need to break it at the molecular level. But you can't just leave them unsupported. She showed me another image, of the cells breaking free and shattering. They will die.
Gulp. Okay, so what, then?
You replace it. Iridescent light flared around the cells once filmed in darkness.
Whoa, I sent. I'm not going to be their new Czar.
You won't be, she sent. You are simply freeing them from the hold of sorcery. It devours for strength. Instead of it, you're giving them creation magic to sustain them and help them grow to full potential.
No strings? I didn't think Charlotte would forgive me if she traded one master for another.
None, Iepa sent. They will be as they were always meant. And will finally develop their own magic.
Coolio. Let's do it.
But she pulled away. I can only guide you, as always, she sent. I have absolute faith you will succeed. She paused before her power hugged me quickly again. Be well, Sydlynn Hayle. I will speak to you again soon.
I wasn't sure if that was a warning things were coming to a head shortly or if there was hope in her voice. Either way, she was gone and I knew better than to chase after her.
Syd. Mom's mind touched mine. Are you going to do something or are we just going to stand here?
I shot her a grin. Iepa moment, I sent back. I'm getting to it.
When I turned back and met Charlotte's eyes, she smiled.
Yeah. I had this handled.
It was easier even than Iepa said, though much more moving than I expected. The moment I released Charlotte's body of the sorcery, my maji power rushed in to repair the damage, seal her cells with power and creative magic. I watched her change on the outside even as my mind saw her shift on the inside, her skin seeming to glow a moment, the rainbow light of my maji power pouring from her for a couple of heartbeats, pulsing in time with her blood, before she returned to normal.
No, not normal. She still glowed, with an inner beauty that came from being free.
Charlotte sobbed and reached for me, hugging me tight, lips pressing first to my left, then my right cheek. When she let me go, she twirled like a little girl and laughed, wrapping her own arms around her.
“Thank you,” she said. Sobered a little. “Can you save them all?”
Only one way to find out.
I reached through her again, using her bloodline to find them one last time, to do for every werewolf as I'd done for Charlotte. It seemed to take forever, my maji power whispering its way across miles, healing, cleansing, freeing. I was so focused on what I was doing, it wasn't until the last werewolf, a continent away, roared in triumph I returned my attention to my physical body.
And found myself held in Piers's arms. My knees quivered as I clutched at him, grateful he held me up.
“Thought you could use a hand this time,” he said.
“Thanks.” I tested my strength as the werewolves gathered around each other, whispering, hugging, their happiness so vivid my chest tightened. Maybe I was just emotional from what I'd done, or maybe I'd been through so much in the last twelve or so hours, I earned it, but as they quietly celebrated their freedom, I turned my face into Piers's shoulder and wept.
He hugged me, magic and all, not a breath of judgment. Only support and kindness until I snuffled and wiped at my nose, just in time to see Charlotte approaching with a shy smile.
All of her gathered people assembled behind her.
Some of them fell to their knees, their awe and wonder so clear I pulled free of Piers and shook my head.
“You're on your own,” I said. “Don't even think about it.”
Charlotte laughed as Oleksander stepped forward to mimic her, his beard scratching my face as he kissed my cheeks. “How can we ever repay you?”
Silly werewolf. “You are your own people now,” I said. “I have it on very good authority you were always meant to be this way.” More awe, some weeping of their own. “Now that you
are free, I will make it a priority to have the reproduction ban lifted in North America.”
Mom came to my side with a smile. “I can promise that will no longer be an issue.”
I loved my mother. “And the offer is open—come visit me sometime and tell me about your own adventures.” Be nice to hear about someone else's for a change.
Their magic flowed around them, a hot, churning feeling reminding me of a mix of demon and earth magic. Made sense, considering Charlotte’s ability to cross to Demonicon, though in altered form. I suddenly wondered if she went over the veil now, would she be in demon shape?
I also couldn’t help but ask myself what I'd helped to bring into the world. As long as they stayed the good guys, things couldn't have turned out better.
Syd, Mom sent, arm going around my shoulders as Piers backed off. We watched Charlotte return to her people, Oleksander pausing to kiss my cheeks one last time before hugging his granddaughter in a bear-like grip and laughing. You did good, sweetheart.
I grinned at Mom and shrugged.
All in a night’s work for a Hayle, I sent.
I knew trouble was coming but didn't care. It floated down to our level in the form of Gwendolyn and Finlay, who managed to sneak past Pender and confront me.
The young witch was still biting her lip. If she wasn't careful, she wouldn't have one left by the time the sun rose.
“We've been instructed to escort you to our border.” At least she wasn't going to call me on the blatant use of maji power I just performed. Still, her words rankled.
Charlotte didn't give me a chance to defend myself. She pulled free of her celebrating people and crossed the distance in three long strides, pushing her way into Gwendolyn's face. Charlotte’s echoing growl made my teeth ache, her power flaring around her as her wolf leaped into her eyes.
“Tell your Council Leader,” she snarled, “her witches are no longer welcome in our territory.” The werewolves roared their approval. “And that Sydlynn Hayle is always welcome.” More roaring. They'd wake up half the countryside. “She is my guest. And I will escort her home.”
Not much they could say to that. With an apologetic shrug, Gwendolyn returned to the small contingent of Enforcers and, in a flare of blue, they were gone.
And that was how the extended Hayle family kicked ass.
Boo-ya.
***
Chapter Thirty
Home. Wilding Springs had never looked so amazing. Early daylight embraced me as I stepped out of the veil and into the dawn-lit kitchen. It only took a second for Shenka to come running, Sassafras bounding at her side, his furry body leaping into my arms as she hugged him between us.
A cup of coffee at the table later and the pair were sitting back with headshakes and snarky comments about troublemakers.
It was actually kind of funny.
“Who knew Sydlynn Hayle aspired to be Creator.” Sass swiped his tongue over one paw before rubbing his nose, amber eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Oh dear,” Shenka said, clasping her hands in front of her chest. “I forgot we have greatness among us.” She slid to one knee at my side, looking up at me with fake adoration while trying to keep a straight face.
I was surrounded by smarty-pants.
I swatted at her, giggling while Sassafras laughed.
“Pick on me all you want,” I said. “But it was pretty cool.”
Shenka relented, taking her seat to squeeze my hands. “Charlotte must be over the moon.”
The second I thought of my werefriend, my heart constricted. I missed her already.
A quick shower did me wonders, though, as I stood under the super hot water, heat I barely felt anymore, I felt sadness creep up. This immortality thing took all the fun out of things. And I really had to get my head out of the cloud of helping Charlotte and back into classes. I had school in a few hours, unbelievable. How was I going to suddenly switch focus from big, massive, life changing back to hum-drum, listen to a lecture?
Oh, right. Been there, done that, burned the cookies.
I'd be fine.
I was just pulling on a fresh pair of jeans when I felt the shadowy darkness of sorcery enter my kitchen. My typical reaction to such an event had worn down from freaking out the Brotherhood attacking to, oh it must be Demetrius. I knew he'd want to hear all about my time with the Steam Union, considering the damaged sorcerer had supposedly begun his magic life with them. But when I entered the kitchen, still toweling my hair, it wasn't wide blue eyes that greeted me, but a pair of pale gray.
Piers sat, one leg crossed casually over the other, a big hand stroking Sassafras's fur while the silly cat purred his head off. I tossed the towel into a chair, touching my wet hair, feeling suddenly self-conscious in my worn denims and raggedy t-shirt, wishing I'd left a few nice things at home and hadn't taken them all to school.
Then sizzled in anger at the fact he’d played me, using our mutual attraction when he had no intention of following through.
Like I had. Yeah, nice argument. Lie to yourself much?
Piers's eyes sparkled as he rose to take my hand, guiding me into the seat next to him, which he first pulled out and then pushed in for me. Weird. And yet, chivalrous enough I had a quiver in some low places that really should be reserved for Liam.
My. Boyfriend. Boy. Friend. Syd.
Sigh.
“Young Master Southway seems quite impressed with you, Sydlynn.” Way for Sass to go all formal and stuff. And since when did he have a British accent, even the hint of one? “I told him to wait a little while and get to know you better.”
Smartass cat. “I take it you're here for a reason?” It came out snarky for a couple of reasons. We'd just parted ways, after all. Piers left with his mother after convincing the werewolves to allow the Steam Union to take custody of the sect of Black Souls.
I didn't think they'd accept the arrangement. It had taken a few hours of convincing, bartering and badgering, but Eva Southway was eloquent and persuasive. And I think Charlotte finally just wanted the sorcerers of both ilk out of her life so her people could move on.
Knowing they were going to trial and execution probably helped a bit.
The second reason had to do with his girlfriend. And my renewed irritation I’d let him kiss me.
Wanted him to.
Girlfriend hell? Save me a room.
“Mother has sent out some of our people to gather the scattered members of the sect who had werewolves in their possession.” He grinned at me, nastiness in that smile. “And a few others the sorcerers forced the werewolves to bond with.” I thought of the Dumonts and felt myself smiling, too. “Once all are tracked down, Mother promised to return the weres to Charlotte.”
Well, Oleksander, he meant. Charlotte was to be heir, at least from what I overheard of the conversation she had with her grandfather before Mom and Meira left. Sunny and Uncle Frank were forced to flee as dawn approached, long before I left the palace grounds, and I promised to return to Austria that night to catch them up on the whole story.
“Good to know.” I could just imagine, after feeling their joy at freedom, what some of the gifted werewolves did to their former masters.
Yeah, yuck. Blood and guts and rending of limbs came to mind.
“It's going to be a big adjustment for them,” Piers said, scratching Sass behind one ear while the Persian settled his head into the sorcerer’s hand. “They'll need support.”
“And they'll have it.” I was so glad I trusted my instincts, no matter what Charlotte thought at the time. Family was everything. Which made me then think of his home situation. “Is your mom still mad at you?”
He winced before shrugging. “She's furious,” he said. Laughed. “But she's agreed to act, at last. So thank you for that.”
“I think you managed that one all on your own.” Might as well give him the credit he was due. In the spirit of working together and everything.
Syd. Stop stroking his ego and get on with it. Sheesh.
“I wanted to tell you we now believe you were right about Vasyl Krajnik.” Big surprise there. He'd given himself away when I prodded him about Belaisle. “We have been unable to locate him and believe he's run to the Brotherhood for protection.”
“Let him,” I said. “If this all turns out the way I hope it does, he'll get his eventually.”
“And if it doesn't?” Piers was only being playful, I could tell. But his words sent a shiver up my spine.
“We'll all be dead,” I said, expressionless and cold inside. “So it won't matter, will it?”
Sassafras glared at me with a little hiss before tossing his tail and turning his back. He thudded his way across the table and left in a huff.
Like I'd insulted him directly. So sensitive.
“I'm allowed to be realistic,” I called after him.
Piers laughed. “I like your cat,” he said.
“I do, too,” I said. “Some days.”
He leaned toward me, sunlight making his skin glow. “Speaking of being realistic,” he said. And kissed me.
Um hum. Heat, the heat I'd been missing from the shower, and tingling, from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair rolled through me. My right hand cupped the back of his head, pulled him closer while I braced myself with my free hand on his knee. He leaned in, the scents of coffee and mint so delicious I instantly wanted to devour him.
When I pulled away, Piers sighed over my mouth.
Holy. Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle.
Boy. Freaking. Friend.
I took a breath, inhaling his air even as I quivered. “I have a. Um. You know.”
“A boyfriend?” Piers laughed deep and soft, still sharing my oxygen. “Yes, I know.”
“And you do, too.” I paused. “Have one.” Another awkward moment. “A girlfriend.” Way to have a nerdgirl attack, Syd.
His frown of confusion turned to a low laugh that sent ripples of delight through my body.
“I don’t think Clover qualifies,” he said, eyes heavy lidded as he leaned in to brush his nose against mine. “You’re referring, I believe, to the young woman on my arm last night?”
