by Patti Larsen
“I need to eat,” she said over her shoulder, tone light. “We all need to eat, Maurice.”
My demon acted before I could stop her, snapping my teeth together in his face.
“Yum,” she said through me in her graveled voice.
Maurice flinched and backed away before spinning and trotting off.
Snicker.
A huge stack of paperwork greeted us as Mom magicked it to a nearby chair with a smile of apology.
“I'm sorry, girls,” she said. “This conclave has taken on a life of its own.” Her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “It’s been a balancing act to not only bring everyone together, but keep our search for Brotherhood taint under wraps. You know witches and ruffled feathers. If any of them found out we were planning to search their power without their knowledge…” Her fingers wound together, the only sign of her growing nerves. “And I’m certain, as you are, Syd, Liander Belaisle is quite aware of the main goal of our little get-together.”
Little. Yeah, because the logistics behind gathering all the Councils together was the definition of “little”.
“Can we help?” She’d insisted I stay out of it from the beginning. I rushed to pour Mom a glass of wine, trying not to allow myself to worry too much about the Brotherhood. Belaisle was always ahead of me anyway, so I was sure she was right. But what else could we do but be as proactive as possible at this point?
Mom accepted the offered glass with a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Not at all,” she said, sinking with a happy sigh into the chair at the head of the table, Meira and I on either side. Both of us leaned forward and focused on Mom, our energy meeting in the middle, offering her support as we offered it up.
Mom laughed and batted us away with a flicker of magic. “Silly girls,” she said with a fond smile for us both. “I'm fine.”
She really shouldn't have been surprised we worried, not after what she'd been through. The fact she'd almost lost herself to the Brotherhood thanks to the theft of her family necklace still bothered me. Yes, more guilt. And while I knew she was a grown witch and more than capable of taking care of herself, I also knew if it hadn't been for the pentagram pendant she'd given me, embedded with her magic, now around her neck, I wouldn't be sitting here having lunch with her.
I'd probably still be in a cell.
“The first of the families will arrive tonight,” Mom said, shaking out her napkin as flares of magic delivered lunch. I sniffed in appreciation as my bowl filled with soup. Curry sweet potato, my favorite. I dug in as Mom went on. “I just hope the site is ready in time.”
Meira slurped her own appetizer. “I'm sure it will be,” she said. “Are the coven leaders still giving you a hard time over the location?”
Mom shrugged, eyes twinkling as she winked at me. “I haven't given them an opportunity lately,” she said. “The biggest naysayers have been loaded down with the most work.”
Nice way to shut up someone. I resolved to remember to use her trick when the opportunity arose.
Still, I almost agreed with some of the protesters. I was about to have the world's most powerful witches in my back yard. The reminder rose to smother the hurt and worry of the last few hours.
“And the old coven site is secure?” I picked at a hang nail even as I admitted to myself my mother was a genius. Still, as brilliant as her idea was, it made me queasy. “I'm happy to add magic to the wards.”
Mom shook her head over another sip of wine. “The Council's power is more than enough,” she said. “Along with the Enforcers. Pender has seen to it himself.” Mom's Enforcer Leader was nothing if not thorough, still blaming himself for Mom's trouble with the Brotherhood. “And since the site used to house the Hayle family power, the elements there are still more than easy to manipulate to our purposes.”
Considering the Sidhe Gate also kept normals in Wilding Springs from even noticing magic, it really was an excellent choice of venue for the once a century meeting of witches.
Still.
Yikes.
“I'll give you a tour after lunch,” Mom said.
And she did, much to my surprise. Usually something catastrophic—at least according to Maurice—would arise before we even finished eating and he'd hustle Mom away to put out what amounted to a tiny fire. Sometimes I thought he believed he owned my mother.
Pissed me off.
This time, he kept his distance, not even protesting when Mom rose and took our hands. I pondered the best time to dump Tallah’s little meetings with sorcerers and the arrival of the wild magicks back into my life on my mother. She had so much to handle right now, just spending the majority of a nice meal with her was much more appealing.
Deciding I’d talk to her once we reached the conclave site, I opened the veil and slipped us through. Ahbi greeted Mom with a spark of power before we stepped out into the late afternoon sunlight.
Mom waved at her face, tiny beads of moisture rising on her upper lip, Meira grinning. I didn't notice the heat or humidity, thanks to my changing physiology and missed the warmth of the August day like a knife stab.
All that, and the rising urgency I felt to share what I’d learned, faded as I looked around with my mouth hanging open. Giant white pavilions dotted the landscape, filling not only the clearing where we'd once held our family rites, but stretching out through the tree line, expanding the site to five times its old size. Enforcers whizzed by carrying various bundles while witches hurried between the impressive tents, heads down, chattering details to each other.
The sizzle of magic greeted us as we passed over the line of wards and into the main site. Mom’s distress at the heat faded and even I felt the cool wave of air as we passed. How civilized of Mom to offer the gathering temperature controlled comfort. I counted pavilions as we went, all circling a large main one towering over head.
“Africa,” Mom said, gesturing to her right. “Asia.” Another just beyond it. “South America.” On the other side of the center pavilion. “Australia and New Zealand.” Beside South America. “Europe.” My chest compressed as I thought of Council Leader Margaret Applegate and her thrall to the Brotherhood. “India. And North America.” I looked up at the big tent that was to be my home for a few nights and sighed.
“Mom,” Meira said. “What are those for?”
I noticed smaller tents dispersed between larger ones just before Meira pointed them out. The still impressive pavilion sat between Asia and South America, reduced size intended for a smaller number of occupants.
Storage? Dining tents?
“Come see.” Mom led us there, stopping next to the first one. “I thought it only fair.” She gestured to the flag hanging from a pair of poles stuck in the ground and felt my eyes widen.
“Demonicon.” Meira laughed and clapped before hugging Mom. It was the first time in a long time I remembered, despite what she looked like on the outside, my sister was still a fourteen year old girl. Yes, she'd matured beyond her years in many ways, but the sweet young woman she hid behind her power and presence showed up occasionally.
Made me smile.
“I’m sorry to split up you two,” she said. “I originally wanted to put your tents together. But this way I have the two of you in strategic placement around the site.”
Was okay with me.
“And this one.” Mom showed us the Sidhe banner, tent crouched between South America and Australia. She turned to me with a smile. “Liam has already extended our invitation to Queen Aoilainn and King Odhran.”
Had he, now?
The next, tucked in the shadows of Australia and Europe, bore the banner of the Wilhelm family. “Frank and Sunny have agreed to come,” Mom said. “Though I'm afraid there's no word from Queen Pannera.” The Sthol flag sagged in the dropping breeze as if in answer to Mom's words.”
The second to last tent had the head of a wolf howling at a full moon. “You invited the werewolves?” Why was I so surprised?
“They are a nation themselves, now,” Mom said
, arm slipping around my shoulders. “And they, of all magickind, have the most experience with sorcery.”
Did they. I'd only just freed them this past January of centuries of servitude to the Black Souls and their corrupt leader, Yure Danko. I was happy the Czar was dead, but still thought about his second in command, Vasyl Krajnik, and wondered how Liander Belaisle greeted the sorcerer after he'd failed in his task to recruit the werewolves.
At least, I assumed that was Belaisle's aim.
Who knew what the Brotherhood leader was really thinking?
As much as I figured it would give me an advantage, the thought of understanding his twisted mind made me want to throw up.
“You do realize this is going to raise a stink the likes the witching community has never seen?” Meira grinned at Mom.
“Epic,” I said, finding her amusement contagious.
Mom's smile turned wicked. “Should be a show,” she said.
And Sassafras wondered where I got it.
“And the Steam Union?” Just bringing them up raised the image of yummynom Piers Southway's face in my mind. I fought the blush warming my cheeks as Mom spoke.
“Yes,” she said. “I've just spoken with Eva. I believe they are sending a small contingent and hope she herself can attend.” Gestured at the tent between Africa and Asia.
I understood her motivations. “We need to make sure everyone is here.”
She nodded. “To foster good relations between the supernatural races,” Mom said, tone light and practiced. Until her eyes narrowed, voice dropping. “And so we know everyone is clean.”
Of the Brotherhood.
Good luck with that.
I didn’t get a chance to talk to her about Tallah. The wild magicks. Demetrius. Because the inevitable finally happened, a witch rushing up to Mom and dragging her off. Promising myself—after a firm ass kicking—I’d fill Mom in as soon as she was free, I drifted through the tents while Meira wandered into her pavilion with a saucy grin.
As I rounded a corner, still a little in awe of the set up, I caught a flash of movement and peeked between two tents.
Caught Quaid standing with his back to me. But he wasn’t alone.
The buxom blonde Enforcer trainee who stood next to him had no idea how close she came to death that day. Payten hovered beside him, her face in the light, her generous rack pushed against his arm.
Her fingers twined in his hand as she laughed.
Oh.
My.
Swearword.
I turned and stumbled away, unable to draw a breath, choking on my anguish even as something inside me snapped and fire poured over the chill of my hurt.
Bastard.
Just try that again.
The next time he showed up in my back yard, I was burying his arrogant ass next to the Wild Hunt and leaving him there to suffer for all eternity.
***
Chapter Nine
Meira caught up with me, her face falling at the sight of my expression. She linked arms, not asking questions, just offering her energy for support. My demon took it, used it to soothe me while my alter egos soaked me in love and understanding.
Walking was good. Moving on was better.
Mom appeared a few moments later to join us.
“Excellent,” she said with a smile. “We now have confirmation from everyone but Europe.” None of us were surprised we heard no word from Applegate. Though I fully expected the thralled Leader to show up at some point and cause trouble.
Prepared for disaster? I was born for it. And speaking of disaster…
“Mom,” I said. “I have some things you need to know.”
She drew me along with her as we strolled again, as though unconcerned by the conversation we were about to have while my sister’s false smile echoed our attempt at subtlety.
I shared what I knew of the wild magicks, what they’d shown me, shared with Shenka and I in the basement. Mom’s frown flashed only for a moment before she nodded pleasantly to a passing cluster of witches.
“You think this goes beyond gratitude?” Mom kept her voice low. “Maybe they have some kind of message they are trying to deliver?”
“That’s my guess,” I said. “But Mom, these are wild creatures we’re talking about. Just getting them to settle down and tell me what they want me to hear is a bit of a struggle.”
“Sounds like Shenka’s idea to talk to Demetrius is a good one,” Meira said. Hey, that had been my idea first. “Crazy or not, he seems to know a lot about things we’ve never dealt with before.”
Made me miss Gram’s quirky presence all the more. She would probably be able to figure it out in a flash.
“From the expression on your face,” Mom said, “and the fact you said you had ‘things’ to talk to me about, I take it there’s more?”
Bless her for not sighing or rolling her eyes. I would have. Wanted to, and I was the one passing on the trouble.
She pulled to a stop when I told her about Tallah’s dream for witch equality and the fact she’d been in contact with the Steam Union.
“Syd.” Mom’s cheeks went pale, eyes wide, not even trying to hide her distress.
“I know,” I said as Meira huddled close to us, a tight frown on her face.
“She’s nuts,” Meira said, skin taking on a reddish hue as her control over her real form slipped just a little. “We’re already trying to circumvent a magic war. Now she wants to start one with normals?”
“Do you believe it may be the Steam Union she’s speaking to?” Mom’s blue eyes drilled holes through me.
I fought over my conscience with that one. “It’s possible,” I said. “Piers told me there were other branches of the Union in the world that had nothing to do with his people.”
“Who are we kidding here?” Meira’s eyes flared amber as her demon made it through. “She’s been duped by the Brotherhood and we all know it.”
I hated to say it was the most likely scenario.
“Only one way to find out,” Mom said. “I’ll speak to her. But you’ll have to be there, Syd. I’ll need her tested for the taint.”
Shenka would understand. Agree with me 100%, I was sure. Still, I felt guilty thinking about her sister this way.
“I could just take a little trip to California,” I said. In and out of the veil. Presto magicko.
“No,” Mom said. “If she is under Brotherhood influence, I want to keep this official.
I don’t want to warn Belaisle we know what he’s up to.” Mom’s hand twitched over the front of her skirt, smoothing it in a reflexive gesture I associated with stress. We’ll wait to talk to her when she arrives tonight.”
Great. I had lots of time to torture myself over this.
Fair enough.
“Let me know when you’re settled into your pavilion,” Mom said. “We’ll take care of it right away.”
Ack.
“I don't know why it's necessary for me to stay here.” Mom and I already had this talk but the whiner in me couldn’t let it go.
“As a show of faith,” Mom said.
“You know how risky it is.” Every time I thought about leaving the family for a few days, I felt nauseated. Yes, I was still inside our family boundaries. But we were effectively stripping each of the major territories of their most powerful and influential witches. If the Brotherhood wanted to strike, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
“Enforcers will be posted with each of the families,” Mom said, her tone soothing, hand on my arm. “We've talked about this.”
We did. Okay. “But what about the conclave itself?” I shuddered, sudden panic rising. She didn't know Belaisle the way I did, how he always seemed to be ten steps ahead of me. “We're sitting ducks here. Might as well paint giant bull's eyes on the tops of the pavilions.”
“Had that done this morning,” Mom said. “Biggest targets on the most important tents. So the Brotherhood knows exactly where to strike.”
I gaped at her as she laughed and hugg
ed me.
“Syd,” she said. “I'm kidding.”
Okay, I knew that. “It's not funny.”
“No,” she said. “It isn't. But we're doing everything possible to assure the safety of our covens and our visitors. You know this is necessary. We have to stand as one against the Brotherhood.”
Grumble, mumble.
“This place will be swarming with foreign Enforcers, werewolves, vampires, Steam Union, Sidhe.” Mom turned to Meira who nodded. “Demons.”
“I've already gathered a contingent,” my sister said, “demons with effigies available here on this plane.” She nudged me. “Quite an impressive list.”
We were safe. I had to believe it.
So why didn't I?
When Mom was called away again, Meira and I took our leave, sliding through the veil to the basement of my house while I struggled with worry and the understanding no matter what happened, the next few days were going to be very interesting.
***
Chapter Ten
“So,” Meira said as we stepped out into the dim light of the underground. “Since Shenka obviously wasn’t talking about her sister’s arrival, mind telling me who came to visit you last night?”
No way. Not now I'd seen Quaid with...
Her.
He met Payten during his first summer Enforcer camp. He claimed they weren't a couple, had shared only a fling. And yet, she seemed to think otherwise and, surprise surprise, any time I saw them together she was all over him.
Okay, so holding his hand wasn't technically “all over him”. But when her impressive chest was in his space, it qualified.
“It doesn't matter,” I said. Hating how much it really did matter.
Meira didn't push me. Just hugged me as her body shifted back to demon form. I really had to get her to teach me how she altered her clothes in the process because by the time she released me, she towered over me in those damned boots she loved.
