Enforcer

by Patti Larsen

  I let him go, insides clenched tight. Shenka reached for him with sympathy on her face, but he dodged her, slipping from his chair with sharp cry.

  “Time flies!” He clapped his hands abruptly together and fell backward into a puddle of black, like a kid falling into a pond, before it closed around him and he disappeared.

  Shenka turned to me, concern on her face, but I shook my head, anger and frustration warring with compassion.

  “Just let him go,” I said. “He'll come back when he has more info.”

  “Or when the crap hits the fan,” Shenka said.

  Yeah. Or then.

  “In the meantime,” she said, “at least we know someone has a line on Alison. And the Brotherhood.”

  I just wished it was me and not the half-baked Demetrius Strong.

  “You, on the other hand, have a job to do.” Shenka swept to her feet, magic sending his dishes to the sink.

  Crap. What had I forgotten now?

  She grinned as she poked me. “You have to choose who you're taking to conclave.”

  Right.

  Damn. Half the coven wanted to come and I could only pick three.

  I could hear the screams of disappointment now.

  Sometimes my job really sucked.

  ***

  Chapter Thirteen

  I set down my small suitcase in the center of the tented room and tried to feel okay about leaving the family under Galleytrot's protection. And yes, that of the six Enforcers now patrolling Wilding Springs.

  Still.

  Not easy to just walk away.

  And yet, I was still inside my own territory, felt the hum of the family magic from its place in the basement of my house. I would know in a breath if something went wrong, could leap into the veil at a moment's notice.

  Still.

  Unease was a way of life now, I guessed. Even surrounded by the Council's Enforcers, even with all this power at my disposal. At least the small bedroom constructed inside the giant pavilion was nice enough, not stuffy or dark. And thanks to the shielding Mom and the other witches of the Council placed around each sleeping area, I had privacy. Which I immediately reinforced with my own magic, thank you very much.

  The pavilion was divided into a number of sections, twenty-nine covens invited from across the continent as the representatives of our territory of North America. Like me, each leader was only permitted three witches as an entourage. Not as a trust issue, but as a way to control the sheer numbers of bodies about to descend on the site. Mom estimated hundreds, but I fully expected over a thousand witches, werewolves, vampires, Sidhe and demons to show up, not to mention the Steam Union.

  The only contingent not represented were the maji, though technically I qualified. I sighed as I sank to the soft mattress of my bed, trying to appreciate the lovely, airy feel of the room, the delicate white and floral décor Mom chose. I was really hoping to have Trill to lean on during the conclave.

  The young blood maji informed me in no uncertain terms weeks ago she had no intention of attending in an official capacity.

  “You and Miriam can handle things,” Trill said over a cup of hot chocolate. Her brothers slept in the caravan they used as a traveling home, tucked away in my back yard out of view of the street while the dark-haired beauty joined me for a drink in the middle of the night. “I have other worries at the moment. And I'd rather keep an eye on the proceedings from a safe distance.”

  No amount of conversation could dissuade her. Or make her stay longer than it took to finish her cup of cocoa. I waved as she drove off in her rusting motor home, gone as quickly as she'd appeared.

  Just like Trill Zornov, budding blood maji. And yet, I sensed a change in her, maturity she'd only begun to develop the last time I saw her blossoming and growing inside her. She'd clearly seized her power and embraced it. And though I worried, as I did about everyone I cared about, I knew she and her brothers would be fine.

  And watching. Waiting for their chance to strike at the Brotherhood. Knowing Trill was out there actually made me feel better, even if I preferred she be at my side.

  “Delightful.” Estelle Lawrence peeked into my space, gently parting the heavy fabric hanging over my doorway. “Your mother did a splendid job.”

  “Just splendid.” Esther agreed with her sister, not a shocker, as the twins looked around my quarters with their normally pinched expressions softened, matching glasses shining in the soft witch light, twinsets and skirts as prim and proper as ever.

  I dutifully followed them to the room they shared, oohed and ahhed as genuinely as possible while Shenka giggled behind her hands at me. The only one who seemed completely at ease was Sassafras. He'd parked his fat body on the low sofa in the main area we'd been allotted and proceeded to clean himself thoroughly with his rasping tongue.

  It was actually hilarious to see the twins acting almost girlish as they gushed over their quarters. I could only imagine how excited they were for this event. Was shocked by their eager acceptance when I ventured to their small house to ask them.

  Esther practically pushed Estelle out of the way in her haste to say yes when I broached the subject.

  The typically quiet but powerful twins immediately fetched their packed bags and joined me at the door that second.

  Okay then.

  I ignored the disappointment from the rest of the family, let Shenka deal with it and assigning Gram a coven babysitter—hopefully more than one—as we stepped into the veil and emerged on the other side at the old coven site. Just as long as it wasn’t Penelope Anders. Gram despised the blue-haired old lady with the watery brown eyes and penchant for gossip.

  Maybe I should have checked after all. I had no idea the reaction Gram would have, in her present state, to being nitpicked and irritated when her power wouldn’t allow her to escape.

  Shenka’s magic touched mine as she sensed my anxiety.

  She’s safe, she sent. Was I really so transparent? The Happerns are moving in.

  Big tension release. The fallen demon Talee, her husband and their two sweet kids might be just what Gram needed to come back to the real world.

  I released a big breath and sent Shenka a hug of gratitude as we touched down in the short grass.

  Mom greeted us personally as we arrived, showing us to our space while the twins thanked her over and over again.

  Nice to see them so enthusiastic, but if they spent the next few days like this, I was going to have to kill them both and hide the bodies.

  “So lovely of your mother to insist we arrive first,” Estelle said. I used to have trouble telling the twins apart, but now could feel the subtle difference in their magic. Estelle's felt rougher around the edges, just a little, while Esther's had a hint of milkiness.

  “So lovely,” Esther agreed. “Delightful to be the first, don't you think, Sydlynn?”

  Sure, okay. I bobbed a nod, all they needed, because they both smiled at me with their pinched little faces, patted my cheek on the way by and left our area, arm in arm, chattering away to each other partly out loud, partly in their minds.

  Shenka laughed when they'd gone. “I just love those two,” she said.

  The feeling wasn't always mutual between me and them. But they'd learned to like me and vice versa.

  “I need air,” I said, restlessness taking over.

  “I'll finish getting us settled,” Shenka said. “Go.” She drew a breath, smiled. “Let me know when you need me.”

  The Tallah talk. Right.

  Sassafras paused in his grooming to stare a moment. “Maybe I should come with you,” he said. “Keep you out of trouble.”

  “We're the only family here,” I snapped, my tension buttons pushed.

  He grunted softly and rolled his shoulders. “Whatever you say, Sydlynn.”

  Smartass cat.

  I stomped my anxious way through the large main area of the pavilion and out into the warm night air. Two gulps and I already felt better, even as I paced between our giant tent and the o
ne dedicated to Africa. The deep shadows of the looming constructions enveloped me instantly.

  Gave me a clear view of the pair of Enforcers standing at the other end of the tunnel.

  It would have to be Quaid and Payten, wouldn't it? And she'd have to be clinging to him, whispering in his ear while he bent his head to listen. I froze, everything inside me going still. Even my demon went quiet as we held our collective breath and watched the girl kiss him.

  On the mouth. Our mouth. His. Wait—

  I choked on my breath as I let it out. And while Quaid didn't turn, didn't notice, Payten did. He was already striding away, back into the light. But she smiled at me, raised her hand to wave.

  The bitch.

  It was so hard to turn my back on Payten, to walk away, to refuse to acknowledge the fact she knew I was there and rubbed my damned face in it.

  No. Syd. Stop.

  I pulled myself to a halt, hands clenched into fists.

  He wasn't mine. How many times did I have to remind myself? No matter the trysts we enjoyed, the nights he came to me, Quaid wasn't going to marry me. He wasn't going to leave the Enforcer order. And I had no claim on him.

  Zero. Zilcharoony.

  Didn't hurt any less. Just as I knew it had to just kill him knowing I had to make a choice.

  At least, I hoped it did.

  My mind went to Gram, to what she'd said. About Grandfather Ivan and how she'd always believed in him. But men lied, didn't they? Quaid insisted he and Payten weren't together. Told me over and over again despite the fact she seemed to act differently. And after that kiss, well, it was pretty clear they were a couple after all.

  Then again, I kissed Piers all the time. Liam occasionally. And we weren't together.

  Shut up, logic. You suck.

  I felt Mom's power near the center pavilion and went looking for her. For comfort? Maybe. Though I preferred to use the term “distraction”.

  And got one. The moment I entered the giant central tent, Mom swept toward me, grasping my hand.

  “Thank the elements,” she said with an exasperated laugh. “I'm starving. Come have dinner with me.”

  And so, moments later, I found myself seated at a small table in her private quarters in the center pavilion, stuffing a forkload of chicken curry into my mouth.

  Heart hurting? Smother it in food. Tha’'ll do ya.

  Mom must have known something was bothering me, but she had the decency to let me eat first before her motherly instincts prodded.

  “Need to talk about it?” Her blue eyes shone over the rim of her wineglass.

  “No,” I said. “I really don't.” Sighed. “I do have some updates, though, for what they are worth.”

  She listened with her usual calm as I explained Demetrius's cryptic little lucidity session and told her about Alison and the Brotherhood. Mom swirled her wine when I finished, frowning down into the red depths.

  “He didn't seem concerned?” She took a sip, set it aside. Drummed her fingers on the table, a sure sign of Mom agitation.

  “Nope.” I rubbed my face with both hands before dropping them with a thud. “And as much as I'd like nothing better than to run off and deal with this mess, he's right.” I hated when other people were right. “I can't go after Belaisle without Ameline.”

  Stupid prophecy.

  “And Alison?” Mom's right foot bobbed over her crossed knee.

  I shrugged.

  Mom finally leaned forward on her elbows. “All right then,” she said.

  Didn't get to go on. Not when a burst of magic just outside the door announced the arrival of a large group of witches. Mom frowned a little, but went to the tent flap just as Maurice hurried inside with a pinched look of disapproval.

  “The Australians are here,” he said like they'd personally insulted him by daring to show up.

  I didn't need Maurice's announcement to identify the witches milling around in the large open central area of the main pavilion. Their powerful accents and loud voices made it crystal clear their origins.

  A short, skinny woman with light brown hair bleached by the sun and a dark tan grinned at Mom as we exited the small dining area. Her bright green eyes stood out against her skin as she strode forward and seized Mom's hand in hers, power flowing between them.

  “Miriam Hayle,” the woman said in her delightful accent. “Bloody nice to meet you.”

  Mom laughed softly, bowed her head. “Council Leader Braylen,” Mom said. “The pleasure is all mine.”

  The Australian witch spun and gestured at her people.

  “Sorry about the bother,” she said. “Damned time zones. We meant to arrive tomorrow, not in the middle of the night.”

  “Not at all.” Mom oozed cordiality as I found myself grinning at the woman's enthusiasm and attitude. “May I introduce my daughter, the leader of the Hayle Coven, Sydlynn. This is Bindi Braylen.”

  Bindi pumped my hand with equal enthusiasm. “So you're the shelia we all have to thank for the ripples in the world's power.” She winked and shrugged like it was no big deal. “Good on ya.”

  I quickly retreated as Mom took over, a small army of her witches herding the Australians out of the main pavilion and to their own. It still amazed me how good my mother was at her job and prayed to all that was good and holy I would never, ever have to try my hand at it.

  Shudder.

  Head down, mind on the problem of Alison and the Brotherhood, I was almost back to my tent before I realized someone was following me. Power pulled tight, I spun to find Payten hovering just beyond my physical reach, the Enforcer hood pulled up over her hair, though her face was clear in the softly bobbing witch lights glowing overhead.

  She wasn't smiling anymore. I was so shocked she approached me I didn't say anything until she spoke.

  “Do we have a problem?” Her voice hung low in the night air, hands twitching at the blue piping hem of her trainee robes. “If we do, I'd like to know about it.”

  My head exploded. Rage surged, my demon throwing herself at the borders between us, fighting to escape even as Shaylee howled her rage, sending a rumble through the ground between Payten and me. The family magic answered, coiled to attack.

  Only my sorcery remained quiet, watching. Hungry.

  And my vampire.

  Harming her will serve no purpose, she sent. But you must put this child in her place, yes?

  “I beg your pardon,” I said, hating the vibration in my voice as I seized on my vampire's support and spoke through the tightness in my chest.

  Payten frowned, coming closer. “You heard me,” she said. “Do we have a problem?”

  On the other hand, my vampire hissed, we could allow demon to eat her alive.

  Would probably give me heartburn, my demon snarled. But I could make other arrangements.

  “Trainee Orter!” A shadow detached from one of the pavilions, the shaking form of Pender Tremere saving her ass from demonic snacking.

  She blanched and turned to her commander, eyes wide. “Sir?”

  “You will address Coven Leader Hayle with due respect, trainee!” His anger flared in blue fire, slamming into her. Payten staggered backward, face now bright red as she gaped at me.

  “My apologies, Coven Leader,” she breathed. “Forgive me for my impertinence.”

  Not very bloody freaking likely.

  “Have I made a mistake entrusting you with this assignment, Trainee Orter?” I'd never seen Pender so angry, felt my own rage subside as he dressed her down. His power crushed hers, forcing her to bow her head, her shoulders, hands shaking.

  “No, sir,” she said with tears in her voice.

  Crybaby.

  “I think I may have,” he said, hovering over her, voice dropping to depths filled with power. “I think you may not have what it takes to be an Enforcer, Trainee Orter. What say you?”

  She pushed back a little, her magic rippling around her as she slowly raised her head. “No, sir,” she said, tears tracking down her face. “I'll make amend
s, sir.”

  “You'd better.” He stepped away, magic easing up, releasing her. “Now, offer an official apology to the Coven Leader and be on your way before I have you cast from the ranks.”

  Payten fell to one knee before me, hand on her heart.

  “I overstepped all boundaries, Coven Leader Hayle,” she said in a shaking voice. “My most sincere apologies. You are, and shall remain, my superior and I will from this moment forward treat you with only the respect your position commands.” She looked up, met my eyes. I looked for anger, vindictiveness. Saw only sincere regret in her face. “I am your servant, ma'am.”

  Damn her. Why couldn't she just be evil or something?

  I waved her aside, turning my back on her, unable to speak past the confusion, frustration and remains of my own temper.

  I caught her bow to Pender out of the corner of my eye, her flight. He swept toward me, bowing to me as she left, face pale, brown eyes flaring with magic.

  “Please forgive her,” he said. “She assumed too much, even considering you attended Harvard together. But such behavior will never be tolerated as long as I am Enforcer leader.”

  I sighed, tension leaving me tired and sad.

  “It's okay, Pender,” I said, patting his arm. “Really.”

  He nodded stiffly. “You are too kind, Coven Leader.”

  Okay, that made me even sadder. “You can call me Syd,” I said. “I'm fine with that.”

  “I must present an example,” Pender said in his stiff way. “As I am clearly not doing so sufficiently to guide my trainees.”

  He snapped off a salute, a fist over his forehead, before striding off.

  Poor Pender, my vampire sent. I wonder if he is up for the tasks ahead.

  Not our call, I sent back. Thought about Payten. Think she meant it or are we being played?

  My demon growled. Like I didn't know her vote before I asked.

  As much as we wish things were different, Shaylee sent, Quaid is not an option for us.

  The memory of the night before twinged in my stomach. Seeing him in the kitchen just this morning, thinking maybe, just maybe...