Enforcer

by Patti Larsen

  So was I.

  Who is the woman with Vasyl? I sent the message to Mom, but it was Sassafras who answered with so much sadness in his voice I actually looked down at him to find his amber eyes brimming with moisture.

  That's Eloise Brindle, he sent. How far their coven has fallen.

  Brindle. I knew that name... snapped my mental fingers a moment later. Didn't Mom help my friend Beth with a scholarship named after a Brindle?

  Kate, Sassafras sent. She would be horrified to know her descendent has thrown in with the Brotherhood.

  There wasn't much I could do to comfort him except stroke his fur and cuddle him close when he turned to hide his head against me.

  My tension held a tight hold as Oleksander addressed Mom.

  “We demand the European Council turn that criminal over to justice.” He pointed right at Vasyl and I realized then why Applegate chose the place she did for her entourage. Nice and close to the werewolves.

  Applegate yawned and gestured to Vasyl herself. “He is under my protection,” she said. “Come and get him.”

  The crowd stirred, fell silent. While most of them clearly had no idea what this was about, there was enough animosity floating around they had to be aware this situation could blow wide open at any moment.

  “Vasyl is my second,” Eloise said. Voice dull, eyes empty, as though prompted. “The family magic has accepted him. And I can prove it to you.” No one asked her to, but she turned to him, a puppet on very short strings, opening her power for us to see.

  There it was. Family magic, blue and glittering, swirling around him. Tied to him somehow. Perhaps he was latent? It didn't matter. Not really. The display was enough for the others.

  Just not for me.

  Mom's energy dimmed, forced to cave to law.

  “Your petition is denied,” Mom said to Oleksander. “And should anything untoward happen to the second of the Brindle family while you are in conclave, you will be held personally responsible.”

  Oh, Mom.

  I understood, I totally did. But she just forced the werewolves to look out for the wellbeing of one of the sorcerers who used to be their master.

  The worst part was the feeling of the Brindle family magic, at least for me. Of course it wasn't fighting Vasyl. His sorcery kept it so drained and beaten down, the leader so suppressed, I was surprised she was awake.

  Maybe she wasn't, for all that.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty One

  I fully expected the whole shebang to go kablooey at any second. I wasn't expecting, however, to die of boredom.

  Not right away, no. Not when Mom stood to give her welcome speech thanking the supernatural races for attending while I fumed and connived and tried to come up with a way to kick Vasyl's ugly ass without getting the werewolves in trouble.

  And certainly not when I finally came back to the present from a sharp prod of Sassafras's magic.

  You're supposed to answer her, he sent.

  What? Who? Nobody said there would be a test.

  I looked up and met Mom's eyes as she waited patiently, arm held out toward me.

  What the hell did I miss?

  Get up. Sassafras's voice grated in my head. Now.

  I scrambled to my feet, almost dumping him on his head, handing him off instead to Shenka. Okay, so she grabbed him from me before I could drop him. And stared at Mom, frozen.

  Syd, she sent. Your speech.

  My—

  Just repeat after me, my vampire sent. Welcome, most revered of all magic users, to my humble home.

  I mumbled what she told me, Mom's power amplifying my words. When I stumbled over “revered”, Applegate's snort of derision drove my temper into a spike and brought me to life.

  None too soon.

  The speech my vampire unfolded made my brain numb. Worse that Sassafras dove in from time to time to tweak the message.

  —in my power to—

  No, no, say, in my purview—

  Don't listen to him.

  She has no idea how to frame a speech.

  I made it through. Somehow. And sank to the bench dripping in a cold sweat.

  Who was the smartass who failed to mention I had to speak in public? I aimed my renewed anger at Mom, Shenka and Sassafras, including my egos along for the ride.

  Mom chuckled. You did fine, sweetheart. “We will now hear from Council Leader Diaz.”

  I thought I told you, Shenka sent, her distress clear in her mental tone.

  I've been preparing for weeks, my vampire sent.

  Sydlynn, Sassafras snapped. When will you learn to pay attention?

  At least it was over. And I didn't cause an international incident, blow anyone up or anything.

  Called it a win and settled in to calm my nerves.

  All the way down to dull and lifeless as, witch after witch, speech after speech, my soul was sucked out through my ears and devoured by the deepest boredom I'd ever felt in my entire life.

  I caught myself wishing Belaisle would show up just so I had something to do. Or Galleytrot's giant snail. But picturing it sliding its slimy way over the assembled witches and magical beings just led me to sigh and shift in my seat.

  There was only so much I could do with a man-eating gastropod to keep me amused.

  Who knew the opening day of conclave was mind-numbing exploration of each and every Council and attending coven's rewind of the last one hundred dismally wretched years?

  Mom. You’re killing me.

  Her mental laughter barely hid her own weariness. You mean you’re not enjoying yourself? But Syd, this is the best part of conclave. Day one is always about boasting. Her chuckle turned to false disappointment. I thought you knew that?

  Gripe.

  And day two? I dreaded the answer. Why hadn’t I asked? Because I didn’t bother with boring details, did I? That was Shenka’s job.

  I really had to learn to pay attention. Sass would love to hear me say that.

  Oh, day two, Mom sent with so much enthusiasm I couldn’t miss her sarcastic undertones. Yes, we make laws on day two. Big ones, little ones. All in a bundle. But day three, that’s the best. Okay, this was fun, at least. Who knew my mother had such a sense of humor? I could almost see her clap her hands and widen her eyes in pretend excitement. Day three we pass those hastily and badly written laws that make everyone’s lives all convoluted and confusing. Fun, right?

  Snort.

  You’re kidding me.

  Syd, Mom sent, sobering but still amused. You know witches. Grew up with them. Since when have you known them, as a whole, to do anything with sanity or purpose? Hide-bound, frustrating…

  Job getting to you? Sympathy made an appearance past my need to giggle.

  At times, she sent. I really never knew just how ridiculous we are as a race until I took this position. Even more now. She sighed in my head. Not that it matters anyway. Nothing important will be decided here this weekend, I can promise you that. I thought of Tallah and wondered for a moment. Our focus is on the Brotherhood. Not silly laws that no one pays attention to anyway.

  Fair enough.

  When Chambrelle stepped up to speak about the vampires, I perked. Surely she would provide some sordid entertainment. I had high hopes she might save me with one scandal or another, but nope. More drivel and tedium.

  With the following tales of the downtrodden depression of the werewolves, the self-centered focus of the Sidhe and the shirking of responsibility from the Steam Union and I was about to tear my own head off and toss it into the ring to see if anyone wanted to play some noggin soccer.

  Even Meira let me down, though I listened to a little of her speech before sighing yet again and squinching lower in my seat, one foot thudding endlessly against the riser below me, drawing an angry glare from the witch using it for a backrest.

  Sigh.

  Sigh.

  Holy mother of all the elementals and everything that could possibly be considered holy—

  Trill’s laught
er in my head was so welcome I latched onto her. Hard. Caught the image of her sitting cross-legged on the bed it the back of her caravan.

  And you wondered why I didn’t want to attend conclave, she sent with a giggle.

  Bratski. Save me, I sent with as much drama as I could pour into it. I’m dying here.

  You’re just going to have to suffer for the greater good. Her amusement faded. I hear there have been some complications.

  And how did she know that? Still, it was nice to have her to dump my stuff on, if only to keep my mind from imploding.

  I have met a few of the Steam Union here in this territory, she sent. It’s possible Tallah’s visitors are the genuine article.

  Really. Piers is looking into it, I sent. But can you check for me, too?

  Already on it, she sent. I’ll have Apollo contact his friends. If any of them are involved, they’ll know right away if this is legit.

  Thanks. I felt way better. Not that I didn’t trust Piers to follow through, but this was Trill.

  I take it you have a reason for rescuing me, I sent, that has nothing to do with rescuing me.

  She laughed. Just checking in. You know how the Brotherhood’s silence makes me nervous. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  So you’re happy they are stirring again. She laughed while I thought about the wild magicks. Any guesses what the message might mean?

  I could feel her shake her head. I wish, she sent. But the next time, reach for me. I’ll see if I can help.

  That would be awesome.

  I have to go, she sent. But have no fear, my brothers and I are close in case you need us.

  You could just drop the cloak and dagger and come join me listening to mindless drivel.

  I’ll pass, she sent. As appealing as that sounds.

  Hugged me with her power and was gone.

  I was so grateful for the distraction, I almost missed it when Shenka rose beside me, Sassafras in her arms, still managing to clap. I surged to my feet, butt aching from the hard seat, totally missing the applause thing, coming in too late as the horde of witches and others turned and began to leave.

  Way to stand out like a sore thumb, Hayle.

  Shenka giggled, Sassafras hissing at me.

  “You could at least have paid attention,” he snapped, “instead of wriggling around the entire time like a petulant child.”

  Whatever. At least I missed Applegate's speech.

  Had to find a silver lining somewhere.

  Speaking of which, as I turned to go, flexing my legs to bring feeling back, I ran into Piers. He caught me as Shenka scooted around us with a little smile and a slow eyebrow raise for me, carrying my cranky Persian with her.

  “You could have saved me earlier,” I said. “Tell me you sat through this entire thing like I did.”

  He laughed. “Every painful moment,” he said. Grinned. “Nice speech. Who taught you to speak, a pack of chimpanzees?”

  Hardy har har. “Keep laughing, sorcerer boy,” I said. “Let's see you wrangle a demon cat, a vampire essence and my mother all while trying not to pass out from performance anxiety.”

  Piers bowed to me. “I am merely a peasant in the shadow of your greatness.”

  Oooh. He was so going to pay for that.

  Piers took my arm, still smiling, nodding at the few people still left in the stands. “You do realize,” he said, keeping his tone pleasant, “Vasyl is the Brotherhood's eyes into the conclave.”

  What, did he think I was an idiot? “Duh,” I said. “Though why he bothered, I have no idea. Applegate is his already.”

  “Except,” Piers said as we began to descend to the main floor, “he has to fight to hold the Council Leader in thrall.” I'd buy that. I'd seen flickers of Margaret behind the facade Belaisle created. “But Vasyl is a sorcerer, his creature through and through. And thus is more valuable.”

  I almost argued Vasyl had the Brindle family magic to fight, but who was I kidding? He'd drained it into a coma.

  “It worries me,” I said, realizing it as my feet touched the main level. “It's not like the Brotherhood to be so...”

  “Blatant?” Piers nodded, still smiling. Okay, I could play his faking pleasantries game. “I agree. Which means Belaisle has other plans, doesn't he?”

  Lovely.

  “Or this is just a distraction,” I said.

  “For what?” Piers paused, turning me toward him, waiting for a pair of witches in quiet conversation with a group of werewolves to pass us out the exit. “Maybe instead a show of power?”

  “So out of character.”

  Totally.

  “Any word on the Steam Union friendlies?” Now that Trill was poking around, I remembered to ask him.

  Piers shook his head. “Not yet. But I have my doubts still.”

  Who didn’t?

  He didn't comment further, gaze leaving me, a small smile thinning his lips, eyes narrowing as he watched something over my shoulder.

  “I need to speak to the coven leader.” Damn it, that voice. I turned to find Quaid glaring at Piers who just shrugged before bending to kiss my hand.

  “We'll talk about this more later,” Piers said.

  I gave him a little push with my magic, shooing him off as he laughed and strode away.

  Leaving me to focus on Quaid who still stared after him with his fury barely contained.

  “You don't have the right to be angry,” I snapped. “Back off.”

  Quaid flinched, cheeks paling before he flushed and took a step off. “Are you going to pick him?”

  “You didn't need to talk to me.” Was he serious? “You're just being a jerkasaurus.”

  His scowl hurt, not because he was angry with me, but because I saw the pain behind it.

  “Besides,” I snarled back, so not in the mood for his little jealousy play when he clearly had no intention of following through. “I thought you and Payten had a thing going, Quaid. Go screw your little Enforcer bunny and leave me the hell alone.”

  Wow, Syd. Where did that come from?

  Didn't matter. Because he got the message, loud and clear.

  But not in the way I was expecting.

  “How many times,” he growled, looming over me as he closed the distance between us, “do I have to tell you there is nothing,” his power sparked as he cut the air with one hand, “between Payten and me?”

  Such. A. Liar.

  I turned to go, felt his hands on me, the pull of his magic, how my demon needed him.

  How I needed him.

  And hated him for it so much, in that instant, my free hand lashed out and slapped him across the face.

  I instantly regretted it. But there was no taking it back. Not the blow. Not the hurt. Not the resignation on his face as I backed away before spinning and running away from him.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Two

  I had no appetite, despite the delicious aromas floating around me. The main pavilion was now full of tables, stuffed with witches serving a variety of foods from all different cultures. I just couldn't bring myself to focus on dinner.

  Shenka bullied me into a long, black velvet skirt and silk blouse, my witch's uniform, the replacement pentagram necklace Mom gave me hanging around my neck. My second even put my hair up for me.

  “Now you look the part,” she said while Sassafras snorted.

  Didn't help Meira joined him in laughing. Charlotte, too. Nice of them to come and share in my misery, offering casual suggestions to “improve” my appearance. After the little run-in I'd had with Quaid, the last thing I wanted was to go through the dog and pony at a formal dinner.

  “You have to go,” Shenka said, Meira linking arms with me despite her height advantage, looking as stunning and scary as usual.

  “Mom needs us there,” my sister said. “Besides, I hear you're the guest of honor.”

  Blech.

  At least my sister was only teasing me. After a brief introduction yet again, Mom sat at th
e head table and everyone dug in. I fidgeted on her right, alternating between scowling at my plate and smiling when prompted by my irritated second.

  For goodness sakes, Syd, Shenka finally snapped. Smarten up already.

  But it was Sunny who finally got through to me.

  You have so much weighing on your mind, my vampire queen sent. I'm happy to lighten your burden.

  I wish you could, I sent, toying with my fork and the idea I could just get up and leave and no one would stop me.

  I take it this has to do with matters of the heart? Sunny's power soothed me, her spirit magic as comforting as one of her full-body hugs.

  How'd you guess? Was I that transparent?

  She laughed in my head. Darling, she sent, I've seen you face some of the most atrocious, frightening, overwhelming situations with courage and fortitude. But when it comes to your emotions, you are a little bird nursing a broken wing.

  Thanks a lot, I sent.

  It's a compliment, Syd. Sunny's power retreated but she stayed with me. You care so much, I worry for you. But what could be a weakness is actually your greatest strength. Don't let that change.

  Not what Sassafras thought.

  I really do love you, I sent, gushy all of a sudden, biting my lower lip to keep from crying.

  And I love you, my most darling Sydlynn, Sunny sent. And gently released me.

  I managed a few bites of food after that, but thankfully by the time I managed to focus, dinner was pretty much over. I fled as Shenka took over the niceties of mingling, slipping into the darkness alone, using magic to hide myself.

  I just wanted to be alone.

  Only to have green Sidhe power embrace me.

  I turned into Liam’s arms, inhaling the scent of fresh earth and his fabric softener, my entire body going limp with relief just to be held by someone who loved me without condition.

  He led me to one of the decorative benches on the site, pulling me tight against him as his power softly engulfed me.

  “Nice to see you too,” he said.

  I smiled up at him, all awkwardness gone. “Sorry,” I said. “It’s been a little rough and seeing a friendly face is a good thing.”