Ancient Ways

by Patti Larsen

  “For the last time,” I said, temper showing as I snapped my response, “I was never, at any time, in control of another family's power.”

  What, telling them sixteen million times wasn't enough? Sixteen million and one it was.

  The entire line of Councilors, Mom included, towered over me in their high and mighty seats while I sat on a low bench in the middle of the chamber, enduring my third round of interrogations since Pender kindly but firmly escorted me to Harvard.

  “I'm so sorry,” he said. “But I'm under orders.”

  I could still hear Charlotte's howls as he took me away, leaving her behind. And they hadn't let her or anyone else near me since. Three rounds, three days. Oh, I wasn't a prisoner. They assured me of that the moment I was escorted through the Council main doors and presented like a trussed up turkey at holiday time. Not at all.

  They just had some questions.

  Yeah.

  Right.

  “And yet,” Huan said, “you claim you did have control during your time inside the crystal column.” She glanced to her right where a line of glowing blue writing hovered. She squinted at what she'd written in magic before fixing me with her glare again. “Isn't that true?”

  Okay, so I got why Mom allowed this to go on and why she permitted the Santos family to do the poking and prodding. Everyone knew the Dumonts were our enemies. But the Santos family were in close cahoots. So by allowing their Council member to try to tear me a new one showed the Council my mother wasn't acting out of loyalty to her old coven or to her daughter, for that matter.

  Logically, it made total sense.

  Emotionally, it hurt like hell. And considering the short fuse of my typical temper, three days bordered on a miracle. In fact, she was lucky I hadn't gotten up and walked out already.

  Since I wasn't a prisoner or anything.

  “Just in case you weren't listening the last twenty times you asked me this question,” I said while my vampire's spirit magic whispered patience in counterpoint to my demon raging and throwing fireballs around inside my head, “I never, at any point, had any control over the Dumont family magic. It was in there with me. But I didn't touch it or the other magicks. My focus was destroying the crystal.”

  “With your sorcery.” She tipped her chin down and looked at me without the aid of her glasses. “The very power we're now finding ourselves fighting against.”

  Was she freaking serious?

  Enough.

  I was about to rise, and screw them all, when Mom's magic rang like a bell.

  “I believe we've heard everything the coven leader has to tell us.” She turned to Pender who bowed to her. “Enforcer Leader Tremere, can you attest to the honesty of Coven Leader Hayle's testimony?”

  Excuse me?

  Was that guilt on his face?

  “I can, Council Leader,” he said. “As requested, I have been inside her mind the entire time. Everything she's told us is absolutely true as she knows it.”

  My entire body shuddered, blood rushing to my feet as I understood. She'd ordered him to spy on me, to invade my mind and I hadn't even known he was there. Even the Council members had the good grace to look uncomfortable though my mother's angry stare never faltered. Huan sat back with her own scowl despite Pender's assurances.

  How dared they? How dared she?

  “Council will now deliberate.” She rose without another word, stalking out of the room, the others following her, whispering to themselves. Erica's unhappiness was clear and I could tell from the way she glared at Mom's back she had no idea what my mother had been up to.

  Pender approached slowly, head down, and when he spoke, his voice was apologetic.

  “Please forgive me,” he said. “I had—”

  I surged to my feet, not touching him, rage flaring as the shock of my violation finally hit me. “Orders, Pender? Screw you and your orders. After everything I've done...” I backed away from him as two of his Enforcers rushed forward to defend him, but he waved them off.

  “If you will come this way, please,” he said, gesturing, not meeting my eyes.

  Back to my cell. That wasn't a cell, was it? No, just a nicely appointed suite with a lock on the door and wards on every exit.

  I slammed the heavy wooden door in Pender's face before turning and pressing my back to it. Deep breathing did little to calm me down, my skin prickling with rage. My demon's fury matched mine as she offered a selection of deliciously vicious options for his demise and disposal while Shaylee vented her frustration through a small earthquake shaking my room so hard three pictures fell from the walls and a large carafe of water slid to the tile and shattered.

  Let them feel that and wonder.

  I understand your anger, my vampire sent. But we can't afford to be angry yet.

  Yet. You mean I can freak out and wreck some stuff later?

  She sighed. Of course, she said in her long-suffering way. If you think it will solve anything.

  Nope, not really. But I'd feel better.

  You do realize Pender must now know you went to see Ameline. Damn it. Had I gone there, thought about it? I'd been careful to focus on Demetrius so I didn't let anything slip verbally. Used him as my explanation for having the knowledge I did.

  If Pender knew, he hadn't said, at least no so far. Which suggested to me he wouldn't.

  You're most likely right, she sent, sounding relieved. I can't believe none of us felt him.

  I reached for Gram, ran into the wall the Council placed around me within moments of arriving three days ago. So no outside support.

  I was still a little shocked she hadn't stormed her way into the proceedings and gave Mom what for. For all I knew, she tried and failed.

  The worst part of all of it wasn't answering the damned stupid questions over and over again or the glares and judgments from the Council. Or even the way my own mother treated me like a criminal. No, the worst was being cut off from the outside, not knowing what was happening. I could only assume things went on as normal without me because the Council gave no indication there had been more attacks. But a powerful sense of urgency burned inside me, begging me to hurry the hell up and get out there.

  I sat on the edge of the sofa and clasped my hands in my lap. They'd taken my crystal away, so no access to my sorcery. Which meant when I tried to reach for Trill I didn't have full access to my creation power. And there was no way I was risking using blood magic directly.

  Kerosene with that kindling, Syd?

  My attempt to make amends with Mia, there on the rooftop, crashed and burned at least.

  “There's always a place for you with the Hayle family.” I meant every word, hoped she'd find it in herself to realize it really wasn't my fault. That it was just crappy circumstances compounded by all those years wasted when she was latent.

  She turned on me, hissing like a viper.

  “You'll pay,” she snarled before accosting an Enforcer and making him take her away.

  Quaid went with her, eyes locked on mine as they vanished.

  It was hard to tell if he blamed me, too.

  I then watched, Sassafras coming to my side, Charlotte on the other, as the Enforcers swept up the remains of the machine with their magic and took it away. Demetrius spent the entire time they worked hopping up and down, tearing at his hair. When they vanished, he spun on me, ran to my side.

  “Bad, bad,” he said.

  Not my problem.

  Pender appeared shortly after that and everything went to hell.

  It wasn't I was surprised they wanted to talk to me or anything. But the way I was treated, that came as a shock. Right from the first moment, when I was cut off, when Pender lifted the crystal from my pocket, when Mom sat back and allowed Huan to take over, to push me and my buttons as far as she could possibly push them while my mother's pet Enforcer violated my mind with his magic, they assured me I wasn't under arrest.

  But when I was led here, to this room, and locked inside, I knew it was a lie.

&n
bsp; I guessed they didn't dare openly arrest me. Not without proof of some kind. Not considering I'd just saved them again, alerted them to the threat in the first place. And, after my initial testimony and forced discussion of what I was becoming, not one of them was unaware of how much power I now carried.

  Which only made it worse, didn't it?

  Did it ever.

  That lovely first day ended when Mia was led in, her hate firmly in place, a toxic poison leeching from her as she lunged for me, only to be held back by two Enforcers.

  Neither of which was Quaid.

  “I declare grievance!” She stabbed the air with one finger, stabbed at me with her desperate, impotent rage. “This thief stole my power and gave it to another.”

  Was it really that easy for them to believe the raving, raging shell standing in front of them over me? Looked like it.

  “Explain.” Huan leaned in like a hungry shark smelling my blood in the water. Speaking of blood, they hadn't even allowed me to shower or change the first night before they started in on the questioning. I could only imagine I looked about as bad as Mia, covered in my own gore.

  Real fear flared in my gut before I pushed it aside.

  I had nothing to fear. I could escape this at any moment. Just let the Enforcers try to stop me.

  It was my coven I worried about.

  Mia rambled, a broken and disjointed story I could hardly follow, part of me feeling very sorry for her, the other part just wanting her to shut the hell up and stop whining about it already.

  Probably my demon part. She took the blame, anyway.

  Andre's arrival silenced Mia. He swept into the chamber like he was the Council Leader, his two sons at his side. They reeked of magic again, both Jean Marc and Kristophe looking all kinds of smug.

  If Andre was the King of Creep, his sons were the Princes of Pompous.

  “Might I assure the Council,” Andre said with a flowing bow, “none of what the former leader of my coven claims,” there was the “my” again, “is true.” He turned to me with flourish. “Coven Leader Hayle had nothing to do with the theft of our power but, instead, insured its freedom and return to the family where it belongs.”

  Even Mom looked startled. “You're speaking in favor of the Hayle coven leader?”

  His smile broadened. “I am, indeed, Council Leader,” he said. “The Dumont family owes her a great debt of gratitude.”

  We're even, he sent in a tight line directly to my mind. Don't ever think otherwise.

  I slashed across the connection between us, cutting him off. So much for a debt the Dumont family would never be able to repay.

  Arrogant ass.

  Huan’s frown seemed disappointed as she sat back. “Very well, then,” she said. “This Council thanks you for your honesty, Coven Leader Dumont.”

  Andre bowed again before turning away.

  “Wait!” Mia's eyes welled, spilled over as she blubbered a moment before pulling herself together enough to speak. “Please, I have to have it back.”

  Andre's contempt was so thick she could have made a bed out of it.

  “Outcast,” he said. “Your leadership, or lack thereof, brought our family to its lowest point in our history. It's time for a strong voice and a firm hand. Be grateful the coven doesn't demand your death for our near destruction.”

  Mia sank to the floor, face in her hands as Andre swept from the room and I cursed him silently.

  I couldn't watch as they led Mia out. Carried, actually.

  At least I hadn’t needed the little technicality Gram and I came up with. Bad enough Mia was so broken. Me rubbing it in she couldn’t challenge me because she wasn’t a coven leader at the time probably would have just piled on more damage.

  The rest of my interrogation went without interruption. Meals, a shower at last, change of clothes. Sleep. I needed all of those. But after three days of this garbage, I was ready to have it end.

  One way or another.

  I'd decided early into day two if they chose to charge me, I'd step down as leader of the Hayle coven. For their protection. I knew Gram would want to fight me on that, but I really had no other choice. It would mean she'd need to find someone to take over, a transfer of power and the end of the Hayle name. But it would also mean our family was safe, if under new management.

  I could live with that. And would when I ran.

  Maybe it would be easier anyway, just to take off. To do what I had to do without the fetters of my kind's society to hold me back. I could join Trill and Owen, even their atrocious brother Apollo, and act behind the scenes. It would mean running for the rest of my life, being a fugitive. Or at least long enough for the witches to forget about me.

  Immortality meant I'd outlive them all eventually.

  But even though it made perfect sense, I couldn't bring myself to go. Not yet. Not until I knew for sure if it was necessary. Abandoning my family wasn't something I was willing to do lightly.

  It burned my ass knowing I'd saved them all again, done everything I could to follow their rules, acting when they wouldn't. Or maybe couldn't. And yet, here I sat, waiting on the judgment of those who had absolutely no clue what they faced.

  No pity party. I'd given up on poor me so long ago I barely remembered the girl I was, whining about her life, wanting to be ordinary. This was who Sydlynn Hayle was meant to be. The whole destiny thing? No more fighting it.

  No matter what it cost me personally. I'd save them, time and again, for as long as they let me. And even after that. Because that was me.

  I felt the seals around the room sigh, heard the door handle turn.

  Drew a breath. Stood and squared my shoulders.

  My own fate decided, regardless the Council’s will, I was ready.

  Pender entered, head still down. “It's time,” he said.

  I strode to his side, pushed past him. “Let's get this over with.”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Pender let me walk ahead of him, didn't try to touch or escort me. Must have known any attempt would be rejected. It was a short walk, but felt like forever, my feet making dull taps against the old tile floors. University Hall stretched most of the length of Harvard Yard, and the magic floor reserved for the Council ran with long, empty corridors, large windows looking out over the green space. I glanced outside as I walked, gaze traveling over the trees and grass, the sight of late term students going about their lives below stirring my sadness at last.

  We'll be fine, my vampire sent, my demon hugging me, Shaylee singing softly as she stroked my mind. The family magic coiled around me, embracing all of us as we passed around the corner and headed for the Council doors.

  I know, I sent back, letting them feel how much I loved them. We're sure, then? They were all very aware of the choices I'd made, the decisions I'd come to. They'd helped me reach them.

  We are, they said in unison while the family power sighed a soft agreement. We will fight to the last and, if necessary, we will leave our family to protect them. Even though the family magic inside me tied to my coven hiccupped unhappily, it agreed.

  Okay then.

  In confident and complete unity of ego, maybe for the first time ever, I strode through the large doors with my head high and my soul at peace. I came to a halt in the middle of the sun-filled room, no longer worried about the future, mine or the coven's. My eyes went to the place I'd sat for so long, noticing they'd removed my chair and left me to stand.

  To face their judgment on my feet. No objections.

  It was about time.

  Huan stared at me over her steepled fingers while the rest of the Council watched me with pinched faces and nervous energy, perhaps more agitated by my calm and confident state than had I shown weakness or fear. “Any last words, Coven Leader Hayle?”

  No way was I going to bow and scrape and beg them for mercy just to make them feel better. And while it was ominous, such a choice of phrase, now that she mentioned it, I had a whole hell of a lot to say,
thanks.

  “I would do it all over again to save you.” Flinching, guilt, one weak, sad smile from Erica answered my words. My voice held steady, my calm wrapped around me like a cloak. “You must know by now the Brotherhood isn't going to just go away because you want them to.” Mom didn't move or speak, face a flat mask of anger. “The old ways aren't working anymore. Not while the sorcerers build world-wide conglomerates to control the normals.” Frustration simmered as I stared into fearful faces, knowing they would do nothing to act. Mom was right. They would cling to their laws and their secrecy and nothing I said would ever change their minds. Only a radical shift would force them to do anything but hide behind what had been. “If you insist on burying your heads in the sand, the Brotherhood will succeed in their goal to destroy all magic but their own.” More fear. Were they listening? It didn't matter. I had my say. Best I could do. “I, for one, won't stand by and allow them to take over without a fight.”

  Challenge heard. Ignored. One last prod to go.

  “And I hope I'm not alone.”

  Crickets.

  Shrug.

  So be it.

  The brick wall that was the High Council sagged back into their collective seats as I fell silent. Mom traded places with them, finally leaning forward, her angry blue eyes fixed on mine.

  “Despite numerous warnings from your Council Leader, you have once again acted outside the laws of your people.” Mom's voice carried, deep and full of disappointment.

  She had to be kidding me.

  “I could say the same of you, Council Leader,” I snapped back, temper finally winning. “Not only did you keep vitally important information from this Council and all witches, information that could have meant the loss of witchcraft, you illegally ordered the invasion of a Coven Leader's mind by one of your Enforcers when that coven leader wasn't under arrest.” I glared. “By your own words.”

  The Council didn't move, a frozen tableau of witches staring at Mom, waiting for her response.

  As she said they would. Unmoving, unmovable. Frozen in indecision while she took charge.

  I just wished she was on the winning side instead of becoming the very heart of what needed changing.