by Patti Larsen
“I'm done talking,” I said. “You have your answers. Either accuse me of a crime I didn't commit or let me go.”
They left without another word, though I felt Pender linger. But by the time I turned around, he was gone.
Not that his absence lasted long. I had just enough time to fret myself into chewing my nails to the quick before the door unsealed and Pender returned.
Smiling. Cell exit opened wide.
“Coven Leader,” he said. “You're free to go.”
Holy. It worked?
“With one request,” he said. “The Council would speak with you.”
Oh, I had some words for them. So that suited me just fine.
I wished I had time to change, or that Pender offered, instead of being swept from the cell and around the corner to a large doorway still in my flimsy robe. This had to be the main entry, no endless stairs for me this time. And waiting by the door, his hands clasped inside his black robe, stood Quaid.
“Enforcer Trainee Tinder has requested to escort you.” Pender stepped aside. “Be well, Coven Leader.”
I could have been rude. But Pender was only doing his job, following the orders of the Council. Still, I couldn't bring myself to smile or anything. I nodded to him with all the confidence I could muster, before the door swished open to reveal an elevator. A little shocking to find one in what amounted to a medieval fort, but I didn't question it.
Quaid entered beside me, the doors sliding shut behind us. As the small stone room descended, magic propelling us down and then sideways, he held still, silent. I almost reached for his power, but let him be, still amazed I'd somehow managed to get away with the one real crime I'd committed.
The doors slid open, a short hall with a large mirror on the other end waiting for us. I approached it, realized how pale I looked, how thin the fabric of my robe really was, saw my hip bones poking out, collarbone stark against my slight tan. I'd lost weight, gained a little height. Looked so much like Mom I smiled.
I could live with that. But somewhere along the line, I grew up.
Freaky.
I turned to Quaid just as he stepped into me, arms engulfing me, pulling me to his chest. I breathed in his scent, embraced the pulse of his power, the heat of the passion he held in his heart for me.
For me.
His mouth burned my lips, edges rough with beard scruff, hands buried in my hair as he almost lifted me bodily into him. I pushed closer, hands inside his robe, under his t-shirt, sliding over his hot skin. My fingers traced his ribs as I lost myself in his breath, his heartbeat, the taste of his tongue. He flinched as my hands brushed the waistband of his jeans, sliding under the lip of fabric to stroke the soft skin of his lower abdomen.
“Syd.” He groaned my name into my mouth before crushing me against his chest. My lips locked on his throat, teeth nipping down to the base of his throat.
“Quaid.”
Sigh.
Quaid.
We both stepped apart at the same moment. His dark eyes looked black, pupils dilated, breath coming in short pants, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
I felt thoroughly mussed and absolutely in need of him, but I smiled instead of trying to finish what we'd started. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“I love you,” he said. Spun and left me there.
I didn't blame him for walking away. We had no future, together at least. But for as long as possible, I would steal these moments with him and cherish them forever.
The mirror beckoned, wavering as I approached. I touched the cold glass, watched as it rippled like the surface of a pond disturbed by my touch. A permanent portal, had to be. Drawing a breath, I closed my eyes and stepped through—
—breathed air so heavy it choked me—
—stepped out into light. Opened my eyes. To my surprise, I stood in the middle of the Council chamber and, as I turned, I spotted Pender behind me. How he'd beaten Quaid and I to the mirror, I had no idea. But his hand slid a shard of glass into his robes just as I turned to look and I understood.
He carried the way to the stronghold with him. How many such portable portals existed?
And did I need to worry one might fall into the wrong hands?
Concerns for later. I spun back as Mom began to speak.
“Your High Council would like to offer up our most sincere apologies, Coven Leader.” It was just so good to see her again, as her. Surreal, considering what she'd come through. I caught myself on the edge of a grin and pushed it down. “You were wrongfully accused of a heinous crime.” She gestured and Varity came forward. “When Enforcer Rhodes told us you freed Ameline Benoit, we believed her.”
“I believed as well,” Varity said. “Please, forgive me for falling for such an evil deception.”
Okay, something happened to make them wonder if it was me or not. But what?
“New evidence arose just recently,” Mom said. “Proving you had nothing to do with Ameline's escape.”
Which was?
Pender stepped forward this time, setting a small coin on the floor in front of me. I recognized the feeling of maji power as the coin began to glow and Ameline's image appeared.
“Fools,” her magical hologram said, same icy stare, same arrogance coming through loud and clear. “Did you really think you could hold me? I am maji.” Her glossy black hair tossed as she shook her head. “And while, if things were different, I would gladly allow Sydlynn Hayle to burn, she is necessary.” Ameline's blue eyes blazed in the recording. “I hate to admit her power, but she has saved you countless times from destruction. And her reward? You treat her like a criminal.” She laughed, cold and calculated to raise the most anger. I know it worked on me despite the message. “I'm shocked at your idiocy. How you would ever believe she would help me after our history is remarkable.” I watched the faces of the Council, met Mom's eyes as Ameline's image wavered. “Hear me, you worthless witches. You will fall, and I will rejoice in your end. But if this plane, if all planes, are to survive, it's time to come together.” She seemed to look right into my eyes. “I'll see you soon,” she said.
And vanished.
As Pender bent to retrieve the coin, it flared once more before bursting into a puff of black smoke. I waved my hand under my nose at the stench even as my heart clenched in rage.
She saved my life. Again. Ameline thought I owed her, told me when she'd triggered my demon to rescue me from being drained by the vampires. And her little show gave me every indication she still thought so. Wanted to rub my nose in the fact I needed her.
I'd find her. And we'd see who needed who in the end.
***
Chapter Thirty Eight
I thought that was it. Free to go, out of there. But Mom wasn't done.
Not by a long shot.
“Coven Leader Hayle,” she said, voice ringing with authority. “With the recent attack on the Dumont coven and the escape of Ameline, we now clearly see the threat you've so patiently tried to warn us about.” Snort. Good one, Mom. Because I was the queen of patience. “Your growing power and approaching status as maji gave us pause.” Freaked them the hell out. She was good at this diplomatic speak. “But without your assistance, our covens would be under the control of sorcerers whose only interest is domination of all magicks.”
Shocker. No one argued, turned red in the face. Nada.
Maybe I was wrong about the others being under the influence.
“Because of your special status,” Mom said, “we, the North American High Council, grant you full immunity and impunity to act on any threat you see arise without compunction.”
Did she just hand me the keys to the Universe?
“Terrible days lie behind us,” Mom said. “And even worse lie ahead. Without you, we would fail and we know it.” She sighed, sat back. “And that failing is mine.”
Oh, crap. Don't tell me she was going to go all martyr on me all of a sudden?
Erica stared at Mom. “What are you saying?”
�
��For the last two years,” Mom said in a low, level voice, “I have been under the control of the Brotherhood.”
Silence. No outrage, no screaming. A little squirming.
They knew.
Because they were, too. I extended my energy, knowing now I had absolute freedom to do so and felt each and every one of them. Touched on the threads of emptiness leading away from them, some deeper and more seated than others, but none as controlled as Mom.
“Thanks to my lack of diligence,” Mom said, “this Council has been manipulated by the very evil I sought to protect us from. And, because of that, I resign my position as leader of this Council.”
Mom rose, gathering her magic, ready to force the Council power from her.
Like that was going to happen.
I slid a shield around her, maji magic sealing her tightly. She stared at me, frowning, but more from sadness than anger.
“In finding your freedom,” I said, voice throbbing with emotion I couldn't contain, “you've become the very person we need the most.” She trembled in my grip, eyes bright. “Now sit your ass down and listen.”
She did. Amazing.
“Each of you has lost a personal item.” There was no question now. The Council members exchanged curious looks. “Items embedded with your old family magic.”
That got their attention. Erica reached for her wrist. Mom gave her a bracelet years ago. Missing. Huan Wong touched her earlobes, empty of adornment. The other Council members shifted uncomfortably, nodding agreement.
“The Brotherhood's power lies in manipulation and stealth.” I didn't mean to pace, but it was hard to hold still with my mind whirling. “They use items embedded with family power to get to us.” It was a theory, yes, but I think I'd proven it correct with Mom and thinking back to Margaret Applegate's ring, I knew I was right. “As important as those losses were, why were you unable to find them with magic? Magic you'd carried most of your lives?” None of them spoke, all pale, all quiet, eyes locked on me. Huan twitched, the emptiness around her tightening. Which meant we were being observed, didn't it?
Time to put an end to that.
I welcomed my dark blossom to open, felt the blackness gaping beneath me, allowed it to reach for the threads of sorcery tying the witches to their lost belongings. Traced the path back in a rush of darkness to the source. Not physically this time, there was no need for so small a job. But I felt him, Belaisle, the anchor. Felt his rage, heard his shriek of fury as I calmly severed his connections, sending each of them back with a crack, like a slap to his face.
The tokens I gathered in my power and destroyed. They were too tainted to return to their owners. I felt the remains of their magic trace back to their covens before retracting my awareness to the Council chamber again.
Each of the Council members looked shocked. As though I'd punched them in the gut. Erica sobbed once before covering her mouth with her hands. Huan spun in her seat and threw up rather noisily on the floor while Willa swooned and had to be supported by Lauren.
“You were all compromised,” I said, but not to accuse them. Not in the least. This was my fault as much as anyone's. “But now that you are clean, you will stay that way.” My maji power swelled, the sorcery inside me forming a slick skin around them, sealing them from outside magic. Even Mom who shuddered, but nodded. “You can't step down now. Because we have no idea who else is under their influence.”
Mom sighed deeply as the rest of the Council murmured their agreement.
“We’ve been presented an opportunity to act,” Mom said. “To cleanse our covens of the influence of the Brotherhood once and for all.” She clenched her hands before her. “And, when we’re done, take this battle to them.”
Mess #1 handled. About a gazillion to go.
***
Chapter Thirty Nine
They wanted to talk, but I was done. I left them to hash out their own guilt and frustration while I finally let myself think of home.
And Gram.
Mom descended to my side, took my hand as I sliced open the veil and headed for Wilding Springs. Pressed my crystal into my palm as she did, returning it to me. The tiny soul inside rejoiced at our reunion, but I couldn’t muster enthusiasm. Not when I didn’t know what waited for me on the other end of the trip.
The kitchen felt surreal, like somewhere I remembered from a long time ago, but hadn't thought of in ages. Shenka dropped the carton of milk she held, the refrigerator door gaping open as she cried out and rushed to me, hugging me tight while a white pool of liquid spread beneath us.
“Syd,” she whispered. “We were so worried.”
I hugged her back, felt the touch of Mom's magic as she cleaned up the mess, looked up to see her put the milk back in the fridge. Shivered. She was herself, the woman I remembered when I was little. Young and fresh and so alive I could barely stand it. Seeing her like that, in our kitchen, made me feel sixteen again.
But I wasn't. And the world had changed so much since then.
I followed Shenka through the house, Mom behind me, holding my hand, to Gram's bedroom door. Two young witches were just emerging, whispering to themselves, but when Lula and Phon spotted me, they smiled.
And their smiles broke the dam I'd been holding my tears behind.
Lula hugged me kindly, Phon gently rubbing my back as I choked and tried to keep from collapsing into a puddle of soggy patheticness.
“She's resting,” Lula said, hazel eyes kind, splash of freckles across her nose making her look younger than she was. “But I know she'll love to see you.”
I wanted to ask a million questions, but they could wait. Gram was more important now.
The door creaked a little as I pushed against it, scrubbing the tears from my cheeks with the shoulder of my thin robe. Someone had pulled the curtains, casting the room in shadow and it took me a minute to adjust. A thin, frail shape lay under the sheets of my grandmother's bed, wispy white hair laid out on her pillow, tiny chest rising and falling in slow measure. Amber eyes shone as Sassafras lifted his head and looked up, his ears perked so far forward his whiskers quivered.
I hurried to the bed, trying to be quiet, feeling more sobs rising in my chest and fighting to keep them back so I wouldn't disturb Gram. She looked so different. Where Mom regained her youthfulness, her vigor, Gram looked like a shell of herself. Even when she'd been lost in madness, there was a robust feeling to my grandmother, like some giant lived in her wrinkled skin, just waiting to burst out.
Not now. Even her breath came in weak puffs through dry lips, her power lulled and transparent, as thin as her pale, pale skin.
I sank to the chair beside her bed, thinking of all the times I'd had to appease her with chocolate and tequila to keep her from blowing up the neighbors. How she'd always begged me to give back what I had of hers. Then, her happy cackle, the way her fuzzy socks carried her silently through her life. Stealth Gram with her pointy nails seeking out a rib, faded blue eyes sparkling in mirth, the crackle of her power, always there, always with me.
Soul sister.
Sassafras lay curled on her pillow, his cheek pressed to hers as he purred softly. I stroked his fur, kissed his paws, tears dripping onto his silver coat. I just couldn't hold them back anymore.
“I'm fine, girl.” Her voice startled a meep out of me. “And so are you, it seems.” Gram's eyes opened, fixed on me. A spark of hope rose in my chest as her power linked with mine. Until I felt her, how weak she was beneath the last of the family magic holding her to me.
My fault.
All my fault.
The family power coiled inside her, the remains of our shared magic humming softly, though it felt as diminished as she did. Her Sidhe soul sighed as Shaylee embraced her, replenished her. At least the gaping wound sealed, though I could feel the scarred edges of it and the way it slowed Gram's flow of magic.
“Gram,” I choked out. “I'm so sorry.” More tears. How had I failed her, of all people? Who never, ever once failed me.
Her hand slid over the covers slowly, a pale seeker finally finding my own. She squeezed gently and sighed. “You did what we raised you to do,” Gram said. “You acted like a Hayle and took responsibility. I was the one who failed.”
She'd finally cracked the rest of the way, clearly. “Gram—”
She closed her eyes, falling still for a moment and I did the same. Not the time to argue with her, I guess. Instead, I held her hand and flooded her with power and as much love as I could, still crying, more so as tears trickled from the corners of her eyes, too.
“Girl,” Gram whispered. “I love you so much. You are truly the sister of my heart. Everything I've done, everything, has been for you.” Her eyes opened again. “And I wouldn't change a thing.”
I heard a soft sigh beside me, looked up to see Mom turning away, face twisted in grief.
I didn't need that kind of pressure right now. “I'm giving you back the family magic.” Not only would it restore her—at least that was my hope—but I knew now it was the right thing to do. “I can't focus on what I have to do if I have the coven to worry about.”
Gram's grip on my hand tightened, the fierce rejection in her eyes so powerful I actually felt better. “Just try it,” she said. Coughed softly. “You have to lead this family. They need you.” She paused, smiled a sweet smile, one I hadn't seen on her face since she regained her sanity. “We'll do it together.” Her head turned, gaze going to Mom who spun around again. “All of us.” Gram faced me, eyes shining with more tears. “I am so proud of you, girl,” she said. “You are the daughter to me my poor Miriam never had the chance to be.” Mom choked, fell still, hands clutched together, pressed to her chest. “It terrifies me, you know that? Sending you out there, to do the elements know what.” Gram's cackle ended in a soft wheeze. “But I cheer you on every single time.” She pulled on my hand and I leaned closer. “What an Enforcer you would have made,” she breathed in my ear. Her free hand rose, fingers tracing over my cheek. “I always knew you were special. That you would be able to handle whatever this crazy life brought to you. And I was right.”
