by Patti Larsen
“Now, for new issues.” Mom settled back with a kind, if firm, smile for the gathering, and calm as you please. I admired her so much for her poise. Here I was practically giggling like a hysterical child. You rock, Mom.
Why, thank you, sweetheart. Only then did I feel the thrill of anticipation in her and realized, now more than ever, I was my mother’s daughter after all. All set?
Ready when you are. I hugged her with power. This is awesome, you know.
I hope so. But yes, I think you’re right. She sighed in my head as a tiny woman on the end of the front row surged to her feet and made her way to the middle of the room. Let’s find out, shall we?
“Council Leader.” The woman’s soft, brown curls bounced as she bowed her head to Mom. “Coven Leader Valerie Bell. North Eastern Canada.”
Interesting. The Canadian covens were usually more laid back, less inclined to speak up, at least in my experience. The fact one of theirs was the first on the line impressed me.
“Coven Leader Bell,” Mom said. “You have new business?”
“I do,” she said, huge, blue eyes sparking with power. A deep breath and she plowed on while a queue of witches formed behind her. “The Brotherhood attack saw the destruction of prominent families, all of whom are missed and mourned by each and every one of us.” Mom nodded for her to go on. “But, since then, other covens have risen in power. A fact that has, as yet, to be reflected on the Council that represents us as a race on this continent.”
Murmurs of, “well said,” and “here, here,” rippled through the gathered coven leaders. The crowded room felt heated suddenly, as though they let out a fraction of their energy for Mom to taste. She reacted with her usual confidence even as the sitting Council members exchanged nervous and angry looks.
She didn’t prepare them? Oh, Mom.
“Your suggestion, Coven Leader Bell?” Mom’s question silenced the room. Were they expecting her to fight back? Likely. I met Karyn’s eyes and nodded slowly to her. Shocked hazels turned to understanding to respect and grudging gratitude, all in an instant. She knew what I’d done. And why.
“That a new Council be selected from the strongest of the covens,” she said. “A rebalancing of power to reflect the new structure of the North American witches.”
A cheer rose, soft and hesitant, but present. They hummed as a group, vibrated. Those in line behind Leader Bell stood waiting, ready with their own arguments, I could only imagine.
If only they knew they didn’t need to prepare a speech, my demon sent.
I’m sure they were lovely and all, Shaylee sent with absolute glee.
Enough, children, my vampire murmured. I’m trying to listen.
Snort.
“I see.” Mom nodded wisely, glancing left and right as she seemed to ponder. The present Council stared back at her, nervous but, I could only guess, certain she would defend them and the way we’d been governed for so long. “Might I ask the line of you waiting to speak—are you all bringing forward a similar request?”
Nods, shuffled feet, grim expressions on the lot of them. The entire room seemed to hold time at a standstill while Mom leaned forward, fingers steepled, elbows resting on the arms of her chair.
“Might I suggest an alternative?” They weren’t expecting that from her, though from the stubborn antagonism that rose, they misunderstood. All but Karen who spoke up before an unnecessary fight started.
“I’d like to hear your alternative, Council Leader.” She glanced my way, a tiny smile on her lips while her two closest cronies, Paula Santos and Dagney Rhodes, glared bloody murder at me.
I’m trusting you, Syd, Karyn sent.
Trust Mom, I sent back. She has only the best interests of all at heart. You must know that by now.
I do, she sent. But, if you don’t mind, I’ll add you to the mix anyway.
There was nothing I could do about that.
The other coven leaders seemed to deflate at Karyn’s agreement, though tension remained, thickening the air of the chamber in degrees as the seconds ticked by. Interesting how she’d emerged as the clear leader of this odd group. I’d expected it to be Tallah Hensley.
Speak of the devil. Where was she? It was the first time I realized the Hensley coven leader was missing. And hadn’t, from what I could tell, sent a representative in her place.
Now that was odd. Considering Tallah’s rigid need for control these days. Why did her absence make me so nervous?
Mom dropped her hands to her lap, smiling faintly. “We’ve been through so much as a race over the centuries,” she said. “Persecuted, pursued, burned at the stake. And, in response to that history, we’ve become closeted, closed minded, secretive. To the detriment of all. In our attempt to protect ourselves, to guide and shape our race, we’ve created a collective fed by old hurt and the unwillingness to act together for fear of doing the wrong thing. When we needed each other most, we have failed each other.” She swept the room with her blue gaze, voice rising in volume, power behind it. “I say, no more.” Mom’s magic, tied to the fresh, young Council energy, swept around the chamber as she went on. “It is time for a new way of being. For witches to come together in joy of who we are, not in fear of what might happen if we work as one.” Another soft cheer, this one spontaneous. Tears burned the corners of my eyes, my chest tightening as I choked up.
Wasn’t expecting that. Not even a little.
Leader Bell’s thickened voice responded, evidence I wasn’t the only one Mom’s words touched. “What would you have us do, Council Leader?” And, just like that, they were behind my mother 100%, waiting on her words, ready, willing and able to jump on the wagon.
You are magnificent. I hugged her again, not wanting to distract her.
Syd, she whispered back. Don’t make me cry in public. Please. I’m barely holding on as it is. “My people,” Mom said, rich voice vibrating with emotion, “as your chosen Council Leader, I propose a vast and sweeping change to the way we care for each other. That we embrace all covens, all voices. That we rule, not by the dictates of a few, but with the voices of many.”
They gaped at her before a few started to applaud. But, the clapping stopped as they waited for her to say it already.
Mom rose to her feet, arms wide as though to embrace everyone in the room. I felt the soft, kind touch of her power and fed it with my own, the light, sweet caress of each and every witch in the room joining mine until Mom glowed like a vibrant, blue star.
“From this day forward,” she said, “this Council is comprised of all coven leaders of all duly registered covens in this territory. And every coven, small or large, shall have an equal vote. So mote it be.”
I’m not ashamed to say I was on my feet with everyone else, crying and cheering while Mom bowed her head and wept in joy.
***
About the Author
Everything you need to know about me is in this one statement: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, and now I’m doing it. How cool is that, being able to follow your dream and make it reality? I’ve tried everything from university to college, graduating the second with a journalism diploma (I sucked at telling real stories), was in an all-girl improv troupe for five glorious years (if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend making things up as you go along as often as possible). I’ve even been in a Celtic girl band (some of our stuff is on YouTube!) and was an independent film maker. My life has been one creative thing after another—all leading me here, to writing books for a living.
Now with multiple series in happy publication, I live on beautiful and magical Prince Edward Island (I know you’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables) with my very patient husband and six massive cats.
I love-love-love hearing from you! You can reach me (and I promise I’ll message back) at [email protected]. And if you’re eager for your next dose of Patti Larsen books (usually about one release a month) come join my mailing list! All the best up and coming, giveaways, contests and, of course, my obser
vations on the world (aren’t you just dying to know what I think about everything?) all in one place: http://smarturl.it/PattiLarsenEmail.
Last—but not least!—I hope you enjoyed what you read! Your happiness is my happiness. And I’d love to hear just what you thought. A review where you found this book would mean the world to me—reviews feed writers more than you will ever know. So, loved it (or not so much), your honest review would make my day. Thank you!
