by Patti Larsen
“You’re her page.” One of them. I knew him from the trial. He’d stood with Maurice—now Mom’s secretary—and a second page.
“Vincent.” He winked at me. I found myself grinning even though he might have been fourteen, but was clearly flirting. “We never actually met, coven leader.”
I took the paper from him. “I guess we didn’t,” I said. “I was too busy trying to save Mom.”
He bobbed a nod. “Leadership looks great on you.” Another wink. Really? Smart ass. But at least he was adorable enough it made up for his cheekiness.
One look at the sheet made my stomach clench. It was an invitation to dinner. An official invitation. Now, don’t get me wrong. I was totally okay with invites to things, especially anything requiring such an invitation. But not when I was being summoned to dine with my mother. Clearly written by her secretary. And stamped with her magical seal.
Teeth suddenly on edge, annoyance my own mother would send an errand boy to fetch me with some tacky magical invite in his greasy little hand, I reached out with my power, despite knowing it was bad form, and touched Mom’s magic.
You could have just asked. I was terrible at keeping anger out of my voice when I spoke out loud, but even worse at it using mental communication. Something about the closeness of the touch of power made everything bigger and more obvious.
Mom’s sigh wasn’t lost on me. It’s your first official dinner with me, she sent. Can you at least allow me to treat you like you’re special?
Like that’s what it was about. Sure, fine. See you, I glanced at the time on the invitation then at my watch, in about two minutes. Way to give me any kind of advanced notice.
Mom let me go, feeling as irritated as I did. Lovely. This could be one of those times I’d be better off just going back to my room after all. But instead I crammed the black sheet into the front pocket of my jean skirt and, ignoring Vincent, stomped off with my backpack digging into my shoulder toward Massachusetts Hall and my mother.
The university president’s office was in the same building as Mom’s. But I wasn’t sure if said president was aware of the invisible top floor only accessible from inside the building. I rode an old-fashioned elevator, well-disguised from normal eyes, all the way to the top and Mom’s private quarters.
My bad mood dissolved the second the doors creaked open and my little sister bounced through to hug me.
“Syd!” Meira’s right horn dug into my shoulder as she squeezed me as hard as she could. I hugged her back, ignoring the jab, just happy to see a smiling face.
Her cheeks were pinker than usual despite her red-toned skin and her teeth flashed white against her deeper lips as she looked up into my eyes. She’d grown since I saw her in June, at least two inches taller, face more mature. How had I missed she was growing up? The knowledge made me sad we’d been apart over the summer, not to mention I suddenly felt old.
My demon wrapped her power around Meira, Shaylee welcoming her, too, before my sister finally pulled away, still holding my hand as she half-pulled me forward through the dark wood paneled entry and into a big, open sitting area. I turned, caught sight of Charlotte stopped in the doorway.
“I can’t pass,” she said. The scowl on her face told me volumes.
Meira paused, bit her lower lip. “Sorry, Charlotte,” she said. “Mom will have to clear you.” Her amber eyes met mine. “She had to do it for me and Sass, too.”
Charlotte nodded brusquely. “Very well,” she said. “I’ll wait here.” Yeah, she was happy about it. I left my backpack with her and followed Meira.
Thing is, I would have liked to have stayed with my bodywere. The sitting room, the whole upper floor, in fact, felt oppressive despite the tall ceilings, thanks to more dark wood and the tall, grim paintings of previous High Council leaders lining the walls. Their creepy eyes seemed to follow me as Meira dragged me through the sitting room and toward a large, heavily carved door. A wide, long table of more of the dark wood sat in the middle of the next room, covered in black linens and china with silver and gold leaf edges.
“Isn’t it awesome here?” Meira sank into a chair, still grinning, as I took the one beside her. I glanced around, looking for Mom, not really surprised she wasn’t in sight, though I could feel her moving toward us.
“You’re liking it?” I focused on my sister and found myself smiling. “You look great, Meems. I missed you a lot.”
No way was I crying. But Meira had her own tears in her eyes as she leaned in and hugged me again. “Me too,” she said before pulling back. “But I really do like it here, Syd.” Her old happy smile wreathed her face. “I get to go to witch school. It’s amazing.” Her cute nose wrinkled as she helped herself to the glass of water in front of her plate. Obviously eating here in this big room at a table that would easily seat thirty didn’t faze her any. “So much better than any normal school.”
“You don’t have to hide.” I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She swatted at me, but beamed as she held my gaze.
“Exactly.” She sighed happily. “There are a few Dumont kids here, but no one listens to them anymore.” Meira’s smile deepened. “Those girls who were mean to me at camp? Yeah, nobody likes them. But they do like me.”
“Naturally.” A large ball of silver fur landed on the end of the table. Sassafras sauntered down the center of it as if he owned the place, weaving in around goblets and table wear until he came to a halt before me. “What’s not to love?” He sat, tail flipping forward to wrap around him as he observed me with his half-lidded amber eyes. “Unlike Sydlynn, here.”
There was no way I could resist. I leaned forward and gathered him into my arms, snuggling him against my chest, pressing my face into his soft fur, breathing in the lovely cat scent of him reminding me of newborn kittens and crackling winter fires.
“Sass,” I whispered. “I missed you.”
His paws settled on my shoulders as I let him lean back, nose coming forward to press to mine as he started to purr. “Silly girl,” he said, voice thick though I knew he’d deny any such emotional reaction later, “of course you did.”
My laugh bubbled up, taking me over as I snuggled him close again. “Oh Sassy,” I said in my best little girl voice, “you’re my most favoritest kitty, ever.”
Meira giggled while Sass’s tail thrashed, a deep growl coming from his chest.
“Honestly, Sydlynn,” he hissed. “Will you never grow up?”
I let him go, giggling with my sister. “I hope not.”
“Me either,” she said.
Sassy snorted and began licking one paw with great vigor. “It’s a curse, I tell you,” he said, “being saddled with you Hayle witches.”
Somehow that made us laugh harder.
We were still laughing when a door at the end of the room swung open and Mom strode in. My good humor faded as she approached, not looking at us, head down and to the side, listening to her secretary as he whispered in her ear. I’d never gotten along with Maurice and always had the impression he saw me as a bother, a nuisance in the way of Mom’s complete attention.
When Mom finally looked up, her blue eyes found mine. “Sydlynn.”
I stood slowly as she came to my side. “Mom.”
Our hug was strained and it bothered me. A lot. But it was hard to commit to her when I felt her unwilling to do the same, especially with Maurice hovering behind her, glaring like I was taking up precious time better spent elsewhere.
Mom hugged Meira with more enthusiasm and even bent to kiss Sassafras on the head.
“Charlotte can’t enter.” It came out a little harsher than I meant it and from the frown Mom shot me she didn’t appreciate my tone.
“I’ll make sure she’s on the list.” Mom took a seat, pulled out and shoved back in by Vincent who magically appeared at her side.
“Miriam, we must discuss tomorrow’s meeting.” Maurice ignored the rest of us. “I’m certain the Dumont contingent will raise the same issues as last time.”
&nb
sp; It took a lot for me not to sigh as the interruptions of our family time continued through the entire meal. A very fast, very tense meal. By the time I was served my main course, I was ready to stab Maurice through the eye with my fork. Mom was just as bad, spending half her time in silent communication with the Council. My frustration hit overload when I caught the unhappy look on Meira’s face and the way Sassafras’s whiskers drooped as he backed away from his half-finished meal.
“Isn’t this nice?” Oh Syd, when will you learn to keep your mouth shut? But I just couldn’t sit there and live this lie any longer. “Our happy family, spending happy family time over dinner together.”
Mom shot me a look half-angry, half-guilty, while Maurice sighed in a heavy huff.
“Maurice,” Mom said. “Please excuse us, will you?”
He stared at her like she’d asked him to commit suicide. “Council Leader?”
Mom stared at me, face calm and quiet. Had I gotten through to her? “Just go.”
He wavered, hesitated, as though Mom might change her mind, offer him some reprieve. When she ignored him he left, clearly upset with the state of affairs.
“I’m sorry,” Mom said. “You’re very right, Syd. This is family time.”
Well. What do you know? “It’s good to see you, Mom.” I meant it. She looked great. A little tired around the eyes, but if Maurice was any indicator, it’s not likely she was getting much rest.
“You too, sweetheart.” She softened instantly and suddenly she was my mom again. “How was your first day?”
Yeah, didn’t want to talk about that. “Thanks for encouraging Liam to come to school.” I toyed with my pasta, thinking about Quaid and the mess I’d left behind earlier.
“He’s an excellent student,” Mom said, “and while he’s tied to the Gate, he can be a great asset to the Council in the times he’s not fulfilling that capacity.”
Really? Was he just a tool to her? My anger returned, even when Sassy flashed me a glare from his amber eyes and changed the subject.
But no matter what we talked about, Mom turned it back into something about work. Work, work, always her work until I felt like Maurice might have well stuck around.
He gave us maybe ten minutes as it was, appearing through the door again to hover at Mom’s elbow before I even had a chance to sniff at the dessert Vincent set before me.
I was about to totally lose it when Erica rushed in and came right to my side. She hugged me while I was still in the chair, her long, blonde hair falling over my shoulder. Mom’s second in command was now the Hayle member of the Council and the change had done her good. Always in Mom’s shadow, Erica Plower had blossomed. She looked fantastic and her genuine kindness and happiness when she pulled away from me was a far cry from the troubled and fearful woman who had tried to wrest control of the family from me when Mom was on trial.
“Syd,” she said, “it’s so good to see you!”
Erica slid around the table, taking a seat across from me, smiling at Vincent who set her own dessert in front of her.
“You too, Erica.” She’d arrived just in time to diffuse my ticking bomb and I was grateful. I really didn’t want to fight with Mom, but if this was going to be the extent of our relationship from now on, I wasn’t sure I could keep my temper in check.
“Sorry I’m late, I wanted to be here earlier, but Council business calls.” She smiled at Mom, at Meira, at Sassafras. “How was first day?”
I wasn’t going there, not when she seemed so happy. But I did have one thing I had to deal with. “Things are great,” I said. “But I do have something I need to deal with.”
Mom’s forehead bunched as she frowned a little. “What’s wrong?”
“Sashenka.” I set down my fork as my stomach clenched. “She’s Tallah Hensley’s sister?”
“Your roommate.” Mom nodded. “I made sure the two of you were together. Since you seemed to get along well when you met.”
“Well, I’m not sure what I did to piss her off,” I said, “but she can’t stand me now.” I hated admitting it, with Maurice and Vincent watching, even Erica. But there was no telling when I’d have a chance to talk to Mom again. “I’ll be needing a new roommate.”
Mom looked like she wanted to argue but sighed finally, sitting back like I really was at fault. “Fine then. But you have to share with someone, even if it’s Charlotte.”
Great attitude, Mom. Way to be on my side. “I didn’t say I wanted special treatment,” I said through teeth not quite clenched but close. “But I can’t live with someone who won’t even talk to me.”
“Just give her another chance, Syd.” Erica looked back and forth between me and Mom, face creased in concern. “I’m sure it’s probably nothing.”
Leave it to Erica to side with Mom. Shocker.
“I’m not sure what you expect to change,” I said, “but whatever. I’ll give it until the end of the week. This isn’t my choice, Mom. It’s Sashenka’s.”
As much as I didn’t want to be different, to have special treatment, I would have taken a room on my own in a heartbeat.
***
Chapter Twelve
Maurice brought out a large book, flipped it open, one finger poised over a black sheet. “Shall we schedule dinners on Sundays from now on, Council Leader? For efficiency’s sake.”
Mom almost flinched, but nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
“Six pm, shall we?” He wrote quickly, magic flowing from his finger to the page as he decided my once-a-week culinary fate for the rest of the year in his stupid appointment book. “Now then,” Maurice snapped the book shut, turning to face Mom with a no-nonsense look on his face, “we have business, Council Leader.”
Mom rose, set aside her black napkin. “Yes, of course.” She paused, eyes meeting mine. I let her see how angry I was, saw her own frustration rise. “Good night, Sydlynn.”
“Yeah,” I shot back as she turned away, “nice to see you too, Mom.”
She left without another word, Maurice hurrying her out as Vincent rushed forward and began to clear the table with brief surges of air magic winging the plates and cutlery out from under us.
I threw down my own napkin, surging to my feet, wanting to go after Mom, to shake her and ask her what the hell was wrong with her. But Meira sat there, looking sad and hurt and I couldn’t just abandon my sister like Mom clearly had.
I hugged Meira as she rose. “Love you, Meems.”
“Love you too, Syd.” She snuffled a little, pulled free. “Did you want to come see my room?”
I followed her to the grandiose, high ceilinged monstrosity she slept in and did my best to murmur appreciation for the dark wood theme that continued throughout, the heavy, elaborate bed reminding me of some Gothic boudoir and the overall feeling of oppression I had from the place.
Not my first choice for a comfy and happy sleeping arrangement, but Meira seemed content so I let it go.
After a tense few minutes talking where I could hardly focus on a word she said, my sister sighed. “Guess I should go do my homework.”
I was as bad as Mom. This wasn’t Meira’s fault. I should be supporting her, not wrapping myself up in my own crap. “I’m sorry, sis.”
Meira shrugged. “It’s not always like this,” she said as Sassafras leaped up beside me on the bed and set one silver paw on her hand where she perched next to me, amber eyes glowing in sympathy. “But mostly.”
“I promise I’ll come over and visit a lot.” I hugged her again, one hand stroking Sassy’s fur. “Okay?”
Meira nodded into my shirt. “Kay.”
It was hard to leave, but I did. I was in no state of mind to hang with my sister anyway. I’d likely start griping about Mom and Meira didn’t need to hear what was spinning around in my head. Hell, I didn’t want to hear it, but couldn’t make it stop.
I turned my back on Erica when she tried to follow me out, gathering up the angry Charlotte and hitting the down button on the elevator. Erica backed off, face sad and
just stood and watched as the doors closed on us.
“I’m guessing that went well.” Charlotte’s voice echoed with a touch of her wereness.
“You have no idea.” I sighed and leaned against the wall as we descended, my dinner sitting unhappily in my stomach. “Be grateful you couldn’t come in. Trust me.”
It was a short walk from Massachusetts Hall to the dorm, but my feet dragged. My backpack felt like it weighed a million pounds, about as heavy as my heart. I was so wrapped up in feeling sorry for myself and being angry with Mom I almost missed the feeling of someone brushing up against me. I glanced to my left, frowning, Charlotte tense on my right.
“What is it?” She looked around, nostrils flaring.
“You felt that?” I had a good idea I knew the source of the contact, but wanted confirmation from my wereguard before I did anything drastic.
“We’re not alone.” The Yard was pretty much empty, but I knew what she meant.
I stopped, drew my shields in tight and even spun them out to protect Charlotte. “Alison,” I said. “What do you want?”
“You know what I want.” My ex-bestie appeared next to me, floating in thin air, eyes sunken, blonde hair rippling in a non-existent breeze.
“You can’t have it.” She was still fixated on the virus. I felt it suddenly, vibrating against my skin. I had to deal with her, but how? I just couldn’t bring myself to destroy the last bit of my friend remaining. I knew I’d regret it eventually, but after the day I’d had there was no way I was adding best friend murderer to the list of crap I’d endured.
“I’ll be real again, if you just give it to me.” White fire burned in Alison’s eyes, the touch of the virus she’d already stolen more than enough to keep her here on this plane, longing for more. “We could be together, you and me, Al and Syd.” She blinked at me, all innocent. “Don’t you want that?”
