Divided Heart

by Patti Larsen

  The girls let out a collective sigh of relief. “I do not envy her that job,” Nicci said, slurping up the last of her drink, shaking the ice on the bottom of her glass.

  “Me either.” Sashenka shuddered, turning to me. “She’s a friend, isn’t she?” They all looked at me with sympathy.

  “Yes,” I said, not ashamed to admit it. “I wish I could help her.” The fun was gone out of me all of a sudden. It was clear Mia was out of control, had no hold over her coven at all if she was forced to perform such obvious displays in front of everyone.

  I reached out to her, wanting to assist if I could. But the moment my mind touched hers, she slapped me away.

  Mind your own business, Hayle. She slammed her shields against mine, hers flickering and violent as she struggled to control them. I’d forgotten how little she knew, how new she was to being a witch, much less a coven leader. Her power had been cut off her entire life, only unsealed the night the Wild Hunt showed up at my house to destroy us all. She might have had some training with the best out there, namely my ex-Enforcer grandmother, but Mia was still only a newbie.

  Thrown to the wolves. Or those who held wolves as slaves. Even worse.

  Mia. I kept my tone calm though I wanted to beg her to listen. If you need anything—

  If you try to interfere with me again, I’ll file an official complaint with the Council. Like I’d tried to interfere. But she had her back up, because of the boys, and who knew what else.

  I pulled away and let her go, heart heavy for my friend, but knowing there was nothing I could do. And yet, if the Dumont coven imploded, wasn’t that everyone’s problem? I made a mental note to mention it to Mom despite being fairly certain she wouldn’t do a thing about it.

  ***

  Chapter Sixteen

  Class the next day was a totally different experience. Now that I had Liam and Sashenka with me, no one stared, or at least didn’t stare for long. And I was able to escape the front row and Blanche Rhodes’s attention by arriving early enough and hiding in the back with my friends beside me.

  I ducked when I found her gaze searching for me and almost laughed at the sad little frown on her face. Liam poked me with a grin when the coast was clear.

  He’d met us for breakfast and instantly apologized the moment he sat down.

  “I was wrong,” he said, eyes begging me to forgive him, big hands holding one of mine. “I just hate seeing him hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry too,” I said. “It’s not your fault he’s a jerk sometimes.”

  I quickly introduced him to Sashenka who sat next to me, a small smile on her face. She seemed shy when he shook her hand, and I understood why. My Gatekeeper friend was pretty darned handsome and all that genuine sweetness oozing out of him could do a number on a girl.

  I had a momentary jab of jealousy when she dimpled at his smile, but shoved it aside. Liam was my friend. If he and Sashenka decided to give things a go, I had no say in the matter.

  Why then did I feel like I wanted to step between them and tell her he was mine?

  The girls appeared pretty late, the three of us already up and leaving.

  Tippy grinned and winked at Liam who blushed when she looked at him. “Syd, you didn’t say anything about knowing someone tall, blond and delicious.”

  Instead of feeling jealous, I laughed instead. I could tell by the way Liam pulled away from her, almost backing into me as a matter of fact, he had absolutely no interest in the very forward redhead. I introduced him all around and though he was his normal kind and gentle self, I felt him sigh beside me as we walked to the library when we left them behind.

  “We need to find you some guy friends,” I laughed, punching him gently in the arm. “Before someone eats you up.”

  Liam blushed while Sashenka giggled behind her hands.

  Despite the disappointment on Blanche’s face when she finally spotted me, I resolutely held to my place in the back and dodged her questions as often as I could. She soon gave up on me and focused instead on her baby-talk teaching method which had me and my friends laughing and passing notes.

  All of a sudden school was fun, more than fun. I even found a few of the students smiling at me, offering little waves as class let out, the same ones who stared and whispered the day before. I guess I was proving to them I wasn’t so scary after all. Knowing it was fear holding them back, I smiled back, taking a page from Liam’s book, doing my best to radiate friendliness and harmlessness.

  Surprise, surprise, it seemed to be working. Even the Dumont brothers avoided me, slinking away after the door opened, and I wondered if Mia managed to pull the two of them under control after all. Who was I to know? Maybe yelling at them and humiliating them publicly was the only language they understood.

  Second class found Liam and Sashenka going off together, but I had Tippy and Nicci to keep me company. Now that they knew who I was, and with Easton’s permission, we worked together as a trio on our lab projects. Their back and forth, dry and sarcastic on one side and wickedly snarky on the other kept me giggling through the entire class.

  I felt kind of bad for Charlotte as I left to go for lunch. I was so wrapped up in my new happiness I’d almost forgotten all about her. She was my friend, too, after all. When the girls passed her on the way out, I purposely hooked my arm through the weregirl’s and pulled her along beside me.

  She tried to protest, but I shook my head. “This is what life is supposed to be like,” I said. “For both of us.” She was, after all, around the same age as me. Whoever made her who she was, taught her other people were more important than her... well. I knew who was to blame for her upbringing.

  I lost Tippy and Nicci in the crowd, so intent on looking for them or my roommate and Liam as I crossed the Yard I stopped in my tracks when I locked eyes on Quaid. Not because it was him, but because he wasn’t alone.

  Not even remotely alone. He stood in the middle of a large group of, well, large guys and very capable looking girls, all who carried themselves like he did. Like they knew how to handle themselves. I started moving again, after spotting one of the girls, her long honey-blonde hair swinging forward as she leaned into Quaid with her big boobs and said something that made him laugh.

  Now I let my jealousy out. Who was that artificial cow and what was she doing touching my boyfriend? I only peripherally noticed how other students seemed to avoid the group, going out of their way to keep clear. Maybe I didn’t have the sense my mother gave me, because I stormed right into the middle of them and face-to-face with the guy who was supposed to be in love with me.

  All laughter halted as I crossed my arms over my chest, unable to straighten the scowl from my lips. Even though most of the group towered over me, they all bowed their heads, murmuring, “coven leader,” with great respect. I didn’t want to be affected by their obviously deferential attention, but it was hard to stay mad with almost a dozen Enforcer trainees treating me like I was special.

  Yeah, I was vain. So sue me.

  The blonde girl, almost as tall as Quaid, was just as respectful so my jealousy took a hike. They had to be just friends. Especially when they all turned without having to be asked and moved off a short distance, far enough they wouldn’t overhear our conversation, but close enough I knew they waited for him.

  Well, wasn’t that special?

  With them gone, my anger came back. “Hi,” I snapped. “Nice to see you.”

  Quaid nodded, head dropping. “I’m sorry,” he said, very softly in his voice like dark chocolate and velvet and I, naturally, forgave him right away.

  Mostly.

  My arms dropped, shoulders slumping a little. “I missed you,” I said. “It’s been a long summer without you. I wanted the first time I saw you again to be...”

  “Special.” He reached out, pulled me against his chest. This hug was much more what I was looking for, his full body welcoming me, chest warm and inviting, breath in my ear as he bent and pressed his lips to my skin. “I missed you so much, Syd.”


  “Looks like it.” I jerked free of him, glancing at the group who pretended not to watch.

  Quaid glanced their way too, sighed. “I know, I’m sorry. I’ll introduce you to everyone, I promise.” A happy light glowed in his dark eyes, picking up flecks of amber. “Syd, I had the most amazing time. Made fabulous friends. I feel like a real person for the first time... ever.”

  Which meant I didn’t do it for him anymore? I held back my petulance. Quaid had the right to happiness, even more than I did. He’d been through so much in his life, being a power source for the people who raised him, having his real parents murdered by those same people. Finding out he was a Dumont and using his family ties to track down Batsheva and Dominic Moromond. He’d spent his whole life on the outside. Who was I to judge him if he’d finally found a way in?

  “That’s great, Quaid.” I really tried to mean it and, from the smile on his face, I did okay. There was a time when he wouldn’t have bought it, would have seen past me and my crap. Not anymore, I guess.

  “Just be nice to Liam, okay?” I sighed and let everything go. “He’s my friend, Quaid.”

  His jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I know.”

  Okay, so I wasn’t going to call him out either. Maybe we’d both changed.

  “A movie tonight then?” I reached for his hand, let my demon magic out. She hummed happily, winding around his power, but he pulled back, making a sad face.

  “I can’t tonight.” He glanced at his friends again. “I promised them. But tomorrow night? We can go for dinner first.”

  It was hard to accept they were more important. Because that’s what he was telling me. He knew I’d want to be with him, but he made plans with them anyway. I looked over, found the blonde with the rack watching us. Her eyes were locked on Quaid and again a knife of anger drove through me.

  “Well, have fun with your new girlfriend.” I didn’t mean it to come out, but I couldn’t help it. Quaid grabbed my arm as I tried to turn away. I just wanted to escape him, leave him and his jerkish ways behind. When would I learn Quaid was really no good for me?

  Until he pulled me tight again and kissed me, hot breath trickling down into my lungs as my lips parted without my permission and let him in.

  “Syd,” he said. “I love you. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Hard to forget from this perspective. “I love you, too.” My throat tightened, tears threatening. But no way was I crying in front of him. I had to change the subject, keep him with me.

  Why did I want to leave him again?

  “Did you know Blood is here?” I stumbled over my words, desperate for some conversation suddenly to pin him to me. “His real name is Rupert. He and Simon are involved in some private club with a witch. I’m worried about them.”

  Quaid’s frown was quick and dark as he let me go. “I thought we were talking about us?”

  Crap. “We were.” Damn it, what was wrong with me? “I just...”

  Quaid shook his head, suddenly closing off, the connection between us going dim. “You know what, Syd? Just because bad stuff has found you in the past doesn’t mean it’s always around. Have fun for once, and stop looking for trouble.”

  He might as well have slapped me in the face. I was not imagining things nor was I asking for trouble, thank you very much. Before I could shoot anything off at him in retaliation, he bent and kissed me quickly, awkwardly.

  “I’ll see you later, Syd.” Quaid left, rejoined his friends, walked away without looking back.

  I turned and left myself, doing everything I could to keep my fury and my tears on the inside.

  ***

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lunch was quiet, though Liam and Sashenka both tried several times to pull me out of my funk. I didn’t really want to dump all over them over our sandwiches, not to mention if I did open up I’d end up sobbing my stupid face off, so instead I just shrugged off their concern and sat in my own little dark cloud of misery until next class.

  This one I had with Sashenka, but it was easy enough to not talk while we focused on the work and the soothing sound of Isodore’s voice, though the more I listened, the more I thought of Martin and Louisa and the worse my need to cry my heart out became.

  I was really looking forward to Maryanne’s class, for a chance to laugh again, to absorb some of her snarky fun, but it turned out to be canceled, a sign on the closed door saying she was sick. I waited a little while, just in case this was another of Albert Dumont’s tricks, but when she didn’t show, I instead retreated to the main library while Sashenka and the girls went off in search of a cup of coffee. I just needed to be alone.

  I felt around for the hidden section housing the magical books, but only half-heartedly. Really, if I found them, I’d only scope out a place to slide into the stacks and hide. As I was turning yet another corner, entering yet another huge room filled with tables and wide-backed chairs, I spotted Simon and Rupe hovering with their heads together, whispering.

  While I wanted to be alone, I also had to know what was up with them and took finding them as an opportunity to shake the depression weighing on me, if only for a little while. Funny how a mystery, the possibility of a problem, could suck me out of the dark and back into the real world.

  Quaid’s nasty remark hovered in the back of my mind as I walked over, refusing to believe what he’d said. I wasn’t looking for trouble. I was trying to cut it off at the pass.

  The moment I sat, my two friends looked up and immediately fell silent. In fact, both then lowered their heads over their books and refused to meet my eyes.

  “Hey, guys.” I didn’t even pretend to pull out a book of my own. “How are you?”

  Simon mumbled something I couldn’t make out while Rupe’s shoulders raised and lowered once. Okay then.

  I was about to prod them further when I felt a familiar tingle of magic and looked up to find Charlotte hovering over me even as Darin and his two minions came to a halt beside Simon.

  Despite what I’d done to his shields the last time we met, Darin still smiled at me like I’d be good to eat. He hadn’t lost his arrogance with his personal wards. I prodded them and, to my shock, found them stronger than ever.

  How did that happen? There was no way he’d be able to build himself up again so quickly. At least, not without help.

  “Well, if it isn’t Sydlynn Hayle.” Darin leaned forward, face-to-face with me across the table. “How are you, little witch?”

  His friends tittered a laugh, but Simon and Rupe remained silent.

  “Better than you, I think.” I sat back with my own smile. No way was this ass pushing me around. “At least I didn’t have to have Mommy and Daddy rebuild my shields.”

  It had to be the explanation and, from the twitch of his lips, the unhappiness flashing through his eyes, I’d hit the bull’s eye.

  “You do know attacking another witch is a crime.” His eyes went dark, angry, even as I continued to grin at him. Crime? Yeah, right. Nice threat, moron. “But I’m prepared to let it go.”

  “Oh really?” I studied the fingernails on my right hand, knowing he’d never report it, not when I could counter with his very forward greeting when we first met. Yeah, I might get a reprimand, but so would he.

  Holy, my cuticles were a mess. I really had to stop biting them.

  “Stay away from my initiates.” Darin straightened, one hand falling on each of my friend’s shoulders.

  Something dark flashed on his wrist. “Nice tattoo,” I said. “Not obvious or anything. Idiot.”

  When he turned his hand I caught another glimpse. The pentagram couldn’t have been more plain.

  Darin just grinned. “Maybe if you’re good, we’ll welcome you into the Star Club. Oh, wait.” He laughed without humor. “You’re a girl. Sorry, Syd. No girls allowed.”

  “What’s the matter, Darin?” I leaned forward, letting my demon out into my eyes. The boys were still looking down so I had no fear they’d see. “Afraid just such a girl will ki
ck your ass again?” I shouldn’t have been talking so openly about our power in front of Rupe and Simon, but I couldn’t help myself.

  He snarled at me. “Watch your step, Syd.” Darin backed up and my two friends rose immediately, arms full of books, still not looking at me. “Next time I’ll report you.”

  I wasn’t the only one speaking out of turn in front of normals. Oddly, neither of my friends seemed even remotely interested in the conversation. Which made me even more anxious.

  What had Darin told them?

  “You might want to think about that,” I said. “Considering who the members of your club really are. And who my two friends happen to be.” I knew he understood my meaning—he was a witch and Simon and Rupe were normals. What was he up to?

  “Just mind your own business.” I was surprised when Simon spoke up, more so because I’d heard those words from another friend not so long ago. “Darin’s been my friend since I got here last year. He cares about me.”

  Sure he did. That nasty smile he gave me told me just how much Darin cared about Simon.

  “Stay out of it, Syd.” Rupe’s deep voice had a petulant edge to it, something I’d never heard from him before. “We want to be in the Star Club.”

  Not much I could say to that.

  Darin didn’t comment further, just grinned at me like it was funny and swept off with his two minions and my friends in tow.

  No trouble here, right?

  Yeah. Right.

  I sighed deeply, hearing Charlotte echo me. “Now I’m even more convinced something is going on.”

  She nodded, eyes locked on their retreating backs. “As am I.”

  I stood up, turned. Froze. Gaze locked on a girl walking into the stacks. I only caught a quick glimpse, just a flash of the side of her face, but I was sure. Positive. Without a shadow of a doubt.

  Ameline.