Full Circle

by Patti Larsen

  Cars lined the driveway, parked at even intervals. I knew I should have left Minnie in line, but there was no way I was walking to the front doors. I was the Hayle Coven leader and I wasn't about to be treated like some lackey.

  Besides, I was lucky to stand let alone walk up the graveled drive. Mom's shoes may have fit, but they were killing me.

  I really hoped it wasn't some kind of sign.

  Quaid let go of my hand, a small smile on his face, dark eyes full of confidence. “Ready, fearless leader?”

  Jerk. But it made me grin. “Not even remotely.” I kicked open my door and climbed out, fists full of velvet skirt as I stood and let it fall back in place.

  Erica came forward, face pale, but seemingly in control of her nerves. Her eyes and staring face told me I'd done the right thing, as a surge of hope and gratitude reached me from her magic. She turned quickly and snapped her fingers at someone hovering nearby.

  “Park this, would you?” She swept her way into the building, obviously buoyed by my choice of wardrobe. I followed her, doing my best to mimic the cold, calm look I'd practiced in Mom's mirror, even as Quaid paced along behind me, close enough I took comfort from his presence, but far enough away it was clear he was subordinate.

  Wow. Quaid subordinate. It almost made me giggle.

  We barely passed through the huge doors and into the massive marble lobby when Erica slowed to let me catch up. My eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight to the cool, dark interior. I spotted Celeste and James not far from us, standing off to one side. The horse-faced witch was jerking on her braid with her man-hands, but even she'd made some effort to dress for the part.

  The look on her face when she saw me almost ruined my poise. I wanted to laugh out loud as, for a single moment, she clearly thought I was my mother. When she realized who I was, a hint of fear chased over her expression. I saw her glance at James, frown at the guilt on his face. I didn't react to either of them, instead choosing to greet the twins, the creepy old ladies in matching twinsets, who gazed at me like I wasn't who they thought.

  Erica slid in next to me as we formed a small circle. Quaid kissed the twin's hands like they were ladies at court and I was shocked to hear them titter and see them blush.

  “I've been to see Miriam,” Erica said softly, for only our ears. “She's totally fine, so that's a relief.” Why she was including Celeste and James in this conversation was beyond me. Surely she wasn't so stupid. She'd been part of an attempt by my mother to catch Celeste trying to take over the coven, so it wasn't like Erica didn't know the woman was a menace. But the worst part was hearing her talk about Mom, how she'd acted without me.

  My temper prickled, but I held it in. No time to show weakness or a divided camp. Bad enough Celeste knew Erica and I were having problems. She'd offered to take Erica's place once. I had no reason to believe she doubted Mom's second was ready to crack.

  “And the vampires?” I needed to know Uncle Frank and Sunny were safe.

  Celeste snorted. “They are the least of our troubles, in case you hadn't noticed. And aren't our concern, either.”

  I didn't bother answering her. I'd had enough. My magic reached out, encountering so much power I almost paused. Of course, the other covens were here. This would be the biggest gathering of magic I'd ever encountered. The trial of a coven leader was a huge affair. I wasn't even sure Mom had ever been to one, they were so rare.

  I called on Shaylee to search, knowing her earth magic could find the vampires quickly and be the least affected by witch magic. It wasn't long before I felt the undead, only the next level underground.

  My feet made tapping sounds on the marble, toes aching as I stormed across the entry and to a wide hallway. It was crowded with witches who stared at me but dove out of the way, clearly reading something they feared in the expression on my face. Footfalls fell to thuds as I stepped onto the thick crimson carpet running the length of the corridor. I heard the others chasing after me, felt Quaid's steady support and Erica's fear and anger, but I didn't care about any of it now.

  I found the door I was looking for, guarded by two people in black robes. I didn't wait for them to tell me otherwise, shoving the door they guarded wide open and taking the staircase on the other side at a steady, determined pace.

  I heard arguing voices behind me, continued anyway, felt Quaid's warning and knew I had little time. My feet made it to the bottom of the steps, coming down on more stone, this less polished, more ancient.

  A massive double door stood at the end of the underground hall. I caught the sight of colorful tapestries out of the corners of my eyes, passing doorways. I only had focus for the two Enforcers standing outside my target.

  They saw me coming and tensed, their black cloaks swaying. I heard feet running behind me, felt the brush of magic as someone reached for me and roughly blocked off whoever it was with a demon-fueled shield. As if.

  I came to an abrupt halt before the two Enforcers, determined not to take no for an answer.

  “Open the door,” I said with power behind my words. “Now.”

  Someone eased past me, a third Enforcer. I didn't know him, or the two others. “The vampires are safe,” he said, huffing a little to catch his breath. I could see the round of his pot belly under his cloak where it pressed against him. “We've ensured it.”

  I glared at him. “You'll forgive me if I don't trust you at the moment.” I gestured toward the door while the other two Enforcers exchanged a look. “Now open the damned door or I'll do it for you.”

  I was flanked on my other side by a fourth Enforcer, but felt no fear. They didn't scare me, not even a little, and I began to wonder if this protection detail wasn't reserved for those who could perhaps oppose the new order.

  Could these Enforcers be possible allies? I met the portly one's eyes and let him see my concern. “Please,” I said, allowing the word, but not the weakness. “Let me see them.”

  He nodded once, sharply, as if deciding only then the orders be damned. The two before the door shrugged and stepped aside, leaving me to do it after all. I jerked on the heavy steel handle and shoved the door open, striding inside.

  The room was huge, some kind of storage, with a massive, vaulted stone ceiling, though plainly appointed. Stacked inside, almost crammed together, were over a hundred vampire homes. Everything from traditional black plated caskets to heavy stainless steel affairs were jammed into the room. My eyes found what they sought, two carved wooden cupboards, one hanging open, the other sealed against the daytime.

  Sunny was safe. Her clan too. Why hadn't she told us the Council was here? The only way they could keep her quiet was if they moved in just this morning after the vampires had gone to sleep.

  I saw no sign of the handful of human servants I knew cared for the clan during daylight hours. “If their people have been harmed,” I snarled, letting out my temper at last, “heaven help you.”

  “They, too, are safe.” The Enforcer sighed. “We won't let them come to harm.”

  I spun on him. “So you say. As if Enforcers can still be trusted.”

  He flinched at that, they all did.

  I was on a roll and didn't care who I jabbed with my rising anger. Even while I struggled to get myself back under control, I lost it. “How dare you handle the clan's sleeping places? Put them under arrest? Hold their servants? What are we, barbarians? Are we willing to run roughshod over the rights of other magical races now?”

  “You're lucky they aren't turned out into the sun.” I spun as the Enforcers beside me gasped, heads down, cloak hoods falling over their faces. I caught sight of the fourth, realized then how much trouble we were in even as Dominic Moromond went on. “Evil, foul creatures of blood magic. When the Council finally sees the error of their ways, this infestation will be destroyed—and none too soon.”

  Pender Tremere would not look up, though I glared at him while Dominic advanced on me, a lecherous smile on his face. I glared at the Enforcer whose life Mom saved, who promised to h
elp us find out what was going on, my hope dying while my anger simmered.

  More cowards.

  Dominic stopped in front of me and winked. “You look so much like your mother.”

  It was his tone, not the words. The way he licked his lips and looked at my chest.

  Oh. My. Swearword.

  He was so dead.

  “We have to go.” Erica was by my side, grasping my arm, pulling me away. “The conclave is about to gather.”

  I glared at Dominic, willed him to spontaneously combust while my demon supplied me with the means and suggestions to make it happen. He smiled right back, the smile of a man who knew there was nothing I could do.

  Nothing.

  I leaned close to him, lips near his ear. “If anything happens to the vampires,” I whispered sweetly, letting him feel a thread of demon fire as it traced across his cheek and down his neck, “or their servants, I will hold you personally responsible.” I leaned back, saw him scowling now. Smiled and patted his cheek. “And you don't want that, Dominic. Trust me.”

  I walked away like I won this round, even though I knew I didn't.

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  It wasn't until I was part way back to the staircase I realized Erica and I were being escorted by the two Enforcers I'd stormed past upstairs. Pender was one of them. I looked back over my shoulder as we reached the top, turning to meet his eyes, even if he wouldn't meet mine.

  “Nice to see you.” I kept my tone light, but my meaning was clear to both of us. I heard Quaid call my name, spun and spotted him being held by two more people in black robes.

  Pender kept his head down while the other Enforcer just looked uncomfortable.

  “I'll be happy to let Mom know how well you're repaying her gift to you.” I sniffed delicately, as if his very presence offended me. “Please, rest assured, if such an instance were to happen again, none of us would interfere, but let events take their course.” Not a threat. But I was pretty sure he got the point.

  If the coward was attacked again, I'd happily watch him die.

  I walked away, stiff and angry, while Erica paced beside me.

  You need to get it together.

  I know, I snapped back. Just give me a second.

  She nodded quickly and fell back a step while I struggled with my temper. We reached the two Enforcers guarding Quaid. They stepped aside, letting him pass at last. His hands were trembling when they reached for mine.

  I was going to... he showed me an image of them flying across the room.

  I'm glad you didn't. I sighed, feeling my anger and tension leave me. Thanks for toeing the line.

  He shuddered once and calmed. No way am I giving them more ammunition.

  I wanted to hug him, to feel his arms around me, but it could be construed as a show of weakness and I simply couldn't afford it.

  A bell pealed in the distance, from the main entry. By the time it stopped, the echoing sound of it fading away, I stood with a large gathering of witches, my coven members around me, facing the small man holding the bell.

  He tucked it under his arm, the small thing barely bigger than my hand and clearly augmented with magic. The witch was as diminutive, pinched nose a precarious balance for the round spectacles he wore, thinning dark hair slicked back from his sharp features. He was shorter than I, but commanded our full attention. It was obvious that was exactly how he liked it.

  He cleared his throat with an ah-ha-hem before raising his face, light catching his lenses.

  “Covens, leaders, witches,” his voice was nasal and a little squeaky, but I had no desire to laugh. “The conclave beckons. Assemble.”

  He turned without waiting, the hem of his blue trimmed velvet robe trailing along on the ground behind him. The entire group seemed to sigh at once, the silence gripping us all falling away. Chatter started up as witches moved forward, joining the line deeper into the manor.

  I went with the crush of bodies, adrift it felt like, keeping my poise wrapped around me like a blanket. It was easy to just follow along, not think or engage, just focus on one aching foot in front of the other.

  “Name and coven.” The pointy-nosed little man was suddenly in front of me, gaping doorway just past him. He held a clipboard, but no pen and looked down his nose at me though I had at least six inches on him. Two young witches stood next to him, one looking harried, the other bored.

  “Sydlynn Hayle,” I said, feeling my detachment come apart in the face of the arrogant little jerk. “The Hayle Coven.”

  “And your members?” He tapped one finger against the board in his hand impatiently. I felt a whisper of magic, noticing sparks fly.

  I introduced them one at a time as he magically noted their names down under mine. Task complete, he offered me the page.

  “Signature, please.”

  I stared at the black parchment, the same stuff the scroll was made from, and felt a thrill of nerves.

  What?

  Use your magic. Erica' s mind touched mine quickly, showing me what to do.

  I reached out with my witch magic to obey and had a thought. I let the family magic join me, as well as my demon and Sidhe power. I heard gasps around me, saw the nasty little secretary type gape in shock as a swirl of multi-colored magic attacked the page and scrawled my name in a rainbow of hues.

  I heard Celeste hiss my name in anger, but ignored her, instead shoving past the small man and his two helpers. The bored one winked at me and grinned like it was funny. I guess it kind of was.

  “You have to hold your temper,” Erica whispered at me, angry, as we entered the long tunnel-like hallway, the walls covered in more tapestries, on the way to the chamber. “Your normal behavior won't work here.” She sighed, squeezed my arm. “I'm sorry, that's why I was so worried, Syd. This is important.”

  “You think I don't know that?” I stopped, heard someone complain, but ignored them. “This is my mother's life, Erica, the coven's existence. I wouldn't risk my family or Mom for anything.”

  She nodded slowly before leaning forward and hugging me. “When did you grow up?”

  I hugged her back, trying to emulate how Mom would act. “It's going to be okay.”

  She actually smiled at me, a real smile. “Yes, ma'am,” she said.

  Okay, then. It was nice to have Erica back on board. Even if that meant Celeste was even pissier than before.

  Actually, that made me happy. I smiled at Celeste like this was a big joke before turning back to Erica.

  “Just give me a minute.” I squeezed her hand, found Quaid's as the twins and James moved past us, through the rest of the dark corridor and into the large chamber beyond. “I need to catch my breath.”

  Quaid looked like he wanted to argue, but Erica led him away. I moved toward the wall, out of the path of entering witches, forcing myself to draw one pull of oxygen into my lungs after another.

  Now, if only I could make good on my promise to Erica and not lose it completely.

  ***

  Chapter Eleven

  I was almost ready to move on when I felt her mind touch mine.

  I knew you were the right witch for the job. Gram's mental voice cackled. The look on their faces when you pulled that stunt...

  She was here? You're here?

  Listen up. Her magic cracked like a whip, making me jump. A pair of older witches eyed me like I might be dangerous and hurried on. I turned my back on the entrance and the trickle of witches still arriving as Gram went on. I want you to ignore everything Erica or anyone else tells you and only do what I say.

  I almost sagged in relief. You're staying with me?

  Hush, child, she sent, though her tone was gentle and loving. Pay attention. Have I not told you over and over again you need to pay attention?

  She had. And not when she was fully sane, either. And she'd always been right. Without a doubt, beyond question, and without hesitation I put everything in her hands.

  What do you want me to do?

  You need to
start balancing out the power around here. She sounded annoyed. Start making friends. You know how to do that, right?

  Even my grandmother was a smartass. I found myself grinning and blushing while she cackled a laugh.

  I doubt anyone will want to admit they know me, Gram. Not after they learned of the charges against Mom.

  Nonsense, she said. Trust me. Now, the moment you walk in there, own it. Don't stop, don't think, just go right to where the coven leaders are sitting and take Miriam's chair.

  I choked on that. What?

  You can't miss them, she went on. Right hand side, on a dais. Like the queens they think they are.

  Okay. I drew a breath, held it. What if they ask me to leave?

  They won't. Now, as soon as you get the chance, appoint Erica as the Hayle Coven member of Council.

  Member of... What are you up to?

  Just do it, Syd. Her mental voice sighed. The Council has been cutting the Hayle family out since the Tremeres lost power over a hundred and fifty years ago. But the Hayle seat is still there for the taking. And we need all the help we can get. Follow me?

  Of course I did. Okay. Done. I paused. Then what?

  Again the cackling laugh like the wicked old witch she was. Then we watch a few choice people have collective breakdowns.

  I wished I felt as confident in what I was about to do as she did. Gram, I sent in a whisper. Thank you.

  Oh my darling girl, she sent back, do you know how much I love you? Now git.

  I got. And she came with me.

  I think it was the only reason I had the courage to do what she needed me to. Shoulders back, my own private support group in my head, I put on my best Mom face and marched right through the door.

  Gram was correct about not being able to miss the leaders. The room looked like some kind of theater, though the stage was set in the center. Padded bleachers lined the artfully painted wall behind me, a raised platform with a long table at the back. A podium closed in by carved wooden half-walls stood in the middle. More bleachers and seating lined the far left while a group of women sat on another elevated spot to the right, boxed in like a private viewing area.