Full Circle

by Patti Larsen

  The inner door swung open, Irene Bradford joining us at last.

  “Margaret,” she said, frowning, eyes locked on me, “what's going on?”

  I felt the woman's power swell to protect her family member. I was about to speak up when Estelle did it for me.

  “Your witches are lacking in courtesy, Reenie.” She nodded firmly to her sister who bobbed her head back.

  Irene's eyes widened, her power retreating. “Estelle? Esther?” She came forward, hands outstretched as the twins moved past me to hug the older leader. Margaret still trembled in my grasp and I was about to release her when Gram prodded me.

  Now you know why the twins, she sent. But this isn't over.

  I'd never seen the twins smile. They were actually lovely when they did, all of their inherent creepiness oozing out of them when they were happy.

  Well, most of it.

  Irene turned to me, smiling herself now, though her smile faded when she noticed I still had a firm hold on her witch.

  I hope you know what you're doing, Gram. I didn’t like the look in Irene's eyes at all.

  She needs to see your strength, Gram sent. And your benevolence.

  “Your witch failed to obey me,” I said, though I kept my tone as casual as I could. “Not only did she block my entrance, she refused courtesy.”

  The twins were nodding. “Disgraceful,” Estelle said.

  Irene's unhappy look wasn't focused on me all of a sudden. Her pale skin flushed slightly as she focused on the still shaking Margaret.

  “You will offer the Hayle leader every courtesy,” she said. “This is unacceptable.”

  Margaret's lips turned down. “Forgive me, coven leader.” Her eyes met mine again, no longer hindered by glasses now perched on the end of her nose. “I behaved badly.”

  I released her at last, even giving her time to catch her balance before the last of my power let her go. “Forgiven,” I said. I held out my palm and waited. She shuddered before her chin dropped, one hand lifting to push her glasses back before she pressed her palm to mine, her power subservient.

  Irene quickly ushered her off, her own power linking to mine while Margaret disappeared through the inner door. “Welcome,” she said, but she wasn't focused on me. She beamed at the twins. Within moments they were firmly ensconced on the sofa, giggling and chatting like girls.

  I very nearly passed out from shock.

  We're all young once, you know. Gram's voice laughed.

  If you say so. Now what?

  Before she went on, Irene turned to me.

  “Thank you, Sydlynn, for bringing the girls with you.” She patted Estelle's hand. “It's been absolutely ages.” Her eyes met mine, face settling into something akin to respect. “I've always admired your mother,” she said, “how she dealt with Ethpeal's illness. The Hayle coven has never been stronger.” Was that a flicker of jealousy? “This business, it's horrible, you must understand.”

  “You know us,” Esther said. “You trust us, Irene. And we trust Miriam Hayle like we have no other.”

  “And her daughter.” Estelle stared directly at me. “Between the two of them, they have preserved and strengthened our coven in the face of terrible danger. You know we would never speak so highly of them if there was any doubt.”

  Second shocker. They were on my side? Really?

  I felt the twins touch my mind. We were Puritys once, they said in tandem, but we embraced our new family when Miriam offered us a place with this coven. We have seen inside you, Sydlynn Hayle, and we know your heart is pure.

  Wow. Okay then.

  I made some small talk, did my best to keep up, but after a short time I found myself smiling and bowing out, leaving the twins with their friend and their stories of when they were girls together.

  Gram's mind hugged mine on the other side of the door. Now you know.

  I had no idea the twins were Puritys.

  There are a number of witches in our coven still who have that history. But it doesn't matter now. We have another stop to make. And this one... will be unpleasant. Best to get it over with.

  That meant Benita Santos.

  The witch who answered the door was nice enough at least, if a little nervous. She almost squeaked in fear as the coven leader swept her way into the sitting room and glared at me.

  The normal courtesy offering had a definite coldness to it.

  “I have every intention of ensuring your mother is held to the letter of the law.” I could hear an echo of Odette in the woman, though a weak imitation of the other leader's arrogance. “So if you're here to sway me, you can forget it.”

  Within moments I was practically ejected into the hallway, the door slammed shut behind me.

  My demon fumed, but Gram mentally shrugged.

  She just confirmed what I already knew. Gram sighed in my head. A pity. The Santos coven was a good family once. Now, on to our final leader.

  Violet Rhodes? I followed her mental directions, noticing the sunlight through the tall window at the end of the hall was lower than before, deepening toward evening.

  The very one. Gram sounded cautious.

  What? I joked. No stop to see if Odette will make us tea?

  Gram snorted. Focus, girl.

  Should I worry about Violet?

  No, she said, though her tone was still hesitant. Then again, I don't know. She's a lovely old bat, but she's always been a devil when it came to details. And the law.

  Right. So she's nice, but totally honest.

  Gram grumbled. Exactly.

  I found myself smiling. If that's the worst I have to worry about with her, I'm not worried.

  Syd. Gram's tone jerked me to a halt just before I could knock on the last door.

  What?

  That's the problem. Her tone was muted, her worry finally showing. We know the majority of the charges are false. But one of them… the most damning. That one is true.

  I felt my heart skip a beat.

  Your mother harbored a blood magic user, Gram sent. And she let him go.

  Dad's a demon, I sent back, all the excuses I'd been trying to think of rising in my mind. They can't hold her accountable.

  But they can. Gram sighed deeply, her weariness obvious. It made me remember she'd been out there, working on our behalf all by herself for months, with no one for support. I reached out with my magic and held her up, feeling her draw on my strength for a moment before she pushed me away and rebounded.

  We'll figure this out. I refused to consider we would lose.

  We will. Now, get your butt in there and make Violet Rhodes love you. Gram's mental eye roll made me grin. Like that's going to be a problem. The crazy lady loves everyone.

  Gram calling Violet a crazy lady was the pot pointing a finger at the very black kettle, but I let it go.

  ***

  Chapter Seventeen

  The moment my knuckles touched the door it sprang inward as if the sweet-faced old woman on the other side had been standing there waiting for me.

  Violet clapped her hands in glee, bright eyes sparkling. She lunged forward, grabbing my hands, the courtesy of power shared in a rush as she latched onto my magic and hugged it like I was a favorite granddaughter come to visit at last.

  “Oh my dear,” she gushed, pulling me down to kiss my cheek, the scent of rose powder and wine floating around her. “I'm so delighted to finally meet you!”

  I couldn't help but smile at her, letting her drag me inside, kicking the door shut behind us with one foot. She slid across the polished floor on her sockettes, tugging me down beside her on a settee while a sweetly smiling woman who looked like she was perfectly round poured us a glass of wine.

  Um, wine? I shook my head gently. Alcohol and witches were a big no-no, though some could handle it. Violet was obviously one who could.

  Or thought she could.

  The tip of her little nose was rosy so I kind of had my doubts.

  “How very beautiful.” She gazed into my eyes, one hand strokin
g my hair. “So much like your mother. She must be so very proud of you, dear.”

  I heard Gram sigh with good nature.

  Taking notes? My mental prod was met with a snort.

  “Thank you.” I found myself blushing at the attention. “It's lovely to meet you too.”

  Oh for goodness sake. Gram chuffed. Stand aside and let me deal with this or you'll be trading compliments all night.

  Before I could stop Gram from taking over again, I felt her shove me aside, my angry demon howling. I almost fought her, but her power, so deeply embedded in me for so long, had no problem holding me back while she used me as a puppet.

  “You must know why I'm here?” I felt Gram move my hand, take Violet's. The older woman nodded, suddenly serious.

  “I'm appalled,” the old woman said. “At how they've treated your mother, how the whole coven has been ignored.” Violet sighed, eyes sad. “I've been fighting for ages, ever since your mother's first call for help, to have the Council act, but my pleas have been ignored. And you're well aware one coven cannot interfere with another, not even to assist, if the Council isn't in support of it.”

  Well, that sucked.

  “Thank you,” Gram said in my voice. “Your support is appreciated.”

  Violet patted my hand. “I've known for some time that horrible Batsheva Moromond has been up to no good. When Mary Santos stepped down as our Council Leader, I was certain Batsheva had something to do with it. But the old dear has seen better years and there was never any proof of underhanded dealings.” For a moment her face hardened and I realized just how much strength there was hidden behind her disarming smile. “And believe me, I looked for it.”

  So did I, Gram told me, grim.

  Violet released me, stood to pace back and forth in front of the large, unlit fireplace. It was so big she seemed like a doll next to it. “As long as the law is upheld, we shall prevail, Sydlynn. There have been harsh times before, troubles between covens, but always the law has led us to salvation.” She met my eyes, hers very sad. “You do see that, don't you? Understand it? I must allow justice to prevail, for the law to decide.”

  Gram withdrew, leaving me to nod. “I do.” I cleared my throat against the thick feeling in it. “And I believe it too.” It's how Mom raised me.

  How could I feel otherwise?

  Violet smiled then, took her seat next to me. “I spoke to your mother,” she said. “I adore her, always have. But even more so now, do you know why?”

  I shook my head as Violet stroked my hair back from my face.

  “Because your mother told me exactly what you just did,” she said, voice almost a whisper. “That I had to do what was right, no matter what that meant to her. She told me not to favor her, but to obey the law. And I will.” Her chin came up, shoulders straightening. “And what has become wrong will be made right again.”

  I begged off shortly after, the last of the sunlight leaving the sky. I wanted to be in place when the vampires woke so I could offer what little support I could. I was sure they had no idea their sleeping caskets had been moved and needed to be sure I kept Sunny from freaking out over the new order of things.

  Not that Sunny was the type to overreact, mind you. But her clan's home had been taken over by witches without permission. As mild-mannered and lovely as my undead friend was, there were definite limits.

  Gram sighed in my head as Violet waved at me, softly closing the door. Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too upset. Not like I expected much else.

  I don't know, I sent back as I hurried down the hall toward the foyer. At least someone is focused on doing what's right.

  That's the problem, Gram grumbled. She's so intent on following the law, she's missing the fact those laws are being made a mockery of at every turn. Talk about big picture issues.

  I couldn't argue with her there.

  One thing is certain, she huffed, your mother needs to learn to keep her damned mouth shut and let me handle things.

  I had to laugh. Had to. Gram's cackle followed after a moment.

  I'll leave you to deal with the vampires. Her mind hugged mine. Just don't hurt anyone. Too much. And tell Sunny this is important. It goes beyond all of us.

  She was right. If Batsheva had her way, if my family was taken apart and she was able to gain control of our power, no one would be safe. And I had absolutely no doubt that was her final goal.

  Control of everything.

  I emerged in the grand entry just as the last ray of sunlight vanished and the huge mansion was plunged into night. About a heartbeat later something crashed beneath my feet, the power of the magic in use shaking the floor. I heard gasps from the handful of witches hovering by the exit, saw heads poke out of doorways. The two Enforcers standing guard at the end of the hall where I'd found the vampires looked suddenly nervous.

  My feet couldn't carry me fast enough. I almost reached the black-robed witches when a streak of white light shot past them. It came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the foyer, flared once so bright I had to look aside, only to reform into a very, very angry Sunny.

  My blonde vampire friend's fury rippled across her body in sheets of white undead power, the glow of it filling her eyes until they appeared ghastly and terrifying.

  “WHO HAS INVADED OUR HOME?” Her scream echoed, I was certain, to every single corner of the mansion, the air rippling with her furious words.

  More flashes of white light escaped the hallway even as a handful of black-robed Enforcers ran top speed toward the main entry, power crackling around them. Their blue magic lashed out in an attempt to contain the vampires. But the flickering white beacons simply slipped through, flashing over as Sunny had, solidifying behind her, around her, and soon a hundred undead crowded the foyer with absolute rage on their faces.

  Not good. Not good at all.

  I found myself suddenly among the vampires, shoving past a few to reach Sunny's side. Stupid, dangerous, but I had to do something, even if it meant risking one of them mistaking me for an attacker.

  I gripped her arm, letting my power touch her, as her head whipped around, those glowing white eyes tearing through me. “Sunny,” I whispered.

  She shuddered, her anger a living thing I felt through our contact. “What is the meaning of this?” She pushed me aside, storming through to the edge of the gathered clan, her power crackling as she came face-to-face with the line of Enforcers. “You dare handle our sleeping places? YOU DARE ENTER OUR HOME WITHOUT OUR CONSENT?” Sunny was suddenly on fire again, glowing like a new star. “HOW DARE YOU?”

  To their credit, most of the gathered Enforcers looked embarrassed and quite afraid. Yes they were powerful, but they were facing a hundred raging vampires.

  Before anyone could act, Dominic Moromond sauntered his way through his gathered officers to face Sunny. The nasty grin on his face was almost his undoing. I could feel her power surge, used mine to block her. She spun on me, a thing of terrible beauty and perfect fury, but she held herself back.

  Just.

  “You have one moment to explain,” she said in a voice so quiet and chilled it felt like it was torn from the grave. I almost missed her screaming. “Before I turn my people loose and kill you all.”

  “Don't flatter yourself, vampire,” Dominic said, shoving his paunch forward, arrogance utterly insulting. “Unless you want your clan wiped out, I suggest you be a good little girl and get back to the basement.”

  “This is ridiculous.” I couldn't help myself, I had to speak up. “This is their home. We're the intruders.”

  “Correction,” Dominic sneered at me, “this was the headquarters of the Chosen of the Light and these vermin are squatters. They have no rights here.”

  Sunny snarled. “Then how did we enter, evil one?” She gestured, power flowing from her into the very floor, the mansion humming in answer.

  Dominic actually looked shocked. He recovered, but I felt a surge of hope. He had no idea.

  Sunny one, jerkwad zero.

  �
�Your evil must be contained,” Dominic scowled at Sunny. “You are not permitted to interfere with the trial.”

  “Maybe you should have checked to make sure this place wasn't taken first,” I snapped. I turned to Sunny who was still furious, but seemed a little more in control of herself. “I beg the patience and forgiveness of the Blood Clan DeWinter in this matter. Clearly there has been a miscarriage of justice.”

  Sunny glared at me a long moment before nodding sharply. “You will leave,” she said. “Now.”

  Someone bustled forward, the secretary, I realized. I almost warned him off, knowing he was taking his life into his own hands. But instead of being rude, he seemed upset.

  “This is highly regrettable,” he said, “most irregular. We must convene Council and discover how this occurred.”

  I glanced up, noticing only then we were being observed. Most of the leaders were already present. Violet hurried forward and gestured at the secretary.

  “Summon us immediately,” she said, sweet face pinched and angry. “Immediately.”

  He rushed off, muttering to himself while Violet joined us. She scowled at Dominic, her power shoving him backwards.

  “Know your place, Enforcer,” she snapped. “This is Council business.”

  He looked like he wanted to tell her from where she could take a flying leap, but backed off finally. Violet faced Sunny, held out both hands. Her power glowed softly in her palms. “I beg you, forgive us. We were told this place was not legally yours.”

  Sunny's power skimmed over Violet's as she settled her hands on the other woman's. It was a huge thing. Sunny wasn't a witch, let alone a coven leader.

  But she was an equal. I saw it in Violet's actions.

  Maybe this would end well after all.

  The bell pealed, loud and clear. Sunny jerked toward it with a snarl and stalked down the hall, heading for the Council chamber. I followed her, heart still pounding, but with a thankful smile to Violet. She grasped my arm, hung onto me as we walked.

  “Disgraceful,” she muttered. “Absolutely disgraceful.”