Full Circle

by Patti Larsen

  More than okay.

  Gram sighed in my head. And I had an instant moment of understanding which drove my joy at Mom's safety aside with the understanding of what this really meant.

  Mom wouldn't be leader of the coven anymore.

  Which meant...

  Oh crap.

  ***

  Chapter Forty Four

  I hurried down the hall behind the Council's exit, in yet another long corridor lined with wooden doors. It still wasn't hard to find the one hiding my mother—her power came through loud and clear.

  I paused at the furthest and knocked quickly, heart racing. I hadn't been allowed a moment alone with her since, almost an hour ago, she'd been led out by the Council to prepare for taking on her new role. My attempts to talk to her mentally got me nowhere so storming my way to her door was a last resort.

  We just had to talk about this.

  The door jerked open after a moment, the annoying little secretary standing on the other side, looking down his nose through his glasses at me just like before.

  “Yes?”

  I rolled my eyes and held my temper. “I'm here to see Miriam Hayle.”

  His rat-like little eyes narrowed. “She's far too busy,” he said. “I'll schedule you an appointment for next week. If you think it's important.”

  My jaw ached from grinding my teeth and not his irritating self into the ground like a bug crushed underfoot.

  “I'm here to see my mother,” I snarled, “and you're going to take me to her or I'm going to make sure you're in no way capable of getting in my way. Ever. Again.”

  Oh, Syd. Temper, temper.

  He seemed to take the threat seriously, his tone growing whiny.

  “We only have a short time before the ceremony.” I glared and he finally huffed and stood aside. “Very well, you have five minutes.”

  I pushed past him without another word, my demon humming her anger while Shaylee sighed at the both of us.

  Whatever. I wasn't asking for much. Just a chance to yell at Mom for dumping the coven in my lap while she took over the most powerful position in most of witchdom.

  You know. Family stuff.

  The sitting room bustled with witches, though they didn't seem to be doing much besides chatting in excited voices. They were allowed in, weren't they? I filed the slight away into my internal folder of Wrongs Done To Syd for later perusal and marched right to the bedroom door.

  It stood ajar, enough I could peek in before I charged further ahead like a raging elephant in a glass factory. Mom stood on a stool, two witches hovering around her, the heavy black and blue trimmed robes being perfectly tailored to her with magic weaving through every fiber. I guessed hers was a bigger deal than the Councilors. Made sense, in a witchy kind of way.

  Did nothing to make me feel any better about the whole thing.

  I didn't get a chance to speak up before she spotted me, smiling suddenly like I was exactly who she hoped would walk through the door.

  “Syd,” she said, motioning for me to join her.

  Some of my fear and anger fell away as I crossed the room to look up at her on her perch, taking her hand. The family magic, still in her possession, linked us together.

  “Sweetheart,” she said, “I'm so glad you're here.”

  I almost grumbled she was the only one when one of the tailor witches shot me a glare like I was in her way. But Mom seemed happy so I did my best to keep my voice level and my true feelings to myself.

  For the time being.

  Until we were alone together.

  Then all bets on who could scream the loudest were off.

  The secretary bustled in, handed Mom a sheet of parchment. “Your signature is required, interim leader,” he said, purposely ignoring me though I noticed he stayed out of arm's reach. Smart.

  Mom smiled at him and released my hand, the connection of power letting go at the same time. I missed it the moment it was gone and stood there, arms crossed over my chest, as Mom quickly read and then signed the sheet with a flourish of magic.

  The secretary bowed to her. “We only have a few minutes, interim leader,” he said, eyeing me like I was holding up the whole works.

  “It will be fine, Maurice,” Mom said. So the little weasel had a name did he? I couldn't wait to see how he reacted when I called him Moe.

  “Yes, interim leader,” he said with another bow.

  Mom clapped her hands. “Please, everyone. I'd like a moment alone with my daughter.”

  You'd think she asked them to slit their own throats and use the blood to worship demons. But they obeyed, slinking from the room, the sycophants and hangers-on glaring at me like I brought a plague to their party.

  And here they were the ones making me sick.

  As the door closed behind the last of them, I heard a familiar cackle and spun to find Gram perched in a big, overstuffed chair eating grapes from the end of a silver knife.

  “All's well that ends well, girlies.” Gram spun sideways, dangling her legs over the arm of the chair, blue-socked feet swinging.

  “Mother.” Mom sighed with a little frown at her behavior then laughed and shrugged. “Yes, I suppose so.” Mom's gaze fell on me as she stepped down from the stool, her fingers sliding through my hair. “I'm so proud of you.”

  I started shaking, my heart palpitations returning, the same ones that started up when I realized what Mom leaving the coven meant.

  “You can't do this,” I blurted. “What about the family?”

  Mom's smile didn't waver. “They have a fine leader to take my place,” she said.

  Gram's giggle made me flinch.

  “You can't be serious.” I felt like the floor opened up and I teetered on the edge of falling, absolutely sure my windmilling arms would never right my balance in time.

  “What's the matter, girl?” Gram winked, an evil grin on her face. “Not ready to take over the coven just yet?”

  Mom frowned at her before turning her attention back to me. “Sweetheart,” she said, hugging me gently, “I would never do that to you. I know you still have things to learn, a life to live.”

  Part of me sagged in relief while my demon chuffed in anger. Leave it to her to want that kind of position. Not me, no thanks.

  Not yet, anyway.

  “Don't worry,” Gram said, “Miriam's got more brains than that.” She swung her legs back and stood, coming to stand with us. “Besides, what's an old lady to do with her days besides badger her granddaughter into taking responsibility every once in a while?”

  “Gram's going to be leader.” I let out my breath in a sigh of relief. “You could have just said so, you know,” I snapped then at both of them. “You two almost gave me a heart attack.”

  Mom shook her head. “Not quite,” she said. “Your grandmother will co-lead with you for the time being, until you finish college. When you turn twenty one, you will take full control.”

  Three years. Okay then. I could put a little worry off. Nothing like procrastinating the biggest moment of my life so I wouldn't panic and lose it completely.

  But it was more than the power exchange. Now the initial worry was over, I had the next layer to deal with.

  “Where will you live?” Not with us. That much was apparent from the sadness washing over her face as she stroked my cheek.

  “My responsibilities will keep me with the Council,” she said. “But I'll always be there for you, Syd. All you have to do is reach for me.”

  Yeah, I wondered how long her offer would last. When she'd get so busy I'd be shunted aside by her secretary, given an appointment time.

  “Can you be happy for me?” Mom dropped her hand. “This is a huge honor, sweetheart. A chance to make things right, to build a defense against Batsheva, the law behind us at last. Isn't that a good thing?”

  I nodded even as my throat tightened against threatening tears.

  “I can't think of anyone better,” I said. “But.”

  She nodded, kissed my forehead like I was
a little girl. “But,” she whispered. “I know. I miss you already.”

  Choke. I had to learn how to use magic to keep from crying every five minutes.

  “Change is inevitable,” Gram said, taking my hand, Mom's. Her faded blue eyes met mine, calm, almost serene, as if the cackling, slightly screwy woman who I knew the best found somewhere else to be for the moment. “But we Hayle women, we were born for change.”

  Mom squeezed my hand. “I'm scared too,” she whispered. “But this is what you raised me to do, Mom.”

  Gram nodded. “And what I'll raise Syd to do,” she said, pulling me in to hug me around the waist with one arm, holding me to her as we both looked Mom up and down.

  “How do I look?” She self-consciously touched her perfect curls with one manicured hand.

  The tears were as inevitable as the change.

  “You're awesome,” I whispered.

  Gram poked me in the ribs. “You'll do,” she said.

  The door popped open and the secretary poked his head inside.

  “Interim leader.” He raised his eyebrows at her.

  “One more moment, Maurice.”

  He sighed and closed the door again.

  “This is a huge decision,” Mom said quickly. She was right. We were out of time. “But it's the best one for our coven and for the entire Council.”

  “I know,” I said. “We need a strong leader, now more than ever. I just wish it didn't have to be my mom.”

  She smiled. “Who else would you trust with the job?”

  She had to ask an unfair question.

  The secretary returned, this time tromping his way into the room.

  “Interim leader,” he said. “We really must go.”

  And that was that. Well, almost. As I turned to leave, witches rushing in to finish prepping Mom for her big moment, she grabbed my hands one last time, her mental voice touching mine.

  Now I'm in charge, she sent, we won't be ignored anymore. We can shape this into whatever we want it to be, Syd. I do this for you, for Meira. And one day you will take my place. You'll see. It will be wonderful.

  Who was she trying to convince? She turned away from me as Gram hooked her arm through mine and led me out into the sitting room, past the annoyed witches and to the quiet hall.

  “Don't count on it.” Gram sighed as I stopped to face her.

  “Sorry?”

  She shrugged and kissed me soundly on the cheek. “Your mother is in for a bit of a wakeup call, I'm thinking.” Gram rolled her eyes at me. “Things are never as simple and straight forward as you want them to be.”

  I had a sinking feeling she was right.

  “Come on then,” Gram said, grabbing my arm again and forcing me to skip with her down the hall. “Let's go watch your mother take over the world.”

  ***

  Chapter Forty Five

  The bench was cold under my legs as I sat in the back yard under the light of the bulb over the door. It had been almost twenty-four hours since the power transfer was completed and while I'd shared the family magic with Mom before, I didn't realize until I took on my half she'd only shouldered me with a portion of it in the past.

  I flinched from the memory of standing in the Council chamber, all those eyes watching and weighing me, as the power flowed out of Mom, happily through Gram and into me.

  One question was finally answered without a doubt as the surging Council power, the most I'd ever seen, burst into life the moment Mom was free. Stripped from Batsheva Moromond in that moment, it returned to the chamber in search of a new host.

  I wasn’t the only one who gasped as sheets of red fire fought it, a battle waging overhead as Batsheva’s blood magic fought to contain and control it.

  Now we know how she became leader, Gram sent. How she does everything. By force. And she’s not ready to let all of that magic go.

  Mom reached out both with her hands and her remaining energy. The Council power thrashed in its confines, straining to reach her as if they belonged together. I gathered my control of the elements to help only to have Gram hold me back.

  Wait.

  I had to learn to be more trusting. Mom’s magic wasn’t random, not at all, but focused into a razor thin wire slicing through the outer shell of blood energy. The Council power acted on the gap instantly, tearing wide the thin slice and throwing off the pressure of the failing spell.

  The sound of a far-off scream of rage chased the blood magic away.

  The Council power, now free again, swelled like a raging waterfall. I could feel its fury and its need to connect with someone.

  My mother.

  When it descended, there was nothing gentle and loving about it. Used and abused by its last pairing, the might of all of that energy lashed out and seized Mom like it owned her.

  I clutched at my chest, heart stopping as it plummeted to the floor, crushing Mom under its weight. But my mother didn’t falter. In fact, the moment it touched her she welcomed it, wide open to not only the rush of magic, but all of us, exposed for everyone to see.

  It was the smartest move she’d ever made. Not only did every single witch understand then she was pure and good, the magic itself felt her strength and love and wound itself inside her, quickly bonding with her and linking them together forever. The two came together as if made for each other.

  Mom's smile was radiant and I couldn't bring myself to ruin it for her.

  I could do my sulking in private.

  At least I had Gram to help me figure everything out. It felt different to have her connected to me like Mom had been, but better in a way. There was no fight, no push and pull. I was so familiar with Gram because of our previous bond we fit together like a pair of fuzzy socks.

  Still, I found myself restless at times, like something crawled under my skin, and had yet to sleep.

  It was almost as if the family magic understood Mom wasn't coming back and took the opportunity to fully explore me. Not like it hadn't had me to examine my entire life. I found the intense attention disconcerting.

  I heard the rumble of his motorcycle pulling up at the same time I felt him, the intensity of Quaid's presence growing as he crossed the family wards and entered the back yard. He sat down next to me without a sound, leather jacket and pants creaking, the scent of him so familiar I had a flashback to the night he tried to warn me about the Moromonds, the night my family was almost destroyed.

  “Are you okay?” Quaid's hand found mine, his energy sliding over me. The family magic welcomed him, drew him closer. He responded by pulling his hand away and rubbing his palm on his knee with a frown.

  “Sorry.” I hugged myself. “It's a little over-enthusiastic at the moment. Give me a few days to get it sorted out.”

  He nodded quickly, sat back. “So you're not okay.”

  I thought about it, really allowed myself to consider the question. “No,” I said at last. “I am. I miss Mom, but she's alive and well and in control of the Council so there really couldn't be a much better ending there. And Dad's okay too, more than okay.” I laughed. “Remind me to ask him how he jumped five planes since he got back.”

  Quaid's grin was barely there.

  “What about you?” I turned to him, reached for him, but hesitated when he didn't reach back.

  “I'm okay.” He clenched one hand into a fist before letting it go and running his fingers through his curls. “I just feel a little... lost.”

  I nodded. “Did you talk to Mia?”

  “No,” he shifted his position as if he were as uncomfortable in his own skin as I was in mine. “She's gone already.”

  “Maybe...” I swallowed hard, heart sinking. “Maybe you should go with her.”

  He met my eyes, his expressionless. “Are you asking me to leave?”

  “No.” I shook my head and looked away, unable to hold his gaze while my heart broke. “But she'll need strong family around her, Quaid. If she's to keep control of the coven. To turn it around as she said she wants to do.”

/>   He tapped his fingers on the arm rest of the bench on an off-beat, frowning at them like they hurt his feelings.

  “I know,” he said. “But I don't want to go.”

  Exhale. I would not sob in relief.

  Quaid sighed a deep breath, looking out over the yard though I knew his mind was further away. “For the first time since I can remember, I'm free.” His lips twisted into a half smile. “Now that Dominic is dead... yes, I know Batsheva is still out there, but seeing my parents, releasing the magic they embedded in me, in Mia... Syd, I don't feel the drive to find her and kill her anymore.”

  Made sense. “So that's why you're lost.”

  He bobbed his head in a slow nod. “It's like someone's taken away my purpose, you know?” Quaid smiled at me. “Not like it was a good purpose to begin with. But it was all I had for a long time. Even when I didn't know I had it.”

  “Maybe it's time to come up with your own purpose.” I could only hope it included me.

  His dark eyes narrowed, teeth chewing his lower lip. “Pender was a good choice for the new leader of the Enforcers, don't you think?”

  Where did that abrupt change in conversation come from?

  “I guess,” I said. “At least he finally found his backbone.”

  Quaid twitched like he wanted to say something, but fell silent. He was so long before he spoke again I almost jumped.

  “He tried to recruit me.”

  Okay, heartbreak time again.

  “Yeah?” I kept my tone light, but knew he could tell I was only holding it together for his benefit. “What did you say?”

  “I don't know.” Quaid surged to his feet to pace in front of me, boots scuffing through the grass. “Syd, I just don't.” He came to a halt in front of me, towering over me.

  “If you join them,” I said, voice so soft I barely made myself out, “you have to leave the coven.” Leave me. No, I was not going to say those last two words out loud.

  I didn't have to.

  Quaid fell to his knees before me, hands taking mine, so much sadness in his eyes I thought of the poor little boy he'd been when the Moromonds kidnapped him.