The Long Lost

by Patti Larsen

  Mom brushed past Odette and headed for the minivan. I followed, eyes straight ahead, holding my family pride around me. We’d won for now. All we had to do was wait. I was sure Ameline wouldn’t be put to death that night. Not because the vampires would spare her, but because there was no way Odette would let it happen.

  Which gave us the day to prepare for the battle.

  Gram didn’t say a word the entire drive, glaring out the window next to me. Mom and Dad were both quiet, too. I kept looking back over my shoulder at Uncle Frank, or what I could see of him, his body wrapped in an opaque black cloud of magic. I reached out once, with my mind, trying to feel inside, but only managed to win a glare from Mom.

  “Leave him,” she snapped.

  “Sorry.” I was. The last thing I wanted was to make things worse.

  “He’ll be okay,” Mom said, softer this time, as if in apology.

  I hoped she wasn’t lying to the both of us.

  I spent the rest of the drive trying to figure out how best to help Mom with the coven. I knew she’d want me to link in with the rest of the family. The idea didn’t bother me like it used to, but I was still pretty new to the whole control thing. One slip and I could ruin everything.

  I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I missed the strange car in our driveway and the frantic man who waited for us. It wasn’t until I heard him call out that I realized he was there.

  “Mrs. Hayle?” He didn’t look familiar. Tallish, heavy set, balding. Nice brown eyes that were very, very worried. “Are you Miriam Hayle?”

  Mom paused, as lost as I was. “I am.”

  He lunged for her, making me suddenly nervous. Dad too, because he quickly put himself between the two of them, a menacing look on his face. But the man wasn’t threatening Mom, not in the least.

  He looked like someone had torn his heart out and handed it to him.

  “I’m Jerry Hammond,” he said. “Have you seen my wife and daughter?”

  ***

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  I wasn’t allowed to sit in on the conversation with Mia’s adopted dad and, quite frankly, I didn’t want to. My stomach ached in fear for her mother. It had been a full day since she’d been here, asking about Mia. She’d been missing ever since. And while I didn’t know her all that well, I still liked her. Her obvious love for her daughter was clear every time we talked.

  Instead I sat at the top of the stairs with Sassafras in my lap and Galleytrot lying beside me as I told them everything.

  Jerry Hammond didn’t stay long. I returned to the kitchen with Sassy in my arms, Galleytrot padding along beside me, the moment I heard his engine start and his car peel away. I found Dad hugging Mom, his cheek pressed to her forehead. They spotted me at the same time and both opened their hug to include me.

  I’m not ashamed to say I needed it just then. I set Sassy on the table and went to them.

  “Mom,” I said softly into her hair, her familiar smell of lilacs making me want to cry, “can we help him find her?”

  “I’ve already sent word out,” she said. “Two of the coven volunteered to search. But the rest of us must prepare.” She pulled back, fingers stroking my cheek. “We’ll find her,” she said, “but I fear the worst.”

  “This could have been over.” We all turned to find Gram glaring at us from across the kitchen. She was positively furious. I could feel the energy through our link.

  “She wasn’t about to attack us, Mother,” Mom said. “Not yet. We need to push her further.”

  “And you think this little game with her pet will do it?” Gram snorted, looked away. “I won’t stand for her to escape me, Miriam.”

  “We have to do what’s good for the coven, Ethpeal.” Dad’s tone was grim. It was the first time I’d ever heard him say something to her in that tone of voice. “If that means driving the Dumonts out and you missing out on your revenge, that is what we’re going to do.”

  Sassy hummed unhappily. “Sometimes the one must go with the other, Harry.”

  Gram turned her back on us, staring out the window into the sunshine. She stayed there, vibrating with anger. I pulled away from my parents and went to her side. The bright light touched her thin skin, shining in the soft folds of her wrinkles, washing out her blue eyes to near transparency. But I could see in her the younger woman she was when she sacrificed so much for all of us. I reached out and took her hand, resting my head on her shoulder.

  “We’ll get her, Gram,” I whispered. “I know you’re ready now, but it will be worth it, won’t it? Especially if you win when she thinks she has the power.”

  Gram snickered, her anger still alive, but softening. “I loved the look on her face when she saw me.” She squeezed my hand back. “Priceless.”

  “Kodak moment for sure.” I lifted my head and met her gaze. There was so much more to her than I’d ever believed before. “You can’t shut me out,” I whispered. “And I understand.”

  Tears rose in her eyes. Her fingers lifted, tucked some stray hair behind my ear. “Sister soul,” she whispered back. “There are things I’ve done you don’t need to know.”

  “I do,” I said, “because they made you who you are.”

  She hugged me then, so hard it amazed me, the strength in her seemingly frail body. When she pulled away at last, her eyes found Mom’s.

  “Time to find out what kind of damage they’ve done to your brother.”

  Uncle Frank. I cringed inwardly. “I can help.”

  “No,” Gram said with a tiny smile. “You need to stay a little innocent, demon child. Just a little while longer.”

  She and Mom disappeared into the basement, Dad trailing behind them. He blew me a kiss, offered a sad smile.

  Points for trying.

  I scooped up Sassy.

  “Your uncle has survived a great deal,” he said, amber eyes glowing. “He’ll survive this.”

  My mind flinched from the memory. “You didn’t see him, Sass,” I whispered. “On fire like that. Didn’t hear how he screamed.”

  “I did,” Galleytrot said, looking up. “I heard him. Though I didn’t know what it was.”

  I rubbed his big head while balancing Sassy in the other.

  “I should have been with you.” Galleytrot sat on his haunches.

  “You weren’t invited, as I recall,” I said. “Or you.” I stroked a finger down Sassy’s nose. “And I’m just as happy you both stayed out of it. Bad enough Uncle Frank was hurt, but if anything happened to either of you…”

  Sassy slapped my cheek with one paw, no claws. “I’m a demon,” he said.

  “And I’m a Fey dog,” Galleytrot added.

  Right. “Okay,” I said, “you two go handle the Dumonts then, since you’re so freaking special.”

  No further comment from the peanut gallery.

  Surprise, surprise.

  Syd. Erica’s mind touched mine.

  Mom’s with Uncle Frank. I set Sassy down again, watching him waddle his way out of the kitchen and down the stairs to the basement. Sneak.

  I figured. Erica sounded stressed by in control. I can’t reach her. Just wanted her to know Ameline is secure with us. We’ll see you tonight.

  Tonight. When everything would be decided once and for all. Or so I hoped. This kind of crap just had to end eventually.

  Didn’t it?

  I was half way upstairs, the big black dog bounding up ahead of me when I heard someone knocking on the door. I spun back, brain tumbling back and forth as I tried to figure out who it could possibly be. Of course it only occurred to me as I jerked the door open I could have looked with my magic, but I figured after everything I’d gone through I should cut myself some slack.

  Angela Morgan stood in the doorway, glaring at me. She still had that glassy, dazed look about her, telling me without feeling her energy she remained deeply in Andre Dumont’s thrall. She looked like crap. The spell had done nothing for her attractiveness, that was certain. I’d seen better makeup applications on plastic dolls
.

  “It’s all your fault!” She lunged at me, rage on her face, lashing out with her inch long manicure.

  I dodged her, heard Galleytrot snarl behind me as Angela withdrew with a gasp, hand pressed to her chest.

  “Keep that vicious animal away from me.” She pointed one shaking finger at him. “I’ll have him put down if he touches me.”

  Alison’s mom drinking was a bitch. Alison’s mom in thrall was way worse. All of a sudden I wanted to punish her, to make her pay for what she’d done to her daughter, for how screwed up Alison was.

  “Get out.” I didn’t hold back my temper. “You’re so not welcome here.”

  “Not until I have a word with you,” she snapped back. “About my daughter and the way you’ve corrupted her.”

  Me? Seriously? “What is your problem, lady?” I balled my hands into fists. I would not hit her.

  “Alison is a mess,” she said. “A drunk and an addict. And it’s your fault!”

  Denial ran in the family, clearly. “You’re disgusting,” I said. “Don’t blame me for the mess you’ve made. Alison is a product of her environment. Of a mother who drinks too much, ignores her and dates men when she’s married already.”

  Angela flinched visibly at every word. But I was in no mood to stop.

  “Maybe if you cared even a little bit about your daughter,” I snarled, closing the distance between us to shake a finger in her face, “she wouldn’t be a disaster. Go the hell home and take care of her and yourself, for once!”

  Mom was beside me, pulling me backward, eyes locked on Angela. I heard her whisper, saw the thread of blue magic lace through the net of the thrall holding the woman captive, witnessed Angela coming awake.

  I could feel Mom’s anger through our touch. “This must stop,” she said softly, though I knew she wasn’t talking to Alison’s mom. “Go home, Angela. Lock your doors. And don’t let anyone in. Understood?”

  Angela nodded slowly, still dazed, but now from confusion.

  “Yes, of course.” She looked down at herself, back at me as though not knowing where she was or why. “How silly of me. I’ll go home at once.”

  She left in a hurry. Lucky for her. Thrall or no thrall, Alison’s mom or not, she came that close to having her ass kicked.

  Mom hugged me gently. “Things aren’t always as they appear.”

  “No,” Gram said from behind us. “They aren’t.”

  “How’s Uncle Frank?”

  Mom sighed. “He’ll survive,” she said softly. “But it’s hard to know how much damaged he’ll retain until he wakes and eats.”

  Damage. “It’s permanent?” I couldn’t imagine.

  “Maybe,” Mom shrugged. “Sun damage can be. But he’s strong. And he has us to help him.”

  “It’s not going to be enough,” Gram said. “And you know it. He’ll want revenge.”

  “You’re familiar with that concept, Mother.” Mom’s words came out in anger, but she just looked tired.

  “Yes,” Gram said softly. “I surely am. And I’ll be right beside him, cheering him on, when he tears that little girl’s heart out.”

  ***

  Chapter Forty

  My room was stifling, but it seemed like the only place in the house I could go to be alone. I shut the door on Sassafras and Galleytrot, not sure I could handle being around anyone until I calmed down.

  If it had just been Alison and her horrible mother, maybe I wouldn’t have been so worked up. But backed by Uncle Frank’s condition and the fact we still had to face the Dumonts in a few hours, I needed time to clear my head and screw it back on straight.

  If that was even possible.

  Gram scared me a little in the kitchen. Her hate was so powerful it colored my emotions, I was sure of it. How much of my own anger was hers? And did I give a crap enough to put an end to it? I could think of nothing more satisfying than taking out the entire Dumont family. And though my demon had been known to expose a violent streak in me, I didn’t often wallow in the need to physically hurt others.

  The house fell quiet. I must have dozed off because I jerked awake just as my room was beginning to darken. I sat up immediately, feeling around as I always did for my family. To my shock, the only two people I felt weren’t related to me.

  I slid out of my room and down the stairs, avoiding the one creaking step near the bottom. Voices, both female, just soft enough I couldn’t quite hear. I eased around the end of the steps and listened.

  “She’s going to be the end of this coven.” Celeste. What was she doing here?

  “We can’t act against our own leader, not at a time like this.” Erica? ERICA? My stomach clenched and it was all I could do to not move and keep listening.

  “She could be replaced.” Celeste sighed softly. “You know this can only end in tragedy. Miriam’s been blinded by her brother’s maiming, by that insane mother of hers.”

  “Our former leader,” Erica said.

  “Not mine,” Celeste hissed.

  What? Since when? Hadn’t she been a member of the coven when Gram fought the Puritys?

  “What do you want to do?” Erica’s voice trembled. The traitor. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her.

  “We challenge her together,” Celeste said. “Tonight, publicly. Show Odette and the Dumonts we’re not all their enemies.”

  Erica was quiet for a long moment. “I’ll consider it.”

  “Don’t take too long,” Celeste said. “There are enough of us, if we act at the right time, this will all be over and you will be leader.”

  I hissed out air between my teeth. Over my dead body. I was up and moving, my demon propelling me forward and into the kitchen as my anger surged up and showed itself in my face. At least I was fairly certain it did. Both women stared at me as I stormed into the room like I was going to murder them both.

  The thought had crossed my mind.

  “Get the hell out,” I snarled at Celeste. “You’re no longer welcome here. And when Mom hears about the two of you,” I glared back and forth between them, “plotting to betray her, you’ll both suffer far more than the Dumonts will tonight.”

  Erica was very pale, but Celeste drew herself up, as though her conviction would protect her from me. “I’m doing what’s right for my coven.”

  “It’s not your coven,” I snarled. “Not anymore. Now get out before I do something you’ll regret.”

  She left without a word. Smart of her. Erica simply stood there, eyes on the door, hands trembling. “Syd—“

  I spun on her, my fury begging to be let out. “I can’t believe you!” Three cupboard doors slammed open, their contents sliding violently outward to smash all over the floor and counters. Erica jumped at the sound of the impacts. “You heartless bitch, after everything Mom’s done for you, how could you betray her?”

  “Because I asked her to.” Mom appeared at the hall entry, face sad. “Thank you, Erica. I know how hard that was for you.”

  “Syd,” Erica stepped forward, still shaking. “I’m sorry you had to see that. But we had to know. Celeste approached me, James as well. It was the only way to find out the truth.”

  My anger drained out of me like I’d turned off the tap. “This was a set up,” I said, face flushing with embarrassment this time.

  She shook her head. “I know how it looked.” Erica met Mom’s eyes. “We have to be even more cautious than we thought. If Celeste has numbers behind her, this could get messy.”

  Mom shook her head however, a dark smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “I’ve already taken care of it,” she said. “Mother is going to keep her magic out of this and watch for stragglers. She can handle anyone who tries to betray us.”

  Erica’s shoulders sagged. “Our own people.”

  I suddenly felt like an idiot. “I saw them,” I said. “Celeste and James. Talking to Odette. At the hotel. I should have told you, but I forgot.”

  Mom’s smile softened. “It’s okay, honey,” she said. “I already knew.”


  Of course she did. It made me feel a little better, at least.

  Mom came forward and hugged me before taking Erica’s hand. “One way or another, this ends tonight.”

  Erica nodded. “We’re here for you, Miriam,” she said. “Always.” I felt the power of the family swell as she opened herself to them and to us. They answered quickly, almost eager. We were as ready as we were going to get.

  Trouble was, were those who answered really loyal? How deeply did the betrayal run? Knowing the connection I maintained with Gram, I would at least have answers to my questions if I really wanted to know.

  I ran upstairs for a sweatshirt, glancing out at the darkening sky. The vampires would be rising soon. Uncle Frank, too. We’d know soon enough if he’d recover from his exposure. I suppose I should have been grateful he survived at all, but what kind of life would he have if he was suffering for the rest of it, twisted and broken, unable to exist outside the pain of the constant burning? It’s not like it would just go away. Sun damage could be forever. And that included the pain that went with it.

  I did not envy Ameline one little bit. If my uncle was even remotely himself, she wouldn’t last two seconds past his decision to kill her.

  My cell phone buzzed just as I headed for my door. I heard car doors slam, felt the touch of Mom’s mind on mine.

  Syd, it’s time.

  I glanced at the screen of my phone and received a little shock.

  Syd. Need to talk, the park. No family. Important for both of us. Mia.

  I hesitated. A trick? And yet it made sense. If she had to talk to me, it wouldn’t be a good idea for her to do it around the Dumonts. And if whatever she had to say meant helping my family, I’d take the risk.

  I’ll follow you, I sent to Mom. I have something to do first.

  Hurry.

  No kidding. I heard her drive off, presumably with Dad and Erica. As for Gram, I could feel her out there, but she wasn’t letting me in far enough to know exactly where.