by Patti Larsen
I pulled my hoodie over my head as I trotted down the stairs and left through the back door. Oddly, neither of my furry companions were anywhere to be found. I just hoped, despite brave words, they stayed out of it.
The park was only a short jog away. Memories flashed in my head, of meeting Quaid and Sunny there, of being held and kissed on the back of a motorcycle. I shuddered all of that away as I slowed to a walk, heading for the familiar trees.
“Mia.” I called out to her, feeling for her, but felt nothing. In fact, I felt less than nothing and that bothered me more than anything.
Someone was hiding something. And it couldn’t mean anything good for me.
A canine growl was all the warning I had before a dozen werewolves burst from the new darkness and leapt for me.
***
Chapter Forty One
My magic came to me in a rush of power, surrounding me before any of the werewolves could reach me. I sent out a pulse of energy, scattering them, keeping them as far from me as possible. Werewolf bites were contagious and there was no cure.
Odette Dumont’s last attempt to piss of my mother, it seemed. And my old friend had a hand in it.
We’d just see about that.
The werewolves gathered themselves and attacked for the second time. This round went to Shaylee. Green earth magic rippled upward through the ground, into their bodies, pulling them with such force toward the earth they howled in agony. The surge only lasted a moment, the increase of gravity just enough to make them hesitate. They paced around me, snarling and licking their muzzles, grotesquely twisted bodies, half human, half animal, fluid in motion.
When they came at me for the third time I let my demon have them. Sheets of amber fire roared outward, driving them back, singeing fur and raising blisters on their skin. They recovered rapidly, as werewolves do, but it was enough to make them pause yet again.
I was running out of tricks and knew my magic wouldn’t hold out forever. But every time I tried to turn and escape they circled me again. I hesitated to kill any of them. Even more now I was convinced, from the agony on their inhuman faces and the insanity in their eyes, they were being driven to this action, whipped into attacking me when they would never have done so of their own accord.
Odette had so much to answer for.
Still, if they didn’t back off soon, I’d be forced to start taking lives. The very idea repulsed me. I know, I know—I would love to see Ameline dead, Odette too. But I wasn’t sure I was prepared to pull the magic trigger.
Something roared from the darkness, a black shape darker even than the night, barreling through the line of werewolves to plant four huge paws firmly before me. Galleytrot raised his massive head and howled long and loud, the sound rippling outward in a wave of power, the earth shaking beneath me, the very air vibrating with the call of the Wild Hunt. For a moment I was terrified he would raise them with his magic, but he cut off before that ancient power could stir again.
It was enough to break the spell holding the werewolves in place. I felt it compress around them before shattering outward, howling its rage as the controls over them were blasted apart by the magic of the Sidhe.
The werewolves transformed back into human form almost as one, the sound of their reversion sounding like a ripple of tearing flesh. They collapsed to the grass as a collective, panting loudly into the darkness. Charlotte looked up at me, face contorted in pain and hatred.
“It’s not our doing,” she said, “nor our choice. But we must obey.”
“No,” I said. “He’s freed you. You can do as you wish from now on.”
Incredulity flickered in her eyes. “It’s impossible.”
“Not for me.” Galleytrot approached her, swiped her face with his tongue. “You are free, wolf.”
I saw her feeling around inside herself, witnessed her despair turn to hope and finally to the most desperate of relief. She wept then, they all did. “The rest of our people are still with her.” That word came out like a curse. “Raoul.” Longing. “We can’t let her have them.”
“We’ll do our best.” I let my magic drop, no longer needing it, scratching Galleytrot’s head. “Thanks for the rescue.”
One big eye winked. “My pleasure. I’d have been here sooner, but Sassy and I were patrolling.”
She’s all right I take it? Sassafras’s mental tone was decidedly snappy. He burst from the darkness, a streak of silver, heading right for my legs. I lifted him even as he tried to climb my body, his fat form trembling, tongue out as he panted from the exertion of his run.
“I’m fine, thanks. But I have to go.”
“We’ll take care of this lot,” Galleytrot said. “Go help your mother.”
Minnie made that drive so fast. I barely had time to be scared I was so pissed off. It seemed like I’d just climbed behind the wheel when my headlights flashed over a large group of people gathered in the hotel parking lot. I didn’t bother to park nicely, just threw the car in gear and jerked out the keys, stomping my way to my mother’s side. I glared at Mia who wouldn’t meet my eyes.
There was my proof.
“Syd.” Mom stared at me, at the fury in my face. “What happened?”
Raoul looked unhappy. Terrified even. And Odette was positively furious.
“I was attacked,” I said. “By a pack of werewolves.” I pointed at Raoul. “Charlotte and her friends.”
He was so pale. I wished I could reassure him, but he still belonged to Odette. Let him think they were dead. Maybe it would be enough for him to win free on his own.
“I sent my wolves to escort your family to the hotel.” Odette was clearly scrambling for position. “You mean to tell me you killed my servants?”
Oh please, spare me. “You sent your wolves to infect me,” I snapped back.
“I highly doubt she would do anything of the sort.” Celeste spoke up, actually stepping forward. Eyes turned to her, coven eyes, my coven. I made a mental note of each and every one of them. “As usual, this troublesome child is stirring up issues in our coven in an attempt to win her mother’s attention.”
I hissed out a breath. That whole ‘didn’t think I could kill’ thing? Yeah. I was so over that.
Mom simply rolled her eyes. “Is that the best you can do, Celeste?” She smiled at the woman who looked to her right then her left, waiting for support that never came.
Guess Gram got through to the traitors after all. I wondered what she told them.
Or did to them.
I could only imagine.
Mom’s power lashed out, knocking Celeste backward. She then ignored her, turning to the Dumont leader. “Clearly this is one final attempt to discredit my family,” Mom said. “Your games are pathetic, Odette. I’m disgusted by them and will no longer play. We are here for one reason and one reason only.” Mom gestured. Erica and Dad brought Ameline forward, the Vegas hovering behind her. The girl was surrounded by the glow of the family magic and seemed to flinch slightly when it touched her.
Shadows flickered into form and the vampires were there. Not just a few. Again the blood clan gathered, this time in full view. And from their number strode Sunny, Anastasia and Uncle Frank.
At first I was relieved. He was himself! Until he turned his head to look at me and I knew the truth. His beautiful face, so boyishly handsome, was perfect on one side, flawless as ever.
The other was melted slag. His clear blue eye was yellowed, shriveled in the socket, teeth showing through a raw gap in his cheek. He reminded me of one of our family candles after a ceremony, still mostly intact except where the wax made it through.
I wish I could say I held my shock and pity inside, but from the look in his eyes he saw it. And, in that moment, his expression told me he hated me for it.
I hardly blamed him. The last thing he needed right now was to be judged.
“We have come,” Sunny said, “having been told the truth of this matter. And we are here to pronounce judgment on the false accuser.”
; The vampire clan closed in, pale faces hovering in the dark. The werewolves shifted and hummed softly under their breath, agitated and angry. But no one was angrier than Odette.
“As the one so wrongfully accused,” Sunny said to Uncle Frank, “what punishment do you demand in retribution?”
“Death.” His voice was cold, deep, echoing as if his soul had gone and only hate remained.
The clan sighed their approval.
“Agreed,” Sunny said, her beautiful face a mask of ice Ameline could never even begin to replicate. “Death.”
There it was. The air hung heavy around us, the silence deep and aching. This was the moment and every single person, undead or not, understood.
“I won’t allow it,” Odette said through clenched teeth.
“You have no choice,” Mom said. “They have passed judgment as is their right.”
“I will not allow it!” Odette shrieked at Mom, body vibrating with magic, her façade slipping one more time. I didn’t look away, memorizing the hideousness of her real face so I’d never, ever forget who she really was.
“Then take your stand.” Gram emerged from the night, shoving her way through vampires and werewolves to enter the circle that had formed.
Odette shook so violently I was sure she was having a seizure.
“Naudia was right,” Gram whispered, her words just reaching me, though Odette heard her loud and clear. “You were the one who should have died. Not her.”
Odette seemed to stretch, straining against some unseen control keeping her in check. I watched it break, saw her free herself from whatever held her back, had only a moment to wonder what or who contained her in the first place before she drew her power to her and used it to shove Gram back.
“Miriam Hayle,” she shrieked, “I challenge you!”
***
Chapter Forty Two
This was it. I couldn’t believe she’d finally done it. Odette stood there, shaking violently, her magical mask wavering between the middle aged woman she presented to the public and the withered, furious old crone she really was. Gram was actually beaming in joy, though I knew that happiness was fed on pure revenge.
“Challenging another coven leader is against our laws.” Mom’s magic rippled around her, branches and swirls winding through her clothing, her hair. She was prepared, I could feel it, the humming connection between she and I, and the rest of the coven loud and clear.
Against the law or not, she would fight. And be in the right.
Odette knew it. Held back because of it. She’d spoken the words, but no action had been taken. This could still end peacefully. Probably wouldn’t, but there it was.
Until Gram decided to do some more prodding.
“You’re as weak as your sister,” she said with that same grin on her face, a hint of her old madness in her eyes. “I manipulated her too, you know. Made her challenge me. Just like you. So much alike, you and Naudia.”
Odette refused to look at Gram, her gaze locked on Mom.
“Mother,” Mom said softly. “Enough.”
“No,” Gram snarled, “it’s not enough, Miriam. And it never will be.”
“She’s right,” Uncle Frank surprised me when he took his place next to Gram. “This cannot be allowed to continue. You’ve challenged the Hayle coven, Odette Dumont, an illegal act according to High Council law. You must either fight or relinquish your power.”
“Not so,” Andre spoke up in haste, shoving his way toward his mother. “Not so at all. She can retract her challenge since no action has been taken.” He leaned toward Odette, mouth close to her ear, real fear on his face. “Mon mere,” he whispered. “You must recant.”
She lashed at him with magic, driving him back and away from her, fury barely in check. But she was regaining control of herself, I could see it. Her façade solidified, false face settling once again.
Gram saw it too. “Coward,” she snarled.
Odette finally met her eyes. “You call me weak,” she hissed back. “You who lost your mind for all those years, gave it up, for what, Ethpeal? Look at you. Your life wasted.” She spit in the dust at Gram’s feet, a viper striking at her oldest foe. “You’re pathetic.”
Gram’s anger was a fire burning in her eyes. “At least I survived,” she said. “Unlike poor Naudia.”
Odette growled like an animal, but didn’t respond. In a flash of movement she spun and cast her magic directly at the Vegas and their hold on Ameline. Stupid, arrogant, desperate—whatever her motivation, she struck out at our coven with intent to harm after offering a challenge to our leader.
Mom was ready for her. Had been since the moment Odette arrived in Wilding Springs.
Time to fight. Finally.
***
Chapter Forty Three
“Odette Dumont!” Mom’s power rose, flooding her with light, driving the werewolves and vampires back from the circle of energy her magic created. “Your challenge is accepted.”
Gram snarled her fury, holding back her magic by only a hair’s breath.
Syd, Mom’s mind touched mine, no matter what happens, I love you and always will.
She cut me off before I could answer, hold onto her, deny the message she’d sent.
“I demand the right of single combat.” Mom’s hair rippled as if a strong wind toyed with it. “No need to draw our covens into a war. Only we two need to decide this fight.”
Odette’s smile was feral, her real face showing through, though I was sure she allowed it to this time. “Agreed.”
“Mother,” Andre tried again, but Odette swung one hand, striking him across the face. He fell back, his resentment and anger clear.
“I accept!” Odette’s magic rose as Mom’s had, surrounding her in a pulsing column of lavender and blue.
Hands fell on me, pulled me away. I looked up at Dad in real panic.
“She’ll be fine,” he said, eyes locked on Mom. “Your mother is stronger than we both know.”
I hoped he was right. But the Dumont coven was massive, their power ancient. I could see it in the towering column of writhing energy, their family magic a snarling, angry twister ready to destroy Mom and claim the rest of us. The clear blue of our power hovered around Mom, a quarter of the size, but shining so brightly I could barely look. Threads of white, amber and green magic flowed like rainbow ribbons through it, flickering and sparkling. It was so beautiful I found myself in tears as the intensity of it forced me to look away.
But not far. My eyes settled on Gram where she stood just outside the rising bubble of power enveloping Mom and Odette in a half circle dome of protection. I let my magic out, helped to feed it. We on the outside were the only thing between the real world and the massive amounts of power about to be expended inside the dome.
I clenched my hands at my sides and willed Mom to win. It would mean a massive shift in power. We Hayles would gain the entire magic core of the Dumont family along with the over four hundred witches who called that power home.
Of course there was the alternative. I swore to myself I’d never bow to Odette. If Mom lost, if something happened, I’d leave rather than call myself a Dumont.
Which meant Mom had to win.
Movement caught my attention. My gaze fell to Celeste. She stared with great intensity at the women inside the dome, for the first time her naked need showing on her face.
Purity, Gram’s mind touched mine. Now you know.
She might as well have slapped me, I’d be less shocked. But it made total and complete sense. Of course. Celeste had been a Purity witch.
For the first time ever, I understood her. Didn’t agree with her methods, but knew if I was in her position I would have done all I could to punish the one who destroyed my family.
Which made Celeste even more dangerous than ever.
I didn’t have time to process it any further. The two columns of family magic were rising, both women buffeted by the elemental power they called. Odette spread her arms wide, the tornado of magic th
rumming with power.
I watched Mom do the same. And received my second shock. Our magic, the center of who we are, answered her call. Had she held it back on purpose? I think she did. For as she summoned it to battle, the familiar magic I’d known all my life grew and grew.
And grew.
Massive and powerful, it overshadowed the best Odette could call up, a shimmering waterfall of pulsing light and sound. I could hear it singing as Mom set it free at last.
The look on Odette’s face? Priceless.
Mom’s laughter was so happy I thought she’d cracked up like Gram. “Confused, Odette? You shouldn’t be. Did you really think I’d show you all that my power had to offer? For one witch?” The test. Quaid. My mom was sneaky.
Freaking awesome.
“You…” Odette sputtered and paled as her magic slowed its swirl. “It’s impossible!”
“No,” Mom said, “on the contrary. I have the love and respect of my coven, Odette.” The family magic surged, its voice making me tingle, goose bumps rising, a smile wreathing my face as tears poured down from the sheer joy of it. “Your only have fear.”
Gram did a jig, laughing so loudly her voice cracked into a harsh cackle.
“Miriam,” she said, “you’re the best daughter a mother could ever have.”
Was that surprise of her own on Mom’s face? A flush of happiness? It didn’t matter. Not really. Because our power was surging forward, wrapping itself around the magic of the Dumonts. Odette shrieked wordlessly as her lavender magic began to retreat, pulling free in Mom’s grip.
The old woman fell to her knees even as she fought, writhing and screaming until she was hoarse, clawing at the dirt, then the air, as the magic surrounding her thinned to a thread.
With barely an effort, hardly a fight, Mom was about to win.
A clap of magic with the weight of thunder in it staggered all of us. The dome surrounding Mom and Odette collapsed, the Dumont magic snapping free of Mom’s grip and slamming back into the old woman.