The Outcast

by Patti Larsen

  Just take us to Harvard, sweetheart, Mom’s mental voice cut through to me. And stop playing with the Universe.

  It made me laugh, easing the terrible, devouring fury living inside me. Yes, Mother, I sent before plunging us toward the edge of our veil again, and through it.

  I’d never done anything like this before, usually leaving it up to Max to guide our way through the veil network. And so, I was privately relieved to step out the other side and into the dark and silent office of the Council Leader.

  Didn’t kill us. Bonus.

  Mom released my hand, stalking toward the empty desk. She spun on me as Charlotte sniffed around the room, growling softly under her breath.

  “She’s not here.” Way to state the obvious, Mom. But I could understand her anxiety.

  “That doesn’t mean something’s happened to her.” I felt around me, the thrum of the Council magic present. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

  Charlotte spun around. “This way,” she said, command in her voice.

  This way, you betcha.

  I followed the werewoman, Mom at my side, through the office door and into the main sitting room. This place always gave me the creeps, and tonight was no exception. All those staring portraits of former Council Leaders, Mom’s nearest the door even seeming to glare at me with contempt.

  “I hate that damned thing,” she muttered on the way by.

  Guess I wasn’t the only one.

  The whole of Massachusetts Hall felt dead and empty. It was still summer, but there were usually people around, regardless. But there was not a trace of late term students or Enforcers or anyone.

  So weird.

  By the time the creaking old elevator delivered us to the bottom floor, I was seriously creeped out. The green expanse of Harvard Yard stretched out from the bottom of the stairs at the base of the red brick building, giant trees shading the lawn. It felt like late afternoon, though the sun was hidden behind a giant bank of angry looking clouds, a roll of thunder making me jump as we touched down on the walkway.

  University Hall stood across from us, the statue of John Harvard beckoning us onward. If we were going to find anyone associated with the Council, it should be there. Hidden from normals who attended Harvard and called this their workplace, the long, white-stoned hall was home to the main council chamber.

  If Erica wasn’t there, then I would worry.

  Not true, as it turned out. While we strode with—in my case, anyway—false confidence under the trees and to the front entry, I found my anxiety level rising. Erica and I might not have been getting along lately, but she was like a second mother to me once, had helped Mom raise me. If anything happened to her and I could have done something to change it…

  I’d never forgive myself.

  A silver Persian and his embedded sense of guilt. I blamed Sassafras.

  My questing threads of power sneaking out before me encountered only barriers. Shields upon walls upon wards. But they were all Council magic, at least. Did that mean they had somehow fortified themselves inside, were working, even as I strode toward them, on a solution? I hoped so. And maybe I could help.

  Or, this was a trap and I was walking into a Brotherhood snare. Either way, I was going in.

  The idea there might be a light at the end of this particular tunnel that had nothing to do with me burning at the stake drove my feet faster. Mom and Charlotte kept pace easily, obviously as eager as I was to get answers.

  The big doors at the entry swung open easily, the halls eerily silent. I stepped through the false wall at the end of the hall and felt a wave of relief wash over me at the sight of six Enforcers standing guard at the doors to the council chamber.

  One glance at Mom told me I should reserve my relaxing of worry for later. And, as we approached the silent, black-robed witches, I started to believe she was right.

  They barely acknowledged us, staring anywhere but in our direction. I chose to ignore them in turn, though I kept careful watch with magic to make sure they didn’t turn on us as we walked by.

  Nope. Nada. Zippo reaction.

  Enforcer statues? As long as they stayed out of my way.

  By the time I hit the doors to the council chamber with power, flinging them wide, I was pissed all over again, anger giving my waning energy a boost. That irritable feeling grew into temper as I stomped my way, barefoot and in my sleep shorts and t-shirt, into the middle of the room. The Council sat in a semicircle, elevated above me in their usual places, though the Hayle seat remained empty. I’d failed to fill it after Erica took over, and now I wished I hadn’t.

  They watched my approach, some with open fear, others hiding it better, though I wasn’t paying attention to them. My gaze was locked firmly on Erica. Only the wash of their anxiety came through, heavy under the thrumming power of the Council.

  I guess I should have been nervous when Erica glared at me like I’d intruded on something important. But I couldn’t bring myself to worry about what petty crap she was dealing with right now. Because here was proof only my coven had been attacked. And the rest of the freaking continent?

  Business as usual.

  Oh, hell no.

  “Listen up.” My words snapped out of me, cracking whips of magic with them. “The Hayle coven is in trouble. We’ve been openly attacked by the Brotherhood.”

  No gasps of shock. No worry or concern.

  Just crickets.

  A terrible fear warmed up my insides, feeding the rage that threatened to explode out of me as Erica jabbed an index finger in my direction and spoke.

  “Sydlynn Hayle,” she said. “We’ve been looking for you.” Her blonde bob swung as she sat back. “You’re under arrest.”

  I felt the Enforcers closing in about a second before I slammed up shields to protect Mom and Charlotte. My mother was faster than me with her question.

  “On what charge?” Her voice vibrated with anger. “This had better be good, Erica.”

  The council leader didn’t bend, not even under her former coven leader’s displeasure.

  “You and your entire coven are charged with resisting the new order.” Erica’s hands dropped to the surface of her desk. “When our allies arrived in Wilding Springs to present the announcement of our association, you fled and have resisted all efforts to locate you.” Hell, yeah, I did. She was cracked if she thought I’d do otherwise. But, she was counting on this, and so was Belaisle. They knew I’d never go quietly. So, my family was to be an example, was it? We’d see about that.

  Erica went on as though she had no clue my mind was whirling. “Because of your failure to present yourself, you will turn over your family to this council and submit to trial.”

  “What new order?” I spit the words at her. “What are you talking about?” But I think I already knew, that fear in my gut searing around the edges of my rage.

  Made flesh as a medium-height man in a pinstriped suit, his chin dark with a goatee, pale yellow eyes locked on me, sauntered forward from the side entrance with a smirk on his face.

  “There is a new power controlling your coven now,” Liander Belaisle said, nodding up at Erica who held perfectly still, rigid even. “Thanks to the brilliance and foresight of your Council Leader, we have combined our magicks to make a stronger, more enduring force.” His smirk deepened. “For the good of all.”

  ***

  Chapter Twelve

  I choked on the surge of absolute consuming fury trying to launch itself from my lips and smother his smug ass with fire. But I managed to hold back, partly because of the added pressure of sorcery that layered over my shields, adding to the magic of the Enforcers surrounding us. A ring of sorcerers joined Liander Belaisle. I struggled to make it past the hate in my heart and understand what was happening here.

  The leader of the Brotherhood. I defeated him eight years ago, stripped his power and won the battle foretold by the Fate twins. I won, damn it. And though he escaped, he was powerless, broken.

  I’d been too complacent, i
t seemed. Let life take over, Max’s need draw me away when I should have spent every waking moment pursing this man and destroying him utterly.

  What had I done? More to the point, what had Erica?

  “You will surrender,” she said, voice like stone.

  “Like hell I will.” I held my place, Mom’s mind connecting with mine.

  We need to get out of here. She sounded calm, reasonable, considering our position. And I took great support from that. Mom was back and we could handle anything together.

  “There will, of course, be some growing pains.” Belaisle’s smirk never faltered. He leaned casually against the base of the Council dais, the old, polished wood panels glowing softly in the light. “But I assure you, when the integration is all over there will be a new dawn for all magic users.”

  It’s all of us. Mom’s crisp announcement wasn’t a surprise. She’s thrown the entire continent to the wolves.

  But why? She had to have been coerced. I was so familiar with his tactics, thanks to Mom and what she endured. He tried for several years to break her and failed. But Erica was weaker than my mother. If I could free her, this could be over in a moment.

  Are we sure it’s just North America? Charlotte’s cold calculation made me pause. We need to check in with Femke.

  Panic rose, stormed my resolve, almost won. But I had two frighteningly strong women at my side, and three furious alter egos who refused to let me fall.

  “This is your last warning,” Erica said, power behind her words, crackling along the edges of my shields. “Give over the Hayle coven and turn yourself in. Allow your family to survive, to be assimilated, and we shall consider your good judgment during your trial.”

  I lunged into her mind, not allowing her a moment to resist me. I was far more powerful than her, tired or not. Still, no matter how exhausted I felt, there was no missing the fact she was free and clear, her own agent, without a trace of coercion in her magic.

  “Erica,” I breathed as Mom gasped softly beside me. “What have you done?”

  I felt Mom scour the Council too, while Erica answered me. They were sad, but compliant, and I realized as Erica spoke again they had all done this by choice, on purpose, knowing what they were getting into. What they were dragging all the witches of this continent into.

  “I have created balance where once there was none,” Erica said. “Too long have witches stood outside and allowed other races leeway in our territory. Combining our magic with the Brotherhood will allow us to assert true dominion and uphold the law while providing a peaceful world for all paranormals to live in.”

  Did she really believe that? Did she even have a vision of what that would look like? Or was this all a pipe dream wrapped in a steaming pile of crap?

  “Protection for all paranormals,” Erica said. “Equality in power.” Whatever that meant. Considering the Brotherhood were thieves and parasites… “And a formal truce and peace between the sorcerers and witches who have been at odds for centuries.” The lovely Brotherhood burned innocent women in the Dark Ages as witches, hunted us down, and tried to put the fear of God into normals. They succeeded. So why should we work with them now?

  She’s lying to herself, I sent to Mom. No answer. But, then again, I wasn’t really expecting one, stating the obvious like that.

  “Sydlynn,” Belaisle said with a chiding drawl. “You should be happy about this. You’re getting what you wanted.” He took a stride toward me, arms outstretched, as though embracing all of us. “The Brotherhood and witches, working together. Soon, we’ll include vampires and werewolves, too. And even the Sidhe who live among us.” He winked. “The odd lost demon.” My skin crawled at the thought. “Strengthening our position among the normals as a whole, as the Brotherhood have always done. Taking advantage of their naiveté, placing ourselves in positions of control. So magic users of all kinds will never have to fear normals again.” The council was nodding in time with his words. They feared persecution, and I guess I didn’t blame them. But the fact it was the Brotherhood who began all the hate toward our kind was rather ironic and chillingly disturbing. “All coming together in perfect harmony.” He paused for effect. “We will rule this territory and, in doing so, protect ourselves from normals forever. For the common good, of course.”

  And not for power, right, Belaisle? Sure. Not buying it. “For your good,” I snarled before I could stop myself. I knew he was baiting me, and kicked myself for responding to him, but I just couldn’t help it.

  “For everyone,” Erica said, voice booming over mine, silencing everyone until the room felt like a haunted tomb, the soft in and out of breathing frozen as the council held their collective breath. “That was the point of this.” If she was trying to convince me, she was doing a terrible job. But, for the first time since I’d known Erica, she didn’t seem to care what I thought, what Mom thought. There was no urging to believe her in her voice or her magic, only conviction and icy cold resolve. “No more fighting. No more deception. This coalition will be my legacy to all witches, and all paranormals.” She nodded once, a sharp gesture. “Peace, at last.”

  I laughed, bitter and crackling, another impulse reaction. But I didn’t care at this point. Not in the face of such blatant lies and misconceptions.

  “You,” I said, pointing at her as she once pointed at me when this debacle of a meeting began, “are so full of crap, I’m surprised your eyes aren’t brown.” She didn’t answer, though some of the council members gasped at me. Let them, the nasty old biddies. “If you think Liander Belaisle,” let him stew over the fact I was talking about him like he wasn’t even here, “has anyone but his own best interest at heart, you have completely cracked your nut.”

  Erica’s stony face greeted me with silence.

  I couldn’t just let this go. I had to get through to them. But Mom was faster than me.

  “Tell me,” she said, voice cold and clear. “What will happen to those who disagree with this new order?” She met the eyes of those on the council who would willingly do so. Not many, that was. She finally settled on Erica. “Have any of the covens been consulted on this matter?” The council’s guilty silence made my blood run cold, though it made sense. No way the collective witches of this territory would agree to such a plan. They might have been a pain in the ass, but even they weren’t that foolish. Mom’s grim expression even made me feel guilty, and I hadn’t done anything. “Which means this is an arbitrary decision of the council.” If things hadn’t been so damned broken and dark right then, I would have grinned. She was the master of disapproval and guilt. Her vibrant voice rang with indignation. “Might I ask what punishment you have arrived on for those witches who might choose not to comply?”

  Was Mom onto something? How could they do this without talking to all of us first? Maybe there was a way out of the law and back into sanity.

  Erica looked suddenly grim, but it was Belaisle who answered.

  “An unfortunate set of circumstances,” he said, still grinning. “But, naturally, such opposition will have to be dealt with immediately.” He looked up at Erica. “Am I correct, Council Leader?”

  She nodded, brusque. “For the good of all.” She paused, almost hesitant. “The price of peace.”

  My two-baby-wide ass.

  Mom’s next question made me freeze in place.

  “Are witches being executed, Erica?” It was suddenly as though only the two of them were in the room as I stood, shaken and cold, waiting for her reply. Surely not. She would never go that far.

  Would she?

  The council stirred, uneasy, even upset. And we had our answer as Erica spoke.

  “Only those who oppose the new alliance with violence.” I wondered if she really believed that. She had to in order to sleep at night.

  I, on the other hand, knew better.

  “You have been demanding change, Coven Leader Hayle,” she went on. “And the council has delivered.”

  “Without the input or approval of the covens,” I snapped
back.

  “Your approval wasn’t necessary.” She held up a sheet of parchment, glittering with blue magic. “The council has full autonomy. Doesn’t it, Miriam?” Mom flinched next to me, worried eyes meeting mine as I turned to look at her. “One of your laws, I think.”

  Syd. Mom’s fear hit me like a blow. She’s right. Oh, dear elements. I think Belaisle has been setting this up for years.

  Just like him to make Mom do something while under his influence that could possibly give him an advantage down the road. “Whatever twisted logic you’re calling on to justify this,” I said, “never in a million years would anyone in their right mind get into bed with Belaisle and his Brotherhood. We have far too much sense for that. Sense, it seems, you’re lacking, Council Leader Plower.”

  That got through to her. Erica’s nostrils flared. “You will surrender,” she said, gesturing and the Enforcers closed in tighter, joined by the sorcerers of the Brotherhood. I could feel the noose jerking around my neck and knew we had very little time if we were going to escape. “And there will be order!”

  Syd, Mom sent in a sharp jab. We have one option. I suggest we take it.

  That being? My shields strained. I was still so weak from saving the family.

  Her next words make me gasp all over again. But I met her eyes and saw the determination there.

  And trusted her, like I always had.

  “You have no authority over me or mine,” I said, voice ringing in the silence. “From this moment forward, I declare the Hayle coven autonomous.”

  That got their attention. I didn’t know Erica could sit up any straighter, but she managed it, as did the rest of the council while Belaisle’s smirk of confidence faltered.

  Gotcha, you asshat.

  “You can’t do that.” Erica’s voice vibrated with fury.

  “But she can,” Mom said, her own tone reasonable and almost sweet. “The law is clear. Unless you’ve changed it recently?”

  What does this mean? Charlotte was nervous, I could tell, but she held it together, as always.