by Patti Larsen
No, the vampire agreed. She’s much more than that. But, she went on, we have more important things to worry about at the moment.
What do you mean? I turned to Charlotte who scowled into the trees around us, noticing how dark it had become.
We’re not alone, she sent.
***
Chapter Twenty Nine
I reached out with my magic immediately, even as I pulled my shields around me and prepared to fight. The essence’s calm helped me stay focused, even as we tracked the three vampires who almost crossed our path, only a few yards further ahead past the trees, on their way across the Yard toward my dorm.
Or, at least, heading in that direction. Assuming they were after me was a leap, though not a big one.
“Come on.” I took off at a run, Charlotte beside me, heading for the trio of white power I felt sliding through the early night ahead of me. Why were they corporeal? They could just as easily have shuddered into darkness and traveled that way. Why risk being exposed?
I paused behind one of the large trees at the edge of the Yard and had my answer.
Rupe. Simon. Three vampires. Leading them away.
Oh hell no.
But before I could reach them, before I do anything, the vampires latched onto my friends and did their disappearing act.
Taking the boys with them.
I pounded to a halt only a moment later in the place they had just been, a million swear words bubbling in my head as I spun in a frustrated circle, focus falling on the path the boys had always taken to the club house.
The moment I reached for Charlotte she took my hand without question, sliding into the veil beside me for the quick ride to Holyoke. The vamps weren’t the only ones with the means to travel.
We arrived too late, just in time to see Rupe and Simon disappear through the front door with the vampires behind them. The last one paused, turned, long, black leather coat swinging around his feet. Grinned at me. I knew him, the same one who touched the marble containing the power I now carried within me, the vampire who broke through my shields and tried to kill me.
Closed the door behind him.
That one’s mine, the vampire sent.
Done. I turned to Charlotte. “Now we know things are hinky over there,” I said.
“And why they so quickly abandoned your friendship.” Charlotte snarled. “I should have sensed it.”
“They aren’t under thrall,” I said. “I felt for that.”
“Not to witches,” Charlotte said. “To the vampires.”
They were... what? “They’ve been feeding from my friends?” Oh, it made so much sense now. No wonder I hadn’t felt it, I wasn’t looking for it. And for someone like Rupe who had his head on his shoulders... okay, Simon I could see going over to the dark side out of a need to fit in, but Rupe? No way.
“So freaking illegal,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry,” Charlotte said. “I should have sensed it.”
“You weren’t meant to.” I promised myself I’d kill Darin the moment I saw him again. “The witches are hiding it.”
What were they doing? Whatever it was, it was making both magicks stronger, both camps adopting parts of each other’s power. Not a far-fetched idea, considering everyone living inside me, or the fact my mother still had parts of various kinds of magic at her disposal thanks to Batsheva’s attempt to take over my coven.
Was I that big of an idiot I thought no one else would try it, too?
“We have to tell your mother.” Charlotte held out her hand.
You have to act. Gram’s voice cut through my agreement with the weregirl.
What? I froze, almost touching Charlotte. Mom has to deal with this.
You’ve already told your mother, Gram said, and she’s done nothing.
True, but—
Listen to me, girl. Gram’s voice grated over mine, her anger obvious, but not at me. At Mom. Your mother won’t act. Can’t. Think about it. You were attacked by vampires. And what has she done?
Nothing. Gram—
Her hands are tied, Gram sent. But yours aren’t. You are a coven leader, Sydlynn Hayle, and you have every right, under the witch’s charter, to defend yourself.
I drew a deep breath. Right.
Awesome.
Was it wrong I was suddenly excited by the idea?
I let my hand drop. “We have to do something,” I said. “And now that I know the vampires who attacked me are in that house, I’m in my rights to do so.”
Charlotte’s hesitation lasted no longer than it took for the wolf inside her to surge into her eyes.
“I’m in,” she said, accent rough as her own need to act got the better of her.
“But we need help first,” I said. “Give me a second.”
I reached immediately for Sassafras. I found the vampires.
You what? I could feel him moving, running, sliding through the veil himself until, by the time the echo of his words faded from my mind, he appeared at my feet in a flash of amber fire. “Where?” He looked around, eyes settling on the clubhouse. “You’re sure?”
“We both saw them,” I said. “And I recognized them.”
He nodded slowly. “I’ll go tell your mother.”
“No,” I said. “We’re taking care of this. She’s had her shot.”
Sassy paused. “You’re sure you want to do this?”
“I’m a coven leader,” I said. “What else do you expect me to do?”
He sighed heavily, bowed his head. But when he looked up again, his eyes burned. “I’m at your command.”
Wow. Holy.
Okay then.
“There’s one more person I want to talk to first.” I almost reached for Liam mentally then froze. Why Liam? Shouldn’t my first thought have been Quaid? After all, he had access to a whole class full of Enforcer trainees and Liam was just one person.
But it all went to trust, didn’t it? Still, I had to give Quaid the chance to redeem himself. No more Miss Nice Syd. No more waiting for him to get his act together, to figure out what he really wanted. This wasn’t some heart breaking moment I was dealing with. Things were getting serious and either he was in or he was out.
The veil delivered Charlotte and me in the Yard, Sassy left behind to watch the club house. Not a peep from Mom, at least, not like it would have mattered. I stormed my way into Quaid’s dorm, feeling for him as I went, finding him in the common room with a crowd of other students.
Quaid. I cracked my power like a whip. We need to talk.
The scowl on his face told me I’d taken the wrong approach, but I really didn’t give a crap. He hadn’t believed me before. He was about to get an education in listening when Syd talked.
The honey-blonde hovered near him, but held back when he stormed across the room and tried to grab my arm, to steer me away. Nope, not having any. I let him have my power full in the chest, knocking him backward, letting him feel the coven leader in me.
Quaid flinched, flushed. He clearly assumed I was there because I was jealous. The need to laugh in his face was almost unbearable, tied up with the grief in my heart telling me things weren’t going to turn out well between us after all.
“I need your help.” I filled him in on the details, using my power to show him exactly what happened. Including the vampire attack the night before. He reacted with guilt. So he knew I’d been in trouble and hadn’t come to find out if I was okay?
King of Jerkistan.
When I wrapped up with what I’d just discovered, I paused. “Think you and your Enforcer friends are up to helping out?”
Quaid took a half step back. “You need to tell your mother,” he said. “The Council has to handle this. And the enlisted Enforcers.”
“I tried that, twice.” I stood there, arms crossed over my chest, fury growing as the coward in him showed his ugly face. Really, Quaid? Really?
So that was how it was going to be.
His one last moment of hesitation was all I needed. I punched hi
m hard with a ball of power, making him grunt and clutch his stomach, dark eyes meeting mine, full of his own pain and a whole world of regret. Yeah, he could cry me a river.
“Thanks for having my back,” I said. “See you around, Quaid. Hope your little girlfriend is worth it.”
I left him there, letting my rage wash through me, snapping at my demon who hummed her unhappiness as I left him behind.
Screw that. He’d shown me who he really was at last. And I was done.
Liam it was. If he was even still talking to me.
***
Chapter Thirty
I’d barely reached his door, hand raised to knock, when Liam jerked it open.
“Syd,” he said, face full of concern, “what’s wrong?”
Was I really broadcasting that much? Oops. Time to tone it back a little bit. But my encounter with Quaid had me riled up and I’d done nothing but stew over it my entire stomping journey to Liam’s door.
“I need your help.” Part of me cringed, waiting for him to abandon me, too.
“Anything.” He grabbed his jacket, was out the door and standing beside me before I could recover from the surge of gratitude that went a long way to healing the mess Quaid left behind. I hugged him hard, welcoming the earthy feeling of his Sidhe power and was even more thankful when Liam hugged me back.
“Thank you for trusting me,” I whispered.
“Always,” he said. Pushed me back. “I tried to see you last night, after the attack.” His face twisted in concern. “But Charlotte and your mother wouldn’t let me.”
I glanced at my bodywere who had the good grace to look embarrassed.
“You needed your rest,” she said.
Yeah. Right. “Being over protective again?”
She shrugged, but at least she was smiling.
“Then today...” he hesitated, as if he felt like he owed me an explanation, but didn’t want to say it.
“Liam, it’s okay,” I said.
“No,” he shook his head, blond hair throwing glints of red in the light of the hall. “It’s not. I was angry with you, and worried, and... well, worried mostly. I didn’t know what to say to you. About Quaid.”
My heart froze. Did my Sidhe friend know what I’d done?
“Liam—”
“You’re a big girl,” he growled. “You can take care of yourself. I have to keep reminding myself it’s not my job to protect you.”
I hugged him again, more gently. “Thank you for always being here for me.”
He nodded into my hair. “Now, tell me where we’re going and who we’re planning to take down.”
My Liam. The best ever.
So why couldn’t Quaid step up like that?
A quick ride on the veil later and the four of us, my demon cat huddled at my feet, looked out over the street and at the quiet Star Club house, each of us using our power to try to break through the wards while Charlotte kept a look out for approaching members.
Liam shook his head at last. I’d hoped his Sidhe power, untouched by witch magic, would be able to find a work around the wards, but it was clear from the disappointed frown on his face he’d failed.
As had I, despite the help I had from my demon, Shaylee and the vampire. Mind you, I knew I could have smashed my way through them, no problem. But sneaking in, that would be much harder. And I wasn’t really ready to show my hand just yet.
Not without some very specialized backup.
“Okay,” I said, “Plan B.”
“Which is?” Sassafras’s fur was fluffed to its full extension, making him look like a very soft silver cloud, punctuated by two angry demon eyes.
I didn’t bother answering him. I was too busy reaching for Sebastian.
***
Chapter Thirty One
The moment Sebastian’s mind touched mine, he hissed in concern.
Sydlynn, he sent. What’s happened?
I filled him in as fast as I could, telling him about the vampire attack.
And the touch was enough to shatter the virus’s prison? Sebastian’s sympathy was powerful, as was his doubt and curiosity. But you are you yet, I can feel it. How is this possible?
Because I’m whole again, the vampire told him. Thanks to you, Sebastian.
Another rapid conversation, and while Sebastian’s concern faded somewhat, he didn’t completely release it.
I would like to spend more time speaking with both of you, he sent. But for now, you’re correct. This situation takes precedence. You believe this clan is feeding from your friends? He paused, considered. I didn’t argue, just enjoying the silkiness of his mind. I’d always had a girl-crush on Sebastian, even his mental touch full of deliciousness I had to shield against so he wouldn’t feel it.
Embarrassing enough, I still woke from the odd dream seeing him standing in the courtroom with only his shredded clothing to cover certain... bits.
Bad girl, Syd. Naughty thoughts were for later.
It’s impossible for me to know what clan they come from at this distance. He hesitated one more moment before his power slid over me like a caress, though I’m certain he meant it kindly and not in the way my body took it. Seemed my little exploration with Quaid had woken a whole lot of things I wasn’t sure I was prepared for. Sebastian either didn’t sense my reaction or chose, kindly, to ignore it. I’ll send help, he sent. And we’ll get to the bottom of this. Well done, witch girl.
I missed him when he left me with one last touch.
Syd! Focus.
I rubbed at my bright red cheeks, grateful for the darkness surrounding us while the others stared at me.
“Sorry,” I said. “We should have visitors short—”
The air shuddered and two vampires shifted out of the black to appear beside us. But these two I had no hesitation in hugging, the warmth of their bodies telling me they’d eaten.
“Uncle Frank.” I kissed his perfect cheek, smiling into his handsome face, the one I remembered. Gone was the scarring left behind by his exposure to the sun, done at the orders of Odette and the arrangement of Ameline. When Uncle Frank served as the gateway between me and Sebastian when we’d removed the vampire essence, her touch had healed my uncle and brought him all the way back to us.
His smile was so dear I wanted to hug him again but, pressed for time, I instead turned and latched onto his gorgeous girlfriend, Sunny. She whispered her love in my ear as I let her presence fill me up with as much confidence as I’d ever felt.
Nothing like having those who really, really loved me by my side when I needed them.
It wasn’t until I set her loose they both drew a breath into lungs that didn’t need to breathe and stared at me like I was some kind of alien.
Clearly Sebastian didn’t have time to fill them in, just told them to come. And they did. No questions asked.
Yup, I was one lucky girl.
Another fast conversation, this time with help from Charlotte, Liam and Sassy, and the two vampires were frowning, grim, but nodding.
“Syd,” Uncle Frank said. “You’re sure you’re all right?”
I nodded quickly. “I am, honest.” I looked back and forth between them as they exchanged a glance. “What?”
“Nothing, darling,” Sunny offered one of her smiles that lit up her whole face. “It’s just... you feel delicious.”
Um. Ew?
“We’ll talk about it later,” Uncle Frank said, though despite his assurance I was very aware of the fact he and Sunny clung to each other through a handhold turning both of their knuckles even whiter. “For now we have a job to do.” He glanced across the street, eyes narrowing. “That’s the place?”
Kind of hard to miss with all the wards around it. “You got it.” I was suddenly feeling much more optimistic with these two in my little army.
“And your mother?” Uncle Frank met my eyes, his face schooled to expressionlessness.
“Knows about it,” I said. “Hasn’t acted.”
His mouth tightened around the edges,
but that was all he showed on the outside. “Got it.”
“It’s none of her business anyway,” Sunny said, voice blunt. She was so matter of fact she almost made me gasp. “This is a clan issue, Syd. If there is a rogue vampire family out there, it’s our job to deal with them, not the Council’s.” She nodded toward the clubhouse, looking every inch the leader she became when Sebastian was gone. “This place is off campus and therefore outside your mother’s purview.”
Uncle Frank made a tsking sound. “That’s a fine line you’re walking, there, Sunshine.”
She shrugged. “So the Council can bill me for the mess when I’m done. By then we’ll have cleaned out this nest and moved on.”
I loved Sunny for so many reasons, but mostly because she just had freaking style.
This was serious business. So why were the two of us grinning like we were having fun?
Sunny and Uncle Frank left us, staying in the shadows, approaching the house. I waited for them, mostly because I knew Sunny was right. This was their mess to clean up if the vampires inside were feeding on humans. I was just here as their backup.
Huh. How weird was that?
It wasn’t long before the pair returned, still frowning.
“Something isn’t right.” Sunny chewed her lower lip a moment, staring at the house. “They are vampire wards, yes, but I’m not getting any family affiliation from them. No touch of their blood clan.”
“Neither am I.” Uncle Frank watched Sunny and I realized then, no matter how much the pair of them acted like equals, she was the boss. Somehow it made me want to laugh.
She met my eyes at last. “We can break in and see what we’re up against by a frontal assault,” she said, “or we can wait and run more surveillance. I can bring more of our clan in if we need to, but Sebastian wants to keep this quiet and clean.”
“I’m with him,” I said. “Not like we need the whole city of Boston aware of what we’re up to.”