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Chapter 103: Undead Enemy
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 104: Sharing The Blame
Mom drove home. I almost didn't give her the keys. But even worried about my sister to the point of distraction, my mother was a better driver than me.We were all quiet on the way, piling out of the car in silence. Gram followed Mom into the house, presumably to her room. It wasn't often my grandmother went willingly into her four-poster prison.I carried Sassy inside and set him down on a kitchen chair. I needed something normal to do. The drive to be ordinary was very strong right then."Hungry?" I went for his bowl, measured out an extra large portion of his favorite wet food, set it in front of him. But Sassy just turned away from it, ears hanging low, whiskers almost touching in the front. His pushed in little nose nearly brushed the chair as his tail sagged off the side.I crouched next to him and offered him a pet. "It's not your fault. Sassy, it's not."If a cat could cry, Sassy was doing it. "You can say it all you want." His voice hung in the air, thick with emotion. "I
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 105: Brothers
Sunny hovered at the edge of the light. She was her usual stunning self, but there was something so vulnerable about her I just wanted to hug her. I didn't stop to think about it, just rushed forward and wrapped my arms around her.It took her a moment to hug me back, but when she did it was with the same old enthusiasm and adoration she always showed me."I love you, Syd," she whispered. "Thank you for the hug."I pulled away, startled to hear her so choked up. She was actually crying, crystal tears on her perfect face. She lifted her gaze and met Mom's eyes. "Miriam," she said, "I'm so sorry."Mom's face crumpled a little when she stepped forward to embrace the blonde vampire. "Thank you," she said.Sunny let her go before looking back and for between us. "There are things you need to know," she said. "Things Anastasia won't tell you. I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to come."Mom grabbed her hand, fierce and eager. "Who took Meira, Sunny?"She held onto my mother as she
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 106: Fall of Blood
Why did I bother going to school that Monday morning? Call it habit, sucker for punishment, whatever you want, but up I was, showered even, and off I went.Yeah, probably one of the dumbest moves I've ever made. Ever.No one waited for me in the nook by the front door. Big surprise. And not a soul stood by my locker to say they were sorry, either. Still not a shocker. What was the worst? How they hovered in their new favorite spot, my former friends, Benjamin lording over them with that sickening smile of his.I had to walk past them to go to Chemistry. Someone snickered. My memories of bullying at pretty much every school I'd ever attended came rushing back and, like the coward I hadn't been in a long time, I ran.Slumped in my seat, I struggled with tears. I'd only imagined that snicker. I was sure of it. They knew how much it hurt, would never, ever bully me. They just wouldn't.Right. Like I knew them at all anymore.My test was a total fail. I think Mr. Prusse actually hande
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 107: Nicholas
Sassy immediately flipped out."You are not going out there," he said, leaping to his feet, fur standing on end, ears laid back so flat they were practically lost from sight. "Absolutely not, under no circumstances."I scowled at him as I shoved my chair out of the way. I didn't really want to go, but his overbearing bossiness made it easier to push past my fear."You're right," I said as I turned to go to the door. "I'm not going outside. But I am going to find out who he is and what he wants."I was pretty sure I already knew who he was. But I had to see for myself. It was safe enough to at least go to the door. Mom reinforced all of the wards, severing Meira's welcome, so I knew the vampire wouldn't be able to enter. Not to mention he'd be fried by Mom's power the moment he tried. It also helped vampire magic was keyed to places and their occupants, only allowing them to pass if they had permission.Sucked to be them.I heard a heavy thump behind me and felt Sassy press agains
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 108: Conspiring With Quaid
It was only a couple of blocks and I covered the distance in less than a minute. Which wasn't long enough for me to bring my mind to order or figure out how I was going to make Quaid listen when he had a serious hate on for me right now.Not that it mattered. And I refused to stop and think he was the first person I thought of when I needed help. Because that would mean admitting I needed him.I just wasn't in the right headspace for that at the moment.I snuck around the back of the house, trying to quiet my breathing so Martin and Louisa wouldn't hear me. My luck, just as I hit the corner, I heard their door open and the sound of their voices. I threw myself behind a bank of rose bushes and hoped they hadn't seen me."But, Martin," Louisa was saying, "she can't do this.""We have to trust Miriam," he answered. I heard a car door open. "She knows what she's doing."Door slam. "I hope you're- " cut off by another door slam. The engine of their Econobox fired up and they spun away
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 109: Confrontation
I eased through the last line of trees and peeked out at the people gathered in the center of the site. Someone lit a fire, not as large as our Samhain or Beltane blazes, but it glowed with the blue light of the coven so I knew it had to be Mom.She was sending a pretty clear message. Don't mess with the family.Somehow I didn't think Nicholas would be all that impressed.I made sure to shield myself very well, despite my demon's distress. The last thing I needed was for Mom to catch me before I could be of any use. This was supposed to be a surprise attack, after all. The only problem with this plan? I had no idea where Quaid lurked.I crouched in the long grass outside the fire light, finding a rock ringed by weeds for cover. While the family kept the center of the site mowed, the rest was allowed to grow wild. All the better for me. My vantage point was maybe thirty feet from the edge of the circle, far enough I hoped I could stay out of sight, but close enough I'd be useful whe
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 110: Betrayed
Erica took over while the rest of us just stood there and tried to figure out what to do next."Miriam left me with instructions," she said. "I have work to do. And so do all of you." She turned to me and Meira. Gram still clung to us like she was lost. "And you."Mom left me a job to do? Wicked. Finally."Go home," Erica said. "And stay there."I scowled at her, opened my mouth to protest."Syd," she said, softer, with great feeling, "someone has to protect the house. Your sister and grandmother. Your father. It was Miriam's order."I hated it so much when she was right."Fine," I said, "but you better keep me informed."Erica smiled a little. "I will," she said. Saw my look of disbelief. "Honest."Best I would get from her. Hopefully she remembered the little talk we had in the kitchen. I wouldn't be ignored.Speaking of being ignored, my demon was ripping mad.We could have saved her.I didn't answer. Because at this point, there was nothing I could do about it. Besides,
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 111: Longest Night Ever
Erica handed me the keys to Mom's car. "I'll follow you," she said.Twice behind the wheel. Normally this would be a dream come true. Now I just wished Mom would appear in the passenger's seat and give me a hard time about what I was about to do to her transmission.I impressed myself with my driving skills, actually. Especially considering life was fairly crappy at the moment. Erica didn't even pull in, just tooted her horn on the way by. Her red Mini Cooper scooted down the street and out of sight.Meira helped me maneuver Gram into the house after a brief moment when my sister's magic was reaccepted by the family power. Mom must have left a safeguard in place to ensure she'd be welcome despite severing her from the wards previously to guard against Nicholas's entry. We left Gram in her room while my sister stayed close as I closed the door behind us.I felt the wards waver again and my stomach lurched before I recognized the feel of Quaid's energy entering the house.Meira foll
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 803: Happy Endings
How was this for a happy ending?Bittersweet, this walk down the halls of the newly restored mansion. I'd been through this before, but I knew this time, I didn't have anything hanging over my head.I loved Liam. But I was finally marrying the man I was meant to be with.The pressure was off this time too, our battles won. I could enjoy my wedding without worrying about Fate or the Brotherhood or Ameline looming in the near future.Awesome.I even found Wilding Springs was fine without the influence of the Gate, just as Fergus said. That it still felt like magic. Probably a combination of the century or so of the Gate's influence deeply mired in the whole town. Not to mention the presence of the Wild Hunt still snoozing in my back yard.And the coven.I didn't worry we'd have to move anytime soon. Good thing. I kind of liked being in one place for once.Made me think of Sonja, of Liam again. His mother disappeared after the night she met Gabriel. I tried to look for her, feelin
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 802: Wedding Day
Another mirror. Another dress. Totally different experience.I stood on what amounted to a pedestal as at least a dozen or so giggling vampires tugged, pushed and laced me into the biggest, heaviest mass of fabric and jewels I'd ever seen in my entire life. The thing weighed so much I had to have my alter egos help me carry it so it wouldn't drive me to my knees.This was the punishment I got for picking out my first wedding dress alone.This one was, at least, the pale ivory I'd requested. White would have felt disrespectful to Liam's memory. And Mom happily acquiesced before losing her freaking mind.And when I appealed to Sunny for assistance in my mother's sudden loss of sanity?Yeah.I was surrounded by vampires, wasn't I?Shenka hovered, her ball gown sparkling, covered in as many gems as could possibly be stuck to her. Again Mom went with the jewel tones. I guess she figured a good idea was a terrible thing to waste.And considering only a handful of people had seen the
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 801: Familiar Magic
I sat on the side of my bed, looking out the window into the quiet street, the buzzing streetlight below me oddly comforting. I'd tried to sleep after returning home, put Gabriel to bed with Charlotte who met me at the front door after Sass, Galleytrot and I strolled home in the sharpening night air. Her massive scowl told me I was in horrible trouble as she took my son from me.Okay, so I didn't exactly put him to bed.Snort.Galleytrot and Sassafras naturally abandoned me for her room, leaving me alone. Which was fine, it really was. I had a hot shower, pulled on my favorite robe. Had a little cry. Not much. Just a pathetic little spill of tears I held over from the Gate.From Liam.And felt my heart ease at last.Wrapped myself in the love in my house, the people sleeping there. Shenka and Charlotte, Galleytrot and Sass. Gram and Demetrius. All of us, happy just to be home.But sleep wouldn't come. My mind struggled with belief. That Ameline was really dead. That Gabriel was
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 800: Gateway
I looked down into my son's sleeping face before sinking into the rocking chair beside his crib and releasing of the last of my stress. He was really too big for the thing now, but I needed to do some thinking about a bed and a room for him and just didn't have the energy to deal.A soft, furry body landed in my lap, Sassafras purring as he kneaded my leg a few times before turning in a circle and settling himself."Nice to see them together again," he said.I knew exactly who he meant. Mom and Dad wasted no time taking off for Harvard for some private time. I blushed at the thought of my parents and what they were probably doing right now.Shudder.Galleytrot groaned from the end of the crib, eyes flaring with red fire as he looked up."What about you, Syd?" His rumbling voice shifted my shudder to a shiver. "Have you thought about a new mate?"Not going there. "I've been thinking," I said, totally changing the subject. Yes, on purpose. No judging. "About Gabriel and his power.
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 799: Homecoming
Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair."Comfy," she said. Winked.Oh. My. Swearword.Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you.""You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only fourteen with that evil grin, hands rubbing together in expectation. "I'm going to do some housecleaning first. Then the real fun will start."I shook my head, giggling. "Just leave a few of the planes standing."She shrugged, inspected her nails. "We'll see.""I take it the Node is fine?" It felt fine, Demonicon still intact at least."It was in balance long before Ahbi took up residence," Meira said. "She was only just hitchhiking anyway."I looked up at Dad who sighed deeply, lines of anxiety leaving his face."You're cra
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 798: Ruler
The sparkling kneepads attached to my heavy leather pants caught the light of the triple suns overhead as I shifted for the millionth time, foot bobbing on the end of my crossed leg. Sassafras hissed at me. The bobbing stopped.For the moment. The longer we sat here, the more agitated I felt. Didn't help it took Pagomaris an age and a half to dress me while Meira was being man-handled in her bedroom."Your demon form would be so much easier to dress, Your Highness." Hopefulness lit the aide's eyes as she smiled and scrunched her shoulders like talking to me as if I were a child would endear her."Not." I scowled at her. "Work with this or nothing." I gestured down at my human form.And she sighed.Gestured for her minions to come forward.Left me to them as though I was no longer worth her effort, returning to my sister who grinned at me through the open door of her bedroom.Argh.I did concede to shifting my size, remembering how small I felt next to Meira when she was in demo
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 797: Royal Wedding
I glared at my reflection in the mirror. "I'm not going.""You are." Sassafras growled softly at me before sighing heavily. "And so am I, remember?""They're not going to make you wear a ridiculous outfit and parade around like you're their property." More glaring.I. Was. Not. Going.Sass hopped down from the bed and waddled to my side, tail quivering. "You can't let Meira down," he said, leaping into my lap. I stroked his fur absently. "It would be a terrible thing for her to have to sit through Harry's marriage alone.""So maybe he shouldn't get married." Whiny much? But there was the crux, wasn't it?Today was my father's wedding day.And the last place I wanted to be was Demonicon. In fact, a hole somewhere deep and far away would have been preferable. Anything other than having to endure my father marrying a demon.That would be the end for Mom and Dad. The real end. And I didn't think I could handle it."Harry has made his choice," Sassafras said, meeting my eyes in the
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 796: Payten's Confession
I was already turning and moving back inside by the time Mom began her little speech to wrap up the trial. I had no desire to listen, moving on from it though Celeste's foul stench remained on me. A quick push of magic cleared my nose, clothes and hair of the stink, even as I strode with ever-increasing speed toward the back of the now-emptying chamber and the hall beyond.A startled Enforcer was the lucky recipient of the bag of marshmallows, slapped against his chest on the way by.I seemed to have lost my appetite.Was so focused on my final target I almost ran right into Payten when she dodged out of the shadows of an archway and stepped in front of me.My first instinct was to hit her so hard with magic they wouldn't find her body.Ever.Second instinct was to flatten her into a Paytensquish and smear her all over the floor with my shoes.Yum.Third impulse won, partially because I was a sucker for a sobbing girl, Enforcer or not.Hated enemy or not.She radiated grief,
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 795: Celeste's Trial
I'd sat here before, on a bench in the Council chamber, watching a trial unfold before me, Shenka at my side. But this one was far different. I had no regrets, no old grief-at least not for the creature about to stand before my mother.Any sorrow I felt around Celeste Oberman centered on the Hayle family members she'd killed. Martin and Louisa Vega, the darling couple who loved and cared about me when there were times no one else in the coven seemed to. Sandra Crossman, leaving her husband, James, alone to raise their daughter.Old wounds long since healed over, but never, ever forgotten.Worse, Gabriel wasn't with me. Antsy pants wriggled my butt in my velvet skirt as I fidgeted and held him tight with my magic while he laughed at something and ignored me.My own son, a traitor.Sigh.Shenka squeezed my hand, smiled a little. "He's fine," she said."I know," I whispered back. Not needing to. We weren't the only ones chattering. The gathering for Mia's burning-it seemed so long
