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Chapter 123: Any Chance At Normal
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 124: The Twins
Book Four: The Wild Two pairs of judgmental brown eyes rimmed in wrinkles glared at me where I sat. The weight of their stares pinned me to the musty fabric of the stiff and uncomfortable antique wingback. I wanted very much to squirm, to work my way free from the feeling I'd been jabbed through the abdomen like an insect on a corkboard.Estelle-or was it Esther?-Lawrence lifted her gaze from me long enough to flicker her attention to my mother. At least Mom hadn't abandoned me to the un-tender mercy of the powerful twin witches. Though tiny, bony, and almost birdlike, I refused to underestimate them. Known for their ability to strip away the unseen and uncover even the deepest secrets, the Lawrence twins were a force to be reckoned with.Mom sipped her tea from the ancient china cup, the bottom clinking against the delicate saucer like a tiny bell. "As you both are aware," she said, drawing their attention, much to my relief, "Sydlynn has lost her magic."My whole body twitched
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 125: Prom Day
The morning dawned fresh and lovely, the sunrise stunning. I only knew so because I was there to meet it. I was almost startled when my alarm went off. A sense of peace had settled over me through the night, something I'd been missing. But the injection of real life was enough to shatter that illusion and slam me right back into the truth.Remembering I was powerless wasn't nearly as bad as realizing it was prom day and I had to pretend to be happy I was normal.No, not all bad. After all, in about twelve hours I would be escorted, in a fancy dress and shoes, to the dance by the stunningly handsome Brad Peters, my boyfriend. Things could have been worse. Then again, they could have been much better. I could instead be spending the evening with the guy I was meant to be with. But Quaid chose to drop me like I'd offended him. I hadn't heard a word from him since my demon left. He'd even avoided me at school and coven functions. Not that I'd been invited to the coven functions. Used to
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 126: What Normal Feels Like
Chiffon, satin and sparkles fell around my hips and legs in a bouncing, flouncing swirl of blue. I barely noticed. I was too busy trying to breathe inside the form-fitted shell of the bodice, squeezing me so hard I actually looked like I had something called cleavage. Real diamonds glittered in the mostly ignored holes in my ears. Why did I insist Mom let me have my ears pierced when I was ten? This was probably the first time they'd seen earrings since... okay, I couldn't remember when.But the crowning jewel of this whole affair? My long brown hair sat in glossy, elaborate curls, a few dangling down the side of my face while the rest foamed over in a frothing pile on the top of my head.Darling.And then there were the shoes. Shiny silver with more sparkles. Heels adding at least three inches to my height while pinching my toes, making the balls of my feet ache just looking at them.I'd never in my life worn that much eyeliner. Or foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, mascara,
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 127: Overrated
Okay, so prom ended up a total waste of time.Dinner was a joke, for one. All the girls ignored me, and it seemed like they purposely separated Alison and I so I'd have absolutely no one to talk to. I was stuck at the end of our table with one of the jocks across from me and he spent the entire dinner either stuffing his face or tearing off blobs of his roll and throwing them at exposed cleavage.His aim was pretty good by the end of it.I didn't eat much. My dress was too tight anyway, despite the rumbling in my stomach. Didn't stop Brad from cleaning his plate and mine. At least the food didn't go to waste. Though as I watched him stuff what amounted to about half a potato into his mouth at once before laughing and spitting most of it out on the table, I quickly lost my appetite.So classy. Why had I not noticed this about him before? The way he slurped his drink, how he grated his knife across the plate when he bothered to cut anything at all? Not to mention the way he ignored m
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 128: Reconciliation
He didn't take me home like I expected and though I figured I was in for a reaming or at least considerable I told you so's, I was still glad. I couldn't face Mom just yet. She figured I'd be out until at least midnight and I knew it was hours before that.Quaid pulled into the small park down the street from my house and switched off the engine. He slid off his helmet, hanging it from the handlebars, but didn't try to get up.I let go long enough to tug my helmet from my hair, shocked when it came free that the updo still felt reasonably secure.Mom certainly knew what to do with bobby pins.I slid off the back of the bike, dropping my shoes in the grass, letting the now too-long hem of my skirt hit the ground."Thanks for the ride."Quaid watched me as I shuffled my bare feet and tried to come up with something else to say, some defense for my actions. I had none. I'd done the best I could with what was left to me. My silence dragged out so long, mind wrestling with words and e
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 129: Conspiring With A Vampire
The kitchen was vacant and for a moment I wished Mom was there to talk to. But reality rushed in and I felt grateful she wasn't around. As much as I loved my mother and knew she just wanted the best for me, I didn't need to go over what happened with her.That I would save for Alison.I heard voices downstairs as I passed the basement door. Mom and Dad. Good, they were occupied. That meant sneaking upstairs without being stopped would be much more likely. They'd been spending a lot of their time down there lately. I figured they were trying to come up with a way to get Dad home safe and sound. Ever since Demetrius, the insane leader of the Chosen of the Light, shattered Dad's statue, he'd been stuck here on the mortal plane with us instead of his own realm of Demonicon. Without his effigy, he was as vulnerable as the rest of us and had no way to go back.I felt bad for him. As much as I loved having Dad around, I knew he had to be missing Demonicon. I'd catch sadness on his face s
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 130: Options
Quaid's face shone very white in the low light. "Syd," he said, barely a breath of a word. "No."I wasn't focused on him. Sunny watched me like I'd offered her something she wasn't sure was a blessing or a curse. "This is a massive request," she said."I know." I shook from the thought of it and almost wanted the now silent and hovering Quaid to talk me out of it. "But I'm right and we both know it. The family is going to need all the help they can get. And me on the sidelines isn't serving anyone.""Syd, how can you ask me?" Crystal tears welled in her eyes. Sunny actually trembled a little. "Your mother would never forgive me.""You did it before," I said. "And she forgave you for Uncle Frank."Sunny shook her head, backing up a pace as if putting distance between us would make my words go away. "Not like this. It's not the same at all." She stilled visibly, going into creepy undead sculpture mode. "What if we locate your demon after you've been brought over?" She shook her head
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 131: Retail Therapy
Mom and Dad were gone when I made it back, my crazy but powerful grandmother securely warded in her bedroom. Even Meira was out, probably with the coven. And Sassafras was missing too.Probably for the best. I wasn't in the mood to listen to a lecture from a demon boy trapped in a cat's body.It was a long time before I slept.***A soft breeze blows, carrying the scent of honeysuckle and roses. The garden sways around me, bobbing blossoms dipping to the ground as the wind brushes past them.A lock of my blonde hair slips across my face and, as I lift one hand to brush it aside, my eyes lift and meet his. He is watching me, as he always does, his green eyes full of something I feel stirring in my own breast.I turn my head to the side, unable to contain the small smile lifting my lips, bending to breathe in the luscious scent of a large yellow rose swelling beside me.I feel his approach, welcome it. Turn to smile up at him.She stands behind him, glaring at me, her anger s
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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
