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Chapter 196: Holy Matrimony
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 197: Strategies Of War
As predicted, Mom went ballistic the moment I walked through the kitchen door."You were specifically told to stay away from that hotel and that woman!" Mom trembled so much she had to clutch her hands together to keep them from shaking. It just transferred the extra vibration to the rest of her body. "Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle-what were you thinking?"Gram sat at the table, grinning at me. I kept expecting her to speak up, but she didn't say a word.So much for having my back."It was go see her now on my terms or run into her at a time I wasn't prepared." I used my best logical, thought-this-through voice. It worked in the fact Mom didn't explode.Good sign."You know better than to take these matters into your own hands." Mom's face flushed dark red. "And with your temper and lack of control... Syd, you could have made things much worse.""Thanks for the vote of confidence." Her blame game was contagious, as usual. "Just so you know, I happened to hold my own, thanks. Your super
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 198: Disappearances
I came pounding down the stairs when I heard voices in the kitchen, almost running right into Dad."Cupcake," he said. He looked distressed, like he had bad news or something. My heart constricted, but he simple stepped aside. "Please be careful."Okay, not good at all. I ran into the kitchen with him following, Galleytrot panting beside me, to find Uncle Frank sitting with Mom at the table. He looked up as I entered, normally boyishly charming face grim."Hey Syd," he said, going for all casual despite the tension in the room. Sassafras hissed softly from the end of the table, eyes glowing amber."What happened?" I looked back and forth between Mom and Uncle Frank while Dad's hands settled on my shoulders and squeezed."Nothing," Mom said, while Uncle Frank said, "It's okay, kiddo.""What's okay?" I was so close to blowing my top I shook Dad's hands off and spun away from him. "Tell me what's going on.""Two vampires are missing," Mom said softly. "Sunny is sure they were taken
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 199: Rescue
The football boys had left the bottom of the staircase at least so I had a straight shot to the front door. Or so I thought. I was only part way down, Alison moaning beside me, when a crowd began to gather at the foot of the steps. One look told me what I needed to know.Werewolves. Raoul had broken his promise. Galleytrot was not going to be happy.But they didn't make a move to hurt me, just formed a half circle of solid bodyguard and wouldn't let me pass. Burdened with Alison, I knew the only choice I had to break through was to use magic. And even though the werewolves were in no way covered under coven law, I knew any aggressive act from this point would be seen as an attack.Great. Just great.I gathered my magic, letting them see the sheath of blue fire threaded through with amber and green. To their credit they didn't waver."I answer to my Mistress," Raoul said softly. Almost sadly.What was that about then?No time to think about it. The brothers clomped down the stair
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 200: False Accusations
I didn't think my mood could get much worse. Until I walked into the kitchen and saw the look on Mom's face. We'd been through a lot together in the last year, from risks to the coven, to the whole town even. And as much as Mom had shown cracks in her façade of perfect coven leader, even fallen apart a time or two-at times I hardly blamed her-I'd never, ever seen that level of pure terror in her before."What now?" It came out snarky, but my tone was soft. If Mom was afraid, there was reason to be afraid.Dad paced the kitchen, anger warring with anxiety written all over him. "Your Uncle Frank," he said.The door flew wide before I could say a word, as I was propelled forward further into the kitchen. Strong hands caught me, turned me around. I thought Mom looked scared.Sunny was absolutely desperate.She stepped around me, went right to Mom, vibrating with the force of her emotions."It's not true," she said. "It's not."Mom just looked up at her.Uncle Frank... oh no. No. Wa
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 201: Trial By Dumont
The room was growing crowded. First a whole slew of coven members arrived, ours and theirs, faces I'd never seen before mixed with the most familiar. Quaid mentioned Odette brought family with her. I wondered where she'd been keeping them.Celeste and James arrived shortly after Erica and the Vegas. Martin and Louisa looked longingly at Quaid from time to time. They sweet couple I'd always adored had taken the ungrateful wretch in and treated him as their own after the Moromonds abandoned him. And do you think Quaid, Mr. High and Mighty Dumont had even a glance for either of them?One more item of punishment to add to his growing list. He'd pay someday.Oh, he'd pay big.In the meantime, I had Uncle Frank to worry about. Odette wouldn't let us near him, her family magic encircling him. And there was still no sign of Gram. But there were vampires. Boy, were there ever. The Dumonts only allowed Sunny and Anastasia inside. The rest of the blood clan gathered, the weight of their prese
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 202: Tables Turned
It wasn't until Mom physically had her hands on Uncle Frank I realized how much trouble we were in. He was screaming over and over, a high-pitched keening sound into the early morning light, his body burning slowly from one side to the other. I dove for him, Mom's movement breaking my freeze.It seemed we all moved at once then, piling on top of him, the very weight of our presence smothering Odette's magic and freeing him from her grasp. The moment her shields collapsed, the lavender power dissolving away with a sigh, a black cloud of energy enveloped Uncle Frank, blocking his undead body from the sun.I had no idea how much damage was done. He had stopped his unearthly shrieking at least, though I wondered if he still burned and smoldered inside the curtain of darkness.Mom was sobbing, but in control of herself, as if her tears and her actions were completely unconnected. She carefully lifted the shrouded form of my uncle with her magic, floating him toward the parking lot and ou
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 203: One Last Push
I wasn't allowed to sit in on the conversation with Mia's adopted dad and, quite frankly, I didn't want to. My stomach ached in fear for her mother. It had been a full day since she'd been here, asking about Mia. She'd been missing ever since. And while I didn't know her all that well, I still liked her. Her obvious love for her daughter was clear every time we talked.Instead I sat at the top of the stairs with Sassafras in my lap and Galleytrot lying beside me as I told them everything.Jerry Hammond didn't stay long. I returned to the kitchen with Sassy in my arms, Galleytrot padding along beside me, the moment I heard his engine start and his car peel away. I found Dad hugging Mom, his cheek pressed to her forehead. They spotted me at the same time and both opened their hug to include me.I'm not ashamed to say I needed it just then. I set Sassy on the table and went to them."Mom," I said softly into her hair, her familiar smell of lilacs making me want to cry, "can we help hi
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 204: Betrayal
My room was stifling, but it seemed like the only place in the house I could go to be alone. I shut the door on Sassafras and Galleytrot, not sure I could handle being around anyone until I calmed down.If it had just been Alison and her horrible mother, maybe I wouldn't have been so worked up. But backed by Uncle Frank's condition and the fact we still had to face the Dumonts in a few hours, I needed time to clear my head and screw it back on straight.If that was even possible.Gram scared me a little in the kitchen. Her hate was so powerful it colored my emotions, I was sure of it. How much of my own anger was hers? And did I give a crap enough to put an end to it? I could think of nothing more satisfying than taking out the entire Dumont family. And though my demon had been known to expose a violent streak in me, I didn't often wallow in the need to physically hurt others.The house fell quiet. I must have dozed off because I jerked awake just as my room was beginning to darken
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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
