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Chapter 213: Family Angst
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 214: Pressure Of Normal
I'd spent years wanting to be normal. Most of my life in fact. This was the first year at school where I didn't crave it anymore. Now that Gram had her power back, her magic no longer pushing against me and my demon, I could actually just be me. Funny thing, I found I was happy being a witch. Even better, I really kind of loved it.But old habits die slow and painful deaths wrapped up in cheerleader fakery and cafeteria food. The closer I came to the front steps of Wilding Springs High, the more the pressure of normal and fitting in returned until I was just Syd Hayle again, no one special, nothing to see here, move along.It sucked, really. I was finally in the same school two years in a row. This was a miracle. Because of coven related accidents and the need to hide who we were from the real world, I'd never had the opportunity to really make friends. Until last year. The past eleven months had been not just filled with magical mayhem, but I actually had friends for the first time
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 215: New Guy
"Hey, Syd. Hey, Alison." Page's voice had a sticky sweet quality that turned my stomach. Not to mention she looked even worse in the daylight. Her skin seemed so pale and thin I could see the thick veins under it, bones jutting from her now skeletal frame. She vibrated with need, an aching emptiness, longing for connection, but I was heartless.I would have kept walking if Alison hadn't forced me to stop by sheer body weight. She pulled against me, halting us right in front of the still smiling waste of space."Page." Alison looked her up and down, all arrogance and queen snooty. Seeing as she used to be the head cheerleader herself and the master of mental nastiness, regression seemed to come easy to her.There was a ton of expression in that one word, so much it actually triggered a moment of compassion which I very quickly and angrily smothered with a jab of memory-Uncle Frank, kneeling at Odette's feet while Page accused him of feeding from her, replaced by the sight of his half
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 216: Detention
She looked familiar and I had the feeling I should know who she was. Didn't Principal MacKay say something about her in the gym? I couldn't remember, really. Alison had been yammering at me about one thing or another so my attention was blown. My initial reaction was to be a smart ass. But I checked my snide comeback line in favor of caution."Sorry," I said. "I was helping a new student find his homeroom."The bone-thin woman glared down her long, narrow nose at me, black horn-rimmed glasses making her look the classic nasty librarian. The wool suit didn't do much for her figure, either. Or the way her black hair was pulled so tight into a bun it stretched her skin back so her eyes looked all bulgy. That had to hurt."Your name?" I might as well have been a bug she wanted to squash. First Ms. Fiat had a serious hate on for me, now this woman. Who found these teachers, anyway?Suppressing a sigh, I just barely refrained from rolling my eyes. "Sydlynn Hayle, ma'am." Might as well tr
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 217: Ms. Spaft
An hour of detention being stared at by Ms. Spaft had to come in on my top five most despised life events, and I'd been through some doozies. But at least Alison had been right. I was far from alone. In fact, the class was packed to the point she'd had extra chairs brought in to accommodate the easily fifty kids crammed into the classroom.Fabulous way to kick off the first day of school. The worst part wasn't the detention itself, but the task assigned to each of us by our overlady. I glared at the paper in front of me, my fourth attempt at writing her an apology she'd accept as sufficiently repentant. The girls inside me weren't the least helpful, my demon suggesting we shove said letter somewhere Ms. Spaft wouldn't find it until her next trip to the bathroom while Shaylee alternated between urging me to just comply and getting huffy over a princess being bossed about by a mere mortal.It's not like my written sorry for something I shouldn't be sorry for was the only one being reje
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 218: Gram's Choices
When I stomped into my room, I realized I wasn't alone. Not an uncommon occurrence, except my two visitors didn't offer their usual greetings. Instead, Sassafras crept to the edge of the bed, his ears flat sideways, pupils swollen, almost blacking out the amber of his eyes. Whiskers drooping and tail dragging behind him, he slowly raised one paw toward me. I lifted him into my arms immediately, hugging him as he burrowed his wet nose into my neck."It's going to be okay." I stroked his soft, silver fur, speaking directly to the huge black dog curled up in a miserable ball at the foot of the bed. Galleytrot didn't even lift his head, just swiped one giant paw over his nose. "Honest.""This is very bad, Syd." Sassy looked up, paws resting on my collarbone so we were eye-to-eye. "She could start something we won't be able to finish.""Gram's way smarter than that." And despite the day I'd had, even through my own worry and guilt and anger, I was absolutely convinced of it. "She would n
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 219: Interim Leader
I returned to the kitchen in a daze. The rumble of a Mini Cooper engine actually calmed me down. For some reason I refused to let Erica see my nerves, or at least the full extent of them. As Mom's second and best friend, Erica Plower had spent my entire life treating me like her own daughter, not always to the best effect. In fact, from the look on her face as she walked through the kitchen door, my sudden rise to power wasn't instilling even an iota of confidence in her.Which roused my anger and extinguished the last of my butterflies. I'd never been the best at following coven rules or toeing the company line, but when push came to shove, my family came first. From the moment her panicked eyes met mine, I was Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle, coven leader, damn it and there was no way I would let her see me otherwise.The shock on her face was priceless, even more so when I called up my power and let it hover between us, not as a threat, but so she knew who wore the pants in our particular r
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 220: No Help From Dad
I descended the stairs to the basement in search of my father. With Mom and Gram gone, and now Uncle Frank, he was the only adult in my life I could really turn to. Yes, I had my doubts. He didn't exactly seem all that enthusiastic when Mom gave it to him earlier. Still, after the humiliation and failure I'd just gone through, I needed someone to lean on.Most of the lights were out, only the single bulb over the pentagram throwing illumination around the large space. My eyes readjusted to the dimness slowly. I expected to find Dad standing in the middle of said pentagram, working. Instead, he was nowhere to be found. I was sure he stayed downstairs... it wasn't until I heard a soft shuffling sound from the far left corner I spotted a bit of movement in the dark."Dad?" My sock barely touched pavement by the time he hurried toward me. His face was drawn into a distracted frown as he stepped inside the circle of light."What is it?" I'd become somewhat used to his new attitude. Uncle
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 221: Jealous Much?
"Syd!" Alison's enthusiastic arrival at my locker almost drove me face-first into the thin door. She was smiling, though her vulnerability hovered just behind it. At least she was in a good mood after yesterday's pouting. "Sorry I'm late." She rolled her eyes. "My flat iron died, can you imagine?" Her hands went to the artful pile she'd created out of her blonde hair. "I had to settle for this nest.""Looks great, Al." I secured my stuff inside the narrow box before jamming it shut and locking it. "I like it up.""Really?" That word came out kind of squealy and hurt my ears. She grabbed my arm, pulling me along with her. "How was detention?"Speaking of the hell of yesterday afternoon, the moment she asked I spotted Ms. Spaft. It was my clear intention to avoid the woman as much as possible, but she seemed to have different ideas. Her gaze locked on mine, icy cold sternness laser focused on me."Crappy." I forced myself to look away, my only goal to get to class on time and stay th
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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
