The moment I entered the lecture theater, my eyes settled on the Dumont brothers. Great, was I destined to spend every damned class with the pair of irritating fleas? Clearly that was the case. The only thing I could do at this point was ignore them.As my gaze drifted over the gathering students, I caught sight of another familiar face. The half-smile and wave I began froze in place as Sashenka's eyes flickered away from me. She slunk down in her seat a little, not looking my way at all, though I knew she'd seen me. Lovely, just lovely. Whatever I'd done to make her hate me wasn't going away. And since she obviously didn't want me around, I'd have to do something about our little living arrangement. As much as I hated the thought of defeat, of having to ask Mom to change my roommate, there was no way I was spending the entire year with someone who didn't want me around.Since Sashenka would prefer I didn't sit with her or even acknowledge I knew her, I slid into a lower row closer t
Okay, so all of that "I can do it on my own, I'm amazing" crap? Yeah, well, that all went out the window the moment I looked into Liam's eyes. My throat tightened instantly as I grasped his hand and found myself beaming at him."Hey, Liam," I whispered back, body vibrating with the sudden surge of joy I felt at seeing him again. "Not much."Yes, it had only been a day or so since we parted ways, but for some reason it felt like forever. It was only then I understood how much I relied on my Gatekeeper friend, how much his friendship meant to me. Liam was my rock, my utterly loyal and unjudgmental rock who didn't care what I did or how I looked or acted. He loved me anyway.I wanted to hug him, to squeal in happiness and hang onto him, but the teacher, Walden Bradford, was glaring so I was forced to sit back and face the front of the room, though it was impossible to wipe the grin from my face and there was no way I was letting Liam's hand go.He didn't fight me so I figured he was a
I had no choice. I had to go to my room eventually. With Charlotte ever my silent bodyguard, I drifted across the Yard toward the dorm, walking slower and slower with each step as dread tried to keep me from finishing the trip."Miss Hayle." I turned, grateful for the distraction, to face a smiling young man in a crisp black uniform. I recognized him, though couldn't place from where. It wasn't until he handed me a sheet of paper the same color as his outfit, reddish curls as round as his cheeks, that I made the connection."You're her page." One of them. I knew him from the trial. He'd stood with Maurice-now Mom's secretary-and a second page."Vincent." He winked at me. I found myself grinning even though he might have been fourteen, but was clearly flirting. "We never actually met, coven leader."I took the paper from him. "I guess we didn't," I said. "I was too busy trying to save Mom."He bobbed a nod. "Leadership looks great on you." Another wink. Really? Smart ass. But at le
Maurice brought out a large book, flipped it open, one finger poised over a black sheet. "Shall we schedule dinners on Sundays from now on, Council Leader? For efficiency's sake."Mom almost flinched, but nodded. "Yes, thank you.""Six pm, shall we?" He wrote quickly, magic flowing from his finger to the page as he decided my once-a-week culinary fate for the rest of the year in his stupid appointment book. "Now then," Maurice snapped the book shut, turning to face Mom with a no-nonsense look on his face, "we have business, Council Leader."Mom rose, set aside her black napkin. "Yes, of course." She paused, eyes meeting mine. I let her see how angry I was, saw her own frustration rise. "Good night, Sydlynn.""Yeah," I shot back as she turned away, "nice to see you too, Mom."She left without another word, Maurice hurrying her out as Vincent rushed forward and began to clear the table with brief surges of air magic winging the plates and cutlery out from under us.I threw down my
Before I could take even one step Charlotte had her hand on my arm and pulled me back."Just where do you think you're going?" Her voice had taken on the soft growl of her were side. Only then did I realize she'd been through as much as I had today. Left her pack behind, forced to follow me around, she must have been just as frustrated as I felt."The secret society thing, remember?" She'd been there, overheard, I was sure of it. "The Star Club. It's for witches." Okay, I was guessing, filling in blanks. "And if Darin is involved, it can't be good." Again, guessing. But from the troubled look on Charlotte's face, she felt the same way I did."We'll see where they go," Charlotte said, releasing my arm. "But that's all."Whatever. "Come on, we'll lose them."I wished I had time to stow my backpack, but instead was forced to lug it along, the weight bouncing on my back as Charlotte and I jogged across the Yard and toward Widener Library. I caught sight of the boys passing through bet
One thing about not being alone anymore, it convinced me I needed to do something about Sashenka. After a brief discussion with Sassafras, it was apparent I wouldn't get anywhere if I didn't know why she hated me in the first place."Grow a spine," he said with his personal brand of subtlety. "If you want to know something, ask already."Okay then. The moment the door creaked open, Sashenka's nervous face peeking through, I was ready for her."We need to talk." She flinched at my words, but entered, head down, book bag falling to the floor at her feet with a thud as she pushed the door shut behind her."I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry.""For not liking me?" I shrugged, going for couldn't-care-less casual. "Whatever. But won't room with you if you can't even be civil."Sashenka's eyes flew wide and she opened her mouth to speak, a few consonants stuttering out, but I cut her off."I have no idea what I did to piss you off," I said, "and frankly, at this point, I don't really c
It was my first visit to the campus café and I had to admit I felt pretty nervous, even with Sashenka beside me and Charlotte guarding my back. The place was packed with other students, mostly freshmen from the excited looks on their faces. I almost backed out when the stares and whispers started all over again, but by then a small group of girls were waving and smiling at us and Sashenka had a firm grip on my hand, pulling me toward them, Charlotte standing off to one side and doing her best to look like a statue."Syd," my roommate gushed, "these are the girls. Girls, meet Sydlynn Hayle."They stared a little, but were still smiling. The one on the right of the table with the curly dark hair and the palest skin I'd ever seen, offered her hand."Josie Ambrose," she said. "Hensley family. Nice to meet you."That broke the ice. All at once I was introduced to Nicci Mortimer (dirty blonde hair and a hand full of freckles on her cheeks), Donalda Pierce (tall and skinny, all elbows and
Class the next day was a totally different experience. Now that I had Liam and Sashenka with me, no one stared, or at least didn't stare for long. And I was able to escape the front row and Blanche Rhodes's attention by arriving early enough and hiding in the back with my friends beside me.I ducked when I found her gaze searching for me and almost laughed at the sad little frown on her face. Liam poked me with a grin when the coast was clear.He'd met us for breakfast and instantly apologized the moment he sat down."I was wrong," he said, eyes begging me to forgive him, big hands holding one of mine. "I just hate seeing him hurt you.""I'm sorry too," I said. "It's not your fault he's a jerk sometimes."I quickly introduced him to Sashenka who sat next to me, a small smile on her face. She seemed shy when he shook her hand, and I understood why. My Gatekeeper friend was pretty darned handsome and all that genuine sweetness oozing out of him could do a number on a girl.I had a
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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,
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