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Chapter 395: Rules Of Engagement
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 396: Grandmother's Presence
I wasn't all that surprised to be called on again in the middle of the night. In fact, I was expecting it, already up after a short nap.Sassafras warned me about the possibility as we dined in private with Dad."She's fishing for something," he said of my grandmother. "Don't underestimate her.""She's a mistress of subtleties," Dad agreed. "You won't know what she's after until she has it from you.""Just be careful what you say," my demon cat said. "And for goodness sakes, control your temper."I fell into a short sleep after leaving the others to talk, feeling much more refreshed for a bit of rest despite the fact I should have been exhausted. A long shower in the amazing bathroom, piping hot water pouring from a huge fountain gushing over my body, did wonders for my state of mind.By the time Pagomaris knocked, I was smiling and ready.No more hesitation. I strode into Grandmother's presence like I was the one ready to ask questions. Her powerful magic didn't intimidate me t
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 397: Theridialis's Admission
Meria was so fast I barely followed her. Within thirty seconds of her first attack, the young demon she fought lay prone on the floor, groaning, while she grinned at me, amber eyes flaring with new power, as if this whole thing was really funny.I wished I could agree with her.My heart clenched as she absently strode over her fallen attacker as though he wasn't worth further notice, an arrogant tilt to her head, shoulders back so far I thought she'd crack in half."This is too easy," Sassy muttered as we followed her. "You're winning far too quickly for a pair of amateurs."Meira turned and glared at him, just outside my door. "I kicked his ass!"My demon agreed with her one hundred percent, but Sassy just swatted at her on the way by, muttering to himself.I spent the rest of the night in and out of sleep, tossing and restless, waking from dreams of my sister attacking me while she laughed. Unsettled and twitchy, I met Meira and Sassafras for breakfast, grunting at Dad as I flo
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 398: Futile Attempts
We were a pretty gloomy bunch when we returned to the lab. Theridialis just shook his head slowly, jowls jiggling a little. Dad slumped into a nearby chair while Sassafras circled the room, tail straight up like a flag waving as he made his agitated circuit."There has to be a way." Dad stood suddenly, brow low over his eyes. "What haven't we considered?""There are more tests I can run." Theridialis didn't seem all that positive, but my need for hope latched onto his words like a lifeline.Sassafras leaped up on the table, daintily weaving his way through the beakers and jars until he stood across from his father."Make me a demon again." He sounded a little out of breath and, to be honest, so was I with that request fresh from his cat mouth.Theridialis met his son's amber eyes. "What good could that serve?""I could fight for the girls." His tail thrashed, knocking over several fragile-looking instruments which I barely caught with my magic. No one else seemed to care or notic
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 399: Under Arrest
I couldn't make out Sassy's words, but the meaning was obvious. I knew swearing when I heard it in any language.Part of me wanted to join him rather than sit and simmer with my arms crossed over my chest and my face set in a mask of absolute fury. After all, I already knew why he was so angry.We'd been set up. And not in a subtle way, either. Not even close. The attempt to make Meira and I use our foreign magic, illegal on Demonicon, was so blatant if I did start swearing it would be accompanied by some fireballs and the odd explosion for good measure.Meira fumed beside me, and I could only imagine the look on her face mirrored mine. I refused to look at the massive guards surrounding us, to acknowledge them in any way. I was not giving them even a moment of my attention after they clearly abandoned us to be ambushed, only to show up at the most convenient time for our arrest."I thought demons were good at this sort of politics," I finally snapped at Sassafras when he ceased sw
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 400: The Tour
Meira didn't hesitate, rushing forward to hug our grandmother. Yup, hug her. I found myself gaping as I fell in step beside Dad while the tall and imposing Ruler hugged my sister back.I kept going to the place of wondering if she wasn't such a monster after all. Either that or she was just really good at manipulation.I was betting on the latter.Grandmother smiled at me as I stopped a few feet away, Dad at my side, Sassafras still in my arms. It seemed like a real smile, one setting her eyes alight with sparkling good humor."I believe a tour is in order," she said. "Allow me to show you our world as it was meant to be seen."I followed, still a bit hesitant. But Dad didn't seem overly upset, though he frowned to himself, staring at the ground as we walked. And Sassafras was still purring, if softly, almost absently. Meira chattered away about the battle and her part in it as she walked ahead of us, the tall and imposing demon Ruler bending to meet the gaze of her much more dimi
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 401:Second Seat
We were almost back to our rooms, Sassafras still in my arms, his weight actually becoming a burden, when Pagomaris appeared with two guards beside her. She looked uncomfortable, as though she was about to do something she really didn't want to, but her smile smoothed out as we approached."I hope you had a wonderful tour," she said, tone bright as ever."Would be better if we knew why it was cut short," I said. No need to be careful what I said to her, at least.Pagomaris hesitated, her smile faltering before it returned full beam. "You've been summoned," she said to me. Meira took a step closer, but the tall demon aide smiled sadly down at her. "Just Sydlynhamitra."I wasn't expecting Grandmother to call on me at all, let alone without my sister. Not after the snarky family comment she made. But the look on Meira's face was even more unexpected. She actually seemed furious with me as she spun and stomped her way into her room, slamming the heavy door behind her.Sassafras squirm
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 402: Unrest
"Welcome." She stood near the sofa as usual, dressed in her silken robe, arms open to Meira who rushed forward to hug her. I took a seat before such a welcome could be offered, though I thought a hug for me would be a long time coming. Meira perched next to Grandmother, helping herself to the snacks spread out on the low coffee table."You're aware Vandelarius is trying to usurp you?" Yeah, she knew already. All of our speculation was dead on from the small, smug grin she suppressed. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, falling into grumpy.Grandmother didn't seem to mind the lack of small talk. In fact, her amusement grew into a full-grown smile at my pronouncement, sitting back with one arm over the back of the sofa, Meira sliding back to snuggle beside her."Of course," she said. "He spoke to you earlier."Not a question. "Told me the civil war going on in one of the cities is our fault."Grandmother snorted, still amused. "I'd hardly call it civil war," she said. "There has be
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 403: Meems At Odds
I left shortly after, unwilling to talk to my grandmother any longer, dragging my sister out with me. She allowed us both to go, though I felt her eyes boring holes in my back as I retreated, head spinning with new knowledge and the fear I really was trapped here forever.Meira jerked free of me the moment we were out of sight of the guards. I turned to her, not meaning to be angry, and certainly not mad at her, but my anxiety had the best of me."We have to go see Dad." Man, was I going to ream him a new one.She glared at me, rubbing at her arm where I'd held her. "Says who?"This was no time for back talk. In fact, the expression on her face reminded me of the brat she'd been after returning from a summer at witch camp, turned to the dark side by the evil of the Dumont family. No way was she regressing to petulant child on me, not with so much at stake."Meems," I said, "what the hell?""Don't tell me what to do." She turned away from me, face set in a pout.If she said I was
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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
