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Chapter 401:Second Seat
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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
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 404: Falling
There was an odd excitement to falling I hadn't expected once the initial terror burned off. The air rushed past me in a gale, whistling in my ears, though the passion of its passing tore at my clothing and forced my body to ripple uncontrollably. It took me a few seconds to get past the idea of dying before my demon roared and shook me, taking control of our magic, diving for the veil.Only to meet the same stone wall as before, even the rubbery membrane out of reach.This time she wasn't taking no for an answer and neither was I, damn it. Forget this dying shtick-not while I had power to fight it. I reached deep, pulling from all of my magicks, leaning into the veil as hard as I could. Shaylee and my vampire core poured energy into my demon, now more powerful than she'd ever been.And in that moment, while my body slowly spun sideways, as I now faced the ground rushing toward me, what was once tiny and antlike now alarmingly large and growing bigger by the second, I felt the veil
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 405: Hunting
I woke the next morning in a foul mood. As I stood in my closet, looking at the hideous clothing Pagomaris stocked for me, the full-length mirror throwing back the image of a very pissed off demon girl, I made a decision.I dressed aggressively in spiked boots and a pair of skin-tight pants in some kind of black leather with studs all over them. The shirt was also tight, a heavy jacket with matching spikes and a few skulls with horns decorating the shoulders and cuffs finishing my attire while a collar jutted out an array of spines I had to be careful of so I didn't stab myself by accident.My hair I bundled up in a mess of angry curls, tied off with a chain and several blades. When I checked out the mirror again, I smiled. Yeah, badass.Time to take out the trash.Meira's eyes went wide when she saw me before she grinned like the devil she was at heart and ran for her own wardrobe. By the time I'd finished breakfast, Sassafras glaring at me from his place on the table, thick silve
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 406: Attackers
I guess I should have expected it. But sadness clung to all three of us, slowing our steps, making us inattentive. Not like it mattered, really, but I would have liked to have known my life was in danger.Normal state of affairs, so it served me right.Twenty or so masked attackers appeared on the train, our car conveniently emptying of riders as the last of the suns went down and night took the city, bathed in the soft pink glow of many moons. I rose to my feet from the molded seat, so not in the mood to deal with these jackasses, not even a flicker of fear crossing my mind, unable as well, oddly, to muster my anger. Instead I faced them with irritation and annoyance, power crackling around me as I beckoned them closer."What are you waiting for?" The two lead masks didn't seem hesitant, but their pack of followers weren't so secure. I felt them wavering just from the focus of my attention, their magic quivering, made worse when Meira rose to stand beside me."Aw, what's the matte
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 407: Holding Court
I was a good sister. I let Meira have Tanasharia. She did a great job, too, constant prodding of the shields holding the pair her idea. I'm certain it was pretty uncomfortable, at least from the moans and groans coming from the unhappy siblings, but it was a great way to test and be sure we didn't have any weak spots.Sure it was.The train ride was uneventful the rest of the way, our elevator trip to the top of the mountain equally as quiet. Calm before the all-out crap storm. It was almost a relief to emerge in the throne room and face the music, dragging our charges behind us with ropes of power, Sassafras perched on Cypherion's head as though he were the conquering hero.As far as I was concerned, he was welcome to the title.I had no idea Grandmother was holding court, though the fact was pretty obvious the moment we set foot on the top of the mountain. No way was I backing down now, not with the whole family watching.Quivering.Um. Well. Wicked.Vandelarius leaped to his
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 408: One Way To Win
There's only one way to win this. Meira's mind latched onto mine. We have to work together.Brilliant. Sassy was right. The moment I could, I'd make up for not hugging my grandmother. One look at the pair before us and I knew what she figured out long before I had-our love for each other was the biggest advantage Meira and I had.What the entire demon population seemed to be missing.I let my sister link to me without hesitation, feeling the odd sensation of her body moving in tune with mine for a moment. It was almost distracting enough to get me in trouble as I fumbled my magic in the instant of our connection. But thanks to that same connection, Meira was right there with me and able to pull up the slack, her power feeding mine, a combined one-two of fireballs and whipping flames saving me from the lashing magic Cypherion let loose.Let's take them down. I had to grin at Meira's grim yet excited tone, the classic clichés coming from her. Too many action movies, I guess.She was
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 409: Challenge Vandelarius
Holy.It's not like I didn't expect some grand announcement from her, but no way was I expecting this. At least, not now. Me? Second Seat? But-We knew she was planning something, Sassy sent, mind like a whip, breaking me out of my gaping stare and stunned freeze. I warned you she might try something like this. You have to turn her down.Easier said than done.Still."I'm not next in line." As if I wished this on Dad. He stood there in silence, eyes locked on me, though he looked more sad now than angry."I call on you to challenge," Grandmother said. "If you are able to defeat Vandelarius, you claim Second Seat."So much for that argument. Not much of one anyway. It was Dad or me. And neither of us wanted the job."No." It was the best I could muster, but from the scowl on her face I knew my best wasn't good enough so I tried again. "I am a coven leader, daughter of another plane." That was better. Get a grip, Syd. "My duty lies elsewhere. I can't take the throne."Grandmot
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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
