It was a short trip across the park and to the back yard, but I worried the entire time. Despite being careful, I didn't want to be caught by a normal while levitating the two kids now in my charge. I could have used the veil, but I hesitated in taking them into it so soon after the attack. Besides, the wards on the house and surrounding property wouldn't let me ride the veil all the way to the back door anyway, so I figured a little quasi-illegal magic use was worth the risk.As luck would have it, not too many people were out an about in the middle of the night in Wilding Springs. None, actually. Only me. Surprise, surprise. Oh, and my very anxious bodywere and demon cat who both came bounding across the grass toward me as I crossed the wards and entered the family property.Charlotte looked very unhappy. And when the weregirl showed her emotions, it was all kinds of bad. Sassafras stopped in his tracks at the sight of the boy and girl, wrapped in glowing blue magic, floating besid
Even though I felt bad for the boy, a twinge of nerves put my back up. After all, according to Iepa, weren't we going to war with sorcerers? How smart was it to have one in my house?And yet, there was no way the sweet-faced kid standing in front of me, his crushed expression telling me how much he worried about his own abilities, could possibly be a threat. At least, not on purpose.I'd take it.His sister, on the other hand, had this way with my last nerve that was about to get her a serious smackdown. She grabbed her brother and shoved past me, heading for the door, a harsh, determined look on her face. I naturally reached for her to pull her back. No way was she storming out, not after I'd saved their butts from whoever was trying to hurt them.My fingers slipped over the denim of her jacket, caught her hand. The moment our skin touched, power rippled between us. Trill came to an immediate halt, turning to face me, her eyes at my height, slim body quivering."Why haven't you f
Breakfast wrapped up pretty quickly after that, Meira and Owen volunteering to clean while Gram's magic interjected from time to time to speed the process. Trill and I left them to it, retiring to the back yard."You might not be able to reach your grandmother through the family wards," I told her as the cool grass crumpled under my bare feet, the touch of the Sidhe Wild Hunt, sleeping far below the earth whispering to me in its slumber. "But then again, I have no idea what maji power is capable of, so it's worth a try here before you expose yourself."Trill's lips twisted, a hint of arrogance on her face. "All that power," she said, "and you still have no clue."My fists clenched at my sides, good will fading rapidly. "Listen," I said, getting all up in her personal space, letting my demon out to snarl. Trill didn't back down. "I'm here to help, remember? You're freaking welcome."Trill's nostrils flared, but she nodded. "You're right," she said. "I'm sorry. It's just... you reall
I hadn't bothered to warn the two siblings about our mode of transportation, considering how they'd arrived in my life to begin with, though from the glaring anger on Trill's face when she stumbled forward out of the darkness I probably should have.Yeah, not.Shielding still firmly wrapped around the pair, I led our small group into the library and down the back stairs, to the entry to Liam's safe haven. Which I was counting on for Trill and Owen, too.He was waiting for me when I crossed the green barrier, arms wide as he hugged me, kissing the top of my head. I absorbed his warmth, the scent of him so familiar and wonderful, all fresh turned earth and fabric softener mixed with his own subtle taste. His smile didn't waver as he released me to hug Meira, stroke Sassafras's fur and nod to Charlotte before turning his attention to the newcomers.A quick introduction and I had him up to speed."Fascinating." He stared at Trill like he wanted to dissect her, or at least ask her a mi
I was already in the hall, heading for the stairs, when Liam burst through the barrier and caught my arm, turning me to face him. He didn't speak, just wrapped his arms around me, holding me with his whole body.One thing about Liam? He gave the most amazing hugs ever.He let me go then, with a farewell wave and a smile just for me. And while part of me was embarrassed and ashamed I needed such confirmation of his feelings, the truth was his love did wonders for my mood.And what right did I have, really, to be jealous? Considering my own personal predicament.Sigh.Though I intended to ride the veil to the mansion, when I stepped out into the open air I made a different choice. I had a lot to think about and the drive would give me time alone to work things out. Mind you, with Charlotte attached to my hip, it wasn't like I'd be going alone. But I was used to her by now, no longer feeling like I had to entertain her or anything. Liam dropped the van off at the house the day before
While I had intended to sort through my feelings about Trill and Liam and this whole mess, I instead spent the drive, silent Charlotte beside me, running through the entire family roster in my head and discarding each and every one of them in turn.The twins? No freaking way. Not only were Estelle and Esther creepy, though I now adored the two old ladies, they were the same age as Gram. Yes, there were older witches I could choose, but none of them really seemed to fit the bill. And the younger ones, well... they were all parents with small children. I had absolutely nothing in common with them and, aside from being family, I'd never made a real connection, not enough to call on one of them to be my second.It was a huge responsibility, taking on the job. I thought about Mom and Erica, how my mother chose her best friend so many years ago, when she herself was a new mother and sudden coven leader, Gram crippled by the Purities. Mom picked her not only because she adored her, but beca
A quick talk with Sebastian, Sunny and Uncle Frank in on the action, and I had them up to date on the latest."So these children Belaisle seeks," Sebastian said, pacing with a glass of wine in his hand. At least, I think it was wine. Ew. "They are somehow vital to the war against the sorcerers.""It's what the dream warning was about." I hesitated. "I've been trusting this maji," I said, not wanting to show weakness in front of the vampires even though I knew they'd be the last ones to judge me. "Maybe that's a bad idea."Sunny's arms went around me, hugged me even as Sebastian shook his dark head, eyes meeting mine. "The maji are creators, Sydlynn," he said. "The sorcerers, destroyers. And I believe Belaisle himself was enough proof you're on the right side in this."Exhale. Relief was a wonderful thing."Have you yet spoken to Miriam?" Sebastian set down his glass, the liquid shining in the light. Definitely wine. Though I still shuddered at the thought of the glass goblet full
I stepped into the Yard, exhaling a stale breath I hadn't known I'd been holding, feeling the cool of the evening settle around me. I'd done what I could to get through to Mom and though she'd left me high and dry, I felt better for having at least tried.Now I could act and not have to second-guess myself. Because the threat was real, even in Mom's eyes. Abandoning Trill and Owen to the Brotherhood was totally out of the question. And as I reached for the veil, my demon stretching her power to tear open the outer membrane, I had an epiphany.How many times had I acted on my own in times of trouble, times when Mom was aware of my actions, but unable to do anything herself? And in at least a few of those instances, I knew my actions were exactly what she needed from me. Was that my mother's modus operandi? Turning me into her hands when she herself was trapped without a way to resolve the issue because of her position?Not that I minded even if I should have. I'd found I was more o