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Chapter 609: Complicated
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 610: Good Sport
Book Sixteen: The Undying The sound of giggling witches filled my back yard. Giggling. And not young witches, either. The Lawrence twins twittered beside Talee Happern while Mary Gripper gossiped over her baby son, Alex, and how he was keeping her awake most nights.I did my best to plaster on a smile, hoping it didn't look like a grimace, wishing I was back at the gym. I'd doubled my efforts since the run-in with the Brotherhood, the twinge in my shoulder where Liander Belaisle shot me a reminder of just how serious things had become.Deadly serious. Like almost losing Charlotte serious. The weregirl kept her distance, watching from outside the party, eyes locked on me at all times. And though she was as protective as ever-worse, sometimes, it seemed-I sensed something was wrong with her. The way she flinched when I asked her a question or the way her blue eyes would fill with almost desperate anxiety.She'd been shot herself, at the doorway to death, only the wolf inside her c
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 611: Coven Leader
I took a vacant seat and sipped at my water, just for something to occupy me. I felt the fine chain slide over my collarbone and I reached up to grasp the pentagram pendant Mom gave me as a gift years ago. I'd only taken to wearing it in the past few years, knowing now it held a part of her power in it. Power meant to protect me and bind me to the family. Even though she wasn't officially a Hayle witch anymore, the magic remained true to the coven.Thinking about Mom made me sad. We hadn't talked, not really, since my release from custody. I'd tried to see her a few times, but she refused. Any attempt to reach for her with power was firmly blocked. She'd made it very clear to me she couldn't be on my side anymore. The Council magic changed her, pushed her to the brink, forcing her to do its will instead of the other way around. Mom's deterioration was a clear indication, her premature aging and total change of personality frightening in its totality. I wished I could convince her to s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 612: Twenty-One
I gaped. For a long, awkward, uncomfortable moment that became more awkward and uncomfortable by the heartbeat. But I simply couldn't.Couldn't.Comprehend-Wedding?Damn it, girl, Gram's mind snapped in mine. You knew this.I looked up at her. What?Gram hesitated, face falling. Didn't you?Oh. My. Freaking. Swearword.Shenka's voice broke the stillness, though I didn't hear a word she said. Before I knew it, she pulled me to my feet, the happy, kind tone of her voice telling me she'd smoothed things over, though the shocked looks on the watching witch's faces had to reflect my own.Wedding?"Syd." Shenka pulled me behind one of the large trees on the border of our property and the park, one hand tight on my arm, a smile plastered on her face, a positive mask for the outside world while her magic wrapped me in a hug. "You didn't know?"Splutter. "What the hell?" Still trying to pull myself together over here. "What the freaking hell?""It's a really old law," Shenka said,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 613: No Pity
I left Gram in the kitchen, exiting into the driveway. I still missed seeing Mom's classic blue Mustang, her baby gone with her to Harvard. And I really needed to replace my own car Minnie, the electric blue Cooper a wreck thanks to explosives placed by the Dumont brothers.Did I have proof they blew up my car? Technically, no.Did I need it?Snort.Funny how the past flowed around me as I stood there, images of my old high-school boyfriend Brad and his big black truck, of Demetrius Strong when he was leader of the Chosen of the Light handing me pamphlets, explaining why I was evil and really had to die. Quaid on his motorcycle. I hugged myself, looked up into the gathering dark as the door eased shut behind me.I didn't have to turn around to know who stood there, unobtrusive, watching."What do you think, Charlotte?" I stayed where I was, making myself breathe, trying to keep the pressure of what I'd just learned from taking me to my knees. "Should I just cut and run?"I heard
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 614: Evading The Inevitable
Was it a bad thing I felt relief to leave the party behind as I tore open the veil and slipped through?Probably.Didn't keep me from diving into a possible adventure. In fact, as I exited the veil on the front lawn of the vampire mansion, I dutifully admitted I was happiest when I had a problem to solve. Not like it was a big shocker or anything. Quaid hit the nail on the head when he said I went looking for trouble.Well, not looking, exactly. But calm and peaceful didn't really do it for me anymore. And considering the fact every time I did fall into trouble there was an excellent reason for it with a so-far-so-good outcome, I wasn't complaining.Evasion Tactics Level: Expert.Seriously, though, I'd been very selfish letting this whole vampire silence thing ride. I loved Uncle Frank and Sunny, missed them with a pinch of regret so sharp when I thought about it I flinched. How had I let this go for so long without checking in?Life was complicated, but family was everything.A
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 615: Vampires In Peril
Gram and Shenka were in the kitchen when I stormed into the house, magic weaving around the dishes, cleaning up the mess from the party. Sassafras hissed at me as I stomped past him, barely missing his tail with my toes. He leaped onto the table to glare at me as I came to a jarring halt."Sebastian isn't clan leader anymore." Blurting random troubles was apparently my specialty.Shenka seemed surprised, but Gram didn't. In fact, she looked a little guilty before her wrinkled face fell into a frown."Tell me you didn't keep this from me." Yeah, my anger button was on a hair trigger. Had been pushed. And pushed. And pushed-"I knew." At least she didn't try to deny it. Even so, I vibrated with the need to shake her."And you thought it was a good idea to keep this little tidbit to yourself." Cold, Syd. But, well, damn it."There's nothing you can do," Gram said, faded blue eyes empty and flat. "And you had enough on your plate. Still do."That kind of crap was not going to fly wi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 616: The Realm Under Attack
Charlotte stayed close behind me as I bolted out of the kitchen, part way into the street before I tore a hole in the veil and leaped through. I had just enough presence of mind to shield the sight from the normals on my block, barely inside the rubber membrane long enough to feel the touch of my demon grandmother's soul hovering around me before I hurtled out of the other end and into the side door of town hall.Liam met me at the basement stairs, arms engulfing me as I panted to a halt. His deep, earthy scent mixed with fabric softener and the warmth of him helped to slow my heart a little, but his own panic came through loud and clear."Come on." He turned and bounded down the stairs, me on his heels, passing through the wards. It wasn't until I grabbed Charlotte's hand and guided her through the Sidhe protections I realized Liam wasn't alone.But it wasn't the giant black hound growling softly at the entrance to the Gate room or even the still missing Sonja O'Dane I sensed. I sh
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 617: Balance Required
No sweat. This would be no sweat whatsoever. I felt myself rise both in spirit and in confidence, my mind and magic flowing upwards toward the edge of the emptiness. Creation power hummed, ready for action. I'd never felt more powerful, more in control of my abilities as I reached out through the blankness, searching for Belaisle and the source of the power draw draining the Sidhe realm.And tumbled back, falling on my ass in the dying grass as answering magic rippled over the surface of the storm and threw me off.I stared up in surprise, head ringing, body tingling with the shock of the violent recoil. Charlotte's hands grasped my arms, her human form returned now that we stood in the Unseelie realm. The monarchs of the Unseelie had no power to spare to play dress up."Thanks." I brushed at the seat of my jeans, face so tight in a frown my cheeks ached. "Well, that hurt."Odhran stood mute, watching me. His disappointment looked to be about as powerful as mine.No way I was lett
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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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
