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Chapter 639: Victory
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 640: No Choice In The Matter
Liam's arms warmed me up as his earth magic grounded me. It was hard to enjoy with Ameline tied to me, but I did my best.Now what? His mind caressed mine gently. Are you taking her back?To prison. To the stronghold and her cell.I wished.I can't. I looked up into his eyes, welcomed the soft kiss he planted on my lips. As much as I hate to admit it, we need her. And she has to be free to develop her power."Happy to hear you've come to your senses." Ameline had to be eavesdropping. Gross. "That you finally admit we're on the same side.""For now." I stepped away from Liam, felt his tension as he hovered over me, protective though he would never stand against her. "But what happens when the Brotherhood is defeated?""I suppose we'll have to have that conversation when it happens." Ameline's chill smile turned my stomach.Lovely."And Belaisle's magic?" My power prodded hers but she blocked me, at least as much as she could around the bond. "If we're going to have balance, you
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 641: The Price
Panic tore a hole inside me, drove me to abandon Alison, abandon my own sense of safety, pushing me to run for the house.To Gram.Who I couldn't feel anymore.It wasn't until I crossed through the family wards her power touched mine again. But dim, so dim, and failing by the moment. I couldn't think, breathe, speak as I rushed through the empty house to the back door.Into carnage.Charlotte lay sprawled on her face, half inside the house, cheek and bleeding nose pressed to the stone of the walk way. Shenka sagged on the grass nearby, passed out, skin so pale I thought she was gone.Two black-robed Enforcers lay just past her, bodies smoking, the scent of burning flesh slapping me in the face.But I didn't focus on them, not while my eyes flashed over their dead bodies.To the limp old woman collapsed in the grass.I ran to her, fell on my knees, pulled Gram's body into my lap, screamed a sob as I poured power into her. She was so far away, felt like Galleytrot did when Ameli
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 642: Under Arrest
They gave me Ameline's cell. Of course they did. I sat, dressed in a white robe just like hers, bare footed on the cold stone floor. My magic was intact, at least. They'd done nothing to block it off. Which made me wonder about the wards in the stronghold and why they weren't worried I'd bolt.Which I planned to do. Eventually.This time was very different from the last. No nice suite of rooms, no playing at "asking me questions." No fooling around with the coven leader who broke so many laws they probably didn't even need to hold a trial to sentence me to burn.I really had to give up the family magic. Just freaking do it already. Before they held my continuing leadership against the coven. But I promised Sassafras I wouldn't, that I'd wait and talk to him first. And since I had no communication with the outside world...Yeah. Who was I kidding? My reluctance had nothing to do with Sass. I was afraid, plain and simple. Not just for me, but for Shenka. And for Gram.Gram. I could
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 643: Visitors
I held her against me a moment before pushing my sister out to arm's length. "What are you doing here?""Syd." Meira clutched at me, face younger only because of her obvious fear. "We have to get you out of here." She tugged on me, pulling me with her, toward the wavering slice in the veil still gaping behind her.I slipped free, shaking my head. "I can't go," I said. "Not until I know if Gram is okay."Meira's lips trembled. "Do you have any idea how much power it took to reach you? To cross?" She wrung her hands at me. "Grandmother is helping, but she won't be able to hold it forever. The power of the stronghold is fighting her. We have to go now.""Meems." I hesitated. Maybe going with her was a good idea. We could sort out all the mess later, after I'd had time to think.No. I couldn't abandon Gram. Even if that meant the Council managed to tie me to a stake and set me on fire."I have a plan," I said. Not much of one. But there was enough truth in what I said I was able to s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 644: Mom's Freedom
I'm not sure what I expected to happen. Nothing, maybe. But certainly not the pulse of power that rippled out from Mom in a sonic blast, rocking through me as I held onto her for balance and she to me.Her transformation happened almost instantaneously, though I had time to watch her shift in the heartbeats between. How her skin faded to a more normal hue, deep wrinkles plumping and vanishing as her youthful appearance returned. The way the silver traces in her hair flashed before darkening back to black. But it was her eyes, the deep blue of them, once tormented and full of rage that changed the most.Mom's hands squeezed my shoulders as the last of the power wave left her, those beautiful eyes welling with tears. One hand lifted to her throat, to the pentagram necklace, before touching my cheek so gently I barely felt the pressure of her skin."Syd?"I sobbed once, flooded with relief, almost knocking me over as I reached for her, pulling her against me. My mom. My mom was back a
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 645: Optimism
Maybe I shouldn't have been so optimistic, but knowing Mom was going to be okay, that she was finally herself, went a long way to making me feel better.While I still didn't believe she would be able to save me from being condemned to death, at least she was whole and could help Gram. And Shenka when the time came I had to release the family magic.I kicked myself for not filling Mom in on everything that happened, but since she seemed to think I had to stay quiet in order for her to do what was necessary, spilling the beans would have to wait. I could only hope Demetrius would think to warn Sunny about Alison. If his brain was even firing on partial neurons at the moment.I paced, struggling with the knowledge it was likely Margaret Applegate never really left the control of the Brotherhood. I certainly wouldn't put it past them to try to snare her again and piled on another coating of guilt I hadn't checked in.You do realize most of what you're beating yourself up about really i
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 646: Hitchhikers And Half-Truths
Just as I was about to freak out from the solitude and my own spiraling thoughts, the seal around my door sighed and it opened. I braced myself, not sure who or what to expect. And winced at the sight of Varity Rhodes. She stared at me with a blank expression, draped in her heavy Enforcer robe, jaw tight, but eyes hooded and revealing nothing.I felt terrible for what I'd been forced to do to her, thought of Charlotte and wondered if my poor bodywere was catatonic yet.Before I could offer the apology I owed her, Varity spoke."Was it you who came to me?" Her voice seemed to echo in the stillness between us and I felt the brush of Enforcer power running beneath her words. "Was it you who asked me to bring you here?"Um, weird question. I opened my mouth to confess.Felt a jab from a place I wasn't expecting.Lie, Quaid sent. Lie your face off. Just do it.Huh? Okay, confused.Tell her you have no idea what she's talking about. Quaid's deep voice was edged with desperation. Don'
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 647: Council Leader
I thought that was it. Free to go, out of there. But Mom wasn't done.Not by a long shot."Coven Leader Hayle," she said, voice ringing with authority. "With the recent attack on the Dumont coven and the escape of Ameline, we now clearly see the threat you've so patiently tried to warn us about." Snort. Good one, Mom. Because I was the queen of patience. "Your growing power and approaching status as maji gave us pause." Freaked them the hell out. She was good at this diplomatic speak. "But without your assistance, our covens would be under the control of sorcerers whose only interest is domination of all magicks."Shocker. No one argued, turned red in the face. Nada.Maybe I was wrong about the others being under the influence."Because of your special status," Mom said, "we, the North American High Council, grant you full immunity and impunity to act on any threat you see arise without compunction."Did she just hand me the keys to the Universe?"Terrible days lie behind us," M
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
