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Chapter 700: High Councils Abound
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 701: Flashy Entrances
My foul humor lingered long past dusk, only the tingling touch of vampire magic shaking me loose from my bad mood. Shenka was smart enough to keep her distance, the twins and Sassafras out and about doing who knew what. So when I felt my undead family arrive and rushed to greet them, my second trailed after me."Syd." I stopped at the sound of her voice. Turned and met her knowing smile as she poked me with magic. "Smiling is usually a great way to show other people you're not going to tear them in half and feed them to your demon."I wanted to be angry, to stay inside my little shell of pissed off, but something about the tone of Shenka's voice, the tickling way her magic prodded me, shattered the hold my temper had over me all afternoon. I hooked my arm through hers with a regretful little smile."Sorry," I said. "Guys suck. Did you know that about them?"She feigned innocence, one hand pressed to her heart in shock. "I had no idea."I loved my second.It didn't take much effor
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 702: Pay Attention
Shenka rushed toward me as the wild magicks threw themselves into a frenzy of fluttering, battering me with their power."What do they want?" She was calm, at least, though the faces of the other witches, from various covens, now gathered in the large center common room weren't quite so composed."I don't know." I gritted my teeth against the constant pecking of the magicks and threw out a soft net of my own power. They stilled immediately, coming to heel almost like trained creatures, though they didn't calm so much as focus.Again with the images, the shattering crystals, the broken machine. Belaisle, me, and the darkness. I clung to them, my power teasing out more information. The mirror again, cracking in the center, shattering into a multitude of shards.Why did that image tweak a memory?But which memory?The wild magicks shrieked and fled so suddenly I staggered, realizing as they disappeared through the canopy of the pavilion it wasn't they who screamed.The sound instea
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 703: Poor Mia
"We use your crystal." Mia gulped down a spoon full of soup, not even noticing the sad look on Estelle's face as she set bread beside the fallen coven leader's bone-thin hand. Once inside the pavilion, safely tucked into our area and behind wards, Mia shed the heavy cloak hiding her from me. She looked even more emaciated than before, the light showing the thin veins running under her near-transparent skin, the way her eyes sank into dark pits, two shining blue lights the only sign she was in there.I'd seen pictures of drought victims who looked healthier than Mia. Was she this thin when I saw her only yesterday? And, if so, how did I miss it?I sat back and shook my head as Sassafras crouched on the edge of the table and stared at Mia with his glowing amber eyes, tail beating a soft rhythm against the wooden top."Mia," I said, "I can't interfere.""You can." She reached for me, faster than lightning, squeezing the bones of my hand until they ground together. Her thin power crawl
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 704: Dumont Interference
I could tell from the look on Mom's face she wasn't so happy to see me. But when she realized Quaid was with me, her tension rose to a whole new level. So high, she practically shoved her aides out of the room before slamming up a shield around us and drawing a deep breath."I'm ready," she said through gritted teeth. "Hit me."Quaid did most of the talking. I was grateful, considering my traitor throat closed over, misery eating at my insides to the point I doubted I could fit two coherent words together. Sass said he and Gram instilled this sense of loyalty in me when I was a baby.Now I wished they'd just minded their own damned business.Mom sank into a chair, her anger gone as she passed a hand before her eyes while Quaid wrapped up. Far more succinctly than I could have. Her blue gaze traveled from him to me and back again while she nodded."I've been watching young Mia," Mom said. "And I suspected she might try something like this."Nice of her to tell me.You're really s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 705: Conclave Begins
True to my expectations, I paced the night away and I wasn't alone. After a long talk with Shenka about Mia, Sassafras adding his lecture on top of hers, the three of us took turns either circling the small main room or sitting morosely staring into space.Because sleep was overrated.Breakfast turned out to be a giant affair, large tables and massive amounts of food spread out in the common areas of each pavilion. I found myself dining with a pair of witches from the Hensley coven while Tallah cornered her sister, still struggling to meet my eyes. Whatever decisions Mom had reached about the Hensley leader, I was still nervous about her particular need to expose us to normals, but even more so her contact with the supposed Steam Union.Had to remind myself to prod Piers later to see if he'd heard anything from his contacts.From the irritation on my second's face, the way she crossed her arms over her chest and refused to look at her fast-talking sibling, Shenka wasn't regretting
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 706: Day One
I fully expected the whole shebang to go kablooey at any second. I wasn't expecting, however, to die of boredom.Not right away, no. Not when Mom stood to give her welcome speech thanking the supernatural races for attending while I fumed and connived and tried to come up with a way to kick Vasyl's ugly ass without getting the werewolves in trouble.And certainly not when I finally came back to the present from a sharp prod of Sassafras's magic.You're supposed to answer her, he sent.What? Who? Nobody said there would be a test.I looked up and met Mom's eyes as she waited patiently, arm held out toward me.What the hell did I miss?Get up. Sassafras's voice grated in my head. Now.I scrambled to my feet, almost dumping him on his head, handing him off instead to Shenka. Okay, so she grabbed him from me before I could drop him. And stared at Mom, frozen.Syd, she sent. Your speech.My-Just repeat after me, my vampire sent. Welcome, most revered of all magic users, to my hu
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 707: Your Choice
I had no appetite, despite the delicious aromas floating around me. The main pavilion was now full of tables, stuffed with witches serving a variety of foods from all different cultures. I just couldn't bring myself to focus on dinner.Shenka bullied me into a long, black velvet skirt and silk blouse, my witch's uniform, the replacement pentagram necklace Mom gave me hanging around my neck. My second even put my hair up for me."Now you look the part," she said while Sassafras snorted.Didn't help Meira joined him in laughing. Charlotte, too. Nice of them to come and share in my misery, offering casual suggestions to "improve" my appearance. After the little run-in I'd had with Quaid, the last thing I wanted was to go through the dog and pony at a formal dinner."You have to go," Shenka said, Meira linking arms with me despite her height advantage, looking as stunning and scary as usual."Mom needs us there," my sister said. "Besides, I hear you're the guest of honor."Blech.At
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 708: Steam Union
I was so freaked out I didn't even think of the veil, instead running flat out with Piers beside me through the front of the large pavilion and to Mom's office.Almost colliding with Pender as he appeared in a flash of blue fire at her door.Gasping for air-I really had to start jogging again-I clutched at Pender's sleeve, heart pounding so hard in my chest I could barely think."The shards," I said as I pushed the tall Enforcer leader through Mom's door. She rushed forward, eyes locked on me as I panted and spoke again. "The mirror shards. Are they all accounted for?"Pender's frown of confusion turned to worry as he immediately fished into his robe and retrieved his. I'd seen it before, knew now there were many such shards, doorways to the Enforcer stronghold.To the place the battle between Dark and Light would be fought.I showed them both what the wild magicks had shared with me while Piers stood, silent and tense, at my side.Pender's face paled as the image of Belaisle ho
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
