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Chapter 90: Benjamin
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 91: Questions For Quaid
By the time school wrapped up for the day, yet another success/failure since I'd failed to really learn much, but succeeded in not harming myself or anyone else, I'd almost forgotten about Benjamin and my weak sort-of promise.That is until I found myself crossing the threshold into Johnny's and saw him sitting at a booth, smiling at me.Oh crap. The last person I wanted to talk to, really."I'm going to head home." Just looking at that smile made my head start pounding. Alison must have seen the pain in my face because her concern was immediate."Another migraine?" She squeezed my hand, offering me an excuse out of one of my own lies.How convenient."Um, yeah." I pulled away, offered a weak smile. "Getting them a lot lately." Benjamin was up and moving toward us. For some reason I felt totally and utterly repelled. Like if he came near me I'd implode or something. The headache excuse was very real at last. "Sorry, gang."I left before they could stop me, heard them call after
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 92: Vampire Visitor
Two visitors in one night were enough, thanks. But the third didn't give me much of a choice. Sebastian appeared just as Brad left, so near me and so silent that when I turned to go inside I actually cried out in terror.My heart rate slowed as I realized who it was. The leader of the Blood Clan DeWinter actually smiled at my reaction."Demon girl," he said. "You look well.""You too," I said, rubbing my arms and the goosebumps he gave me. Please tell me he was looking for Mom. I wasn't sure I could handle another in depth conversation, and knowing Sebastian and his particular dark sense of humor, I'd end up blushing. It was only then I realized he looked better than well. Much better. In fact, he looked fantastic. Mind you, he was always handsome, with his dark hair and eyes and that chiseled jaw. I'd always thought he was handsome from the moment we met. But there was something more about him now, enhanced. He almost seemed to glow with it, though I know normal eyes wouldn't see w
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 93: Invader
My friends were waiting for me just inside the main school door, as usual, though it only took me a moment to realize Pain wasn't with them."Feeling better?" Beth's brown eyes shone with concern. "My mom gets migraines. They're awful."Right. "Yeah, thanks," I said, feeling the heat rise to my face as I reinforced the lie. "I'll be okay.""By the way," Alison hooked her arm in mine and started leading me to our lockers, "Benjamin says hi." She winked at me with a smirk.I groaned. "Did he bug you guys?"Alison shrugged. "Not so much," she said. "He actually seems nice.""Really smart, too." Simon grinned at me, pushing his glasses up his narrow nose, skinny shoulders hunched forward under the weight of his overloaded backpack. "Knows a ton about chemistry."Tell me my friends weren't falling for this guy? That would really, really suck."I don't like him at all." I was so shocked by the angry grunt from Blood I stopped in my tracks. Gone was his usual smooth and laid back atti
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 94: Other People's Problems
Mom actually gasped and spun around when I walked in the kitchen, staring at me with her huge blue eyes like I'd attacked her or something. Craptastic. I realized I had to be broadcasting again. Roping in my magic was still hard."Syd," she said. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," I grumped. "Sorry."She stepped forward, tried to hug me, but I wasn't in the mood to be comforted.I escaped her and ran up to my room, spending the next several hours trying to focus on my homework while avoiding my mother's mental questions about how I was and why I radiated so much anger. I finally managed to put a cap on it when Sassy marched into my room, fur standing on end."Sydlynn," he snapped, amber eyes glowing amber with demon fire, "pull yourself under control before I do it for you. You're disrupting the entire household."Fine. I slapped up some shields, used my magic to shove him out my door and slammed it behind him.It wasn't fair! Because it wasn't my fault. I collapsed on my bed, feeling
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 95: Sleepwalker
Having my demon so quiet felt very disorienting. So was being physically exhausted, my muscles tired and almost bruised. I'd pretty much recovered from the attack by the Chosen, but this brought the whole thing back again.My demon took me over and used my body for who knew what.I rushed to the house, wet feet aching as they slid over the porcelain tile, desperate for Mom's help. I felt her frantic touch even before I reached the back door. The weight of her emotions told me she knew something was really wrong."Syd." She met me at the bottom of the stairs, arms around me instantly. I could feel her heart pounding as her magic enveloped me. "Where were you?""Smelling the roses, I guess." Weak attempt at humor, yup. She shook me a little when she pulled back, a frown creasing her perfect brow."Sydlynn Hayle." She wasn't mad though. Just afraid. Her initial burst of worry vanished behind her coven leader persona, but I knew it wasn't gone, just very well masked. "Tell me."I did
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 96: Ousted
I was so wrapped up in my head that I almost ran right into Pain at the front doors of the school. I glanced up at the last minute, jerking back from her as she scowled at me, arms crossed over her chest."Hi, Pain," I said. "What's up?""That's what I'd like to know." She sounded really pissed. Was her makeup not so thick? And where were all her piercings?"Sorry?" I was so stunned by her missing hardware I didn't put anything together."I'm tired of how you're acting around Benjamin." Pain's booted foot tapped impatiently on the concrete step. "You're making him uncomfortable."What? Bad enough she was so into him she treated Blood like crap, but she had the nerve to come after me?"Maybe," I snapped before I could stop myself, "if someone I knew gave a crap for a second about other people's feelings, she'd see I'm not the bad person here."Bad move. I spotted it the moment I started talking. Pain's eyes narrowed, her lips thinning out as her arms dropped, hands forming into f
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 97: Friends Or Foes
Mom put on a brave face, but I could tell from the tension in her whole body she was hiking down the same road to worry as me.It was even more impactful since she just came to a panting halt next to me. I barely stood up and took my bearings when Mom came running down the sidewalk in her black silk nightgown and robe, slippered feet slapping on the pavement as she practically flew the block from our house to the center of the park while I stood there and watched her.She looked me up and down, a strained smile on her face. "Early breakfast?"I knew she was trying to keep it light but I wasn't so sure I could go there with her.I followed Mom back to the house, wincing as my bare soles met asphalt, wondering how I managed to make it the whole night without hurting myself. My feet were plenty dirty so I knew my demon hadn't just sat around. But at least she took good care of us while she was in charge.She mumbled something in her sleep and radiated her satisfaction.Still nothing
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 98: Theridialis
Mom must have known something happened because she was waiting for me at the kitchen door when I staggered in and collapsed in a chair.She sat next to me, holding my hand, listening as I told her everything and how they all turned on me. I waited for her to tell me I was being stupid like everyone else did."If you think this boy is trouble," she said, "I believe you."Really? Mom was backing me? Mom never backed me. Okay, that wasn't exactly true or fair. But if Uncle Frank thought I was being a jerk, my mother should have, too."What am I going to do?" I just felt miserable, all wrung out and heavy like the world sat on my shoulders.She squeezed my hands. "One problem at a time," she said. "Your father wants us to contact him."I sat up immediately. "Why didn't you tell me?""I was just about to summon you when I felt you coming home," she said. "And as important as it is that we find out what is going on with your power, this was important, too."I loved my mother. We didn
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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
