All Chapters of Hayle Coven Novels: Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

"Syd!" Alison's enthusiastic arrival at my locker almost drove me face-first into the thin door. She was smiling, though her vulnerability hovered just behind it. At least she was in a good mood after yesterday's pouting. "Sorry I'm late." She rolled her eyes. "My flat iron died, can you imagine?" Her hands went to the artful pile she'd created out of her blonde hair. "I had to settle for this nest.""Looks great, Al." I secured my stuff inside the narrow box before jamming it shut and locking it. "I like it up.""Really?" That word came out kind of squealy and hurt my ears. She grabbed my arm, pulling me along with her. "How was detention?"Speaking of the hell of yesterday afternoon, the moment she asked I spotted Ms. Spaft. It was my clear intention to avoid the woman as much as possible, but she seemed to have different ideas. Her gaze locked on mine, icy cold sternness laser focused on me."Crappy." I forced myself to look away, my only goal to get to class on time and stay th

I was almost asleep when my computer dinged and the entire world focused on the dancing pen. Sassy snarled at me and leapt aside, muttering a sleepy string of probably nasty words under his breath before curling up in a new place and flickering his tail over his nose.Couldn't care less.Sorry it's so late. My mind imagined Quaid speaking the words as he wrote. I missed his deep voice, the warmth of his chocolaty-caramel magic wrapped around me.Still up. He'd know I was lying, but that was okay. Do you have much time to talk?Some. What's up?Okay, was I that obvious? The usual Hayle craziness. For a moment I hesitated in telling him about Gram, then shook off the concern. Quaid was nothing like Grandfather Ivan. He might be a Dumont by birth, but he was a Hayle at heart.I filled him in, my fingers flying over the keyboard, telling him about Gram and Mom and Uncle Frank. About the dreams I'd had and Galleytrot's absence. Meira's odd behavior. Dad. Erica. It seemed like I poured

Liam led me into the second floor library with a huge smile on his face. Now that I wasn't acting all weird and freaked out, he seemed to genuinely enjoy being there.I'd managed to shove down my worry, hide it behind a smile and a veil of normal, but inside my mind churned. I barely registered the old carved bookcases at the front of the room, the heavy wooden desk or the vaulted ceilings painted with murals of beautiful people in old-fashioned clothing. Until I realized those murals were yet another hint, another depiction not of humans, mortals. Those paintings were of the Sidhe, no question.Who built this place, and why the connection to the fairy folk? My feelings about Wilding Springs weren't just my imagination after all, though I wasn't sure I was happy to be right about it.I looked back toward the library's front desk just in time to spot the tall, stunningly gorgeous man who stepped out from behind it, a warm and yet oddly repellant smile on his face. Shaylee quivered at

I headed straight for home after my little encounter, mind running with possibilities. Shaylee seemed tired, unwilling to communicate any further. Maybe she was just frustrated or maybe Venner was right-her power was diminished being in a mortal body. Whatever the case, I was left with my fuming demon for company and she wasn't helping any.The house was quiet when I arrived, but I heard the sounds of giggling the moment I set foot on the top of stairs. The bathroom door gaped wide, light blazing. I glanced inside, scowling over the scattered makeup and general mess covering the countertop.Whatever. Meira could clean up this disaster herself. I wasn't taking her crap on anymore.I knocked on her door, annoyance making me tense. The voices inside fell silent and no one answered. My eye roll was a classic."Meira," I snapped, "it's not like I don't know you're in there." Her glowing amber magic was muted, but easily detectable. My demon snorted over her attempt to hide while I gritt

I tried checking in on Dad, but he had the basement door warded. Part of me was pissed he wasn't paying attention when Celeste broke in, but the other half was grateful. It was probably those very wards which would have kept her from doing what she was trying to if I hadn't arrived home.That thought made me pause at the bottom of the first floor stairs. What if she wasn't heading for the basement? But if not, what was she after? I pondered the question all the way to my room. A brief touch behind Meira's door told me she was sleeping. At least I didn't have her to deal with tonight.There was still no Galleytrot waiting for me and nor could I reach him.I sat down at my computer and checked for messages. And no Quaid either. Great, it seemed everyone was ignoring me. Sassy lay curled up on the bed sleeping, so I let him, sliding under the covers myself.***The hum drives me to my knees, shaking my soul as the pounding footsteps draw closer. I lift my eyes, looking up at the Gate