All Chapters of Hayle Coven Novels: Chapter 271 - Chapter 280

One call was all it took. The coven flooded to my aid, several members arriving in short order to whisk the Enforcer back to the house. I chose to ride the veil, figuring it was good practice, but more so wanting the time to myself.I beat them home, coming face-to-face with Mom as I emerged in the back yard. She didn't say anything, just hugged me and led me back inside. Sassy grabbed me the moment I walked in and hugged me too, silently. I'd almost forgotten all about him, about Dad and the rest of the mess in the face of the Dumonts and the dying Enforcer.Tires peeled up and two of our more burly witches guided the man's black-clad body into the house. Mom leaped into action, gesturing imperiously for them to place him on the kitchen table. One swipe and the matching salt and pepper shakers and napkin holder were magicked safely to the counter, leaving the table free for surgery.Mom's hands acted quickly, pulling away Pender's cloak. Everyone gasped, even me. A thin, short-hand

The world wavered, wobbled. Shapes drifted past me, sounds echoing in and out. I struggled to rise, caught a distorted image of Sassafras, his mouth gaping open, magic flashing, people being thrown about. He staggered as I had, a cloth shoved over his face as he collapsed backward into the arms of someone dressed in white.A familiar face drifted into view, her petite features twisted into a snarl of hate. I recognized Rosetta, the white Chosen robe she wore, but was unable to gather my magic, my senses, my head still ringing from the blow I'd taken.I knew I had to get up, get moving, go after him, save him... but the world wobbled again and I collapsed sideways, reaching out to him.White robes surrounded me, hands grasping, pulling. My demon lashed out on her own, Shaylee at her side, their combined magic sending the Chosen members flying back from me though I was only peripherally aware they took action. The pain had come at last, disorientation fed by agony of a pulsing, knife

I was more than happy to fight again. Galleytrot had shrunk back down to his normal still-gigantic size, but I saw his shoulders shudder as he gathered his power. I knew he could handle the werewolves, leaving me to fight Jean Marc and Kristophe with Sunny's help. No problem. So as the two Dumont boys emerged from the darkness, the older smirking at me while the younger blew me a kiss, I knew we'd be fine.They were toast.Problem was, they had their own plan.I felt her move before I could turn, reached out with my power to keep her from lighting the pyre, but Rosetta was faster than me this time, the spark of magic she used fed by her sorcery, igniting the kindling in a whoosh of super heated air.My hasty shield protected Sassafras from the worst of it, but I was thrown further out, away from the flames, falling to my knees from the pressure of the heat wave. Sunny flickered beside me, all of her rage focused on the werewolves.I let her and Galleytrot deal with them, pouring a

Even Celeste looked shocked at that. None of us expected Mom to go that far. Not even me. But there she was, hands outstretched while Erica gaped like she couldn't breathe."Miriam," she choked at last, "what are you doing?""The only thing I can do to keep my family safe." Mom had calmed, real calm this time, not the fake coven leader type I'd grown used to over the years. This was Mom fully entrenched in a choice and happy to have made it, utterly willing to face the consequences. "Now, will you accept leadership?"It was then I realized she hadn't offered it to me. Probably knew I'd never take it. Or, more likely, that offering it to me wouldn't distance our family far enough from the rest of the coven for her to act. Grim and heart aching, I decided then and there I was behind Mom completely and sent her my support.Erica had gone so pale I thought she'd pass out. "Miriam, I can't." She backed away a pace. "Don't you see this is what the Dumont's want? If we lose you, we lose e

We were almost to the park when Galleytrot let out a yelp of surprise."Sassafras." He bounded off at full speed, leaving me to slide over the veil in pursuit, a desperate hope in my heart.I caught up with him at the edge of town, near the site where Suzanne had been taken over by the Firblog magician, Cesard and his collection of occupiers. "You can feel him?""Smell him." Galleytrot snuffled the air noisily, anger in his tone. "He was close, Syd. He was here." The big dog snarled and spun. "This way!"He was off again like a shot, covering ground so fast I had no choice but to use my demon magic to ride the veil. I ducked in and out for what seemed like forever, finally emerging in a rush, almost running into him as I flung myself from the edge, looking around for danger. A lake of shining water stretched out before us, sunlight sparkling from the calm surface."Nothing." Galleytrot howled, deep and long and full of fury, the ground under our feet shaking with the power of his