All Chapters of Hayle Coven Novels: Chapter 361 - Chapter 370

I wasn't surprised when Charlotte practically took my arm on the walk back to my dorm, nor by the feeling of watchers dressed in black robes who observed us as we made our way the very short distance back to my hall. It was almost funny, actually, but my weregirl companion wasn't laughing and neither were the Enforcers who stood guard, so I held in my amusement.The feeling that everything was sharper and clearer had begun to fade, as was my ability to feel and almost see the emotions of those around me. I found myself missing the intimacy of it, though had to admit it would make life more complicated if I was constantly distracted by the emotions of others. Still, it was nice to have insights I'd never had before and understand with absolute clarity I wasn't the only one who was screwed up.Sassafras trotted at my side, refusing to let me carry him. "Just in case," he said. And he might have been right. The precious second it would take me to drop him if we were attacked could make

I lasted the entire day without actually contacting Quaid, a fact of which I was very proud. No needy, grasping me. Nope, nope.It was hard to maintain that stance when I finally reached for him only for Quaid to gently tell me he couldn't talk and cut me off.Jerkaroni.Didn't help I felt her in his background. The honey-blonde. Whatever her stupid name was.Didn't help at all.I peeled away from the gang and went my own way, sitting in a quiet corner of the cafeteria alone with Charlotte to eat my dinner, calling up as much anger as I could to keep from going in search of Quaid and demanding he love me.Jerkasaurus.My aloneness continued with a short walk through the Yard to the Holden Chapel where I found a bench between two large, sheltering bushes and sat on my hands to keep from wringing them together. The sound of mingling voices, the glee choir singing inside the chapel, helped to calm me a little. It was something to focus on at least, and they really were very, very g

I'd barely reached his door, hand raised to knock, when Liam jerked it open."Syd," he said, face full of concern, "what's wrong?"Was I really broadcasting that much? Oops. Time to tone it back a little bit. But my encounter with Quaid had me riled up and I'd done nothing but stew over it my entire stomping journey to Liam's door."I need your help." Part of me cringed, waiting for him to abandon me, too."Anything." He grabbed his jacket, was out the door and standing beside me before I could recover from the surge of gratitude that went a long way to healing the mess Quaid left behind. I hugged him hard, welcoming the earthy feeling of his Sidhe power and was even more thankful when Liam hugged me back."Thank you for trusting me," I whispered."Always," he said. Pushed me back. "I tried to see you last night, after the attack." His face twisted in concern. "But Charlotte and your mother wouldn't let me."I glanced at my bodywere who had the good grace to look embarrassed."

Charlotte insisted on standing guard outside my door while Sassafras, Liam and I talked over what happened and tried to make plans. Hard to do without having all the answers we needed. And really, my best plans usually involved just jumping in with all the fire power I could muster and hoping for the best.Sassafras finally left us to go see Mom. We decided he was the best choice."Though I doubt she'll listen to me, either," he said. "But I'll try."I felt a momentary pang of guilt over Meira. I'd promised I'd go visit her that night, but, with everything that was happening, I just couldn't. I sat on the edge of my bed, letting out a big gust of air and a gentle caress to my sister's mind.Sorry, Meems. I have to bail on you.It's okay. I could feel others with her, hear giggling. Sassy hadn't been kidding. Was my little sister turning into some kind of party maven? And on a school night?Her laugh tinkled in my head as she caught my shock. Night, Mom. Another giggle.Smart ass

Of course Maurice didn't want to let me in, but I was in no shape to listen, to pay attention. My demon, still raging and hurting, shoved him aside as I forced my way into Mom's quarters, calling for her in mind and voice.I just really needed my mother to hug me and let me cry and tell me everything was going to be all right. Because if she did, if that happened, I knew everything would be.Not how things turned out.Mom stormed out of her office, her fury apparent, power slamming into me and bringing me to a rocking halt. "Sydlynn Thaddea Hayle!" She blocked off my attempt to reach her with my mind, the slap of her power so harsh it broke through my desperate grief and made everything clear again. "You cannot just barge in here and demand attention any time you want it!"I gaped at her, her anger the final blow my heart could take."You're not a little girl anymore," Mom said. "If you have a problem, deal with it."Everything I was feeling suddenly shattered outward, shards of