All Chapters of Hayle Coven Novels: Chapter 621 - Chapter 630

Well, that was productive.I stood with Gram and Varity in one corner of the Yard, arms crossed, back against a tree as the pair glared at each other. I could tell from the way their faces twitched they were talking among themselves but didn't have the energy to break into the conversation.When Gram finally spoke out loud, I jumped."No," she snarled, clearly continuing where her mental voice left off, "I wasn't aware at the time the Council power had that much influence. Do you think I would have just let Miriam fall into this bottomless pit without support if I'd known?" She blew a gust of air from between her pursed lips. "It wasn't until Miriam attacked Syd I realized just how far this had gone."Varity's shoulders slumped, hands clenched into a knot in front of her chest. "I've witnessed such influence," she said. "But never on such a level." Her eyes settled on me. "Nor have I seen a Council Leader fight so hard against her own magic."To protect me. I knew that already. Gr

I stared at the dark canopy over my bed while my mind twisted and turned in so many directions I didn't think I'd ever put the jigsaw puzzle of my thoughts back together.Trill and I went to the Sidhe Gate cavern after dinner to see Liam. She was able to pass through the wards at my side, Charlotte grumbling on my other, but when it came to the Gate, it was as Trill feared. While she could pass through, her power practically vanished as we stepped across the barrier and into the realm"I can't function here," she said, turning to run one hand over the bubble between worlds, Liam watching from the other side. "And I doubt my brothers could, either. We simply don't have the right kind of power." Her eyes met mine, her face tiny and elfish on this side, reminding me more of a pixie than Sidhe. "And there's no way of knowing what kind of impact we would have. Possibly negative." She shuddered, hugging herself as a breeze rippled over us from the storm, a crack of lightning and a rumble o

The kitchen filled with the aroma of pancakes, soft talk in the late night/very early morning, the sky nowhere close to hinting at dawn. Gram wielded her favorite spatula like a weapon as Charlotte hovered by the door, staring out into the dark. Shenka squeezed my shoulder as she went about her usual business and I realized then, we'd made ourselves an oddly organized and predictable family. With a routine. I felt like the 50s dad who sat around while life went on without him, waiting to be served.Charlotte's low growl and subsequent reach for the door made me tense, only to relax as she pulled it open to reveal a yawning Trill."Felt a disturbance in the house," she said. "I take it something happened?"She listened quietly, helping herself to pancakes as I told her about Alison. I sighed. One more thing to worry about, one more loose thread I let fall and fray because I forgot or was distracted by other things."You need to let Demetrius take care of that echo." Gram slammed my

Sassafras wouldn't let me go off with Demetrius alone, scampering away to raise the alarm even as I hissed at him to come back. Within moments, Gram and Charlotte hovered next to me while Demetrius did a little hopping dance of frustration over the delay."Shenka." I met her eyes, saw her bend to scoop up Sassafras whose big amber eyes blinked slowly at me once.I didn't have to say anything else."We'll hold the fort," she said. "And protect the family. No matter what."Sassy's tail thrashed in agreement."Keep an eye on the Enforcers," I said. "They might try to push you. Don't let them."She grinned, a nasty expression as Sassafras hummed a growl in the back of his throat. "Might be fun," she said. Trill giggled behind her hand before sobering."We'll distract them, if necessary." Her dark eyes glittered in the light of the single bulb illuminating the basement. "My brothers and I have had experience with evasion in the past." I just bet. "Good luck."I could only imagine wh

I let the shield drop completely as the vampires around me either collapsed or stood stunned, looking around at each other, blinking, waking as though from a terrible dream. Uncle Frank came forward, hugged me, tall, strong body shaking."Love you," he whispered into my hair before turning to Gram and hugging her, too.Sunny just stared at me with horror growing in her eyes, both hands clutching at her skirt, giant fistfuls of satin crushed under her grip. I stepped into her space, slid my arms around her and squeezed her, let her feel my love for her even as the gem with the taint pulsed softly in my fist.She hugged me back, but it took some time, hands finally releasing their death grip on her skirt, rising to press against my back, cold cheek on mine."Thank you," she whispered."Sunny," I leaned back. "What happened?"She shook her head, frown creasing her flawless face as she sank to the step behind her, head in her hands. "I don't know," she said. Uncle Frank joined her, t