Chapter 189: The Challenge
I was sure this was going to end badly for someone and just hoped it wasn't us. That's why I found myself dragging my feet on my way out of the dining room and down the hall. A small parlor furnished with heavy, antique chairs and a massive black stone fireplace was barely large enough to hold us all. Mom and Odette dominated the center with Quaid between them, with the rest of us plastered out of the way against the walls.
Dad stood to my right, his hand reaching for mine, what I'm sure he thought was a comforting look on his face. But I wasn't some kid to be placated and head patted and told there, there, dear. I knew the stakes.
By challenging Odette's control over Quaid, Mom not only exposed herself, but the entire family and the core of magic that made us who we were. My only comfort was the fact Odette did the same, and I was certain Mom was stronger.
At least, I kept telling myself she was. Mind you, despite her incredible power, Mom drew from a coven of a hundred or so. The Dumonts numbered over four hundred. So stronger or not, we were at a disadvantage from the get go. Still, I had to believe Mom knew what she was doing and have faith in her.
Like always.
At least Quaid had the decency to look embarrassed and more than a little unhappy to be the center of their attention. His eyes met mine, momentarily reaching through the chaos around him to connect with me, just like old times. My demon snarled at him while Shaylee sighed. I did the only thing I could and stayed impartial.
I shut him down and looked away. Right into Ameline's plastic face. Was that a flicker of amusement I saw? Like I cared. But I was grateful to her for the warning. Now I knew she wasn't as cold as she pretended and was probably way more dangerous than anyone else in the room.
"The magics will decided it then," Mom said calmly, drawing her wrap around her like a cloak. "One way or the other, we will honor the decision of his power."
Odette merely grunted, already planted in place, face furrowed in a frown.
I felt their power rise together, the squeeze of Dad's hand as he recognized it too. The pressure in the room grew to smothering, pushing me back against the wall. I caught a blur of motion and looked past Dad, seeing Gram, no longer acting crazy, staring at the combatants as if she wanted to leap in and take Mom's place.
Two columns of magic rose, twisting, writhing, living things. One was flawless blue, shining like a sea of sapphire beauty, threaded through with white, amber and green. The other was tinted softly purple. Together they climbed and hovered near the ceiling, firmly attached to the witches who claimed them.
"Quaid," Odette said. "Come home, c'est bien."
Her magic oozed forward, spreading wide, almost threatening as it blanketed him, sliding over him as if to possess his soul. Quaid flinched as it touched him, his magic rising to the call.
"Quaid," Mom said. "You are family." When her magic reached for him, it came toward him at eye level, a spinning branch, stroking over his arms, his legs, prodding his chest like an eager puppy. Everywhere it touched, the Dumont magic retreated as though burned. Quaid's magic, that lovely, warm weighty feel I remembered, went right to Mom, dropping free of Odette.
The old woman thickened her cloud, trying to slide between Mom and Quaid, but it found no purchase. As I stood there, watching the silent battle, for a battle it was, I had no doubt, I was disheartened to realize both women were equally as powerful, and that it was only the fact Quaid's magic was pledged to our family that Mom was able to win.
Some victory. Odette's power finally retreated with a snap as Quaid's magic locked in place with Mom.
"Confirmed," Mom said softly as if she'd done nothing worth mentioning. "He is indeed a Hayle witch."
Odette attempted to hide her scowl, but I could see it, the tightness around her eyes, the way her hands clenched even as she fought to smile.
"So it's been decided," she said, turning to Quaid with all kinds of fake sadness coloring her expression. "To find you now, only to lose you again so quickly." She withdrew an embroidered handkerchief from the pocket of her dark wool suit and dabbed at her dry eyes. "But we must obey coven law, mustn't we, mon cher?"
At least Quaid was now safe. All I had to worry about was Mia. She was crying, being comforted by the brothers. Kristophe actually had his arm around my friend, Jean Marc grinning at me like it was funny.
Oh, I was rescuing her all right. No way could I let those two win.
Ameline didn't seem all that concerned she'd just lost her future husband. In fact, she looked bored. Seriously.
I was about to reach for Quaid, to apologize, when he turned to Mom and broke my heart all over again.
"I want to be released from the Hayle coven," he said.
Why didn't Mom look surprised? Only very sad, real sadness. She didn't say anything for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. When she did speak, it was directly to him, as if they were alone in the room, with an intimacy that made me want to cry.
"You came to us under such difficult circumstance," Mom said, "but I knew your heart was pure, Quaid. I've always trusted you to make the right decisions. You are valued, more than you know, a part of this family who love and accept you as you are." I expected her to break out the guilt she'd always used on me, but it never showed. "You will always have a place with us, no matter where your path leads you." She reached for him only to drop her hand. "You're certain of your choice?"
Quaid hesitated. Even he looked like had choked up. But he nodded then. "Thank you," he said, voice thick. "For everything, Miriam. You've given me far more than I ever deserved." He glanced over at Odette who was doing her best to look innocent while triumph shone in her eyes. "But they are my family," he said. "And you of all people should know how important family is to me. That I will do everything I can to protect them and to avenge them if they come to harm."
Mom's shoulders stiffened, only for a moment, before she nodded. "Very well." Her power retreated, bits still clinging. "We'll miss you and treasure the memory of your magic." With a wrenching, tearing sound that hit me in my gut, she pulled free.
I felt it instantly, his departure, the lack of connection and missed it like he'd died. He stood there, lost and forlorn, orphaned magic clinging to him. But not for long. Even as his eyes met mine again and a silent apology touched me from his gaze, Odette's power lashed out in a rush and engulfed him.
Quaid rocked from the contact, but held his ground as his power was absorbed and assimilated into the Dumont family magic. I couldn't help but feel like he'd sold his soul right along with it.
Quaid turned to face Odette, going down on one knee, dark head bowing. "I swear allegiance to the Dumont family coven," he said, "and will do everything in my power to ensure its safety and that of its members for as long as I have breath."
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