Chapter 196: Holy Matrimony
Even Gram fell silent at that. I was so shocked it took me a long moment to say anything. And what did come out was pretty succinct.
"What?"
Odette's smile told me I'd made her very happy. "Consider it," she said. "Our two families, entwined again. You do know my dear cousin Ivan was your grandfather?"
I had a shuddering moment when I realized I was related to Quaid. Sorta. Distantly. Still.
"On my father's side," Odette smiled. "Twice removed." Which meant no cousins for Quaid and me after all. Phew.
And why was I worried about that exactly?
After all, I wasn't actually taking her seriously was I? Until it struck me. Opportunity was knocking and I was more than happy to open the door and let it stroll inside.
I could tell from Gram's feelings of approval she was thinking the same thing.
"What about Ameline?" I found myself blushing and didn't try to fight it. Best to let Odette think she had me. "Won't she be disappointed?"
Odette shrugged, a small smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "She's adaptable," she said. "And she also knows she needs to do what's best for her coven."
Felt like a jab. I let it go. "Quaid and I..." I struggled with the right thing to say. "I'm not sure. Mom won't go for it at all."
Odette pounced. "Your mother doesn't know your heart," she purred. "But you do, Sydlynn. And Quaid is in it."
It would have been funny if she hadn't been right. "What happened to doing what's best for the coven?" Wide-eyed innocence, that was me. And she bought it.
"You'll be coven leader some day," she said, tone soothing. "You'll understand how important it is to strengthen your power base whenever the opportunity arises. And this is an excellent opportunity. Imagine, our two families as one." Odette's eyes shone. "The magic we would have at our disposal."
I didn't bother telling her by the time Mom died and I took over it was pretty likely Odette would be long gone herself.
"It sounds good," I said. "It's just..."
"You can tell me anything, chere." Odette leaned forward and patted my hand. Ew.
"She won't listen to me." I heard the familiar whine in my voice, the one I used to despise back when I still fought who I was. Good thing I spent so many years practicing. It came out sounding completely authentic. "Mom won't let me near Quaid ever again, I know it."
I even let tears rise in my eyes. It was an easy thing. I just had to think of him.
Damn it.
Odette squeezed my fingers while her magic oozed out, just the barest breath of it, to touch mine. Did she think she was being subtle, really? I guess she was just used to dealing with less powerful witches.
"I'll talk to her with you, Sydlynn," Odette said. "True love should never be denied. Your mother is very aware of that. Consider your father, for example."
Her power continued to wrap around me, searching for a way in. I held still, not wanting to alert her to the fact I knew what she was doing, playing the fool. I hated it, but Gram encouraged me from her quiet corner in my mind so I did my best.
"I never get what I want." Did I really sound like that once upon a time? Wow. I wanted to slap myself.
"Join our family," Odette said, gaze hypnotic, "and I promise you, there is nothing your heart will not have."
I almost believed her. Knew the spell she wove was powerful, more than I gave her credit for. She was a con artist, using magic to get what she wanted. I wondered how many witches she'd ensnared over the years, if this is how she'd won Quaid's loyalty, that of the weres. Had to be.
My disgust was so strong I couldn't hold back any longer. My demon uncoiled and lashed out, severing the spell. The recoil of her magic sent Odette back into her chair, a look of complete shock on her face.
Gram grumbled to me about ruining the moment, but my anger wouldn't be denied any longer. "The next time you try that," I snapped, "you'll have more than your power come back at you."
Her eyes narrowed, but her smile returned. "How wonderful," she murmured. "Quaid was right about you."
All at once I knew, this had nothing to do with me joining her coven. It was a test, plain and simple. And I passed, at least in her eyes. Which meant, naturally, I'd failed myself.
Craptastic.
At least Gram didn't bother saying I told you so.
"He was," I said. "But he doesn't have the whole story. And now he never will." I stood up. "Nor will you."
Odette remained where she was, the foot of her crossed leg bobbing up and down. I didn't know if it was a sign of agitation or amusement. "It's been absolutely delightful," she said. "I take it you know the way out?"
Did I ever. I turned my back on her and marched toward the door, brushing past Charlotte without another look. The hall on the other side was dim, the air heavy and closed. I needed to leave that place, to escape outside and breathe fresh air. But I was brought up short as I stormed toward the exit, by the very person I'd just been discussing.
Quaid stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching me. Bad choice. I stopped mid-stomp and let him have it.
"I don't care if you're related to these people," I bit out. "Anyone who willingly associates with them is seriously flawed. Wake up, Quaid."
He didn't say anything. Glared with his dark eyes, magic wrapped around him like a cloak.
Fine. Be that way. He could waste his life under the thumb of these horrible witches for all I cared. But if he even for a moment got in the way of me protecting my family, I would not hesitate to remove him as a threat.
Would not.
I put all of that into a shaft of anger and jabbed him with it. He flinched, but didn't respond. Such a coward.
The exit and freedom. I turned, almost reached it, when the door opened. The brothers blocked my way, the two of them smirking like they knew something I didn't. I was seriously so wound up I would have clocked the two of them then and there if Gram hadn't latched onto my mind and clamped down.
"Sydlynn." Jean Marc slouched sideways, filling his half of the doorway. I could smell the breeze coming in past him, but it was tainted by the scent of his stinking European cologne. "How lovely to run into you."
Kristophe snickered. "Delicious," he said.
Gram!
Pay attention.
"We're so glad we ran into you." As if I wasn't standing in their doorway. Or that they didn't know I'd be here. I was positive they had.
"Aren't we just." Kristophe eyed me up and down. I satisfied my demon's need to break him in half by letting her imagine skinning him slowly, starting with his eyelids. She hummed happily to the fantasy as Jean Marc went on.
"We're holding a bit of a soiree this evening," he said. "Some of the local children are coming to play."
It was clear how much they thought of their soon-to-be-guests.
"You must join us," Kristophe said. "It's going to be wicked."
I knew he didn't mean cool. They were up to something. But even Gram agreed I should probably make myself scarce. Who knew what kind of trouble I could get into if I showed up?
"Thanks but no thanks." I stood there for a moment, staring them down. "You're going to move now."
Kristophe flashed his teeth at me, but Jean Marc didn't budge.
"You're sure you won't change your mind?" Tell me he wasn't trying to thrall me? I laughed out loud and slapped his magic away, making him wince.
"I said, you're going to move. Now." No magic. But I let my demon out, felt my vision alter as she emerged enough for them to see her. The spark of fear in Kristophe's eyes was satisfying. I just wished I could do more.
"Young masters." Charlotte was beside me before I heard her approach. "The Mistress is asking for you."
They slunk off toward the parlor while Charlotte stood next to me, watching them go.
"Have a safe drive home," she said. Was that a warning?
I did a careful check of my car before I even climbed behind the wheel, just in case.
***
