Chapter 205: Were Attack
My magic came to me in a rush of power, surrounding me before any of the werewolves could reach me. I sent out a pulse of energy, scattering them, keeping them as far from me as possible. Werewolf bites were contagious and there was no cure.
Odette Dumont's last attempt to piss of my mother, it seemed. And my old friend had a hand in it.
We'd just see about that.
The werewolves gathered themselves and attacked for the second time. This round went to Shaylee. Green earth magic rippled upward through the ground, into their bodies, pulling them with such force toward the earth they howled in agony. The surge only lasted a moment, the increase of gravity just enough to make them hesitate. They paced around me, snarling and licking their muzzles, grotesquely twisted bodies, half human, half animal, fluid in motion.
When they came at me for the third time I let my demon have them. Sheets of amber fire roared outward, driving them back, singeing fur and raising blisters on their skin. They recovered rapidly, as werewolves do, but it was enough to make them pause yet again.
I was running out of tricks and knew my magic wouldn't hold out forever. But every time I tried to turn and escape they circled me again. I hesitated to kill any of them. Even more now I was convinced, from the agony on their inhuman faces and the insanity in their eyes, they were being driven to this action, whipped into attacking me when they would never have done so of their own accord.
Odette had so much to answer for.
Still, if they didn't back off soon, I'd be forced to start taking lives. The very idea repulsed me. I know, I know-I would love to see Ameline dead, Odette too. But I wasn't sure I was prepared to pull the magic trigger.
Something roared from the darkness, a black shape darker even than the night, barreling through the line of werewolves to plant four huge paws firmly before me. Galleytrot raised his massive head and howled long and loud, the sound rippling outward in a wave of power, the earth shaking beneath me, the very air vibrating with the call of the Wild Hunt. For a moment I was terrified he would raise them with his magic, but he cut off before that ancient power could stir again.
It was enough to break the spell holding the werewolves in place. I felt it compress around them before shattering outward, howling its rage as the controls over them were blasted apart by the magic of the Sidhe.
The werewolves transformed back into human form almost as one, the sound of their reversion sounding like a ripple of tearing flesh. They collapsed to the grass as a collective, panting loudly into the darkness. Charlotte looked up at me, face contorted in pain and hatred.
"It's not our doing," she said, "nor our choice. But we must obey."
"No," I said. "He's freed you. You can do as you wish from now on."
Incredulity flickered in her eyes. "It's impossible."
"Not for me." Galleytrot approached her, swiped her face with his tongue. "You are free, wolf."
I saw her feeling around inside herself, witnessed her despair turn to hope and finally to the most desperate of relief. She wept then, they all did. "The rest of our people are still with her." That word came out like a curse. "Raoul." Longing. "We can't let her have them."
"We'll do our best." I let my magic drop, no longer needing it, scratching Galleytrot's head. "Thanks for the rescue."
One big eye winked. "My pleasure. I'd have been here sooner, but Sassy and I were patrolling."
She's all right I take it? Sassafras's mental tone was decidedly snappy. He burst from the darkness, a streak of silver, heading right for my legs. I lifted him even as he tried to climb my body, his fat form trembling, tongue out as he panted from the exertion of his run.
"I'm fine, thanks. But I have to go."
"We'll take care of this lot," Galleytrot said. "Go help your mother."
Minnie made that drive so fast. I barely had time to be scared I was so pissed off. It seemed like I'd just climbed behind the wheel when my headlights flashed over a large group of people gathered in the hotel parking lot. I didn't bother to park nicely, just threw the car in gear and jerked out the keys, stomping my way to my mother's side. I glared at Mia who wouldn't meet my eyes.
There was my proof.
"Syd." Mom stared at me, at the fury in my face. "What happened?"
Raoul looked unhappy. Terrified even. And Odette was positively furious.
"I was attacked," I said. "By a pack of werewolves." I pointed at Raoul. "Charlotte and her friends."
He was so pale. I wished I could reassure him, but he still belonged to Odette. Let him think they were dead. Maybe it would be enough for him to win free on his own.
"I sent my wolves to escort your family to the hotel." Odette was clearly scrambling for position. "You mean to tell me you killed my servants?"
Oh please, spare me. "You sent your wolves to infect me," I snapped back.
"I highly doubt she would do anything of the sort." Celeste spoke up, actually stepping forward. Eyes turned to her, coven eyes, my coven. I made a mental note of each and every one of them. "As usual, this troublesome child is stirring up issues in our coven in an attempt to win her mother's attention."
I hissed out a breath. That whole 'didn't think I could kill' thing? Yeah. I was so over that.
Mom simply rolled her eyes. "Is that the best you can do, Celeste?" She smiled at the woman who looked to her right then her left, waiting for support that never came.
Guess Gram got through to the traitors after all. I wondered what she told them.
Or did to them.
I could only imagine.
Mom's power lashed out, knocking Celeste backward. She then ignored her, turning to the Dumont leader. "Clearly this is one final attempt to discredit my family," Mom said. "Your games are pathetic, Odette. I'm disgusted by them and will no longer play. We are here for one reason and one reason only." Mom gestured. Erica and Dad brought Ameline forward, the Vegas hovering behind her. The girl was surrounded by the glow of the family magic and seemed to flinch slightly when it touched her.
Shadows flickered into form and the vampires were there. Not just a few. Again the blood clan gathered, this time in full view. And from their number strode Sunny, Anastasia and Uncle Frank.
At first I was relieved. He was himself! Until he turned his head to look at me and I knew the truth. His beautiful face, so boyishly handsome, was perfect on one side, flawless as ever.
The other was melted slag. His clear blue eye was yellowed, shriveled in the socket, teeth showing through a raw gap in his cheek. He reminded me of one of our family candles after a ceremony, still mostly intact except where the wax made it through.
I wish I could say I held my shock and pity inside, but from the look in his eyes he saw it. And, in that moment, his expression told me he hated me for it.
I hardly blamed him. The last thing he needed right now was to be judged.
"We have come," Sunny said, "having been told the truth of this matter. And we are here to pronounce judgment on the false accuser."
The vampire clan closed in, pale faces hovering in the dark. The werewolves shifted and hummed softly under their breath, agitated and angry. But no one was angrier than Odette.
"As the one so wrongfully accused," Sunny said to Uncle Frank, "what punishment do you demand in retribution?"
"Death." His voice was cold, deep, echoing as if his soul had gone and only hate remained.
The clan sighed their approval.
"Agreed," Sunny said, her beautiful face a mask of ice Ameline could never even begin to replicate. "Death."
There it was. The air hung heavy around us, the silence deep and aching. This was the moment and every single person, undead or not, understood.
"I won't allow it," Odette said through clenched teeth.
"You have no choice," Mom said. "They have passed judgment as is their right."
"I will not allow it!" Odette shrieked at Mom, body vibrating with magic, her façade slipping one more time. I didn't look away, memorizing the hideousness of her real face so I'd never, ever forget who she really was.
"Then take your stand." Gram emerged from the night, shoving her way through vampires and werewolves to enter the circle that had formed.
Odette shook so violently I was sure she was having a seizure.
"Naudia was right," Gram whispered, her words just reaching me, though Odette heard her loud and clear. "You were the one who should have died. Not her."
Odette seemed to stretch, straining against some unseen control keeping her in check. I watched it break, saw her free herself from whatever held her back, had only a moment to wonder what or who contained her in the first place before she drew her power to her and used it to shove Gram back.
"Miriam Hayle," she shrieked, "I challenge you!"
***
