Chapter 228: Apologies
Alison was waiting for me when I arrived at Johnny's. I saw her standing by the door, bouncing impatiently on her toes as she stood there, alone. As soon as she spotted me she began to wave, jerking little motions with her hand, a wide smile plastered on her desperate face. My heart, already softening, cracked open and forgave her.
She rushed forward the second I parked, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could feel every bone in her ribcage. Alison was always thin, but how did I miss she was turning into a skeleton?
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," endlessly, on and on, whispered into my ear until I pushed her gently away and tried a smile.
Succeeded. "Al," I said. "It's okay."
She shook her head, ponytail swinging wildly, tears standing in her blue eyes. "It's not," she said. "I should never have doubted you. I know better." She shifted from one foot to the other, hands winding together as if to keep from latching onto me again. "You're my best friend and I know I need to trust you. Over Page." She rolled her eyes. "I'm such an idiot."
"I did try to reach you." I armed Minnie's alarm as we headed for the glass door to the diner.
"I know." She flushed. "I lost my phone after the battery died. When I picked up my new one I got your messages." Her hand landed on my arm and she stopped me just before I pulled the door open. "I'm just feeling..." her eyes drifted away from mine, mind obviously churning. "Unbalanced. Like I have no idea what my life is for." She shrugged her slender shoulders, the strap of her purse sliding. Alison automatically reached up to adjust it though I was sure the motion was subconscious. She was still lost inside herself. "I'm sorry I've been such a loser."
I hugged her then, impulsively. "We all have our stuff, Al," I said. "I'm just as guilty. Let's just forget it and move on, okay?"
She sniffed and smiled, tucking back a stray piece of hair. She looked the most like herself she had in a long time, the brittle vulnerability easing. "Perfect." She paused. "Liam?"
I wasn't going to stop being his friend. In fact, I needed to be at this point. But Alison surprised and impressed me.
"I was jealous," she spoke in a gush, "because I thought you wanted to be with him and not me. Silly." Her giggle was soft, child-like. "Besides, you're taken and he's adorable." She winked at me.
Why did that thought make my stomach churn with my own green monster?
"What happened to you thinking he was gay?" It came out harsher than I intended.
She actually flushed, the color traveling down her neck so I knew it was genuine. "I was being mean," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
Alison didn't need to tell me she was sorry. I wasn't the one she'd judged. But then again, Liam had no idea. I was glad I hadn't said anything and let it go.
We spent the next couple of hours just hanging out, being normal. It was nice and helped me find my own kind of balance. With my outside-the-coven life being in upheaval, I hadn't realized how much it added to the stress of what was going on at home.
By the time I left Alison we were besties again. And while she still felt a little clingy, the horrible desperation in her was gone, or at least mostly so, which allowed me to stop worrying about her.
Naturally that led my mind to Mom and Gram and Uncle Frank and my anxiety notched back up. By the time I pulled into our driveway, I was a mess again. But at least I'd managed to have a little time to unwind and forget.
It was later than I intended and the house was dark when I let myself in the kitchen and flipped the light switch. A shriek escaped me, power surging forth at the sight of Celeste standing in the middle of the room. I clutched at my T-shirt as adrenaline pounded my system, my demon snarling in her own reaction.
"What the hell?" My nerves turned to anger in a flash, fed by amber power. "You scared the crap out of me. I almost disintegrated you."
Celeste's face settled. Only then did I realize she wasn't just standing there, that she seemed to be heading further into the house by the position of her body and that she'd looked as startled as me.
"I came to offer you my aid." Her long, brown horsetail braid hung past her shoulder, swinging by her right knee as she pivoted her large body toward me. Man hands almost the size of my dad's stroked the ever-present rope of hair. The gesture, clearly a habit, always gave me the creeps, like she was petting a dead animal or something.
My eyebrows pulled together, body stiffening. Like I'd even for a second accept any help from her. Not after her continued attempts to take my mother down. And especially not now that I knew she was a Purity witch absorbed into our coven.
"Thanks," I said at my most dry, "I'm sure that's why you're here." I felt around her, noticed her power was shielded. No wonder I hadn't felt her pass the seal on the wards I'd set earlier. She made sure I didn't. "You could have knocked." What was she doing in my house?
"The source of our coven's power lies in the basement of this place." Her huffy tone hid something, I knew it. "Your mother saw to that. Which means the entire coven must have access to it at any time."
Likely excuse, but not exactly plausible. "You needed access why?"
Celeste didn't answer my question. "I know we've been at odds in the past," she said, tone supposed to be soothing I think, but coming across as threatening. "But I want you to know I have only ever had the best interests of this family at heart and I am here to offer you guidance." She took a step toward me, voice dropping lower. "It was reprehensible how Erica treated you the other night, in front of the entire coven. I'm here to be your right hand if you choose to depose her for her error."
Ah. So it was the old divide and conquer. Did she think I was a total idiot? Or that vain? Like I'd ever choose her over Erica, no matter what the other witch did. Erica was Mom's choice, someone I'd known and trusted my entire life. My gripe with Erica was between her and me.
I smiled sweetly, my demon snarling at me while Shaylee lent me her poise. "Keep dreaming those deluded dreams, Celeste."
Her face stiffened, whole body retreating from me as she drew herself to her full height, towering over me. "You'd do well to be more respectful," she growled, power suddenly free and shifting around her. "You don't have your mother here to protect you any longer and there are those of us who put the good of the coven ahead of her wishes to have you play leader."
Oh she did not just threaten me. I let out my own magic, all three forms surging to the surface. I didn't let it touch her, just wanting her to feel the strength at my disposal. Following Mom's lead, I showed her exactly what she was up against and allowed her to decide.
"I know who you are," I said, keeping my tone light and low, but firm. "I'm aware you were a Purity witch and Mom accepted you and the few who survived into our coven, our family, after your leader betrayed you all." Celeste's face twitched with each word, and I could tell she longed to lash out at me. Part of me wanted her to, just so I'd have reason to crush her once and for all. "And I also know you would do anything you could to bring my mother down. Isn't that right?"
I watched with something very close to glee as she grappled with her rage, certain at any moment she would implode if she held it much longer. But the beet redness in her face faded, the hands clenched around her braid falling away. Rats. I was so hoping for a show.
"Heed my warning, Sydlynn Hayle," she said. "The days of such impudence, such arrogance, are numbered. This coven will not tolerate another disaster."
"And you just threatened me for the last time." I stepped aside, pointing at the door. "Get out and don't you dare set one foot back in this house unless you come ask me for permission first."
So. Freaking. Fun. As pissed as I was, this leader thing was a blast. Especially this part. My demon roared her laughter and even Shaylee giggled like a girl.
Celeste knew I wasn't afraid of her. I could see it in her eyes and she hated me for it.
I let my magic slam the door behind her as she stomped her way out. Only then did I laugh, hugging myself to hold it in. Not that it was really funny. She'd pretty much just told me she was still working against the coven, Mom, me. And I knew I had to take the threat seriously.
But just for a second I wanted to enjoy the fact I'd finally won a battle, if not the endless war.
***
