Chapter 272: Pender Tremere
One call was all it took. The coven flooded to my aid, several members arriving in short order to whisk the Enforcer back to the house. I chose to ride the veil, figuring it was good practice, but more so wanting the time to myself.
I beat them home, coming face-to-face with Mom as I emerged in the back yard. She didn't say anything, just hugged me and led me back inside. Sassy grabbed me the moment I walked in and hugged me too, silently. I'd almost forgotten all about him, about Dad and the rest of the mess in the face of the Dumonts and the dying Enforcer.
Tires peeled up and two of our more burly witches guided the man's black-clad body into the house. Mom leaped into action, gesturing imperiously for them to place him on the kitchen table. One swipe and the matching salt and pepper shakers and napkin holder were magicked safely to the counter, leaving the table free for surgery.
Mom's hands acted quickly, pulling away Pender's cloak. Everyone gasped, even me. A thin, short-handled silver dagger, glowing with lavender fire, stuck out of the man's stomach, pulsing softly with his heartbeat and a life of its own.
Family magic wrapped him up in a blue glow, oozing around the flickering light of the opposing energy. Intense and focused, Mom's hands bent as if gripping the blade, though it was a rope of her magic that did the actual deed. Pender cried out as the knife emerged, family magic plunging in to seal the hole, diving inside him, expelling crackling strings of lavender fire before flashing over and repairing the wound on the way out.
Mom's magic held the knife suspended, allowing every single one of us to feel it through our connection to her-the Dumonts were the source, no doubt about it. The bits and pieces of power left over magnetized right to it, making it glow brighter as it almost writhed and growled in Mom's grip.
I felt Celeste coming before she broke through the kitchen door, her face so pale I thought she might pass out. James was right behind her, looking just as shocked, but more guilty than anything.
So she'd betrayed us again, told the Dumonts we were finally at our weakest point and ripe for an attack. I found myself grinning at her with the image of her crumpled into a puddle of begging patheticness at my feet filling my head.
Her gaze flickered to me before settling on the knife.
"What have you done this time, evil child?"
There was no way she was getting away with it. The whole coven turned on her this time, to my shock and appreciation. She staggered backwards as Erica, face a mask of fury, poked her hard in the chest with one finger.
"Back. The. Hell. Off."
Right on.
Pender groaned softly, struggled to sit up. Mom gestured and Martin Vega, one of his rescuers, helped support him as he swung sideways, head hanging, regaining his strength. He looked up at last, meeting Mom's eyes.
"Thank you, Hayle Coven leader," he said. "You saved my life."
Everyone sighed, most of us in relief. Only Celeste looked unhappy. Pender pointed at the knife.
"I'll take that evidence, if you don't mind." She relinquished it into his control, the deep blue of his magic crackling around the slim blade. "The Dumonts have gone too far this time. Some minor trespassing I would have allowed, but they will answer for attempting to murder an Enforcer."
That was a totally jerky thing to say, but I understood he didn't mean he was more important that we were. I was just happy the Dumonts finally slit their own throats.
Mom shooed the coven out, sending everyone home, leaving Erica to watch over Dad. Celeste refused to leave, hovering near the door, her man-hands wrapped around her thick braid, face a scowling mask. I was about to escort her out with a blast of power that probably would have sent her through the side of the house when Mom's mind touched mine.
Let's see where this takes us, shall we? Always clever, my mother, thinking two steps ahead, subtlety raised to an art form. I wondered how she managed it, all things considered, and worried instantly I'd never, ever fill her sparkly witch shoes.
Mom settled Pender into a chair with a mug of steaming coffee. He seemed none the worse for wear and I was glad I let Mom handle his healing. I had as yet to learn the ins and outs of that particular branch of magic and would probably have just made things worse.
"I've been following the Dumonts," Pender said, steam rising past his frowning face. "Ever since they were ordered to leave this place."
"Under your own orders?" Celeste sounded so skeptical I knew she was in on everything the Dumonts were up to, but Mom let it ride.
"Under my Enforcer authority." His voice snapped like a whip, power behind it. For the second time that night the big witch fell back and silent. Pender met Mom's eyes. "I don't trust them, I must admit to you now. I worry about events happening with the Council, with the Dumont family." He took a long breath before plunging on, as if he was taking more than his life into his hands speaking up. "And I don't trust my new leader."
"Who leads you now, Pender?" I was amazed how present Mom was. Until I realized it was easier for her to focus on the moment than what was happening upstairs. I agreed with her. Give me an action-based crisis over slow death any day.
"Dominic Moromond."
I had to clench my teeth against the hiss of air that passed my lips.
Shut. Up.
"There is more." He set his mug down on the table, coffee untouched. "The pleas of this coven, your need, was ignored by the Council on purpose."
"Says you." Celeste's growl was just loud enough for us to hear.
"Yes," Mom said softly. "And I have every reason to believe him, Celeste. He is a Council Enforcer, no ordinary witch."
Ouch. Awesomeness.
"Dominic's wife, Batsheva, has the ear of our Council's head," Pender said, voice falling to a mutter of barely suppressed anger. "She has made many claims against you, Miriam Hayle."
Mom sighed softly before leaning forward and offering her hand. "I would show you the truth, Enforcer," she said. "If you'd have it from me."
Holy. She didn't just offer to open herself up to him? To bare everything? I almost protested. If he was lying, dissembling, only pretending to be concerned, really a tool of the Dumonts sent here to win our trust, Mom was putting herself in mortal jeopardy. Worse, she was offering him access to the family magic.
My heart in my throat, I held myself taut, power tightly wound, as Pender took Mom's hand and nodded to her.
"Thank you," he said. "I will see your truth."
I dove inside after him, watching him, as he examined Mom's memories. It was weird to relive it all from her point of view, to see me from her eyes, even pick up some of her thoughts. I alternated between blushing, rage and tears as Pender led me through the attack by the Moromonds, felt his disgust at Batsheva's use of blood magic, wound my way with him through the visit by the Chosen of the Light, the fight with Cesard, her fear for me when my magic was stolen and my father's effigy smashed. He examined closely her orders for me to stay away from the coven site and felt his admiration when he understood her true purpose-to force me to do what she was unable and find my demon.
The Wild he observed with great curiosity. But it was the actions of the Dumonts before the arrival of the Enforcers which made him the most furious.
When he slid free from Mom, I emerged too, but not without hugging her magically and sending her as much love as I could muster. Her energy hugged me back as I released her and came back to myself.
"Hear me, Miriam Hayle," Pender said, "I believe you and know now the lies the Moromonds and Dumonts seed in the hearts of the Council. We were informed, presented proof even, you were the blood magic practitioner. Told you are power hungry, have stolen magic from the Sidhe, demon plane, and the undead race to further your aims." He glanced at me. "She also informs them your demon children are evil, out of control. That you raised this Cesard and the Wild Hunt in a bid to increase your power." He looked away for a moment, fingers pressing into his eyes as his shoulders slumped. "There was a time," he said, "the Hayle Coven was held in high regard. Such regard is gone, I fear, from many minds, at least from the minds that matter." He met her gaze again, determined but regretful. "If they find a reason to turn against your coven, they will. Most of my fellow Enforcers are still honest, uphold the law. But every day Dominic Moromond dismisses my brothers and sisters and replaces them with his own choices. Typically from the Dumont family."
Mom murmured her sympathy.
"I've had enough," the Enforcer said. "I simply cannot stand by and watch the Dumonts break Council law, not while I still have breath and wear this cloak." He shook his head. "If only my one voice meant anything."
Mom shifted in her seat. I could see the battle on her face and reached for her mind.
What do you want to do?
I have to go talk to them, Syd. Her mind swirled around and around in conflict. But how can I leave now? With your father...
I'll go. Now that was a disaster waiting to happen. Her blue eyes met mine.
You have to stay here, she sent. I need you to be with him when he... Oh, Syd.
She pulled free and faced Pender, no hint of her grief in her voice. "I'm coming back with you," she said, "to talk to the Council."
I saw Celeste shift, felt a whisper of excitement from her. Before I could warn Mom, Pender spoke up.
"It's just too dangerous," he said. "At least for the moment. But I have allies. I will speak to them and determine the best course of action. I can at least rally some support and alert you when it is safe to speak to the Council."
Mom hesitated, but Pender leaned ahead and squeezed her hand. "I'm aware things are difficult for you right now. Let me do what I can. The Council will listen to me. The Moromonds must pay for what they have done."
Mom nodded at him, sinking back in her chair as I let out a barely suppressed sigh of relief. Celeste's scowl was all the reason I needed to be happy Mom was staying put.
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