Chapter 279: Taking Charge
I retreated back inside as Erica left, knowing I had to face my mother and convince her abandoning the coven wasn't the way to deal with the Dumonts. As I entered the kitchen, I came face-to-face with the twins.
Estelle (or was it Esther? I'd never learn to tell them apart) eyed me like a bug she wanted to squish, but her sister paused, a sad expression pulling her lips down so far I feared they'd slide right off her face.
"You must convince your mother." She gripped my arm, beady eyes peering at me through the thick lenses of her glasses. I almost hated getting too close. They both stank of cabbage and kitty litter, not to mention that unique little old lady smell. "We will not let this coven fall into evil hands."
I nodded, trying to pull back as her pointy nails dug into the skin of my arm, gooseflesh rising as I freed myself and rubbed at the crescent shaped marks she'd left behind.
"I'm on my way to do just that."
Esther (I was sure it was her... kind of. Okay, I was guessing) nodded sharply once before hooking her arm through her sister's and marching out, two tiny ladies packing enough power to level the house.
Come to think of it, hadn't I just blown up a barn? Wicked.
I deserved a little happy mood, but it only lasted long enough to carry me upstairs to Mom's room. I found her where I was now accustomed to finding her, perched on the edge of the bed, Meira in her arms, my slowly dying father stretched out under the sheets. It took me a long moment to force myself past the threshold. Maybe I was a coward, but I positioned myself in a way I didn't have to look right at Dad, telling myself it was because I needed to keep focus, but knowing deep inside I just couldn't bear to look at him.
"Mom." She glanced up when I spoke, tears on her cheeks again. I risked a glance at Dad, but he seemed stable enough. His chest rose and fell regularly, if shallowly. Meira was doing a great job keeping him supported, at least as far as any of us were able. I keenly felt Sassy's loss as I stood there and faced my mother. "I'm going out to look for Sass."
She quivered, jerked a little, as if to protest, but I didn't let her.
"Galleytrot can track the werewolves," I said. "Who knows, we might get lucky."
Mom finally nodded. "You're to let me know the moment you find anything," she said. "So I can join you."
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Not a chance in hell."
Her head jerked back, anger flaring. "Sydlynn Thaddea-"
I laughed. It wasn't really amusing, but her using my full name tickled my funny bone for some reason. She went rapidly from anger to annoyance, through mild irritation and finally to a soft smile.
"Doesn't work so well on you anymore."
"Mom," I said, "it never did."
That made her laugh. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Let me do what I have to." I stroked hair out of my sister's sleepy eyes as she just sat there and watched us, silent. "The coven needs you, Mom, now more than ever. Please, just trust me."
Mom hugged Meira, gaze falling on Dad. "I do, Syd," she whispered. "It's not you I need to trust."
Right. Family troubles still stirred and the chance the Puritys who remained might rise up at any time was a real possibility.
"All the more reason for you to stay put and jerk back on the reins." I shrugged, unable to come up with much sympathy for anyone in our coven, least of all Celeste and James. "Pull them in and hold on. I'll get Sass back. Then we'll figure out what we're going to do about the Dumonts."
Mom's hand found Dad's, squeezed gently. "You're right. Of course. I've been so distracted by this, Syd. My heart's been tied up in your father and not in the family." She stood, setting Meira on her feet. My sister grabbed my hand on one side, Mom's on the other. I instantly took Mom's as we stood in a small circle, facing each other. Power rippled first from my sister, up my arm and into my heart, traveling outward again, down my other arm and into Mom. I felt her shudder, watched the soft smile touching her lips. Gasped as her power reached out to both of us and enveloped us in the warmth and strength of everything she had to offer.
"I love you both," she said, "and no matter what happens, I will protect you and keep you safe."
"Me too," I said.
"Me three," Meira whispered.
It was hard to let them go. Even harder to turn toward the door and leave, though Mom was right behind me, my little sister tucked in next to Dad, keeping him alive with her energy.
Mom and I parted ways at the bottom of the stairs, a loving hug trapping me for one last moment before she squared herself and retreated to the basement and her duties.
I slipped down the hall and to the back door, emerging into morning sunlight and the giant black dog who waited for me.
"Any luck following the weres?" I offered him a quick scratch.
"Some," he said. "But they've split up, as I feared they would. We could be following them around all day."
Right. It would be smart to lead us on wild weregoose chases. For all we knew Mom was right and Sassy was long gone. But I doubted it. I knew the brothers were going to use him as a lure, to bring me to them in the time and place of their choosing, when it would mean they could have the upper hand.
Or so they thought.
"Should we wait for nightfall?" Galleytrot seemed impatient to be off, not showing a bit of the leaden weariness suddenly dragging at my body. When had I slept last? "Sunny and her clan will be eager to help and you look like you could use the rest."
"No," I said, deciding then if I could protect some of the people I cared about, I'd do it. "If Sunny gets involved, the Dumonts could find some way to turn the whole thing against her and her clan. You know how slippery they are, and with the ear of the Council... they could probably find a way to convince them the clan is a danger and needs to be wiped out." I shivered at the thought, but knew a plan like that was right up the Dumont's alley.
It worried me a little I was inside their heads enough I was starting to think like them.
"So the two of us, then." He gained his feet, shaking his shaggy body vigorously.
I paused, thinking. "We could recruit some help." I hesitated while Galleytrot chuffed.
"I know he'd be happy to assist," Galleytrot said. "But Liam O'Dane has yet to master his powers. And if something were to happen to him, there would be much more at risk than the Dumonts."
I nodded quickly. "I know." I just couldn't put Liam in harm's way. Not with him being the last Gatekeeper in his line. At least until he had a son of his own.
"Perhaps one of the witches?" He licked my hand in sympathy. "I know you and Erica haven't gotten along very well lately, but she could be of value."
I shook my head immediately. "What, you still have a soft spot for her?" I forgot sometimes he had been in human form when I first met him, handsome Jared Runnel. Erica's boyfriend.
If Galleytrot were able to blush I know he would have. "Mind your own business."
I grinned at him and gestured to the walkway leading around the side of the house. "Okay then, it's the two of us."
***
