Chapter 294: Trail Invitation
At least my next visitor decided to knock. I was just approaching the door again to head to the Vegas when Sassafras entered the kitchen and jumped up on the table. I ignored him as I reached for the handle and jerked the door wide.
I wished instantly I'd left it shut. The snotty Enforcer from the night before pushed her way inside the moment I did. She cast her gaze around the room with a sneer before turning to me.
"I didn't invite you in." I scowled at her, watched the family magic crawl over the wards surrounding her, wondered what it was about her the coven's collective power despised so much. "What do you want?"
She scowled back at me, clearly unaccustomed to being treated with anything less than respect. Or more probably, fear.
Yeah, not likely. Angry contempt was about the best I could muster.
Besides, I had a feeling she hadn't been an Enforcer for long and under normal circumstances wouldn't have made the grade.
She pulled a black scroll tied with blue ribbon from inside her cloak and held it out to me. "You are hereby invited to the trial of Miriam Pernelia Hayle."
I reached for the scroll, but she stayed where she was, clearly trying to force me to go to her. I crossed my arms over my chest and gave her my best bored teenager look. "Nice of them to add me to the guest list."
I watched her jaw grind, gaining a great deal of pleasure from her lack of temper control. She kind of reminded me of me, way back when. Without the back stabbing, nasty, evil stuff, that was.
She finally tossed the summons on the floor, the tube rolling over the tiles to touch my bare feet. I felt a thrill of energy transfer as the scroll encountered my bare flesh, a magic release as the scroll was received by the invited. Some kind of magical RSVP.
Classy.
"It begins today," she said. "One pm sharp. Don't be late."
"Mind telling me where?" I resisted the urge to bend and retrieve the scroll.
Her smile returned, vindictiveness loud and clear. "The mansion previously under control of the Chosen of the Light."
Hang on. "The home of the Blood Clan DeWinter?" Sunny staked claim to it for her family after their leader Sebastian disappeared and Sunny assumed the role. "Where are the vampires?"
"The undead are of no consequence." She raised her chin, looking down her narrow nose, blonde hair spilling out from the edges of her hood. A Dumont for certain. A cousin maybe? Who cared? She was the enemy.
"If you fail to appear by one pm, you will be denied admittance to the proceedings for the duration of the trial." What a load of crap. Witch trials were open to all of power. The idea was full disclosure, so there were no secrets, no way for the guilty or the innocent to be falsely convicted.
Who changed the rules?
I stepped aside as the Enforcer swept for the door and didn't breathe until she passed the wards and disappeared. Only then did I bend and retrieve the scroll. The ribbon fell away from my trembling fingers, the smooth, almost polished parchment, the darkest black, unrolling under my hands.
The sparkling blue writing only confirmed what she'd told me. I rolled it up and threw it to the kitchen table even as I reached out for Erica.
They've announced the trial. I filled her in on the details. To her credit, she smartened up and did her duty.
What I can't figure is, why the mansion? I turned as the door opened and Quaid stepped through. He looked freshly showered, in clean clothes. Damn. The Vegas. Would I ever get a chance to talk to them? I gestured at the scroll and included him in the conversation while he had a quick read.
It's the only place big enough, I'm assuming. Erica's voice was still fearful, but she had a grip on herself. There will be a full contingent, Syd. All major covens will be represented plus whoever they bring.
More than likely, it's meant to piss you off. Quaid used his mental voice to include Erica. Evicting the vampires will put our coven on edge.
We have so little time to prepare, Erica fretted.
Also on purpose. Quaid met my eyes, his full of anger. I imagine they left us last to know so they could keep us off balance.
Erica's mental voice sighed. You're right. It would take time to assemble everyone. There's no way such short notice would be possible unless they had this planned for quite some time outside of our knowledge.
Miriam was only arrested last night. Quaid took my hand, squeezed it. This has been in the works for at least a few weeks. It's just like Odette Dumont and Batsheva to keep us in the dark until they had everything in place.
Erica's touch felt instantly troubled. We're talking about manipulation of the High Council, Quaid.
You know it. His dark eyes didn't leave mine. Put nothing past them, either of you. And be prepared for anything.
So, they want to throw us off? I felt a grin growing on my face, fed by the cruel intent of my demon. Turning on the pressure cooker, seeing if we'll make mistakes if we're not ready?
Quaid nodded while Erica's power shuddered.
I sent her a shaft of energy so powerful I felt her stiffen.
I say, let them bring it. The Hayle coven was born ready.
My demon howled happily in answer.
***
