Chapter 303: Leader Visits
I spent about an hour with the Hensley girls, and enjoyed every minute of it. When I emerged from their quarters I felt much better about the whole situation. Yes, it was one coven and yes, that coven didn't carry a lot of clout. But I'd not only survived my first conversation with another leader, I'd made two friends.
Gram was still sulking when I let my shields down as I stepped into the hall, their door swinging shut behind me.
Next? I didn't apologize. I had nothing to apologize for. Gram grumbled a bit, but relented after a moment.
Summon the twins. Her mental voice was sullen. And stop patting yourself on the back. That was the easy one. Don't get cocky.
I held my temper and was even sweet in my reply. Yes, Gram.
More grumbling. This was actually kind of fun.
My mind reached out, touched Estelle and Esther. Impossible to catch them as individuals. The power of the Lawrence sisters was so intertwined it was like speaking to one person.
I need you.
We come. They were still close by at least.
Mind telling me what I need them for? I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning back against the wall of the hallway.
You'll find out. She still hadn't forgiven me.
Is keeping secrets a good idea at this point, Gram? Seriously. Who was the grown up here?
You seem to be okay with secrets, Gram shot back. Huffed a sigh. Just trust me, girl. And no more cutting me out.
Was that it? Gram, I sent with a surge of love, I do trust you. But that has to be a two-way street.
She didn't answer, but her energy calmed, stilled. I glanced up as the twins approached and hoped I got through to Gram.
Irene Bradford is next, she sent as if nothing happened. Remember what I told you.
Right. Could go either way. And the twins?
Secret weapon. She sounded smug. Just move it, girl. Back to her normal self. So we were cool.
Wicked.
The sisters didn't say a word to me as I headed out. Nice to know they weren't questioning me. Especially since I had no idea why they were with me in the first place.
Gram pulled me up short outside another door just a little further down the hall. Don't forget, you're Miriam but you're you, too. Don't get lost in being who you're not, no matter what happens here.
Okay then. You know how much I adore these cryptic conversations, Gram.
She laughed in my head. I love you, girl.
I raised my hand and knocked, forcing down the shudder I felt as the twins came to a halt behind me. I could sense their gazes on me, drilling holes in the back of my head, dissecting me bit by bit. The door couldn't open fast enough.
This greeting wasn't quite so pleasant. A bone-thin woman with a ski-jump nose jerked the door open, glaring up at me through a pair of very dirty glasses.
"What?" Her thin lips pinched into an unhappy line as she pulled her oversized sweater around her.
"Take me to your leader." I almost giggled, so close to it from my choice of words it took Gram pinching me hard to keep from exploding into hysterical fits. I'd have to be more careful with my approach next time.
The woman glared at me, nose twitching as she sniffed the air. "She's busy."
Bully her. Gram's mental voice was blunt. Now.
Bully? Oh crap. Really? I'd been the focus of enough bullying in my time I'd sworn I'd never be that person.
She's keeping you from saving your family, Gram snapped. Kick her ass.
Gram was right. And this was no snarky cheerleader or dumb-as-a-post football jock. Life and death, Syd. Life and death.
"I didn't ask," I said.
The woman started, eyes widening behind her filthy lenses. "I beg your pardon, young lady." She spluttered like I'd broken some etiquette law. Who knew, maybe I had.
"You heard her," Esther spoke up. I just assumed. I'd given up on telling them apart a long time ago. "A coven leader has spoken. Do your duty, witch."
Well, wow. Really? The twins speaking up for me?
The woman's face tightened even further. "You can't order me around," she said, "and this is no coven leader." She sniffed, turning her back on me.
Oh no she did not. My power snapped out, spun her around, forced her to face me. Her lips parted, mouth gaping like a landed fish.
"Courtesy first," I said, voice cold, feeling my temper flare, my demon's fury rising. "Before I take steps."
The woman was shaking suddenly, glasses bobbing their way down her nose. "You dare touch me."
The inner door swung open, Irene Bradford joining us at last.
"Margaret," she said, frowning, eyes locked on me, "what's going on?"
I felt the woman's power swell to protect her family member. I was about to speak up when Estelle did it for me.
"Your witches are lacking in courtesy, Reenie." She nodded firmly to her sister who bobbed her head back.
Irene's eyes widened, her power retreating. "Estelle? Esther?" She came forward, hands outstretched as the twins moved past me to hug the older leader. Margaret still trembled in my grasp and I was about to release her when Gram prodded me.
Now you know why the twins, she sent. But this isn't over.
I'd never seen the twins smile. They were actually lovely when they did, all of their inherent creepiness oozing out of them when they were happy.
Well, most of it.
Irene turned to me, smiling herself now, though her smile faded when she noticed I still had a firm hold on her witch.
I hope you know what you're doing, Gram. I didn't like the look in Irene's eyes at all.
She needs to see your strength, Gram sent. And your benevolence.
"Your witch failed to obey me," I said, though I kept my tone as casual as I could. "Not only did she block my entrance, she refused courtesy."
The twins were nodding. "Disgraceful," Estelle said.
Irene's unhappy look wasn't focused on me all of a sudden. Her pale skin flushed slightly as she focused on the still shaking Margaret.
"You will offer the Hayle leader every courtesy," she said. "This is unacceptable."
Margaret's lips turned down. "Forgive me, coven leader." Her eyes met mine again, no longer hindered by glasses now perched on the end of her nose. "I behaved badly."
I released her at last, even giving her time to catch her balance before the last of my power let her go. "Forgiven," I said. I held out my palm and waited. She shuddered before her chin dropped, one hand lifting to push her glasses back before she pressed her palm to mine, her power subservient.
Irene quickly ushered her off, her own power linking to mine while Margaret disappeared through the inner door. "Welcome," she said, but she wasn't focused on me. She beamed at the twins. Within moments they were firmly ensconced on the sofa, giggling and chatting like girls.
I very nearly passed out from shock.
We're all young once, you know. Gram's voice laughed.
If you say so. Now what?
Before she went on, Irene turned to me.
"Thank you, Sydlynn, for bringing the girls with you." She patted Estelle's hand. "It's been absolutely ages." Her eyes met mine, face settling into something akin to respect. "I've always admired your mother," she said, "how she dealt with Ethpeal's illness. The Hayle coven has never been stronger." Was that a flicker of jealousy? "This business, it's horrible, you must understand."
"You know us," Esther said. "You trust us, Irene. And we trust Miriam Hayle like we have no other."
"And her daughter." Estelle stared directly at me. "Between the two of them, they have preserved and strengthened our coven in the face of terrible danger. You know we would never speak so highly of them if there was any doubt."
Second shocker. They were on my side? Really?
I felt the twins touch my mind. We were Puritys once, they said in tandem, but we embraced our new family when Miriam offered us a place with this coven. We have seen inside you, Sydlynn Hayle, and we know your heart is pure.
Wow. Okay then.
I made some small talk, did my best to keep up, but after a short time I found myself smiling and bowing out, leaving the twins with their friend and their stories of when they were girls together.
Gram's mind hugged mine on the other side of the door. Now you know.
I had no idea the twins were Puritys.
There are a number of witches in our coven still who have that history. But it doesn't matter now. We have another stop to make. And this one... will be unpleasant. Best to get it over with.
That meant Benita Santos.
The witch who answered the door was nice enough at least, if a little nervous. She almost squeaked in fear as the coven leader swept her way into the sitting room and glared at me.
The normal courtesy offering had a definite coldness to it.
"I have every intention of ensuring your mother is held to the letter of the law." I could hear an echo of Odette in the woman, though a weak imitation of the other leader's arrogance. "So if you're here to sway me, you can forget it."
Within moments I was practically ejected into the hallway, the door slammed shut behind me.
My demon fumed, but Gram mentally shrugged.
She just confirmed what I already knew. Gram sighed in my head. A pity. The Santos coven was a good family once. Now, on to our final leader.
Violet Rhodes? I followed her mental directions, noticing the sunlight through the tall window at the end of the hall was lower than before, deepening toward evening.
The very one. Gram sounded cautious.
What? I joked. No stop to see if Odette will make us tea?
Gram snorted. Focus, girl.
Should I worry about Violet?
No, she said, though her tone was still hesitant. Then again, I don't know. She's a lovely old bat, but she's always been a devil when it came to details. And the law.
Right. So she's nice, but totally honest.
Gram grumbled. Exactly.
I found myself smiling. If that's the worst I have to worry about with her, I'm not worried.
Syd. Gram's tone jerked me to a halt just before I could knock on the last door.
What?
That's the problem. Her tone was muted, her worry finally showing. We know the majority of the charges are false. But one of them... the most damning. That one is true.
I felt my heart skip a beat.
Your mother harbored a blood magic user, Gram sent. And she let him go.
Dad's a demon, I sent back, all the excuses I'd been trying to think of rising in my mind. They can't hold her accountable.
But they can. Gram sighed deeply, her weariness obvious. It made me remember she'd been out there, working on our behalf all by herself for months, with no one for support. I reached out with my magic and held her up, feeling her draw on my strength for a moment before she pushed me away and rebounded.
We'll figure this out. I refused to consider we would lose.
We will. Now, get your butt in there and make Violet Rhodes love you. Gram's mental eye roll made me grin. Like that's going to be a problem. The crazy lady loves everyone.
Gram calling Violet a crazy lady was the pot pointing a finger at the very black kettle, but I let it go.
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