Chapter 304: Undead Fury
The moment my knuckles touched the door it sprang inward as if the sweet-faced old woman on the other side had been standing there waiting for me.
Violet clapped her hands in glee, bright eyes sparkling. She lunged forward, grabbing my hands, the courtesy of power shared in a rush as she latched onto my magic and hugged it like I was a favorite granddaughter come to visit at last.
"Oh my dear," she gushed, pulling me down to kiss my cheek, the scent of rose powder and wine floating around her. "I'm so delighted to finally meet you!"
I couldn't help but smile at her, letting her drag me inside, kicking the door shut behind us with one foot. She slid across the polished floor on her sockettes, tugging me down beside her on a settee while a sweetly smiling woman who looked like she was perfectly round poured us a glass of wine.
Um, wine? I shook my head gently. Alcohol and witches were a big no-no, though some could handle it. Violet was obviously one who could.
Or thought she could.
The tip of her little nose was rosy so I kind of had my doubts.
"How very beautiful." She gazed into my eyes, one hand stroking my hair. "So much like your mother. She must be so very proud of you, dear."
I heard Gram sigh with good nature.
Taking notes? My mental prod was met with a snort.
"Thank you." I found myself blushing at the attention. "It's lovely to meet you too."
Oh for goodness sake. Gram chuffed. Stand aside and let me deal with this or you'll be trading compliments all night.
Before I could stop Gram from taking over again, I felt her shove me aside, my angry demon howling. I almost fought her, but her power, so deeply embedded in me for so long, had no problem holding me back while she used me as a puppet.
"You must know why I'm here?" I felt Gram move my hand, take Violet's. The older woman nodded, suddenly serious.
"I'm appalled," the old woman said. "At how they've treated your mother, how the whole coven has been ignored." Violet sighed, eyes sad. "I've been fighting for ages, ever since your mother's first call for help, to have the Council act, but my pleas have been ignored. And you're well aware one coven cannot interfere with another, not even to assist, if the Council isn't in support of it."
Well, that sucked.
"Thank you," Gram said in my voice. "Your support is appreciated."
Violet patted my hand. "I've known for some time that horrible Batsheva Moromond has been up to no good. When Mary Santos stepped down as our Council Leader, I was certain Batsheva had something to do with it. But the old dear has seen better years and there was never any proof of underhanded dealings." For a moment her face hardened and I realized just how much strength there was hidden behind her disarming smile. "And believe me, I looked for it."
So did I, Gram told me, grim.
Violet released me, stood to pace back and forth in front of the large, unlit fireplace. It was so big she seemed like a doll next to it. "As long as the law is upheld, we shall prevail, Sydlynn. There have been harsh times before, troubles between covens, but always the law has led us to salvation." She met my eyes, hers very sad. "You do see that, don't you? Understand it? I must allow justice to prevail, for the law to decide."
Gram withdrew, leaving me to nod. "I do." I cleared my throat against the thick feeling in it. "And I believe it too." It's how Mom raised me.
How could I feel otherwise?
Violet smiled then, took her seat next to me. "I spoke to your mother," she said. "I adore her, always have. But even more so now, do you know why?"
I shook my head as Violet stroked my hair back from my face.
"Because your mother told me exactly what you just did," she said, voice almost a whisper. "That I had to do what was right, no matter what that meant to her. She told me not to favor her, but to obey the law. And I will." Her chin came up, shoulders straightening. "And what has become wrong will be made right again."
I begged off shortly after, the last of the sunlight leaving the sky. I wanted to be in place when the vampires woke so I could offer what little support I could. I was sure they had no idea their sleeping caskets had been moved and needed to be sure I kept Sunny from freaking out over the new order of things.
Not that Sunny was the type to overreact, mind you. But her clan's home had been taken over by witches without permission. As mild-mannered and lovely as my undead friend was, there were definite limits.
Gram sighed in my head as Violet waved at me, softly closing the door. Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too upset. Not like I expected much else.
I don't know, I sent back as I hurried down the hall toward the foyer. At least someone is focused on doing what's right.
That's the problem, Gram grumbled. She's so intent on following the law, she's missing the fact those laws are being made a mockery of at every turn. Talk about big picture issues.
I couldn't argue with her there.
One thing is certain, she huffed, your mother needs to learn to keep her damned mouth shut and let me handle things.
I had to laugh. Had to. Gram's cackle followed after a moment.
I'll leave you to deal with the vampires. Her mind hugged mine. Just don't hurt anyone. Too much. And tell Sunny this is important. It goes beyond all of us.
She was right. If Batsheva had her way, if my family was taken apart and she was able to gain control of our power, no one would be safe. And I had absolutely no doubt that was her final goal.
Control of everything.
I emerged in the grand entry just as the last ray of sunlight vanished and the huge mansion was plunged into night. About a heartbeat later something crashed beneath my feet, the power of the magic in use shaking the floor. I heard gasps from the handful of witches hovering by the exit, saw heads poke out of doorways. The two Enforcers standing guard at the end of the hall where I'd found the vampires looked suddenly nervous.
My feet couldn't carry me fast enough. I almost reached the black-robed witches when a streak of white light shot past them. It came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the foyer, flared once so bright I had to look aside, only to reform into a very, very angry Sunny.
My blonde vampire friend's fury rippled across her body in sheets of white undead power, the glow of it filling her eyes until they appeared ghastly and terrifying.
"WHO HAS INVADED OUR HOME?" Her scream echoed, I was certain, to every single corner of the mansion, the air rippling with her furious words.
More flashes of white light escaped the hallway even as a handful of black-robed Enforcers ran top speed toward the main entry, power crackling around them. Their blue magic lashed out in an attempt to contain the vampires. But the flickering white beacons simply slipped through, flashing over as Sunny had, solidifying behind her, around her, and soon a hundred undead crowded the foyer with absolute rage on their faces.
Not good. Not good at all.
I found myself suddenly among the vampires, shoving past a few to reach Sunny's side. Stupid, dangerous, but I had to do something, even if it meant risking one of them mistaking me for an attacker.
I gripped her arm, letting my power touch her, as her head whipped around, those glowing white eyes tearing through me. "Sunny," I whispered.
She shuddered, her anger a living thing I felt through our contact. "What is the meaning of this?" She pushed me aside, storming through to the edge of the gathered clan, her power crackling as she came face-to-face with the line of Enforcers. "You dare handle our sleeping places? YOU DARE ENTER OUR HOME WITHOUT OUR CONSENT?" Sunny was suddenly on fire again, glowing like a new star. "HOW DARE YOU?"
To their credit, most of the gathered Enforcers looked embarrassed and quite afraid. Yes they were powerful, but they were facing a hundred raging vampires.
Before anyone could act, Dominic Moromond sauntered his way through his gathered officers to face Sunny. The nasty grin on his face was almost his undoing. I could feel her power surge, used mine to block her. She spun on me, a thing of terrible beauty and perfect fury, but she held herself back.
Just.
"You have one moment to explain," she said in a voice so quiet and chilled it felt like it was torn from the grave. I almost missed her screaming. "Before I turn my people loose and kill you all."
"Don't flatter yourself, vampire," Dominic said, shoving his paunch forward, arrogance utterly insulting. "Unless you want your clan wiped out, I suggest you be a good little girl and get back to the basement."
"This is ridiculous." I couldn't help myself, I had to speak up. "This is their home. We're the intruders."
"Correction," Dominic sneered at me, "this was the headquarters of the Chosen of the Light and these vermin are squatters. They have no rights here."
Sunny snarled. "Then how did we enter, evil one?" She gestured, power flowing from her into the very floor, the mansion humming in answer.
Dominic actually looked shocked. He recovered, but I felt a surge of hope. He had no idea.
Sunny one, jerkwad zero.
"Your evil must be contained," Dominic scowled at Sunny. "You are not permitted to interfere with the trial."
"Maybe you should have checked to make sure this place wasn't taken first," I snapped. I turned to Sunny who was still furious, but seemed a little more in control of herself. "I beg the patience and forgiveness of the Blood Clan DeWinter in this matter. Clearly there has been a miscarriage of justice."
Sunny glared at me a long moment before nodding sharply. "You will leave," she said. "Now."
Someone bustled forward, the secretary, I realized. I almost warned him off, knowing he was taking his life into his own hands. But instead of being rude, he seemed upset.
"This is highly regrettable," he said, "most irregular. We must convene Council and discover how this occurred."
I glanced up, noticing only then we were being observed. Most of the leaders were already present. Violet hurried forward and gestured at the secretary.
"Summon us immediately," she said, sweet face pinched and angry. "Immediately."
He rushed off, muttering to himself while Violet joined us. She scowled at Dominic, her power shoving him backwards.
"Know your place, Enforcer," she snapped. "This is Council business."
He looked like he wanted to tell her from where she could take a flying leap, but backed off finally. Violet faced Sunny, held out both hands. Her power glowed softly in her palms. "I beg you, forgive us. We were told this place was not legally yours."
Sunny's power skimmed over Violet's as she settled her hands on the other woman's. It was a huge thing. Sunny wasn't a witch, let alone a coven leader.
But she was an equal. I saw it in Violet's actions.
Maybe this would end well after all.
The bell pealed, loud and clear. Sunny jerked toward it with a snarl and stalked down the hall, heading for the Council chamber. I followed her, heart still pounding, but with a thankful smile to Violet. She grasped my arm, hung onto me as we walked.
"Disgraceful," she muttered. "Absolutely disgraceful."
I helped her to her seat and took mine, the last two leaders to arrive. Tallah looked upset, even Benita was clearly disturbed by this turn of events. Odette was pissed too, but I figured it was for another reason.
As soon as this make-believe trial was over, I was going to personally do something to the Dumont family to get me arrested.
The Council members hurried in, taking their seats as the gathered witches hovered, holding back from the horde of vampires, still glowing white, who crowded the center of the room. Sunny ignored the podium and marched right to the table where the Councilors sat. Dominic and his Enforcers tried to push them back, but Batsheva's arrival put everyone on hold.
She looked annoyed, sighed as she took her seat. Gestured imperiously at Sunny. "What are these things doing out of confinement?"
Everyone gaped at her, even Sunny. I heard the leaders around me gasp. Even Odette looked a little green.
Sunny drew herself up, her power humming around her. "Intruder," she snarled. "You are not welcome in my house."
"Your house?" Batsheva laughed. "Since when?"
Dominic gestured, a warning on his face, but it was too late. Sunny's fury finally found a focus.
"Let me show you," she said, her light growing brighter, her power stretching outward, her clan's magic joining hers. The combined energy burst outward, lighting the very walls, the ceiling, setting the whole house to vibrating, singing the song of the undead.
Batsheva's eyes flickered to Dominic, her anger clear. Oops. Someone was in trouble.
When the power eased, Sunny slammed her fist into the table, cracking it down the middle. The Council members cried out in fear, backing away, their magic surging around them.
This could not turn into a fight. I jumped to my feet and threw up a barrier between my vampire friend and the rest of the assembly. Not witch magic, not surrounded by so many. Instead, I chose a combination of demon and Sidhe, the amber and green twining together, the shield creating a counter-hum to the vampire vibration.
Batsheva glared at me. "You dare?"
"I do." No way was I backing down. "This house belongs to the Blood Clan DeWinter and we have intruded. Wrongly. They have every right to expel us." I nodded once to Sunny. "A war between our two peoples will do nothing to forward the reason we're here. Especially an ill-conceived war over something which could have been avoided with common courtesy."
I caught nodding around me, saw Tallah rise, Violet, Irene. Even Benita Santos. Only Odette remained in her seat.
Surprise, surprise.
"Might I suggest," Erica spoke up, voice calm, hers the first magic to relax and ease, "the Hayle leader is correct? Such an action would not only incur the further wrath of this blood clan, but send ripples out to every clan. We have been at peace with the vampire nation for centuries. I would hate to be the Council who stood watch while our peace was broken over a misunderstanding."
Sunny stood stiffly, still angry, but clearly pulling back her magic, the glow she'd held retreating. "Agreed," she said. "Such a war would mean great strife for both of our peoples. And for the mortals who share this world with us. But I will not tolerate this treatment." She snapped a whip of white magic. "My home is not free for the taking."
Erica stepped forward. "May I extend the apology of this Council," she said, "and ask, at our most humble, for your kind hospitality."
Sunny hesitated, but Batsheva spoke up.
"These proceedings are keyed to this house." She sounded like every word caused her pain. "We must remain or this trial is over. And cannot be renewed."
Hope. A flash of it. Was it true? Could Sunny save Mom simply by kicking us out?
Too easy.
"Without a trial," Odette snapped, "the law states the accused must be found guilty if only to protect the rest of us."
Well, that sucked. I glanced at Violet who was frowning, but nodded slowly.
Damn it. Sunny met my eyes. This was all Batsheva needed. Mom was screwed.
She surprised me when she smiled at Sunny.
"We will leave," Batsheva sat back, confidence clearly returning, "and will end this trial, dropping all charges, but only if the leader of your clan can assert his ownership of this house."
Wait a second. Batsheva had an out, a way to get what she wanted. So if not just Mom's power and death, what else was she after?
Sunny's scowl was very unladylike.
"I am the leader of this clan," she snarled.
"No," Batsheva said, tone sickly sweet, "you're not. Sebastian DeWinter is. And where exactly has he run off to I wonder?"
I glanced at Sunny while my mind churned. This was one of those times making the compassionate choice came back to bite her in the butt. Sunny had never officially taken over the clan leadership. Doing so would mean she'd abandoned hope Sebastian would ever return. And even though I agreed with her sentiment, the timing sucked.
More importantly, though, was the fact Batsheva knew. How, I had no idea, but it didn't matter. And yet, hope surged anew within me. I finally had options.
Well, one. Desperate, at that.
"You are unwelcome here," Sunny said through clenched fangs, "but I will tolerate your presence. The moment this trial is ended, you will leave my house." She stressed the possessive before she spun on Batsheva, "and you will never return. For if you do, your life is forfeit."
"Agreed." Erica sounded relieved. I watched Sunny turn and storm out, flickering into shadow before she reached the doorway, her clan mimicking her. Within the time it took to draw a breath they were gone, the room suddenly feeling empty and very quiet.
***
