Chapter 315: Trial
The shower was hot, the steam filling the entire room by the time I stepped out. My skin was tight, but I at least felt clean at last.
On the outside.
Mom's clothes were a shroud, wrapping me in her protection, as though I could don her skin and shed my own. Her reflection stared back at me, the scent of her all around me, keeping my head straight, my priorities in order.
My mother. She was the only one who mattered today.
The rest would have to wait.
Meira's eyes were red-rimmed, her skin deeper crimson than usual. I sat with her for a bit, more guilt joining the pain I already felt that I'd left my sister out. I'd let Sassy deal with her when we arrived home, stumbled off to the shower and the retreat from reality it offered, the quiet and stillness of Mom's room, Mom's memory.
But now I needed to be with my sister, if only for a few minutes.
"I'm sorry about Alison." Meira sniffled, wiping her nose with the corner of her sleeve in the warm sunlight of the kitchen. I handed her a tissue.
"Me too." I kissed her gently. "Are you okay, Meems?"
She nodded, sat up straighter. "I'm a Hayle," she said. "We're just fine."
I sighed and let my chin sink to my hand, elbow on the table, slumping just for a moment. "That we are."
Meira shoved her plate aside, toast untouched. "I'll go get changed." Her amber eyes met mine, full of conviction, as though she expected me to argue. "I'm coming with you."
"Of course you are," I said. "I want you there. And I know Mom would too."
Meira nodded quickly, more tears welling, her face crumpling as she hugged me quickly before dashing off to her room.
I picked at her toast, trying a bite tasting of ashes before sending the plate across the kitchen to the sink with a flick of power.
"Me too." Sassy jumped up onto the table and glared at me.
"You too, Sass." I stroked his fur. "All of us." My power drifted downward into the basement. "They have one day to present their case. I want you there to listen in and pay attention. Maybe there's something you can come up with from what you see."
He dipped his head, tension easing, fur settling down. "I'll do my best."
The kitchen door opened and Charlotte entered. Her expression was calm, mild, as if she'd not witnessed two tragedies in one terrible morning. Then again, she'd not known my friend or my two witches, so it was possible she simply didn't care.
The steady look in her eyes told me otherwise.
"We must go. I've prepared a car." She gestured at the door. "The Enforcers are returned, but I refused to allow them to drive you. I hope my decision meets your approval."
It did. Right down to the ground. "Well done, Charlotte." I found my lips quirking in a smile. "I'm sure they were thrilled."
She beamed at me. "It was most delightful."
I found I was still able to laugh.
I ignored the Enforcers who glared at us as we left the house. Meira was disguised, though she dropped it once safely inside the large black limousine Charlotte procured for us.
Sassafras made himself comfortable on his own cushion, Galleytrot heaving his huge body inside, taking up most of the front. Charlotte didn't enter until Quaid did, the last of our group to slide across the leather seat and settle beside me.
I'd almost forgotten him in my need to get under hot water. My hand found his and he squeezed.
Quaid. I reached for him with my mind, wanting to share what he was feeling. After all, the Vegas had taken him in, showed him probably the first love from parental figures he'd ever known. But he shut me out, hand pulling free.
I'm fine. Let's focus.
Damn him. Okay then. Be all tough and jerkish.
Whatever.
Girl, Gram's voice broke my mind churning. Use this time wisely. Be a leader.
Right. A leader. Yeah, I was all over that.
And yet, she was right. I reached out to the coven, felt them come to me immediately, watched Sassy's ears perk, Galleytrot's great head lift from the polished leather seat.
My coven, I sent. I know we are grieving. My heart is broken for the loss of ones we loved so much. I felt like I was channeling Mom and for a moment wondered if Gram was interfering again. But nope. Just years and years of being forced to listen to my mother talk to the family this way.
For the first time, I was grateful for all of those boring coven rituals.
As much as we would all like to run off and find those responsible for the deaths of Martin and Louisa, I had to pause a moment to shove down my grief at even thinking their names, we must focus as a family. Our first priority is freeing Mom. When that is done, with her guidance, we will hunt down the murderer and ensure that person or persons never again are able to harm our family.
They hung on my every word and, when I was through, their power reinforced mine.
Well done, demon child, Gram sent. You play leader very well.
I almost smiled at the whip-crack sound of her laughter.
While I'd pumped up everyone else again, the very air in the back of the limo humming with passion from the others around me, when we finally pulled up the long driveway I found myself breathing a sigh of relief.
At last. We'd hear what the Dumonts and the Moromonds had for ammunition.
The waiting was over.
As the car came to a halt, I reached out to everyone in the car.
Time to show them what we're made of. Meira's chin came up. Sassafras fluffed his fur, amber eyes glowing. Even Quaid's shoulders went back, face grim as he nodded.
Charlotte shoved the door open and stood aside so I could exit.
Game on.
They all stared, the gathered witches. Whispered. I ignored them all as I strode with absolute confidence and purpose through the doors, my entourage marching behind me, through the foyer and down the hall to the Council chamber.
The little secretary tried to stop me.
"You can't bring those beasts inside." He stood right in front of me, nose in the air, arrogance oozing from him, as though absolutely certain he would get his way.
He'd never tried to stare down a Hayle, apparently. I didn't bother to say a word, just kept moving, the family magic forming a battering ram before me, like the pointed blade of an icebreaker, shoving him firmly aside and leaving him to stare and splutter.
"How dare you?"
I spun on him, finally stopping, turned to face him as he squeaked a little cry, clutching his clip board to his chest.
"You said something?" I gave him time to decide if he really wanted to go there.
Watched as he decided cowardice was the best course of action.
Pathetic.
I swept into the Council chamber like it was my private home, all of my pent up rage and grief contained behind the family magic. The other leaders took one look before jerking their eyes away, gazes straight ahead.
I can only imagine my expression. I'm sure amber fire burned in my eyes. But I took my seat, arranged Mom's skirt around me, this one the deepest blue and embroidered with stars, and settled.
Celeste sat in the gallery across from me and for a moment my anger clenched. Again she'd disobeyed me. Until I remembered she had to be here, wasn't given a choice. Her magic was as tied up in this trial as mine.
Fine. But if she stepped one ugly shoed foot out of line, I was crushing her like a bug.
We didn't have long to wait. It seemed I'd just clenched my hands together in my lap, eyes locked on the far door when it opened and the Council entered. I glared at them, one at a time, seeing their gazes flicker to me and away again. Only Erica held mine, a momentary touch of sympathy the only weakness she showed.
Just before she took her seat, Erica turned directly to me and bowed forward, both hands over her heart. The entire room, already quiet, fell to perfect stillness. I nodded back. Only then did she sit.
Batsheva was entering when it happened, her grand appearance ignored in favor of Erica's show of support for her coven leader. I found myself grimly smiling a little at the portly witch as she scowled at everyone before slumping into her seat.
"Seal the doors." Cranky. Good. Her eyes met mine. I let her see my smile, not a trace of humor in it.
No. Just a promise.
She looked away first.
Of course she did.
"Before we begin," Odette stood, voice throbbing with fake emotion, "I would like to know what the Hayle Coven leader is doing to protect her family after such a horrible and clearly malicious attack."
She. Did. Not.
Just go there.
Did. Not.
Batsheva grunted as though she wished Odette hadn't spoken while the other witches gasped in horror at such audacity. Talk about a witch poking her nose in where it was not welcome. I couldn't believe Odette had just stepped in such a massive breach of etiquette. "What are you doing to find the attackers, Coven leader?"
I stood slowly, power escaping to swirl around me. I couldn't help it, couldn't contain it. It was a barrier, all that kept me from leaping on Odette and tearing out her ugly throat with my teeth. A few gasps from the watching witches told me I'd broken some rule but too bad. Odette started it.
Either that or I just scared the crap out of them. I personally didn't care even a little.
"While it is none of your business, Dumont Leader," I said, able to speak, a wonder, though a rumble of power rolled in my words, "I assure you I will find the foul murderers of my two family members and I will deal with them. Personally."
Even Odette blanched. Batsheva looked like I made her swallow something she found distasteful.
"When I do," I went on, all of my focus on the so-called Council leader, "I will make sure that person or persons suffer the same fate as Martin and Louisa Vega. After I've inflicted some pain of my own."
A collective shudder raced through the air and power of the room. They were definitely afraid now.
Nice to know I had their attention.
"Pushing coven laws again, are you?" I was amazed Odette had the courage to speak up. "Will the Hayle coven leader be allowed to threaten to murder other witches in a public forum and get away with it?"
Tallah stood next to me. "I heard no such threats," she said. "And considering the Dumont Leader has no place questioning the actions of another, Sydlynn has my full support," she growled. "And if it is discovered another witch has done this, one from a foreign coven," Tallah was staring right at Odette while I did my best to keep from grinning, "I will also stand with her in her decision to punish whoever is responsible." Tallah almost sat before adding, "As is within her rights."
Violet was on her feet next. "There is precedent," she said. "This coven is clearly under attack. And while our laws do not condone war between covens, neither do they punish the leader who defends her family."
So there, Odette Dumont. Chew on that and choke.
Batsheva waved at us. "Enough." She glared at Odette a moment before gesturing at the secretary. "We have a trial to deal with."
Bravo. Gram's voice was soft, subdued.
I wished I felt like I'd won. As I sank back into my seat, Tallah reached over and grasped my hand.
Syd, her mental voice was gentle but full of steel. I'm here for you no matter what.
Violet stared at me. And bobbed a head nod like she'd heard.
Well now. Maybe there was hope after all.
The secretary held up his coil of black parchment.
"By the order of the High Council of North American Witches, may the trial of Miriam Hayle commence."
***
