Chapter 327: Evidence From The Dead
The Vegas unfolded, their ghostly shapes reforming to hang in the air before the sagging Enforcer. It took a moment after their appearance for the uproar to start.
One voice spoke the loudest. "Necromancy is illegal!" Odette shook in her disguise, the glamour hiding her true form shuddering around her as if threatening to collapse at any moment. I'd seen what she really looked like and didn't want to repeat the memory, thanks.
Mom's eyes were full of sorrow as they met mind and I wondered if Gram had gone too far. The guilt on my mother's face was so powerful I wished I didn't have to look.
"I am an Enforcer!" Pender's voice boomed through the room, silencing opposition. His shoulders straightened, face settling into firm resolution despite his pale skin. "It is within my right to call forth the dead and my job to uncover the truth through any means necessary."
"Not if you're no longer in the Order." Dominic surged forward, tried to grasp Pender's arm, but the tall, thin man shook him off with a frown so disapproving the false leader backed off.
"I am an Enforcer for life," he said again, quietly, with great dignity. "And no matter what you've done to my family, to the Order to which I've committed everything, I will carry the honor and pride for the rest of my life."
Uncomfortable silence anyone? Was that a shifting in the magic I felt? Because I felt it, now I knew it was there, the insidious thread of Batsheva's power woven through the entire room, whispering in ears, pulling at loyalties, holding them all in thrall.
"We acknowledge the rights of Enforcer Tremere," Erica said. Since when did she take over the Council? It seemed I'd underestimated her. Either that or she'd found her niche at last. Though from the half-vacant look the rest of the Council members wore, I supposed it was her or no one. Batsheva's power had to be affecting them as well. But not me. Or Erica. Or anyone else in my family, it seemed. Was the Hayle family magic somehow keeping us safe?
Made sense to me. Especially after what Batsheva tried last time, stealing it from Mom the way she did. No way would it let her influence it again. I wondered if she'd taken that into consideration when she'd set up her little plan. Surely having to struggle with our power wasn't making her job any easier.
No time for further speculation. Erica gestured at Pender. "We will hear the testimony of Martin and Louisa Vega."
"What could they possibly add to this?" Odette was still trying, bless her evil old heart.
"I would hear them as well," Violet said, her little face tight with anger, but not at me or Gram or even Pender. She glared at Odette like she wanted to bite her. "Do shut up for once, Odette, won't you?"
So not all sheep, not quite.
"I too would hear them," Tallah said without looking at me.
"And I," Irene nodded. "Speak, echoes of those who were. What testimony do you have for us?"
Martin and Louisa remained silent until the Rhodes coven leader spoke up.
"Treachery," Louisa said, voice vibrating hollow, but full of sadness. "The Hayle coven has been betrayed from within."
I was happy to be sitting where I was, with a full view of Celeste. Just so I could see the look on her face and fix her flicker of fear in my mind. For later. When I hunted her down and killed her with my bare hands.
My demon immediately offered a variety of scenarios for my viewing pleasure while the Vega's ghosts went on.
"We have been faithful members of the Hayle family," Martin said, "since our coven was destroyed by the greed of our former leader, Naudia Purity." Another shocker to drop my jaw. The Vegas? The sweet, kind hearted and darling couple who treated me like the daughter they never had?
I couldn't believe it.
"We were approached by Celeste Oberman on several occasions," Louisa went on. "It was her intent to act against Miriam Hayle and sabotage the coven so she could take control of the family magic and return our old coven to power."
Celeste paled to white, throat working while James leaned in, whispering frantically in her ear. She shook him off, eyes darting toward the sealed exit.
Oh no you don't.
"We adore our coven," Martin's ghost said, "and would never do such a thing. Miriam Hayle welcomed us into her family after our leader betrayed us and has never judged or asked of us any more than our love and loyalty." He smiled at Mom who smiled back, tears tracking down her cheeks. "Don't mourn us, dear Miriam. It's not your fault we died."
"This is foolishness," Odette snapped. "What does it have to do with the charges at hand?"
"Goes to the reliability of all of the charges, Council," Pender said. "If there were those within the coven working against Miriam Hayle, it is likely the majority of what she's been charged with is a fabrication of those betrayers."
No one moved as Batsheva practically vibrated with frustration. "Fine, whatever," she snapped.
Still relying on her power to control them, was she? I felt a surge in the ropes of coercion she'd built and saw the witches sway as one.
Not so subtle anymore. Maybe she could be forced to show her hand after all.
The Vegas weren't done. "That same witch who spoke against our leader has much to answer for." Louisa turned and glared at Celeste. "We once thought of you as our sister. Until you poisoned others against our family. And when that wasn't enough for you, when we refused to support you, you had us killed."
Confirmation. Awesome. I was half way to my feet, my demon roaring her fury when Martin continued.
"We're not the only ones Celeste has eliminated to further her goals." He faced James. "Your wife, Sandra, was a victim as well. Did you not wonder why the only non-Purity witch in your circle died a mysterious death?"
James jerked like a fish on a line. "What are you saying?" He barely choked out the words, half standing, cheeks pure white except for two hot spots of pink. He spun on Celeste, face crumpling in grief. "What have you done?"
"It was the only way she could control you," Louisa said, voice sad. "I'm so sorry, James. We only found out ourselves by accident. It was for this, and because we refused to support her, that Celeste killed us. Correction," she held up one hand. "She didn't execute the plan herself. Instead, she recruited help and made sure through magic means the fire consuming us would do so regardless of any attempts to put it out."
She was. So. Dead. All the agony and grief surged back as I fell into my seat again, hot tears welling in my eyes, my throat tight and scratchy, my skin tingling with the need to sob and rage.
Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, James lunged at Celeste, carrying the bigger witch to the floor and out of clear sight. He howled in grief, trying to hit her, not even able to summon his magic to strike, as they rolled around together on the floor while witches scrambled out of their way, the grating sound of their chairs being tossed aside by the violence the only sound outside of James's animal-like weeping.
Dominic gestured and two Enforcers moved, though they seemed to take their time. They managed to get a grip on James and pull him upright, the first holding him off while the other stood over Celeste, letting her climb to her feet under her own power.
"I demand her death!" James continued to sob, sagging in the arms of the Enforcer. "I demand she die for killing my wife!"
"There is more to tell." Louisa turned to Mom. "Celeste has been, either directly or indirectly, behind every single attempt to undermine your position, actively attempting to remove you as leader." Again the witches swayed. Yes, blood magic was punishable by death. But so was betraying your family and turning against your leader while weakening your coven.
"You have proof?" Erica's voice was calm, cool. I didn't know how she managed it, but thanked her for it silently. All eyes turned to her, all focus on the Hayle coven member of Council.
Perfect.
"We do," Louisa said. "If it must be told."
Celeste surged forward, the Enforcer finally grabbing her and holding her back. "They lie!" Her eyes bulged, her heavy braid swinging like a noose.
"Impossible," Erica said coldly. "Echoes cannot lie."
"NO!" Celeste pulled free of the Enforcer, pointing a finger at Odette. But as she tried to speak, her voice cut off. She struggled, grasping at her throat with both hands while the entire room stared in horror.
Not on my watch. Yes, the woman would die a slow and painful death, but not before she spilled the beans. I reached out with my power and grasped the hand of magic sealing Celeste's throat, following it back to Odette who scowled so darkly she looked more demonic than I ever did. I lashed out, cutting off her hold, while Celeste coughed and bent over, her eyes locked on the Dumont leader.
"This is all your fault!" Her shriek was harsh, torn from her damaged throat, but came out loud and clear. "You promised me I could have the Hayle coven if I did what you wanted!"
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