Chapter 331: Revelations
Erica didn't get to go on, at least not right away. We all felt the ripple of blood magic suddenly tearing through the building, though it wasn't aimed at us. Within a moment an Enforcer raced into the chamber, blood on his face from what looked like spray.
"They've been taken," he said, desperation and fear in his voice. "Celeste and Demitrius Strong. And Dominic Moromond's life fed their escape."
Quaid surged to his feet, face a mask of rage, but it was too late. He'd lost his chance at revenge against the male half of his enemy.
Willa, Violet Rhodes's Council member, leaned in to whisper in Erica's ear and she nodded quickly.
"In light of these escapes as well as the loss of Batsheva, the main culprit in this affair, we are forced to act swiftly and without mercy. We will no longer be duped and will guard against such an attack at the fabric of our Council in the future. Evil is still at large and we will make it our task as a High Council to work together, to open regular dialogue to ensure the safety of all covens."
The other leaders were all nodding. So, some hope there after all.
"No more can we passively look the other way and leave events to fellow covens. All calls for aid will be answered and dealt with in a timely manner."
Even better.
"That being said, we have several tasks ahead of us. One of which is replacing the leader of the Dumont coven." Erica turned to the Dumont contingent, expectant. I found the worried and tense looks on the brother's faces most satisfying. But Ameline's was as calm as ever.
Not good.
She rose to her feet in a fluid motion as if she'd been waiting for this moment. "I have been groomed for the position my entire life and it is, then, only natural I take over this coven." She smiled, an empty thing. "I happily take up the mantle of this family and will use my young, fresh outlook, under the guidance of the Council of course, to bring the Dumont coven forward."
The Council was nodding. Seriously? Had they learned nothing?
I think Ameline was the most shocked when Mia rose to her feet.
"I am next in line," she said, voice soft but firm. "My mother was heir and I claim her place as leader of this family."
I honestly thought Ameline would pass out from shock. She really believed Mia would stand by and let her take over. And to be totally fair, so did I.
This new Mia had purpose, though. I felt her shedding her chameleon neediness as her shoulders went back, her mother's spirit shining through her as her voice took on volume. "I claim this coven as my own," she said, "as rightful leader of the Dumonts."
Ameline spluttered before turning to the Council.
"Two claimants," Erica said. "Then, as is in accordance with our laws, we will let your family magic decide."
As if her words summoned it, the swirling mass of lavender magic appeared between the two girls, winding its way into a tornado of power undulating and wavering in a column reaching the ceiling.
Ameline didn't hesitate. "Come!" She gestured like an empress to an errant child.
Mia reached out with a gentle hand. "Come home," she whispered.
The Dumont magic didn't hesitate, sliding forward to wrap itself around Mia's hand, climbing her arm, sinking inside her until her body vibrated with the pressure of it, finally fading back to quiet.
Ameline glared at her adversary. I felt her pull in her power and knew what she planned, but so did Mia. As Ameline struck, the Dumont magic jerked free of the cold-faced girl and returned to Mia's possession.
"I eject you from the Dumont family," she said, voice as icy as Ameline's, "and banish you from ever contacting or interacting with this coven again."
Ameline stood frozen in shock, eyes huge, a soft wail beginning deep inside her. She shook like a dying leaf, her cry of absolute loss rising in the air like a living thing.
"Arrest her," Mia commanded. "For conspiring against her leader."
Before the Enforcers could take her into custody, a flash of red power burst into a bubble around the girl, driving the black-robed witches back. When the sphere of crimson magic burst, Ameline was gone.
Mia didn't hesitate. "I make it my mission," she said, "to track down the evildoers who have placed this taint over my family and to root out all such traitors within the Dumont coven so that one day this family can take its place in the ranks of the trusted witches who serve this Council."
The brothers looked really freaked now. I waved and winked at them both.
Oh yeah. Gotta love it.
"And now, I would like to appoint Brenda Simmons as the Dumont member of Council." Mia gestured at the small, middle aged woman sitting off to one side. Brenda looked surprised, but accepted at once and I wondered what compelled Mia to choose her.
Time would tell.
And even while I hoped Mia was thinking straight, I realized she'd never looked so in control of herself for as long as I'd known her and hoped this would be good for her in the end.
There was a quick pause as Brenda was gowned, much like Erica's welcome, to take her place in Andre's old seat.
"This trial will resume." Phyllis Gaines, the Bradford member, nodding to Irene, and I felt my bad feeling return. "Miriam Hayle, please stand."
Mom did.
"You are hereby cleared of all charges but one." I almost leaped up and cheered until I heard the caveat. After everything Mom and the rest of us did for them, seriously?
Seriously?
"You allowed blood magic to be used in your home, at your sacred coven site. You know the severity of your crime and the sentence it carries."
"I do," Mom said without hesitation.
The whole room wavered, every witch holding their breath. But this time, without the influence of blood magic, they were on Mom's side.
At last.
Too bad it was too late.
Willa held up one hand to silence the chatter and stillness fell again. "In your success and tireless work toward protecting your coven and the very Council who ignored you, you, Miriam Hayle, are exactly the kind of witch we need more of."
No one breathed, including me.
What was this?
"To satisfy law, you must die for your crime." Willa sighed. "No more may you be Miriam Hayle, leader of the Hayle coven. You must give up your magic to your successor."
Mom nodded and turned to me.
No. No. Absolutely not.
"At that time," Phyllis went on, "when you are no longer leader, you will be dead to all witches. Only then can you take up the mantel of leader of this Council, your sentence fulfilled."
Um. What the hell just happened?
Mom didn't seem all that shocked, so while the rest of us gaped like idiots, she bowed her head to the Council.
"I am honored to take on the magic of the North American Council," she said in her strong, clear voice, "and lead us into a better, healthier future where all witches are equal."
The place erupted into excitement as I sobbed and hugged Tallah. Mom was going to be okay.
More than okay.
Gram sighed in my head. And I had an instant moment of understanding which drove my joy at Mom's safety aside with the understanding of what this really meant.
Mom wouldn't be leader of the coven anymore.
Which meant...
Oh crap.
***
