Chapter 335: Win Some And Lose Some
Happy endings are highly overrated.
With Batsheva still in the wind, Celeste, Ameline and Demitrius supposedly under her control, I couldn't help but feel like a ticking time bomb sat outside the sleepy confines of Wilding Springs, just waiting for an excuse, any excuse, to blow up in my face.
At least they were weakened, stripped of coven power. Though if Batsheva was able to handle using blood magic, I had no doubt the others, the sorcerous Strong not included, would master it as well given enough time.
Gram and I did the deed together, severing the absent Celeste from our family magic. I have to say it was immensely satisfying and would happily have welcomed her back just to do it again.
And again.
It was weird in the house without Mom around, but I was getting used to it. Though I can't count how many times I passed her room in the run of a day and thought about her.
A lot.
Even weirder, Mom took Meira with her. I knew it made sense, cried as my sister hugged me, her possessions magicked away as a tall Enforcer pair gathered her to them and vanished. I held onto her magic all the way, just in case. Not that I didn't think Mom wasn't keeping an eye on her, but I refused to be caught with my pants down.
At least I'd see them again in the not-too-distant future. The headquarters of the Council happened to be at Harvard, so when I went to school in the fall I'd see them as often as I wanted.
Mom forgot the whole graduation thing in the midst of the mess, thank goodness. And with Erica at her side, still the Hayle Council member, there was no one to remember the horror of their little plans. I did admire the ring they ordered me when it arrived though, so that was a bonus.
It even fit without having to use magic.
The saddest part was losing Sassafras to them. He'd gone with Meira, clutched to her chest, amber eyes winking. I missed him, more than I would ever admit to the silver furball.
With just Gram and I, the house felt empty. Galleytrot had gone back to his familiar haunt with Liam again, and I hadn't argued.
I went to join my Sidhe friends the night of the June full moon, standing with Liam while he nervously answered his first knock. I was happy to be there, to support him, but felt Shaylee shudder from the pull of the Sidhe realm just on the other side of the Gate.
Quaid ended up leading the memorial for the Vegas, calling up their power where it lingered around the family, waiting for the chance to come home. They'd not had the opportunity to pass on their magic due to the nature of their deaths and it took an entire coven gathering to summon what remained back to the fold. I wept openly as I felt their touch return to the family, their true essence, unlike the echo of Alison, the Vegas were now with us forever. It was only the third time I'd seen Quaid cry, and all within a few days.
I hoped it would be the last. We'd had enough tragedy, thanks.
Alison was becoming a problem. No matter what I did, she refused to cross over. I did ward the gem against her, so at least she wasn't able to take more power from it, a fact that irritated her to raging. She wasn't herself at all and was starting to creep me out. Gram grumbled, wanted to force my friend to go to the light, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Mia had been in official contact at last, so it was a start. It was a stilted and formal letter, but had her power embedded in it and was sealed with a kiss of lipstick.
Dark red. Her old favorite.
The Dumonts were in for a hell of a time if Mia went all Pain on their asses.
Her letter assured me she was restricting those who showed sympathy toward Odette and Ameline, including Jean Marc and Kristophe, though I knew she had her work cut out for her.
Charlotte and her two friends (Uri and Katarina-I finally learned their names) had assigned themselves my official bodyguards. It was kind of Sebastian to tolerate them in his territory, though he told me the only reason they remained was because of the debt he owed me.
Uncle Frank was his old self in more ways than one. In fact he was even happier and more confident if that was even possible. I wondered if he'd crash at some point, but knew Sunny was there for him if it happened so I didn't worry too much.
I was happy to get more letters, these from the coven leaders. And while Tallah's note was warm and apologetic, it was the inserted sheet from Sashenka that made me smile the most.
We'd be going to college together.
The other leaders, even Benita Santos, were also warm and kind. Who knew I'd be making witchy friends?
My birthday came and went with our yearly Beltane ritual, though it was quieter than I expected my eighteenth to be. Beth and Tim tried to wrangle a party, but I just didn't have it in me.
As for me and Quaid... we were taking things one step at a time. Including rescheduling our first date.
Nothing was going to keep me from it this time.
Nothing.
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