Chapter 440: Coven Love
I had to see Gram, even if it was only for a moment or two before running off on yet another mad mission. Yes, I could tell from our mental connection she was fine, but after putting her and the rest of the coven in harm's way, I needed to see for myself.
A quick stop at the house found it dark, but only because she was in the basement. And she wasn't alone. I felt them all reach for me as I walked into the kitchen, their relief, the hug of the family magic pulling me close and helping to calm me down way more than anything I could have accomplished on my own.
I left Demetrius at the table with Charlotte to watch over him and descended the stairs into the crowd of witches circling the pentagram. My grandmother stood in the center of it, mismatched sweater and very loud pink pants worn as casually as the highest fashion. I knew part of her peculiar behavior was a mask, a way for her to hide from the world just how much of her still lurked inside, but even I had no idea if the brief jaunts back into nutty old lady were authentic or part of a show she put on for our benefit.
Gram was all business this morning as I eased through the crowd at the bottom of the stairs, letting them touch me, feel my magic, opening to them. And as I joined Gram, turning to face back the way I'd come, I sent out my thanks, surprised to find tears standing in my eyes.
"My coven," I said, throat aching, but voice strong. "Your bravery and strength bring honor to the Hayle name and I am so very grateful I have you to count on every day."
They swelled with pride, almost as one, their relief and optimism passing from face to face, from magic to magic until I felt like the whole room hugged us all.
How I hated to bring them down. But there was so much left to do and while I didn't want to crush their hope, they had to know the truth.
Knowing time was short, and I needed more than anything to escape the house, the coven, and allow Demetrius to fulfill his part of our bargain, I took my time filling in the family. They deserved no less and needed to know, after all we'd been through, after they'd stood behind me, beside me, learned to trust and follow me despite the pressure they were under. Pride and commitment to them drove my tears away and actually brought my own positive thoughts back, despite knowing how far we had yet to go.
They listened without question, nodding, whispering acknowledgment, each and every one of them, from the twins with their withered apple faces and matching twinsets, holding hands while their determination held me up, to the smallest child, their magic wrapped up in mine.
"I'm assuming my plan worked?" I turned to Gram as I finished. "I tried it myself, dropped my shields. The sorcerer seemed to have no effect on me when I did."
She nodded, grunted, balancing on one foot while she tapped out a beat on her crossed arms with her dancing fingertips. "It did," she said. "Goes against all instinct, girl. But it worked." The coven agreed, their eager, familiar faces so dear to me. There had been a time I wanted nothing to do with them, a time the mere touch of their power near me made me sick, want to run. But now I knew how Mom felt, why she wanted this for me.
Family was everything.
"I refuse to put you in danger again." At least, not until I knew if I could come up with something better.
"We're not going anywhere," Estelle said, her twin nodding beside her. As she spoke, her magic stroked mine. Yes. Estelle. For once I didn't have to guess if it was her or her sister Esther. "This coven has survived more hardship than any other, and we're stronger for it." The family agreed with words and magic. "You have saved us from ruin time and again, Sydlynn Hayle. No matter what you need of us, we are yours. Now and forever."
Okay, weepy time. I really had to find a way to get past all this crying business. And yet, as the family pressed close, hands reaching out, smiles all around despite their worry, no matter the conflict we faced, I knew I wasn't alone.
"Go home," I said, sending them love. "Ward your homes and keep an eye open. Belaisle isn't stupid enough to come after us again, not without a clear target." Please, oh please, let that be true. They accepted the kind of lie with the same solid support I'd already felt before coming to me one at a time for a kiss on the cheek, a hug, a kind word, before filing out.
My coven. My family.
Hell yeah.
I'd never been so proud.
When it was just Gram and I, she hooked her arm through mine, pulling me against her side.
"You'll do," she whispered. Poked the end of my nose with her index finger. "I guess."
I needed that laugh.
Charlotte stood over Demetrius who huddled in the corner, almost under the table he'd slunk so low in the wooden chair. His amber eyes peered over the edge, focused on Gram as we emerged into the morning light.
"Well, well," she said. "Demetrius Strong. It's been a while."
Whoa. Hang on.
"You two know each other?" But she was nuts when he was sniffing around as leader of the Chosen, and he was already in demon form and outcast when Gram got her marbles back.
"Ethpeal," he cackled softly, sliding upward in his chair as though rising from the earth. "Hello, Ethie."
Major creepy ickle. But Gram just chuckled back.
"Looks like you got yourself into a bit of a pickle, old salt." Was that evil in her eyes?
He writhed in his seat, eyes turning to me. "She said she'd fix me. Said, Ethie."
Gram caught me staring out of the corner of her eye and winked. "Well then, if that's what she said." She turned to the refrigerator as if it was just another morning, a big smile on her face. "Who wants breakfast?"
"We can't." I turned to Charlotte, nodded. She reached for Demetrius who slunk from her, climbing to his feet on his own.
"Yes," Gram said while she rooted for ingredients. "You can."
Was she serious? Really?
"Gram-"
"The kids are safe," she said, dropping a carton of eggs and a sleeve of bacon on the counter, kicking the fridge door shut with one spotted sock. Green and purple today. Nice blend with the pink pants. "And you haven't slept in what, almost two days?"
When she put it that way... "Fine, breakfast."
She smiled and patted my cheek, fingers cold from the bacon package. "You know better than to argue, girl," she growled. "I always get my way."
Charlotte's lips twitched. Yeah, she was laughing at me.
Mumble, grumble.
At least I had the time to finally take a shower, though the stink of the Chosen's miserable apartment was long gone at least so I forewent the bleaching of my entire body for a good scrubbing with soap and a scratchy loofa. I briefly considered throwing Demetrius in after I was done, but the effort it would take to clean him up would mean I'd have to shower again.
He could stay dirty.
I descended to the happy smells of morning, wondering how I could possibly just sit down and eat while my mind churned with the need to keep moving. But the sight of Gram standing over my plate, tapping her foot on the tile floor with a wicked looking spatula in her hands made me sit and do as I was told.
She wasn't past smacking me with her weapon of choice, just to prove a point.
And I had to admit, by the time I was done, wiping up the last of the yolk with a chunk of homemade bread, I felt much better. Clean, full and human again.
Well, sorta. Witch, Sidhe, demon and vampire. And maji.
Aw, hell.
"Did you talk to Mom?" The remainder of my orange juice chased breakfast as I sat back and tossed my napkin on my plate with a yawn. No sleepy. Not yet. A jolt of power shook me out of the food-induced need for a nap-a good night's sleep, to be honest-and back to reality.
"I did." Gram's mouth narrowed to a slash. "She's not happy."
"With me?" I shrugged. "Let her be pissed."
She sighed. "She's sending Enforcers," Gram said. "But I don't know if they'll be much good."
"We can handle it." At least Mom was doing something. "When they arrive, just fill them in on the shielding thing and have them patrol town. Keep an eye on the family."
Gram's faded blue eyes blinked slowly at me. "While you run off and do something stupid, is that it?"
I grinned at her, leaning close to kiss her cheek. "It's what you'd do."
Gram actually had the nerve to look innocent and indignant. "I beg your pardon." It only took a moment for her eyes to sparkle and her familiar cackle to make me laugh. "You know too many of my secrets."
"Me too." Demetrius smiled at us, chewing, eyes narrow and full of mischief, focused on Gram. "Don't I, Ethie? Don't I?"
Yes, we had to go, but I had time to ask some questions. "Gram-"
She was on her feet already, clearing the table with magic, shoving me toward the door as I stood to face her.
"Out," she grumbled. "Save the world again, girl. Then we talk."
I'd heard that song before. "You better believe it."
The veil welcomed us, Charlotte with a firm grip on Demetrius, as we skipped into the slice between worlds, exiting at the edge of town near where our old coven site used to be. Memories tugged at me, but this was no time to think about the past and the girl I'd been.
"Tell me where to go, Demetrius." I pinned him with a scowl. "No tricks."
"No, no tricks, not from me, nonono." He bounced on his toes, clapping his hands together. "Not far, they aren't far, all the pretty crystals you could ever want. Ever."
"Show me." I'd been playing around with my veil riding, the Galleytrot sniffing thing buoying my spirits, and since I always wondered if I could travel somewhere just from an image of it, this was as good a time as any to find out.
"Here." He threw the picture at me, the sight of yet another mansion, but this one ultra-modern, all glass and cold concrete and white stucco surrounded by grounds manicured to within an inch of hideous. I ground my teeth against the intrusion, but took it before cutting him out.
"Okay," I said. "I'm going to give this a try." I didn't need the look of concern briefly touching Charlotte's face, thanks. "Just hold on as usual, and don't let go." She could have a little freaking faith already.
I grasped for the veil, the image of the house in question firmly in my mind. My demon grunted, shrugged and pulled us in, two heartbeats passing before she dumped us out again into a small grove of trees.
Damn it. The boonies. And no house in sight. I sighed as I scanned the horizon before me, the stretch of forest and winding road, blue sky. Great.
Just great.
"Sorry," I said. "I guess it didn't work after all." I was so sure it would.
Charlotte tapped on my shoulder. I turned to find her looking in the other direction with a little grin on her face.
"Sorry I doubted," she said.
There, behind us, at the bottom of the low rise we stood on, was the very house.
Okay then. You have a terrible sense of humor, I snapped at my demon.
She just muttered at me, though her tone was definitely on the side of giddy.
Bratski.
***
