Chapter 446: Crystal Power
This trip through the house was a little different. No sneaking, for one thing. Though the view wasn't much better, in my opinion. Seen one multi-million dollar mansion, seen 'em all.
And, not a shocker, I ended up back in the central office with the big skylight and the cabinet full of crystals. My heart did an "oh noes" when I entered and found Belaisle standing in front of it, hands clasped behind his back, staring through the glass at the collection.
He knew.
We were screwed.
But when he turned to face me, his silken, well-oiled smile on his lips, he simply gestured for the goon to leave us as he crossed to his desk, an ornate and oppressive piece of posturing furniture, perching himself on the edge of it with flair.
Sigh.
"Welcome to my home, Miss Hayle," he said. "How lovely for you to visit. I hope you're enjoying your stay?"
Arrogant ass. "Not so much," I said, my best casual chic mustered at the last moment despite the fact I wanted to jerk the ugly clump of hair from his chin and feed it to him.
Syd. Temper.
His smile didn't waver. "You can imagine my surprise to find you here. How resourceful. Tell me, did you really trust that horrid old troll to lead you to me?" He snorted softly into one hand, a flashing gold and emerald ring the size of a dinner plate catching the light as he did. Belaisle was nothing if not a show off. "I'm honestly shocked to discover Demetrius Strong is even still alive. Especially after what you did to him." He clapped slowly, three times. "Bravo on destroying what remained of his very damaged mind."
"I'm happy to oblige," I said. "Care for a sample?"
He waggled one finger at me, tsking. "Now, Sydlynn. Be nice. I've been nothing but hospitable since I discovered you in my house, unwelcome. What would you have done to me in the same position?"
I hated to admit it, but he was right.
"You'd be dead now," I said with a smile. "So I guess that proves I'm smarter than you."
Way to prod the dude with all the power. But from the way he flinched slightly, I made my point.
Wasn't done, either.
"Did you have fun?" I crossed my arms over my chest. "Playing with the family?"
His sudden snarl erased the film of genteel he'd adopted. Belaisle stood abruptly and crossed to me, getting in my personal space.
"Your weakling coven and pathetic blood suckers are no match for my Brotherhood."
"Sounds like you're trying to convince me," I said, flicking an imaginary piece of dust from his lapel. "Or yourself, maybe?"
This was too much fun. Too much.
Really, I shouldn't have been giggling inside. Serious business and all that.
Belaisle swung away from me, body tense. "We'll see who comes out on top when we have the time to wipe you out."
"Oh, right," I drawled, letting humor into my voice, knowing I was shoving him as hard as I could, but unable to stop myself. "You're too busy taking over the world first. Well, just so you know, Belaisle? Now that we're aware-thanks for that, by the way-we won't be standing around waiting for you to get your act together before we kick your sorry asses from the pedestal of arrogance you've built yourselves."
Boo-ya.
He didn't answer. Hmmm. I was used to my brand of bad guys boasting their ways into corners they couldn't dig themselves out of. Belaisle simply returned to sit on his desk, though his smirk was long gone.
"Perhaps you and your coven are willing to step into something that you can't handle," he said, "but what about the rest of the witches? Are you so sure they will side with you against us, when it's only your word, and that of a pair of silly children, against us?" He stood, began to pace. I wasn't the only one, it seemed, though, as he did, his mood lifted. "You seem to think we've become so focused on our goal we've forgotten how important it is to ensure our success."
I didn't like the sound of that. "If you've hurt any witches-"
He laughed at me then, good mood returned. "Hurt? Harmed? You're a fool, Sydlynn Hayle. You win more wars with sugar to lure your bait than attacking with fire."
"You're still recruiting witches?" My mind skipped, shuddered, started running a mile a minute until I dragged it back under control. But yes, of course, it made total sense...
Belaisle's eyes gleamed, his posture relaxing. "I'm sorry to say, you now know too much. Well, you did before now, but any further guessing will only take you closer to answers I can't afford you to have. Which means, my dear, as much as it pains me," yeah, I could see it really pained him, "you're going to have to meet with an unfortunate accident."
It was almost funny. I guess he had no idea about my little immortality issue. Made me feel a little better on one hand, but very, very anxious on the other.
I had to talk to Mom and find out who was working with the Brotherhood.
Idiots.
"You realize my coven knows exactly where I am," I said. Bluffing? Not sure. Gram might have had enough to go on. "Do your worst and see where it gets you."
He nodded slowly. "Ah, yes. Well. If you're not fearful of losing your own life, there are always other means of keeping you quiet. After all, not everyone in your family has access to the power you do."
He did not just threaten the people I cared about.
Did not.
"Your mother is in a precarious situation." Belaisle toyed with the giant ring on his hand. "And your grandmother, with all that unprotected traipsing around the countryside she does. She really should be more careful." Red fury bloomed inside me, burned a hole in my chest, made my whole body sizzle and vibrate. "And your little sister. Meira, isn't it?" Something cracked around me for a moment, the shell casing of power holding me confined shattering for a single moment as molten rage drove knives of hate into my heart. "Our files tell us she has many young friends in the witch world. Some of them we know quite well."
My demon howled in the distance, the touch of her welcome. I reached for her, felt the touch of her power and welcomed the tint of amber fire over my vision as she rose to greet me.
Belaisle shrieked suddenly, a little girl sound of fright, face bone white as he dropped his posturing and slid sideways, scrambling behind his desk, one hand pointing at me, shaking.
"Bruno! Emil!" The door behind me slammed open as Belaisle cowered.
She fought to stay with me as more emptiness smothered me, forcing us apart, the feeling of her cut off despite my absolute need. I was left panting, bent in half, still staring at the Brotherhood leader with absolute fury, ready to tear him apart with my bare hands and eat his bloody heart.
Laughing all the while.
He regained his composure almost immediately, but I knew then he was a coward, held it to me like a gift, grinned at him with all my teeth bared and my contempt tearing a window open into my soul.
"Take her somewhere quiet and kill her." He turned his back on me, a slight tremor in his voice. "I don't care how, but make it look like an accident."
The two bullies approached, though I could feel their matching fear. When they tried to grab my arms, I yanked free and took a further step. Belaisle spun back to me, fear flickering in his eyes.
"I'll see you soon," I said, blowing him a kiss. "For dinner."
He blanched as I turned and strode out, the two sorcerers piling on more weight until I stumbled from it, unable to continue my forward momentum without them carrying me.
Kill me, huh? We'd just see about that.
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