Chapter 570: Coven Second
School. Wow. My dorm room felt like an alien planet. But Shenka's smiling face and an eager hug greeted me when I finally returned, so that made all the difference.
She immediately began to grill me, dragging me down to sit on her bed beside her. "How's Liam?"
"He's completely fine," I said, tucking one leg under me. "The healers said he's made a full recovery." And from what I could tell, from what Shaylee felt, that was true. I still worried, especially now I'd decided I was going to throw caution to the wind when it came to him.
When, I still hadn't settled on. I wanted to make sure he was back and life was even a little normal before trying the relationship thing.
Shenka smiled and squeezed my hand. "I'm so happy for you two," she said. "You know Tippy's going to be all kinds of jealous?"
Let her. "Oh well," I said. "She's got lots of prospects."
Shenka laughed. "Tell me about it."
"Thank you, by the way." I hugged her impulsively. Her scent always reminded me of her home in California and the ocean. "For taking care of Liam."
She leaned back with a big smile, white teeth flashing against her lovely dark skin. "What's a second for?"
Okay, that floored me. "Seriously?"
She nodded, fast and jerky. "If you still want me?"
I didn't get to shriek and hug her again in excitement. Not because I didn't want to, but because the door to our room was knocked upon quite firmly, twice, before it swung open to bang with some force against the far wall.
I stood, my magic surging around me in protective mode, Shaylee snarling. She'd acquired a certain level of bravery since I'd reabsorbed her into myself and her reaction made me proud.
Not that my pride would do much against the shaking and clearly angry Tallah Hensley who stood just over the threshold, glaring at me. A flicker of motion over her shoulder drew my eyes, Mom nodding slowly to me as I turned my attention back to the leader of the Hensley coven.
Shenka's sister ground her jaw a moment before she spoke. "I understand you're trying to poach my second, Coven Leader Hayle."
That was hardly fair. "Your second volunteered," I said, going cold. I liked Tallah, but no way was she pushing me around.
Tallah's eyes narrowed as she turned to Shenka. I glanced at my friend, saw how pale she'd gone, an ashen tone to her dark skin. But Sashenka held her ground under the pressure of her sister's magic.
More pride. Hell yeah.
"Is that true?"
I wanted to protest. No coven leader should use their magic to coerce one of their family to stay. Mom's quick headshake told me to stay out of it.
Trust her, Gram sent in a thin thread. Of course she was paying attention. Nosy old-
At least one of us is, she grunted. Watch.
Shenka's shoulders went back, unbowed, her chin rising. "It is, Coven Leader Hensley," she said. "I've considered for quite some time it's not a good idea for me to be your second. That you, and our coven, need someone you can lean on, consider an ally. Not a little sister who you think needs protecting." She turned to me. "I approached Syd about being her second. Not the other way around. I have you to thank for the skills I've learned." Her tone softened as her magic reached back for Tallah. "I am an excellent second. But I can't do my job effectively if I'm always considered to be someone you can't take seriously."
Tallah's face crumbled, her magic retreating. "I don't do that, do I?"
Shenka's smile was impish. "Sometimes. Tal, I need to fly. And so do you, sis."
What was I doing? I'd struggled with this before. Tallah was my friend, Shenka, too. How could I break up their family? But the quiet moment the sisters spent, finally smiling at each other, their magic now warm and kindly, told me Shenka had done what she felt was right.
As long as it didn't mean hard feelings between Tallah and I. But if it did? So be it.
Tallah glanced at me, her smile fading. "Take care of her," she said. "Or else."
"I intend to," I said. "Though I have a feeling she'll be taking care of me more often than not."
Tallah coughed out a laugh. Rolled her eyes. "Fine, you pair. You're a good match." Tallah turned to Mom. "I approve the release of my sister to the Hayle coven."
More damned politics. Mom smiled and nodded. "I'm happy to witness."
Tallah hesitated before crossing to her sister and hugging her. "I love you. Don't be a stranger." A tear tracked down Tallah's face before she sniffled and stepped away. Taking the Hensley family magic with her.
Shenka shuddered as the blue power flowed out of her, snapping off at her fingertips as she dropped her hands.
Hurry up, girl, Gram sent, breaking me out of watching mode and into action. Don't make the poor child wait.
Oh. Crap. Right. I reached out to Shenka with the power of the Hayle coven, feeling it welcome her, gliding around her, sliding inside and settling where the Hensley magic had once sat. She smiled at me as I grinned like an idiot.
"Welcome to the family," I said. "Second Hensley."
Shenka hugged me, laughing as our power connected along the bonds of the coven, spreading out to the rest of the family who embraced her with magic as I did with my arms.
Finally, Gram sent. Took you long enough.
Smartass grandmother.
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