Chapter 621: Work Around
Well, that was productive.
I stood with Gram and Varity in one corner of the Yard, arms crossed, back against a tree as the pair glared at each other. I could tell from the way their faces twitched they were talking among themselves but didn't have the energy to break into the conversation.
When Gram finally spoke out loud, I jumped.
"No," she snarled, clearly continuing where her mental voice left off, "I wasn't aware at the time the Council power had that much influence. Do you think I would have just let Miriam fall into this bottomless pit without support if I'd known?" She blew a gust of air from between her pursed lips. "It wasn't until Miriam attacked Syd I realized just how far this had gone."
Varity's shoulders slumped, hands clenched into a knot in front of her chest. "I've witnessed such influence," she said. "But never on such a level." Her eyes settled on me. "Nor have I seen a Council Leader fight so hard against her own magic."
To protect me. I knew that already. Gram paced in a tight circle before coming to an abrupt halt with a heavy sigh. Her lower lip quivered a moment before she took my hand and squeezed it so hard the bones ground together.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I should have kept a closer eye on Miriam. Should have tried to help her, acted when she came after you in the spring." I shuddered at the memory of Mom's magic striking out at me when I tried to reach for her. "I knew things were escalating, but she's clearly cracked." That was a big statement, coming from Gram.
"Can we free her?" I already knew the answer.
"She would have to choose to step down," Varity said. "And I think we all know now, she's too far gone inside its control to do so willingly."
"Then we continue to work around her." I could see Gram's anxiety shift visibly on her face, feel it through the connection of our hands as her power rippled over mine.
"I can't just write Mom off." Could I?
Charlotte rumbled a low growl while both witches stared at me, mute and frustrated.
Guess I had my answer. And without anyone else to appeal to, I only had one course of action open to me.
The moment I arrived home, I reached for Liam, felt him leave the cavern so we could speak.
Have you heard from Thalion? It was wishful thinking to consider Aoilainn would have a change of heart, but I was running out of things to hope for and grasped anyway.
Not yet. Liam's power embraced me, the warmth and steadying strength of his earth magic helping to ground me and making Shaylee sigh happily. I really did miss him. But was it his friendship I missed, or his heart? But I'll keep you posted. He paused. Any luck on your end?
Not so far. I felt his twinge of disappointment, fed by anxiety. Same deal. I'll let you know the moment I figure out what I'm going to do.
I released him even as he tried to speak further, cutting him off. Not because I wanted to be cruel or anything, but the absolute disgust I felt, the fact I felt frozen, stuck, unable to act when acting was so very important, was almost too much for me to keep to myself.
And he didn't need that kind of pressure on his shoulders right now. Besides, I suffered best in silence.
I walked into the kitchen to find Varity and Gram whispering to each other, both jerking guiltily as they straightened when I joined them.
I sighed, knowing no matter how much arguing I did, I'd lose. I was enough my grandmother's girl to know she'd do what she wanted regardless.
Because I would. And did.
I went to them, hugging first Gram and then her tall friend.
"Whatever you two are planning," I said, "just be careful."
Gram grinned suddenly and planted a wet kiss on my cheek. "Don't wait up."
The two vanished out the front door while I added another layer of worry to my list.
I was about to reach for Shenka, to fill her in on my latest failure, when another mind touched mine. One I knew so well he was part of me, no matter what happened between us.
Quaid. I sank into my chair, letting the sun from the kitchen window wash over me, warm me. A chill had settled around my soul, fed by my frustration. But his touch helped push it back. Just like always. Even when I was mad at him, even when he was being a major jerkasaurus, Quaid's steady presence and power gave me strength and warmed me to my core.
While I asked myself if I missed Liam's friendship or his heart, I never had to ask that question when it came to Quaid.
No crying. Too much to do.
Sassafras leaped up on the table next to me and I stroked his fur as I spoke with the handsome Enforcer trainee.
Syd. Quaid's power hugged me much as Liam's had, but different. So different. Solid like the earth, sweet like the water, fresh as the air and hot as fire, his spirit magic followed last, whispering his love for me even as my alter egos all reached back.
I guess I wasn't the only one who took strength from being together.
I would have sat there forever, wrapped up in him and he in me, and had we the time, I know the feeling was mutual. But he sighed, pulled back just enough we were apart, but stayed close so I could still feel him with me.
I take it this isn't a social call? I wished. Like my life ever went so smoothly.
Something weird is going on, he sent. Strange orders coming in for the Enforcer ranks. We're to start patrolling our territory border and not allow foreign witches access.
So it was a new law, was it, Mom? Talk about fresh. Like, at that second.
Still stank, though.
There's a reason, I sent before telling him everything. Quaid listened, as always, hissing in the appropriate places, his power supporting me even as he fumed. Quaid, I don't know what to do. My desperation rose, reached for him, needing him to tell me what next. But his power gently detached from my grasping as he mentally kissed me.
You don't need me, he sent, heart beating with mine, power linked in perfect proportion and without a trace of bitterness. You don't need anyone. But I'm here for you, I've told you that before. How could he say such things to me, be exactly who I needed him to be and yet be the one person I could never have? Syd, you know what you have to do next. And you're the only person I know brave enough to act and do what's necessary, even though it might mean putting yourself in danger.
Tears trickled down my cheeks. Sometimes I worry I won't be strong enough. So amazing to have someone to tell. To confess my deepest fear. I couldn't think of anyone else I would turn to with such fear. That I'll fail them, Quaid. What if I fail them?
You won't, he sent with so much conviction I laughed and wiped at my tears while Sassafras purred and rubbed against me. You can't. That's just not your nature. And if you do fall, Syd, it won't be a failure. Not yours. It will be theirs.
Okay then.
Quaid, Sassafras's mental voice gently interjected. I assume you contacted us for more than just a pep talk and a warning about weird orders?
The Enforcer trainee shuddered, power tightening around me again. I'm an idiot, he sent. Yes. You have to be careful. Miriam has ordered you are to be watched and guarded at all times.
Um, what? Just our coven? Not the others? She'd pulled a similar tactic when the Brotherhood attacked in the spring, ordering two pairs of Enforcers to guard over the covens, an order she rescinded once the machine the Brotherhood used to steal the Dumont magic was destroyed and taken into Enforcer custody.
No, Syd, he sent. Not other covens. Not other leaders. You. Specifically.
Oh no, she did not.
I volunteered for duty, he sent, but she refused to accept me. Sorrow and anger tinged his thoughts. Three sets of two Enforcers just received their orders. They'll be arriving shortly. And Syd, they've been told to keep you from leaving the property.
She'd placed me under house arrest, had she? We'd just see about that.
For someone who insists on upholding law, Sassafras snarled, she seems intent on breaking as many as she can.
Agreed, Quaid sent. But she's Council Leader.
And being controlled by that power. I couldn't blame Mom.
But I could blame the centuries of witches who came before her.
I'm not sure how this is supposed to keep us safer, Quaid sent with some sarcasm, but you're a threat, Coven Leader Hayle. Officially enemy number one.
Nice to know.
Too bad she was aiming her big guns at the wrong target.
Thanks for the heads up, I sent. Why was I suddenly feeling more confident instead of less? Almost giddy with anticipation?
Because, my vampire sent, by forcing your hand, Miriam has freed you to act, given you the motivation you needed to do what you must. And while the coming Enforcers can try, there is no way they can stop you and they know it.
I felt them arrive at the same moment, the rush of their power heralding their appearance and stood, walking to the door. Still linked with Quaid, I stormed out into my driveway while six Enforcers in plain clothes-suits and sunglasses for goodness sakes-approached the front door.
A wall of magic stopped them in their tracks, the tall Enforcer in the lead bouncing back from it so hard he stumbled and almost fell. I glared, arms crossed over my chest, Sassafras curled around my feet as Charlotte chuffed and snarled beside me.
The lead Enforcer looked like a brick wall, dark hair shaved to a buzz cut, eyes lost behind his mirrored glasses. He looked so much like one of the Brotherhood's sorcerer bullies I reached for him and tested his power as he spoke, just to be safe.
Yup, witch. And arrogant. Hell yeah.
"Coven Leader Hayle," he said, voice rumbling deep. "We've been ordered to contain you in your home until further notice."
"And you are?" I'd dealt with bullies of all races and he, frankly, wasn't impressing me.
"Enforcer Howermall," he said.
He's powerful, Quaid sent in a warning. And very good. He and his team are sent in for the toughest cases. Watch yourself around him.
I think that warning needed to be the other way around.
"First name, jackass." I wasn't taking crap. None.
He hesitated, jaw grinding. "Thomas."
"Okay, Tommy boy," I said while Quaid winced in my head before laughing and commenting quietly on the size of my balls, "listen up. You and your little friends here? You're breaking the law." They all twitched, but didn't move. "You are unwelcome on Hayle property, in Hayle territory, and I'm ordering you to leave. Now."
Howermall shuddered, but shook his head. "We're under our own orders," he said. "The Council Leader's."
Nice one, Quaid sent. Keep pushing him. It might work.
Oh, I had every intention of pushing. Hard.
All the way to the edge of my territory.
"Considering covens are autonomous," I said, "her orders have no merit."
Sassafras hissed happily in my mind. When did you become so clever?
I was thinking the same thing, Quaid sent.
Great teachers, I sent back.
The Enforcers all twitched again. I could tell they weren't happy about their assignment. And I was right. The law was the law.
"We have an impasse," Howermall said, voice softening. "But we must remain, coven leader."
Okay, I'm impressed, Quaid sent. Now, kick him where it hurts.
Snort. But I couldn't be complacent. I'd won the fight if not the war. "Tell you what," I said. "You can stay. But you're not allowed inside my territory. So, get your Enforcer behinds past the borders of Wilding Springs. And stay there. If you cross into my territory again uninvited, I'll be forced to have you charged with trespassing on a coven's property without due cause." I paused. "Unless you have due cause to contain me, Enforcer?"
He shook his head. "No cause was given," he said.
Mom must have been desperate to go this far.
"Time for you all to leave." I shoved against him with my magic. "Three." Foot tap. "Two." Glare with power flaring. "One-"
He turned, gestured to his people. And they left.
But they didn't go far. I could feel them, as they reappeared outside Wilding Springs, doing their duty while I fought down the surge of rage burning inside me.
I'll do what I can from my end to keep you posted, Quaid sent. I'm sorry, Syd. I wish I could be there. His mind clenched in frustration and indecision before his power relaxed and engulfed mine. I could be. So soft. So tentative.
You'd be kicked out of training, I sent. That would mean the end of your chance to be an Enforcer.
I know. His hesitation didn't last long, but it was long enough.
I'll be fine, I sent, purposely brusque, giving him the out he needed. Knowing I could have had him. But for how long? And at what cost?
I wouldn't be the source of his unhappiness. He'd had way too much of that in his life already.
Quaid left me gently, sadly, but he left. I felt Sassafras's magic hug me in sympathy before sparking in rage as he joined me in reaching for Mom.
Normally she blocked me out. This time, I used maji power to make sure she couldn't, slamming into her, forcing her to hear me.
You've broken the law, Council Leader, I sent. Careful, or I won't be the one on the stake.
I shut down our communication, sealing it with sorcery as her power battered furiously against me, trying to get in. Forget it. My vampire was right.
Mom just gave me the motivation I needed to tell the whole world to screw it.
***
