Chapter 700: High Councils Abound
I barely managed any sleep thanks to the almost constant arrival of witches from that moment on. Conclave didn't officially begin until right around lunch time the next day, but the flurry of activity prior made it impossible to ignore the excitement flowing through the gathering magicks now filling the old coven site.
By the time I dragged myself, cranky and sandy-eyed, from bed, the rest of the High Councils had arrived, with just a trickle of their connected covens disturbing the hum of activity now dominating the space. Enforcers swooped overhead, some in black robes, others in a variety of colors, including one group in what looked almost like hand-woven tapestry. Their very dark skin and rhythmic accents made me assume they came with the African contingent.
I wasn't surprised, as I wound my way through the chattering mass of witches now crowding the passages between pavilions, to find Europe's stood empty and unoccupied. Mom had naturally sent invites to Margaret Applegate, but we both assumed the Council Leader would either ignore us or find a way to create some kind of disturbance. And yes, I realized it wasn't her in control. Liander Belaisle and his vile sect ran her particular show. Still, I'd met the woman when she wasn't under thrall, or was at least partially herself, and hadn't liked her much then, either.
The fact she'd allowed me to be devoured by a vampire queen didn't endear her much.
I marveled at the sound of so many languages spoken, of the different races and faces, mostly women, though a few men wandered the grounds outside the Enforcer ranks. It wasn't long before my idle wandering was noticed and I was corralled into something more productive.
My mother pulled me to her side and took me on a whirlwind tour of the witching world.
"Council Leader Ife Maalouf." Mom bowed her head graciously to a large black woman with gorgeous blue eyes and hair shorn tight to her scalp. The African Leader extended her hand to me when Mom introduced us, her warm, smooth skin soft on mine.
"Coven Leader," she said in a thick accent, white teeth vivid against the darkness of her complexion. "It is a great honor to meet you at last."
I shared a little magic with her even as her brilliant eyes widened. "Council Leader Maalouf," I said.
With a rich laugh of delight, she sent back a fraction of her own magic, thrumming with powerful earth energy and the heat of the sun.
Mom led me away a moment later to the sound of the African witches chattering at each other like excited, exotic birds, shaking her head though her smile remained fixed.
"What was that?"
Crap. I'd screwed up already. "What was what?"
Mom poked me with her power. "You just told her you were equals," she said. "And Ife accepted."
Oh, damn it. "Was that bad?" Images of insulted packs of witches swooping down to hail fire and fury on me flashed before my eyes.
"Considering she is a Council Leader and you a lowly Coven Leader, normally, yes." Mom's blue eyes glittered. With what? Anger? Irritation?
I sucked at this so much. "I was trying to be nice," I said.
"Try harder," Mom said. And laughed.
Teasing me. Amusement, then.
Relax, Syd. No witch apocalypse.
Yet.
I couldn't let Ife think she was the only special one, could I? My offer of power to the Asian Council Leader, Sumiko Himura, was met with a gasp of shock and a deep bow. She rapid-fired something in her native tongue before bowing to me again.
"Our honor, megami," she said in perfect English.
I bowed back as best I could, really wishing I understood what her people said during the introduction.
Finding out when Mom led me away.
"That was interesting," Mom said. "They think you're some kind of goddess."
Choke. "Sorry?"
Mom flicked her fingers at me. "Let them," she said. "It may prove useful."
Oh. My. Swearword.
"I am not going to pretend to be something I'm not," I spluttered.
"Yes, dear," Mom said, patting my hand. "Ah, look who's next."
Yamini Dhavan, the Indian Council Leader, blinked like I'd hit her when I shared magic, the small red dot between her brows pulsing with magic. The lovely sari she wore quivered around her feet. It took her a long moment to respond, and I began to wonder if I'd overstepped with her.
But when she finally did act, it was to grip my hand in both of hers and kiss the back of it.
"Maji," she said in a lilting voice. "I am touched by your blessing. Please accept mine in return." Her power, soft and sweet, segmented and joined my family magic.
Mom practically hummed with happiness as we continued the circuit.
"Oh, stop that," I snapped at her.
She just winked at me.
We'd reached the front end of the site, back where I'd started near my own pavilion and the entrance to the South American tent. Mom led me forward, smiling broadly at a small, round woman with dark gray hair and deep brown eyes who took Mom's hand and squeezed it in welcome.
"Ana Maria Diaz," Mom said. "May I present Coven Leader Sydlynn Hayle."
The South American Leader repeated her greeting with me, offering me energy before I could do so.
"Maji," she said with a slow wink. "Thank you for hosting us."
"My pleasure," I said, returning power to her. Her eyes widened, mouth opening in a small 'O' as she slowly released my hand.
"Marvelous," she said.
Okay, they were seriously creeping me out.
Before I could find an awkward response to her greeting, I felt emptiness form behind me and turned with a gasp of my own, my sorcery surging in answer.
But it wasn't the Brotherhood coming to attack as my over-anxious mind feared. Instead, Eva Southway stepped through the gaping hole of blackness, a tall, dark-haired man beside her. And, behind them, strode Piers, and his little sister, Clover, along with a handful of other Steam Union members I'd met before. Mom hadn't specified to me how many each of the magic races were bringing, but from the two dozen or so sorcerers who stood around talking, I could guess.
Ellis Lowsley grinned and waved at me, red hair catching the morning sun as his round glasses threw back the light. He'd served as Piers's second in command during the werewolf fiasco.
I was kind of surprised to see the rest of Piers's ill-fated posse among the Steam Union, and could only assume Eva either wanted them with her because they'd proven brave and cunning or to keep an eye on them.
I was voting for the second option.
Eva and her group weren't alone. In a second surge of sorcery, a line of werewolves marched into the light. Yup, two dozen burly and/or sinewy werewolves. They felt so few compared to the witches piling up on each other to have a peek at the new arrivals. I left the South American Council Leader and went right to Charlotte, hugging her first before sharing a bowed head and kissed cheeks with Oleksander.
And felt the pressure of witch displeasure on me the entire time.
"Miriam," Ana Maria Diaz spoke, voice heavy with indignation. "What is the meaning of this?"
Wait a second. Mom didn't tell the other Council Leaders what she was up to? Wow. That took a cast iron pair. Then again, this was my mother we were talking about.
She was a Hayle, after all.
Mom simply smiled and gestured as the gaping black holes collapsed in on themselves.
"Our compatriots of other magicks have come to join conclave," Mom said at her most diplomatic with power behind her voice. "Under my invitation."
A ripple of anger ran through the watching witches, descending over us from above as the visiting Enforcers joined their territory leaders in their silent protest.
Syd, Mom sent. Now is the perfect time for you to say something.
Me? Okay, now I knew she'd lost it. The very last thing she needed was me screwing up everything my opening my big mouth.
She sighed in my head. Why do you think I've just led your introductions? That I was so pleased they adored and respected you from your reputation?
Choke.
Just do it, sweetheart. Trust me.
Gulp.
Must you be so stubborn? My vampire sighed as a further poke from Mom's magic, a tiny needle spiking into my mind, forced my mouth open. And my vampire took over.
"I, for one, am thrilled the Steam Union," my vampire moved my arm, gesturing to Eva who bowed her head , hoping no one would see the little tremor in my hand as I fought to take back control, "and the newly formed werewolf nation," Oleksander saluted, "were kind enough to join us."
Very nicely done, Syd, Mom sent as the tension eased. Perfect.
Why, thank you, Miriam, my vampire sent. Delighted to assist. She retreated with a smug snort while I batted at her in irritation. What was that all about? I felt the anger around me lift, at least a little.
Where has your head been all morning? Mom's exasperation was tinged with amusement. The maji has spoken, Sydlynn. They will not stand against you.
Ah. Um. Wow.
There were still mumblings of rebellion, but the gathering of unhappy witches broke and went their own ways as Mom's Enforcers guided the two new races to their pavilions, leaving me standing there with her while she smiled and waved.
I seriously thought I was going to throw up.
While that was fun, my vampire sent, you really need to take charge of things.
Piss her off first, my demon chuckled. That always does the trick.
Unfortunately, Shaylee sent with a hint of disappointment.
Oh shut up, I sent back.
Mom was suddenly swarmed with her people and I took the opportunity to leave, dodging smiling witches who pointed and stared. I barely made it to the entry of my pavilion when someone caught my arm, turned me around.
Piers smiled down at me, tight in my space, the scent of him filling my world.
"Nice to see you finally pushing your weight around," he said. "Though I really am getting sick of you rescuing me."
My lips quirked. "It's a curse," I said.
Piers laughed even as my eyes drifted over his shoulder. Landed on a darkly scowling face.
Quaid glared while my tall companion turned and noted the angry Enforcer watching.
His gray eyes returned to me, narrowed in understanding. "I see," he said. "So this is the one you pine for, Sydlynn Hayle."
I swatted his arm, temper piqued. "Piss off, Southway," I said.
Piers bent and kissed me. Not a quick peck, either. Slow. Lingering.
And damn it if I didn't kiss him back.
While Quaid watched.
Was it wrong an evil little part of me enjoyed the fact Quaid was forced to stand there and see what he was missing?
I was going to hell.
"You could do so much better." Piers breathed into my mouth as he pulled away, languid, my body tingling from the contact. My demon sighed, torn between the handsome man before us and the one she really longed for, still staring, only a half a tent away.
Piers waved a jaunty salute to me before bowing deeply and spinning, his longcoat swirling around him as he strode off. Whistling.
I met Quaid's stormy gaze, emotions hardened against him.
Turned my back and walked into my tent before my traitor heart could force me to run back outside and beg him to change his mind.
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