Chapter 707: Your Choice
I had no appetite, despite the delicious aromas floating around me. The main pavilion was now full of tables, stuffed with witches serving a variety of foods from all different cultures. I just couldn't bring myself to focus on dinner.
Shenka bullied me into a long, black velvet skirt and silk blouse, my witch's uniform, the replacement pentagram necklace Mom gave me hanging around my neck. My second even put my hair up for me.
"Now you look the part," she said while Sassafras snorted.
Didn't help Meira joined him in laughing. Charlotte, too. Nice of them to come and share in my misery, offering casual suggestions to "improve" my appearance. After the little run-in I'd had with Quaid, the last thing I wanted was to go through the dog and pony at a formal dinner.
"You have to go," Shenka said, Meira linking arms with me despite her height advantage, looking as stunning and scary as usual.
"Mom needs us there," my sister said. "Besides, I hear you're the guest of honor."
Blech.
At least my sister was only teasing me. After a brief introduction yet again, Mom sat at the head table and everyone dug in. I fidgeted on her right, alternating between scowling at my plate and smiling when prompted by my irritated second.
For goodness sakes, Syd, Shenka finally snapped. Smarten up already.
But it was Sunny who finally got through to me.
You have so much weighing on your mind, my vampire queen sent. I'm happy to lighten your burden.
I wish you could, I sent, toying with my fork and the idea I could just get up and leave and no one would stop me.
I take it this has to do with matters of the heart? Sunny's power soothed me, her spirit magic as comforting as one of her full-body hugs.
How'd you guess? Was I that transparent?
She laughed in my head. Darling, she sent, I've seen you face some of the most atrocious, frightening, overwhelming situations with courage and fortitude. But when it comes to your emotions, you are a little bird nursing a broken wing.
Thanks a lot, I sent.
It's a compliment, Syd. Sunny's power retreated but she stayed with me. You care so much, I worry for you. But what could be a weakness is actually your greatest strength. Don't let that change.
Not what Sassafras thought.
I really do love you, I sent, gushy all of a sudden, biting my lower lip to keep from crying.
And I love you, my most darling Sydlynn, Sunny sent. And gently released me.
I managed a few bites of food after that, but thankfully by the time I managed to focus, dinner was pretty much over. I fled as Shenka took over the niceties of mingling, slipping into the darkness alone, using magic to hide myself.
I just wanted to be alone.
Only to have green Sidhe power embrace me.
I turned into Liam's arms, inhaling the scent of fresh earth and his fabric softener, my entire body going limp with relief just to be held by someone who loved me without condition.
He led me to one of the decorative benches on the site, pulling me tight against him as his power softly engulfed me.
"Nice to see you too," he said.
I smiled up at him, all awkwardness gone. "Sorry," I said. "It's been a little rough and seeing a friendly face is a good thing."
Liam's answering smile faded, the sparks of green in his eyes dim. "Friend," he said, picking out the one word that made everything uncomfortable between us again.
And then surprised the hell out of me by smiling anew.
"I need to apologize to you," he said, "for being such a loser weirdo lately." I tried to shake my head but he pressed his fingers to my lips, eyes full of laughter. "Don't you dare," he said. "I've mastered moping angst. Don't take that accomplishment away from me."
I giggled. "You're the best I've ever seen," I said.
Liam bent and kissed my forehead, arm loose around my shoulders, safe and warm and gentle. I leaned in, pressing my nose to his soft shirt, allowing Shaylee to embrace him fully as he spoke.
"I saw you earlier," he said. "When I was delivering some last-minute things to Odhran and Niamh." He paused. "I wasn't spying, I swear. But you were with the Steam Union guy."
Oops. My mind raced over Piers's and my last meeting. Did he kiss me?
Yikes.
But Liam's reaction didn't go where I expected it to take him. "I'm done putting pressure on you," he said. "It's your life, Syd. And even though I love you, it's your choice." He pushed me back a little, face no longer sad, though I could feel the softness of his edges, the way his power sank into the ground.
And realized then what I'd never seen before. What no one in my family understood.
Liam wasn't weak. Not in the least. He was an old oak tree, with roots buried deep beneath the ground, massive and stable, able to withstand anything. Sure, his bark and branches and leaves were more likely to be damaged, but the core of Liam O'Dane was as solid as the earth itself.
"I love you," he said. "And no matter what you decide, I'll always be your friend." He patted my knee with his free hand. "I want you to do what's best for you."
Sweet. So. Sweet.
"What if I don't know what's best for me?" I suddenly felt tiny in the massive shade of his power, still seeing him as a towering oak, wanting to lie against him and absorb the quiet peace of his nature.
"You'll figure it out," he said. Kissed me softly, the touch of power sliding between us tasting like a spring morning. "You always do." Liam stood up, helped me to my feet. "I have to get back to the archive," he said. "Can I bring you anything the next time I come?"
There was no way anyone could possibly be as amazingly nice as him and live.
And yet, here he was before me.
I hugged him, let him go. "Thanks," I said. "Just keep Galleytrot in line and check on Gram and I'm good."
Liam's lips twisted. "I'll do my best for the first," he said. "And the second... Ethpeal might not like me, but I respect her, Syd. I'll make sure she's okay."
I watched him go, heart swelling, choices narrowed, still trying to decide if love was worth it.
"How nice to see you again." Vasyl stepped from the shadows, interrupting my joyful moment. Made me instantly cranky. His shaved head shining in the witchlight as I scowled into his shark eyes. My demon made plans to tan his hide for a jacket after she'd killed and eaten him.
"I can't touch you now," I said. "But conclave won't last forever, sorcerer."
Vasyl shrugged, a languid movement, not a trace of concern on his angular face.
"Liander told me you would bluster and threaten," he said, accent smoothed out more than the last time I spoke to him. And, on using Belaisle's name, confirming what I already knew. "I told him you were above that. Alas, I was mistaken."
A string of swears coursed through my thoughts as he went on.
"He wished me to pass on a message." Vasyl leaned closer, lips curling his thin mustache and goatee into a devilish mask. "That he will see you soon and cannot wait to catch up."
"If your main job here is to piss me off," I said, "you suck at it."
I was a terrible liar.
Vasyl laughed, stepped aside. Gestured for me to pass. Which I did, the back of my neck prickling with nerves. But I refused to look back, my feet stomping all the way to the opening of my tent.
Where I found Piers lurking.
Made me think of Liam and pissed me off even more.
"This better be good," I said.
One of his eyebrows shot up, voice mild as he spoke though his words had sting.
"As long as you consider the safety of this conclave 'good,'" he said.
Zing.
"Whatever." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I just got through having a bully wrestling match with Vasyl Krajnik, so bear with me."
Piers nodded. "He has that effect on me, too. But we don't have time for your temper." He stepped closer, real concern on his face. "I've just heard from Els." His friend, Ellis. "His network claims the Brotherhood has finally surfaced."
Okay, good. Very good. And very, very bad.
"What does surfaced mean?" I picked at the velvet of my skirt as my mind churned.
"Large groups are mobilizing out in the open," he said. "Gathering."
For an invasion? I reached for Galleytrot, felt Liam connect through their power as he approached my house. Be on guard, I sent. Something may be coming your way.
We're on it, they both sent before the hound spoke up. Brotherhood?
I hope not. I cut him off as I returned my full attention to Piers. "We need to tell Mom."
He waited, jaw working, as I reached for her. She listened, intent, as I told her what Piers told me.
No indication of their goal? I could feel her moving, leaving a crowd of other magic, probably going to her makeshift office.
Not according to Piers, I sent. But his sources seem to think they are preparing for something.
My Enforcers are ready, Mom sent, though the worry in her voice mirrored mine.
Mom, I sent. How can they be? They have no defense, remember?
Her frustration poured over me like a cold shower. I know, she sent. But what else can I do?
I'm coming to you, I sent. Call for Eva Southway. It's time witches and sorcerers worked together.
Mom's affirmative touch ended as she broke from me.
Just as the wild magicks appeared in a swirl of power.
So frantic this time, their touch stung, grabbed my power, jerked me forward-
-into darkness, the flash of glass, the sound of marching feet, Belaisle's face. And, in his hand-
The shard of a mirror. A mirror I'd seen before. Used to travel.
From the Enforcer stronghold.
My chest squeezed tight as I emerged from the vision, the magicks's panic taking over.
I understood their message. All the images fell in to place, even as I turned and ran for the main pavilion, screaming for Mom in my head.
***
