Chapter 718: Safe, For Now
I released the others, not needing them any longer, feeling Trill linger the longest even as I shoved Ameline away from me when I felt her trying to siphon more power.
The dark maji shrugged and offered a little smile like she had to try.
I'd give her something to siphon.
I tried not to think about the charred remains of Vasyl as Enforcers rushed forward and removed his body or the paleness of Applegate's face when Mom rushed to her and bent over her prone form.
Instead, I focused on the quiet in my mind where Varity had been. Grasped for Gram's hand. Felt the old Enforcer leader's heart beat on the other side, just enough, her connection to Gram telling me she was fine.
Better, was there, safe and sound, when she burst through into our plane and her energy hugged me.
Awesome. Gram sank down to the bench, still clutching Sassafras. I sent her a magical kiss on the cheek before facing off with the silent, shaking and finally clued-in witches who watched in horror.
"Darkness is coming," I said, not in the least bit self-conscious about using formal language, feeling as though this was right and necessary. "And now you've seen the face of that darkness."
"The Brotherhood are your enemy," Ameline spoke up, voice ringing in the stillness as everyone stared, too stunned to speak. "You must guard against them and their lies, their insidious ways. Or they will use you as they did Margaret Applegate."
"Every witch, were, vampire, demon, Sidhe and all others must stand against them," I said. "Any thoughts you had perhaps the Brotherhood really meant what they said, about wanting peace, must be purged if we are to survive." I fixed my gaze on the Hensley leader. "His desire for us to expose ourselves to normals was only part of his aim to destroy us and take possession of our magic. And now, we've seen where such an act will lead."
I shivered inside at the images, still raw in my mind, the wild magicks burned into my brain.
Tallah sank into her seat, head bowed. I felt terrible for Shenka's sister, but at least it looked like she got the message.
"Your houses may be dirtied with the touch of the Brotherhood," Ameline said, a trace of disgust in her voice. "But you are not alone."
Wow, was this really her speaking? Self-centered, all about me Ameline Benoit?
"We will help you," I said, spotting Trill helping Apollo from the ground, Owen bent in half with his hands on his knees, panting for air. "Darkness might be coming, but we are the Light."
Trill looked up at me and saluted.
Tallah stood, turned to Mom. "I propose a law," she said. "The Brotherhood and all of their members are now to be considered the mortal enemies of every magic race represented here, and we will act as one to eradicate their presence from our planes forever."
I didn't condone genocide, as much as I would have liked to see the Brotherhood fall. But no one was listening to me anymore. Not while they all surged to their feet with a roar of approval, Mom nodding in acceptance.
Oh, so now they wake up and smell the decaying pus bag that was the Brotherhood.
Typical.
I released my power, still levitating me over the proceedings, sinking to the floor of the pavilion, Ameline beside me, as Mom gestured for silence.
"From this day forward," she said, "any witch, were, demon, Sidhe, vampire or Steam Union member who is found to harbor the Brotherhood or forward their aims will be charged with treason and punished to the fullest extent of the law." Another roar. "Further," she went on when their hell yes died down. "Any Brotherhood member caught in any plane or territory of the above mentioned races will be arrested and brought to trial."
"No," Tallah said, fury making her voice vibrate. "They will be arrested and summarily executed without trial."
Uh-oh. I spun on Mom. This could get out of hand very fast, I sent.
Too late for that.
The wave of approval was so powerful I almost missed Ameline's mental chuckle.
Witches, she sent. How delightful.
Can Tallah actually propose something like this? I looked up at Mom who didn't meet my eyes.
Any Coven Leader can propose new law, she sent, tight and angry. You really haven't been paying attention.
Damn it.
I turned to scowl at Ameline, just needing something, someone, to focus my frustration on. The wild magicks suddenly appeared again, skipping and dancing happily over my head.
You did wonderfully, I sent to them.
They hummed in joy, dive-bombing the ground as they celebrated their victory.
The fact they'd just killed someone didn't seem to put a damper on their mood any, and considering they were wild magicks...
I just couldn't bring myself to feel bad for Vasyl.
Ameline's power snapped out before I could stop her, snatching at the spinning ribbons of energy. Their joyful song turned to a snarl of rage as they slapped her back. She staggered, choking on a nasty laugh, blue Enforcer power snapping as she dodged my grab for her.
Worth a try, she sent. I'll see you soon.
And was gone.
No time to think about Ameline. Not when I looked up at the worry on Mom's face to the cheering sound of the law granting us the right to destroy an entire race being passed.
***
