Chapter 719: Sorcerer Downfall
"This could be very bad," I said as I sank into the chair across from Mom. "You realize this will probably blow up in our faces."
My sister snorted as she reclined in another chair, huge platform boot bobbing on the other end of her crossed knee. "I don't see how the downfall of the Brotherhood is that big of a deal."
Mom sighed. "It's not the Brotherhood we have to worry about," she said as her eyes tightened. "I'm all for wiping their asses from every plane permanently."
Vicious.
"But it's not the guilty who I'm concerned for," Mom said. "We've effectively passed a law allowing witches and the other races to kill anyone they even suspect might be Brotherhood."
Eva Southway squirmed in her seat, skin drawn and pale, both eyes ringed in black as though the power of the Brotherhood punched her in the face. At least she was alive after the backlash of Piers's attack knocked out her and her sorcerers. "My people will be at risk," she said. Sounded very unhappy, not that I blamed her.
"Not to mention every person out there who has sorcery, but might not know it," I said.
Meira's smirk of triumph faded. "I didn't think of that," she said.
Funny how quickly I forgot she was just a teenager in the body of a mature demon. Sure, she was fabulous at her job, but her youth added to the burning need for revenge all demons possessed and I wasn't surprised she was so bloodthirsty.
Or had missed the deeper point.
"Surely you can temper this law somewhat," Sunny said. I was so relieved when day finally faded to night and we had access to the vampires again. The mess of conclave's end wasn't the smooth and ceremonial process I was sure Mom's people planned, wrapping up more so in a rush of exiting witches, all flashing off to their own territories after a brief farewell to my mother.
And me.
Groan.
At least one thing was certain: the Brotherhood were no longer welcome on our plane or any known one. Which meant they were about to have a very uncomfortable transition from power-hungry, underground players to hunted fugitives.
As long as we managed to keep the innocent carnage to an absolute minimum, I guessed I could live with this outcome for a little while.
Mom sat back as she pondered Sunny's question. "I'll reach out to the Council Leaders in the next few days and attempt to do just that," she said. "But what they saw, after being lulled into almost believing Belaisle... I think it's frightened them into overreacting."
No, really? Understatement of the year.
"At least we're all on the same page, for once." Uncle Frank bumped fists with Charlotte whose calm expression didn't alter. "That's a victory in itself."
I knew it couldn't last, but yes. I'd take that, too, thank you very much.
Niamh and Odhran stood, his Sidhe cloak sweeping the floor, the soft vibration of earth magic following them as they bowed to Mom.
"We will return to our realm," Ohdran said. "And though I am certain we are free of Brotherhood influence thanks to Sydlynn's assistance last year, we will do a thorough sweep of our plane to ensure our continuing freedom."
Mom stood and bowed to both of them, all of us silent as they left. I felt the rush of Sidhe power as they departed, taking their people with them while Oleksander leaned forward, hands on his knees.
"There is the case of Margaret Applegate," he said. "How will she be dealt with?"
Mom tapped her fingers on the table top, a small sign of her agitation. "I don't know," she said. "She's free now. And if I tried to interfere, we'd be right back where we started."
"No need." We all turned to find the small woman standing in Mom's office doorway. The Margaret I'd met at Wilhelm Castle had been partially in thrall to the Brotherhood, but I thought I'd seen her true character after she was freed the first time. And the woman I'd interacted with then had been strong, strong enough, I thought incorrectly, to stand against the sorcerers.
This Margaret was a broken vessel, her round face sunken, skin the color of gray paste. The power she used to radiate felt contained, compressed, as though the Council magic grieved for her.
No, wait. She didn't feel like Council power. Only personal. What had she done?
Mom came through her captivity stronger for it. Margaret Applegate wasn't so lucky.
"I've stepped down," she said, voice barely above a whisper. Paused while Mom stood, reached for her, but shook her head. "No, it's for the best. They don't trust me anymore." She shivered, a tear tracking down her cheek. "I don't trust me anymore."
I stood, went to her. "Now that you're free," I said, "you're exactly who they need." The same argument I'd used on Mom. Only I wasn't so sure I believed it this time.
Margaret smiled a little through her tears, patting my arm in a kind gesture. "You're a dear," she said. "I can't tell you how it ate at me, what they did to you." Her eyes settled on Charlotte. Oleksander. "To your friends." She turned to Eva. "To my friends." The Steam Union leader bowed her head. "The European Council needs new leadership. Someone who they can look to for guidance." Margaret stepped back half a pace. "I'm not that leader anymore."
I looked up as a tall, blonde woman with strong features and pale blue eyes strode through the doorway, her hand settling on Margaret's shoulder.
"It's already done," she said with a faint accent I didn't recognize. "Margaret's choice will be honored among our covens."
"This is Femke Svensson," Margaret said. "She will tell you what I can't." The woman choked, a soft sob escaping. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I must return home to bury my best friend."
My heart constricted as Margaret turned, her eyes meeting mine.
"Elliot," I whispered.
She sobbed again. And left.
Damn it. I knew her Enforcer Leader had to be dead. I just didn't want to admit it.
"I would like to make a suggestion," Femke said, crisp but kind. "That each Council be assigned a Steam Union representative, as a show of good faith with their order, as well as an early warning system in case of Brotherhood attack."
Brilliant. I saw Eva's face perk despite her obvious pain from the bruises.
Mom's smile told me she was as relieved as I felt. Why hadn't I thought of that?
"Excellent," Mom said. "And will go a long way in keeping our sorcerer allies safe from false prosecution."
Okay then.
I felt the air behind me stir, glanced over my shoulder to see Piers slip inside the office. No one else noticed him as they gathered around Mom, Meira discussing the possibility of finding a sorcerer with demon blood to take home with her while Oleksander argued his people would have trouble accepting such a watchdog.
I left them to argue, went to his side. He looked like hell, blonde hair charred at the tips, face marred by scorch marks and bruises matching his mother's. He hunched over a little as if in pain and, when I touched his arm, flinched from me.
Silly, I sent. And let my vampire, sealed to my spirit magic, explore and heal him while I fed him power.
Thank you, he sent as his cracked ribs healed over, seared flesh under his clothing softening and renewing with fresh skin. By the time I let him go a few moments later, he looked himself, if tired, even his gorgeous locks restored.
Because I may not have loved Piers that way, but I really adored his hair.
"Piers." We both turned to find Eva watching. "Femke, this is my son. He would be the perfect candidate to advise your Council."
I looked up at him in time to see his brow knit. "Actually," he said, "I was thinking the North American Council would be a better fit." He bowed to Femke. "My sister, Clover, would be an excellent choice."
Eva's jaw worked just before she winced. Man, that had to hurt. "We'll discuss it," she said in a tone of voice that said they would do no such thing.
I'll work on her, he sent to me. If you wish.
And left it hanging there, between us.
I pretended to listen as Mom and the others continued their conversation even though I didn't hear a word they said.
You don't love him, my demon growled. But he's good for us.
As good as Liam? Shaylee's heart was in the obvious place.
Perhaps better, my vampire sent softly. And yet...
And yet.
I squeezed Piers's hand. I'm looking forward to getting to know your sister, I sent.
His sigh reached through his magic and touched my heart.
Ruled by love, he sent. So much power, so little sense.
If you say so. I let go of his hand as he grinned at me.
So it matters that much to you.
It does. I hugged myself as he nodded. It might be dumb and romantic and deluded, but.
But.
He bent and kissed my cheek, the tingle of contact sweet, full of warmth.
Watch your back, he sent. And, if you insist on thinking with it, your heart.
With that, he left me standing by the doorway and went to shake hands with Femke.
Amazing how such a simple gesture could mean goodbye.
***
