Chapter Nineteen

 

I imagined all the horrible things I could do to Piotr as I followed him, faithful Charlotte at my side, wishing for my demon and her very creative imagination. She always made plans for destruction so much more delightful.

And bloody.

The antechamber was plush, soft chairs and a deep sofa, a low table full of decanters and trays of food. Vampires ate, with gusto, if seeing Uncle Frank devour a burger was any indication, and wine was a favorite. But it wasn't likely this food was here for me. Probably for the two Queens.

Knowing that made me lose my appetite.

Mom didn't leave me alone for long, barging into the room, slamming the door closed on a very angry Margaret.

“You can't possibly be considering this,” she said.

“Mom.” I hugged her. “You have to let me go.”

Her instant argument hung between us without her even saying a word, but I shook my head and released her.

“No, Mom,” I said. “Don't you see? The Brotherhood isn't just after a war between vampire clans.”

Mom shuddered a little. “I know,” she whispered, covering her mouth with one hand, a hand that trembled, cold and white as any vampire. “I can't believe I let the argument with Margaret go that far.”

I grasped her hand, pulled it down, held it, warmed it between my own. “I have a plan, okay? I promise. But you have to go. Before something happens we'll all regret and the Brotherhood will love.”

“I can't just abandon you.” Mom pulled away from me, bunching the sides of her cloak in her fingers. “I just can't, Syd.”

“I won't be alone,” I said. “I have Sebastian. Uncle Frank and Sunny.” I turned and smiled at the weregirl beside me. “And I have Charlotte.”

I count as well, I believe, my vampire sent.

You totally do.

Mom nodded and resisted all at the same time.

“You remember the trial?” I sank to one of the cushions, eyeing the food though there was no way my stomach would welcome any of it at the moment. “I wanted you to run, to defy the Council and witch law and get the hell out of there. You asked me to trust you. And I did, Mom. Even though I thought you were going to die. All I'm asking is for you to do the same.”

She smiled at me, blinking moisture. “That was different,” she said. “It was our law, witch law. You're facing something we have no experience with or control over.” A single tear escaped her eye. “And you're my daughter.”

I took her hand again, touched her vampire magic. Felt Gram and Sassafras latch onto me in a sudden rush of emotion. Mom had clearly been filling them in.

You get your ass back here. Gram's mind vibrated with fury. Right. Now.

I'm with Ethpeal. I could almost see Sassy's tail thrashing. We'll deal with the fallout when it happens but, for now, just cut and run.

Since when did a Hayle run from anything? I didn't mean to be cruel or harsh or for my words to cut, but I was just as frustrated as they were with one difference. I was the one who had to deal with the mess. I'm not going anywhere and the three of you had better just suck it up.

Mom quivered beside me. What are you going to do?

It doesn't matter. Better that she didn't know. But you all have a job to do yourselves, so you'd better get cracking.

Cleaning house. Gram grunted.

Damned right. I hugged her then Sassy with my mind, the vampire power doing its best to connect with them. I don't want even a sniff of the Brotherhood anywhere near our coven by the time I get home. I glared at Mom. And that includes all covens.

Mom nodded, brusque, tears gone, though her fingers clung to mine with a desperation I was beginning to feel. Agreed.

I don't know how this is going to play out. I hated to load them with more, but I had certain things that needed saying and I refused to do it when it was too late. I love you all so much. No crying. No. Crying. I promise I won't do anything stupid. Yeah, right. But I have to see this through.

Gram's goodbye was quick, abrupt even, as she cut me off. Sassafras was a little slower, but not much. When my aching heart tried to force me to sob like a child over their rejection, Mom hugged me.

“Neither of them knows how to say goodbye,” she said. “For that matter, I don't either.” Mom stiffened, threw her shoulders back, put on her Council Leader face. “Sydlynn Hayle,” she said, “as your superior, I order you to come home safely.”

Hard not to grin and salute. “Yes, ma'am.”

She left in a swirl of lilacs, the scent clinging to my dress, my skin, the part of my mother always taking me back to childhood.

No. Freaking. Crying.

Good thing I had a distraction. The sound of grating stone made me turn around, a small hole appearing in the wall below a tapestry as Demetrius eased his way into the room with a big grin on his face.

“Perfect, just perfect, isn't it perfect?” He hopped up onto a chair and bounced a few times.

“Glad you see it that way.” I sank down again, depression setting in. Demetrius stepped down and came to hover at my feet, still beaming.

“Joining her clan,” he said. “So perfect. Couldn't have asked for nicer perfect, not at all.”

“I'm sure Pannera will be delighted to have me.” Sucked, but not like I had a wide variety of choice. At least she wasn't two cracks from shattered like her fellow Queen.

“Oh, nonononono.” Demetrius clutched at the hem of my dress while Charlotte hummed a warning. “No, you musn't.”

Um, what? “I'm joining Pannera's clan,” I said.

“And when you attack Batsheva,” he said, fear in his eyes, “your own clan will kill you for beginning a war.”

I guess I hadn't thought this through all the way after all. Not like me.

Yeah, right.

Dread formed a roiling, painful ball in my belly while Demetrius leaned in close, whispering.

“You must do it,” he said. “Only then will you be able to challenge her. You have no choice. You must beg Batsheva to allow you into her clan.”

It finally happened. I'd died and gone to hell.

 

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