Chapter Thirty Seven

 

My first impulse, once I strode triumphant from the throne room, was to dash for the nearest exit, run for home, lock myself in my room and scrub the last several days from my memory forever.

Elliot didn’t give me the chance, waiting for me right at the exit. He was lucky he was an Enforcer or I would have done him some damage.

“A moment yet,” he said. “My leader would like a word?”

Oh, so now she wanted to talk to me, did she? I stomped my way to my old quarters, remembering I had something to retrieve anyway, so it was a good thing after all. No way was I leaving the magic blocking powder for some conniving vampire to find when I had my own plans for it.

Just wait until I saw Ameline again. One deep breath and it would all be over.

I brought Mom and Gram with me anyway, just in case. No way was Margaret putting me in magical irons and dragging me off to trial. Not without a fight.

But this Margaret, the one who stopped pacing as we entered, she was far different from the woman I'd first met. She was still pale, deflated, a balloon without her air.

“It's horrible,” she said immediately on our arrival. “There are Brotherhood everywhere in my territory.”

A short, babbling explanation later gave us the full picture. “Three covens now under control of the sorcerers. Two of those coven's Council Members also. And the Enforcers.” She fluttered a hand over her chest. “Elliot is beside himself. It didn't take much examination to uncover the truth. Over half of our Enforcers have ties to the Brotherhood.”

Mom took her hand, led her to a sofa and sat her down. “I'm happy to help any way I can.”

Margaret nodded quickly, some of her spunk returning. “When I think I, myself, was under their control, even that little bit. And all because of this.” She held up the ring Demetrius freed her from still surrounded by a blue force shield. “I lost my favorite and Elliot replaced it for me.” She tossed it to me. “Feel it.”

I knew before she shed the shield and it dropped in my hand the small diamond embedded in it was part of a power crystal. “How long have you had it?”

“Not long,” she said, anger rising. “Just a month or so. But long enough. I've been a fool.”

“No,” Mom said. “How were you to know?”

Margaret didn't have an answer for that.

“Their power is insidious,” Mom said. “I'm amazed you uncovered what you did so quickly.”

Margaret's lips thinned to a grim line. “Amazing what you can find when you know what you're looking for.” She sighed then, met my eyes. “I'm sorry, Coven Leader,” she said. “The European Council stands at the ready to assist in the fight against the Brotherhood.” She paused. “When we've finished cleaning our house, that is.”

After a brief goodbye, the door closed behind her as she hurried off to do just that.

Gram's arm slid around my shoulders. “Well done, girl.” She smacked me firmly with a kiss on the cheek. “Well done.”

Mom rose, came to us. Hugged us both. “I was so worried,” she whispered. “But you have made me so proud, sweetheart.” Her face hardened, but not at me. “I hope I can count on you, Coven Leader, when I go looking for the thieves in our midst?”

Deep breath. Prepare for the worst. “Though you know I’m one too, right?

Mom went pale but Gram didn’t react, watching, eyes narrowed.

“Syd,” Mom whispered. “What are you talking about?”

I filled her in on what Demetrius said. “I’m part sorcerer too, Mom.” I felt like hugging myself but stayed still, solid, as if I knew what I was doing. “It’s necessary. For my evolution.” Eye-rolling happened without my permission and I heard Gram giggle.

“We’ll just keep this to ourselves, will we?” She poked me firmly in the ribs. “I trust you’re not under the Brotherhood’s influence?”

Mom nodded slowly. “Syd,” she said, “you can’t tell anyone.” A thin thread of panic reached me from her. “Not anyone. Promise me.”

“Trust me,” I said. “It’s not something I want to spread around. I’m already under enough scrutiny thanks to the gang.” My index finger tapped against my temple. “I get it. But yes,” I winked at Gram, “you can be assured the Brotherhood and I are on opposite sides.”

Was I really that sure?

Not going there.

Mom hugged me quickly. “You amaze me,” she whispered. “You’re so much stronger than I ever was.”

Wow. Choke. Tear time at last?

Not quite. Not yet.

“Your pardon.” I pulled free of my happy mother and grandmother to find Sebastian standing at the door. “My Queen would like a word with you.”

I'd heard that before.

“Like hell.” Mom actually planted herself in front of me while Gram stalked forward and got into his face.

“Tell that thing you answer to,” she jabbed him in the chest with one pointy finger, standing on her tiptoes, fuzzy socks now filthy, “she can bloody well stay away from my granddaughter.”

The door eased open further as Pannera let herself in.

“Tell me yourself,” she said, not having any idea who she was trying to push around.

“Come in,” I said, blocking Gram just before she did something nasty and probably deadly to the vampire Queen, knowing Sebastian would be devastated if I let Gram kill her. “It's all right, Gram.”

My grandmother backed off, faded blue eyes slits of anger as she followed the Queen's progress further into the room.

“I understand our Council Leader has uncovered uncomfortable truths.” Pannera's statue features remained as rock-hard as ever.

“The Brotherhood are coming,” I said. “You heard what my vampire told everyone.” My vampire. That was right. The flash of anger Pannera let out just made me smile.

Suck it up, buttercup.

My vampire. So there.

“I did hear,” she said. “And understood. And with the present news of the Brotherhood's infiltration of the witch network, I am now inclined to examine my own family for such intrusions.”

“Probably a good idea,” I said.

“Do not for a moment think you and I are friends or allies in any way.” Pannera turned and headed for the door, tone mile as though discussing the weather. “But you kept your part of our bargain. Which means you at least have some sense of honor.”

Oh, seriously. Like she was one to talk.

Pannera stopped at my door, gaze lost out the window at the mountains etched against the night sky. “When you need help against the sorcerers,” she said, “my clan will answer your call.”

Sebastian bowed his way out after her, eyes locked on mine, a small smile on his face.

I won.

Imagine that.

 

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