Lahat ng Kabanata ng Hayle Coven Novels: Kabanata 571 - Kabanata 580

Book Fifteen: Ancient WaysSweat stung my eyes, the thud of my hands against the heavy bag vibrating up my arms and into my chest. I leaned back and lashed out with one foot in a roundhouse, connecting solidly with the cracked vinyl, the chain creaking as I sent the bag swinging."Nice hit." I turned, wiping my face on the shoulder of my t-shirt to the grinning face of my kick-boxing instructor. Sage steadied the bag, deep green eyes smiling as much as his mouth.A rather yummy mouth, as it turned out. Nice little chin-cleft, too, a bit of beard shadow roughing up his wide jaw, dark brows framing that sea-colored gaze. Thick lashes framed his eyes, lashes I was jealous of the moment I walked into the gym and he looked up to greet me.With that same smile he gave me now."I'm feeling more balanced." I drew a deep breath, bobbed up and down on my toes as I faced off with the bag again. "That tip you gave me about staying lower really helped."He shrugged, his tanned skin rippling

Liam's arms were warm, the familiar scent of the earth mixed with fabric softener welcoming me as I exited the back door and stepped out, barefoot, into the cool grass to hug him.I felt his lips press to the top of my head, his cheek settling against my hair as he pulled me close. Liam gave amazing hugs, whole body squeezes, which grounded and centered me. All thoughts of Quaid faded, all memories of Sage's delicious physique, as Liam's Sidhe power embraced me along with the strength of his arms."Hi," he whispered."Hi," I whispered back. Tilted my head to look up at him, so tall. He looked so much better than he had in the fall, recovered fully from the loss of Cian, his Sidhe soul after Ameline stole it in an effort to become maji. Even though I finally cornered and captured the evil witch, I still worried about her. Yes, she was in prison, awaiting trial, but she'd been in prison for months now. I knew the longer it took to finally get proceedings started, the more likely it wo

I ran for the back door, reaching for the veil I knew I wouldn't be able to access until I left the property and the family wards, only to feel someone's hand on my arm. I spun around, panic fighting against Shenka who shook her head, face grim."I have to help her." I tried to pull free, but Shenka's fingers refused to open, her grip on my sleeve keeping me still. Gram and Sassafras stood behind her, the demon cat clutched to my grandmother's chest. No surprise, Charlotte stood on my left, my constant shadow ready to join me without question."You have to play by the rules." My second's words chilled the fire burning inside me, the need to rush off and save Mia. My old friend, the leader of the Dumont coven, hadn't been in close touch in a long time, not since the debacle at Harvard when she'd lost her boyfriend, Rupe, to Ameline's manipulations. Not to mention how some of the members of her coven had been associated with Ameline's plan.I'd done my best to support Mia, to help her

It brought me at least a little satisfaction to ignore Mom's direct order. Rather than leave immediately, I pushed my boundaries and went looking for Mia.She had my demon cat, after all. And I was more than a little attached to his fuzzy butt.Charlotte padded softly behind me, footfalls louder than usual. As though she wanted me to know she was there.I stopped to face her, meeting her blue eyes, flickering with the wolf inside her. She hovered closer than usual, body loose and liquid.While I went tense when I prepped for battle, Charlotte was the opposite. As though knowing she headed for trouble triggered extra fluidity. Charlotte was ready for a fight. As long as it wasn't with me, we were fine. When her wolf surged to the surface and took over for a moment, I knew it wasn't me she wanted to thrash. But she threw in a little nod anyway.Just so I'd know it. It couldn't have been easy for her, being in this house. The Dumonts held her and her pack captive here for who kne

Hurry up and wait was never so agonizing. After Mia's almost eager acceptance of Hayle coven support, the small group of family I transferred settled in to help with healing and protection. Mia wasn't on her feet yet, not making an appearance when I finally left my small group behind. But not much time had passed, only a few hours, so I wasn't really all that surprised.The real agony came over the next two days, waiting, wondering. I paced the house, certain I'd wear holes in the floors, wanting to be there myself, but knowing Mom would immediately pull the plug if I pushed her too hard. Esther and Estelle did a great job contacting me at regular intervals, but neither of them had much to report.It seems not just the family power was taken, Estelle sent early that first evening. Either that, or the witches in this coven are naturally weak, only powerful because of their family magic.Possible, Esther sent. Whatever the case, with the loss of the family's power, not one of the witc