Hayle Coven Destinies

Chapter 5: Visitors For Breakfast

Sassafras leaped from the bed and waddled his way out the door, Ethie chattering at him with one hand wrapped around the end of his tail like a leash. Gabriel kissed us both and followed his sister, leaving Galleytrot behind to take up the rear.

The huge dog didn't move as the kids left, instead lifting his great head to me with a mournful expression.

"Syd," he said in his rumbling voice like a spring thunderstorm. "I'm sorry. I have no idea how they managed to sneak this around me."

"Not your fault," I said, slipping out of bed and heading for the bathroom and a badly needed shower. "Ethie is a mistress of deception." I really had to learn to watch that girl more closely. "And if she doesn't want you to know something, she'll find a way to hide it." It took me almost six months to find the baby squirrel she was nursing back to health, hidden carefully in her walk-in closet and masked with magic. She cried when I made her turn the tiny creature loose, but it still came to visit her more than a year later and I had a feeling she made sure her power would always protect it.

Determination and stubbornness wrapped in a heart of gold? I'd take it.

Galleytrot slumped from the room, head down and I knew no matter what I said he'd blame himself. We were a great bunch for guilt.

Quaid joined me in the big shower, though gritted his teeth and dodged the superheated water for a minute while I grinned at him and scrubbed, oblivious. Though, honestly, I missed the feeling of intense temperature, especially in the shower, a former hot water addict. By the time he was able to tolerate the warmth, I was done and out, snapping his bare butt with the end of my towel while he wiggled it at me.

So. Freaking. Tempting.

Instead of giving in, stomach rumbling and begging for breakfast, I brushed out my long, dark hair. No question I was a Hayle any more than Ethie. I was looking more and more like my mother every day, a faint line forming between my brows from frowning too much. I checked myself out, just in case. After all, if I had to live forever, I didn't want a body that looked the part.

While I ran one hand down the side of my face, I had a troubling thought, staring into my own blue eyes in the mirror. "Quaid."

"Yeah, babe." Soap lathered over his waist, trailing down his muscular legs on the other side of the steamy glass wall. But the worry in my heart just now didn't allow me to appreciate the view.

"You don't think Gabriel messing with his power has made things worse?" That would kill me, it really would. All this fighting Max and I were doing to eliminate the creatures of the Dark Universe. What if my son's antics, driven by the encouragement of his precocious sister, were allowing monsters to cross?

"I doubt it." His voice came muffled as he soaped his face. "You said there were no new rifts, not since Demonicon, right?"

"Not that we know of." But Max would have told me, wouldn't he? I bound my hair back into a damp ponytail, some of the tension easing as Quaid went on.

"Is Max concerned about new rifts?" He met my eyes through the glass, wiping at the condensation to see me better.

I shook my head. "No," I said, tightening my towel around me. "He seems to think we're just finding new batches of critters because they are scattered all over the Universe."

Quaid turned off the water and stepped out, taking the towel I handed him and rubbing it firmly over his skin. "Then trust Max," he said.

I know. "But, what if-"

Quaid leaned in and kissed me, soft and lingering. He smelled delicious, like soap and chocolate and spices. "If," he said. "We deal with it. Like we always do."

He was absolutely right. I hugged him, fierce and full of love. "Okay."

"Besides," Quaid said. "Maybe it's time to find out what Gabriel's power can do. He's seven, now."

"But." I bit my lip, pressing my forehead to his smooth chest. "He's so young and innocent, Quaid."

My husband laughed softly, a deep, warm sound. "He is," he said. "He's his father's son." I looked up, saw the sadness in Quaid's face, but he waved it off. "I knew this day was coming. And I'm glad he knows, now. But Gabriel isn't just Liam, Syd. He has your strength, something Liam never had."

I wanted to protest. Liam was an oak tree, his power running deep. But I couldn't bring myself to speak. Not only because the love of my life was looking down at me, but because I knew he was right. And I was grateful for it.

Smells of breakfast lured us both downstairs. Quaid held my hand, our arms swinging between us like we were a couple of kids and when he turned his face to me just a little, I spotted the tiny smile on his lips. And caught my breath. Everything about him made me happy, filled me with joy and excitement, even after seven years. I stopped him at the bottom of the stairs and wound my arms around his neck.

My nose touched his. "I love you," I whispered over his mouth. "So much."

His lips brushed mine, a tiny spark of power jumping between us. His magic was strong, almost hot, and always made me tingle.

"Sydlynn Hayle," he whispered back. "I love you, too."

Smiling and fuzzy with all kinds of happy, I accepted his offer as he turned around and presented his back to me. Giggling, unable to contain it, I took the piggy back ride into the kitchen.

And blushed, slipping to the floor at the sight of our two visitors. Charlotte arched an eyebrow, though she was clearly amused. My former werewolf bodyguard looked away, but not before I caught the laughter in her blue eyes. Her husband, Sage, grinned openly, one hand in his jeans pocket, the other lifting to wave a welcome.

I went to them, kissed my martial arts teacher on the cheek before hugging Charlotte tight. Her werewolf magic embraced me fully as did her arms. It was only then I noticed my daughter clutching at Charlotte's leg, bouncing on her toes, Gabriel watching from a few feet away.

I released the blonde werewoman and stepped back just in time to avoid being shoved aside by my daughter. It was clear she'd already been in Charlotte's arms, but my friend didn't hesitate to lift the girl up and carry her to the table, sitting with my daughter in her lap while Gabriel took Sage's hand and lead him to sit beside them.

"Mom," Ethie said with authority. "Auntie Charlotte and Uncle Sage came for breakfast."

Charlotte booped her nose. "And we're starving." Her last word ended in a growl as she dove forward and blew raspberries against Ethie's cheek. My daughter squealed her delight while Charlotte pulled away and met my eyes. "Have any delicious children I can eat?"

Ethie's shrieks of laughter filled the room as I turned to Shenka in time to take two plates full of pancakes. She winked and smiled at me, my sweet and caring second, and I felt a surge of gratitude she was here, taking care of all of us. I couldn't do her job.

I was just turning back with the hot pancakes steaming in my hands when the door opened and Ethie's cries changed. She leaped from Charlotte's lap, abandoning her like last week's news, with an ear splitting, "Nana!" before hurtling herself at my mother.

Mom smiled at me as she lifted my daughter into her arms, kissing the girl soundly. Ethie wriggled until Mom handed her over to Dad, grinning like a fool behind her. He bounced Ethie a few times, swinging her around and making her laugh until she was breathless. Mom came to me, a kiss for me as well, another for Quaid and finally for Shenka before she bent over Charlotte and Sage with more of the same. Gabriel shyly giggled as Mom stroked his hair and hugged him close.

I stood there in the middle of the kitchen, steaming pancakes and fresh-brewed coffee filling the room with their heavenly scents, light pouring in through the windows over the happy, chattering, loving people sharing hugs and kisses all around. In that moment, I was almost overcome with emotion, eyes burning with tears that I got to live like this, this life, with the most amazing family ever. My handsome parents doted on my kids, the retired Hayle coven and North American Witches Council Leader and former Ruler of Demonicon bought the house next door when our neighbors unexpectedly moved. Though Wilding Springs was so steeped in magic thanks to the Sidhe Gate that permeated the area with "it's all fine" power, normals still had trouble with us from time to time. And considering the light show and issues we had the night the Enforcers came for Charlotte and Sage when they were trying to prove his innocence, I wasn't surprised in the end the Harrisons finally moved.

In fact, most of the neighborhood was coven owned, now. When we first came here-could I have been sixteen, really?-the place was crowded with normals. But, over the years, we managed to buy up all the homes vacated by bewildered but clueless normals who knew something had to be wrong, but couldn't put their fingers on it.

It was so wonderful to have Mom and Dad next door, at least this time of year. The pair were still teaching at Harvard, Mom in magic theory, Dad in fire element. Summer was a blessing and the kids adored having them home full time.

Plates rattled as Shenka served more pancakes, driving me forward, out of my thoughts, to deliver mine to Mom and Dad. Within minutes we were all seated, sharing maple syrup and butter, the coffee flowing freely along with tall glasses of milk for the kids and a bowl for Sassafras, fresh ground beef for Galleytrot and hot toast to top off our pancakes.

As I sat there, I listened to them talk. The squeaking but demanding voice of my daughter, the way Charlotte handled her expertly. How my son's quiet words were a perfect counterpoint, the way Sass's purr as he licked up his bowl of milk added a soft echo under the conversation. The rumbling groan of the big hound as he settled, content, at the threshold to the kitchen door. I felt the warmth and love of my family hug me as surely as their arms.

Quaid was right. I was so used to conflict-still honed by my work with Max and the drach-the moment anyone suggested there might be a problem I freaked out. Sass's warning aside, Gabriel's experimentation, too, everything seemed quiet and peaceful. And moments like this I was happy for it, no matter it would drive me crazy with nothing to do.

It might be nice to let them know, my vampire sent.

Agreed, Shaylee sent, teary again. I really blamed her for my overly emotional state.

Gives us something to come home to, my demon sent.

Sure did.

"Thank you," I said before I knew I was going to say something out loud, despite my vampire's suggestion. Everyone fell quiet, watching me with smiles and gentle expressions. "I don't tell you enough how much I adore all of you. How much you mean to me." Damn these tears. I swiped at them and grinned. "This is how things are supposed to be, right? For a normal family?" The part of me that longed for normal was so far gone I barely remembered her. But Mom got the joke.

She laughed, raised her coffee mug, and everyone followed suit, including the kids. "To our family," she said in her rich voice, vibrating with her own emotions. "Not normal, but better for it."

I clinked mugs with everyone I could reach and whispered "Amen" in my head.

***