The Wild (Book Four The Hayle Coven Novels) Read online

  “Syd.” Sunny embraced me, body warm, which meant she’d fed in the last hour or so. Creepy. As usual, I tried not to hold it against her since I knew her blood clan only drank donated blood. But still.

  Ew.

  “Hi.” I hugged her back, feeling awkward about the whole thing for the first time in my life and stepped away. “Any news?”

  Sunny exchanged a look with Quaid before shaking her head. “Nothing concrete. Not yet.” She looked so guilty. Probably because she blamed herself. Part of me wanted to tell her it was okay, it wasn’t her fault she let Sebastian’s psycho twin brother ruin my life when she should have killed him herself a long time ago. But the rest of me had a hard time not placing blame.

  If Nicholas hadn’t been under the influence of the Chosen of the Light, none of this would have happened. Though of course Demitrius, their leader, probably would have found another vampire clan to do his bidding. It was only my demon’s sacrifice that defeated the Chosen leader and sent him running, but with her in his possession, leaving Sebastian and Sunny to eliminate Nicholas’s rogue vampire clan.

  “Your mother asked me to keep you out of this.” Sunny’s voice rang full of regret. “But I owe you, Syd. For trusting me. And loving me all these years. You’ve always been there for me, the one I could count on. My little sister.”

  Tears welled for the relationship I felt I’d lost with her, but I shoved them down. So like Mom to cut me out of anything that might help. “Thanks,” I said. “But I don’t believe there’s no news. It’s been six weeks. Something has to have happened.”

  Again she and Quaid exchanged a look.

  “What?” This was getting old. “I need to know.”

  It had to be bad. Worse than I thought. Was my demon gone for good?

  What Sunny told me made me understand just how self-absorbed I’d really been the last month and a half.

  “We’ve been a little busy,” she said. “Not that finding your demon isn’t important. It’s only…” She sighed. “It’s about your Fay visitor. And the warning he left you with last fall.”

  What was she talking about? The Fay weren’t our worry. They locked themselves inside the earth years ago.

  Then it hit me in a wave of remembered images. A dark haired man with a great smile who morphed into the gigantic form of a shaggy black dog.

  “Jared,” I said, so stunned I used his human name at first. “Galleytrot.”

  Sunny nodded. “The very same,” she said.

  “Did he contact Mom?” He couldn’t have. He went back to the…

  Oh no.

  “It’s the Wild Hunt,” Quaid said softly. “Back when the Moromonds tried to kill you, the night they attacked, Galleytrot told us they were stirring. And now, the Wild is awakening.”

  The sudden storm. The lightning. Mom and Dad spending so much time in the basement. They’d known all along and kept it from me. They all did, the whole coven.

  Panic slammed into my heart and made me gasp. “We have to find my demon.” There was no way I was sitting this one out. The family would need all hands on deck. Of all the times for me to be useless! The Wild Hunt was coming and I had no power.

  “I’ve tasked Anastasia with maintaining the alliance with your family,” Sunny said, “while I focus on finding Demitrius Strong.”

  I didn’t know if I should be mad to find out they hadn’t been looking or grateful she was doing so now.

  “What if we can’t find the Chosen? Or my demon?” That terror was so real. It had been six weeks. Demitrius could be anywhere by now. Or worse, he could have destroyed the crystal and my demon with it.

  I couldn’t bear the thought.

  “I don’t know.” At least Sunny was honest. She never tried to smother me in half -truths, but her voice was full of compassion. “I really don’t. I’m so sorry, Syd.”

  Uncle Frank’s face flashed in my mind. He had been born into our family of witches as a latent with no luck accessing his power. I remembered him telling me when he found Sunny, she helped him unlock his magic by making him a vampire.

  It was stupid and desperate, but it was a plan. If push came to shove and my family needed me, I had to know Sunny would help me out like she did my uncle.

  “There’s another way,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady as my mind screamed at me for what I was about to ask. “I have power, we know that. It’s just locked away for some reason.”

  Sunny nodded, a frown on her lovely face. “Yes, most peculiar.”

  “You could unlock it.”

  Quaid lurched forward, scowling as he clearly understood what I was about to say.

  “You could bring me over,” I said. “You could make me a vampire.”

  ***

  Chapter Seven

  Quaid’s face shone very white in the low light. “Syd,” he said, barely a breath of a word. “No.”

  I wasn’t focused on him. Sunny watched me like I’d offered her something she wasn’t sure was a blessing or a curse. “This is a massive request,” she said.

  “I know.” I shook from the thought of it and almost wanted the now silent and hovering Quaid to talk me out of it. “But I’m right and we both know it. The family is going to need all the help they can get. And me on the sidelines isn’t serving anyone.”

  “Syd, how can you ask me?” Crystal tears welled in her eyes. Sunny actually trembled a little. “Your mother would never forgive me.”

  “You did it before,” I said. “And she forgave you for Uncle Frank.”

  Sunny shook her head, backing up a pace as if putting distance between us would make my words go away. “Not like this. It’s not the same at all.” She stilled visibly, going into creepy undead sculpture mode. “What if we locate your demon after you’ve been brought over?” She shook her head. “There are no guarantees in anything, dear Syd, least of all in power. You may end up as blocked as before if not worse, trapped for an eternity in a body that will not produce magic. And because of your undeath, it’s likely you would never reconnect with your demon half.”

  Was I willing to take that chance? “I understand the risks,” I said. “I really do. I’ve lived with this for a month and a half, struggled with every moment. And came to a decision.” Okay, so I just came to it. She didn’t have to know that. “I can’t live like this anymore. I’d rather take the chance than be latent for the rest of my life.”

  Sunny still hesitated. “This could mean the end of the coalition between your family and the clan,” she said so softly I had to lean closer to hear her. “And the end of my relationship with your uncle. And your mother. It may be worth the risk to you, but is it for me?”

  She was right. I didn’t know what to say. I was asking her to do something that would very likely make my mother turn on her like a rabid animal. Especially if it failed. I’d be not only useless to myself, I’d be useless to all of them in the magical war that would surely follow.

  I hung my head. This was my last hope. Sunny stepped forward again and gripped my shoulders.

  “I didn’t say no,” she said. “But I can’t make this decision lightly.” Sunny’s hands dropped away. “I would value you as a member of the clan, Syd. But I think this path is only one of last resort and with full disclosure to all involved.”

  “Tell Mom, in other words.” I hugged myself. “Okay. But if I decide this is what I really want and there’s no other way, promise you’ll back me up?”

  Sunny thought about it another moment before nodding once. “I will,” she said. “And gladly. I’m always here for you, no matter the consequences.”

  I glanced at Quaid. He looked like he was going to be sick. He held so silent aside from his initial protest I figured he wasn’t going to say anything else.

  Boy, was I wrong.

  Quaid’s eyes lifted to Sunny. “If you touch her,” he said in his usual soft, deep rumble, “I swear to the magic that made me I’ll kill you myself.”

  The beautiful vampire I’d known my whole life
held statue still for a long moment. “If it is her will,” she said, “I’ll do it. But I understand your protective feelings of her, Quaid. I feel the same.” So much regret in her. I wondered how much she carried around after who knew how long she’d lived.

  I didn’t need Quaid’s protection. “This has nothing to do with you,” I shot at him.

  Quaid grabbed me, his hands holding me so tightly it hurt. “This has everything to do with me,” he said.

  “I would rather,” Sunny interrupted, “find Syd’s demon half and reinstate her.”

  I glared at Quaid who finally let me go.

  “Me too,” he said.

  “Well, it’s unanimous.” I tried to keep the edge from my voice, but it was really hard. “Maybe someone would like to tell me how we’re going to manage that.”

  “I’m starting my search tonight.” Sunny’s admission stirred another surge of anger inside me that no one had been looking after all. “And I will tell you what I discover as soon as I discover it. I promise. Syd.” She hugged me again and this time the awkwardness had gone. She felt like the same old Sunny and it made me feel better. “I won’t let you down.”

  I let her go, watching her shudder into shadow and vanish before spinning on Quaid.

  “Way to threaten my uncle’s girlfriend, especially when she’s the only one who’s trying to help me,” I said.

  “I’m not the one who suggested she make me a vampire.” Quaid glared, face blank and cold. “That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth, and you’ve shot off some doozies.”

  “At least I have a back-up plan.” Not much of one. I totally knew that. Still. “I don’t see you suggesting anything else to help.”

  “As a matter of fact,” he got in my space, “I was thinking we could work on finding out what this whole block is about. But I guess you’re too busy pining over being undead.”

  Oooh. Jerk.

  “Fine,” I snapped. “Like it will do any good.”

  “Whatever,” he grated back. “Won’t know until you try, will you?”

  Did he think I hadn’t been trying? What was my torture with the Lawrence twins, a walk in the… never mind.

  “Syd,” he grabbed me again. This time his touch was intense, but not painful. The cold mask fell away, his fear and pain so clear I wanted to hug him and say I was sorry. “Please, promise me you won’t go that far.”

  “I told Sunny the truth,” I said, the edge gone from me as well. I just couldn’t sustain it in the presence of his anguish. “I can’t live like this. I hate it, Quaid. It’s so hard.” The tears welled, stupid tears. I felt weak when I cried, especially in front of him.

  He pulled me against his chest.

  “I get it,” he said, the sound rumbling out of his body and into mine. “I really do. I remember what it felt like to be so weak when the Moromonds were draining me. I know it’s not the same, but if I had to go back to that, I don’t think I’d survive it. But, Syd, I need to know you won’t do anything stupid, not before we have a chance to try everything.”

  I nodded against his T-shirt. “I promise,” I said. “But if the time comes… Quaid, you have to let me go.” I pulled away from him, swiping at my tears with the cuff of my sweatshirt. “You promise me.”

  He looked so grim, so alone. But he nodded. “I promise.”

  I hugged myself and tried to smile. “Trust me,” I said, “the idea of becoming a vampire freaks me out so much I’ll try just about anything before I resort to it. So if you do have any bright ideas? I’m all ears.”

  We retreated to a bench in the dark and spent the next hour reaching for each other. There was one brief and shining moment when I was sure Quaid made it through, when I felt the warm comfort of him inside my head. But it was gone as quickly as it came and left me in a state of such depression he finally walked me home.

  I closed the back door behind me to the sight of Quaid watching me go.

  ***

  Chapter Eight

  Mom and Dad were gone when I made it back, my crazy but powerful grandmother securely warded in her bedroom. Even Meira was out, probably with the coven. And Sassafras was missing too.

  Probably for the best. I wasn’t in the mood to listen to a lecture from a demon boy trapped in a cat’s body.

  It was a long time before I slept.

  ***

  A soft breeze blows, carrying the scent of honeysuckle and roses. The garden sways around me, bobbing blossoms dipping to the ground as the wind brushes past them.

  A lock of my blonde hair slips across my face and, as I lift one hand to brush it aside, my eyes lift and meet his. He is watching me, as he always does, his green eyes full of something I feel stirring in my own breast.

  I turn my head to the side, unable to contain the small smile lifting my lips, bending to breathe in the luscious scent of a large yellow rose swelling beside me.

  I feel his approach, welcome it. Turn to smile up at him.

  She stands behind him, glaring at me, her anger so clear it makes me gasp.

  ***

  A crack of thunder jerked me awake. I blinked up at the sparkly pink chandelier hanging from my ceiling and hugged myself under the covers. Another dream, the same people. But despite the fact I felt like I should know them, none of it was familiar at all.

  When dawn cracked through the low clouds, I was there to greet it. It wasn’t until my phone buzzed I remembered I had a life after all.

  Alison. I promised her I’d go shopping with her. Exactly the kind of thing I wanted to be doing while my family and the rest of the world were in imminent danger and I was contemplating joining the ranks of the undead.

  Still, I’d promised, and the more I thought about it the more I decided it was a good idea. Maybe I could get my mind off things.

  I was amazed she was still up for it considering she’d probably been partying all night after prom. But she showed up, bright and perky as ever, just after ten, the horn of her convertible tooting happily from the driveway.

  I slid in the passenger seat and was instantly jerked to the side as my best friend hugged me.

  “Oh Syd,” she said. “I’m so sorry about Brad.” Great, news made the rounds. Though I wasn’t surprised. I’m sure Page made it to the after party just in time to spread the joy.

  “Thanks.” I snapped on my seatbelt and tried to look sad. “I’m okay.”

  “I can’t believe he did that!” She pulled out of my driveway with a hum of tires just shy a squeal and drove off, blonde hair flying behind her. “Brad’s joined the jerk squad for sure.”

  “It’s not his fault,” I said, not sure why I felt the need to defend him. Okay, maybe because the poor guy had been a slave to my power through his latent abilities since we met. Suddenly I didn’t have to fake sad anymore. “Things changed, that’s all.”

  Boy, was that an understatement.

  Alison patted my hand. “A little retail therapy will do you good then.” She winked and spun onto the off ramp, heading for the interstate. “You’ll see.”

  It’s not that I didn’t like shopping. It was just the enthusiasm Alison put into it. I kind of enjoyed drifting around from store to store, admiring things. That kind of shopping was fine by me. But Alison insisted I try stuff on. And not the things I picked out, oh no. Though I had to admit she had fantastic taste.

  “This color blue is perfect for you,” she gushed at me, holding up a soft sweater. “Perfect. Could it match your eyes better? I’m so jealous.”

  “Your eyes are blue.” I took the shirt from her and looked in the mirror. She was right.

  “Not as blue as yours, at least without help.” She winked at me. “Thank goodness for contact lenses.” She sighed over the sweater. “You have to buy it. I bet it would even make Brad change his mind.”

  I snorted. “Not looking for that to happen anytime soon,” I said. But I took the sweater anyway.

  As we strolled to the next store, I asked her about the party.


  “It was fine,” she shrugged. “Prom party. Bunch of drunk guys being idiots and stoned girls trying to get their attention.” She giggled. “My date? Ended up face first in the lake. A couple of the boys had to fish him out by his hair.”

  I snickered. “That’s attractive.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Then he puked all over Page’s new jeans she had her mother buy for her. From Paris.” The laughter made Alison’s eyes actually twinkle. “She was a total freakout mess.”

  “I bet.” Now I wished I’d been there just to see Page get what was coming to her. There was a time when the perky cheerleader was a friend of mine, back when Alison was the nasty bully who led the cool girls. But like with most people who shouldn’t have power over themselves let alone others, Page was in charge and giddy from the fact.

  And you bet it went to her head.

  “I just wish I could find a guy who had some respect for himself,” Alison said. And flashed me a sly grin. “Like that yummy piece of handsome, Quaid Moromond.”

  My stomach lurched. What? An image of a lush garden and the feeling of a breeze made me shudder. The dream, but why was it popping into my mind now?

  “He’s okay I guess.” I shook it off as I tried to concentrate. No way was Alison attracted to Quaid. Really? She’d never mentioned him before, not once, not ever.

  Oh no. This could go very badly.

  “Okay?” She rolled her eyes and bumped her hip against mine. “That boy is prime A deliciousness. Any guy who looks that good on a motorcycle… not to mention his voice.” She laughed, a throaty sound, tossing her hair back as she led me to the food court. “I’ve been thinking about asking him out.”

  My body jerked as the furious face of the girl who ordered my death flashed in my head. For a brief moment, her snarl of jealous fury replaced Alison’s smirk. Oh. My. Swear word. Now what?

  “Um,” I fumbled for an answer as the memory of the two dreams swirled around in my mind, making my head ache and my stomach churn. I fought for reality, hands fisting around the handles of my shopping bags. The real world faded back in, the scent of roses dissipating.