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

  Alison was looking at me funny, as if she was worried I might fall over.

  “Syd, are you okay?”

  I nodded quickly, swallowing against the slow settling in my stomach. Right. Alison. Quaid. My logical mind started to work again. This could be a mess. For all she knew I’d been into Brad the whole time and had no clue about Quaid and I. How was I supposed to tell her all of a sudden she couldn’t date Quaid because he was mine?

  As the last of the weirdness settled, I realized it wasn’t an issue. Quaid would turn her down. My anxiety eased a little. Until this whole demon and Wild Hunt thing was figured out, there wasn’t much chance Quaid and I would be going on a real date or anything that Alison would witness.

  So, I decided to be a coward and let him handle it. It seemed I had worse things to worry about. Like hallucinations.

  “Um, sure, I guess.” Weak. So weak. It was the best I could do. I kept my eyes forward and upward at the fast food menu. “It’s up to you, Cydia.”

  “What?” She turned to me, ignoring the girl who waited to take her order. “What did you call me?”

  What had I called her? “Alison?”

  She frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Who the hell was Cydia? But I already knew. The other girl, the one who had me killed. Cydia. She wanted to take my boyfriend. Was jealous of us. My mind slurred between reality and dream again for a second before I came back. But Alison wasn’t Cydia. This was all wrong.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Low blood sugar.”

  She tossed back her blonde hair. “I hear you.” Alison chewed her bottom lip. “So, about Quaid. Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

  I could have put an end to it right there. But what excuse could I possibly have? This dream stuff was freaking me out enough I just let it go.

  “What are you hungry for?” It was a deflection, and maybe obvious, but Alison shrugged and accepted it.

  My appetite was pretty much nonexistent, but I forced down a few bites of burger and a handful of fries just to have something in my stomach. I kept glancing at her, wondering if I was wrong. If this was some kind of possession or memory event triggered by magic, was I wrong about my friend? Were we tangled up in this together? But every time I looked at her, I knew the answer was no. It was the situation making me crazy, not the person.

  Alison wasn’t Cydia. No, I already knew who was.

  Pain. I really had to talk to her.

  “So,” Alison said, way too fast and brightly, “what are you doing tonight?”

  She looked uncomfortable as soon as the words gushed out of her.

  “Nothing.” Tell me she didn’t want to double date with Quaid or something. That would be just wrong.

  “Good.” She fiddled with her straw, squirming a little. “Weird weather, huh?”

  As much as my head was in an odd place, I noticed my friend was acting her own brand of nutters. I welcomed it, wanting the distraction. What was wrong with her? Usually she chattered on about everything and anything and I just nodded and smiled at the appropriate times. It worked great for us. Except she had something on her mind and she was obviously having trouble spitting it out.

  More Quaid? I really hoped not.

  “Yup, weird,” I said.

  “Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?” Alison’s face turned bright red, her eyes wide. She ducked her head and kicked out one foot, impacting my shin.

  “Ow!”

  She reached for my hand. I’d never seen her look so uncomfortable.

  “Sorry.” The flush faded from her face and she laughed a little. “I’m such a goof. Forget I said anything.”

  I was actually speechless for a moment. Not from the kick or the odd behavior, but because in all the time I’d known her, Alison never once invited me over to her house. Not once. In fact, she avoided the topic so much I let it go. Alison loved my mom, my whole family, and I always thought it weird she never wanted me to meet her parents.

  She looked so ashamed for some reason. I reached out just as she pulled back.

  “I’d love to,” I said. So what if I was in the middle of another massive mess? My best friend asked me to finally meet her family and I wasn’t about to let Alison down.

  She smiled, hesitant and sweet. “Thanks, Syd.”

  “I’m surprised you thought I’d say no.” I swished the remains of my ice around in the bottom of my cup. “I’ve been asking forever.”

  She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask.” She sighed. “I’m just worried. That you won’t like them.”

  I rolled my eyes at her. “You’ve met my family,” I said, layering on the sarcasm. “How much more embarrassing can you get?”

  Her laugh cleared the last of the concern from her face. “You have a great family,” she said. “All of them.” Her eyes dropped to her hands. “Anyway, you’ll see.”

  Why was I suddenly nervous?

  Lunch finished, Alison dropped me off at home. “Six okay? I’ll pick you up.”

  I waved, parcels in hand, and went inside. And came face-to-face with Mom.

  “Have fun, honey?” Her eyes looked tired, but she was smiling.

  “I guess.” I set my bags down and hoped she wouldn’t insist on me showing her what I bought. I just wasn’t in the mood. I did want to talk to her about the dreams. And my reaction to Alison.

  She didn’t give me the chance. “I was wondering if you had plans tonight?”

  Talk about déjà vu. And since when did Mom care what I did with my time, especially now? I frowned at her and shrugged. “Did you need me for something?” Alison would understand. Family came first. The thought that Mom needed me… I was here for her, always.

  I hadn’t felt needed in weeks.

  She shattered my bubble pretty quick. “No, sweetheart. Not at all.” She fidgeted a little.

  “Alison asked me over,” I offered, wondering why she was fishing.

  Mom suddenly smiled like I’d handed her a gift. “Fabulous! Have a great time.”

  She retreated back down to the basement so fast I didn’t get to ask her what her problem was or bring up my new one. Maybe she was working so hard her mind finally snapped. I sighed and gathered up my bags.

  I was on my way upstairs when Dad almost ran me over coming down.

  “Syd!” He hugged me harder than necessary. He did that sometimes, still a little awkward about his own strength in his mortal body. His navy blue eyes smiled at me, even though he looked as tired as Mom.

  “Dad.” I waited for him to get out of the way so I could keep going. He was a big guy and took up most of the space.

  “I was wondering,” he said, “are you busy tonight?”

  Okay, now it was all three of them. Something was definitely up. Made me wonder if Mom tampered with my best friend to get me out of the house. She wouldn’t do that—would she?

  I couldn’t help the scowl of suspicion that settled on my face. “I’m going to Alison’s,” I said.

  Dad’s smile widened. “Excellent. Have a great time.” He kissed my forehead and thundered the rest of the way downstairs, around the corner and out of sight.

  Why did I suddenly get the impression they were hiding something from me?

  And was it worth it for me to worry about?

  I decided yes. My bag of goodies fell abandoned on the stairs as I made my way down to the scene of the crime.

  Mom and Dad whispered to each other, hunched together, when I stormed down the basement steps and interrupted. They jerked apart as if I caught them at something that made them feel guilty.

  More evidence.

  “What’s going on?” I looked back and forth between them while they tried looking innocent.

  “Nothing, honey,” Mom said while Dad offered, “Not a thing, cupcake.”

  Then they said, “Why?” together like I hadn’t noticed they were sneaking around.

  “You two are horrible liars.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared. “I want to know
what’s up that you want me out of the house tonight.”

  Mom’s shoulders slumped a bit. “It’s nothing, really,” she said. “Just… have a great time with Alison, sweetheart, and well see you later, all right?”

  No, it wasn’t all right. Not even a little.

  “Fine,” I said, some of my frustration seeping out at her. “Don’t tell me. Cut me out like you always do. I’m sick of your crap anyway.”

  I ran back upstairs and to my room, slamming the door behind me. I collapsed on the bed face first, fighting tears of anger. It wasn’t fair. None of it. It was like I wasn’t a part of my family anymore just because I was powerless.

  I heard my door creak open, the rustle of plastic. I flipped over and watched Mom set my stuff on my desk chair. She looked down at me with so much sadness I instantly felt like a jerk.

  “Syd,” she said, “you know we love you. We’re doing everything we can to figure this out. And we will. But there are bigger things going on right now.”

  “The Wild Hunt,” I said. She looked startled, then nodded.

  “Quaid told you.” She smiled a little. “Yes, the Hunt is rising and when their leader is fully awake he will come for us.” She hugged herself. “I want you to be safe until then. So go out with Alison, please. Have fun. Enjoy this time. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  Everyone kept throwing that in my face.

  Before I could shoot a comment back, Mom disappeared out my door, closing it softly behind her.

  If I’d had access to my magic, I would have reached out and slammed it again, but the physical effort of getting up to do so didn’t seem quite so satisfying.

  ***

  Chapter Nine

  I pulled on my new blue sweater and jeans and tried to admire my reflection. Alison was right. The color was perfect. I just wished my mood was better so I could appreciate it more.

  I sulked in my room the rest of the afternoon, ignoring my parents and even Sassy who tried once to get in. I held the door against him and he finally gave up.

  At five to six, I landed in the kitchen and stood at the door to wait for Alison. She couldn’t come soon enough as far as I was concerned. The rumble of an engine spurred me out into the driveway, but it was the wrong kind.

  Quaid was climbing off his bike, helmet in hand, when I emerged from the house. He looked so surprised to see me I stopped in my tracks.

  “Nice to see you too,” I said.

  “Syd.” He came toward me, helmet between us almost like a shield. What was up with him? Then again, it wouldn’t do to have Alison with her fresh crush on him see us hugging and kissing, I guess, so I was okay with the distance.

  “News?” That had to be it. Why else would he be here? My heart picked up its pace a little.

  But he shook his head. “Not yet.”

  “Oh.” I stuck my hands in my pockets while he looked away. “So, then… what’s up?”

  His dark eyes met mine. “I’m not here for you.”

  That hurt like a slap to the face. “What?”

  It looked like it hurt him, too. “Your Mom,” he said.

  Why would he be there for Mom? Then it hit me. Like an ACME anvil in a cartoon it took me right in the chest, so hard I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

  “A coven meeting.” How could something so simple make me feel so alone and betrayed? Of course. That’s why Mom and Dad wanted me out of the house.

  They were having a coven meeting and I wasn’t invited.

  Tears welled in my eyes. Quaid reached for me, but I was saved by the crunch of tires on pavement as Alison pulled up. I ran to her car and jumped in, slamming the door, struggling with my emotions.

  “Syd?” Alison spotted Quaid, looked at me. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” I said, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “Oh, and just so you know? Quaid’s a total jerk. If you want him, you can have him.”

  She was silent as she backed out and pulled away, at a much more sedate pace than was usual for her.

  “I’m sorry,” I said after a full minute staring out my window and trying not to sob all over her. “Just family stuff.”

  She smiled at me and didn’t ask questions, bless her. “I know all about that,” she said. “You do realize you’re now headed to the Morgan Zone? The realm of insanity and the absurd?”

  “Frying pan to fire,” I said and found myself smiling too. “Gotcha.” I squeezed her hand. “Anyway, I am sorry. I seem to be fighting with everyone lately.”

  “My parents too,” Alison said. “Must be the bad weather.”

  That definitely had something to do with it. She just had no idea what.

  I looked around as we drove. This was the wealthy side of town, where Suzanne held her ill-fated Halloween party. I still remembered that night, when she’d stripped Alison of her cheer uniform while it was still on her body. It was also the night Alison and I became real friends.

  And the night my demon gave everyone at the party food poisoning in punishment.

  Good times.

  She pulled off onto a secluded driveway, paved and lined with thick trees. I’d never really noticed it before and was shocked by the sight at the top. A huge stone wall surrounded a big white house. Alison pressed a button on the console of her car and the giant iron gate swung open.

  “Welcome to hell,” she said.

  Didn’t look like hell. In fact, it was amazing. I though Suzanne’s house was huge. This place had mansion written all over it, with giant pillars out front and more floor space than a football field. At least, it looked like it.

  Now don’t get me wrong. Money really had little meaning for me. The Hayle family had a ton of cash, a massive fortune backing us from generations of witches. We could have lived in a house this big if Mom was that kind of coven leader. Why she preferred doing her own dishes—or having her daughters do them—not to mention cleaning her own house—same caveat—I had no idea. So it wasn’t the house itself that made me stop and stare.

  It was the fact I had no idea Alison’s parents lived like this.

  “Ostentatious, right?” She wrinkled her nose at the sight. “My dad is the nouveau riche. Commodities trader, hit it big about twenty years ago.” She made a face. “Tell me it didn’t go right to Mom’s head? Real classy. Come on, you might as well see the rest of it.”

  Before Alison could reach for the front door handle, it swung wide. A small woman in a maid’s uniform stood behind it.

  “Welcome home, Miss Alison,” she said in slightly accented English. Spanish background, from the lovely caramel of her face and dark eyes.

  “Hi, Rosetta.” She walked past the woman without another word so I just smiled at her and kept going.

  The little maid didn’t smile back.

  Friendly.

  I forgot all about it soon enough. I was too busy looking around. Alison led me through a huge foyer with a giant double staircase and a massive chandelier glittering as it caught the light, over polished marble floors I was sure I’d kill myself on if I had to live there, through massive rooms with vaulted ceilings and finally into a gorgeous sun room overlooking the valley where the main part of Wilding Springs sat.

  There was so much glass it was like being inside a bubble. That made me think of my demon and jerked me out of sightseeing mode.

  Just in time. Alison came to a halt next to a low table and recliner where a stunning blonde absently filed her nails.

  “Mom,” Alison said. “Syd’s here.”

  Her mother looked up. Same blue eyes, contacts I assumed, since Alison’s were. Same facial structure. But there was a hardness to her mom Alison was missing, a hint of something reminding me of the cheer girls who bullied at school.

  Which made sense. Where did I think Alison came by it?

  “Hello, dear,” she said. “Candice Morgan. You can call me Mrs. Morgan.”

  I was about to say hello back when she looked up at Alison. “Darling,” she snapped, “you’ve been ou
t without sunscreen again, I can see it in your cheeks.” She was on her feet, Alison’s chin in her hand as she moved her daughter’s face back and forth with critical examination. “How many times have I told you, the sun is your enemy?”

  Alison jerked herself free. “It’s not sun,” she grated through clenched teeth. “I’m blushing. From embarrassment.”

  Mrs. Morgan rolled her eyes, setting her nail file down on the table with a snap.

  “Really,” she said, her gaze returning to me. Her lips smiled, but the rest of her face barely moved. “Alison’s told me a great deal about you, Sydlynn.”

  Why did I feel like I was being dissected? Meanwhile, I had another good look myself. Her perfect white teeth were blinding and the smell of heavy and probably expensive perfume hovered around her. Her manicured claws clicked as she brought her hands together.

  Everything about Alison’s mom was over the top, from her bleach blonde hair to her perfectly sculptured eyebrows, all the way down to the high heels she wore with her dark skinny jeans. Erica would be jealous.

  Not to mention the size of the rock on her ring finger. I could have skated on it.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you,” I said, for lack of something better.

  “Lovely, I’m sure,” she said. Really? Wow. I was starting to get Alison’s issues with her mom and wondered if this was a good idea after all.

  Mrs. Morgan swept away from us, her heels clicking on the flawless marble. Alison trailed after her, me in tow, one hand holding mine very tightly.

  “Where’s Dad?” Alison’s question didn’t even turn her mother around.

  “Roger is stuck in New York, I’m afraid,” Mrs. Morgan said as the little maid scurried out of nowhere to swing open a grand set of double doors for her. Alison’s Mom didn’t slow down, as if she hadn’t even considered she might have to open them herself.

  Rosetta glared at me as I passed by her and I almost turned to ask what her problem was when Alison jerked me close.