He could see the hurt on her face. Dont go.
No. I need to. Because you and I are at totally different places. I grew up knowing this was my path. I greet this bond between us as a wondrous thing. You view it with suspicion. And I get it. You havent been educated about what we are and what we do.
This doesnt mean you have to leave. Stay. Educate me.
You dont want that right now and I cant be here this way. She picked her coat up and he moved to her.
I want you. I like you, Meriel. But you cant expect me to just jump on the bond-mate bandwagon when I didnt even know I was a council witch until a few hours ago.
I know and I dont. Im happy to teach you about yourself and your history. If you want that, you know where to get hold of me.
He stood there, confused and frustrated. Let me walk you to your car at least.
She shook her head. No. I need to be alone right now.
She walked out and emptiness washed through him at her absence.
Chapter 7
I cant believe you went without me last night, Gage said when she answered her phone. Shed been wallowing a little, letting herself get sucked into a thousand boring little tasks to stop wondering if Dominic was going to call. Not that it had worked.
First things first, how are you feeling? Food poisoning sucked. No two ways about it.
Im good. My mother came over and did something, heaven knows what, but Ill take it. I may even be ready to go back to work tomorrow. Are you all right? What happened?
Hes keyed in to the font now. Took care of it myself. Still, theres a risk of exposure. Im going to have to think on it and how Ill approach it with the council next week. For now, I think the wards will hold and do the job.
I might pop over there just to check it out myself. Nell and I went to a club for paranormals in Las Vegas. I dont actually think its the worst idea ever. Its nice to have a place we can all go.
It is. Yes. But not at risk of exposure.
Goes without saying. Okay, so, Meriel, you know Im your friend too, right? Is there something wrong? You soundoff.
I appreciate that very much. I do. I cant really talk about it right now. Im trying to get it all straight in my head and I have a hearing in an hour so I need to focus on that.
He sighed. Do you need me to hurt someone for you?
She laughed. Thank you for the offer. But no. Ill talk to you later.
Offers of shoulders and ass kicking are open-ended. You know where I am if and when you want to talk.
She hung up and stared at her screen for a few minutes. Shed been off her stride since she first looked Dominic in the eyes the night before. She hadnt slept much, but she had to keep faith and believe he would call. The dating plan was solid, she felt. Real. And it would enable him to retain a measure of control.
A smile crept onto her face as she thought about that last bit. Dominic Bright was most definitely the kind of man who liked to be in charge. She hummed her appreciation at the naughty thoughts that had inspired.
Tossing and turning all night long hadnt helped. She was utterly sure, but he wasnt and she wasnt sure she could change that if he wouldnt listen. Who was she to mess with free will? He had to come to her of his own accord.
However, it didnt mean she wouldnt use every single tool at her disposal. Hello, this was a sort of contest. His wary resistance to clans against her appeal. She sat up with a smile. She had no doubt he wanted her as a woman, but he couldnt trust that and he had good reason. So the dating thing would allow regular contact and a way for them to move in a positive direction she sincerely hoped included his bed and his naked body very soon.
He was a highly sexual man. Sensual in his choice of decoration in his home and even his office. The kind of man who knew exactly what he wanted and would pursue it relentlessly. Being the thing he pursued had to be pretty awesome.
She laughed, getting up and grabbing her files. This would be all right. They could do this, and she had no doubt theyd both enjoy it even more when they finally did end up sleeping together.
SO repeat that. Simon sipped a cup of coffee and grabbed another biscuit.
Told you last night, dumbass. Shes my bond-mate.
So you met this person whos like your magickal other half. Shes one hot-looking woman of immense power and training and shes not here why?
Dominic sighed. I dont even believe in this shit, Simon. I cant just meet a woman and fall down in love with her ten minutes later. I dont care what some mystical bond thing says. Its not real. I dont like not having a choice in how I feel.
Yeah, make believe like witches and werewolves. Youre full of shit. Simon shrugged. You wont be the only person on Earth who can key into her magick. Eventually someone else will find her and then shell be his and no longer attracted to you. But shit, Dominic, why would you want that? You have this beautiful, magickal thing; why not accept it like a gift? I know you like to say you dont believe in fate, but I do. Sometimes you just have to let go of cynicism and let yourself believe in something.
Dominic stirred his coffee as he thought that outcome would be totally unsatisfactory. The idea of her feeling the way they had the night before with anyone else was untenable. No matter what bond shit there is or isnt, Im not walking away from Meriel. I just dont want to play house with her ten minutes after I met her either.
Ten minutes? She was asking you to marry her and live in her house and have babies last night?
Oh fuck you, Simon, you smug asshole. You know she didnt and you know what I mean.
No, I really dont know what you mean. Either you want her or you dont. Which is it? Also, chemistry is always a player between two people. She has pheromones and you have them. Some pheromones dont appeal to some people and some do. Thats a fact. So right there youve got the basics of what you have with Meriel. And thats not even taking into account the fact that you cannot be a witch and still think things like bond-mates arent real. Says who? Humans? Youre not human and you should just admit it to yourself.
Youre running from it because it has clan written all over it. I say fuck that. Her foremothers built Clan Owen into a powerhouse of a clan. Nothing happens in the magickal world without their say or input. Thats power and thats hot. She is special, Dom. Unique. Powerful and absolutely mouthwatering.
Dominic groaned and scratched his beard. Im not denying her appeal as a woman. He paused. Or as a witch. Yes, yes, shes powerful and I cant lie and say I dont find that very alluring. She and I have something, I admit it. But this is sudden and this is big. I dont know if I want to be sucked into the world of these clans. All those rules and politics. Shes not just an ordinary witch. Theres no halfway with her. Ive spent my life deliberately not engaging with them.
Simon growled as he polished off his eggs. You want some skeeze wholl jump on your cock five minutes after you give her a free drink? Huh? Cause you have that already and I dont see you any happier than before. But the way you are since last night? Well, thats interesting.
I dont have time for interesting.
Boo-fucking-hoo. When did you become such a whiner? This is sudden? Fuck yeah. Totally sudden and life altering. My dad has a thing about those moments. Revelatory thinking. You think all this life-altering stuff happens on a schedule?
Doesnt mean I have to lose my mind over it.
You told me she advised you to think on it and to call her if you wanted something with her. How is that losing your mind? Youre a witch. You can pretend you arent when it suits you, but I hasten to remind you that you dont mind being a witch when you have to set wards or use spellwork.
You cant have it both ways. Own who you are and stop whining about what you arent. Its not going to change either way. Its just a waste of time to deny the importance of this all because youre willing to deliberately lie to yourself rather than admit freaky shit happens sometimes in the world we live in. Be grateful and grab it tight and dont fret so damned much.
Why are you acting like Dr. Phil all the sudden?
Because youre going to turn your back on something for a dumb reason and someone needs to call you on it.
Im not turning my back on anything. Im going to call her later and ask her to dinner as it happens. Nothing wrong with wanting to get to know her.
Simons sigh and raised brow said he thought otherwise, but he held his tongue.
What?
Nothing at all. I just dont want you to fuck this up because you were raised to be all suspicious of clans and of what you are. Youre full-council, even I know what that means.
Dominic sighed. The hell of it was, he wasnt sure he himself knew.
MERIEL let out the breath shed been holding all day when she saw his number pop up on her screen.
Meriel Owen, she answered, sending a quick lock spell so her mother wouldnt barge in on the call.
Its Dominic.
He paused and she paused too, waiting to see what hed do.
So are you free tonight? For dinner?
Yes, as a matter of fact I am.
Another pause. She really should help him, but he needed to do it. Needed to be in control and she understood it and let him be, even if he hadnt realized thats what he needed just yet.
And then after, Id like to bring you to Heart of Darkness. You knowwe have dinner and come over here for drinks.
And it would give her a chance to know him better, for him to show her what was important to him. That appealed to her.
All right. Do you have a pen? She gave him her address and said shed see him at eight.
After she hung up she had to dig through her desk, remembering the box of chocolate macadamia nut candies someone had brought back from a recent trip to Hawaii. Candy was totally necessary, but if she headed to the vending machines, it took her right past her mothers office and that was not what she wanted.
Until they performed the ascension spell, she wouldnt achieve full-council status. Such a thing would be impossible to hide. She was doubly glad they hadnt had sex the night before because her mother would have noticed the change in her energy. Hell, even right then Meriel knew her magick had ripened, thickened, rising within her and ready to join with someone elses.
After shed eaten the fourth piece of candy, two after shed told herself, Only one more, she sat back and allowed herself a deep breath. He called. She smiled.
Chapter 8
SHE tried not to be annoyed when her phone rang as she was still goopy with lotion. If it was Dominic calling to cancel, she was so going to hunt him down.
But it was 401. Rodas Industries.
Meriel Owen. She hoped she sounded commanding enough. A little difficult when standing naked and slicked up with lotion.
Ms. Owen, my name is Arel. Gage would like us to add him into a three-way call. Would that be all right with you?
Yes, go on. Give me a moment, please. She put the phone down and grabbed a robe, also picking up her glasses and a notepad as she got settled in at the nearby table.
Im back.
Sorry to bug you on a Friday night, but when I spoke with Arel I knew youd want to hear this.
She sighed. Comes with the job. Whats up?
It was Arel who spoke. Had some excitement last evening on my side of the country. We got a call from a witch up in Boston, asking for help against some mages whod been stalking two sisters, also witches. As a result of this call, we now have a few mages in our custody.
Unease slithered through her. Are the witches all right? The sisters?
Yes. Theyre both fine. Took some hits. One was partially drained. She turned the draining spell around, drained the mage. Caught him off guard, but it was a great response. Still, she spent several hours puking it all out as her body had to reject all that wrong energy. Spent time with her today. Shes also a shifter so it didnt hit her as hard as it would have otherwise.
She had no idea there were such a thing as witch shifters. Fascinating. Id like to meet her, if possible. It sounds like shes got some skills we could use.
I explained to Arel about your desire to work with other witches to share knowledge and spellcraft, Gage said.
Ive told Kendra, thats the witch Im referring to, about this and shes enthusiastic to meet you. Since its all right with you, Ill make an introduction later. You should know them and they you.
She made a quick note to herself about that.
All right. Thank you. Did she terminate the mage she turned the spell back on?
No. But she could have. Scared him enough to be forthcoming about what they were all up to though.
Good to know. By in custody do you mean still drawing breath?
For now.
As it should be.
Gage laughed in the background. I told you.
I approve of bloodthirstiness in this time and place. There are dark things on the horizon. Arel cleared his throat. Weve been watching some mages back here whod been on the move, settling in, stalking witches, draining them and moving on.
This was what shed been worried about.
Theyre more organized than wed assumed. And after some rigorous questioning, I can tell you theyve been working with anti-Other hate groups to target witches ripe for the draining. Not only that, but working with disgruntled paranormals.
That stopped her pen. What? How?
The mages had been working with a shifter, a cat. The brother-in-law of the witches attacked last night. He led them straight into the heart of their community. Set the witches up.
Why? I dont understand this. Why would someone do that?
That cats handled that part, so all I know is what Ive been told. This was a third brother, never going to run the jamboree. But also a little loopy and got caught up in the demon-possessed line the hate groups had been farming out.
She sighed heavily. So we can assume they know things about us? Things that could hurt?
One of the collaborators was a cat shifter. Its safe to assume they understand now that shifters have their own kind of magickal energy, Gage broke in.
She chewed her lip. Her mother should know of this. At the same time, Meriel had been appointed to this exact position and her mother wouldnt really want to hear about any of this until they had more specifics. Oh and she didnt want to face her mother just yet.
Gage, I want you and Nell to work on this when she gets back. My mother will need to be briefed. Responsible and yet still kept her out of her mothers attention for a while longer. What do we know about them, Arel? Do they pick witches they knew? Witches who are most vulnerable?
It appears to be a little of both. Butits only a matter of time before they figure out the more powerful the witch, the sweeter the reward. Only a matter of time before some turned witch joins them and shares that.
Stuck witches were bad enough. A turned witch was one whod damaged so much of her connection with her inherent magicks she no longer had access to them. No longer a witch, not quite a mage, a turned witch was most dangerous. Still hungry for the pleasure of the initial magickal hit but cut off from a huge part of ones existence made them all totally crazy.
What are they doing with the energy they steal? Just using it themselves? Providing the stolen magic to stuck witches? How do these anti-Other groups feel about that?
Im under the impression it has not gone far enough to be organized in anything more than a way for the mages to get the power themselves to feed their addiction. But my fear, and my belief, is that they will get more organized. This is drug dealing and manufacturing on a pretty intense scale.
All right. Can we do anything to help?
At the moment, weve got it handled.
But? We need some sort ofI dont knowa conference? Something so we can share intel.
Im going to leave that to you and Sadira. I have no patience for the bullshit politics.
She laughed, but there wasnt a whole lot of mirth there. Shed have to go to the council to get permission for such a conference. And she would. It had to be done. But she wanted all the information she could get first. This was a break with how things were done and she knew she had a big job ahead of her.
Gage, keep open communication between you and Arel. Brief Nell when she returns. Im going to suggest you might just check in with some of the other hunters as well. This is inter-clan so its acceptable.
If they start targeting the most powerful witches, youre going to be right in the crosshairs. A big target on your back. Arels comments were correct, but they meant she had to think about something shed been trying to ignore.
Yes. I suppose. Good thing being more powerful also means I can kick some ass if I have to.
Gage groaned. Lets just keep an eye out. Be extra cautious.
Of course.
They hung up and she went back to getting ready. She sure as hell wasnt going to cancel her date. She could be sad for what the future might hold, but she wasnt going to let these mages steal another moment of her joy that day. Not if she could help it.
DESPITE how lovely she looked when she answered his knock, it was clear something was wrong.
Alarmed, he moved her into the apartment and closed the door at his back. Is everything all right? He looked around for a threat, ready to do harm if he had to.
No. Not like you think. I just had a disturbing phone call. Work related. Its all right. Come in.
He stopped her, his palm at her elbow. I dont like shadows in your eyes. He brushed his thumb over her cheek and she leaned into his touch. It wasnt a thought before she was in his arms.
I do feel better now, she said, her voice muffled by his shirt. He leaned back a little to look into her face. Really. It was work stuff. I cant do anything about it at this point.
He brushed his lips over hers, first as comfort. She was distressed; he wanted to make her better. Then for the pure unadulterated pleasure of her taste. Of the way she felt against him, so totally right in his arms.
She opened to him, tasting like home when his tongue danced its way across hers.
That need only she ignited with such force rolled through him. Deftly, he banded her waist and reversed their positions, backing her into a nearby wall.
The noise she made when he squeezed her luscious ass dug into him with sharp claws. A shiver raced up his arms at the way she responded to him so openly and eagerly.
She arched, stretching to expose her throat to him as he left the sweetness of her mouth and set about kissing across her jawline and over to the hollow beneath her ear.
There was nothing else in the universe but her skin against his lips. The sweet curve of her ass in his hands, the cool, soft material of her dress against his wrists.
Slowly, he used his fingertips to slide the dress upward until he met bare skin and she groaned and then laughed. He tickled the same spot, just below the edge of her panties, where her thigh met the first rise of her butt cheek. She squirmed and he couldnt help but smile.
Your ass is ticklish? He stepped away or hed be right back on her.
Technically, its that little place on my thigh, just beneath my butt. She tried to look stern and failed.
We can cancel dinner if you like. We can stay here and talk.
If I stay here alone with you for too very long, Im going to totally let you get to at least third base and all my resolve to get to know you first will be up in smoke.
Fine. Fine. All Im saying is that third base would be a lovely time. I give good third base.
She moved her hair aside when he put her wrap on her shoulders. I bet you do.
Serious after he sent her a leer, he took her shoulders to hold her in place. Its okay then? To take you out? Is there something immediate? Are you being threatened somehow?
I have no reason to think theres a problem here. The call I got was from Rhode Island. But he had to admit he liked the way her face looked just then. Soft. A little befuddled pleasure.
All right then. You will tell me about why you looked so upset when I arrived. But Ill take pity on you and let you tell me after weve had a drink and some food.
She snorted at his imperious tone, but inside there was warmth at the way he made her feel. Safe and protected. Sure, she knew Gage would protect her. Or Nell. Or frankly she was totally capable of protecting her own self. Of all the things in her life, Meriel trusted her magickal ability without question. But it was nice to have this big, slightly scary man on her side, totally willing to protect her because he wanted to.
She smiled and locked the door once theyd reached the hallway.
How was your day? she asked to his apparent surprise. I mean, what does a nightclub owner do during the daylight hours? I always imagined youd sleep until afternoon in an apartment that would look remarkably like yours actually does.
He laughed. And what is that then? What my apartment looks like?
Sleek and sexy. You have books. I notice these things. The furnishings were very high quality, well made. A media wall that gave me goose bumps. The apartment of a man who plays all night and sleeps all day. She ducked her head, blushing.
Bear with me because I can tell youre wondering why Im blathering and being sort of insulting and thats not what I mean. What I meant was I imagine youd all be layabouts with naked models everywhere, but I see what youve built in that club and I cant imagine you sleep too very late or youd never be able to handle it all.
Not offended. Flattered in fact, so thank you. I had a late breakfast with Simon. Checked on liquor orders. Looked over a schedule for some DJs wholl be guesting in the next few months. Signed some payroll. Thought about you. A lot.
He kept a hand at the small of her back. The heat of him seemed to burn against her skin through the material of her dress. He smelled good enough without any cologne, but just then he had a hint of something on.
She leaned in and brushed her mouth against his neck when they paused at his car.
He hummed and held her a little tighter. I like that. He helped her into the car, not surprisingly a deep blue Charger.
Like what? she asked as he headed for the freeway.
Like that you feel free enough to kiss me any time you want.
She smiled, leaning back against the seat, turning to see him better. Oh. Well, youre sort of yummy.
His lips curved up. Just so you know the invitation to kiss or whatever you want on my body is always open.
She tried to focus on him, the details of his face, the way his magick seemed to pulse from him, like a heartbeat. In the car, in a closed space like that, it was warm and spicy, mingling with her magick, changing it, sharpening it. Interesting the way her magick changed in response to his.
Thank you.
He didnt take his eyes from the road, but she could see surprise ghost over his features.
For what?
You came to my door and you made my day better.
Oh. Well, he sort of stammered and it charmed her. Made her wonder how often he received that sort of praise.
I may as well ask you out for tomorrow as well. Ive secured some tickets for Turandot.
You did? She grinned. Really?
He laughed. Im glad to know you like the plans.
Can you do that? Take a Saturday night off? They do have a matinee.
Weekends are obviously busy. And I do need to be there. But I can go after the opera. Or you could come with me. We have a manager for the human part of the club. Simons my partner so hes there as well.
So does he sit in that booth surrounded by women in tight dresses and their bits hanging out?
His grin was wide and it made her want to take his hand, so she did.
Jealous, my gorgeous witch? Dont be.
Mmm-hmm. Well see about that. When I come to visit do I get a harem? To match yours?
He snorted. I think not. And theyre not a harem. Not really.
Not anymore they werent.
HE led her through the entry of the restaurant, his hand at the small of her back. He knew, as he caught sight of the two of them in the mirrors there, that they made a striking couple. People stopped to look, and he didnt blame them. She was long, but curvy, lush. Moved with a certain kind of self-assured grace and strength. The power she had been gifted with shimmered from her, like pixie dust.
He took a deep breath, breathing it into his lungs, loving her scent all bound up with the flavor of her magick. In marked contrast to many of the dresses the other women wore, she had on a short, seventies-flavored number. Dark blue. No sleeves, but a collar that was ornamental, like a bold necklace. He was fairly sure that dress wouldnt have worked on too many other women. But Meriel Owen wasnt too many other women.
In her heels, she was as tall as he, which had proved useful when hed leaned in for the first kiss of the evening. Ha! First kiss. If ever words did not do justice to what theyd shared in her entry, it was those. Hed had to step back to keep from pushing farther. He knew she wanted him, knew if theyd continued that kiss and grope in her hallway, theyd have ended up in bed.
And, he had to admit, this slow build, while murder on his cock, was damned sexy. Like very sensual foreplay. Because the longer he thought about what shed said the night before, the more he not only understood her perspective, but he agreed with it.
He found himself at ease with her. So often he felt as though he had to hold back, had to stay sharp because everyone always wanted something from him. And part of that was his own fault, when you run with a bunch of criminals for years, its not surprising when one of them screws you over.
But this was a sort of quiet ease. And he liked it.
He held her chair out and she sat, allowing him to push the chair in and circle to sit and face her. She made him want to be a better man. Made him want to take care of her. It was unsettling even as it was a good thing.
He took the menu and looked it over before setting it aside to turn his attention back to her. I like this place. Its dark, but not so dark I cant see your face. That would be a shame, since its so nice to look at.
Her gaze flicked up to snag with his. Thank you. Ive eaten here a few times, usually for business lunches and that sort of thing. Its quite lovely at night. Romantic even.
Hed thought so too, which is why it had been the first place that had come to his mind to bring her. Tell me, why did you become a lawyer?
You might know that we run a series of design businesses. Turns out I suck at any sort of gardening or landscape and interior design. I hate math. Law was a logical choice. My father suggested it, said I could get paid to be argumentative.
Her smile brightened a little and he found himself doing the same in response. I know Ill be taking over for my mother. It seemed logical to follow a career path where I could be active in the governance of the business. I need to be prepared.
Conversation paused as their drinks were delivered and the order was taken. A mysterious smile marked her lips when he did the ordering, but she didnt seem angry or annoyed by it.
Hed done enough research on Clan Owen to have earned a slightly fearful respect for Edwina Owen. Enough that he wondered just what a woman like her had been like as a mother. What does she do? Your mother, I mean? he asked once the server had retreated.