Lauren Dane - Heart of Darkness

“We don’t know yet. Rodas has them and they’re still being questioned. Gage is working with their hunter so they’ll keep us apprised. Oh, and you’re correct about the differences between a witch’s magick and what gets produced when it’s stolen.”

He had no idea they’d take people into custody. Clearly he had a lot to learn about clans.

“It’s just … well, I’m stunned to be honest.” She shook her head.

“Stunned that people would want to steal the riches you have when they have none?” He shrugged. “People are ugly, baby. They’re ugly and selfish and lazy. Lazy enough to steal from someone so they don’t have to do the work themselves.” But if any of them came within a five-mile radius of her, he’d fuck them up.

“Well, look, I was raised to appreciate what I have. What I was born with. Of course it’s stunning and horrible to know people would use pain and death to amp up their power. Power they’re not supposed to have. It offends me deeply. But that’s not the real issue here. My biggest concern is the existence of this cooperation between the mages stalking witches and these sick, hateful humans.”

“So much for not coming out. Clearly we’re not a secret like you all wish we were.”

One of her brows raised and he realized he liked to spar with her. He didn’t trust too many other people enough to have deep political discussions with them. Things were different with Meriel. There was an ease to their banter he only had with those close to him.

“You think we should come out?”

The appetizers arrived so the conversation halted for a few minutes.

“I think it’s impossible to hide much longer. The wolves came out, the cats are out. Vampires aren’t far behind. If we come out, we control it from the start. That’s why the wolves did it that way and I think, considering the whole picture, they’ve been all right. It’s not a matter of should, it will happen. So I’m in favor of being in control of the how and the when. If you let these petty thugs go unchecked, they will do it themselves. And they win.”

“The wolves were forced out. It’s something people toss out as if they did it on purpose. They didn’t. They had the same fears we do. And now they’re exposed.”

“But they had a plan in place. They took it from nearly the start and made it into what they wanted.” He shrugged.

“Every time we come out, or humans focus on us, we end up hunted and killed en masse. There’s an active movement to make Weres register with their local governments so they can be tracked. Some counties and even a few states have passed laws restricting what jobs Weres can hold. Can you imagine what it would be like for us if humans found out that witches were real?”

He waved it away. “They do already. Pagans and Wiccans are out. People have the idea in their heads. We’re halfway there as it is.”

“And look at what happens to some of them! People get fired, lose business, friends and neighbors turn on them. And if this mage thing turns out to be a bigger, more organized threat? Which I think it is. What then?”

“Gonna be an issue one way or another, isn’t it? The way I see it, part of the problem is that you’re still closeted. Makes it easier to isolate and get away with what they’re doing. Because how can you go to the cops if it’s a magickal theft? The truth is they can’t drown us now. We’re too powerful and we’d never allow it. Isn’t that why you all organized into clans to start with? United and powerful.”

She smirked, but it was amused more than annoyed. “When we came west, it was one of our aims. And we are strong, yes. But we can be killed just like anyone else. My ability to protect my people shouldn’t be weakened by the choices I make.”

“Except you have the power to blow the doors off this place with a flick of your fingers.” He’d been making an overstatement, but when she shrugged, he realized she could in fact do that.

“I don’t think it would be so negative. I’m not convinced of that at all. And frankly, I just think it doesn’t matter. At this point you and I both know it’s only a matter of time. There are already humans who know we exist.”

She leaned forward. “Yes! Yes, I do and apparently they’re hunting us down and aiding freaks to kidnap, torture and kill us. No, thank you.”

“You know it’s going to fall to you. You’re next to run the family business.” He didn’t envy that task, even as he admired her for taking it on so dutifully. “It’s there whether you like it or not. That’s all I’m saying.”

“It’s all I think about,” she mumbled before spearing a prawn and offering it up his way.

He leaned forward and took the proffered food, warm inside that she’d offered, at the intimacy of that moment between them. “I’m here if you want to talk. I mean, I’ve not been in training to be the next leader or what have you, but I’m a good listener. And”—he paused to take a drink and then to move back so the main course could be delivered—”I like to hear you talk about it all. Your world.”

Her worried look faded with a smile. “Thank you for that.” She paused as she ate. Emotions chased over her features as he watched. As he tipped into something far deeper than a crush or a like.

Finally her gaze locked with his again. “I’m trying to process it. Figure out all the angles. I need to understand how each variant will affect an outcome. And then I have to understand how to overcome any challenge to my clan on any front.”

He waited, drinking in the sight of her there across from him. “You have doubts in your ability? Because, I’m not really seeing that. I looked you up today. I admit it. You’re an incredibly successful woman. You’re not the type who fails and you’re certainly not the type who quits.”

She closed her eyes for a few long moments. He wanted to soothe her, but he sensed she didn’t need that and hoped he was right.

“No, it’s not that. I don’t doubt my ability to protect them. This clan has deep roots here. Our base is secure.” She hesitated and he wondered what it was she wanted to add but felt conflicted over. “Suffice it to say, I can handle any sort of challenge. Just gets a little overwhelming at times. And while we’re good here, others aren’t. There are places where witches don’t even have an informal coven. They’re pretty much alone, which makes them a target. I … it’s more than about my clan, this is about all of us. Our whole race is at risk. We can’t let that happen.”

He believed her claim of being able to handle whatever was thrown at her. Made him all hard at the gleam in her eye. Yes, she was a woman who could handle it. Powerful and ruthlessly competent. But she was so much more.

He’d always imagined clan witches like Meriel to be coldhearted, ball-busting bitches who cared more about money and power than anything else. And he’d been so wrong.

This was more for her than her own skin and her own base. The only person he’d ever met with her kind of integrity was Tom.

“I’m crushing on you. So. Hard.” She made him goofy, sent him reeling. It wasn’t always comfortable, but he liked it just the same.

Her confusion melted into amusement and then she blushed, clearly pleased with his words. She twisted her bracelet, a little habit of hers as she thought something over. Such a delicate wrist for a woman who was so tall.

She was a mess of contradictions, which only made her more appealing. He found that juxtaposition irresistible. And he knew part of it was the bond-mate pull. But far, far more than that, he wanted Meriel Owen because she was the total package. If they’d been humans, or werewolves or whatever, they’d be hot for each other.