Lauren Dane - Heart of Darkness

“Nell will be by in about half an hour so you’ll need pants or she might die from how sexy you look with no shirt and those snug boxer briefs hugging your butt and your package.”

“I’m flattered that you think she’d notice any man but William.”

“Puhleeze. He’s handsome and sexy and all that. But he’s no Dominic Bright. Also, a girl can look. Doesn’t mean she’s gonna touch.”

“You’d break her fingers if she did.”

Her smile brightened as she put some toast and eggs in front of him. “Yes, and other parts of you if I thought you enjoyed it.”

“Come sit with me, my pretty, vicious witch.”

She kissed him before putting the Tabasco out and sitting with him.

“I’m going to work from here today. My phone will be forwarded here. Nell has the hardware already set up so when the call comes in a trace will start. She’s also got that spell to break through any confusion spells Gloria tries to use.” She looked at her watch. “And once we’ve got that, Nell will plan to bring her in. She’s a possible way into this group of mages here in Seattle. Let’s hope she’s a weak enough link to lead us straight to them. We’ve got her in my hallway and in the same cities where witches have disappeared. She’s with them, I know it.”

“I want to say up front that even before last night I knew Gloria was too far gone. It’s not just what she did to me, it’s the way you were risked too. Don’t think I didn’t hear your mother ask you all those questions.”

Edwina had interrogated Meriel while searching her for any signs of damage. Plunging into someone’s magick while they were being possessed was dangerous in and of itself.

“Then you heard her say I was just fine.”

“No. I heard her say she was proud of you and that she thought you showed cunning and skill.”

Meriel blushed. “Yeah. That part was cool.” She hugged her cup and then looked to him. “I will always risk everything to save you.”

He let out a long breath. “Yeah. Right back atcha.”

He took a shower and did some of his own work. Nell showed up and gave him an impromptu magick lesson, which he appreciated. And, he had to admit, it made him feel totally that he was all right. Nell wouldn’t have trusted him to learn anything from her if she thought he was weak or tainted in some way.

So much pent-up energy was the impetus to working out at home. He usually liked to go to the gym, just to get away, but he didn’t want to miss it when Gloria called.

MOUTHsuddenly dry, Meriel sat at the desk, body turned sideways so she could watch Dominic do pull-ups in the door frame across the hall. Wide, muscular shoulders gleaming with sweat, muscles trembling with exertion. His tattoo looked nearly alive as he moved.

She’d work from home a lot more often if this was what her view would be.

And then it came in.

Nell walked in calmly, talking to Gage back at the office. Dominic, moved to her side, pulling a T-shirt on and sitting on the corner of the desk. When Nell gave Meriel the thumbs-up, she answered.

“Meriel Owen.”

“Ah, my daughter-in-law.” Which answered the question as to whether or not Gloria knew about Dominic.

She knew her lip curled at the sound of Gloria’s voice. “Cut the shit.” Meriel wanted to punch this woman’s face.

“Oh, the manners on young people today. Is my son around?”

“You should know the answer to that after your ass was handed to you last night.”

“I’d say I didn’t know what you were talking about, but now you understand I’m not to be trifled with.”

“Fuck you, lady. I’m going to explain this to you once. And I’m only giving you this because you’re responsible for making the man I love and he’s the best thing you’ll ever do. I know who you are. I know what you do. And I will end you.”

“And what does my son think about this?”

“You don’t get to talk about him as if you had anything more to do with his existence than gestating him. Lucky for him he was raised far away from the likes of you.”

Dominic put his hand on her knee and she calmed a little.

“I can easily move my business elsewhere. Given some incentive of course, because moving costs money. So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to be sure to deposit two hundred thousand dollars into my account by midnight tonight. And then you’ll be sure I receive the same sum quarterly . And you’ll give me access to your font.”

She laughed, but there was no mirth there. “Even if I wanted to do that, it wouldn’t work. The font wouldn’t recognize an abomination like you. You’re not a witch anymore. You’re cut off from your gifts. You can’t tap the font. Are you really so stupid you never knew this?”

Silence from the other end as Gloria thought. Of course it occurred to Meriel she’d just given them information they hadn’t had. Then again, it would solve at least the problem of them thinking they could take the font over.

Nell rolled her eyes, but made the keep-it-going motion with her hand.

“How can I trust what you’re saying is true? If you let us access the font, we’d have to … supplement our diet far less.”

“The font only recognizes a connection from a witch, dumbass. And you’re not. You’ve been turned for a long time. As for how you know I’m not lying? Well, first, I’m not you.”

“Fine. Then make it three hundred thousand a quarter.”

“No. I don’t pay the trash to be taken out. I take it out myself.”

“You can pay me to keep my mouth shut. Or, you can take your chances and hope I’m not feeling talkative and find the need to go to the press to tell them about this world you’ve all been hiding for so very long.”

“If you think you’d make it long enough to do that, go on ahead.”

Nell looked up, holding out three fingers. Just keep her on longer.

“Or maybe I’ll come to visit my son. See about mending some fences. Boys need a mother. I can’t imagine why you’d try to keep us apart. Does he know this about you? You’re very jealous. He’s handsome, my boy. Without the bond, would he even have looked at you twice?”

Dominic’s gaze narrowed, his handsome face hardening. He shook his head and reached for the phone but she patted his hand and shook her head right back. As if she’d believe that crap anyway.

Meriel laughed because she couldn’t help it. “You’re dialing the wrong number. And it doesn’t matter anyway. I’d protect him no matter what. He’s everything to me. My people are everything to me. You can’t have them, or Dominic. It’s your biggest mistake that you tried. All you’re going to get from me and my clan is misery. You declared war on us last night when you played with dark forces and used them on one of my witches. You clearly have a lot to learn about clans. I’m going to enjoy teaching you.”

“You sound almost strong enough to do it. But I’ve been around the block a few times.”

“I bet. But this isn’t a contest to see who aged worse, is it?”

“Oh, you think you’re so clever. We’ll see how clever you are when I drain you. When your magick keeps my belly full. With my son at my side, imagine the feast I’ll have. I’ll destroy your precious clan witch by witch. You’ll keep me fed for a long time.”

She was making such a mistake to peg Meriel as an easy mark. But fine, that would only serve Meriel in the end.

“Being turned makes you crazy too, I see. You have nothing. You are no one. You don’t scare me. I know you, Gloria. Do you know what that means? Last night I saw into the heart of your power and you are a shell. Empty. You work with stolen power. Stolen power won’t ever be stronger than what I’ve got in my belly. I tasted what you’re made of. I’m not impressed.”