by Lauren Dane
He held her tight against him as they recovered. Her rapid, strong pulse against his lips at her neck reassured him. Soothed.
“Welcome home.”
He smiled against her.
HE put her down so carefully it made her ache just a bit. When he slid his hands all over her again, as if to assure himself she was real and unharmed, it warmed her from the inside out.
“Go back to bed.” He shuffled her toward her bedroom before ducking into the bathroom for a moment.
Back to bed. Such a funny man. She’d been awake for hours. Knowing he was on his way back to her had gotten her all keyed up. Eventually she’d given in and done some work while he got closer and closer.
She moved back out to the entry and pulled his bag out of the walkway.
It meant something that he’d come directly to her without even stopping at his place to change or drop his things off.
“If this is what I could see every day at sunrise, I might be amenable to waking up earlier.” He entered the room and she turned to take him in.
“What are those marks? The protective ones?”
He paused. “Marks?”
She moved to him and traced over a few on his torso and then the one around his nipple over his heart. “These. Is this some sort of scarification or something? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I …” He took a deep breath and shook his head before kissing her forehead. “Back to bed. We can talk after you rest.”
“I’ve been up since three. I’m fine. You’re the one who just flew across the country.”
“I slept on the plane.”
“All right. Would you like some breakfast while you tell me about the marks?” She bent to grab the belt to her robe and tie it closed. Her skin still smelled of him. It pleased her.
“First things first. Are you all right? Any news since we spoke last?”
“Nothing really new.” She shrugged and gave in, moving to him to kiss across his back and the beautiful tattoo that marked it in shades of black and gray. “Why wings?”
“We’re still talking about you. Are there any guards on you or anything?” He brought her around his body and dropped to the couch, bringing her with him and settling her in his lap.
“No guards on me. This place is warded by not just me, but my father, who is all low-key and cheerful but he’s all about the mad warding skills.” She smiled just thinking about him. “They didn’t find anyone. I didn’t see anyone either. It was a feeling and yes, I think it means something but I don’t know what.”
“You don’t need to be physically present to scry.”
She sat straight up and crawled over him to grab the phone. It was six so Nell would be awake anyway.
“Scrying.”
“What? Hang on, I need to cross the street.” In the background there was noise enough to let Meriel know her friend was on a run.
“Okay, now what did you say?”
“Scrying. Dominic just brought it up. If someone was scrying, I would sense it but they wouldn’t be there for me to see. It might explain why I felt as if I were being examined.”
“It can be done with a blood payment so you don’t even need to be a witch to work it. That might be a clue. I’ll look into it. Comes in handy, does your man. He’s there now I take it?”
She looked at him for a moment, so relieved to have him with her. “Yes. I’m taking a personal day today, just FYI. You know, just in case she asks about me.”
“She’s going to notice sooner or later. You should call her, just to tell her you’re away. If I was trying to duck my mother, that’s what I’d do.”
“I did yesterday. Left a message on her voice mail to fill her in on a few committees and to say I had a busy week ahead and that’d I’d be in touch later.”
“You’re better now? That he’s come to you?” Nell’s voice lost its teasing tone.
Meriel turned to look at this shirtless man who had her snug in his lap just like he wanted. “Yes to both.”
“Are you gossiping about me?” His smile was oh so very wicked.
“I did all the really juicy stuff already. She says you’re handy and we’re going to look into the scrying angle.” She turned her attention back to Nell. “I’m going to call down to research to see what I can find out.”
“Better you than me. It’s creepy down there.”
“You’re like a ninja. How can you be scared of them? They’re all very nice.”
Research was really the office of the institutional memory of the clan. Four witches representing the four directions and the four elements of magick. Two of them were siblings, Sheila and Gia Kelly and one was Sheila’s husband, the last, their son, Carl. They knew what always appeared to Meriel as everything. They had great records, were computer savvy and had great connections to all the best libraries in the world.
“Gia Kelly is one of those witches who probably does know how to turn you into a frog. Plus it smells like dust and old stuff down there.”
Meriel laughed. “She probably does. Anyway, when I hang up with you, I’m on it.”
“I’m going to have to tell your mother about yesterday’s incident.”
She nearly growled, scrambling to sit upright. “What? Why? Nell, don’t.”
“I have to, Meriel. She’s the leader of the clan! This is no small thing. Maybe if I could totally say I didn’t think what happened was part of this mage thing, I could let it go. But I do think it’s connected. Right down to my toes. She’s going to want to be kept apprised. I’ve tried to work out ways not to tell her, but I don’t think you can get around it.”
She wished she could explain it so it sounded sane and not petulant.
So she sighed. “Fine. Do your report. I have to go and make this call.”
“Don’t be pissed off, Meriel. You know I don’t have a choice. This is something she should know. And it only grants weight to your theory that we’re all under attack in some way. They may have already targeted you. You’re like the gold mine of witches to drain. All that power. No, I have to do it.”
“I understand and I’m not pissed.”
“I’ve known you since before you got your period. You are so pissed. Don’t even try to lie. I’m pregnant and hormonal and if you’re upset, it’s only going to make me feel bad and I’ll still have to report this.”
“I’m not pissed. Also, I think you need to save that one up as an excuse or it’s going to get old fast. Be more strategic.” She tried to stand, needing to move away from him to have this kind of talk with Nell. But he held her in place and when she shot him a look he only responded with a raised brow.
She rolled her eyes.
“I just don’t want to deal with her. That’s all. Go on and be careful. Call me later.”
“William’s returning tonight. Ask if he’s free to have dinner with us on Saturday.”
“Yes.” Dominic’s voice rumbled through his chest.
“Eavesdropper!”
He laughed. “Of course.”
Nell laughed as well. “Fine. Meet us at Dahlia Lounge at eight thirty. I’ll see you two then.” Nell hung up before Meriel could argue any more.
Meriel held up a finger to keep him silent as she dialed up the number for the research office and told them what she needed. Sheila promised some answers within the hour and said she’d email them.
“One last call.” She rapped his wandering fingers with her phone before dialing the office and telling her secretary, ever punctual and at her desk by seven a.m., she was taking a few personal days, but should Edwina ask, she was to assure her that Meriel had taken care of anything pressing and would return to work on Monday. Kelly, bless her heart, repeated it back twice. Both times with an are you sure you mean Monday lilt.
And Meriel had repeated that yes, she meant Monday and that she hadn’t had a vacation of longer than a day or two in three years. Which suitably calmed Kelly down and all was well again.
“Don’t know why it’s such a big deal. I have
so much unused vacation time they get on me about it.”
“That’s because anyone who takes a look at you wants to get on you.” He paused to allow her to kiss his nose. “And as to your earlier question about the marks. They’re protective magick. Tom did them when I was a baby and a toddler. He says they keep me out of trouble. Like personal wards I guess.”
She smiled. “Really?” She spun to straddle his waist and look more closely. “These are gorgeous. It must be the magickal energy that makes them visible.”
“They’re not visible.”
Surprised, she looked into his face. “What do you mean?”
“I can see them. Not all the time, but most of it. Tom can see them because he made them. But no one else I’ve ever known has been able to see them.”
“And how do you feel about it? That I can see them when others haven’t been able to?” Nervousness ate at her.
“It’s just one more example in a long line of examples. I may not be used to it, or entirely comfortable with the idea of this bond-mate thing being out of my control. But I can’t deny that it’s real. I may not understand it all. I may not have grown up expecting it. But how can I ignore each new thing that comes up? I’m outclan, not stupid.”
She tried to hide a smile but couldn’t and he laughed. “It’s destiny. I don’t think destiny cares much about your personal preferences.”
“Simon said something similar and my friend Trey, also a witch, said I should stop whining and rejoice that you were gorgeous, talented and clearly too good for me.”
So charming, this man. “You told your friends in New York about me?”
“They could tell you were someone special by the way I acted when you texted. And then when I rushed out yesterday. Of course I told them.”
“I’m sorry I disrupted your work.” But not sorry he was there with her.
“You needed me. I came.” He shrugged and managed to look adorable, mussed and sweet all at the same time.
“How did anyone manage to tell you no growing up?”
“Believe me, people found a way. What’s your plan for today?”
“I just took it off to be with you.”
“You and I are going to the firing range. Then I’m taking you to lunch somewhere and there’ll be more sex of course.”
“The range? To shoot guns?”
“Here’s how I think it should go. You’ve taught me a lot about my magick. I appreciate it and hope you continue to do so. In exchange, I want to help make you safer in the ways I can. Are you already an Olympic sharpshooter or anything?”
She laughed. “Me? No. Why would you think that?”
“You’re good at everything. Okay then. So I’m good with a gun. Letting me teach you will make you stronger and safer. It’s win-win.”
“All right then.”
Chapter 14
HER fantasy bubble popped two days later when Meriel and Dominic came around the corner toward her front door and found Edwina standing there, her finger steady on the bell.
“There you are. Where have you …” Her gaze flicked from Meriel to Dominic, whose hand had been snagged with hers.
“Mother, come in.” Meriel dug her keys from a pocket and unlocked the front door. But it was Dominic who subtly, but firmly put his body first and went in, leaving the two women in the hall for a moment before he turned and nodded. She was more than able to detect an intruder, but it was nice that he wanted to protect her anyway.
Edwina made no secret of her curiosity where Dominic was concerned, as Meriel locked the door and the wards snapped back into place.
“I’m Edwina Owen, Meriel’s mother. And you are most assuredly not any run-of-the-mill boyfriend. I can see her all over your skin.” She turned to Meriel. “Why have you not told me about this?”
“I wanted to get to know him first.”
Edwina waved a hand and managed to make it look graceful. “Of course you do. You can do that after the ascension.”
Clicking her teeth together, Meriel turned to him with a forced smile. “Dominic, you said you had to make a run to your place? I’ll meet you at Heart of Darkness later.”
“No, you won’t. I’m here with you right now.” He held a hand out to Edwina. “I’m Dominic Bright. I suppose you know what I am at this point.”
Edwina allowed the whisper of a triumphant smile touch her lips and Dominic could see, quite clearly, where Meriel got her spine. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to allow this woman, or anyone else for that matter, make Meriel feel small.
“Who are your people, Dominic?”
“Why don’t we all sit and have some juice?” Meriel motioned to the table and her mother sent her a narrowed glare, which Meriel only shrugged off. Dominic stepped into the kitchen.
“Ladies, I’ll get the juice. You two go on and visit. I’ll be along momentarily.”
“How long?” Edwina got right to the point.
“I met him last Thursday.”
“As in a week ago? Or day before yesterday?”
“A week ago.”
“A week you’ve been possibly stalked by some gang of mages bent to kidnap and drain you. You could have ascended. Been far more powerful. You’ve not done the spell yet. Why?” It was a demand thinly disguised as a question.
Meriel drew a deep breath and it was as if he felt it too. Just at that moment their connection glittered. Her gaze cut to his briefly. Long enough to see the gratitude in her eyes.
“He’s outclan. He didn’t grow up with this as a reality. He didn’t even know he was full-council until Thursday. He asked for time, I gave it to him. It’s entirely reasonable and it’s not like there’s a time limit for the ascension spell to be given. It’ll be there next month or the month after.”
“You can get to know him either way. Why wouldn’t you do the ascension and then get to know each other? One doesn’t have to involve the other. He’s your bond-mate either way. Why you’d deny that or play semantics games is beyond me.”
“Which is why I kept this to myself to begin with.”
Dominic put the juice on the table and sat close to Meriel.
Edwina turned to Dominic. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself? You can do the spell and it cements the bond. It’ll open up your magick and hers too. She’ll ascend to the full-council and if something were to happen to me tomorrow, she could take over. Why would you rob her of this?”
Meriel interrupted, her magick washing over him and through the room. “Whoa. No. We will not discuss this in those terms. This is not robbing anyone of anything. This is why I didn’t tell you and wasn’t going to until he’d decided he was ready for the ascension. I don’t want him to be pressured to do it. It should be his choice.”
“So you hide from me for a week? And what’s all this nonsense about choice? He’s your bond-mate. He clearly enjoys you physically. You were holding hands when you came back just now so there’s a romantic connection. But beside any of that, the bond is there whether you play courting for a while or not.”
“Exactly. Which is precisely why I want him to make that choice himself. I lose nothing if I let him have the time and I gain the knowledge that when he comes to me for the ascension, he does it knowingly and purposefully. This is my life. This is my bond-mate. This is my heart and my soul and I won’t start off my life with him with emotional manipulations and or ultimatums. If he can’t come to me on his own, I’m not worthy and he sure as hell isn’t.”
“Do you think that sort of silliness was allowed when it happened to me? My mother didn’t just say, come to your true place on the council whenever you feel like it. I had responsibilities and so do you. I—”
Meriel made a cutting motion with her hand. “But I am not you.”
Dominic knew there was some difficulty between mother and daughter. Meriel had been very diplomatic when she spoke, though her jokes sometimes were sharp enough that he understood there was a lot of history there. He didn’t like it at all that this woman sough
t to make Meriel do something she didn’t believe was right. But at the same time, he knew Meriel wouldn’t do anything she didn’t believe was right.
And she did this for him. Because she wanted him to have that space and she’d fight off this strong woman across the table tooth and nail if she had to.
For him.
Which only made him totally sure he wanted to ascend.
HE ran a fingertip down the long, sexy line of her spine. He liked the way she looked, naked, mussed, glasses perched on her nose as she checked her email.
“I hope Edwina realizes you work pretty much all the time.”
She rolled, putting her phone down on the nightstand. “I’m sorry.”
She apologized to him a lot. Wondered if she saw it at all.
He kissed her quickly, still sated — for the moment — from the marathon session they’d just ended a while before.
“For what? Running the legal department of a very busy corporation? You spend the evenings with me at my business, why would I begrudge you your work?”
Her mother had left and things clearly remained tense between them. But he’d seen the love between mother and daughter even through the strain.
“I should be paying attention to you. You’re far more interesting and entertaining than work.”
He laughed. “Good to know. But I seem to recall some very intense concentration just a few minutes ago. My legs just got some feeling back.” He pulled the sheet back enough to take a look at those breasts. “These are so amazing.” He bent to kiss the tip of each nipple gently.
She raised a hand to touch him, needing that. His being there in her bed felt like a gift and one she planned to continue to appreciate. He’d stood next to her the entire time her mother had been visiting, backing Meriel up and charming Edwina. Her mother wouldn’t admit it, but Meriel could see it anyway.
He was fairly difficult to resist. As her naked and totally boneless state could attest to. They’d spent the afternoon with William and Nell instead of having a dinner so when her stomach growled she stretched and leaned out to kiss his shoulder. “How about we go to dinner before you go to work? Downtown? Then when we’re done you can head to Heart of Darkness and I can go in to my office for a few hours to get some work done.”