Joslin smiled at Deacon sweetly and held out her hand so that the rings glistened in the light. “Have you ever heard of love at first sight? It didn’t take me long to know that Jake was the one for me and when he asked, I couldn’t say no.”
Deacon stared at them speechless. “But, that’s not what is supposed to happen. I have a contract. You’re supposed to be mine,” he said, stepping closer to Joslin. “You can’t do this to me.”
“What are you talking about?” Joslin asked innocently.
Deacon’s mouth opened and closed several times, but nothing came out, then he turned and walked away from them. He looked around the room, then saw her father and headed straight for him. Joslin watched him pull her dad aside and whisper into his ear, pleased when her father only shook his head at Deacon, a blank look on his face.
Clearly Annabelle’s spell had worked; her dad finally seemed impervious to Deacon. She tried to suppress a smile as Deacon stomped across the room toward them. When he reached them, he stopped in front of them, his anger written on his face.
He pointed at Joslin and said, “You belong to me; your father signed a contract.” Then he pulled a sheaf of papers out of his pocket and threw them at Joslin’s feet. “It’s all right here, protection clause and all.”
Joslin picked up her foot and using her toe, she ground the papers into the carpet. “I don’t belong to anyone, Deacon, not even Jake.”
Deacon was close to exploding, so Jake decided to push a little more. “You’ll never have her, Deacon; that contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. You’re finished, and now we’d appreciate it if you left.”
“You stay out of this, shifter; it’s none of your business,” Deacon growled. “This is between Joslin and me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Jake growled. “Joslin is my wife; if something concerns her, it concerns me too.”
“This isn’t over; I have a contract. We’ll see what the council has to say about this,” Deacon said, then stormed off.
Chapter Sixteen
***Joslin***
It had been three days since the wedding, and no one had heard a word from Deacon. Everyone had been trying to pretend that everything was normal, that life was going along just as it should have, but they all knew that Deacon wouldn’t be silent for long.
The spell on her parents was slowly wearing off, and her father had begun asking questions. They were careful how they answered, still not sure that he was completely free of Deacon’s influence, but positive that it would only be a matter of time before he was back to normal.
On the night of the third day, they were all sitting around the kitchen table; dinner was over, and they were all thinking about bed. “This waiting is driving me crazy,” Annabelle said, rubbing her forehead with her fingers as if she had a headache.
“It’s been too long; if Deacon was going to go to the council, I think we would have already heard something,” Joslin said.
“Maybe they decided his little contract wasn’t valid,” Jake said, hopefully.
Justin nodded his head. “I suppose that is possible but that means we have no idea what Deacon is up to, and I, for one, don’t like that.”
When the clock struck nine, a giant clap of thunder shook the house, and everyone jumped, then looked at each other. Silently, they got up from the table and made their way to the foyer where her mother kept a basket for important coven business. Members of the coven were encouraged to put their comments and concerns into the basket, a way for her father to know what was happening.
The basket was also used for communication with the witch’s council, and Joslin’s heart sank when she saw the three scrolls resting on the top of the basket. “I knew he was going to go to the council, but I can’t believe that they’re interested in his marriage contract. The council hasn’t messed with stuff like that for a long time.”
Annabelle picked up the scrolls and handed them around, then unrolled the one that had her and Justin’s name on it. “It just says that the council would like to see us for another informal meeting,” she said, rolling it back up. “It doesn’t say anything about the marriage contract; that makes me wonder what Deacon told them.”
“Well, I guess we’re going to find out,” Joslin said, feeling a shiver go down her spine.
Jake put his arm around her. “We’re ready; our marriage is legal, more legal than that contract. Surely the council will see that.”
“Let’s hope so,” Justin said, then looked at his watch. “We’d better get ready; we’ll have to leave soon.”
They all turned to go upstairs, but her dad stopped them. “Wait, I think I’m missing something. Why are we going to see the council? What does Deacon have to do with this?”
Annabelle and Joslin looked at each other, not sure how to answer, but it was the first time her father had shown any real interest in what was happening around him. “Well, Deacon is petitioning the council to have Joslin’s marriage declared invalid based on the marriage contract you signed,” Annabelle explained, then held her breath while her father thought that through.
Joslin watched the emotions play over her father’s face, the last one disbelief. “When did I do that?” he turned and asked their mother.
“I’m not sure,” she said, confusion on her face. “I wouldn’t have let you do that.”
Joslin took a deep breath, knowing that it was time to tell her father and mother the truth, “You’ve been under a spell. Deacon used a binding spell to put you under his power.”
Her father sat down heavily in a chair, leaned back, and closed his eyes and sat there for a few minutes. Suddenly his eyes flew open, and he jumped to his feet. “I’m going to kill him, I’m going to roast him to a char, then I’m going to grind him up and scatter his ashes to the wind.”
Her mother rushed over to him and put her hand on his arm. “Calm down, William; don’t do anything rash,” she said, then turned back to Annabelle. “I think we need to hear the whole story; I feel like I’ve missed something.”
Joslin was so relieved to hear her mother’s normal voice, she almost cried. “We’ll get you caught up on the way to the meeting hall; we don’t want to be late to the meeting with the council.”
By the time they’d reached the meeting hall, they’d given their father and mother a brief outline of what had happened over the last few weeks. He stopped in front of the building and looked up at the big doors. “I can’t believe I let that man fool me like that. I think I remember now how he put the spell on me; I had dinner at his house and he gave me a bottle of wine. I brought it home and shared it with your mother, but that was months ago, right after you broke it off with him.”
“I found the spell in your aura; it wasn’t easy to break, and it’s taken weeks to wear off,” Annabelle said, giving her father a hug. “It’s good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back. Now let’s go in there and take Deacon down,” her father said, then headed for the doors.
“Wait, we can’t do anything yet; we have no real proof that Deacon put you under a spell. It’s your word again his,” Joslin said.
“And I gave him false authority by putting him on the council in my place,” her father added sadly.
“Exactly. I think we need to let tonight play out. I have a feeling that Deacon is going to walk away from tonight even more frustrated,” Jake said, speaking up for the first time.
“My brother is right; you need to act like you’re still under his spell; that gives us the advantage. Don’t forget Annabelle is still charged with using black magic,” Justin added.
“Okay, I’ll do it, but it won’t be easy. I’d like to kill the man,” William said, clenching his hands into fists at his side.
***Jake***
The council was already seated when they walked in; the room was packed and for a second Jake began to panic. But then he saw Deacon sitting at the council table, and his panic changed to rage, the kind of rage that is difficult for a shifte
r to suppress. Joslin took his hand and led him down to their seats at the front of the room, her touch enough to calm him.
When they were seated, the head of the council, whose hair was a shocking shade of red that night, spoke, “It’s nice of you all to join us. I was beginning to think that you weren’t going to respond to our summons.”
Annabelle stood and said, “We beg your pardon, Mistress, but we only received it a little while ago, and it took us some time to get ready.”
“It was my understanding that the summons should have been sent days ago,” she said, looking directly at Deacon.
“There must have been some mix up, Mistress,” Deacon said, waving his hand in the air.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “How convenient for you,” she said, then sighed. “This council meeting will now come to order. We’re here tonight to hear testimony that Deacon believes is important; since he refused to tell us what that is, we’ll turn the meeting over to him.”
Deacon got to his feet, stared long and hard at her dad, who put a blank look on his face and looked back at Deacon. He picked up a pile of papers and began distributing them to the council, then when he was finished, stepped down off the raised platform and stood in front of the council.
“I bring to you today the proof of this family’s treachery,” he said importantly, puffing up when there was a collective gasp in the room. “The document I have put in front of you is a marriage contract sighed by William Simons; as you can see it lists Annabelle Simons as my betrothed. Just a few days ago, that contract was broken when she married Justin Brooks.”
Deacon paused for effect and looked back at Annabelle and Justin, then began pacing in front of the council. “I was prepared to let this slide, to let Annabelle have her happiness because there was a protection clause written into the contract, a clause that would give me the right to marry William’s other daughter.”
Deacon was so wrapped up in his speech he didn’t see the looks on the council members faces, a combination of disgust and distrust, so he went on. “Apparently, Joslin has already gotten married, denying me the rights of the contract,” he said, theatrically, then slowly paced back and forth in front of the council.
“I ask you, the wise and high council of witches, to declare that marriage invalid and allow me to reap the benefits of the signed contract, which is only my due,” he finished with a flourish.
There was total silence in the room; no one said a word as the council stared at Deacon. Jake could tell that the man was beginning to get nervous, had clearly expected the council to be on his side. “Don’t you see I have been wronged by this family? Proof that they shouldn’t be allowed to stay in power; they’ve abused that power.”
The members of the high council exchanged glances, then the head of the council nodded her head as if she’d gotten a message. “It was this council’s understanding that this meeting was called because you had information about the investigation into Annabelle’s use of black magic,” she said, clearly displeased.
“Well, this does bear on that investigation,” Deacon replied, his eyes searching the council members faces for some sign that they were on his side.
“I don’t see how. All I see here is a worthless contract that the council would be fools to endorse even if we could. We no longer deal with matters of this nature; now if you don’t have any new evidence to present on the black magic matter, it’s clear that you’ve wasted our valuable time.”
Deacon’s face fell, then it began to turn red. “I demand that the council rule on this matter. I have William’s signature on this contract; that makes it valid,” he practically shouted at the council.
The head of the council looked down one side of the table and then down the other. “Very well, but first let me remind you who you are speaking to; we will not be addressed in such a manner,” she said, then waited.
“I apologize for my rough tone of voice, Mistress,” Deacon ground out between clenched teeth.
It was all Jake could do not to laugh out loud; it was immensely pleasurable to watch Deacon squirm and bow down to the council. But then to his surprise, the head of the council nodded her head and said, “We will rule on your petition.”
Deacon puffed up again, clearly thinking that he’d won, but then she said, “We find the contract invalid and unlawful, unenforceable by anyone, even this council.”
Jake wanted to jump up and shout for joy, but then he realized that Deacon was standing motionless in the center of the room, shooting evil glances their way. “That’s just not possible; it’s a signed contract. You have to uphold it; only I have the right to marry Joslin.”
The head of the council shook her head, then stood and walked out of the room, the rest of the council following her. Just before she walked through the door, she turned back to the gathering. “I trust that we won’t be called back here again until the investigation is over; our time is very valuable, and we don’t like wasting it.”
Chapter Seventeen
***Joslin***
When the door slammed behind the last council member, Deacon turned and stomped over to where they were all sitting. “This isn’t over. I will have that place on the council, and no one is going to stand in my way,” he spat at them, then turned to William and began mumbling words under his breath.
Annabelle stepped between Deacon and her father. “It won’t work, because he’s not under your spell anymore; I took care of that,” she said, then feeling her father’s hands on her shoulders, she stepped away.
“Thank you, Annabelle,” her father said, then addressed Deacon. “I know what you did, Deacon, and that contract is nothing but a farce. I wouldn’t let one of my daughters marry you if you were the last man on Earth. I’m going to see that you’re brought up on charges. Deacon, the use of those kinds of spells is strictly prohibited. I should have believed Annabelle when she told me you were using black magic.”
Deacon looked like he was about to explode with rage; he raised his hand in the air and Joslin was sure that he was about to use magic. But then she realized that one by one, people were walking over to stand in a circle around them. Deacon must have seen them too. He lowered his arm and looked around him, then began to back away.
“This isn’t finished; there are plenty of people around here who would like to see your family out of power. Your reign is going to come to an end whether you like it or not. Do you really think a couple of shifters are going to save you? I’ll be back, and then you’ll see black magic. Wouldn’t it be a shame if something happened to the men in this family? A freak accident or something?”
Joslin had to hold Jake back. “Is that a threat, Deacon?” he said, straining to get to the man, but blocked by both his brother and Joslin.
“You can take that however you want, but just remember I’m a very powerful man, used to getting my way, and I’m not afraid to use whatever means I must to make that happen,” Deacon said, then turned and slowly strolled out of the room.
As soon as he was out of the room, there was a burst of chatter, everyone talking at once. Annabelle raised her hands in the air. “Everyone, calm down,” she said, and silence fell over the room.
Her dad stepped forward then. “I take full responsibility for bringing Deacon into the coven. I let my pride get the better of me, and for that I’m sorry. Thanks to the spell he put on me things are still a little bit fuzzy, but Annabelle and Joslin have everything under control.”
There were mummers from the group, but then one man spoke up. “We’ve been working with them for weeks; they’ve got the situation under control,” he said, then gathered his family close to him. “The best thing we can do is to go back to our lives and wait for them to let us know when they need our help.”
“Is he really using black magic or is it you?” one woman asked from the back of the crowd.
“I have never used black magic; I used a spell to give my husband a piece of my life force because he was mortally wounded, and it was the only way to
save him. Deacon used a follower spell on my dad, maintained it for months to get a spot on the council,” Annabelle said. “The investigation will show that I used that spell out of love and nothing more whereas Deacon was only out for his own personal gain.”
There was more murmuring, then the group began to break up. Each person swearing loyalty to Annabelle and her family as they left. Joslin felt like they’d won the first battle, gotten the truth about Deacon out to the people who really needed to hear it. But she knew that they had a long way to go before it was all over; still, knowing that they had more than just their chosen few on their side now, made it that much easier to walk out of the meeting hall that night.
***Jake***
By the time they got back to the house, Jake could tell that everyone was exhausted. Everything was going according to plan, but there was little satisfaction in what they’d accomplished tonight. They’d pushed Deacon to his limit, but he’d backed down at the last minute, kept it together. It would have been much simpler if he’d lost it and struck out at them right then with the council watching; now they’d have to wait for him to make his move.
They headed to the kitchen, everyone silent, lost in their own thoughts. When they’d all sat down at the big table with a cup of coffee in front of them, Jake said, “I want to take Joslin back to the ranch in Fairplay. I think it’s the safest place for her.”
Justin nodded his head. “Annabelle and I agree; we’ll go with you.”
“I don’t know if I like that idea. I think you might be safer here with your family and friends,” William said, a frown on his face.
Joslin reached out and put her hand on her father’s arm. “I know it’s hard for you to trust our safety to someone else, but Jake will protect me; he’ll take care of me.”
“And we need you here; we have no idea what Deacon will do now, but someone has to stay here and keep the people calm,” Jake said.
Jake (Fairplay Shifters Series Book 2) Page 10