Текст книги "Heart of Darkness"

Автор книги: Lauren Dane

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter 24

DOMINIC watched the bar. Something wasn’t right and it didn’t set well with him. It was most likely all this business with his mother had put him on edge. Simon prowled around keeping the women entertained. Which was nice as obviously he couldn’t anymore, even if he wanted to. Meriel was not the kind of woman who’d find it cute that he let anyone rub up on him. She’d probably maim him for it.

He grinned.

She’d taken to stopping in on the weekend nights and hanging out with him. He knew she wasn’t much for club hopping and she was also an early riser, but it pleased him that she made room in her life for him and what made him happy too. He liked seeing her at his table with her laptop. Yes, she even did work there. Or enjoyed a drink with Simon or their friends.

He just liked that she wanted to be with him and that she did it in a way that felt natural. He was lucky. Despite all the nonsense with the mages, he was lucky to have this woman in his life.

Dominic examined the wards again and then opened up his othersight to take the room in. So much magick here. Others packed the place nightly. It was more than a nightclub; it had turned into a sort of general hangout and meeting place. He liked that too. Profits were up and he didn’t have the stress of thinking about what the clan would do when they found him lifting from their font. He was proud. Heart of Darkness felt like his in a way it hadn’t until then.

He didn’t need the extra help now. Between him and Meriel, the warding was fine-tuned and powerful. He had no need to borrow magick now that he knew how to use his own. Admittedly he got a kick out of that.

The place continued to fill up as the evening wore on. There were the usual problems. He had to threaten a table of Weres to behave or be barred.

It was a waste of his time to have to stalk around to keep people in line. He gave them this place and they couldn’t just act like they had some sense?

“Why is it so hot in here? Fix that,” he barked at one of the servers, who scampered off to take care of it.

He slugged back a few drinks and then switched to water. His head hurt. He needed more sleep. But he wanted to be with Meriel when he could. There were always others who’d take up her time if he didn’t claim it. Always someone who couldn’t seem to do it themselves so Meriel had to do it. Like she was their mother. Stupid.

Dominic made a move to go back to his office but Simon hailed him with a wave.

“There a problem?”

“It’s hot. The DJ is fucking things up with this crap. I know I told him I didn’t want trance back here. Gets the vampires all worked up. Plus it annoys me. Don’t know why I have to say things a hundred times to get it taken care of.”

Simon looked at him closely. “Wards holding up?”

“Far as I can see. I used othersight and everything looks okay there too. We’ve got some pissed-off Weres near the bar, but I already told them they’d be barred if they didn’t keep it together. I can’t have all this fighting here. That’s worse than worrying over this mage bullshit. Last thing I need are bar fights back here.”

“You’re on edge. I trust that. Something doesn’t feel right.”

And then she walked in, scanning the room until she found him. Her smile made his head feel a little better. But he didn’t like the way men always looked at her.

“She’s a pretty woman, you know that? Fresh and lovely. Always smells good. That witchy—”

“Do you think I want to hear you wax rhapsodic about my woman’s smell?”

“Whatever. She smells good whether I tell you that or not.”

“Simon!” She approached and patted Simon’s arm. “I love that suit. You’re looking very handsome.”

“Me?”

Meriel turned to him. “You’re handsome too.”

He pulled her to his body and kissed her. He wanted everyone to see it and know she was spoken for.

Simon cocked his head. “Hey, I need to talk to you two. Office?”

Once the door was closed Simon turned, his arms crossed. “Someone is fucking with you.”

Meriel nodded. “I agree.”

“What?”

“You’re on edge. Prowling around like a shifter. You’re hyperaggressive. The magick is pouring off you.”

Dominic only felt rage. “What the fuck? You saying I’m so weak I’d be manipulated by some spell?”

Meriel looked him up and down. “I can feel it. Through the bond. It has to be outside the club because I’d feel it if it was happening in here. The wards would sound with that kind of spell.”

“You too?”

With an indignant sniff, she turned, kicked her shoes off and her hands began to dance as she spoke under her breath. Magick filled the room, made his own rise in response to join hers. That’s when it felt like she grabbed a string and unraveled him. His stomach went into freefall and he held back a gag.

And then things got really weird.

She raised her voice, this time speaking aloud as she wove the spell. She tapped the font and shoved it all into Dominic so that he gagged with it. He held a hand out but she didn’t stop. Instead she took it and squeezed.

Latin, yes, she was speaking Latin. He realized this as he warred to keep his consciousness and failed several times.

And then she was on her knees and his ears popped and he could hear clearly again.

He saw the red. “Blood?” He tried to stand, but dizziness made him stumble. Simon braced him and eased him into a chair.

“It’s not yours. It’s Meriel’s.”

His gaze shot to her and he found her pressing one of his handkerchiefs against her arm. “Did I hurt you?” He wanted to vomit.

Concern filled her eyes then and she came to him, kneeling and taking his hand. “No. Do you think you ever could? Really?”

“I don’t know. Baby, Christ, what happened?”

“It was a possession spell. Someone was riding in your consciousness and trying to affect your behavior.”

“Something was in me? And cut you?”

“I needed the blood to cast it out. It was ugly and powerful and not mage magic. It was darker than that.”

“You cut yourself for me? How could you do that? You are not to put yourself in danger like that.”

She waved it away. “I’ll do what I need to and you can’t stop me from protecting what’s mine. Anyway, it’s locked out. My blood mixed with the spell. The way is blocked.”

“How can this have happened? I thought my magick was locked, that you can’t be possessed … like demon possessed? Is that what the Latin was? Meriel, did you fucking exorcise me?” Sickness clawed at his insides.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. See what I mean about how we can learn from other kinds of practitioners?”

“Faith as magick?” Simon asked, handing her a bottle of water and then one to Dominic.

“Negative energy, no matter what you want to call it, can be affected by belief. The words hold power. I gave them intent.”

“But I can’t be demon possessed. I’ve done a lot of bad shit, but never dark magicks. Ever.”

Her face washed into a blank mask and he knew it before she even spoke. “If someone is of your blood, they can do it if they’re close enough. Siblings. Parents.”

“You’re telling me my mother just called a fucking demon into me? Like the guys who watch my front doors here?”

“No, not a demon. More precisely, I’m saying your mother was the bridge to let a very dark energy ride into you. It’s not like you think. Your head won’t go round three hundred and sixty degrees or anything. No levitating. But this dark chaos she let in can eat away at your foundations. At your boundaries and filters. Over time she could use you to be violent or other such things. She used her flesh-and-blood connection with you to let it in.”

“Get it out of me. Now. Or take me to the middle of the forest and leave me. I can’t be around you if I can’t trust myself.”

He felt unclean. What sort of people had he come from?

“Let’s go home. I’m going to ask Gage’s mother to come over. She’s a healer of sorts and can help you flush the darkness out.”

“No. Are you listening to me? Simon, take her to her parents’ house right now.”

“She can’t get in again.” Meriel got in his face, his shirt gripped in her hand. “Listen to me, Dominic. She can’t. Nothing and no one else can. I’m there now. I cut off that bond to her. I cut it off and cauterized it and then I put my own energy there. She can’t get in. You’re not going to go anywhere but home with me.”

“How do you know?” God, he couldn’t bear it, couldn’t bear to think on hurting her. How could she ever trust him again? Would she be scared of him forever?

“Because it’s my spell and your mother is a punk-ass bitch in the magick department. Oh, that’s right.” Meriel was pissed off, he realized. Not upset with him, not afraid of him at all. But murderously pissed off at Gloria Ochoa.

Simon eased back and sat on the corner of the desk as they settled in to watch Meriel.

“I got her number. She’s a fucking amateur wearing a costume of a powerful witch. She will not get in because you are mine and that is that. She can’t best me. Not ever. I am badass, Dominic. I know most people don’t know it, but you better believe it. I will tear her apart when I find her. You can bet on that. I. Am. Not. Having. This.”

He exhaled long and hard and took her in.

Magnificent.

Glorious.

Righteous.

“I am stupid in love with you.” He moved to her, putting his arms around her. Their magick flared and flowed into the room again. It felt good to be back in synch.

Her rage faded as she smiled sort of crookedly at him. “You love me?”

“Ah, I should go now.” Simon stood.

Startled into remembering Simon’s presence, she straightened. “We’re going to go home.” Meriel pulled her phone out and called Gage’s mother about coming over.

The way she gave orders was ruthlessly precise. She was putting a plan together. She might wear novelty socks and know all the words to Grease, but she did things with a purpose. Gloria had issued a challenge. And Meriel would answer that. But she’d do so only after she had considered every option and mapped out every single factor. His woman would understand and be prepared to beat every possible attack.

“You all right?” Simon asked.

“Yeah. I just … she made it okay. It was like I was far away and then she was there pulling me back to shore. Watching her right now, I’m just struck by how truly lucky I am.”

“She’s right, you know. Gloria can’t get in again. You were out of it for a while when Meriel was doing the spell. I’ve never seen magick like that. She reflected what your mother was putting out to keep the bridge open and then she stole it. Like yanked it out of her. Whipcrack. And it’s over. Epic witchery. I am impressed as hell.”

“I wish I’d have seen it. Nell’s going to ask me about it, so can I have her call you so you can describe what Meriel did?”

“Sure.”

Meriel approached and tucked her hand in his. “Come on. She’s on her way. Nell’s coming here. My mother will most likely also be at our apartment too.” She put her head on his shoulder.

“You need to go home. She’s right. I’m just fine here on my own. You’ve already been here most of the night.” He turned to Meriel. “Will you call me to check in once he’s settled?”

“Of course. Thanks for your help tonight.”

“Anytime, sweetheart. You were indeed badass. Now let’s get you to your car. I’ll feel better if I go with you. Unless you think there’s going to be a problem here?” He looked to Meriel again.

“The club’ll be fine. She didn’t break the wards; her magick came in another way. I was stupid to not have thought of it. But she can’t get in again. This is her way of testing to see if her hunch was true. If her son was alive, she’d be able to test that. One way or another she’d know. And now she does.”

“What a vicious bitch.” Simon walked them to the back where her car was waiting.

“Yes. Watch your back, Simon. Any hit at all on the wards and you go to safe mode.” They had contingencies for all kinds of potential problems. Safe mode would alert the security company. Only it was a special kind of security company made up of Others. Usually witches working with Weres. Nice to have the magick and the muscles.

Meriel got him up to their apartment. Gage’s mom was waiting, along with her parents and Gage. She nearly lost it when she saw them, but managed to hold it back.

“Let’s get him cleaned up first.” Gage’s mother got right to work, rolling up her sleeves. “I have some soap in my bag.” She thrust it at Meriel. “Use it on him from head to toe. I’ll get the bedroom ready.”

Her father smiled and patted Dominic on the back. “You look damned good. My girl protected you.” He kissed Meriel’s cheek. “You did well.”

“I’m going to go over these wards again,” Edwina called out. “Do you want Gage to take him in, Meriel? He’s got to be heavy. It won’t do if one of you slips and falls.”

Meriel choked back a sob and nodded quickly, clearing her throat. “I’m fine. He’s steady on his feet. I’ll yell if we need help.”

She pointed at the toilet where she’d just put the seat down. “Sit.”

A knock sounded on the door and Gage handed Dominic a mug of something. “Hold your nose and drink it fast. It’ll be over soon and you’ll feel better.”

“You speak from experience?” Dominic, amused, asked Gage.

“Enough to know how to keep from gagging on it. This is a system cleanse of sorts. It’s got all kinds of crap she grows and picks and then says spells over. It works, if that helps at all.”

Meriel had had that crap when she was in high school. They’d been in a car accident and the smoke had been horrible. They’d been relatively uninjured but the smoke from the car fire had blown in their faces as they’d waited for the cops and aid cars. That stuff had cleared the gunk out, but she felt every damned minute of it. Blech. But it did really work, she agreed with Gage.

He drank it and she caught the shudder.

“He didn’t lie.”

She laughed. It was brittle. She heard it herself. Quickly, she stripped him down and then herself and took him into the shower. The goop smelled good. Clean and right. She had to stretch to reach him all, but he bent and let her get his hair. She let go for the moment, just reveling in being able to touch him that way. The water pounded on him and she kneaded and caressed, scrubbed and stroked from head to toe. Her magick had softened and warmed. It flowed from her and around him. Healing. Loving. Connecting.

The block of fear she’d been choking on since she’d left Heart of Darkness and began to really think about how much they could have lost began to melt away. Helpless in the face of the love she felt for this man. She hadn’t told him she loved him back when they’d been at Heart of Darkness; the situation had shifted and it hadn’t felt like the right time with Simon there.

But here between them she could show him.

“Wow,” he murmured as he stepped out some minutes later. “That was amazing. I feel so good. Taken care of. But that doesn’t really do it justice. You make me feel like I can come home and be safe. Be loved. Thank you for being my safe place. Tonight it was you, Meriel. You snapped me out of it. You fought some sort of major magickal battle with my mother and a dark spirit and you haven’t broken a sweat.”

“I love you too.” She leaned in to press her face to his neck. Warm and vibrant. He was alive and he was fine and everything would be all right. Gloria couldn’t have him. She’d see to that.

“I might have sweated a little bit. But that’ll be our secret.”

Chapter 25

HOURS later, she closed the door after the last visitor left. Dominic had been tucked into bed under a very deep sleep spell her mother had cast. He needed the rest so his system could heal.

She tossed herself on the couch next to Nell. “You need to go home.”

“William is coming to pick me up. Gage has my car. Anyway, I need to talk to you. Are you all right?”

Finally, after everyone had gone it was finally safe to let it go so she just turned and buried her face in her hands and let it go. Nell rubbed a hand up and down her back, not saying anything, just letting Meriel get all the tears out.

She cried until she got the hiccups and then slowly pulled herself back together again.

“She knows he’s alive. I think we should be expecting a call very soon.” Meriel tapped her knee. “But the good news is, she’s weak. Her magic is hollow, brittle in places. I don’t know how she’s made it this far. But I will make sure she doesn’t do it again.”

“We’ll make sure. Leave the hunting to the hunter please. And don’t assume she’s the only turned witch working with these mages either. You’re what they call a high-value target, Meriel, don’t forget that. You’re like the big bank job or whatever.”

“Pfft. She tried to take him from me. She tried to take his will.”

“We’ll get her.”

“He thinks he was weak because of what happened. But he was so strong. What she did would have taken over a weak man inside ten minutes. From what I can tell it had been cast at least two hours and all it had really done was make him aggressive. His defensive magick was working even though he had no idea. I’m the one who was weak. I didn’t even think about possession. It’s my job and I failed.”

“Really? Well, forgive me for thinking you saved him. I’m sorry you seem to think you need to be omniscient. Even Edwina isn’t all knowing, sister.”

“It’s my job to know.”

“You did your job. You can’t possibly think of every single outcome of every single thing. Even you can’t do it. No one can. Anyway, are you going to let this low-rent bitch ruffle you? Girl, you beat her. Over and over.”

This made her feel infinitely better, as she knew would happen when she laid it all out for Nell. “I have her taste now. I know Gloria Ochoa. That was a big mistake on her part. Now I can find her easier and remove this problem for good.”

“She’s gonna be calling you. You know that, right?”

“Looking forward to it. My best guess is she’ll be on my phone at work bright and early. And I’ll be waiting.”

“Good. There’s my girl.” Nell’s grin was vicious. “Calls will ring in here like we talked about. I talked to Simon. He told me you were amazing with Dom, said your skills were off the charts. You used the Latin exorcism rites? That’s pretty Hollywood.”

“Once I got inside him I could see what it was. It just came to me to try it. Seemed to me that sometimes holy men and women are shamans in a sense, their rites and rituals have meaning too, so I gave them intent. Worked out.” She let out a long breath.

She could do this. She would do this.

William showed up at the door. He gave Meriel a hug and went to Nell. “I’m here to collect my wife.”

Nell smiled up at him. “Hello there.”

He shook his head. “Is everything all right?”

“It is. I was just giving Meriel an update. Dominic is sleeping. He’ll be fine. No lasting effects. In fact he’ll come out of this stronger, Meriel’s mother said.”

William helped Nell into her coat and they headed out. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. First thing. You can work from here, I get that. But I want to be here if she calls.”

“Fine. Just please rest. If she calls before you get here, you’re only a few minutes away.”

DOMINIC woke feeling better than he had in a few days. Refreshed even.

Her side of the bed was still warm and the scent of coffee filled the air. Meriel was there and awake. He rolled to stand and stretch and when he turned, she was standing in the doorway, smiling.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

“Better now.” He pulled her into a hug. “Damn, you feel good.”

She tipped her head up to look him in the face. “Coffee and some breakfast can be had if you’re up to it.”

“I figured I’d have to scrub the goop off. But it’s gone.”

“Gage’s mom said it would soak into the skin. You smell good. Clean and fresh.”

“Well, that’s a plus to having your friend’s mom rubbing goo all over you. Don’t know that I’ll be looking her in the eye anytime soon.”

She laughed. “Come on out then. I’ll make you something to eat.”

“Meriel?” He caught her hand in his.

“Mm?”

“I love you.”

Her smile widened. “I love you too.”

He followed her out and settled in at the table. “So tell me. Fill me in.”

“You sure you want that first thing? Before you even eat?”

“I can do both. Do you mean to tell me you went to bed right when I did and only woke up five minutes ago?” He looked toward the spare room where she’d set up her office.

“My body clock wakes me up at five. No matter how much I try to sleep in. She’s going to call today. I want to be ready.” She began to pull a breakfast together and he watched, content to have her there.

“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.

MOUTH suddenly 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.”

Dominic sighed and raised a brow at her.

“You and your precious font and your clan. What do you know about struggling? About working for anything?”

“Focus, Gloria. Why is it you’re mad again?”

“We’ll see how smug you are when I go to the press and expose you.”

Dominic leaned forward. “And how will your friends the human-only separatists feel when they know you’re a paranormal too? If you do that, you only expose yourself … Gloria.”

His voice was wrapped with so much violence it sent a shiver through her. They hadn’t known for absolute sure Gloria was working with the humans. Simply taunting Gloria into revealing all her plans seemed too easy, but Gloria wasn’t working on all cylinders and had already given them more information than Meriel had thought she’d expose.

Nell held out five fingers. Just a bit more to go.

But she didn’t deny it. Which answered that question. “Oh, is that you, Eduardo? My baby boy.”

“I’m not your baby boy. And my name is Dominic. My father gave it to me. He says hey.”

“I don’t think he can.”

Meriel felt sick. Gloria meant Felix, who she obviously knew was dead. Because she’d helped kill him. Not that he’d been anything less than a villain by that point too.

Dominic laughed and it made the hair on the back of Meriel’s neck stand up.

“I said my father gave it to me. Not my biological donor. The man who raised me. But back to your threat about going public and your buddies the human separatists. I’m not sure who’s worse, but I know they’d get a fairer shake in the court of public opinion than an old, shot-out hag of a turned witch with no power and a giant drug habit. You think you can control them when this gets out?”

“They’re stupid, but useful.”

Nell’s gaze darkened, her mouth hardened. Gloria had just admitted she was part of this plan.

Meriel decided to poke at her some more. “I imagine they’d be more useful if you had a plan instead of just rolling into town draining a few witches and going away.”

Nell nodded, giving her the keep going with that motion of her hand.

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with. Until a few years ago, they were uselessly attacking Others. The odd hunting and killing of a Were. Vampire stakings. And then there was a story about how one of these silly groups had caught themselves a witch and wanted to kill her. I was nearby and stopped in.”