Текст книги "Heart of Darkness"

Автор книги: Lauren Dane

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He sat up straighter. “Do tell. Why is it they’d come to have these creatures in their hands?”

“What they know is that two witches had been targeted. One of them had been victimized over most of her life. Slowly siphoned from. The other was attacked more suddenly and recently.”

“But why? Why would they do it?”

“Greed? I don’t know for sure, but we have heard of these cases where witches have been targeted and then attacked.”

“For what purpose though? Like feeding junkies and turned witches? What? Tom always taught me that magick with a k was our natural energy but what stuck witches used was magic because inherent magick can’t be traded like that.”

“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.

Chapter 9

“ENOUGH about me for a while.” She waved a fork his way. “I want to know more about you. What did you do before you came here to Seattle? From what Nell and I could divine, you just sort of popped into existence.”

He allowed the topic to be dropped. She’d shared a lot and he’d be satisfied with that. For now.

He grinned. “I have my skills.” He paused, wondering how he could make it sound less, um, criminal than it was. It was important to him, probably for the first time with anyone, that she not see him as a loser.

“I’m looking forward to seeing just what those skills are.”

“I keep attempting to show you but you keep telling me I have to wait.”

She laughed. “Just make it really awesome when I finally give you the green light, then. How did you end up running a nightclub?”

“I ended up in New York City with a friend. We’d spent some less-than-law-abiding years together and he’d pulled his act together and started a business. I joined him and he gave me a job. I was good at it.” He shrugged.

“Good at what? I don’t doubt you doing a good job, but what is it that you were doing?”

“I started with cleanup.” He snorted. “Took trash out during busy shifts. Kept the bars wiped down. Over time I learned how to do the books. How to get people paid. How to hire and fire staff. Marketing.” Evan had let him learn every part of the job until one day Dominic had realized he knew enough to do it on his own. Which knowing Evan had been the plan from day one.

“So you came out here to steal from my font and set up your den of iniquity.”

Not much sexier than a sense of humor in a woman.

“I’m all on the up and up now, aren’t I? But yes, it was time for me to leave the East Coast and come back here. I stayed with Tom for a while as I searched for a good location and then eventually found the space. Simon and I had known each other awhile. He had some money and wanted to buy in. As it happened I needed both a partner and some more capital.”

“Did you always know? That you were … different from the other kids in school?”

“Tom started my training relatively early.” Some of his earliest memories were of being taught how to erect shields around his magick. “So I knew. But obviously there are gaps in my knowledge.” Which he tried not to let bug him and managed. Not entirely, but enough. “You obviously did. Growing up in a clan and all. What was that like?”

“It was just how I grew up. I didn’t know how unusual it was until I went to college. I’m going to say it was the same as not growing up in a clan but you’re going to disbelieve that.” She grinned. “My parents had dinner parties and friends. Those friends had kids my age. We went on vacations together, when my mother actually let go for enough time to leave, that is. Some people are foodies. Some people like the beach. My family had one major thing in common with their friends, just like other groups of people have. It was just about magick instead of NASCAR.”

“Did you go to public school?”

She shook her head. “No. From kindergarten through high school graduation I attended a private school the clan runs.”

“Ah, now I get the college comment. The first time you were confronted by non-magickal people?”

She shook her head again. “No. While I didn’t go to school with anyone other than witches, we still had neighbors and went to the grocery store and that sort of thing. For the first time at college I had to hide what I was far more than I didn’t. But it was a good lesson.”

“I haven’t yet been in a situation where I don’t have to hide what I am more than not. Even at the club I’m having to hide everyone from the outside world.”

“Which is why you support coming out so strongly? You’re not in a clan; why haven’t you just told people if you’re bothered so much?”

“I don’t think you know me well enough to say that.”

“I didn’t say anything. I asked. Big difference. If you don’t want to say so, that’s fine too.”

“I’m sorry for snapping. I support coming out because I think it’s time. I believe it will come out and soon. And I’d rather be in control from day one than have to clean up in the aftermath of someone else’s behavior.”

She let him process without pushing herself into the conversation. He liked that too.

“But I understand why, until now, things have been kept a secret. I get it. Which is why I respect the rules, even if I haven’t been in a clan. And I agree with the reasoning. I just don’t believe we have the luxury of secrecy in the age of instant information.”

They continued to eat as he peppered her with questions about clan and magickal stuff. She seemed to possess an encyclopedic knowledge, which was really, really hot. Smart women really turned him on, he’d discovered, especially since Meriel Owen had swayed into his bar only the night before.

“Feels like I’ve known you for years.” She spoke as if she’d been inside his head.

“I was just thinking that.”

“Do you like gelato?” she asked as he paid the bill.

“Yes? I think. It’s ice cream, right?”

She snorted. “No. It’s better. Come on. There’s a place near your club. I’ll treat you to some.” She held her hand out and he stood, bringing her with him.

“Yeah? Are you offering me sweets? Do I need to protect my honor?” he murmured, bringing her close as they left.

She laughed. “I’ll protect it for you. You can totally trust me with it.”

It was his turn to laugh. What an unexpected pleasure she was.

HE walked her out and she took in a deep breath once they’d reached the street. Just being able to unload her worries had made her feel a lot better. Good enough to truly enjoy this time with him.

She liked this man. A great deal. He challenged her without being patronizing. Expected her to defend her ideas. She snuck a sideways look up at his face as he waited for the car to be brought around. In charge. Big. Masculine and protective. It was beyond ridiculously hot. He stepped closer, putting an arm around her shoulders and his warmth enveloped her. She must have sighed because he looked down at her, kissed her forehead and even managed a deft pass off of a tip when the car arrived.

“Gelato first and then the club? We don’t have to stay long. I just like to be there and keep an eye on things.” He spoke as he weaved through Friday-night traffic on 2nd leading toward Heart of Darkness.

“Sounds fine. I don’t have any plans other than this so I’m happy with whatever.” She just wanted to be with him, though she didn’t say it out loud.

She pointed the gelateria she meant. “It’s close enough to Heart of Darkness and parking here is nuts. Why don’t you park at the club and we can walk?”

He snorted. “I’m not going to make you walk. You’re in heels and it’s cold and raining.”

“All right then.” She sat straighter and focused. “Give it one more pass.”

“Why?”

“Jeez, you argue over the dumbest things. I’m going to see if I can’t make a parking space happen, that’s why.”

He made a left at a cross street and then a right to circle back. “You can do that?”

“I can do lots of things, Dominic.” Pleased, she tried not to laugh.

“Teach me.”

“All right. But not while you’re driving.” She closed her eyes and used her othersight instead. Ebb and flow. Energy swirled and broke in waves against the buildings. She found the places where the energy was disturbed and honed in. In the should we leave now void Meriel found, she sent a whispered yes. And when they reached the gelateria again, a spot was just opening up where a car was pulling away.

“Damn,” he muttered, making a very smooth parallel job into the vacated spot. “Don’t touch the door.” He got out and circled the car. He moved like a predator. Like a Were. She wondered if it had come from hanging out with Simon Leviathan or if it was just part of his makeup.

“I can open a door. I’m not an idiot.” He helped her out and closed the door.

“Can and should are different things. When you’re alone or with other people you can open your own door. When you’re with me, you’ll let me take care of you because I like it and because why shouldn’t you let me?”

He was so incredibly arrogant. In any other man she’d have been inspired to slap his face and huff off.

But Dominic wasn’t like any other man. On him, it totally worked.

“Don’t be so bossy.” Still it wouldn’t do to let him get cocky or take it for granted that he’d be getting his way all the time.

He laughed as he opened the door to the boutique gelateria she’d discovered just a few months prior. “Tom says it’s written into my genetic code. But you’re a big girl, you know how to tell me to back off if that’s what needs telling.”

Utterly unconcerned with that possibility though, he walked them through the crowd to the counter. “What should I get?”

“My favorite is pistachio. But it’s all really good.”

“Meriel, it’s good to see you!”

She laughed and looked up to Dominic. “My secret’s out. I come here so often they know me by sight.”

He leaned down and brushed a kiss against her temple. “One look at you and who’s going to forget?”

He was so good at that.

Blushing, Meriel ordered some pistachio with some chocolate malt for herself and decided on chocolate flake and vanilla malt for Dominic. He reached for his wallet and she sent him a raised brow as she opened her bag. “My treat, remember?”

He got the cutest furrow between his eyes when he was thwarted. But he shrugged. “Thank you. Will you share yours with me? Just … a lick or two?”

The woman behind the counter choked a little as she handed the change back. Meriel laughed. “Yes, he’s really like this all the time. It’s why I keep him around.”

Dominic laughed at that, hugging her closer to his side. “As if you could get rid of me.”

They sat in his car and shared the gelato. It pleased her that he’d liked it so much. It was such a sweet, normal moment. Still, in the air between them their chemistry sizzled and she couldn’t help but imagine him naked. Ha, as if she wanted to stop that.

“I can’t believe I’ve never had this before and it’s only a few blocks from my club.” He leaned in and licked her spoon, making her all dizzy and dry mouthed.

He turned enough to meet her gaze and the smirk on his lips told her he knew just exactly what he was doing to her and her hormones.

She had to swallow hard, but she did find her words enough to say, “You’re very naughty.”

He sat back in his seat and turned the car back on and took them to his club. “I’m trying to show you just how much, but you keep making me work for it.”

She snorted. “Please. When’s the last time you had to work to get a woman into bed?”

Ignoring the line of cars, he drove straight to the front, got out after giving her a look daring her to open her door on her own. He opened it and helped her out, tossing the keys to the valet. “But you’re not some woman,” he murmured as he escorted her through a side entrance. The same one they’d gone out the night before.

She paused in front of his office door.

“What?” He put himself in between her and the door. Good gracious, when he did stuff like that it made her all trembly and swoony.

“The warding here is off. Can I fix it?”

He opened the door and ushered her in. “Only if I can watch and you’ll go slow enough so I can learn.”

Dominic never failed to surprise her. Bold. Arrogant. Totally alpha-male material. But he wasn’t afraid to ask questions or to learn new things.

So she walked him through the wards, showing him how to amp up the energy with some mini-feedback spells within it. “These little steps mean you won’t have to use nearly as much from the font. The spell perpetuates its own strength this way.”

“Can’t believe I never thought of that.”

Warmed by his praise, she moved through the rest of the ward, pointing out thin spots and minute errors in execution, which left the overall spell weaker and easier to pull apart.

Despite that, she had to give him credit, the work was very, very good, and she told him so.

“Thank you.”

“Can I …” She wanted to show him how to use his othersight; it was clear he didn’t really access it very well, but she didn’t want to embarrass him either.

He stood very close, taking her cheeks in his hands and tipping her face up to see it better. “You can. Anything. Just say it.”

She swallowed, hard. “Can I give you some tips on how to open yourself up more fully to your othersight?”

He paused and it made her nervous.

“It’s just that you do it, but you’re not using it to its full potential. It’s a very powerful tool.”

“This will make my spellwork stronger?”

“Yes. Part of the way magick works when you spellcast is you use energy to form intent. If you use your othersight better, you can manipulate and direct the energy flow more efficiently. Then your spellwork is stronger. Plus, it’s a good tool in general.”

“You use it all the time?”

“Yes. Most witches do. I can show you how to blend it better with your regular consciousness so it’s not distracting.”

“Show me. Tell me.”

So she took his hands. “My mother’s bond-mate was my first real magickal teacher, but it’s really my father who taught me how to use my othersight effectively. He relates to his magick like it’s math. And since I hate math it took him a while to get to me. But I’m thickheaded.”

Dominic grinned and ducked in to give her a quick kiss.

“Essentially, your othersight is like radar. You open yourself to it, yes, but really it’s about using your magick to relate to all you see around you. If you use it while you do your spellwork, you’ll be better able to see the thin spots, where things are weak or the knot with another part of the spell needs to be tighter.”

“But clearly you can work magick without it. I rarely use it.”

“Sure you can. But an enterprising witch with a better handle on her othersight than the originator of the spell can spot all the weak points in a spell and unravel them.”

“Oh. Good point.”

“Your othersight is there, always. You don’t have to make it, or manage it. You just need to make opening yourself up to it part of how you work your magick until it’s second nature.”

She walked him through it, pleased at his quick progress, delighted by his reaction to learning something new. The more he practiced, the better he’d be until it was second nature.

When they finished, he pulled her into his arms, slowly, as if they were dancing. The kiss warmed up slowly. A brush of his lips and then another quick one.

“Thank you for that. I can see exactly what you mean.”

Dizzy with him, she managed a goofy smile, swallowing hard as she looked at that face of his. His eyes were her favorite feature. Thick, dark lashes framed the color, a very pale green, like spring. They were beautiful eyes. His nose was strong, not quite straight. She brushed her thumb from brow to tip.

“Broken. Three times.”

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m not surprised. It suits you. Being totally perfect might offend the gods.”

The sweet confused pleasure on his face made her weak in the knees.

And then his mouth was on hers again, his taste back where it belonged. Rough hands hauled her close as she opened to his tongue, groaning as he nipped her bottom lip.

The music from outside thumped against the walls, the bass line throbbing deep in her belly.

His hands were on her hips and sliding upward to cup her breasts.

Hers were on his belt, yanking at it when someone banged on the door and he broke the kiss with a snarl.

“We’ll pick up where we left off later. I’m sorry.” He touched his forehead to hers before easing away, but keeping her hand in his.

Simon came in and looked between the two of them. “Evening, Meriel. You look beautiful. Dom, we need to move some cash to the safe. We’re at capacity. Bar’s been full all night long.”

“Of course.” He turned to Meriel. “I need to sign some paperwork. Would you like a drink while I do this? I’ll set you up at my table; no, not the one with all the women in it from last night.”

“Am I that obvious?”

He kissed her again, hard. “Bloodthirsty.”

It was rather exciting to know a man like that thought her bloodthirsty.

“Let’s get you settled and then I’ll make very quick work out of this business to get back to you.”

True to his word, he escorted her to a table in a far corner. It was tucked back into an alcove of sorts, but offered great views of the entire club. She liked to watch him change from her date into a business owner. He lost all that roguish charm and hardened his features while keeping them polite.

“Now lookie here.”

She turned in her seat to take Gage in as he slid into the booth beside her a few minutes later.

“What on earth is Meriel Owen doing right here in a box that looks a little like something the owner would use?” His smirk made her laugh.

“I’m here on a date with Dominic. This is his table. He had to go sign something or whatever.”

“Is this why you sounded so sad this morning?”

“This is such a long story I honestly don’t have the energy to recount it all to you now.”

“Nell’s back tomorrow. If I can see how different your magick looks, you think she’s going to miss it?”

“If I tell you, it’s as my friend, not as a member of council staff.”

“I would never betray your confidences, Meriel.”

“He’s my bond-mate.” She blurted it, knowing if she didn’t, she’d never get it out. “But he grew up outclan. He’s not ready yet and he doesn’t have to be. He needs time and I’m giving it to him.”

Gage nodded, blowing out a breath. “All right. Can I help at all?”

She let out the tension from holding her breath. “You just did. Thanks for listening. Anything new on the mages?”

“And you are?” Dominic slid into the booth on Meriel’s other side, getting so close he enfolded her into his side, his arm along the back of her seat.

“This is Gage. He’s a friend and also runs the hunter crew for Nell. Gage, this is Dominic.”

Gage gave Dominic a long up-and-down look and Meriel leaned back into Dominic, needing to soothe. Which worked because the tension in his arm lessened and he slid his fingertip in a figure eight up and down her shoulder.

“I wanted to come out here to check the place over. See where I stood on the topic of this place being allowed to remain or not. I like what I see. Strong wards. I worry about the line of entry being through a space filled with humans. But I believe we can benefit from a place all the local Others are able to hang out and be ourselves.”

“Allowed to remain?”

She turned to look at him. “I told you exposure is a risk and that we had to assess all risks.”

He interrupted before she could continue. “And you never thought to tell me any of this? About some move to shut me down? How the hell can I trust you enough to be your bond-mate and all that jazz if you don’t tell me everything?”

It hurt that he’d think she was capable of such a thing. “In the first place, I’m not hiding anything. I just referenced a time when I told you about the exposure issue being a problem. Secondly, there is no move to do anything. We saw you were stealing. I dealt with it. That’s what the clan knows. But I’ll have to give a report on this place and of course one of the chief issues is going to be how safe this place is. To ignore that would be folly. It would be irresponsible of me both as the next in line to take over Owen and as your bond-mate to pretend away reality.”

“So you had this guy come to spy on me here?”

“Yes, frequently when I send out my spies I have them sit and have a drink with me and introduce them, complete with a reason for their being here, to you. I’m so devious that way.”

“This is totally not going in the right direction.” Gage put his drink down.

Meriel held a hand up to stay Gage. “No. You don’t need to explain yourself. I already did.” She turned her attention back to Dominic. “And if that’s not enough, we have a far bigger problem than the existence of this club.”

She made to scoot out of the booth but Dominic put a hand on her wrist. Not confining, which would have resulted in an injury. “Wait.”

“Meriel? Are you all right? We can go right now.” Gage said it to no one but her, which allowed her to catch her breath.

The tension ramped up as the two men both sought her attention. Both protective in their own way.

Dominic leaned in, his lips at her ear. “I’m sorry. I snapped at you and made a judgment that wasn’t fair. We should talk. Don’t leave this way.”

She hesitated. This was what she’d talked to Nell about a few times. That disconnect between what they’d grown up with and what their significant other understood and trusted. But more than that, clearly Dominic had trust issues. Which was such a cliche.

Gage waited, but looked out at the room instead of at her, giving her privacy to react.

“You’re being a rude asshole,” she said equally quietly.

“I know. I’m sorry. I felt broadsided. I know you told me about the exposure thing.”

If she could show as much honesty when she got called out for being an asshole, she’d be proud.

“Please stay.”

It would be like this from time to time. She understood that to her toes. He was a bossy, incorrigible man on many levels and she was a bossy woman who loved rules. They were bound to clash. So, she supposed, the real issue was how they got past it.

“All right.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth and then turned his attention to Gage. “I apologize for my manners.”

Gage nodded. “And I apologize for how I brought the subject up.”

“Moving along.” She squeezed Dominic’s hand. “We need to talk about Rodas.”

“I had to call Nell. This is too big not to relay. I caught her before they were boarding their flight home anyway. She’ll be in touch when she gets back. I told her to sleep first and she was mean to me.”

Meriel laughed. Oh how she’d missed her friend.

They spoke about the situation for some time. Dominic put in his opinion here and there, never in a pushy way. He had a lot of great insight about people and how they acted. He’d be so good at her side, would help her examine issues from a different perspective.

Multiple times they’d been interrupted, or rather, Dominic had been called away to deal with this or that. But it was good. It gave her a chance to watch him in action.