Heart of Darkness

by Lauren Dane

  Edwina paused, clearly moved. “Oh, Meriel, that was perhaps the loveliest compliment I’ve ever received.”

  Knowing her mother would be uncomfortable, Meriel got up and took her phone. “I’ll be right back.” She ducked around the corner and called Dominic.

  “Is everything all right? I’m three blocks away.”

  “I look forward to the day when we don’t answer all our phone calls that way.”

  “Me too.”

  “My mother wants to transfer the leadership to me.”

  “Well, sure, that’s been the plan, right?”

  “Today. Now.” She explained to him about how it would make her stronger and that it would affect him too.

  “Wow. This is … wow.”

  “I know. What do you think?”

  She heard him take a deep breath, knew he was thinking it over. If she could only have seen his face and his body language right then. She could read him so well, even after such a short time together, she’d have known how he felt.

  But she didn’t have that and so she waited.

  “I think you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I’ll be home in five minutes. This is what’s supposed to happen.”

  She wanted to believe that was true. It certainly felt true. And so she decided to ignore that little voice and believe.

  When she came back out she and her mother cleared the tea and put everything away while they waited for Dominic.

  He came in and walked directly to her. “What do I need to do?”

  She explained the rite briefly before Edwina set the circle. Dominic wasn’t part of the rite, but he would receive the font. He’d be with her there when it hit.

  Edwina held out her hands and Meriel took them. “I will offer you the seat and you must accept or deny it. It’s rather simple, as I said.”

  Meriel had a sinking suspicion that it would also be painful.

  Edwina set the circle and turned to face Meriel again, clasped hands again. The power between them hummed, like to like.

  “Let the seat pass to the next in line, new holder of the font. May the ground at her feet always recognize her power.”

  “I accept and pray the ground at my feet always recognizes the power of the clan.”

  Edwina smiled. “It is your turn.” And pulled her hands away.

  The ground at Meriel’s feet dropped away as vertigo hit. Around her it swirled. So much magick and energy she breathed it, it pumped through her veins. She turned to look at Dominic, who reached out and took her hand and the bond snapped into place, fighting to equalize all the input, trying to make sense and process all the power rushing through them both.

  It hurt her teeth and the backs of her eyes and her skin heated as she began to sweat. Of course Dominic looked cool as a cucumber.

  The roar of it, so much electricity, energy, intent all tied up into one massive whoosh of white noise.

  Her back bowed and her skin felt as if it would burst.

  And then it eased back as the bond regulated itself. She opened her eyes to find Dominic looking at her.

  “Wow.”

  “No kidding. I feel like I feel every Thanksgiving when I have one too many pieces of pie.”

  “Such a poet.” He laughed and pulled her in for a kiss.

  “JUST for the record, superpowers aside, I do not like you being here.”

  He knew in his heart and mind that Gloria Ochoa was a turned witch who meant to harm him and his woman. His clan and his family. And she was right there inside that building. Coiled like a snake.

  Which is why he didn’t want Meriel anywhere near her. Something very bad might happen when they moved in to capture Gloria and he wanted Meriel away.

  She leaned over and kissed him. “I love you. This’ll be over soon. And then we can get on with our lives.”

  He let out a long sigh, reaching out and connecting his magick with hers. He surprised her. “I love you.”

  She lit up, thrusting her magick back into him and they were suddenly so connected and strong. They’d fully opened their bond. “That never gets old,” she said lazily, pausing for a moment.

  She charmed him with all her ferocity.

  He held a hand out. “It’s time to go meet Nell.”

  She took it and hugged him tight. “We’re stronger than she is and she can’t send anything into you. No matter what she says she can’t get past me.”

  He grinned as they headed out. “Yeah, I know.”

  MERIEL rode beside him as they drove to Nell’s. She was now the leader of Clan Owen. Their lives would change again as they got used to that. She could do it, he was totally sure.

  Her magick seemed to shimmer against her skin.

  He knew he’d do anything to protect her.

  Chapter 29

  THE dark was very quiet. Every single small shuffle or step felt as if it was deafeningly loud. They’d dropped off the cars a few blocks away and crept in behind the motel next door. Dominic’s blending spell would make sure no one saw them. And he was able to broadcast it in a new way courtesy of a spell Edwina had shown him at their last lesson.

  They approached from the side and soon they’d split up to flank the warehouse. He shielded her from his body for as long as they could. Wishing, again, that she was home and very far away from this mess.

  Meriel would go in as bait. They’d all agreed though Dominic had argued he was just as good. He’d been overruled and wanted to punch someone, but she’d talked him down.

  He turned to her when they reached the spot where she’d split off from the rest of the group and approach the warehouse directly, in plain view.

  “You will be careful. I mean it, Meriel. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Watch your ass. I’m going to need rescuing soon.” She kissed him quickly and waited for the time they’d need to get into place before she came out into full view and began to approach the warehouse.

  MERIEL knew she should have been afraid. But she wasn’t. It would be over soon and she’d walk away the winner.

  “Hold it there,” someone called out from the shadows. She could see the sickness in him from where she stood, though she wasn’t sure if it was so visible because he was so stuck, or because she was so much stronger now that she held the seat.

  “I am Clan Owen, come to send you from our land.” Somewhere out there in the dark, she knew Nell was grinning at that one. She’d made up the line and dared Meriel to use it. It sounded good so she did. “You are outlaw and in violation of Owen rules. You have five minutes to vacate or your lives are forfeit. That means I get to kill you if you don’t leave, just in case I wasn’t clear.”

  “Bring her in and let’s get this over with.”

  Not Gloria. This had to be the other turned witch. He was stronger, not as far gone as his partner.

  She walked forward and through the doors but they remained opened, though two humans at her back tried in vain to close them.

  “Just close them for her!” Gloria’s shrill voice sounded as she stomped into view.

  Meriel took a long look and was not impressed. She turned to the male who’d had her brought in to start with. “Let me guess, that shot-out bitch over there with the big bags under her eyes and three inches of roots must be Gloria. I feel as if I should say something witty. But I’m too pissed off.”

  Someone tried to drain her; she felt the tendrils of that dark sludge getting closer, but she reflected it back. “You have really bad manners. Now, time’s a-tickin’. You all need to be scurrying away.”

  “Says who? The woman who actually showed up alone to a meeting with someone like Gloria?” One of the mages sneered.

  She raised her hand and the human who’d been running at her was blown backward against the wall. “And just so you know, I get to defend myself against humans who try to harm me.” He got up, limping a little. “Now we don’t have to worry about any misunderstandings.”

  “She said you were strong. I can see that. I hope the knowl
edge that you’re going to be feeding me, and her, for some time will be of a comfort.”

  She’d been so focused on the magickal attacks she hadn’t been ready for the physical one. The crack sounded and then she listed sideways a little and fell to her knees.

  Meriel just looked at him for long moments. “Ouch! You shot me!”

  And then a roar behind her as Dominic stormed in and the human who’d shot her crumpled to the ground.

  “You all right?” Dominic called to her as he avoided a magical attack. Mages, any non-witch in general, could build up and use magic. Magic did not come from the person wielding it. It was often stolen or dark rites were used to gain more. It was easily used and spent just as quickly.

  Witches had magick, an energy that was part of their compostion. It was power that came to the holder naturally through years of practice and time as well as natural gifts and talent level.

  Blood, sticky and warm, flowed with each beat of her heart against the spot on her side where she pressed her hand. She realized he didn’t know she’d been shot, hadn’t heard what she’d said to the jackwagon who’d shot her. “I’ll be fine.” She felt her side and found the exit wound. Straight through.

  A nearby mage went on the offensive and she grabbed hold of his spell and yanked. He fell to his knees as she bent it and turned it back on him using the spell Edwina had shown Dominic and that he’d further enhanced to create the feedback loop. Already unstable because it wasn’t his magic to use to start with, it broke easily, conforming to Meriel’s intent.

  Nell stalked in and dragged him away by the back of his collar. She didn’t ask where. Didn’t want to know.

  Fighting broke out in earnest. Dominic had told her to stay back and safe and she did it. Her vision was a little spotty as she continued to work her magick from where she’d leaned against a far wall, sheltered by an old metal desk.

  ALSO, Nell told her that if she got into the middle of things she’d kick Meriel’s ass. She was the leader now, she had responsibilities to stay safe and let the others do their job.

  That and she was bleeding. A lot. She remembered her first-aid training and focused inward. She found the wound, a bright, red spot of pain in her othersight. Best as she could, she knit what she could back together and built a sphere of protection around it. It wouldn’t cure her, but it would hopefully slow the bleeding.

  What normally would have taken a great deal of her time and a lot of magick was done easily and quickly. The magick from the font had amped her power up considerably. She had no compunction about siphoning all the excess energy from those in the room who meant to cause harm. And weakening them was just another benefit.

  Meriel kept the mages from draining anyone as Nell’s team cleaned up.

  Dominic walked back into view, the power arcing off him. Meriel widened her eyes. Her man was fierce and beautiful and he’d had enough of this nonsense.

  He turned to where she’d crouched and narrowed his gaze. The magick still flowed strong between them. But she was hurt and sooner or later he’d figure out just how hurt.

  One of the mages took a run at him and Dominic turned. As if in slow motion, he cocked his fist and rammed it into the other man’s face so hard he stiffened like a board and keeled straight over. Another jumped on Dominic’s back, knocking him down. Meriel couldn’t risk the spell hitting Dominic and not his attacker so she made ready to run over there and cast the spell up close.

  Only like some sort of scene from a movie, Dominic stood and actually threw the guy off his back and against a nearby wall.

  Dominic straightened and turned again, this time to face Meriel. Something wasn’t right. When he used his othersight on her, he saw the bloom of red on her side and nearly lost his mind.

  “Meriel Owen!” he boomed, stalking over. Something or someone made to stop him and automatically, he shot out a spell, knocking whoever it was away.

  “You said you were all right.” He crouched, shielding her with his body.

  Sweaty and pale, but fully conscious.

  “Hey, I am all right. I’ll heal. Now go! Your back is to the room.”

  Alarm raced through his system. “You’ve been shot. I’m getting you out of here.”

  “No, you aren’t. They need us. The other turned witch is powerful. I’m not leaving and you’re not either. I’m going to be fine. The bleeding stopped. The bullet passed through. Just hurry up and stomp this shit down so I can take a nap.”

  His hands shook as he touched her face. He fought with himself. She was right of course, things were hot just then and they were needed. But she was hurt.

  “Look at me with your othersight. My magick is flowing, our bond is strong. I’m going to be fine and you can wait on me hand and foot when this is over. I promise. Go! We’re here. Let’s win. Go, team, go.”

  He groaned and kissed her hard, felt the sting of magic against his shields.

  “I’m going to take care of this. You don’t move.”

  He got up and scanned the room, not moving far from Meriel. He’d get this done and get her out of there.

  Ah, there she was, her signature a slight echo of his. Enough to make his stomach turn to think on it.

  “Gloria Ochoa, show yourself. You are in the presence of The Owen. You are in violation of our laws.”

  She stumbled forward and he saw how bad off she truly was. “Son! How I’ve worried about you.” She turned big cow eyes and a trembling bottom lip in his direction as if they’d work. “They took you from me.”

  She moved closer and he put a hand out to stay her, not wanting her anywhere near Meriel.

  At his left Gage hustled a mage out and Nell dragged a human that didn’t look so good.

  Dominic curled his lip.

  “So worried you let a dark energy into my magick? I’ve had more than enough of your version of care, thanks, but no.”

  “Don’t let her fool you! It was her.” She pointed and … damn it, Meriel moved to his side and took his hand. He gave her a narrow-eyed glare that she chose to ignore, stubborn woman.

  “I had to get you away from the clan witches. The possession spell was for your own good. Don’t you see that?”

  Dark, sticky magic pulsed from Gloria. Dominic blocked it.

  “Give yourself over to my people and we can end it quietly.” Nell stood nearby. “You’ll be ours one way or another.”

  “So you’ll just kill me? No way. I can tell you things. Things that will help you find other mages. There’s a whole movement. They want to expose you.”

  “Where’s the other one? The male?” Meriel asked Gage quietly.

  “We’ve got a few in custody. One is dead.”

  “There was another turned witch, like her. Only stronger. He’d been turned a shorter time. Make sure.”

  “I’ll double-check.”

  There was a loud crack and a creaking sound that brought the hair on his arms to stand. Something very bad filled the warehouse. Dominic watched in horror as Gloria began to call a gate. He brought his fist down onto his palm as he shouted, “Seal the doorway!” and shoved the full force of his magick at her. The gate slammed shut and Meriel stumbled a little, following up with her magick to seal the circle and contain the spirit Gloria had called. Trapping Gloria inside with whatever energies had already transferred through the gate.

  The energy pulsing through him was so massive he was sure that if he’d felt this way even a month before he wouldn’t have been able to handle it. Edwina had told him just a few hours before that the font, the clan, was a sword and a shield. As the magickal energies swirled through him, giving him more strength and stamina, making his intent more concrete, he believed it because he felt it. Connected to so much with this woman at his side.

  He did, however, plan to kick her sweet little ass when she recovered.

  She leaned into him and he shifted to put an arm around her and brace her.

  “I’m all right,” she whispered. But she didn’t really look it. Pale an
d sweaty, he needed to get her medical help very soon.

  Gloria choked back a shocked cry. She fell to her knees and the darkness she’d called swirled around her. She’d called something and it demanded life force for its payment. It couldn’t get to anyone outside the circle so it began to consume her.

  There was no telling the level of destruction it would cause if it got free of the bonds Gloria had given it when she pulled it from the lower realms. “If I pull the circle open, the spirit can get free. We can’t take the risk. I’m sorry.”

  Dominic had to fight his instinct to turn Meriel away from the horror. Her features were set as she concentrated to hold the circle closed. Around them Nell’s team engaged and then took out all the remaining mages and humans.

  And yet, injured and dealing with a mess his mother had created, she worried for him.

  “Don’t be. You haven’t done anything to be sorry for.”

  “What the hell? Meriel!” Nell approached, her gaze on Meriel. She met Dominic’s eyes for a moment. “I can end this for her.”

  She meant his mother.

  Meriel didn’t say anything, letting him make the choice.

  He nodded. There’d been enough suffering. It was time to end it.

  Nell turned and spoke. There was a flash and then the stink of ozone and an empty circle.

  “She’s been shot.”

  Gage hurried over and Nell turned to address him. “Get your mother to my house right now. Meriel’s been shot. Have someone bring a car up here.”

  “On it.” He left again.

  “Your house? Hell no! I’m taking her to the ER.” Dominic picked Meriel up and she didn’t argue, resting her head on his chest. A quiet Meriel who didn’t argue was one that worried him.

  She patted his arm. “Can’t go to hospital with a gunshot wound. Gage’s mom’s a doctor. It’s fine.”

  “Fine? This is far from fucking fine. Someone shot you. That’s not fine. It’s not.”

  Nell carefully interjected. “She’s pulled bullets out of me before. She’s good at her job and I wouldn’t be suggesting it if I didn’t think Meriel would be taken care of this way. But she’s right, we can’t take her to the ER or the police will be called and then what?”