“First things first. Are you all right? Any news since we spoke last?”
“Nothing really new.” She shrugged and gave in, moving to him to kiss across his back and the beautiful tattoo that marked it in shades of black and gray. “Why wings?”
“We’re still talking about you. Are there any guards on you or anything?” He brought her around his body and dropped to the couch, bringing her with him and settling her in his lap.
“No guards on me. This place is warded by not just me, but my father, who is all low-key and cheerful but he’s all about the mad warding skills.” She smiled just thinking about him. “They didn’t find anyone. I didn’t see anyone either. It was a feeling and yes, I think it means something but I don’t know what.”
“You don’t need to be physically present to scry.”
She sat straight up and crawled over him to grab the phone. It was six so Nell would be awake anyway.
“Scrying.”
“What? Hang on, I need to cross the street.” In the background there was noise enough to let Meriel know her friend was on a run.
“Okay, now what did you say?”
“Scrying. Dominic just brought it up. If someone was scrying, I would sense it but they wouldn’t be there for me to see. It might explain why I felt as if I were being examined.”
“It can be done with a blood payment so you don’t even need to be a witch to work it. That might be a clue. I’ll look into it. Comes in handy, does your man. He’s there now I take it?”
She looked at him for a moment, so relieved to have him with her. “Yes. I’m taking a personal day today, just FYI. You know, just in case she asks about me.”
“She’s going to notice sooner or later. You should call her, just to tell her you’re away. If I was trying to duck my mother, that’s what I’d do.”
“I did yesterday. Left a message on her voice mail to fill her in on a few committees and to say I had a busy week ahead and that’d I’d be in touch later.”
“You’re better now? That he’s come to you?” Nell’s voice lost its teasing tone.
Meriel turned to look at this shirtless man who had her snug in his lap just like he wanted. “Yes to both.”
“Are you gossiping about me?” His smile was oh so very wicked.
“I did all the really juicy stuff already. She says you’re handy and we’re going to look into the scrying angle.” She turned her attention back to Nell. “I’m going to call down to research to see what I can find out.”
“Better you than me. It’s creepy down there.”
“You’re like a ninja. How can you be scared of them? They’re all very nice.”
Research was really the office of the institutional memory of the clan. Four witches representing the four directions and the four elements of magick. Two of them were siblings, Sheila and Gia Kelly and one was Sheila’s husband, the last, their son, Carl. They knew what always appeared to Meriel as everything. They had great records, were computer savvy and had great connections to all the best libraries in the world.
“Gia Kelly is one of those witches who probably does know how to turn you into a frog. Plus it smells like dust and old stuff down there.”
Meriel laughed. “She probably does. Anyway, when I hang up with you, I’m on it.”
“I’m going to have to tell your mother about yesterday’s incident.”
She nearly growled, scrambling to sit upright. “What? Why? Nell, don’t.”
“I have to, Meriel. She’s the leader of the clan! This is no small thing. Maybe if I could totally say I didn’t think what happened was part of this mage thing, I could let it go. But I do think it’s connected. Right down to my toes. She’s going to want to be kept apprised. I’ve tried to work out ways not to tell her, but I don’t think you can get around it.”
She wished she could explain it so it sounded sane and not petulant.
So she sighed. “Fine. Do your report. I have to go and make this call.”
“Don’t be pissed off, Meriel. You know I don’t have a choice. This is something she should know. And it only grants weight to your theory that we’re all under attack in some way. They may have already targeted you. You’re like the gold mine of witches to drain. All that power. No, I have to do it.”
“I understand and I’m not pissed.”
“I’ve known you since before you got your period. You are so pissed. Don’t even try to lie. I’m pregnant and hormonal and if you’re upset, it’s only going to make me feel bad and I’ll still have to report this.”
“I’m not pissed. Also, I think you need to save that one up as an excuse or it’s going to get old fast. Be more strategic.” She tried to stand, needing to move away from him to have this kind of talk with Nell. But he held her in place and when she shot him a look he only responded with a raised brow.
She rolled her eyes.
“I just don’t want to deal with her. That’s all. Go on and be careful. Call me later.”
“William’s returning tonight. Ask if he’s free to have dinner with us on Saturday.”
“Yes.” Dominic’s voice rumbled through his chest.
“Eavesdropper!”
He laughed. “Of course.”
Nell laughed as well. “Fine. Meet us at Dahlia Lounge at eight thirty. I’ll see you two then.” Nell hung up before Meriel could argue any more.
Meriel held up a finger to keep him silent as she dialed up the number for the research office and told them what she needed. Sheila promised some answers within the hour and said she’d email them.
“One last call.” She rapped his wandering fingers with her phone before dialing the office and telling her secretary, ever punctual and at her desk by seven a.m., she was taking a few personal days, but should Edwina ask, she was to assure her that Meriel had taken care of anything pressing and would return to work on Monday. Kelly, bless her heart, repeated it back twice. Both times with an are you sure you mean Monday lilt.
And Meriel had repeated that yes, she meant Monday and that she hadn’t had a vacation of longer than a day or two in three years. Which suitably calmed Kelly down and all was well again.
“Don’t know why it’s such a big deal. I have so much unused vacation time they get on me about it.”
“That’s because anyone who takes a look at you wants to get on you.” He paused to allow her to kiss his nose. “And as to your earlier question about the marks. They’re protective magick. Tom did them when I was a baby and a toddler. He says they keep me out of trouble. Like personal wards I guess.”
She smiled. “Really?” She spun to straddle his waist and look more closely. “These are gorgeous. It must be the magickal energy that makes them visible.”
“They’re not visible.”
Surprised, she looked into his face. “What do you mean?”
“I can see them. Not all the time, but most of it. Tom can see them because he made them. But no one else I’ve ever known has been able to see them.”
“And how do you feel about it? That I can see them when others haven’t been able to?” Nervousness ate at her.
“It’s just one more example in a long line of examples. I may not be used to it, or entirely comfortable with the idea of this bond-mate thing being out of my control. But I can’t deny that it’s real. I may not understand it all. I may not have grown up expecting it. But how can I ignore each new thing that comes up? I’m outclan, not stupid.”
She tried to hide a smile but couldn’t and he laughed. “It’s destiny. I don’t think destiny cares much about your personal preferences.”
“Simon said something similar and my friend Trey, also a witch, said I should stop whining and rejoice that you were gorgeous, talented and clearly too good for me.”