Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(93)
But that weird light wasn’t for show. Magic from the life force of the earth and what he assumed were other worlds pulsed along his channels in small zaps, itching along his skin as if they were fighting for dominance over his body. Jeremy didn’t know what would happen if one of the entities won, and getting out was his best shot at not finding out. Jeremy opened his mouth to yell at Desmond, but black cracks appeared in the double doors. The entrance crumbled like glass, and Desmond, suffused with power, climbed through the hole.
Faradin clapped slowly. “Always the showman.”
Desmond ignored him, walking until he kneeled down by Jeremy so their faces were inches apart. “Did they hurt you?”
Worried eyes moved up and down Jeremy’s body to confirm he hadn’t suffered a magical ailment or physical harm, but Desmond still waited for his answer like a puppy that’d lost its toy.
“I’m fine. I’m not happy, but I’m fine.”
Desmond jerked his cape over his shoulder in a cascade of cloth that settled down his back. Magic or no magic, Desmond was the only one who could pull it off without looking like an idiot. “You’ve overstepped your bounds, you arrogant joyless tosspots!”
“This session has been called because of the black aura you came into our territory with,” said the Amazon member, Reza. Her brown skin was lighter than Faradin’s, but her long curly hair was equally dark as his eyebrows. “An explanation of its origin should have been delivered to us, but we received nothing.”
A blond man who looked like an over-the-hill rocker, who fit Council Member Leo’s description to a T, pushed his hair behind his ear. “You have your quick rise to fame to thank for our lenience.”
Jeremy rolled his eyes at the punk rocker wannabe’s Southern accent, which was thicker than his fake one. “You detained me because you think I have evidence condemning Desmond. That’s absurd.”
“Your departure from England and Desmond’s aura changing hold a close time line,” Faradin said.
“But you can’t prove it without invading my mind. I assume it’s my mind since you think I’m weaker than Desmond and won’t put up much of a fight.” Jeremy tsked. “These actions are on par with the energy vamps.”
“We’ll discuss them later.” Salvatore leaned forward in his seat. “Right now, we’re discussing you. Will you consent to the mind reading?”
Jeremy glared at the whole table, not caring how powerful their combined strength was. “Sod off.”
Desmond squeezed Jeremy’s shoulder. “What he said goes double for me. We’re leaving, and you’ll get a fight if you try to stop us.”
Biceps bulged as Reza flexed her arms, given free rein to display her strength thanks to a sleeveless red bodysuit. “I won’t turn down your offer if you’re dumb enough to mean it.”
“Desmond, do what they say for now.” Jeremy wasn’t relenting, but the gray light the flames cast indicated they were confined somewhere between worlds. If the Council had control of a nexus, Jeremy and Desmond combining their strength wouldn’t be a match for four witches draining power from who knew how many realms. He looked at the place where Desmond had entered, and the hole was gone. Desmond must have noticed it too, because he hadn’t let go of his arm. Maybe they could link and latch onto the nexus themselves, but the Council had the benefit of knowing which worlds they were connected to. Hell dimension, dragon world—they could end up draining the wrong kind of magic or getting sucked anywhere. “As I said, they have no proof other than we’re lovers.”
“We told you—” Faradin started, but Jeremy interrupted him.
“You told me a supposition without evidence. Yes, I might have left England around the time of the imagined crime you think Desmond committed, but that doesn’t make me a witness.” Jeremy moved his fingers slightly in the direction of Desmond, who quietly pulled out the chair next to him. Legal arguments were tedious, but his father was a politician who had thought it best to educate him in witch and human laws. “If he is guilty, you should have detained him alone.”
“Your actions speak of one who was either a witness or an accomplice. We weren’t chancing that you would run again,” Faradin said. “Upon entering our state, your boyfriend immediately sought expensive means to ward his mind from us.”
“A reasonable action if one was after fame among our kind.”
“Or to intentionally break our laws,” Leo said, his bracelets jingling under his leather jacket’s sleeves.
“Why should we follow them if you don’t?” Jeremy asked.
Faradin spread his hands out. “These informal settings are for your benefit. If you provide accurate testimony, that will be considered when debating leniency.”
“It’s a dog and pony show to let people know you still have control over Georgia during a time of upheaval within the witch community and illegal portals shooting out wyrms.” I should have been a lawyer in another life, Jeremy thought.
Desmond cleared his throat for Jeremy’s permission to speak. Under different circumstances, this might have been a kinky courtroom game.
Jeremy nodded slightly.
“I believe you captured Jeremy as bait because you fear witches desire the stability I provide without strict rules.” Desmond pointed at Jeremy’s shackles. “Your obvious ploy for control over me is deplorable. Your actions today show you to be nothing more than bullies.”