Demons (Darkness #4)(38)

“I was ready,” Stefan said, pulling me up with him. “But then you accosted me. I think Jonas’ temper is rubbing off on you.”

“Do what I say and we wouldn’t have this problem.”

“I do what you say. Afterwards.”

I huffed, the small kinks in my neck loosening. “Oh, and I think I found some witches that actually know how to use their magic. Far out, right?”

“Far out?”

“Hippy slang.” I proceeded to tell him about the four-pack of women. So unexpected, but hopefully, a great find. They just needed to learn to use their magic.

No biggie.

Chapter 11

Dominicous pushed open the door slowly, wondering what kind of mood he’d find his mage in. The blood link was filled with icy determination, which was like a blind. Really anything could be kicking around the analytical and insightful blond head.

A quiet walk through the meeting area of the large guest suite revealed no Toa. Dominicous continued to the dining area, and then the book room. Nothing. Finally, he poked his head in the mage’s bedroom.

Blond head bowed over his clasped fingers, Toa sat on the edge of his bed, naked, eyes closed.

“Everything…okay?” Dominicous ventured.

“I’ve sexed my way through this house. It hasn’t taken my mind off of the crossroads we’ve landed in.”

Dominicous stepped in slowly, keeping to the wall. “Oh?”

“Your chosen daughter will mate that…male. He will be tied to us. I do not know if this was a stroke of luck, or the ruiner of our lives.”

“Come now, Toa. That’s a little on the dramatic side. “ Even for you. “He’s young. He’s had some trauma in his youth that he is working through. Whatever happened today—”

The desperation on Toa’s face as he lifted his head cut Dominicous off. “Whatever happened today…”

The words lingered. Floating through the silent room. Bloodshot blue eyes held Dominicous. “He single-handedly took out a lower-level demon. I’ve heard that he can take out up to three Dulcha, all on his own. His speed, his power—he would beat you in a fight, Dominicous. I saw proof of that today. What’s more, with Sasha standing behind him, bracing him against his fears, his potential is limitless. Limitless, Dominicous.”

“But, as you said, he is tied to us.” Dominicous couldn’t help the edge to his voice. He didn’t like being told he had shortcomings, even if it was just a product of Toa’s dramatic nature. Sometimes he wished Toa would only show him the refined, subtle side he showed everyone else. It’d be so much less tedious in these situations.

“Do you not see the long-term implications, Dominicous? She is black, he is burnished gold, rising into the white with her blood. They each have special abilities that work best together. They are kismet, somehow. Made for each other. Fate has attached a chain to them, and we’ve grabbed on and are now being dragged behind them into a snake pit. We will be pushed aside so the council members, or whoever else, can get their hands on special talent.”

“But one is human. Surely she won’t be as coveted.”

“Oh, bah!” Toa batted the air. “Once we can link with her, she will always be coveted—she is black. And she doesn’t blink an eye at our culture.”

Dominicous wasn’t so sure about that, but he sidestepped that landmine for now. “Well, then, it is a great thing she is my daughter, her future mate is this wonder warrior, and we are all going to the council meeting together. Rising in the ranks was always my plan, as you know, and now I have someone to govern my back. Someone willing and able. I think this, in fact, is the greatest news. You see, all you needed was a small dose of reality and a great many orgasms.”

“What happens when he wants your mantle?” Toa accused, standing.

“You forget,” Dominicous’ voice dropped an octave, “he doesn’t have the political know-how I do. He is young. He’s done well with this clan, but stepping up into Regional will be a giant adjustment.”

“And what if you don’t have anywhere to step up into? Then what happens?”

Dominicous leveled him with a glare, cutting down the excessive dramatics. “I think we will operate with the assumption that he being tied to us is a stroke of luck. I saved Fate’s vehicle. She was then given a mighty alpha with, as you say, limitless potential. Only after this was she returned to me. A collection of people, who previously had no family, are now merging together, starting with this dinner. That leg of the circle is complete. A new chapter begins.”

“A new chapter of war. Of lies and deceit and probably the destruction of our customs.”

Dominicous wanted to find a quiet corner and rub his temples in peace. Between the strange, though intensely humorous, personalities gathered around Sasha, and the threat of these demons, he wasn’t sure he had enough patience to handle Toa’s severe mood swings. Ever since they’d discovered Sasha was black, and also the little girl they saved, Toa had been on a Doomsday parade—planned, hosted and marched all by himself.

“Actually,” Dominicous said, walking out of the bedroom and settling on the couch. Toa didn’t follow.

“Actually,” he started again, “there is an interesting—”

“What?” Toa demanded from the doorway. “You know I hate when you wander off while you are speaking to me.”