Keeping Dallas (6 page)

“What happened?” He hoped his tone sounded more curious than appalled, but his brother’s sharp laughter told him he hadn’t been very successful.

“I got the bad side of a witch spell,” Nate said. The shadows made his usually gaunt face spookier. The new claw marks across his cheekbones in vivid red spoke of a fierce battle. “She called a harpy to protect her.”

“Who was it?” Witch attacks needed to be reported. Any witch using magic against another being without provocation could be brought to justice.

“Mary Neeves,” Nate said ominously.

Crap!

“Why did you make the witch queen angry with you?” Mary Neeves ranked as one of the most powerful witches on the planet.

“You know that boy you prosecuted last week?”

“The one in trouble for baiting zombies?” It had been a particularly gruesome crime where the kid had lured zombies into a swamp with bits of human body parts hanging from a string. The zombies had to be fished out and laid to rest.

“Yeah. She says he was framed and until you change your sentence, I’m harpy bait.” Nate shrugged as if the matter didn’t bother him but Laurence saw the panic in his brother’s eyes.

“So, because her great-grandson can’t behave, she’s going to punish you?”

Nate nodded. “She’s a vindictive witch.”

“She’s going to be an ex-witch if she thinks she can get away with that,” Laurence growled. He hated it when powerful people abused their position. He’d fought against magical corruption all his life and rarely was he rewarded.

“You think you can fight her?” Nate shook his head. “You know none of her witchkin will go against her. They’re all terrified of her power.”

“She needs to be taught a lesson. No one is above the law.” There would be no point in laws if they made exceptions for everyone who felt free to break them.

“She’ll kill you,” Nate said, paling. “I think she’s spell mad. Her eyes didn’t look as if anyone was home.”

That accusation concerned Laurence. Some witches became so powerful that casting spells gave them a high—like taking a really good drug. If Mary Neeves had given in to the addiction, she could be even more dangerous than usual because her normal parameters of caution would be completely missing.

“I’ll be careful, but I’ve got to talk to her before that damn harpy takes the rest of you out.” Nate didn’t have the ability to fight a witch. Born without magic, Nate knew the basics of magical spells without the juice to bring them to life. Nate studied magical theory and history and often served as Laurence’s advisor. However, he didn’t have the power to protect himself against a mad witch.

“I’d better take precautions. I’ll take the gargoyles with me,” Laurence added.

“I didn’t know they accepted work outside the courthouse.” Nate shook his head. “Even with stone soldiers, I don’t know if that’ll be enough.”

If she’s spell mad, she’ll need to be tested…

“Are you even listening to me?” Nate shouted. “She’s furious you jailed her great-grandson. She’s going to kill you.”

Laurence sighed. He could feel a brand new, shiny headache making his head throb and the lights sparkle unnaturally bright. “I heard what you said. I can’t let her run around threatening people, especially my relatives. If she feels free attacking you today, who will she think it’s okay to attack tomorrow?”

Nate threw himself into one of Laurence’s winged-back chairs, frustration evident on his face. “I understand where you’re coming from, Laur, I really do, but she’s strong—super strong—and I’m worried.”

Laurence couldn’t dismiss his brother’s concern. Nate didn’t generally worry about things. If his brother thought the witch would be a problem, Laurence had better listen.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked. “I can pull her in for having a harpy attack you, but unless there are other witnesses…”

“I know, I know.” Nate paced the floor running his fingers through his hair. “The harpy came at me alone and told me who gave her the assignment. I killed her, so you can’t even compel her to give evidence.”

His ability to force a confession made Laurence one of the most formidable judges in the city. Unfortunately, even he couldn’t get a confession from the dead. He didn’t have any necromancy skills.

“The ball’s in her court. If she tries something else, we’ll have her.” Memories of the night before made Laurence ask, “Have you heard about any vampires being in town?”

Nate stopped in his tracks. “Vampires? No. Why?”

“One came by the club the other night. He seemed interested in Dallas.” Laurence gritted his teeth over the memory of the vampire’s hand touching his sub.

“Hmm. I don’t know if Mary has any vampire connections. I can put out feelers and ask around if you’d like,” Nate offered.

“Please do.” Laurence frowned as he tried to put together a group of random events to make sense. Vampires tended to keep to themselves. To have one wander into a busy club didn’t make any sense—especially since the vamp didn’t appear interested in anyone else, even for a drink. It would make more sense if Mary had paid him to make Laurence worry.

“Do you mind if I crash here?” Nate asked. “That witch is still gunning for me.”

“But I’ve only got Dallas for a week,” he complained. Even as he said the words, he knew he’d have to help his brother. Witches didn’t give up, and they yearned for his power. The sisterhood of witches and especially their leader, Mary Neeves, were magic hungry, and as much as they swore to be one with nature, accidents often happened to the magical creatures around them.

“Is that the name of the boy in the other room?” Nate gave his brother a knowing look. “He’s pretty, but pretty boys are a dime a dozen.”

“Not this one and he’s not a boy. He’s well of age.” Laurence scowled. “Dallas is my heart-bound.”

“No!” Nate denied. “He can’t be. He’s not a sorcerer.”

“He’s mine!” Laurence’s magic flared up and his hands began to glow.

Nate stepped back. “Down, brother. Keep control. I’ll not hurt your chosen.”

Fury raged through Laurence. The thought of anyone harming his sub made magic burn through him with a bonfire’s heat.

“What’s wrong?” Dallas spoke from the doorway. Before Laurence could answer, Dallas quickly entered the room and stood protectively between Laurence and Nate. He had never seen his sub show even a sliver of aggression before.

“This is my brother, Nate,” he explained, putting a soothing hand on Dallas’ shoulder. Luckily he’d stopped glowing so his sub didn’t see his magic openly displayed.

“Oh.” Dallas immediately dropped to his knees before Laurence. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a visitor.”

Laurence watched Dallas’ bowed head for a moment. “How did you know someone was in here with me?”

“I-I heard you talking.”

For a moment Laurence thought Dallas was going to say something else but his lover kept his head bowed so Laurence couldn’t see his expression. “Look at me!” he demanded.

Dallas’ head snapped up at his master’s command. For a second, his sub’s eyes glowed.

“Oh, crap,” Nate whispered. “He’s not human.”

A flash of fear crossed Dallas’ beautiful face. Laurence could see the need to flee in the tremble of Dallas’ muscles and the twitch of his left eye.

Laurence plunged his fingers into Dallas’ hair, holding him still. “No. Don’t run. We need to talk.” How had he not seen it before? Had his infatuation overcome his magical sense?

“What are you?” Nate asked, his expression fascinated as he watched Dallas struggle with the urge to run.

“Back off, Nate. Go wait for us in the living room. I need a moment alone with Dallas.” He wouldn’t ask his sub to bare his soul in front of a stranger.

“Are you sure I should leave you alone with him?” Nate asked with a cautious eye on Dallas.

“It’s not the first time we’ve spent time together.” Laurence tried to keep his voice calm as he held onto Dallas with only his voice and a firm hand. Dallas could break free if he wanted to, but he remained passively still beneath Laurence’s touch.

Most people didn’t consider Laurence to be a particularly affectionate person. They’d be surprised at how much he would do for his beautiful man. Even having lived for five hundred years, he’d only truly loved a handful of people. Each time, he’d had to leave them when they could no longer handle growing old while he remained young. If his boy had supernatural genetics, they might be able to stay together much longer. Joy flowed through him.

“What are you?” Laurence asked, not beating around the bush.

Dallas refused to meet his eyes and stubbornly shook his head.

This would be a harder task than he’d expected. “Okay, how about I go first? I’m a sorcerer,” he confessed.

Dallas moved quicker than the human eye. Before Laurence could blink twice, his lover was standing on the other side of the room, panic making his breathing loud.

Laurence slammed the office door shut and locked it with a wave of his hand. He couldn’t have Dallas leaving before they finished their conversation. He refused to lose his lover before he discovered Dallas’ true nature, and he didn’t want to lose it even then. They’d have a long discussion about keeping secrets after this.

“D-don’t kill m-me, please, Master.”

Dallas’ fear cut him to the quick.

“When in our relationship have I ever harmed you?” Laurence demanded. “Have I ever done anything against your wishes?”

Dallas took long slow breaths as if he was trying to regain his calm. “No.”

“No what?” Laurence snapped.

Dallas dropped to his knees. “No, Master.”

“That’s right. I’m your master, and you’ve been keeping things from me, too, haven’t you.” Laurence relaxed on familiar ground. They could get through this. Once they finished confession time they could move on to salvaging their relationship. Laurence wouldn’t allow for any other outcome.

He stood up. He couldn’t let Dallas find any weakness in him. He had a feeling his werekin would only respond to a strong man at this moment. “What are you?” he asked again. “And why didn’t you tell me?”

“I-I’m sorry but they weren’t my secrets to share.” Dallas refused to meet his gaze and didn’t say anything further.

Laurence marched across the room and forced Dallas’ chin up so he could look into his sub’s gorgeous, deceitful eyes. “Then you should’ve gotten permission to tell me. Unless you didn’t expect to stay with me long enough for it to be a problem.” That thought cut Laurence to the quick. Although he had been planning a long-term relationship with Dallas, maybe his feelings weren’t returned.

“Oh, no, that isn’t it at all.” Dallas shook his head vigorously denying the accusation. “I was going to ask Rolf if I could tell you everything, but I thought it would be better to wait until after the wedding. He’s been temperamental lately.”

“Marrying someone you don’t want to, tends to make people cranky,” Laurence remarked.

Dallas’ forehead scrunched into little lines as he considered Laurence’s words. “You don’t think he wants to get married?”

“Not to his fiancée. But I don’t care about him. Answer my question. What are you?” He felt a bit stupid not having known his lover had paranormal abilities, but Dallas had purposely hidden them from him and didn’t give off the right vibes for a magic wielder.

“Step back, please,” Dallas requested in a shaky voice.

Uncertain and more than a little nervous, Laurence moved away from his lover.

A flash of light blinded him. When he finally blinked enough to clear his vision, a brown wolf stood where his beautiful Dallas had kneeled before. The animal’s powerful frame and crystal blue eyes were like something out of a wildlife film.

“You’re beautiful in any form, aren’t you?” Laurence walked over to the wolf, hoping he wasn’t about to lose a hand. Tentatively, he reached out and brushed the wolf’s soft ears with the tips of his fingers. The fur had a rougher texture than he’d expected. Laurence laughed in relief when the beast nuzzled against him. In either form his lover yearned for his master’s touch.

“Shift back,” he demanded.

Another light flashed in the room and a kneeling man replaced the wolf.

It took a minute for Laurence to gather his words together to form a sentence.

“Is Rolf your alpha?” Laurence concentrated on pulling from his brain fragments of conversations he’d had in the past about shifters. Sadly, he’d rarely had contact with werekin…or at least he thought he hadn’t. Now he wondered how many people in his life weren’t quite what they appeared. After all, if he couldn’t spot a difference about his lover of nine months, what else could he have missed?

Dallas nodded but didn’t look up to meet Laurence’s eyes.

Rolf’s behaviour made more sense now. The alpha had probably protected Dallas for his entire childhood. Alphas were notoriously possessive about their pack. “Why would you hide this from me? Look at me!”

Dallas tentatively peered at Laurence through his dark bangs. “I thought you were human,” he said as if that explained everything.

“Don’t sorcerers smell differently?” He would’ve thought he’d have a different scent than a human. Laurence didn’t know if he should be offended or not.

“I just thought you smelt good because you were my mate,” Dallas explained. A gasp escaped his lips and he turned three shades paler than his normal colour.

Laurence could tell his sub wanted to yank the words back. Joy filled Laurence as he realised the implications of his lover’s words. A werekin would never leave anyone he considered his mate. “I’m your mate?”

A barely there nod was his only response, as if Dallas thought by avoiding the actual words he could ignore the implications.

“Then you should be here with me every night!” Laurence snapped, scowling at his sub. How could Dallas think being apart was acceptable? He didn’t care if Dallas had been trying to protect him from the truth. He wanted his lover with him every night. “Mates sleep together.”

“I can’t take the chance of shifting when the moon is full and hurting you,” Dallas argued. “I’m still young for a werekin and my control isn’t the best.”

“Trust me,” Laurence demanded. “I can protect myself, there’s no reason for you not to live with me. Is there?” He wouldn’t back down. His boy didn’t belong at that pack house with a stone-faced guardian, an unfriendly woman and armed guards. Laurence could keep them both safe.