Sinfully Spellbound (Spells That Bind Book 1) (12 page)

I was surprised by the number of attendees at the meeting
since most witches likely considered this a demon matter, despite what Julian
had said. Council meetings were so boring, most refused to attend unless they
were actual council members and couldn’t avoid it. Even if something of interest
was on the agenda, the council could make it seem boring. I hadn’t been to a
meeting in at least two years, and I’d only attended that one because my mother
had insisted I take her place that night. Every family had to have one member
officially on the council, and my mom had really taken one for the team by
agreeing to represent our family.

Since we hadn’t actually agreed on how to handle Allie’s
robe color, I kept my hand on her arm as we walked into the room to make sure
everyone knew she was with me. She hadn’t argued with me about it again
outside, but I had a feeling she was going to try to play this off as no big
deal, and I had no intention of letting that happen. Allie’s pissed off
expression made my dick so hard, I was thankful for the flowing robe that hid
my condition. Damn erection was actually making it difficult to walk.

My mom was there, and the slight curl of her lips meant she
was happy to see me with Allie, and I had to wonder if she’d feel the same when
she realized who Allie was. Separating from her group of friends, my mom made
her way toward us but didn’t say one word to me as she reached out a hand to
Allie.

“Alana, how are you?” my mom asked in a soothing tone. “This
entire experience must have been terrifying for you. Your father is still quite
upset, and who can blame him? Thankfully, Dylan was there to save you.” I did
get a brief smile from my mom before her attention returned to Allie. It seemed
she knew all about Allie’s heritage and was still thrilled to see me with a witch—even
one who was half-succubus.

Allie looked confused by my mother’s approach. “Yes, it was
frightening, and I’m very thankful to Dylan for saving me.”

“I’m Isadora Hunt,” my mom said by way of introduction.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Allie responded, still looking
baffled by my mom’s warm welcome.

“I’m not sure if you remember, but I was there for your
witch test,” my mom continued. “She’s quite a talented witch,” my mother said
to me, and I made a mental note to ask Allie to elaborate on that detail later.
The woman was full of surprises.

“Thank you. I studied hard so I wouldn’t embarrass my
father,” Allie explained.

“He bragged about your test for months. They’re about to
start the meeting, so we’ll have to talk more later.” My mom then headed toward
the table where the council members sat.

“Your mom seems nice,” Allie said.

“Yes, she is a wonderful woman, and apparently she already
likes you.” I was definitely stating the obvious.

“Why do I get the feeling she thinks we’re as good as
married?” she asked nervously.

“Because you’re a smart girl,” Trevor said as we made our
way to our seats. “Isadora is probably already shopping for the grandchildren
she expects you to give her.”

“Don’t worry,” I told Allie, sliding my hand down to thread
my fingers through hers. “My mom isn’t going to push us to get married.” I was
pretty sure I wasn’t lying to Allie. Mostly sure, anyway.

“So, we don’t have anything to worry about?” Allie asked,
and I really wanted to tell her we didn’t, but my mom was acting strange today,
and she was determined to see me settle down with a witch.

“I’m about ninety percent sure she won’t try to force it,” I
said and looked over to see my mom studying us with a small smile playing on
her lips.

The meeting was called to order, preventing any further
discussion of my mom’s intentions, which was probably a good thing since I
wasn’t sure I could give Allie the reassurances she wanted. I’d feel bad about
pushing Allie to wear the robe, but my mom would be making assumptions
regardless of Allie’s robe color.

Twenty minutes later, I was biting back a yawn as we
listened to expert witches discuss the possible rituals a succubus could be
used in. Not surprisingly, they chose to stick to the ones that could be used
against witches and ignored any other possibilities.

“Do they even want to hear what happened?” Allie finally
asked quietly.

“It doesn’t seem like it,” Trevor said, sounding just as
bored and annoyed.

The next hour was spent setting up a special committee to
review the evidence and decide if there was any imminent danger to witches.
That part was actually entertaining because Julian made some pretty ugly
threats to several other council members since he felt they were making light
of the danger to his daughter. Allie’s calm was impressive. In fact, she didn’t
seem at all surprised by the council’s lack of concern.

It was amazing how the council could make something like a
serial killer sound boring, but they excelled at boring. The committee was
selected, and it finally seemed like the torturously boring council meeting was
going to come to an end.

“I have another matter I would like to bring before the
council,” my mom said, and I had a sinking suspicion where this was going.
Based on the way every witch was instantly focused on what was happening after
zoning out for the rest of the meeting, I suspected they knew what was coming,
too.

Julian, bastard that he was, smiled and leaned back in his
chair. “What matter is that, Isadora?”

“I request an affinity test be performed for my son, Dylan
Hunt, and Alana Talbot, daughter of Julian Talbot,” my mom told the Council
with an annoyingly smug grin.

“Told you we should have pretended she was with me,” Trevor
said in a low voice.

“No,” Allie said. Her voice echoing across the room brought
about several gasps and murmurs.

Sticking my foot in my mouth around Allie was becoming a
frequent occurrence, and this was no exception. Something about her instant
rejection pissed me off. Leaning closer to her, I spoke quietly in her ear.
“You don’t have a say in this.”

Allie turned to glare at me. “At least I’m doing something
to get out of this!” she snapped loud enough for everyone to hear. “Why don’t
you try doing the same?”

Then came the part where I really stuck my foot in my mouth.
“When will the test be?”

My mom looked positively delighted with my reaction. Allie
looked like she was going to stab me in the balls. Julian looked intrigued as
he absently rubbed his chin with one finger. Trevor looked like he was having
trouble holding back his laughter.

“My father will never agree to this,” Allie continued.

“I would never force my daughter into any relationship
against her will,” Julian finally said, and Allie sagged back against her chair
in relief, but I already knew that wouldn’t last.

“It’s merely a test,” my mom argued. “They may not be
compatible at all.”

Julian thought for a moment. “True, but I know very well
what your next move would be,” he argued. “You would insist on a ceremony to
join them if they are compatible. We all know how desperate you are to find a
witch for your son.”

My mom didn’t deny it.

“I told you my father wouldn’t let it happen,” Allie
muttered quietly, proving she didn’t really understand the council politics
that well. While she might be a witch in good standing, Allie wasn’t part of
this world, and she had no clue how controlling these people could be. She also
had no idea how manipulative my mom could be when she wanted something bad
enough.

“Your daughter obviously has feelings for my son,” my mom
began. “If they married, she’d be safer, and there would no longer be any need
for her to work in that dreadful club.”

Julian opened his mouth to say something, but let out a
sigh. “She makes a very good point, Alana. I don’t like you working in that
club, and I’m very concerned about your safety after the attack.”

“Affinity test or not, I will not be forced to quit my job,”
Allie argued. I was beginning to wonder if she was trying to get the council to
force the affinity test. If nothing else, she was pushing her father to agree.

Julian glared at Allie before turning his attention back to
my mom. “Alana will be here for the affinity test in two weeks. As I understand
it, the Dupree family is away until then.” He looked at Trevor for
confirmation.

“Yes, all except for me are away,” Trevor said. His family
members administered the affinity tests between witches. With only Trevor in
the area, there was no one to do the test since he’d had no training in that
area.

“Then it’s agreed,” my mom said with delight. “You will both
return in two weeks for the test.”

Allie’s mouth dropped open, but she was smart enough not to
argue.

I was feeling surprisingly good about this outcome, which
was insane since I didn’t know Allie well enough to take a step like this.
“We’ll be here, and Alana will be dressed in my family’s color for the test,” I
said with a smirk.

Allie stood, lips pressed in a firm line, and stormed out of
the room. Trevor looked like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to laugh at my
dilemma or defend Allie. Since we were still seated in a council meeting, he
wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’d better go catch her,” I said.

“Of course, darling,” my mom agreed with a huge grin.
“Before you go, I must say, I really like this one.”

“She’s the only one you’ve ever met.” I reminded her.

“That’s what I like best about her,” my mom said. “Now, I
need to run over to pick up Percy from the familiar room.”

Percy, a standard poodle, was my mom’s familiar and had been
like a brother to me growing up. “Tell him I’ll stop by to see him next week,”
I told my mom.

“I will.” She waved as she walked toward the area where
witches left their familiars during meetings.

“Dylan,” Julian called out when I was almost at the door.

I turned but said nothing.

“Do not make me regret giving you this chance with my
daughter,” he warned. “I hope I don’t need to explain what will happen if you
hurt her.”

“No, you don’t,” I said, realizing that Allie’s father was
really growing on me.

It was no exaggeration to say I was freaking out about the
affinity test. I was also confused by Dylan’s reaction to the whole thing. Why
would Dylan agree to this idiotic test? Dylan Hunt did not do relationships,
and he hadn’t been swayed by his mom in the past, so why now? Okay, I was
intentionally ignoring the fact that he’d been telling me he wanted more with
me, but wanting to date me was a far cry from an affinity test.

Witch marriage was a serious thing because it involved
irrevocably linking your power to another. Even though witches who had been
joined through ceremonies did separate, the separation left both weakened in
many ways. My father had once told me that was the reason he’d stayed in an
unhappy marriage for so long. If there was any bond people shouldn’t enter into
lightly, it was a witch marriage.

“Allie? What are you doing here?”

When I turned, I found my cousin, Melina, walking in with
her wrinkled black robe slung over her arm. Her dark brown hair was pulled back
from her face, and she wore her usual irritated expression. Technically, Mel
wasn’t my cousin. Her mom had been married to my uncle, Demetrius, who was as
big a man-whore as my father, apparently. Mel was one of the few other
half-witches who the Council considered a witch in good standing, so we were
close. She was also the creator of the preternatural television series,
Night
High
. The show was like a cross between
Monster High
and
Beverly
Hills 90210, a
nd it was really popular among humans who didn’t realize that
most of the actors really were members of the preternatural community.

“I figured since the meeting was about me, I should come,” I
said. “Why are you here? You hate being around the COWs as much as I do.”

Mel shrugged. “I’m here for the same reason as you. I was
worried when I heard someone was killing succubi, and my mom asked me to come
in her place today since she was busy. Naturally, all hell broke loose on the
set, so I’m late. Stupid vampires are such a pain in the ass,” she muttered.

“Well, you got lucky and missed the entire meeting,” I said.
“All they managed to do was set up a stupid committee to look into how
concerned they should be about the murders. No one asked for opinions outside
of the council members. It was painfully boring.”

“Only the Council of Witches could make murder sound
boring,” Mel muttered.

“Seriously, the COWs seemed much more interested in the
stupid affinity test than the killings,” I complained.

Mel rolled her eyes. “Who’s taking the affinity test? I hope
they aren’t one of those poor couples being forced into it.”

“We are,” Dylan said as he came up behind me and slipped an
arm around my waist.

Stupid traitorous body wanted to lean into him and bask in
his warmth. Then again, my body seemed to be so sex-drunk, it would let Dylan
do anything he wanted.

Mel laughed so hard she started snorting. “That would be
hilarious!”

“It’s not a joke,” I grumbled, crossing my arms in front of
my chest and pulling away from Dylan, even though I really didn’t want to.

“Why would you take an affinity test with Dylan Hunt?” she
asked. “Everyone knows he only screws humans so he can avoid this sort of
thing. Plus, we both know your father wouldn’t force you to accept any warlock.
You aren’t the type to fall for warlocks like Dylan, anyway. The only people
stupid enough to do that are those simpering little twits who think they need
to marry the right warlock to move up in the world or maintain their status.
No, you’re too smart to fall for someone like him.”

“I am standing right here,” Dylan said dryly.

“Yes, I’m aware of that fact.” Mel barely glanced at him as
she spoke. “Now, be a good warlock and shut it.”

I almost laughed at Dylan’s shocked expression. Mel had that
effect on most people.

“What the fuck was that about?” Trevor demanded as he joined
us. The meeting was letting out, and several witches and warlocks were
lingering to try to hear my conversation with Dylan. We’d certainly be the talk
of the witch community after what had just happened. It had been my goal to go
unnoticed among the witch community, and I’d managed to accomplish that very well
for most of my life. One meeting had changed it all. Scratch that—Dylan Hunt
had changed all of that. Okay, it wasn’t exactly fair to blame him, since my
outburst would have made me a major topic of gossip anyway—nothing compared to
being known as the witch Dylan Hunt was willingly taking an affinity test with.
Many single witches would likely be cursing me tonight—only figuratively if I
was lucky.

“Get the hell out of here!” Mel snapped at the eavesdropping
witches and warlocks. “Those people get on my last nerve. Fucking witches.”

Most people found my cousin intimidating, which came in
handy. Since Mel’s father was a higher ranking demon, she had some scary
abilities that went way beyond what your average witch could do.

When we were alone, Mel finally spoke again. “Let me guess,
Isadora Hunt figures this is her chance to get her man-whore son to settle
down.”

“Still standing right here,” Dylan reminded her.

“Still need you to be quiet,” Mel shot back with a sweet
smile.

“That’s exactly what happened!” I said, ignoring Mel’s
exchange with Dylan. “Naturally, I said no and told them my father would never
force the issue.”

“From what I can tell, he wouldn’t force the issue. I mean,
he’s made no secret of the fact that he’d like to see you find a warlock, but
he’s never really pushed you, right?” Mel asked.

“I always believed that,” I said with a sigh. “Dylan’s mom
brought up how being with Dylan would mean I could leave my job. My dad’s
unhappy about me working at SpellBinders,” I reminded her, and she nodded her
understanding. “Things are worse now that I was almost attacked, possibly
killed, last night.”

“Wait!” Mel said with a hand up to halt me. “You were almost
killed last night?”

I nodded. “Someone was following me when I was heading from
SpellBinders to my car, and I barely got away,” I explained. “The police and
Dylan think it was probably the killer, and my dad’s freaking out about the
whole thing.”

“I don’t blame him,” Mel said. “How did you get away?”

“Dylan saved me,” I answered without elaborating.

Mel looked at him. “Fine, you’re good for something,” she
said.

Dylan simply raised an eyebrow.

“So, your father agreed because he’s worried about your
safety,” Mel concluded.

“First, this idiot asked when the affinity test would be,” I
told her, pointing a thumb at Dylan. “Before that, he made it clear I was
wearing his robe color because I was somehow under his protection.”

“You are,” Dylan muttered.

“Next, he’ll be trying to get ‘property of Dylan Hunt’
tattooed on my forehead,” I muttered.

“After I pee on you, of course,” Dylan added, clearly amused
by my rant.

“Why were you wearing his color?” Mel asked.

“I didn’t have my robe with me, so Trevor loaned me one of
his sisters’ robes,” I explained. “At the time, I didn’t think about the robe
color, probably because I don’t attend many meetings with the COWs.”

Mel looked at Trevor, and he stepped forward. “I don’t
believe we’ve met.” He stared lovingly at Mel.

Mel actually blushed under his scrutiny, which was funny
considering she didn’t go for warlocks any more than I did. “No, we haven’t,
but Allie’s told me about you.”

“All good, I hope,” Trevor said, leaning in closer to Mel.

“I was honest with her,” I told Trevor, and Mel laughed when
he looked distressed. “She won’t go out with you, anyway,” I told Trevor.

“She’s right,” Mel agreed. “I don’t mess around with your
kind.”

“My kind?” Trevor asked.

“Warlocks,” she clarified.

Trevor looked like he was about to push the issue, but Mel
turned her attention to Dylan. “Why would you agree to any of this, Dylan?
Actually, it sounds more like you’re encouraging it.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” my dad said as he
approached us. “Dylan is responsible for Alana’s care already. There’s no
reason to avoid the test when it was obvious to everyone in that room what the
outcome will be. I’ll admit that I was against Dylan becoming involved with
Alana at first, but I’ve had a change of heart.”

The thing that really made me angry about older warlocks,
like my dad, was their tendency to believe all women needed a big strong man to
take care of them. Of course, I knew arguing with my dad about this was a waste
of time.

“You make it sound like Allie’s a pet in need of care,”
Dylan snapped. “She’s a responsible adult.”

The anger I’d felt for Dylan drained some when he defended
me to my father. Most wouldn’t do that. Giving him a smile, I mouthed a thank
you, which seemed to surprise him. My dad’s lack of reaction surprised me and
made me wonder what he was up to.

“Taking the test really couldn’t hurt,” Mel said thoughtfully.
“Other than the fact that you’d have to attend another boring council meeting,
that is. Oh, and hundreds of single young witches probably hate you now.”

My dad pulled me in for a hug. “I know you’re angry with me
about this, but I’m doing this for your own good,” he insisted, and I was only
able to forgive him because I knew he believed that. “This is because I love
you.”

“I love you too, Dad,” I said, hugging him back.

“Try not to be too hard on Dylan,” he said as he walked away
from us.

After he was out of the room, I let out a frustrated sigh.
“This whole thing is a waste of time,” I insisted. “We’re not a good match.”

“Then you agree to do it,” Dylan said with an annoying
smirk.

“I never said that,” I argued. “Why would I agree to the
test when I know we’re not a good match? It’s a stupid waste of time.”

“How about if we make this more entertaining?” Dylan
suggested.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“We take the test, and if we fail, I’ll agree to leave you
alone,” Dylan said. “That is provided you want me to leave you alone, which I
don’t think you do.”

“Fine,” I agreed. “We take it and after we fail, you’ll
leave when I tell you to. No more stalking me or buying information about me.
Definitely no more ordering me around.”

Dylan’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “And when we
pass the test?”

I gave him an indifferent shrug. “What do I care? We won’t
pass, so you could ask me to dance naked in the middle of a shopping mall for
all I care.”

Trevor laughed.

“A bit of advice, cousin,” Mel interrupted as she looked
between Dylan and me. “Don’t bet anything you aren’t willing to lose.”

“Smart and beautiful,” Trevor said as he sidled closer to
Mel despite her glare. “Allie has a history of losing bets with Dylan.”

Mel snorted and gave Trevor a look that usually made other
witches back down. That look wasn’t working on Trevor. “Don’t try that flattery
crap with me.”

Trevor blinked innocently at her, and I felt a little bad
for him.

“One lost bet does not mean I have a history of losing bets
to Dylan,” I argued.

“How many have you won?” Mel asked.

“None,” Dylan answered for me. “Soon, she’ll have lost two
bets to me. I think this is becoming a trend in our relationship.”

“We don’t have a relationship,” I insisted. “You don’t sleep
with witches because you don’t do relationships.”

“As I recall, you’re a witch in good standing,” Dylan
remarked.

“Fine, you screwed me,” I snapped. “But you didn’t know I
was a witch when it happened.”

Something inside Dylan snapped, and he took the two steps to
bring us toe to toe before gripping my shoulders and glaring at me. “I did not
screw
you,” he clarified through his teeth.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but stop being a bitch,
Allie,” Mel said.

“You’re taking his side?” I asked in disbelief. I would have
spun to face her, but Dylan didn’t seem in any hurry to release his grip on my
shoulders.

“You’re just fighting with Dylan to be difficult,” Mel said.
“Believe me. I know how that goes. I’m the queen of all bitches most days.”

“You’re just feisty,” Trevor argued.

“I’m getting ready to castrate you, pretty boy,” Mel
threatened.

“You think I’m attractive?” Trevor asked, clearly pleased
and missing the point of the threat.

Mel rolled her eyes and returned her attention to us.
“Enough games. What do you want if you win the bet, Dylan?”

“I want Allie,” Dylan said. “If the test proves we’re a good
match, which it will, I want her to agree to stay with me, even after the
police catch the killer.”

Trevor looked like he was about to swallow his tongue, and I
totally knew how he felt. Even Dylan looked shocked by his own words.

“I’m not going to bet my freedom!” I practically gasped.
What Dylan was suggesting was insane. “You aren’t even interested in that kind
of relationship.”

“Why the hesitation, Allie?” Dylan asked. “I thought you
were sure I couldn’t win this bet.”

“I am sure you can’t win this bet,” I insisted, but that was
a lie. The scariest part of this was that I wasn’t sure I wanted him to lose
the bet. I wanted to trust Dylan despite the many reasons I had not to trust
any warlock’s ability to remain faithful.

“What’s it going to be, Allie?” Dylan pushed.

“I won’t bet that,” I finally said. “No matter what happens
with the affinity test, I won’t give up my freedom to decide if I want to leave
you.”

Dylan stared at me for a long moment before releasing me and
taking a step back. “And I won’t give you up. How about if we just stick to the
same terms as our original bet?”

I nodded. “Deal.”

“I guess I’d better get back to the studio before my lead
actors tear each other’s throats out,” Mel said, and I knew she didn’t mean
that figuratively. “If you run into my mom, tell her I was at the meeting.
She’ll have a fit if she finds out I missed the whole thing.”