Page 61 of Magic of the Damned

He smirked and pushed the wrapped chocolate toward me. It wasn’t a tower, but a small pyramid.

Unwrapping one, I popped it in my mouth, convinced that the wrapping had actual gold in it so I wouldn’t crumple it.

He slid the notebook over to me and I looked at it. The spells were sectioned into easily readable chunks. Dominic was committed to us striking true.

“I have divided them into the ones most likely to succeed based on the response of your markings and in the dungeon. Most are educated guesses, but I believe what was hindering the success of the spells was my magic.”

Perusing the spells, it was really difficult not to be overtaken by the hope forming. Once the spells were reversed, I could work on damage control because I wasn’t convinced there wouldn’t be some fallout from what happened at Books and Brew.

“Is it just you and your family here?” I asked after I moved the notebook aside.

Dominic seemed comfortable with silence. I saw it as a missed opportunity to learn more about this world, and him.

“Anand, the guards, and staff. The guards are resident here, as are some of the staff. We have humans—indentured.”

“Enslaved,” I corrected.

He shook his head. “Contractually obligated. Presented with the option to work here for money, or a favor. I’m sure the number of people willing to give up a short period of freedom for money, opportunities in your world, a new and better life, doesn’t surprise you.”

Dominic’s jaw was set, awaiting new questions, but I had none. Money for ten years in the Underworld. Five years to return to our world with the job of your dreams, home, and spouse.

I only had one question, but before I could answer he said, “We never offer immortality. We respect the limits of life.”

I hadn’t hidden my look of apprehension and disgust.

“Anand was born here?”

He nodded, his focus intensifying. It wasn’t as if I was ever surreptitious about gathering information.

“His mother was a witch?”

He shook his head. “A wolf shifter—a dangerous one. I suspected a hybrid with a witch. Her bite was dangerous to both vampires and wolves.”

It was like pulling teeth. “His father?”

“Not a shifter or a vamp,” he offered. His voice held a hint of finality, trying to end the discussion.

“Then what?” I asked.

He leaned forward and studied me. “Will knowing his background affect your life in any meaningful way?” he asked, his words acerbic, his tone curt.

“No, I’m just curious about him,” I explained. I’d provoked a protective response he had for Anand. That was interesting. “He just vanishes into the background, or maybe he’s camouflaging himself. Is that shifter magic? Vampire magic? Some type of illusion magic they can perform?”

“Except for Vadim, changing into an animal is the only magic shifters can perform. Vampires can zone and compel. But I’ve already told you that.” Coolness drifted into his expression and made its way to his eyes. “Perhaps, if you want to know more about Anand, ask him.”

The long draw he took from his glass punctuated the end of the topic. He relaxed back in his chair. “Tomorrow you’ll have magic.” A flutter of excitement moved through me. “We’ll come here to do the spells. It’ll be best to see the response to it,” he told me. “I’ll need the Trapsen back.”

“Of course, it’s not like after this is over, I’m going to traipse back to the Underworld.” I still couldn’t believe how casually I said that. As if it was just another destination on the map. Underworld.

Was that disappointment in his expression?

“This might be our last night together,” he whispered, seduction and invitation heavy in his voice.

“It doesn’t have to be.” Um, it damn well better be, screamed killjoy Luna. And I really needed to listen to her.

When he leaned forward on the table, I felt the pull of his presence, the dark sensuality that marked his presence, and the invitation. He exuded raw sexuality, and whatever he was doing beckoned me. Naughty thoughts crept through my mind, and I had to work hard at squashing them.

Dominic was luring me into his web of seduction, and I was willing to fall prey to it in a manner I was sure many others had before me.