Joseph shrugged. “We didn’t want you too tired or sore today. So it wasn’t exactly encouraging him so much as making the logical choice.”
She reached out and patted his crotch. “We’ll see how logical you are later.”
Joseph’s eyes turned heated as Laurie laughed before saying, “Well played, Emmy. Well played.”
The vampires each took one of her hands and squeezed, a question in their eyes. Meadow straightened up a little taller. “I’m ready. Let’s go meet Michael and his fated one, and then I’ll decide how to handle it from there.”
The shifters were waiting in a lavish room on the top floor, one mainly used for shifter and vampire claimings. The bed was large and tonight would be covered in gold and green sheets, per the couple’s request. Apparently, all the furnishings in the room could be changed out—even the wall panels were removable—to suit any color scheme, mood, or theme.
Not for the first time, Meadow wondered if they’d use it for when she finally allowed Laurie and Joseph to claim her. She was nearly ready but still worried that they’d do it, say they didn’t want her, and leave.
No, no negative thoughts. Emotions influence your magic, so just focus on the good in your life right now. There is plenty, for sure.
Meadow, Joseph, and Laurie stopped outside the dark double doors, and Joseph knocked. A male voice said to enter, and they did.
Two shifters stood inside. Michael leaned heavily on a cane and had a dusting of gray hair at his dark temples. The female—who was named Abigail—wasn’t much younger, also with some gray in her light brown hair, and was nearly as tall as Michael. They held hands, and the female glanced up at the male shifter, her heart in her eyes.
But there was also a flicker of doubt and sadness. Almost as if she was afraid this wouldn’t work, and all was lost.
In that second, Meadow vowed to do whatever she could to help them. Because if she didn’t, Michael and Abigail would both eventually lose their minds, be unable to control their inner animals, and maybe even be put down. And they didn’t deserve that, especially when they both so clearly loved each other.
Michael bowed his head. “Miss Vale, I presume.”
She smiled at him. “Yes. And you must be Michael.” She moved her gaze to the female. “And Abigail.”
The female shifter smiled at her, the worry easing a little from her blue eyes. “Thank you so much for coming tonight, Miss Vale. I know fae witch Wielders are much sought-after and very busy.”
And extremely expensive, was left unsaid.
Maybe Meadow should reserve a few spots a month for those who truly needed her services, regardless if they could pay. It wasn’t the mercenary fae witch way, but she didn’t care.
You need tonight to be a success first, so don’t screw it up.
She replied, “Anyone my brother recommends is someone I want to help. But I’m sure you two have waited long enough, so let me explain how this will go, okay?” Once they nodded, she continued, “I’ll sit behind that folding screen over there. Since my secondary power is persuasion, I’d prefer not to say anything so that your actions are all your own. I will merely weave lust and desire over Michael, and Abigail if needed, and if it is indeed a mental block, my magic will override it. I can’t guarantee success, but I will do everything I can, I promise. And if there are still difficulties, I can even try speaking. But I want to leave that as a last resort since your claiming should be between you two.”
Michael tightened his grip on Abigail’s hand. “Please do whatever you can, Miss Vale. My Abby deserves her claiming more than anything.”
Abigail added softly, “So do you, Michael.”
He looked down at Abigail and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
For a split second, Meadow felt like a third wheel. Her past gigs had been mostly about steamy sex and longer stamina. Yes, most of her former clients had been in love, but there wassomething about Michael and Abigail that touched her more than anyone in the past.
She looked at Laurie and then Joseph as she said, “Will you two leave us?”
Joseph leaned over to whisper, “If you need us, we’re just on the other side of the door.”
Then Laurie whispered in her other ear, “We’ll be cheering for you, pet. You’re going to be brilliant.”
Once they nodded farewell and left, Meadow said, “Let me know when you’re ready for me to begin.”
With that, she moved to sit behind the folded screen. The room was silent, and soon she heard the rustle of clothing and even some kisses. Then there was a creak on the bed, and Michael’s voice reached her ears. “We’re ready, Miss Vale.”
“Let me gather my magic, and I’ll begin.”
Carefully removing her training bracelet, she placed it into her skirt pocket. Then she closed her eyes and concentrated on pulling magic from her fingertips, her toes, and even the top of her head into her body, slowly gathering it into the center of her chest. Bit by bit it grew, until the swirling red energy nearly consumed her entire body.
