WITCH SHIfT

JP

Ok to say that Charlie hit it off with Mar’s family was an understatement. It was so good I felt like I was the guy watching from outside while he charmed them and it seemed like he was trying to make good for Mar. I knew better, but Charlie just had this way about him. I might have been a bit jealous of his easy demeanor and way people just liked him.

Things around the nation settled down and we were concentrating on what we could do around Fae-ville to keep moving forward. All the human hate organizations relented and were standing down while the supernatural community dealt with the aftermath. The only group that had yet to pledge no hostile actions were the vampires but since they were one of the more heavily hunted groups by the humans I kind of understood.

Tonight we were having a catered meal at the lodge with my parents. Mar was coming with me and Charlie said our parents were not fond of the idea but I didn’t give them a choice. If they wanted to talk to me they could talk to her at the same time now.

I did explain to Mar that my parents were considering this a formal dinner and that we would need to be dressed accordingly. Of course Mar wanted to wear sweat pants and a comfy sweater, damn I loved her. Instead she was going shopping today at Adam and Eve’s, they would take care of her. I already called ahead and had them put whatever she bought on my account.

She might get mad about my taking liberties with that but it was my parents we were meeting and she wouldn’t need the clothes for anyone else in this world except for them. I had a fancy suit I brought with me from the East Coast that still fit so I would be wearing that.

I was half tempted to see if Harper wanted to come with us but I felt I was already pushing the envelope. Charlie might get a kick out of the two of them together but I doubted my parents would. I was dressed and I had to go over to the inn to grab Mar. Tonight would be a big test if we could work this out with my family or if we were going to go it alone.

I decided to leave the truck at the warehouse and grabbed my Porsche. Yeah pretty cliché but it was what I was feeling when I made my first real money. Looking at it now I would be happier with a giant SUV. It was the only thing I owned that might be impressive and my parents would be evaluating everything and everyone tonight.

I pulled up in front of the Inn and walked in and saw Harper standing there smiling. I had no idea till I looked over at the breakfast nook and there stood Mar. She was in a little black dress that just screamed elegance. Her hair was up and all I could think was that if I was a vampire I would be kissing that luscious neck.

The dress also highlighted her favorable curves and I probably looked ridiculous just staring at her with my mouth open but I couldn’t stop myself. “Wow,” I said. I was pretty good at speech wasn’t I?

She giggled and my Mar stepped through the image and walked toward me. “You look pretty good yourself Witch man.”

“Maybe we should skip dinner and go upstairs” I said only half joking. She looked fabulous and I didn’t want to share her with anyone.

“After dinner big boy,” she said instead. “Let’s go rock your parents’ world and then you can rock mine.”

I think I growled like a shifter. Even Harper was laughing at my need to want to devour her.

“Come on,” she said grabbing a small clutch and heading for the door. “I won’t be late. We need to be very proper, well, to the best of my ability. Then when that doesn’t work then we can be naughty.”

I ran to catch up and open her door for her. Damn woman was distracting me tonight and that was one thing I did not need. Get a hold of yourself JP tonight was going to be a battle on every front.

Mar

I loved the way he looked at me. I felt desirable and wanted. What girl would not want that? Of course now he was distracted and I should have thought about that, but it was too late now. I would pay attention enough for the both of us.

We pulled up and a young man, elf I was assuming, came out and opened the door for me. I stepped out and waited while JP and he talked a second. Then JP put a hand on my back and led us inside.

It was beautiful. The wood crafting was beautiful and the shiny coat on the wood made everything gleam. It was a dream comes true. “Oh my, this is beautiful.”

“It sure is,” he said looking at me instead.

I knew I was blushing but I didn’t care. JP was gorgeous and he was mine. His parents’ better watch out if they tried to break us up. I didn’t know what the Guardian did to me when last we talked but I could feel things happening inside me.

He ushered me into a big room set off toward the back and it was the same impeccable wood work and the floor matched. There was one elegant table set up in the center of the room making the area around it look off. I didn’t comment on that since there were three people standing at the table and two of them did not look happy.

We stopped three feet back and when I looked at the table it was set for five so they knew I was coming. “Mother, Father, may I present Maryse Oliver, daughter of Thomas Oliver, the best surgeon in the country, and a fair hand herself if recent circumstances have proven anything.”

“Maryse, May I present my family, my father Peter Worth, Head of the American Witches council.” He said indicating the tall man I had yet to meet. “My mother, Snow Worth, deputy head of the American Witches council,” He said indicating the beautiful woman standing next to his father.

“And of course my brother Charlie, whom you have met, is a member of the American Witches council as well and enrolled in the president’s council of bringing us together program as the head Witch.” He finished.

“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” I said meaning it. They were JP’s family and they deserved respect for just giving me him, not that they gave him to me yet.

“I am sure it is.” His mother said looking put out.

She didn’t say anymore so I didn’t volunteer anything. If she wanted to be a bitch I would let it be evident. Of course JP wasn’t as nice.

“Well, should we be seated, or would you care to dine standing up this evening?” He asked them.

“Don’t be flippant Jonathon. I will not tolerate it.” His father said sternly.

“Father, while you may believe you control this situation like any other, you do not. Now we can sit and have a nice meal as a family, or Mar and I can leave and go eat some food at one of the fine establishments in town. I will say now that no one will insult or be rude to my precious date. The decision is yours.” JP said and I was turned on. Wow that was hot.

His father looked ready to explode but instead he said sternly “let’s be seated, shall we.”

JP held my chair for me and Charlie did the same for his mother and we all took our seats. Then two elves came out bringing water pitchers and some bottles of Elven Heritage, one of their better specialty made wines. The bottles were the same ones I had recently arranged purchasing for Lincoln and Al, and they had a nice earthy flavor.

We all held our glass of wine as Charlie proposed the toast. “To a dinner among family and friends,” he said.

I wanted to scream cheers but everyone just nodded and took a small sip. Then the servers brought out a small dish of what looked like a fresh truffle prepared in some specialty sauce. We all received one and I tried a small bite, after Mrs. Worth of course.

It was fabulous. “This is very good,” I said taking another small bite.

“It is tolerable,” Mrs. Worth said scowling and setting her fork down.

“It is exquisite,” JP said smiling. “B out did himself. I will let him know later.”

“Yes please do,” Charlie said finishing his. “The sauce for the truffle was so ergonomic that I couldn’t imagine ever eating another without it again.”

“I think we can agree the dish was passable,” Peter said drawing our attention. “We might as well cut to the chase. Miss Oliver while you are from a well respected family we don’t believe a union between you and our son will be in the best interests of the Witch community.”

JP was about to explode but I put a hand on his arm to calm him. “While I appreciate your candor Mr. Worth, it doesn’t matter. If JP and I decide to continue our relationship it will be for us to decide, not you or anyone else. The days of formal consort ship are coming to a close. You can embrace it or be run over by it.”

I was very sweet with my words but everyone at the table looked at me and I held JP’s hand for insurance. It was a good thing I did as well. Mrs. Worth said “Silencio,” wiggling her fingers. I felt the spell hit me and it washed over me. Instead of affecting me however it washed through my system. I knew I could still talk. It felt like a small bur inside my skin that I could move around with thought. Did the guardian do this to me?

“There, now we can continue without being rudely interrupted by ones inferiors.” She said gloating.

That whole sentence just pissed me off. I flicked my finger and I felt the spell fly off my finger and hit her head on. Her face scrunched up and her eyes bulged. I was so shocked I just stared like everyone else. JP would need me to be as strong as he was though so I owned it like a boss “I do so agree,” I said smiling.

Everyone including JP looked at me. I took another bite of my truffle and enjoyed the flavor. I decided I would let the spell sit for awhile because I had no idea how to take it off to be honest. I took another bite watching everyone look at me. “This is really good, you should all finish yours.”

“Mar, I think we have proven our point. If you would release mother with the word ‘releasio’ I know it sounds corny but it was the word they used when forming spells.” JP asked me smiling.

Well, now I had the word at least, and I think he knew that. I took some of his power and flipped my index finger at her and said “releasio.”

“How dare you,” she said standing up.

“Mother sit down,” JP said very calmly. “You tried to spell her. You have no right to be upset that she turned it on you, and before you think of doing worse, let me remind you that she can turn spells back. You may not like that. Now take your seat.”

“This is outrageous Jonathon. Control that witch or I will.” JP’s dad said to him ignoring me completely.

“Do people tell you that about Mother?” JP asked carefully. “Or are you proud that you have a witch that can make people feel like they don’t measure up to either of your standards? I honestly don’t think this was a good idea. If you actually wanted to have dinner with me and my girlfriend that would be one thing, but you want to try and intimidate both of us. We are not so inexperienced to let that happen. I’m afraid dinner is over.”

JP stood up quickly never releasing my hand and I rose to stand with him. “Don’t leave this is the most fun I have had in years,” Charlie said rising as well.

“Sit down Charles,” his father commanded.

“Really father? I think you and I have had this talk.” Charlie said giving him a pointed look. “I told the both of you to behave tonight and you still went ahead with your so called beliefs so that tells me that you believe yourself to be superior to everyone including your own sons.”

“Mar is lovely and perfect for JP. She deserves your respect not because of her family but because of the woman she is by herself.” He said and my emotions became evident. “JP deserves credit for finding the perfect woman for him, and I hope someday, to do the same. JP is right, this dinner is over.”

Charlie then walked around the table and joined us. “I think it’s time we left.” He said to the two of us and we did just that. I never looked back, I didn’t dare. I knew they would be fuming and I didn’t want to cause anymore problems.