EXCERPT Executive Decisions: One Night Only by Marteeka Karland cover art by Sahara Kelly ISBN (13): 978-1-59596-998-9 Genre(s): Paranormal Theme(s): Ménage, Magic and Mayhem Sophie quietly left the room and closed the double sliding glass doors. When she turned around, she ran smack into a solid wall of muscle and crisp linen. "I'm s-sorry!" she stammered. She hated that she stammered. The tall, intimidating man always made her nervous, and it irritated her so much. "I was trying not to disturb your grandmother." "Has she decided to kick you out yet?" He raised an eyebrow, looking almost hopeful.

The question made Sophie blink and her stomach lurch. Mrs. Grinnich? Kick her out? After twenty years? Ohmigod! "What? No! Why?"

"Never hurts to check." And, just like that, Raven Grinnich dismissed her as if she'd never been there. He glided past her -- the man really did glide, walking was too clumsy a term for the way he moved -- into the sunroom and shut the door behind him.

"You torment that poor girl, and you should be ashamed." Raven's grandmother chastised him gently when he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"It's not your concern, Mamaw. Sophie and I make our own way together."

"Nonsense. Her happiness is my business, and you shouldn't have her thinking she might lose her home. I've practically raised that child, and if you think I don't love her enough to set you on your ear, you'd best think again."

Grandmother Mariam pointed a thin finger at him as he straightened, but Raven only smiled. "You give her too comfortable of a life. Someone has to keep her on her toes."

"Pshaw!" Grandmother Mariam waved a hand in dismissal. "The girl deserves to be pampered. You should remember that, young man. She'd make a good woman for you." She pointed at him again.

Raven slumped into a nearby chair and scrubbed a hand over his face. "We've been over this, Mamaw. I don't need a 'good woman.' Besides, if I whisk her away to live with me, who'd take care of you?" He smiled, hoping to divert the old witch, but she sat up and leaned toward him to drive her point home.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, young man. If you think I'm bluffing, try me." She raised an eyebrow. "My magic is as powerful as it ever was." As if in agreement, Sylvester hissed and spun around in Grandmother Mariam's lap, resettling himself.

Raven raised his hands in defense. "I know better than to put my magic against yours, Mamaw." He flashed her a charming grin, the one he reserved for her alone when he needed to distract her. "But once I've mastered your Primary Book of Spells, then we'll talk."

"That's my point, dear. Magic can't be learned from a book. Not the really powerful kind." Her look was imploring, as if it were of the utmost importance for him to understand her message. "For any witchcraft to be really powerful, it has to come from the heart."

"Trust me, Mamaw. I throw my entire being into my magic. People actually think I'm quite good." He crossed his legs and sat back in the chair. "There's even been talk of putting me on the council next year."

"Nonsense!" she spat.

For the first time in his life, Raven knew his grandmother was extremely displeased with him. It stung, but he had no idea why she was so angry. "You don't think I should be on the council?"

"Absolutely not!" She fidgeted with her cover as if searching for something until she came out with the cordless phone. "I'm putting a stop to that nonsense once and for all." She started punching buttons, and Raven leaned over to wrap her deceptively frail looking hands in his own bigger ones.

"Mamaw!" Raven knew he'd been a little too cocky in mentioning this to his grandmother, but he never envisioned she'd react this way.

"Who's putting forth your nomination?"

"That's not --"

"Who?" Raven recognized the note of command she'd used for decades as leader of the Witches' Coven and long-time member of the Council of Magic. There was no diverting or denying her when she used that tone.

"Draco."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" She pulled her hands out of his, leaving him the phone. He quickly laid it a comfortable distance out of reach as his grandmother continued. "He's not even part of this province, not to mention he's not a wizard. He can't make a valid recommendation, and you know it."

"No, but the council listens to him. He's one of the most powerful werewolves the preternatural community has seen in centuries."

"Listen to you." She gave him a disgusted look. "You sound like a petulant child." Mamaw looked him straight in the face then. Raven could see the force of will behind her clear blue eyes. So much for going around his grandmother to get on the council his own way. "You have more potential than any wizard I've ever known, Raven. But you cannot reach your full power until you've found the right mate. Everyone knows that. You know that. You might think you can use your substantial influence within the preternatural community to get on the council without taking a mate, but you can't."

She sat back and gave him a smile only a grandmother could give. "I love you, Raven. More than life itself, but I will not let you do yourself such a disservice. Now." She fluffed her pillows and straightened her quilts. Sylvester merely opened his eyes to give her a look that said, "Quit moving. I'm trying to sleep." Mamaw continued, "Go. I've left a business card on your desk that I want you to use. Call the man and tell him you'll help him out. I told him I'd ask you -- now I'm telling you. You need the break to think about your life and what you want out of your magic."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "What exactly will I be doing? You know I'm supposed to meet Hawk next week to make preparations for your birthday. He won't like it if I leave him to do it by himself."

"Hawk's helping my friend, too." Grandmother Mariam smiled a secret smile. One Raven didn't trust at all. The old witch was brewing something, stirring in something to do with his life he wasn't comfortable with. He could smell it. And when a witch broke out her cauldron and started making a potion, the whole neighborhood could smell it. "You'll see, my dear boy. Things have a way of working out, and I'm not the least bit concerned about my birthday. Besides, this is for your own good."

Raven knew he was in trouble, but orders were orders. Even at forty, he didn't dare disobey his grandmother. She might be getting on in years, but she was still a very powerful witch. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if his twin had to help. At least they'd have a good time. Some dogs were better left sleeping.

Or, in her case, cats.