Page 2 of Touch Of Fate
Dating is super fun. Imagine going on a first date, and he helps you out of the car. A myriad of things crosses his mind, and I know them all. I shudder thinking about it. The first time I had sex was nauseating. I was a lot younger, and my power wasn’t as strong. I’ve avoided relationships since. Being with a man now would be horrible. I would rather take care of myself thanexperience a man's most profound thoughts while he is inside me. I can’t control how it affects me, so I avoid all touch, and wearing gloves is easier.
I run my fingers through my long black hair, fisting the back of my head. Do I miss the touch of others? Yes. I would like to hug my sister and not know what she really thinks of me or the fantasies she has at night. Even with fabric between us, I don’t want to take the chance of feeling her emotions. Maybe if I covered myself from head to toe in leather, I would feel comfortable giving her a squeeze. I’ve felt the pain of touch too many times to do it willingly often. Going out for a night on the town and taking a guy home would be a lot of fun. I don’t feel comfortable making friends. Usually, you share things, such as your likes and dislikes. I can’t explain my background or giggle over favorite movies. Lace has been my best friend even when we were forced to be apart. I stayed away to protect her.
Opening the box of books, I study the gorgeous covers. I could use my powers to put them on the shelves. With a twitch of my fingers, I could float them in the air and guide them to the shelves with a thought. I like doing it by hand, even though I have to wear my gloves. We sell used books, so I see the last owner if I touch them with my skin. I’ve tested it, hoping I would see their enjoyment of being transported to a different world. Sometimes that is the case, but most of the time, I see their lives. I miss the feel of the paper, which has changed over time. The older books' roughness and the new sleek pages. Every object has a history, good or bad. If I pick up a pen that a customer used, their imprint transfers to it and then cascades into me. I have to think about every move I make, every minute of the day, and it’s exhausting.
I get to work, finding the perfect place for each book. I empty my mind, concentrating entirely on the simple task. When myphone rings, I’m startled out of my happy place. There are very few who know my number. I slide my phone from my pocket.
No. It’s the vampire. She’s also part witch. I’m not in the mood to answer, and put it away.
Serenity is part of the group that lives in Oregon. She is mated to the king of vampires, Ryker. I met her over a year ago because I was the bad guy in an intense situation. She understood that I was forced to do what I did, and she continues to try to be friends with me. I took her call a few months ago and did a favor for her family. My gift is handy when you want to find someone who doesn’t want to be found or find a missing person. It wasn’t the first time I had done this for them. One of their mates was taken, and I tracked her through a piece of fabric.
My guilt urged me to help. Some of them don’t like me for valid reasons. I did what they asked and left as fast as possible. She wants to be friends. I wish I could. Her family will never forgive what I did, and I understand their pain.
I helped an evil man keep shifters in cages. He called it the Games. A game that couldn’t be won. Humans can be dangerous when they discover our world. He thought it was fun to chase shifters through the woods and treat them like animals. He kept me captive for months, forcing me to spell the boundary of the area, ensuring no one could escape. If I refused, he would make me touch one of the shifters. I felt their pain, shame, and desperation. When that didn’t work, he showed me pictures of my sister. He had someone watching Lace to ensure I would cooperate. He knew everything about her and gave me daily reports of her activities. The man watching her filmed her walking down the street.
The moment I refused to help him, she would die.
Lace’s power is minimal, but she can do some spells. Most of those who do magic have several tattoos on their skin signifying their power, but only those who know who we are would knowwhat they represent. Both of our bodies are covered in tattoos; some can be seen, but others are spells in our skin. As I have gained power, more ink shows up. Our bodies are more human than shifters. We must be smart. We must learn how to use our gifts to protect ourselves and damage those who want to hurt us.
We don’t have packs, but it is safer in a group of witches. Our family is gone, and we’ve only had each other. As the years pass, others of our kind have stumbled into our lives, but it’s hard for me to trust. We are secretive and don’t reveal our true nature. Shifters have a scent humans can’t smell. We know what they are. A panther shifter has a distinct scent that identifies their animal, yet also an overlaying scent that is unique to that person. Same with every other kind of shifter. Vampires don’t have a scent; it’s more of a lack of scent that tips you off. The way all of them move is a giveaway if you aren’t familiar with them.
Witches smell like humans, but they have something extra—a wildness in their scent. Usually, it smells like fire.
“Mara,” Lace yells from the front.
I take a deep breath and recognize another witch. Savy is one of the witches we are friendly with. She came into the store a month ago, following her instincts. We have slowly become friends, though Lace is closer to her than I am. Of course, my sister trusts more easily. She’s very nice and wants somewhere to belong.
Leaving the books, I walk toward the front, cautious of her visit for some reason. Savy has long, blonde hair and blue eyes, and is wearing a long, flowing dress.
“Hey,” I say as I stop at the counter. “I thought you were going out of town.”
“I am.” She fiddles with her bracelets. “Gran is expecting me later today. I’m excited to visit her farm. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”
“Hopefully, you can get some peace.” Savy’s gift interferes with her life just as much as mine does with mine. Being around so many people increases her power.
“Are you feeling weird?” She asks, studying my face.
“No more than usual,” I reply dryly.
“Hmm…” She narrows her eyes.
“What’s going on?” I stand straight.
“I had a dream,” she says, and a shiver goes up my spine. Savy has dreams of the future and can see into the minds of others.
“About me?” I ask, my heart pounding.
“Yes.” She licks her lips, looking around the store. She looks back at us when she’s satisfied that no one is here. “Someone is coming for you.”
“Excuse me?” I hiss.
“It was very clear.” She twists her hands.
“Someone wants to hurt me,” I guess.
“Uh…no.” She leans forward. “The dream was very hot.”
“Savy, what the hell are you talking about?”
