Page 63 of Touch Of Fate
“Careful, Gavin,” I say, his attitude towards Rome starting to annoy me.
“Shit, sorry. Warlocks are so touchy.” He pulls out his phone.
“Shifters don’t know enough about us to insult us so freely,” Rome says lightly, taking his phone.
“True,” Gavin mumbles. Rome enters his phone number and hands it back. “I’ll send you everything I have.”
“After we look it over, I’ll call.” Rome removes the silence spell and looks at the front door. “Off you go.” I press my lips together, and Gavin glares.
“Asshole,” he says.
“This is going to be fun.” Rome grins.
“I would use another word,” Gavin says and leaves.
“I don’t think we are going to be the best of friends.” He tugs on my hair.
“Probably not,” I laugh. He smiles briefly before clearing his expression.
“Mara, are you sure you want to do this? It’s going to be messy. We stay out of everyone's business for a reason. There is always a chance someone escapes and talks.” He rubs my arms. “He’s going to be on guard.”
“I want to do this for the women. When I was in the cage, I felt powerless,” I whisper, touching his chest. “I could have done something, but I let my doubts and fears stop me. I have the power to do something good. Our risk is limited, and I know you will be there with me.”
“Do you think you have to do this to make up for the Games?”
“No. It happened, and I’m trying to make my peace with it. This is now, and this guy shouldn’t be able to get away with it. Although the women are human, they don’t deserve to be punished just because they aren’t like us.”
“Most humans wouldn't hesitate to punish us,” he says.
“I know, but we can’t think that way. Our magic is a gift. I want to use it for good. Meeting you has opened my mind to the possibilities of my spells that I’ve been afraid to explore. I’m tired of being afraid of myself. I feel it.” I press my palm to my stomach. “It’s inside me, urging me to use it. I’m able to listennow and learn. I ignored it for so long that it stopped talking to me. I’m supposed to do this.”
“I will do whatever you want.”
“But you have doubts,” I say.
“My concern is for you. It will always be for you. I’m worried about your reaction once we do this. I can take all of the men's souls and not feel bad. Can you? Will you feel guilty, even though they are horrible people?” He uses the back of his hand to brush my hair behind my shoulder.
“Is it bad if I enjoy it?” I ask, tilting my head. “I felt the emotions of the women involved with the other two men. Their fear is out of my body, but I’ll always remember. The hopelessness they felt is probably matches that of the women we haven’t met. They deserve to live without pain. I’m going to do it.”
“I’ll need to call Archer,” he says, pulling out his phone. “He needs to be with us. His ability will help.” His phone rings before he can call him, and he rolls his eyes. “Aunt Adeline,” he sighs, answering.
“Don’t take that tone with me,” she chides.
“Sorry, Aunt. What is it? You’re on speakerphone.” He leans against the counter, crossing his arms, his hand holding the phone flat.
“Mara, thank goodness you are alright. We were worried, but I knew Rome would take care of you.”
“I’m fine, Adeline.” I smile.
“Good. The next time might not work out as well.” Rome jerks straight.
“What are you talking about?” he demands.
“I just had a premonition. I saw both of you in a big, old house. Several men were there, and then it cut to another image. Beware of the man in the white shirt. He wants to hurt Mara,” she says.
“Who?” I ask, cupping my neck. A shiver works up my spine, her words similar to those I said to another shifter I helped. I don’t question her knowledge.
“I don’t know. His face was obscured.”
