Page 21 of Touch Of Fate
I take away the knife, and it floats back to the counter. Jerry won’t move. He’s no longer in control of his body. Blood trickles out of his mouth, and his eyes begin to lose their life. A wound appears on his chest, soaking his shirt in red. Another on his leg. Then his hip. Blood soaks his head, streaming down his face.
“Take it all, Jerry,” she whispers, and he falls to his knees. Wind whips through the air, and the world outside booms. Her hands begin to shake as she moves forward, away from my touch. Before I can follow her, she loses control of her spells and flies back. She hits my chest, and I grunt. I wasn’t prepared for the momentum, and we fall, skidding across the floor until wehit the opposite cupboards. Jerry gasps for breath, life returning to his body, and lurches straight.
“I got you.” I wrap my arm around her, cringing from the force of smacking the wood.
“Fuck,” she breathes. Power is swirling in the air. Her magic is out of control, with no direction. I can see it bouncing through the room, and the knife on the counter tumbles through the air. I barely get a spell out to stop it impaling my head, and it lands on the floor beside me.
“You bitch,” Jerry slurs. He’s still bleeding but attempts to stand. “I’m going to kill you.”
“Stop,” I grit out, and his body stills. I keep her secured to my chest as I stand.
“Rome,” she gasps, her breath coming in short bursts. Her body trembles against mine.
“Mara, I’m here.” I turn her to face me and cup her face. Her hair swirls around my arms. “You have to pull your magic back in.”
“But he’s—” She attempts to turn.
“Don’t worry about him. I have him controlled. Your spells need your direction.” I sweep my thumbs over her cheeks.
“I don’t know if I can.” Her wild eyes lock with mine.
“You can. I know you can.”
“Are you hurt? Did I hurt you?” she asks, panicked.
“I’m fine.” The twinge in my back will go away soon. My magic will soothe it.
“Are you sure?”
“I am. Concentrate on me and your magic,” I say firmly. “Take a deep breath. You have control.” She inhales. “You have control. Say it.”
“I have control,” she repeats, exhaling. Her lips move, saying the words, but they are lost in the wind.
“Yes, Mara. That’s it.” I drop my head to hers as the room quiets, and her magic finds its home back in her body. “Good girl. You are doing it.” Her chest rises and falls slowly, and everything stills.
“Rome,” she whispers, her body sagging against mine.
“You are going to be drained. That was an immense amount of power.” She buries her head in my shirt. “Hold on to me. I have to finish him.” Once her arms circle my waist, I hold up my hand. Jerry’s face is frozen, and I pull all his emotions. I suck the life from him, and he falls. He can’t come back when my magic is done with him. Getting rid of his body is the easy part. “Burn.” I focus on the body, and fire flickers over him. As he disintegrates, I open the door at the back of the kitchen. “Go where you belong.” I wave my hand, and his ashes float outside. “You will be no more,” I rumble, and wait for all his remains to fly away. I shut the door and lock it. “He’s gone.” Waving my hand, I make the blood disappear, and the kitchen is as it was.
I lift Mara in my arms, cradling her close. I kiss her forehead.
Invisible. Protect.
Her eyes close, and I carry her away. I lock the house, making sure no trace of our presence remains. Archer gets out of the car and opens the back door. I slide onto the seat, and Mara curls into a ball on my lap.
“Is she okay?” Lace asks from the driver's seat.
“She will be. Where’s the woman?” I ask, as Archer sits in the passenger seat.
“I sent her home. She won’t remember anything, and neither will the driver after he drops her off. I got the name of the restaurant. I’ll need to go there and cover for her.” If Jerry is missed, she’ll be the first one they come to if he told anyone about her. “I cleaned the car of any trace of her.”
“Good. Lace, drive.” I hold the back of Mara’s head as she tucks her head into the crook of my neck. “She needs to be home. Do you live together?”
“Next to each other,” she says.
“I won’t leave her.” I didn’t have a plan past finding her. Archer took care of the travel plans and a hotel. He booked a room that won’t be slept in.
My body and mind are buzzing. I’ve never seen anything like what my mate can do. She called on my magic, yet not much was taken. Even though she didn’t finish Jerry, I’m stunned at the amount of potential she possesses. I think meeting me has unlocked different levels of her powers. The things she will now be able to do are unlimited once she learns how to control it. I will be there to help guide her and keep her grounded. The magicked have various gifts. Even if two witches have the same skill, the details are different. Each individual adds their own personal touch. I’ve met witches who can use their touch to influence humans and others who need another’s touch to fuel their magic.
