Page 35 of Touch Of Fate
“It will help, but she needs to believe in herself,” I say, twining my fingers with hers. “She has always had it inside her.”
“I’ve worried about her,” she whispers.
“Did something traumatic happen to her?” Archer asks softly. “Something that damaged her belief?” Mara looks down at our hands.
“We don’t want you to betray her confidence,” I say.
“We just want to help,” Archer adds.
She looks up. “She wouldn’t want me to share that. Maybe when she’s more comfortable.”
“We understand.” I sense the human before they enter the store.
“I’ll clean this up,” Archer mutters, standing and gathering the containers.
The customer smiles at Mara as she walks to the shelves. Mara nods and gets up. Her hand leaves mine, and I miss her touch. I love connecting with her in any way I can. Even though my touch stabilizes her, that’s only a small part of my need.
“Will you help me?” she asks, and I look up.
“Anything you need, my Mara.” I grin and join her.
“Can you bring all of your mom’s and aunt’s choices to the front?” she asks.
“It might take days,” I tease, and she laughs.
“You're strong. I think you can handle it.” She runs her hand across my chest as she passes me. “When the customer is ready, will you assist me up front?”
“Yes.” I’m sure she finds it odd to be without her gloves.
I sense more energy as I walk to the back, weaving through the shelves. Two more people entered, and I breathe deeply. They are human and are annoyed with each other. My magic eagerly soaks up the emotions. Mara doesn’t realize how powerful I am. The world is filled with feelings, and every bit adds to my gift. Each person has worries, and the more severe the emotions, the more I get from them. I don’t feel their emotions as Mara does. With her magic, it’s as if she is living their life, whereas mine are only fuel for my spells, and I don’t experience them. They wouldnever guess a warlock is pulling from them. It doesn’t eliminate their issues, but it can ease them.
I shake my head when I see the neatly stacked books. Mom and Adeline set aside twenty books each. Gathering one pile, I turn, and the woman who came in first is watching me. Smiling politely, I easily carry them to the front. I suppose she was surprised that I held them so easily. My spells make me strong like a shifter, perhaps not as much, but a human would find it odd. I’m usually cautious in my actions.
“They did find a lot,” Mara laughs as I set them down on the end of the counter.
“This is one stack,” I say dryly.
“Really?” She giggles, and the sound flows through me. I stare at her face, loving the joy she doesn’t hide. “What?”
“Nothing.” I trail my fingers down her cheek and return for the rest of the books.
The woman is standing closer to the books on the floor. If I bent down, I would be inches from her leg. I narrow my eyes when she smiles at me. Shit, I know that smile.
“I’ve never seen you here,” she says.
“You wouldn’t have,” I say tersely.
“Do you work here?” She asks, tilting her head.
“No.” I point toward her feet. “I need to get those.” She doesn’t move, and I drop my hand.
“I come here a lot,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Do you know the owner?” I sigh. Maybe before I met Mara, I would have engaged in conversation.
“Yes.” I take a step closer, hoping she gets the hint.
“Sister?”
“What?” I ask, frowning.
