Page 70 of Touch Of Fate
We reach the side of the house, and I lead the way down to the window. Archer stays close behind Mara. I don’t have to explain to him to keep one eye on Mara; he knows what she means to me. I can feel his spells, which he usually keeps a tight rein on. He likes to pretend he isn’t that powerful, but I know differently. Yes, he can change memories. He isn’t that skilled in some areas, but most of his power comes from deep inside. He uses it as a last resort, knowing how out of control it can be.
“Our voices shouldn’t travel far,” I whisper, stopping underneath the window. “But keep the talking to a minimum.” They nod, and I grab the windowsill. Dropping to the floor inside, I move close to help Mara, but have to jump back as she lands silently beside me. I'm torn between pride and fear of the night. Archer enters a second later, and I watch their faces as the room comes into focus. Mara frowns, and her hand presses to her mouth. Archer grits his teeth, and his eyes meet mine. He exhales harshly and nods tightly.
The room is still secure. I move to the door and pause. I close my eyes and reach out with all my senses. Laughter and the beatof the music are all I hear. Nothing is directly outside the door, so I open it before I change my mind. Once Archer is through, I close the door and take the lead. As the noise from the main room increases, so does my anger. The emotions of the house fuel it, and I clench my jaw, trying to control how much I let leak out. Mara’s hand is steady in mine, but when we can see the main room, her fingers twitch.
During my absence, many of the clothes the women wore ended up on the floor, and the men had become uncontrollable. One man has a woman over his lap. Another is doing drugs as he watches the woman in front of him. Davis is in the center of the room, but against the wall, a lewd grin on his face. His elbows are propped on his knees as he stares at the naked woman on the floor in front of him.
I look at Archer and nod at the hallway beside us. I will control the men here, but he needs to watch our backs. Centering myself, I glance at Mara and nod. I release her hand and remove our invisibility. The men barely react before I freeze them. The shifters were able to stand as they caught sight of us, and their bodies took longer to stop. When I know they are all controlled for the moment, I step forward.
“Archer, check the rest of the house.” He walks away. “Mara—”
“Davis first,” she says, moving past me. “Which one?” She looks back at me, and I nod at him. I don’t want her to touch him for any reason, yet she wants to show him the pain he inflicted. She carefully moves around the woman on the floor. She doesn’t hesitate to touch his arm. “Unfreeze him,” she demands, and I hesitate. “Rome, I’ve got this.” I pull back my spell, but keep it engaged slightly, ready to control him if necessary.
“What the fuck?” Davis sputters, shocked to see Mara bent over him. “Who—”
“You’ve been very bad,” Mara hums. His face drains of color as she begins to take his emotions. My soul bond is a quick study. Idon’t see any effect on her face or body. “You murdered several women.” He tries to pull away. Mara’s grip is firm, and just like the woman who flirted with me, his skin under her palm starts to sizzle. “You drug the women here and use them to make money.”
“How?” He blinks and sways in his seat.
“You deserve more than death,” she states, pulling him out of his seat. She backs him against the wall beside the chair, holding him captive. “Many women’s lives were ruined or cut short because of you. I want you to feel what they felt.”
“What are you?” he grits out, his eyes wide.
“Your executioner.” Mara smiles. I gaze at her in wonder. She flicked a switch inside herself, and her voice was filled with her spells. Thunder cracks outside as if the universe is encouraging her to keep going. “Do you have any regrets?” Her power flows from her hands.
“Shit, I haven’t done anything,” Davis insists.
“We both know that is a lie. I can see. Your life is in my eyes. Look,” she commands, and their eyes connect. The flow of his memories and emotions begins to transfer. His mouth drops open when he feels it. His eyes are wide, and his hands claw at the wall.
“No. No. How is this possible?” Davis asks weakly.
“I’m a witch,” Mara sings, and energy sparks in the air.
“Not…possible,” he whispers.
“It is. Take what you inflicted,” Mara hisses, pushing him harder. The air is filled with her power, and the hair on my arms stands on end. She is beautiful. “You think you are above the law and decency. Thriving on the pain of the innocent gives you joy. Another woman you employed died at your hands. You used a knife on her.” His shirt is shredded by the force of the memory, and slashes appear on his chest. Claw marks join the marks. “She fought.” Fear moves through the room.
I look over my shoulder as I hear fighting in another room. Archer will have to deal with it for now. My priority is Mara. Davis can no longer speak, lost in memories, staring into Mara’s eyes. He sags against the wall, the only thing holding him up is her hand, which she transferred to his neck, forcing him to remain connected. His skin is covered with blood, but underneath it, he is a sickly shade of blue. His life is draining quickly without my influence.
“He’s done,” I say.
“Not yet,” she grits out. “There is another memory he needs.” I tilt my head, watching his face as the force of her power slams into his skull. He gasps his last breath as it takes effect. “Now he’s done.” She reels back, and he falls to the floor. “Next.” She faces me, and her eyes are glowing.
“Mara, I can do the rest.” Her eyes have never done that before.
“No. They deserve it,” she hisses. She pivots and sees the shifters.
“They are stronger,” I mention.
“We’ll see.” I watch her in fascination. She moves confidently toward them and cups the bear's shoulder. “Fuck,” she gasps.
“Talk to me,” I urge.
“He’s resisting, but I’ve broken through. Let him go.” I remove my spells, allowing the bear to have control of his movements, but not for long. “You enjoy all the sick things you do to the women here.”
“Bitch, what are you doing to me?” he growls, showing his teeth. “Witch.” He flexes his jaw and takes a step forward.
“Mara.” He could strike her in an instant.
