Chapter Five
Rome
When I walked into the bookstore, the last thing I thought I would be doing with my soul bond was killing a man.
Not that I’m opposed to it. Stalking the man’s home, sitting beside my mate, her sweet magic filling the car, isn’t a hardship.
Fuck, but I’d rather be discovering the depths of our bond.
Her beauty is captivating. At first sight, I thanked the universe for giving me a stunning woman with a kind heart.
Her black hair is a waterfall of silk down her back, and her green eyes seem to pierce my soul.
I almost came when she was on my lap, two handfuls of lovely flesh rubbing against me.
The whole drive here, I wondered how I would react toward her.
Would the connection be immediate? I pictured us circling each other, unsure of the bond, yet the moment I sensed her, I knew she was meant to be mine.
I could feel her magic reaching out to me, begging for mine to give it a home.
The sensation was odd, but it felt right.
I stare at the side of her face as we sit across from the murderer's house, waiting for him to arrive. The ride was silent. I wonder if she is having second thoughts. Archer wouldn’t be left behind.
He insisted on coming. Lace gave Mara an intense look when she attempted to talk her out of joining us.
They sit behind us in the car, silent, as if they know conversation wouldn’t be welcome.
This won’t be the first time I have killed.
I’ve lived a long time and have met several men who needed to be punished.
Witches and warlocks shouldn’t use their magic to kill just anyone, but there are exceptions.
We don’t have a governing body that polices deaths caused by magic, yet they say that if our power is used excessively for evil, a stain will appear on our souls.
Don’t be a shit person, and you should be fine.
Mara’s power is massive. I felt it. She has been suppressed because of her fear of pain and losing control. I believe I can set her free. The killer will be a step in that direction. She needs to feel like she made a difference and that her gift is worth it. I will make sure she finds her purpose.
The magicked are a bit selfish. We take care of ourselves and the ones we love.
Our rule is not to reveal our gifts to humans.
I don’t give much thought to the humans.
Getting involved in their lives beyond business is not something I concern myself with.
We are secretive. Showing ourselves to them is dangerous.
Throughout time, we have been persecuted for our magic and feared.
This is why we keep our circle small. I just want to be left alone to live comfortably with my family and friends. I would kill for them.
My phone ringing is like a grenade going off in the car. I roll my eyes when I slide it out and see my aunt’s name.
“Aunt Adeline,” I answer. “Now is not the best time.”
“Have you killed him yet?” she asks, and my eyebrows shoot up.
“Excuse me?”
“You know I see things.” Adeline has visions of the future. I should have expected her call.
“Not yet,” I drawl, looking at Mara, who is frowning at me.
“Is she having second thoughts?” She asks but doesn’t wait for an answer. “Put me on speaker, child.”
“You are the only one who can get away with calling me that,” I say.
“Aren’t you tired of complaining about it? You will always be a child to me. Do as I said,” she demands.
“Yes, Aunt.” I push the button. “Mara, this is my Aunt Adeline. She is intrusive like my mom.”
“Hush,” she scolds. “Mara, thank you for taking the little shit off our hands. He’s a mopey one. He needed a bond.”
“Uh…” Mara blinks. “You’re welcome.”
“Is Archer there?” she asks.
“I’m here,” he says.
“And the sister?”
“How—” Lace whispers.
“I’ve seen it,” Adeline states. “Listen, he is bad. This is supposed to happen. I had a dream about it. Mara, your gift needs to be used in this way. You’ve been pushing it away, avoiding the pain and emotions. Sorry, sweetheart. It must have sucked ass, but this is your destiny.”
“You’ve seen,” Mara whispers.
“I have. By the way, you are stunning. I’ve always been partial to black hair. Good job, boy. Enjoy the shit out of her.” I sigh. “He’s handsome, so you lucked out too.”
“Aunt,” I hiss.
“What? You’ve met me. I say what I think,” she says.
“I know. Do not come here,” I command, knowing it’s useless.
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Like Mom promised. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow to both of you.”
“We wouldn’t,” she gasps.
“Sure.”
“Anyway,” she says slowly. “The world won’t miss the man. The law won’t punish him. Mara, you must.”
“I will,” Mara says.
“Good.” She pauses. “We could just come for a little visit. Rome, you may need help wooing her. How long has it been? Do you remember how to use—” I hang up before she can go any further.
“I apologize,” I mumble, and Mara smiles.
“She has a good point,” Archer says, leaning forward. “Do you remember—” I snap my fingers and seal his mouth. Lace slaps a hand over her lips, her eyes twinkling. Archer glares as he undoes the spell. “That never gets old.”
“Then don’t say anything to provoke me,” I say.
“Sorry, but that was cool,” Lace says, earning Archer's glower.
“Your aunt seems nice,” Mara says.
“She’s wonderful,” I agree with a sigh. “When she and Mom team up, no one is safe.” I shudder.
“I can’t believe she saw us,” she says, tilting her head.
“That is her main gift.” It was annoying when I was younger. I couldn’t get away with anything. “Did you doubt what we should do?”
“A little,” she admits.
“She’s never been wrong. I think there is a purpose to your gift. You could use it to do good.” She looks sad for a moment before she clears her expression.
“I would like to,” she says softly.
“Rome,” Archer says, and I glance at him. He’s looking out the back window, and I follow his line of sight. The black car from the garage is driving down the road.
“He’s coming,” I whisper, and Mara stiffens.
I spelled the car so it is invisible to humans.
We don’t need a concerned neighbor reporting a strange vehicle in the area.
I have a feeling they have a neighborhood watch here.
If they do, they're doing a horrible job of noticing their friend is a serial killer.
“He has a woman with him,” Mara says, and I grab her hand, grounding her.
“Fuck,” I grit out. He pulls into the driveway and waits for the garage door to rise. I can see the woman in the passenger seat.
“He’s going to kill her.” Mara turns to me. “We can’t let him touch her,” she growls.
“We need to be invisible until we are inside,” I say, and turn.
“Lace, will you stay with the car? I can do a spell, but it will take more energy to cover the four of us. The car is contained. We may need to leave in a hurry. The woman will have to come with us.” I wait, hoping she will agree.
Everything I said was true, and I also want to protect her.
“Okay,” she replies.
“Archer, you have to get the woman out. We don’t need her to see everything.” He nods, his jaw twitching. I’m sure he can understand the necessity, but he is always the one beside me.
“He’s in,” Mara whispers, and I look out the window. The garage is shut, and the lights turn on.
“Mara, look at me,” I demand, and her wide eyes meet mine.
“I’m going to spell you. He won’t see you until I command it.
” She nods. I close my eyes and press my hand to her chest. I guide my magic, my intention clear.
Invisible. Protect. Fade from his eyes. When I reinforce the spell, I remove my hand and hold it in front of Archer.
“Brother.” He presses his palm to mine. Archer can do the spell, but he’s not as powerful as I am at invisibility.
I have to make sure the protection is stable.
Invisible. Protect. Fade from his eyes. I nod.
“Lace, stay in the car. If you step out, you won’t be protected. ”
“I won’t leave it. Please be careful,” she says.
“We will,” Mara says.
“I wouldn’t let her get hurt. He has no power over us. The spells are to protect our identities,” I reassure her. “Ready, Mara?”
“Ready.” I glance at Archer, and he opens his door. “Lace, crawl into the driver's seat when we leave.”
“Alright,” she agrees, but her eyes are filled with uncertainty. I smile slightly, hoping she can trust me.
When I open my door, Mara follows my lead.
I jog around the front of the car to lace my fingers with hers and help her out.
I press my finger to my lips, and she nods.
Our voices can carry through the spell. It wouldn’t sound the same, more like a weird murmur.
I don’t want to take any chances, so it’s best to remain silent.
I notice eyes looking through the tree beside the house and realize it’s an owl.
Nothing else moves, and none of the neighbors are on the street.
Confident in my magic, I don’t cower or try to hide as I lead the way to the front door. It’s locked, and I quickly disengage the lock without having to touch it. It’s so easy. Archer shuts it softly behind us, and we pause to listen.
The house has two levels. There are stairs directly in front of us, and a long hallway to the right of them.
There is an open door at the end of the hallway, with light shining through.
I’m assuming the bedrooms are upstairs, and I thought that would be where he took her.
I take a step but stop when I hear voices at the end of the hall.
“Drink your wine, sweets.”
“I think I had enough at dinner,” she says.
“Trust me, you want more.” He chuckles darkly, and I move forward.
“Really, Jerry. I’ve had enough,” she says firmly. “Maybe you should take me home.”
“You were eager to come with me,” Jerry says. “You knew what would happen.”
“No. I don’t know what I was thinking. You were nice. I’ll call an Uber.” I hear the rustling of fabric.