Chapter Six #2
“I did. I wish it could have been longer.” Rome glares and stops beside him. “I should have spelled the door differently,” he mumbles, knocking his shoulder against Archer.
“The doors are spelled?” I ask, looking around.
“Just a little protection,” Rome says, and I stare at the side door, tilting my head.
“I can see it,” I whisper. Magic can leave a trail to those who are in tune. I don’t usually pay attention and haven’t seen many trails before, yet I can see Rome’s. “That’s new.” It’s green and thick, protecting the inhabitants of the house.
“You’ll probably notice many differences in magic now that we have met,” Rome informs me.
“Can you see his spells?” I ask Archer.
“Most of them,” he answers.
“We’ve been in each other's lives since we were young. He has trained his magic to see.” Rome smiles softly.
“This is fascinating,” Lace says, setting out the creamer. “I can’t see Mara’s power.”
“You will,” Rome says.
“How can you be sure?” she asks.
“Intuition,” he says.
“I hope so.” Lace avoids my stare. “I have two clients today. Will you watch the front?”
“Sure.” I stop beside her and grab her arm, pressing my other hand to the counter. “Lace.” Rome covers my hand, stopping the jolt of emotions.
“Mara, I’m good.” She smiles. “I still can’t get over it. We can touch.” She hugs me tightly and pulls away. “I may not have massive spells, but I can use what I have to tattoo.”
“It’s an art,” Archer says casually. “I need to visit the restaurant. Cover for Rose.” My stomach turns thinking about Jerry and my loss of control.
“Coffee's done,” Lace announces, pouring into the four cups. Lace claims not to have magic, but she always senses my moods.
“I’ll get our bags from the car,” Archer says, standing. “Rome, come help.”
“Alright,” Rome drawls, meeting my eyes before following him out the door.
“Holy shit,” Lace whispers, leaning forward, her hands gripping the counter. “How do you get so lucky? He is something.”
“He is that,” I whisper back. “I want to jump him and run away at the same time.” More so the jumping part.
“Archer was in the spare room when I got there, and I didn’t hear anything until this morning. He was a perfect gentleman,” she says.
“Good. I didn’t have any doubt.”
“Are you feeling better?” She asks, sipping her coffee.
“It’s like nothing happened. My spells sputtered, and I lost it.
Rome had to step in and use his magic. I was exhausted after, and Rome offered to help, but I had to work through it on my own.
Hopefully, I can learn to control the drop in energy and how to direct my spells better.
” I pause when she rolls her eyes. “What was that for?”
“Of course, you wanted to handle it yourself. You can’t rely on other people.”
“Not true,” I grumble. “I rely on you.”
“For what?” She tilts her head, raising her eyebrows.
“For…” So maybe I have issues.
“Uh-huh,” she hums. “I’m glad you have him. Maybe he will bring some energy back into your life.”
“Hey, I have energy.” I frown. “Fine, you’re right.” I take a big gulp of coffee. “I need more caffeine for this conversation.”
“I’m sure you do,” she says dryly.
“I never thought I would be able to hug you.” I cradle my cup. “I want to figure out how to do it without Rome connected.”
“I lost it,” she sighs. “I was embarrassed, but you know how hard it’s been on me.”
“I know. They understand. You don’t have to hold back your emotions,” I say.
“That’s hard on me too. I feel too much.”
“And I feel too little.”
“Bullshit,” she says.
“What?”
“You feel everything. I show it, and you suppress it.”
“You know me too well.” I’ve had no choice but to hide my feelings.
“We all have flaws.” She clanks her cup against mine. “Here’s to having a soul bond that complements you.” She grins.
“Little witch,” I hiss warningly, and she lifts a brow. “Fine. Here’s to my soul bond….” I lift my cup and take a drink. “Can the guys shower at your place?” I put my cup on the counter.
“Why? Don’t want your bond close? Naked?” She wiggles her eyebrows, and I feel my cheeks turning red.
“Who’s naked?” Rome asks as he comes through the door with Archer, and I widen my eyes at Lace.
“No one. Yet.” She rolls her lips. “I already showered. If you need to use mine, you can.”
“I’m going to go do that,” I mutter, backing away.
“Naked?” Rome asks, his eyes crinkling.
I want to climb him. “That is usually how I shower.” I gulp and turn around. Being naked in the same house as Rome is too tempting. “Lace, will you feed the birds? I won’t be long.” Hurrying to my room without it being obvious I’m escaping, I shut the door and press my head to the wood.
Damn. I want a repeat of this morning without interruption.
Why did I wear a dress? I spent way too long in the shower and choosing my outfit.
My usual is jeans and flowy or long-sleeved shirts.
Dresses show too much skin, and I worry about accidentally being touched.
I do not wear dresses often, at least not anymore.
When I was young, I had a variety of them.
They made me feel pretty, and I suppose that’s how I wanted to feel this morning.
I picked a red, flowy cotton sundress I bought on impulse.
I don’t know why I’ve kept them. Perhaps I still had hope I could wear them again, and I wasn’t ready to give up the dream.
It has thin straps and shows off my cleavage and my tattoos.
Several chains and delicate necklaces draped down my skin.
I paired it with black leather sandals and a long black knit sweater.
My black hair flowed around me, and my makeup was dark.
Lace’s mouth dropped open when she saw me, but she wisely said nothing.
Rome stared at me for what felt like five minutes before grabbing my hand and dragging me out to the car.
He still hasn’t said anything, and we were almost to the store.
Archer and Lace remained silent, probably sensing my uneasiness.
I rub my hands down my thighs and pick at the fabric.
Rome’s hand drops over mine, startling me, but his touch reassures me.
He parks the car, and I jerk open my door.
I concentrate on Lace, waiting behind her as she unlocks the door.
I take a step to follow her inside when Rome wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I gasp as he brushes his cheek against mine before touching his lips to my ear.
I watch the door close behind Lace and Archer.
“I had to get you out of the house as fast as possible,” he rasps. “I wanted to take you back to bed. You look delicious. I want to lick your tattoos.” He nips my earlobe, and my legs turn to jelly. “I’ll kill anyone who looks at you.”
“The customers have to look at me,” I whisper.
“I know the difference between interest and politeness.”
“No one is interested,” I say, but regret it. I hope Cameron doesn’t come in today.
“Liar,” he breathes and squeezes his arm. “I might not show it. I’m calm until I’m not.” He lets me go and reaches around to open the door.
“Same,” I whisper and step into the store. Lace is behind the counter, setting up the register with a little smile. Archer is lounging on one of the couches, flipping through a magazine.
“Do people still buy these?” he asks.
“Yes,” Lace answers, rolling her eyes. Apparently, their silent night spent in the same house has loosened Lace’s quiet nature.
“Aren’t you leaving?” Rome asks Archer.
“Yes.” He throws the magazine on the coffee table. “I was just waiting until you were done with your moment.” He smirks and stands. “I won’t be long. Should I bring breakfast?”
“Yes, please,” Lace says.
“Try not to kill anyone while I’m gone,” Archer sings, slapping Rome on the back on the way out the door.
“He’s great,” Lace announces.
“You’re friends now?” I ask, and she shrugs.
“Turn the sign on, would you?” She disappears into the back. I click the sign to open and move behind the counter.
“So Lace doesn’t only tattoo shifters?” Rome asks, leaning across the counter to me.
“She has a steady stream of human customers. Shifters and vampires come in by referral only. The first shifter she inked is the go-between.” I lay a stack of bags out.
“He makes sure he sends the supernatural that aren’t going to talk and take advantage of their knowledge of a witch in the area.
Lace doesn’t do it to make money, and she would hate to be exploited by those who think they can get something from her. ”
“Has that happened before?” He frowns.
“Unfortunately, you can’t weed out all the bad.”
“Did the shifter teach him a lesson?”
“No.” I look into his eyes. “I did. He won’t be back.” I hadn’t used much of my magic, so it was eager to come out and play. Archer joked about harming Jerry’s dick. Well, the shifter who fucked with my sister won’t be getting it up for years.
“Your calmness reached a limit,” he says.
“It did.” I was thrilled to cast that spell.
“My Mara.” He smiles slowly. “I want to strip off the layers of calm.”
“It seems it doesn’t take much when it comes to those I love,” I say.
“Love,” he hums. He opens his mouth, but the door opens.
“Holy shit, I love it,” a gorgeous woman says.
“Fuck,” Rome says, dropping his head.
“Books,” screeches another stunning woman. Rome slowly turns, leaning his back against the counter, glaring in their direction.
“You just couldn’t help it,” he says.
“Son, we didn’t show up first thing,” she says.
“Close enough,” he growls.
“We had to pop by and meet her.” The other woman must be Adeline.
“You are just as breathtaking as in my vision.” She glides over, staring at me over the counter.
She has light brown hair just past her shoulders and green eyes.
Her jeans fit like a second skin. Her tank top shows off her toned arms and numerous tattoos that show her power.
“Mara,” Rome sighs. “This is my mom, Margarete, and my aunt Adeline.”