Chapter Ten #2
“We’ve been in worse situations,” I say, and he lifts a shoulder.
Archer can take care of himself. I’ve seen everything he can do, and I’m confident in his ability.
I pull away from Mara and cup her cheek.
“I will direct my spells toward the men and take the energy from their emotions. Nothing will happen to you. I won’t let it. ” She smiles.
I will drain everybody dry if they try to hurt her.
The tension is thick as I park close to the building. I shut off the car and center myself. Mara’s energy is filled with anxiety, and Lace’s fear is giving me a sick feeling. Archer is lounging in the back, steady and calm.
“I will spell all of us to remain invisible until we are in place,” I say, turning in my seat. Mara meets my gaze and seems to calm. “Archer, stay close to Lace. My concentration is going to be on freezing them, and Mara.”
“I won’t be a burden,” Lace says softly, and I look over my shoulder.
“I didn’t mean you were.” I sigh. “The men in there aren’t good.
If I miss one or two, they could come after you, a woman whom they see as an easy target.
I don’t want to face your sister if something happens.
” She nods and smiles slightly. “Archer, can you get a sense of how many are inside?” I ask, and look at the building.
I can tell humans apart from those with magic, but the walls between us are making it difficult.
“I feel many but can’t get an exact number,” he says, frowning.
“Be prepared for anything,” I mumble and touch Mara’s hand. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she says faintly. I study her face, and she nods lightly.
I grip her hand tightly, sending out my spell.
Invisible. Protect. My soul. I repeat the action with Archer and Lace.
After I make sure the spell is secure, we leave the car.
Moving quickly toward Mara, I lace our fingers.
We lead the way across the street. The business looks abandoned, yet I can hear the steady beat of the music within.
I bow my head and concentrate on the bodies inside.
The door seems to be unguarded, which I find odd until I try to turn the doorknob.
Locked. I share a glance with Archer. It’s lucky for us that no one else is expected, but horrible for the women.
The club isn’t advertised on the internet, so it’s by invitation only.
I zap the lock with a spell, and it opens easily.
The front room is small, dark, and dreary.
There is a small desk and a large chair.
I pull Mara closer as I walk through the archway that leads to the dark room beyond.
I count nine men and five women sitting around the area.
The men are smiling, some are laughing as the women dance around them, yet I can’t hear the sound of their merriment, only music.
A powerful wave of emotions hits me, and I roll my head.
I should feel guilty for using their desire and pain to gain strength, but I don’t.
At least I can use them for something good, giving justice to the women.
My spell is solid because they don’t look up as we enter.
Archer separates from Lace, searching for a secure room to hold the women and get them safe.
I can’t worry about them running into danger if all the men aren’t present.
The bartender is a woman, and I’m unsure if she's being forced to be here as well. I stare at her, gauging her body language, not wanting to freeze her if she isn’t with the men.
Mara tugs on my hand, and I look down, and she nods.
I trust her judgment and plan for the server to go with Archer and not under my spell.
We slowly move farther into the room and wait for the all clear from Archer.
He will quickly search the small building and eliminate any cameras.
I can’t hold the invisibility spell while I freeze them.
I don’t want to risk running out of fuel, and Mara may need help killing him.
Mara jerks, and I follow her gaze. A man is forcing a woman onto his lap, his hands wandering over her body and under what little clothes she has on.
Her eyes are dead, her body limp. I grit my teeth and realize it’s the man from Sofie’s memories.
Mara takes a step, but I pull her back. We have to be patient and wait for Archer. She wrinkles her nose and stops moving.
I turn when I sense Archer. He jogs from the back room and nods. I grin and face the room. It’s time to show what I can do. Lowering my shield, there are shouts of anger and surprise. I quickly freeze everyone but the women.
“What?” the bartender gasps. The woman on Sofie’s tormentor's lap blinks and slowly stands.
“Who are you?” she asks, glancing at the man before moving away.
“We’re here to help,” Lace says. Archer moves through the room, gaining their trust and guiding them away from the men.
“Thank you,” one of them whispers.
“Are you going to kill them?” another asks.
“You don’t have to worry about them,” Mara says.
“The owner isn’t here,” the bartender says.
“Do you know where he is?” I ask, pulling Mara with me across the room.
“He usually comes later to enjoy the leftovers,” she spits, and Lace gasps.
“All of you are forced,” Lace guesses sadly.
“Yes.” She bows her head. “He threatens our family. Some of us are desperate for money or running from something.”
“Write down his name and any information you have on him,” I instruct. Archer gathers the women in a group at the end of the bar and walks to the bartender.
“You won’t remember us, and I can make you forget this experience,” he says.
“Can I make a request?” She asks, handing me a piece of paper.
“Yes,” Archer says.
“I don’t need to remember you, but don’t take the memories of the pain. Can you give me the memory of them suffering because of their actions?” she asks.
“Why would you want to remember?” Lace asks.
“It’s a lesson, and an example of how strong I am,” she whispers.
“You are strong,” Archer says and stares into her eyes. “I will ease the memories.” He holds her under his spell, and she walks toward him. “Such a beautiful soul shouldn’t feel the pain.” I wait until they take the women out of the room.
“I’m feeling particularly ruthless, my Mara,” I hiss.
“Me too,” she responds. “They deserve every bit of the pain we will give them.”
I smile dangerously and call on my spells, waiting to explode.
Keeping the other men under my control, with a flick of the hand, I unfreeze the man we came for.
He blinks and cautiously looks around at his friends, standing slowly.
I’m surprised by his calm reaction. Most would be shocked and scared.
I underestimated him, and I wonder if he’s had experience with magic.
Mara’s spells rise within her, and I can feel it merging with mine.
“Who are you?” he asks, moving away from the table toward us.
“Friends of Sofie’s,” Mara says, and he pauses. He wasn’t expecting that, and I expect that he has many enemies.
“She talked,” he sneers, narrowing his eyes.
“She didn’t have to,” Mara replies, holding out her hand.
“Pain.” He falls to his knees, his mouth open in a silent scream.
“I saw the evil things you did to her. You took her heart and shattered it. She wanted a man in her life to trust. A dad should love a child. You used her hopes for a stable life against her.” Mara twists her hand, and he rolls to his side, falling to his back.
She releases my hand and moves to stand over him.
“Ryan,” Mara drawls, leaning over him. His mouth opens and closes.
“Do you have something to say?” She pulls on her spell, and he gasps for breath.
I watch her carefully, and there is no indication of a lack of control.
She’s breathtaking in her magic.
“Why?” he breathes.
“That is your question? I thought that would be obvious. Do you deny the abuse Sofie suffered at your hands?”
“What did she tell you?” he asks, his fear leaking through his skin.
“I felt her humiliation.” Mara closes her eyes, the emotion traveling from her mind to his.
“She thought it was something she was doing.” Ryan’s eyes fill with horror, never having felt the particular emotion before.
“The pain from your fist was nothing compared to the mental abuse.” His head hits the floor as an invisible hand hits him.
A bruise quickly forms on his cheek. “Do you feel any remorse?” She eases her control.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he hisses through the pain. He reaches for her ankle, and I force his hand to the floor.
“Do not touch,” I growl, and my spells slip.
The magic controlling the man behind Mara breaks, and he lunges for her.
I rein in my concentration and center it on him.
His mouth opens in agony as I drain his emotions.
His eyes become glassy, and his body stops inches from her back.
I take a step, my fury pushing him back.
His feet slide against the floor until he hits the wall.
I stop beside Mara, and he gasps for breath, his hands clawing at his throat.
I suck in everything he feels, every emotion he has ever had, acknowledging them yet turning them into fuel for my magic.
His life is filled with the power he holds over the women he abuses, and I can’t imagine how Mara lived with feeling dirty emotions like his.
His mind slows, and his limbs drop. I empty his body, leaving him a shell.
He drops to the floor, his heart taking the final beat.
Pushing my gift into the other men, I ensure I don’t lose control of their bodies.
My chest is tight, the anger barely satisfied.
“He won’t hurt anyone again, my Mara,” I grit out.