Chapter Eleven
Mara
Rome’s chest heaves, his face hard and filled with anger.
I should be afraid of his ability; anyone would.
I search my own emotions and find only fascination.
His spells are like nothing I have seen before, and I realize how much he has been hiding.
I don’t care that he killed a man. If he were anything like Ryan, he deserved to die.
Rome’s actions assure me that he will do anything to protect me, and I feel closer to him.
My spells slipped as I was staring at Rome, and Ryan was crawling across the floor.
I thought my magic was a punishment, but now I see what my purpose is.
The emotions are a gift, and given to me to make things right.
I have to give in to them; welcome them.
The problem the last time was that I doubted myself.
The ones who suffer at the hands of the abusers don’t have a voice or a way to punish them. I do.
“Ryan,” I call, following him. Holding out my hands, a light mist of white magic rolls him over with the power that comes from it.
I focus on him, knowing Rome will take care of anyone who disrupts us.
“We aren’t done yet.” I smile, looking at the task at hand in a new light.
“Sofie didn’t ask me to come. She doesn’t know who I am or what I can do.
I saw all the things you did to her. The years of abuse and the guilt you made her feel.
I decided to show you the evils you forced on her.
” He presses against the floor, trying to move.
“Stop fighting it. Isn’t that what you told her?
” He shakes his head violently. “I heard it, Ryan,” I grit out.
I stop at his feet and look at him with disgust. “I heard all the things you said to her. You knew no one would believe her, and why would they? You portray a good man. The suits you wear to work hide the monster underneath. Your wife is in denial and forgot the one job she had above all others. Protect your children. Believe them when they come to you, terrified of the bad man who lives in the house with them.” His eyes become wet, and I feel nothing but glee at his fear.
“I have a trick, Ryan. I’ve been running away from it, but not anymore.
You've had a taste of it, yet you haven’t felt the full scope of the gift.
Before you die, I want you to feel everything she has felt since you walked into their lives, into their house. My magic demands to show you.”
Inhaling roughly, I call on Sofie’s memories, urging them to leave my head.
I can feel them traveling through the spells, trickling out and into him.
I stare at him, seeing the horror begin.
Throughout my life, I have felt everything and have hated it.
As I watch him, I feel nothing. Sofie’s experiences become blurry to me, but they are vivid as they enter him.
Bruises join the one on his face. His body thrashes as the damage he did to her appears on him.
The cuts from the ring he always wears slice open his lip and his temple.
Magic threads rip his shirt, and blood coats his chest.
This is my gift. I need to start treating it as such.
“Please,” Ryan whispers.
“How many times did she beg?” I ask harshly, my voice filled with my spells.
“Until she accepted her fate and shoved it all deep down inside.” I’m almost euphoric.
To hold so much power over another, knowing he can do nothing.
For years, I have felt out of control. Meeting Rome has shown me I can take it back.
I have to stop resisting and learn to embrace my magic.
I’m tired of hiding. I am a witch, and although my gift is complicated, I have to guide it, trust it and myself.
Pushing all of it where it should be, I abandon the spell holding him down.
He’s not getting away, lost in the mind of Sofie.
His eyes stare at the ceiling, their color gone, and the movie of her life flashing across them.
“Mara,” Lace gasps.
“Stay back,” I whisper, keeping my attention on Ryan. Wind whips my hair across my face, and electricity fills the air. He’s not done yet, and I have to finish it. Later, I will worry about her shock and what she thinks. She has never seen me so detached.
Ryan is nearing the end of the memories, and his face is frozen, trapped.
As they finish, his soul is taken to where it belongs, and his body is a shell.
I exhale, knowing it is over. The sickness that has overtaken my body since I saw into Sofie’s mind leaves, causing me to feel lighter.
The exhaustion isn’t as severe as it was last time, but I still feel drained.
I rein in my spells and I smile; they rest inside me, building up slowly for the next time.
The breeze settles, and I push my hair out of my face.
“Archer, can you wipe their memories?” Rome asks, and I turn away from the dead body.
“Wait,” I say softly, something calling inside.
I move to the closest man, studying his face.
My magic is still in control and is urging me to touch.
If I do, I know it will be bad. These men are the same as Ryan.
There is a knowing deep inside, but I have to be sure.
“They need the same fate.” I can feel them watching me.
“You don’t have to,” Rome says, lightly touching my arm. “I’ll take care of them.” His touch calms me, and I lean into the feeling.
“I know they are the same.” I frown and turn to him. “Should I trust it?”
“Yes,” he says firmly. “What is your magic telling you?”
“That they deserve to die. Their souls are dirty, and they will continue to cause pain.” I look around at them, frozen in time.
“Then touching them will only take from you. Leave them to me,” he says softly, and kisses my temple. “Trust your spells and me,” he whispers against my skin, and I nod. “Go to your sister.” I meet his eyes and see only his determination. Turning my back, I walk toward Lace and dread her reaction.
“That was incredible,” she says, smiling softly. “Stop feeling as if I will condemn you. Your power is thrilling to watch. Those women are safe because of you, and the men are getting what they deserve.” I blow out a breath, relief coursing through me.
“Are the women gone?” I ask as I feel the rush behind me. Rome is sucking all of their energy, and the room fills with pressure.
“Gavin has them. I eased the memories of those who agreed to it, so it will be easier for them to move on,” Archer says.
“Do you always ask for permission?” Lace asks.
“No. Only for those who are good. I don’t interfere with someone’s memories unless necessary. They won’t remember the magic we used, just that they were rescued.”
“I knew there was evil in the world,” Lace whispers, her eyes wet, turning to me. “Seeing it and being in the same room with them was eye-opening. I know this causes you pain, but I believe it is your calling.”
“I believe now too,” I confess and turn to watch my soul bond.
The men are on their knees. Rome’s head is tilted back, and his eyes are closed.
The power he is receiving makes his tattoos glow and pulse.
His body is tense, and I wonder if he has a limit on how much he can take.
I’m curious about what else he can do. He hasn’t explained much about his power, and I haven’t asked.
Witches and warlocks aren’t all-powerful.
There are levels, but some can do more until they cross that line.
There is always a consequence of magic, whether it is exhaustion, the fear of exposure, or being vulnerable if you do too much at one time.
“It’s almost done,” Archer mumbles.
“What will we do with the bodies?” Lace asks.
“Burn them,” Archer answers.
“Sure. Of course.” Lace widens her eyes.
Rome walks to the first body, hovering his hand over it, and his lips move.
Lace gasps when it goes up in flames, and soon nothing is left but ash.
I study him as he works, his movement confident, and his frame is filled with power.
I’m sure he got a rush as he killed them.
He easily lights the fires and controls the burn.
A witch's fire is not the same as lighting wood in a fireplace or campfire. It’s filled with electricity and magic.
Rome can control it with his spells, and it burns the bodies at a higher heat than any man-made fire.
“My Mara, come here,” he says gruffly, standing beside Ryan. I don’t question why and move close. “Finish your work with fire.”
“I’ve never used fire,” I say, frowning at the body. Mom tried to teach me, but I always failed miserably.
“I’ll guide you. You can do it.” He takes my hand and lifts it.
“I don’t know.”
“Use your intention, just like all the others.”
“What do I say?”
“The words don’t matter, as long as they do as you wish,” he says patiently.
“Reach inside, move the spells how you want. They don’t control you.
Magic is a tool. Your body and soul hold the power.
” He slips behind me, pressing against me, and drops his hand.
“I won’t assist unless you want me to.” I tilt my head and move my palm up and down above his body.
The air seems to wave over the movement of my hand, sparks of light flowing through my fingers.
“Give Sofie peace,” I whisper. He deserves to burn. “Take his soul.” The fire starts slowly, the flesh that held the evil man leaving this world. I repeat the words in my head, gaining confidence as it starts to blaze.
“Now, stop, and let the fire do what it’s meant to,” Rome whispers, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling.
“Instead, guide it, contain it to only him.” I’m distracted by his soft words and his breath on my ear.
I urge my spell to stay on Ryan, and excitement hits me as he begins to turn to ash.