Chapter Seventeen
Rome
“Burn,” I command harshly, hovering my hand over Cameron.
I don’t try to guide the flames to move slowly.
He turns to dust in a second. Fury is still pumping through my veins.
Mara is safely tucked into bed. I would rather be beside her than sending the asshole to where he belongs, but Mara would want him gone for good.
“Can you stop the wind?” Lace asks, raising her voice, and I glance at her. She’s holding onto the back of the couch, her hair whipping.
“I should have known,” I say, looking down at what’s left of Cameron. The breeze aids me, taking the remains out the window without my urging.
“Sure. We should have known the son of the man who killed our mom was a nice professor who liked books,” she says dryly.
Archer snorts a laugh, and I relax enough to calm my spells.
I shut the windows, and the room settles.
Papers are scattered across the floor, plants are tipped over, and the lamps are tipped on their sides.
I walk to the window and yank the curtains closed, knowing I’ll have to ask Archer to change the neighbors' memories if they are awake.
“I should have been here,” I say, running my hands through my hair.
“Maybe, but how could you predict this?” She pats down her hair.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Archer says.
“I knew something was wrong with him.”
Lace jumps as my parents appear in the room.
“Shit,” she gasps, her hands on her chest.
“My parents,” I sigh, waving my hand. “You get used to them popping in.” I cross my arms. “What are you doing here?”
“Archer messaged,” Mom says.
“Of course he did,” I mumble, glaring at him.
“Is Mara alright?” Dad asks, looking around the room. I spell the bedroom door shut.
“She’s sleeping,” I say.
“I knew that man was bad,” Mom hisses, repositioning a lamp.
“Wasn’t it Adeline who realized something was off?” Dad mentions lightly.
“Oh, hush.” Mom moves forward. “Son, is he gone?” She grabs my elbows. I know she means well, but I’m not in the mood.
“Yes. Mara took care of him.” Her face is soft, and I cave, pulling her close. “It’s over. She was exhausted. It’s been a long night.”
“Adeline told us. She did a good thing, killing those men. They shouldn’t be allowed to walk among us,” she whispers fiercely. I hug her lightly and pull back. “I should make some tea. Maybe some food.”
“Mom, I don’t know how long she’s going to sleep.” She cups my cheek.
“You need to relax,” she says softly. “She can have some when she wakes.” She whirls away.
“Lace, could you show me where things are?” She smiles, and Lace nods slightly.
My new sister seems to be in awe of my mother.
I watch them walk to the kitchen, straightening things along the way, talking quietly.
“Let’s step outside,” Dad says. I nod and lead the way out the back. Archer shuts the door behind us. The porch is small. I lean against the corner and face my dad. “You are feeling guilty.”
“Yeah.” My dad has always been my hero. He’s quiet and doesn’t speak unless he has something important to say. Mom is a whirlwind of energy and chatter. He balances her well.
“It’s a waste of time,” he says.
“Still doesn’t mean I don’t feel it,” I reply.
“You can’t take on the actions of others. Cameron would have found an opportunity to get her alone at some point.” He frowns. “Were you affected badly by taking that many lives?”
“I felt out of control. I can usually manage and neutralize the emotions I pull in, but this was different. All of their actions were based on horrible feelings, and the energy became too much. I didn’t want to hurt Mara. I needed some distance. I made her leave,” I whisper.
“That’s understandable,” Dad mumbles.
“I shouldn’t have left her,” Archer rasps. “I thought she would be safe. She was worried about you, and so was I. I’ve never seen your spells do that, and your fear disturbed me.” I don’t blame him.
“It wasn’t your fault,” I say.
“You needed her protected. I was supposed to do that. You trusted me with her safety, and I let you down.” He crosses his arms.
“I know it was difficult for you to leave me. I appreciate your concern, and it helped when you came back.” Archer grounds me.
I glance at the owl back in his tree. The animal was flying over the car as we left the haunted house.
I knew something bad was happening and regretted my insistence that Mara leave my side.
“No one is to blame except the asshole that came after Mara,” Dad grumbles, looking at me and then Archer.
“It’s done. The only thing to do is move forward.
She’s safe, and the world is a better place without those men in it.
You’re brothers in every way that matters.
I love you both, and we already love Mara.
By the time we go inside, Lace will be best friends with your mother. Are you stable?” he asks me.
“Yes. I expelled a lot of magic,” I say. My body is still humming from the events of the night, but I’m calm.
“Good. Magic is amazing. Being a warlock is filled with wonders, but also responsibility. I believe everything happens for a reason. You were meant to send their souls to hell,” he growls.
“Dad.” I shake my head.
“What? That’s the only reasonable place they should go.”
“You’re right. As always,” I sigh.
“Damn straight.” He grins. “Moving on. When are you going to bond with the girl?”
“I’m not talking about this,” I mumble.
“It’s the logical next move.” He tilts his head. “Do you love her?”
“Seriously, I’m not discussing this.” I turn to face the backyard, my hands clenching the railing.
“She deserves to be loved,” Dad says softly, moving to my side.
“I know that,” I grit out.
“If you don’t feel it now, it will come with time,” he continues.
“I’m not going to tell you how I feel before her,” I hiss.
“Oh…” He folds his arms across the top of the wood. “Of course.”
“I’ve never felt this way,” I confess.
“That’s when you know it’s true,” he whispers. “I’ve been waiting for my boys to feel the love I was lucky enough to find. It sneaks up on you.” He chuckles. “You have to give in to it.”
“I want her to be happy.”
“She gets to spend the rest of her time on Earth with you. Of course she’ll be happy,” he says, and I smile.
“You’re biased.” I turn, leaning on my side.
“I love my boys.” He looks at Archer. “You’re next.” Archer holds up his hands.
“Not happening,” he denies.
“It happens when you least expect it. You just challenged the universe.” Dad smirks.
“How does it feel?” I ask, rescuing Archer.
“Bonding?” Dad asks.
“Yeah.” His face relaxes, and he looks into the dark.
“As if you have been living without the sun until her,” he says softly.
“Jesus, Arthur,” Archer mumbles.
“Now, the se—”
“No. I’m not listening to that.” I move to the door.
“What? You asked.” He laughs, and I shake my head.
“Too much.” Archer slaps him on the back and follows me into the house.
“Why are you running away from your father?” Mom asks as she pours water into some cups.
“Not important.” I walk through the kitchen and into the hallway. The bedroom is silent, and I can feel her steady heartbeat in my body somehow. When I return to the kitchen, Dad is sitting at the small table, and Mom is serving him tea and cookies.
“Lace is a talented baker.” Mom grins at her over her shoulder. “She made these.” She squeezes Dad's arm before moving away.
“It’s nothing,” Lace says.
“Not true. Baking is its own kind of magic.” I was right. They had time to bond. “Your time will come, sweet Lace.” She lowers her head, her cheeks flushed.
“Thanks, Margarete,” she whispers.
“How’s your eye?” I ask, and she looks at me.
“Like it didn’t happen,” she replies.
“I’m sorry, sister.” Her eyes widen, and she smiles.
“When Archer told us he hit you, I had to hold Arthur back,” Mom grumbles.
“You told her?” Lace asks Archer, and he shrugs.
“My boys hate those who are abusive. I’m glad Mara got justice for you.” Mom places a cup in front of me. I sit on a stool, wrapping my hands around the warm tea.
“She always does,” Lace says softly. “She has always been my protector, no matter what the consequences are for her.”
“That’s what family is for,” Mom says. “It says a lot about her.”
“Not much about me.” Lace takes a big bite of the cookie.
“I disagree.” Mom frowns, and Lace lifts her shoulder, playing with the string on her tea bag. “Lace—”
“Mom.” She looks at me. “Where are Aunt and Uncle?” Lace fidgets. It’s not the time for her to interfere.
“They wanted to come, but I convinced them to stay at the hotel,” she says.
“More like you didn’t share the address with them,” Dad mumbles as he takes a drink.
“Shhh…” She glares at him. “I’ll have a chat with Adeline when we get back.”
“I think I’m going to get some rest,” Lace says, setting her cup in the sink.
“I’ll come with you,” Archer says, and Mom sucks in a breath. “No.” He looks at her sternly. “I’m tired and I don’t want Lace to be alone.” Her shoulders droop.
“I won’t fight you. My anxiety is at an all-time high.” Lace squeezes Mom's hand as she walks around her. She stops in front of me. “Thanks.”
“For what?” I tilt my head.
“Loving her,” she says, smiling. “Come on, big man. Spell my house to the max.” She waves as she walks out the door.
“Archer.” He stops in the doorway, and I leave my seat.
“Don’t worry,” he says gruffly. “I’ll take a walk around the neighborhood. Make sure we don’t have any panicked humans from the storm of magic.”
“I appreciate it.” I grab the back of his neck and hug him quickly. “Take care of her.” He nods, smiling slightly, and I know we are going to be fine. As I turn back, Mom is dabbing her eyes with the towel.
“I raised my boys right,” she says shakily. I share a look with my dad.
“Mom, I appreciate the tea,” I start.
“But you want us to go,” she finishes.
“Yes.”
“I want you to call us tomorrow, or even better, get some food with us.” She puts all the cups in the sink and wipes the counter off. “Give Mara our love.”