Page 87 of Touch Of Fate

Epilogue

Archer

Idrop an invisibility spell. I can’t be too careful in a world full of technology. Whipping into the building parking lot, I park my bike in the shadows and take off my helmet, placing it on the seat. Standing still, I gaze up and take a deep breath. The business is empty except for the man I came here to see. Digging into his life, I uncovered many sins he has committed. Our guess that he has similar vices and disgusting habits as Jerry was true. He’s been the cause of many women’s nightmares and several deaths.

Leaving my gloves on, I brush my hair out of my face and center myself. Calling on a spell, I obscure the security cameras and make sure they can’t see any footage from the past hour. I walk across the parking lot and through the front door. Once I’m in the elevator, I cancel my spell, eager for the moment he sees me.

My brother, my friend, is happily bonded. Mara equals him in every way, and I’m thrilled they found each other. I left them to their happiness to take care of some unfinished business. My home has always been with Rome and his family. They took me in when I had nowhere or no one to depend on. I swore my loyalty to them, and now to Mara and her sister Lace. My magic may be less than Rome's, but not by much. I don’t call on my gifts often.

Tonight, I will.

I get off on the tenth floor and walk through the halls, counting down the offices until I reach his. Stopping at his door, I pause, preparing to call on the element of my warlock magic I seldom let out to play. When I do, bad things can happen. Opening the door, I enjoy his gasp of shock.

“Who the fuck?” he asks, jerking back in his chair.

“I heard you were looking for Jerry?” I walk toward his desk.

“Yes.” He frowns and starts to rise.

“Stop,” I command, and he freezes. “Sit down.” He eases back, under my control. “Do not move.” I walk behind him, looking at the documents and pictures in front of him. “It looks like you’ve been taking pictures of a bookstore.” I narrow my eyes. “And of my new sisters.” Mara and Lace are in several pictures, entering the store, and leaving. Rome is in a few, always close by. “Do you have more?”

“Yes,” he says.

“Get them.” He opens several drawers and places them on the desk. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Have you talked to anyone else about your suspicions?” I ask, moving them, and sitting on the wood.

“No.”

“Good.” I sigh and tilt my head. “Are you going to give up the search and leave them alone?”

“Jerry deserves justice,” he whispers.

“Hmm…” I wave my hand over all the papers, and they disappear. He huffs, yet he can’t move or say anything until I want him to. I can make him forget, but there is never a guarantee he won’t someday remember something that will set him off. His soul is black, filled with the pain of others, and I can’t allow him to hurt another woman. As much as I hate the repercussions of my magic, I will deal with it for my family and to stop his evil. I close my eyes and guide it. “What is your deepest fear?” I open my eyes and stare into his wide eyes.

“I—” He gulps, instinctively knowing he shouldn’t tell me.

“Don’t fight it. You won’t win.” I press my palm to his forehead. “I don’t need you to tell me.” I walk into his mind, sorting through his thoughts, and finding what I want. “Nightmares are a part of life, whether you are awake or asleep.” His breath labors as I push and pull at his fears. “Unfortunately for you, this will eventually kill you. For me, I won’t sleep well tonight, but my family will.” I open my mind to his and convince him he is living in his nightmare. “Dwell on your fears, your deepest, darkest fears,” I whisper. “They will be your only company.”

I leave him sitting in his chair, staring blankly at the wall, lost in a world of his own making. Moving quickly, I retrace my steps, ready to be in the fresh air. As I reach my bike, I put on my helmet, get on, and rev the engine. My spell falls away as I leave and speed away.

I have to get to the cabin I rented for a few days before the aftereffects begin. Protection is in place while I sleep off my magic.

I’m dreading it. Most people like to sleep. I hate it.

That is when my nightmares begin.