Free Love's Deadly Touch by W. Lynn Chantale
Authors: W. Lynn Chantale
LOVE’S DEADLY TOUCH
W. Lynn Chantale
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
She was a menace. Those words echoed through her head even as Dana stared into the swirling dark waters below. A menace, a threat, someone to be feared, all because she could no longer control one power. One silly little power. The foamy waves crashed and collided, fighting with the large rocks when the river receded enough for them to be visible.
The Council compared her to the raging river. Worthwhile, beautiful, yet with a deadly calm lurking below the surface. She sniffled and swiped at the moisture drenching her cheeks. Even her brother, her twin brother, hadn’t come to her defense, instead choosing to remain passive.
She lifted a slim shoulder and dashed at the tears dripping down her chin. Things would be better all around if she were no longer part of this world. Closing her eyes, she gripped the thick rail, the metal hard and cold beneath her palms. Somehow the wrought iron seemed an inadequate barrier to the chaotic river below. Anyone with enough will could easily climb over and step into oblivion.
Crisp fall air lifted her chin-length hair and whipped it around her face. Half-turning, she stared at the traffic. Again, another tangle of wrought iron and chain-link fence seemed flimsy as a deterrent, but she guessed it worked.
With a sigh, she pressed her fingertips to her temples. Ever since the meeting her brother Danny kept trying to talk to her telepathically and she ignored him, but the effort to keep him from her thoughts was wearing down her resolve.
Everywhere she looked people were paired off. Groups of families, couples laughing or stealing affectionate kisses, even the homeless shuffling along the dim sidewalk had a partner to call his own.
And her...
She returned her attention to the water. Nothing. And after the fiasco at the Council meeting, her dream was even further out of reach.
Reach.
She stared at her hands. Her short, but slim fingers were encased in custom leather gloves. Specially made to keep her from hurting anyone. Yeah, thanks Danny. Despite the hand covering she could still feel the sizzle coursing through her veins, running beneath her skin like the current from a switch. If she could control her talent again, then she wouldn’t need to wear the damn gloves.
Once more she faced the street. Life ebbed and flowed. Enchantment shimmered in the air as tangible as the bright glittering diamonds hanging from the black canopy of the sky. Filmy white tendrils splayed across the dull yellow moon, obscuring what little illumination it yielded. Brief flashes of color tugged at the corner of her eye and she glanced toward a mage demonstrating a light show with just the tips of his fingers. The spark and splendor was enough to garner ohhs and ahhs from the onlookers.
Her lips eased into a smile, yet it didn’t quite reach her heart. Magic vibrated and hummed in the air. In a city where humans and Others co-existed, she lived on the fringe of being an outcast. Her talent, while rare, set her apart, and her recent inability to focus it left her a target.
And there was no one to protect her.
Dana shifted her focus to the water, again. To whom much is given, much is required, were the words her parents lived...and died by. A tear dripped from her lashes. Right now she’d give anything to have them back.
A soft whimper floated on the breeze, the wind seeming to hold its breath as she swung one leg over the rail. Life just hadn’t been the same since her parents died. She hadn’t been the same. Her gift hadn’t been the same and the one person she thought she could count on...
She tossed her other leg over the rail, balancing her weight on her hands and butt. Her feet dangled a few inches above the ledge.
The buzzing increased. The effort required to keep him out of her head was making her temples throb and if she didn’t answer him soon, she was headed for a nosebleed.
I really
W. Lynn Chantale
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
She was a menace. Those words echoed through her head even as Dana stared into the swirling dark waters below. A menace, a threat, someone to be feared, all because she could no longer control one power. One silly little power. The foamy waves crashed and collided, fighting with the large rocks when the river receded enough for them to be visible.
The Council compared her to the raging river. Worthwhile, beautiful, yet with a deadly calm lurking below the surface. She sniffled and swiped at the moisture drenching her cheeks. Even her brother, her twin brother, hadn’t come to her defense, instead choosing to remain passive.
She lifted a slim shoulder and dashed at the tears dripping down her chin. Things would be better all around if she were no longer part of this world. Closing her eyes, she gripped the thick rail, the metal hard and cold beneath her palms. Somehow the wrought iron seemed an inadequate barrier to the chaotic river below. Anyone with enough will could easily climb over and step into oblivion.
Crisp fall air lifted her chin-length hair and whipped it around her face. Half-turning, she stared at the traffic. Again, another tangle of wrought iron and chain-link fence seemed flimsy as a deterrent, but she guessed it worked.
With a sigh, she pressed her fingertips to her temples. Ever since the meeting her brother Danny kept trying to talk to her telepathically and she ignored him, but the effort to keep him from her thoughts was wearing down her resolve.
Everywhere she looked people were paired off. Groups of families, couples laughing or stealing affectionate kisses, even the homeless shuffling along the dim sidewalk had a partner to call his own.
And her...
She returned her attention to the water. Nothing. And after the fiasco at the Council meeting, her dream was even further out of reach.
Reach.
She stared at her hands. Her short, but slim fingers were encased in custom leather gloves. Specially made to keep her from hurting anyone. Yeah, thanks Danny. Despite the hand covering she could still feel the sizzle coursing through her veins, running beneath her skin like the current from a switch. If she could control her talent again, then she wouldn’t need to wear the damn gloves.
Once more she faced the street. Life ebbed and flowed. Enchantment shimmered in the air as tangible as the bright glittering diamonds hanging from the black canopy of the sky. Filmy white tendrils splayed across the dull yellow moon, obscuring what little illumination it yielded. Brief flashes of color tugged at the corner of her eye and she glanced toward a mage demonstrating a light show with just the tips of his fingers. The spark and splendor was enough to garner ohhs and ahhs from the onlookers.
Her lips eased into a smile, yet it didn’t quite reach her heart. Magic vibrated and hummed in the air. In a city where humans and Others co-existed, she lived on the fringe of being an outcast. Her talent, while rare, set her apart, and her recent inability to focus it left her a target.
And there was no one to protect her.
Dana shifted her focus to the water, again. To whom much is given, much is required, were the words her parents lived...and died by. A tear dripped from her lashes. Right now she’d give anything to have them back.
A soft whimper floated on the breeze, the wind seeming to hold its breath as she swung one leg over the rail. Life just hadn’t been the same since her parents died. She hadn’t been the same. Her gift hadn’t been the same and the one person she thought she could count on...
She tossed her other leg over the rail, balancing her weight on her hands and butt. Her feet dangled a few inches above the ledge.
The buzzing increased. The effort required to keep him out of her head was making her temples throb and if she didn’t answer him soon, she was headed for a nosebleed.
I really
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