Free Love's Deadly Touch by W. Lynn Chantale Page A

don’t want to talk right now, Danny.
    What are you doing? Tension and fear made his voice sharp and clipped.
    She looked up at the sky, not wanting her brother to find her too fast. At one time she thought it was cool that her family, her entire lineage were given such a high-ranking seat on the Council. Her family were protectors of the innocent, entrusted with the safety of humans and Others alike.
    The wind buffeted her face. But not her. Her talents didn’t extend to tracking and shutting down Others who abused their gifts or worse, vanquishing those who could not be redeemed. Oh she could read minds, and move things with just a thought, which was common. She even had some empathetic abilities or could bend someone’s will to hers. Those things she could handle.. She’d honed those skills until they required little effort on her part. But her talent, the one that set her apart was rare, coveted and deadly.
    I had my reasons.
    She rolled her eyes. So he was going to justify pulling his support with reasons. I don’t care. You made your choice.
    Dana.
    Danny. She infused as much weariness in her voice as she could. Just tell the Council I won’t be a problem anymore.
    A shudder of sadness rolled through her. His gasp was enough to kick at her guilt, but he had Telly to watch over him.
    Before he could send any more thoughts, she disconnected their link and slammed the door shut.
    “I’m sorry,” Dana whispered.
    The wind picked up, tugging at her clothes like invisible fingers jerking at the back of her jacket to keep her from going over the edge. She paused. This wasn’t Danny. A flutter of joy sang through her veins and she quickly squashed it. No. There was no match for her, no man willing to brave her wayward gift.
    Even if she could regain control, why should she? The price of using her powers left her vulnerable and with it being so near to Halloween she couldn’t afford to use her gift, at least not this year.
    Then don’t.
    Startled, she nearly fell off the rail. Once again she had the sensation of hands holding her in place. Definitely not Danny. Her brother was powerful, and most of the time protective, but this, this energy left her edgy, expectant and craving more, like something she’d missed her entire life and was now getting a glimpse of. A flutter of hope knocked at her heart and she dismissed the notion. There was no one for her, no matter how much she yearned for someone.
    A ripple, a presence—not unfamiliar, but definitely unexpected—brushed her mind, embraced her. She was helpless to resist his allure, but she fought anyway.
    Get outta my head.
    He chuckled, the soft sound unfurling, chasing away her earlier melancholy and warming her right down to her toes. If she could bask in the sensation for longer than an eternity the time still wouldn’t be enough.
    Not until you get off the ledge.
    The pull at her back was more insistent and Dana tightened her grip on the rail. How had he known where she was? She glanced around. No one was paying her a lick of attention, yet she felt his presence.
    And if I don’t? She tilted her chin in defiance.
    Energy crackled and swirled around her. She sucked in her breath. For a second the image of a man wavered before her vision. Her heart skipped a beat.
    Broad shoulders encased in black, his shoulder-length ebony hair was held back at the nape with a leather tie. A sigh parted her lips. Very few were able to astral project and given her state at the moment she was surprised he attempted.
    Still, as his strong square jaw and slightly crooked nose formed beside her, her pulse quickened. He’d defended her.
    “Simon?” She spoke aloud, too stunned to do otherwise.
    He nodded, the wind teasing a loose lock of hair. She longed to reach out and smooth it back in place.
    “In the flesh.” He grinned. “So to speak.”
    She looked away. Now that he was standing next to her, could she go through with her plan? She edged closer to him, inexplicably drawn