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

to him in this form even as she had been earlier in the evening. What was wrong with her? There was something about being in his presence which gave her peace. She pursed her lips. That couldn’t be right.
    “I can read your mind.”
    She glanced at him, then at the water. “Thank you for what you said.”
    He nodded.
    “How did you find me?”
    He smiled, his teeth bright against the bronze of his skin. “You touched me.”
    She cringed. Every time she used her gift a little piece of her remained, at least for a little while. He shouldn’t still share a connection with her, at least not enough where he could find her at will. There was one other possibility, but once the seed settled in the back of her mind, it was hard to uproot. Maybe if it were someone else, a human or an Other not on the Council.
    But Simon? God. He was the reason the Council went nuts on her and her brother didn’t even put up a fight. That was probably the most damning of all. Even her brother didn’t think she was worth protecting.
    “I’m sorry.” The water seemed much more inviting.
    “Dana.” He switched to telepathy. Please. His bright green eyes implored her.
    She squeezed her eyes shut. If he hadn’t been so powerful, if the Elders and the Wise Widows hadn’t been present. If she had control of her gift.
    It wasn’t your fault.
    But it was . If she hadn’t touched him, he wouldn’t need to astral project right now.
    I wouldn’t be here period.
    Her eyes snapped open at that.
    You gave me a second chance. If you hadn’t grabbed me, I would’ve fallen to my death. His words held a ring of truth. Whenever the Council met, it was always on the edge of the city. The ancient meeting hall where they convened had been built into the side of a cliff with a more modern balcony that overlooked jagged rocks. With the recent rash of storms, the supports to the balcony had weakened and Simon had fallen. Since she was the closest, she had to save him. He was part of the Council.
    I should’ve worn my gloves.
    I’m glad you didn’t. Warmth caressed her cheek and she went still. His touch was reminiscent of a dream, a recurring dream. One she’d had since her parents died.
    Shaken, she swung her leg over the bar, straddling the metal. Once she stood on the sidewalk again, his image dissolved until there was nothing left.
    Thank you.
    Nodding, she stepped away from the rail, jammed her hands in her pockets and headed toward home. Had he been in her dream? And why wait until now to reveal who he was? The same gentle stroke whispered against her skin. She hesitated. Maybe because it was so close to Halloween, she questioned what she dreamed. She resumed walking.
    Even as she worried about her dream, hairs rose on the back of her neck. Faint footsteps scraped and echoed on the pavement behind her. She whirled, her hands balled into fists just in front of her face while she shifted her weight to the balls of her feet.
    Nothing but air.
    A shiver ran down her spine as a thin laugh trilled on the wind.
    She cast a glance around and breathed deep, a surge of adrenaline giving her powers a quick boost. All she needed was a target. Nothing moved, not even the shadows. She concentrated, examining each person in the vicinity with a light and easy touch. Everything was as it should be, and she resumed walking. So why did her surroundings seem off?
    Dana didn’t breathe easy until she was safely ensconced in her loft apartment. She traced the intricate design of eagles’ feathers forming triangles within a circle on the back of her door, an old protection symbol someone had carved into the wood.
    She looked around her home. Every room, every door, every window held a protection symbol of sorts, even her bed. A dreamcatcher hung above the headboard, while symbols were woven into the thick blue and pink bedspread. No matter what went on during her day, the moment she slipped beneath the covers, all her worries drained away and she slept with peace.
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