Page 39 of Dreams Of Fate

I will eliminate the ones who put it there.

We enter the store to chaos. There are two customers frozen from Rome's power. Mara’s back is pressed against his chest, and he's pulling her away. Mateo’s arm is banded around Lace’s waist, holding her back. Both witches are yelling at a man and a woman who must be Savy’s parents.

They're glaring at Mara and Lace, their expressions filled with a mixture of glee and hatred. The woman has brown hair, a slim build, and is wearing at least a pound of jewelry. The man is tall, has slicked-back blond hair, and is wearing a suit. His frame is wiry, and the clothes are too big.

Savy’s lips are parted, and she’s frozen in shock.

“Where the hell have you been?” her mom snaps.

“Control these women.” Her dad switches his glare to Savy.

I walk around my bond and stop in front of the couple. Calling on my spell, I hold their gaze.

“Sit down, and shut the fuck up,” I hiss. Their minds are easy to control, and they walk stiffly to the couch. As they drop to the cushion, I turn to Rome. “Unfreeze them, and get them out.”

He nods. “Are you calm?” he asks Mara.

“I'll be once they're gone.” She sneers toward the sitting area.

“Let’s get the humans out of the store first.” I look at Mateo and Lace. “Sister, find some control.”

“Fine,” she snaps, brushing down her skirt as Mateo releases her. “I don’t like them.”

“I think I got that,” I say dryly.

“They're really mean.” Mateo crosses his arms.

Rome cancels his magic, and the customers continue as if nothing happened. He can hold anyone in a frozen state for short periods of time. Most wouldn’t notice the difference in time. They must sense something because they make selections quickly. I don’t know where everyone was in the room before we came. I’m sure it’s odd that they didn’t see anyone move, yet they're in different positions. Hopefully, they will not dwell on it. Humans easily explain the things they don’t understand.

I move back to Savy as Mara rings up their selections. She's staring at her parents, and I can’t tell what she's feeling. She tilts her head, looking at me.

“That was fantastic,” she whispers. “I wish I had your gift. I would have used it on them daily.”

I shake my head. “Glad you enjoyed it.”

“Have a great day,” Mara says. She waits until the last customer leaves and hurries to the front door. Locking it, she turns off the open sign and points to Savy’s parents. “I don’t like them either. She came stomping in, demanding to see you, and we pretended not to know you. She called us on our lie, turned up her nose, and asked again for her, ‘ungrateful daughter.’ She threatened to use her magic on us if we didn’t get you here.” She huffs out a breath and crosses her arms.

Lace moves forward. “Your dad is a piece of work. His nose couldn’t get any higher in the air as he looked around the store. He accused Mateo of stealing his daughter and threatened all of us.”

“Why didn’t you freeze them?” I ask Rome.

“I was trying to control my bond, the customers, and myself. I didn’t know if Savy would be mad if I hurt them, but I wanted to,” he grumbles.

“I wouldn’t be mad,” Savy sighs. “I’m sorry you had to deal with them.”

“Are you ready now?” I ask.

“I suppose.” She moves toward the couch, stopping on the other side of the coffee table. “Okay.” She rolls her shoulders.

I walk to her side and pull my magic back.

Her dad glares. “What the hell?”

“Archer, this is Travis and Betty. My parents.”

“What did you do to us?” Betty snarls.

“Careful.” I cross my arms. “I’ll do it again. Be nice.”