Page 68 of Vampire's Hearth

Jade gazed out the window before shaking her head and squeezing my hand. “You’re my best friend. That’s the only reason I’m not running straight to your High Priestess. But I feel like I’m betraying everything I’ve been taught.”

I smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I’m the High Priestess Heir, so technically, you’re following orders.”

We both laughed, though the tension lingered in the air. I desperately wanted to change the subject and shake off the heaviness. The words echoed in my mind. I had set a path for our coven and was seeing it through. In my heart, I knew this was right.

“So,” I said, my voice lightening, “why don’t we head into town and grab a drink? Maybe Mac can come along. He probably needs some fresh clothes by now.”

Jade laughed and tilted her head.

“What? But wait until I tell you about Ireland!”

A smile broke out on Jade’s lips. “I’m still so jealous you took Lyra instead of me!” Her sarcasm rang through her words. “Next thing you know, she’ll be your best friend.”

Within the hour, Mac, Jade, and I had driven into the city. Jade and I sat at a table in a quaint little restaurant, drinks in front of us, while Mac wandered off in search of a wardrobe for the next few days.

“So,” Jade started, her eyes gleaming with mischief, “I guess the topic of blood is off the table, but everything else is fair game?”

My heart leaped as a smile crept onto my lips. “Everything else is fair game, as always.”

Jade grinned like a Cheshire cat. “How was he?”

I sipped my drink, heat growing in my cheeks, a lopsided grin plastered to my lips.

“That good, huh?” she teased.

I nodded, setting my glass down. “Okay, enough about me. What about you and your man?”

She crossed her arms, her face softening. “Things are going well. I still haven’t figured out how to explain the whole coven thing to him, but otherwise, we’re good.” She let out a small sigh.

“When do I get to meet him?” I pressed. “It’s been months.” I couldn’t remember the last time it had been this long before I had met someone Jade was dating, and curiosity burned in the pit of my stomach.

Jade shook her head, a small laugh escaping her. “It is hard with his work schedule being nights. It didn’t help that someone ran off for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll bring him to the plantation and give him the full tour.”

I crinkled my forehead and sat back in my chair. “That might be one way to introduce him to the coven—or make him think you’re ready for marriage.” My smirk caused us both to burst into laughter. “Just don’t bring him around during the full moon,” I warned, half joking. “Introducing him during a ritual could be problematic.”

Jade’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Don’t worry. I’m not that careless.”

Our laughter faded away as the shadow of what the next full moon could bring fell over us. “We should probably head back to the plantation soon,” I said, pushing away the inexplicable unease in my chest. “Let me check on Mac.”

Jade nodded, and I pulled out my phone, dialing Mac’s number.

“Aurora?” he answered, his voice strained.

“We were just about to head back to the plantation. Where are you?” I asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” he grunted.

Why was he being evasive? My heartbeat sped up as I grasped my phone. “Are you okay?”

“Rory, just go home. I’ll meet you there later. Please.” His plea cut through me.

Before I could argue, the line went dead. I stared at the phone, the sinking feeling growing stronger. “Something’s not right.” The knot in my stomach grew with each passing moment.

Jade glanced at the pendulum around my neck, her jaw clenched. “Then let’s find him.”

I hesitated, the pendulum growing heavy. There was only one way dowsing for him without something of his would work. What if I was wrong about how he felt about me? “I’m not sure using a supernatural GPS locator is what we need right now.”

Jade leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “What good is being a powerful witch if you can’t use your power to help the people you care about?” She reached her fingers across the table, brushing the obsidian. “And you love him, don’t you?”

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