Page 220 of Shifting Hearts 1
She’s about the same age Morgan was when you met her,Annie added, glancing at me carefully.
It’s not her,I signed, firm.
We know,Annie signed gently.But there’s someone walking around here who looks exactly like her, and she’s a vampire. We need to know if you’re okay with that.
I hesitated, then nodded once. But inside, I was already unraveling.
Dom shifted.What if it is her?
Dom, don’t,Annie signed quickly.We wouldn’t have remembered. Just like we didn’t remember when Jace had that ability. Em and Ryan wouldn’t be here if it is her.
Dom shrugged.Still. Gabby doesn’t just see her. She talks to her in the visions. And how many times has she said it’s Morgan?
It’s not!Annie signed hard.
I’m just saying,Dom signed. You should text her.
No,Annie signed firmly.If I text Gabby, she’ll raise hell. It’s not Morgan.
I stayed quiet.
She was right. It couldn’t have been Morgan.
But my gut still twisted as I wondered how similar did she look to my late lock pass.
I didn’t goto Em.
Even after Annie told me I should.
Instead, I took a shower, trying to drown the noise in my head. But it didn’t help. My thoughts kept circling the same damn thing, this vampire girl Em brought home. The one who apparently looks like Morgan.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. My daughter, who barely knows her real mother, managed to find a best friend who’s her mirror image. It should’ve been impossible.
But nothing about this life has ever made sense.
I got dressed. Clean shirt, dark slacks. Threw on a watch I didn’t care about.
Downstairs, the holiday mixer was already in full swing. Christmas music played in the background drowned by laughter from our guests. Warm lights strung around the vaulted ceilings. Fireplaces roaring in every room. A picture-perfect celebration.
But I didn’t feel any of it.
I scanned the crowd. No sign of the girl yet.
Mel walked over, handed me a Chivas. Neat. Just the way I liked it.
“You made it,” she said, half-smile on her face.
“Yeah,” I said, sipping. “Apparently I didn’t have a choice.”
The front door opened again.
Ryan walked in. He wasn’t alone.
There was a woman with him. Human. And two kids.
Mel let out a squeal and wrapped her arms around him, practically shaking the poor kid. Irene wasn’t far behind, kissing his cheek like she hadn’t seen him in years.
Then it was Dom and Annie, his cousins, everyone was happy that he was home.
