Page 87 of Shifting Hearts 1
“You didn’t fail them,” Jas assured him.
Mating for his kind led to a shared emotional veil. With Seraphina’s blood freshly coursing through his veins; her secrets, inner turmoils, and desires became his. He felt her every joy and sorrow, carrying them as they were now his.
Her blood showed me.
“Don’t bullshit me. We both know your intentions have never been honorable with her.”
What could he say when the angel was right? He’d yearned for her, wanting to possess her and sought to corrupt her. His fantasies were sick and twisted before he even knew her name. He was ashamed of how he’d treated her.
After seeing her chained to his desk, he never wanted to recreate that again. In fact, he would redecorate the entire office to erase the physical space, as the memory would remain with him for eternity.
“True, but that was before.”
“You do understand that I’m an angel of justice. But it isn’t my forgiveness you need to earn. It comes from her. You’ve hurt her. If she chooses to return home, I won’t force her to stay.”
It would kill him to lose her. “I will forever put her needs before mine.”
Brock looked from the despondent vampire to his sister. Jas watched as he placed his hand over her heart, emanating light into her chest.
“She can’t live with your poison inside her.”
He waved his hand and her body jolted as though being shocked.
He repeated the movement, placing his hand over her heart again as the light entered her body, causing her heart to glow. Another wave and her body jolted.
Seraphina gasped as she inhaled sharply and her heart was in arrhythmia.
“Thank you,” Jasper said.
“Don’t thank me, vampire. I didn’t do this for you.”
TWELVE
Jas
Summer slipped into fall and though Jas and Brock made a formidable team, hunting the missing duke.
“You’ve known him for hundreds of years. Think.”
Jasper ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “There is a bond that forms between a vamp and his or her sire. As a member of his line I’m privy to certain knowledge, but there are things even I never knew.”
“What about my sister?” the angel demanded.
He crossed his arms, shielding himself as the separation from Seraphina had taken its toll. He needed to prioritize her healing as he’d caused her enough harm. As a member of his line, the truth behind his transformation was revealed to her.
He’d found her in the shower with her broken wings wrapped around her, as her soulbreaking sobs echoed off the tile. The steam rose around her like a dancing manifestation of her sorrow. He stripped off his clothes and joined her, holding her against his broad chest.. He bathed her and washed her hair, as she blinked through her tears.
It broke his heart to watch her suffer in silence, locking herself away from the world. He promised that he would take her and show her all the colors and beauty outside the city. She deserved more than the walls of his penthouse and Conramor headquarters.
For the first time, Jasper’s choices had real consequences. He couldn’t remain indifferent. His heart would beat for her until the end of time.
“Jasper Conrad didn’t have a soul to save. Seraphina offered me salvation and I spat in her face. I treated her shamefully and she almost died to bring me back from the very depths of Hell. I don’t deserve her.”
“Don’t you think she deserves consideration. Maybe instead of making demands, you should ask her what she desires.”
“How can I when all roads with me lead toward damnation.”
The angel shook his head. “I’ve seen evil. You made detestable choices for which Hell is the place you belong. However, you received a chance at redemption. Instead of trying to make it up to my sister, you’re here.”
