Page 89 of Shifting Hearts 1
He expected nothing less as she stood aside to let him in. After walking up the stairs and standing in the door, he became lightheaded.
“Take these,” he grumbled as he shoved his wares into Mara’s arms.
A moment later he was on the floor.
“Of all the thoughtless shit.”
“He’s hurt, Mara.”
“So are you!” she seethed. “This is manipulative, and I won’t have him in this house.”
“For what it’s worth,” Brock began. “I don’t think him fainting in our living room was intentional.”
“Sure, take the side of your new buddy.”
Brock huffed, “You forget my abilities. I’m telling you, I’ve read him repeatedly. I truly believe he cares for Sera. He understands he fucked up. We have to trust our sister’s judgment. If this man is her soulmate, we can’t stand in their way.”
“I don’t like this. Vampires are insidious creatures.”
“You’re telling me,” Jas interrupted their conversation. “If I may speak in my defense. I know I fucked up. I was hoping to spend the evening with Seraphina.”
“You came for her blood, you dirty twisted, bloodsucker.”
“Calling me a bloodsucker is offensive to my kind,” he stated flatly.
Seraphina moved closer to him. “Enough, Mara. Please stop fighting. It hurts me when those I love are at odds with each other.”
“Love?” Mara fumed. “You don’t even know him!”
“You need to back off so I can.”
“Enough!” Brock roared. “I invited him to spend movie night with us.”
It had been a long time since Jas had engaged in something so seemingly mundane. Their bickering was frustrating, but he was glad to know that underneath it, their hearts were in the right place. They loved each other and that fierce protectiveness was merely an expression of it.
THIRTEEN
Seraphina
Two hundred years ago, Seraphina Chandler lived through a previous incarnation, one that had been kept from her as her soul was reborn as a celestial. She crossed paths with a gruff tavern owner named Jasper Conrad, and his choice ended her innocent life in the most brutal way. That moment sealed their fate in a time bubble.
They were all connected in a spiritual way. Edmond, who wooed her sister using a different guise stole her innocence. He robbed Seraphina of hers, though she retained her wings.
Mara held her reservations against her relationship with Jas, but agreed to keep her hostility in check for Seraphina’s sake. Brock remained vigilant, attempting to track the duke through his line.
“Are you ready for your surprise?” Jasper asked.
“Of course,” she enthused.
The long drive gave her time to reflect and think as he’d covered her eyes with his tie once they’d left work. They’d returned to work once Jasper’s office was redecorated, but now,they were on a one month leave of absence, so they could travel to his favorite places in the world.
“We’re here,” he said as the car stopped. “You can remove your blindfold.”
She eagerly did so and couldn’t believe her eyes. She blinked back tears as they climbed out of the car.
“How?”
“Do you like it?”
