Page 25 of The Mating Fire
Jared nodded. “Now you understand.”
Forget logic and science. Harper stroked the crimson sweater, marveling at what happened. It was like Aladdin’s lamp and the genie was a fashion icon granting her wish.
Her hand fell to her lap. “I can’t do this. I couldn’t afford this sweater and stealing is wrong. I need to return it to the clothing store.”
Jared rolled his eyes. “My dear, you did not steal it. You imagined it. Nothing is missing from that store. What you wear is a copy, conjured from magick.”
Harper sucked in a breath. “You mean, I can simply wish for something, like clothing, and it appears and doesn’t vanish from the store?”
“It’s not wishing. It’s basic magick and all Others can do it. It’s in our DNA, especially for shapeshifters.”
“I’m a shapeshifter? This doesn’t make sense.”
“You are definitely a magick being, but I am not certain what kind you are, not yet.” He cocked his head. “But I intend to find out.”
Her fingers knotted in the delicious cashmere, anchoring her. All her life she’d clung to the practical side of life, having been raised by parents whose lives were as erratic as volcanic eruptions.
Perhaps that was why she enjoyed studying geology. Past pyroclastic flows were solid and steady, rocks she could analyze without worrying about their shifting behavior.
Rocks didn’t hurt your feelings.
Rocks didn’t kick you when you desperately needed reassurance.
He began to eat some of the bacon on his plate and sip his coffee. Jared gestured to her plate.
“Eat. It will get cold.”
Harper poked at the bacon as if it were a science experiment. “I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat.”
Amusement danced in his dark gaze. “You will now. Your body requires protein.”
Suddenly ravenous, she dug into the eggs, and sprinkling them with a heavy dose of hot sauce.
“Hot sauce. Why am I not surprised?” he murmured.
When she came up for air, he leaned back again. “Tell me Harper Ashley, why do you wish to become a volcanologist? Unusual field of study.”
“For a girl you mean?” She couldn’t help it, having heard other men state the same.
“For anyone, male or female. It’s quite limited as a career choice.”
“I’m good with facts and figures, but most of all, science. Geology fascinates me and I want to help people. Better predictions for when volcanoes erupt mean villages and towns can evacuate sooner, with less loss of life.”
“Such altruism.” He sounded mocking.
Harper wiped her mouth. “Serving others can be rewarding.”
“Where’s the reward in helping someone else?”
She pitied him, wondering at the bitterness in his tone. “It feels good to think of people other than yourself.”
“Did your adoptive parents teach you that? The humans who raised you?”
Not questioning how he knew about her parents, for she’d ask about that later, Harper fisted her hands. Her mother and father, the ones who adopted her, were triggers.
“They were too selfish to think of anyone other than themselves. Or me. They were too busy arguing with each other, accusing each other of cheating in their marriage, or indulging their addictions to gambling and alcohol.”
Now he did sit up and looked interested. “Addictions? What happened to you?”
