Page 274 of Shifting Hearts 1
Finally, after the bar closed, she joined them. Em introduced Morgan to Jess.
“Cousin?”
“Yes,” Jess said.
“Okay, cousin. Nice to meet you.”
Jess chuckled. “So this is your vampire friend?”
“What do you mean?”
“Alice told me.”
“Oh, just don’t tell my dad,” Em said, and the look on her face made me feel ashamed of who I’d become. Would she ever forgive me?
Jess stayed for a while, and I hated how Morgan watched him. There were times it seemed they might kiss. One evening, I had to watch them head to the park downstairs while Paul and Em were at it again. I didn’t know what to feel.
“I spoke to Em,” Jess finally said.
“About what?”
“About the way you froze when you saw me.”
She sighed.
“She didn’t answer, so something tells me she doesn’t know.”
“Know what?”
“You know her father, don’t you? You thought I was Jericho when he walked in.”
“She showed me a photo.”
“Stop lying to me, Natasha.”
“What, are you a lie detector?”
“Yup. I see colors when people speak. Lies are red. You just told a big one.”
Morgan didn’t speak.
“How do you know him?”
“Long time ago. He doesn’t know me.”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he doesn’t. For him, we never met. Only I remember.”
Jess hummed. “Interesting. You didn’t lie. Explain it?”
“No, it doesn’t matter. I can’t do that specific thing anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because of a witch.”
“Say no more,” Jess sighed. “My uncle goes on about vampires, but it’s witches I’m scared of.”
