Page 82 of Shifting Hearts 1
Seraphina glanced apologetically at those behind them, as they grumbled about them cutting the line. The man waved them in without asking for ID or payment.
While the exterior was flat and nondescript, the club was alive. Colored lights reflected off the haze created by a fog machine near the stage. Hues of purple and red swirled around the couple’s dancing, as a man dressed like a devil controlled the music. He lured others to the floor with a seductive beat. Dancers grouped together, gyrating and twisting in salacious fashion.
A woman bumped into Seraphina and giggled as she tried to pull her into a dance. The angel evaded her gasp and walked up to the bar with her sibling. Mara glowed as she ordered a drink from the man behind the bar. He seemed equally taken with her.
“Mara’s taking her time with that one. I think they recognize it, but when two damaged souls come together, there are things that need to heal within them in order to move forward together.”
“But don’t two fractured souls heal each other?” she asked.
He nodded. “They can, but…”
She blinked at him quizzically. “But what?”
“Our soulmates complete us. We can be strong for each other, but we can’t carry someone else’s broken parts forever.”
“But we can help someone heal themselves, can’t we?”
Her gut churned as she waited for his wisdom. Not just for Mara, but herself. There wasn’t enough distance from the source of her pain to reconcile the hurt.
“What if one’s soulmate is the source of your pain? Can that be fixed?”
Brock’s gaze met hers. “You can’t fix someone who doesn’t realize they are broken. You can’t pull someone out of the darkness who isn’t willing to step into the light.”
His words sank the glimmer of hope she had. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
“It’s okay to cry,” he assured her.
She shook her head. Seraphina had cried enough. Jasper Conrad didn’t care enough to face her, so she wouldn’t care.
“I want a drink,” she stated.
Brock raised his brow, but didn’t question or stop her from approaching the bar. Mara turned and put her arm around her sister.
“This is, Sera, my sister.”
The man behind the bar with a deep scar on his face nodded in greeting. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“This is Angelo.”
“Hi.” Seraphina waved.
“Can I get you something?” he asked.
“Um. I’m not sure. I’ve never drank before.”
He nodded and turned away to prepare their drinks. The music made it hard to hear each other, so they waited in amicable silence, enjoying a song with a more upbeat tempo.
Seraphina swayed her hips to the beat, losing herself in the emotions it evoked without recognizing them. Angelo placed atall glass in front of her and winked at Mara as he handed her a cocktail.
“What is this?” she shouted over the music.
“Cranberry, pineapple, orange, and club soda.”
She smiled brightly and took a sip. The fruit juice was a delicious cocktail, while soda bubbles exploded on her tongue, tickling her taste buds.
She shivered and traded looks with Mara as an eerie piano tune filled the air. The DJ seemed deflated as he stared blankly into the crowd. A cold chill ran down Seraphina’s spine as the energy in the club shifted. A soul emanating darkness had entered.
A man placed his hand on her lower back, filling her with a sense of dread. She turned and blinked up at a familiar face—Jasper’s friend.
