What the Heart Desires

  Heaven couldn’t believe what he was saying, though it made perfect sense. It explained why he stared at her when he came into the room. He’d picked up on her surprise.

  It also explained why she and her sisters used to see him everywhere they went. He could find them in a heartbeat, could sense their mood, and even see if any danger lurked in the shadows.

  “So how did you and my mother become connected? Nate was her Keeper. I thought a Seeker only had one in a lifetime.”

  Mason opened his mouth to answer, but her mother held up her hand, signaling for him to allow her to speak. “You’re partially right, Heaven. A Keeper is created for every female Seeker, and it is with this one Keeper that she will have the closest connection. If a Seeker loses her Keeper to the dark path or because he gave his life for her, she’s given a Successor.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her mother motioned for Mason to answer. “A Successor is a Keeper that is bound to no one. We are created to be replacements for Seekers who lose their Keepers. Some of us never get assigned a Seeker, but when we do, it’s like a switch flips. We instantly know everything about her life, including how to find her.”

  “I thought all Psi had soulmates.” She could have sworn her mother or Delia told her as much. Mason’s folded brows and tight jaw said she misunderstood or had been misinformed.

  Mason pressed his lips together, like he wasn’t sure he should answer, but he finally did. “Most Keepers don’t have a mate because of their devotion to their Seeker. She’s his sole focus. That’s why a lot of mated Keepers are part of the unfortunate pair. Not all, but many.”

  “Are Delia and Layla’s Keepers mated?”

  When Mason shook his head, she studied the energy between Layla and her Keeper. It was similar to the pulse between her and Layne, but not as vibrant.

  “Let me see if I have this straight. Nate was created for my mom, much like Spencer was for Delia and Isaac was for Layla. When he chose the dark path, you came into the picture. If Delia and Layla lost their Keepers, they would get a Successor too?”

  “That’s correct,” Mason answered. “The same would have happened if your Keeper had died from the arrow wound. You would have been assigned a Successor.”

  The thought made Heaven’s stomach sink. She’d come too close to being assigned a Successor. Had Layne not recovered from the arrow wound…

  Layne’s energy swirled around her. Its heat warmed her soul, chasing away the chill the thought of losing him caused. She prayed no harm would come to him, even though she knew there would be other battles. The war building between her and Nate was far from over. Her Keeper would have to defend her again.

  An acidic taste filled her mouth. The more she swallowed, the more it crept up her throat. She couldn’t lose Layne. Despite how loyal or impassioned a Successor would be, it wouldn’t make him her Keeper. It wouldn’t make him the one God created for her. That honor fell to Layne.

  No other Keeper would be good enough. Not for her protection. Not for her heart.

  CHAPTER 9

  Distant murmuring filtered inside Heaven’s old room from underneath the door. She didn’t know who was speaking or what was being said, but every so often, laughter echoed through the hall. All the emotions she sensed vibrated with happiness.

  Over the last week, they developed an evening routine with no intent on doing so. Dinner by five. Cleanup right after. Adalyn’s feeding at six-thirty while everyone else gathered in the den.

  Well, almost everyone…

  As she hovered over the bassinet, the bedroom door came into view. Energy rippled on the other side, the same as anytime she went to feed her daughter. And like those times before, the heat within it beckoned her to the hall.

  Though she wanted to give in to the tug, she refocused on Adalyn, placing her in the bassinet. The lack of warmth they’d built between them caused her to whimper, but she settled soon after.

  Relieved to know her daughter was okay, she found the video monitor and pressed the power button. It was, by far, one of the best baby gifts she’d received from her family since coming home. She grabbed the hand-held unit off the base and checked on Adalyn once more. Her daughter’s vibrations hummed slow and steady, like it always did when she was sound asleep. It was nothing like the energy on the other side of the door, the way it increased in intensity the closer she grew.

  She stopped short of the handle to readjust her dress. No matter how many times she pulled the hem, the fabric wouldn’t cover any more of her body. It felt weird to show this much skin. Granted, the sundresses she wore last year were more revealing, but she’d gotten used to her maternity clothes. Even since giving birth, she lived in her yoga pants and t-shirts, anything loose fitting. This dress was anything but.

  At least it fit well. Guess wearing those loose-fitting clothes hid her weight loss. Aside from a couple stretch marks, little remained to prove she’d been pregnant. Her body had fully healed, her figure, back to normal.

  Regardless of whether her curves had returned, awkwardness still consumed her. Maybe she’d slip out to the cottage and change before it grew late. Then she could enjoy the rest of the evening in comfort.

  When she entered the hall, she greeted Layne with a smile. She didn’t miss the way his eyes moved down her body and back. The fire in his soul grew stronger. And just like a moth, she was drawn to the flame.

  She approached him once the door clicked closed behind her. His body lost its rigidness the closer she grew. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” He kept his voice to a minimum, but the vibrant beat of his energy spoke of the relief he felt to be near her. “Is she asleep?”

  “Like a baby.”

  He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “You have the monitor?”

  “Don’t I always?”

  She flashed him the hand-held unit before lowering her hand back to her side. He was worse than Dylan on making sure Adalyn was safe and sound. It must have been his Keeper instincts, because her mom and Delia confirmed what she suspected. Layne would be her daughter’s temporary Keeper until the one created for her came along.

  “I think she’ll be out for a little while. Are you ready to walk downstairs?”

  “Yeah.” He gave her a quick nod and rounded the corner to the back staircase. She followed close behind, debating on whether to ask him what was wrong. Something else was on his mind, something that had nothing to do with her daughter but everything to do with her.

  They made it to the top step when she grabbed his hand and drew him back to the hall. “Hey…” She whispered the word as she reached for his face. His skin warmed her palm when she touched his jaw. The muscles within flinched under her hand. “Is everything okay?”

  His shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I think so. I feel a little off tonight.”

  It wasn’t like him to admit such a statement. Not without some prying on her end. Still cupping his jaw, she laced her other hand with his. Their energy merged together, but he didn’t form a flame. He did nothing but stare at her.

  “What’s wrong, Layne?”

  Questions wavered inside him, though he didn’t ask them aloud. Instead, he gazed at their joined hands. “It seems as though you’ve adjusted to Mason being here.”

  “I’m doing okay with it. It’s not like he’s a stranger I have to get to know. I’ve known him all my life. Kinda like you and Isaac.” She thought about his previous reaction to Isaac’s presence. When he looked away, she tapped her fingers against his neck. “Is everything okay between you and him? You seemed disgruntled by his presence when we came back last week.”

  “Only because it seems like the more we figure things out, the more secrets come to light. Isaac and me are good.”

  He grew quiet, as far as speaking, but his energy spoke what his lips refused to say. Something about the other Keepers worried him. She didn’t know what, nor did she sense he wanted to discuss it. So much for thinking this conversation would happen without prying info out of him.


  “What’s on your mind, Layne, and don’t you dare say nothing because I’m tuned into you.”

  “I know you are. I feel you.”

  “You feel me?” She repeated his answer, unsure of what he meant. He’d never said anything like it before now.

  Nodding once, he leaned his face into her hand and reached for hers. His fingers trailed across her cheek, teasing her skin. After tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he worked his hand down her arm. The heat inside him increased as he struggled to form words.

  “I’ve always felt the pull of your soul, but something happened that day at the cabin when I told you that I wanted to deepen our friendship. Ever since then, the pull has increased. It’s like I’m more attuned to you. When you’re reading me, I feel your energy melding with mine. I’ve tried to stop it, but I can’t.”

  The admission was shocking, to say the least, but it relieved her mind too. “It’s our connection, Layne. It’s getting stronger, just like our parents said it would.”

  “So we’re getting in sync?”

  She chuckled this time, stroking the length of his jaw. “Yes, we’re getting in sync, just like we’re supposed to.” As much as the news made her happy, she sensed it hadn’t done the same for him.

  His hand curled around hers, removing it from his face before he turned toward the staircase. She feared he would leave for the den without going into further detail, but he came to a stop a foot away.

  “I’ve been watching the other Keepers for the last week. The way they interact with our mothers…” He grew quiet again. The pulse of his energy burned hotter. Then he pivoted on his heel. “I’ve seen the way they watch our moms. The intensity in their eyes, the expressions on their face… Do I look at you like that?”

  The question made her face heat. If she answered yes, would it embarrass him? If she answered no, would he sense her lie? She didn’t want to lie. They’d had their share of deceit, and she refused to add to the madness.

  “Does it matter if you do or don’t? You look at me the way you’re meant to. With devotion, attentiveness, and compassion, all the qualities a good Keeper needs.”

  Her answer didn’t appease him. She could tell by his grimace. “The night before we left for the cabin, my dad confirmed what you and Delia said, about deepening our connection and getting in sync. But he said something else. About me. About how I’m supposed to feel.” The weight of his gaze fell on her face. It had her holding her breath, anxious to hear what he’d say.

  And just as he parted his lips, the doorbell chimed.

  * * *

  Heaven stood between Layne and Dylan near the sliding glass door. The second she and Layne came downstairs, her husband ushered them to their current spot. He made Layne swear to whisk her away at the first sign of trouble. Her Keeper agreed, but not until Dylan promised to go back for Adalyn.

  Between their rapid vibrations, it was impossible to read whoever had arrived. Granted, she worried about who was at the door, much like they were, but they had to be blowing this out of proportion. It wasn’t as if The Fallen would come knocking on the door like the Avon lady, asking politely to see her.

  Mason came into view as she shifted her attention to the sofa where her mom was sitting. He was focused on something—or pissed. Yet when he turned back around, he glanced at her. The curl of his lips signaled no danger awaited them.

  “It’s okay, guys. She’s safe. I believe our guests are someone we all know and trust.”

  Neither Dylan nor Layne seemed convinced of his words. Dylan kept his back pressed to her chest, shielding her body with his. Layne’s palms remained curled around her hips in preparation to whisk her away. She peered at him over her shoulder, but footsteps sounded from the doorway. Her father came walking through. He searched the room until he found her.

  “Someone is here to see you.”

  When he left the doorway, she noticed a smile that lit up her heart. “Hey.” Chelsea accentuated the word, almost like she was singing. “Where’s the baby? I came all the way from Cali to see her.”

  She entered the room as Heaven slipped away from her protectors and met her best friend near the couch. They wrapped their arms around each other and squeezed. Once Chelsea released her, she worked her eyes over Heaven’s body.

  “Wow. If I hadn’t seen you a few months ago, I would never have known you were pregnant.”

  “I have a beautiful little girl upstairs that proves otherwise.”

  Seeing Chelsea lightened her heart. After getting no response from the text she’d sent last week, she worried that something had happened to her friend. Especially after all the texts and voicemails Chelsea left. Her friend leaned over to hug Dylan and then waved at everyone else in the room.

  A host of hellos and waves came their way from everyone except Faith, who was sitting in the rocking chair near the family chest. The photo album in her hands fell down to her lap in an attempt to cover her round belly. She spared a second to look in Chelsea’s direction as she chewed on her lip.

  Heaven faced her friend, curious to know what surprised her sister, but it wasn’t anything Chelsea said or did. It was the person who joined her. The person that had her sister’s heart racing with such force that it made Heaven nauseous.

  Brooke. She stood behind her sister and surveyed the room until she found Faith. Then her lips twisted up. “Do my eyes deceive me or is that my best friend sitting in the corner?”

  Faith forced a smile onto her face, tossing her hand at Brooke. Everything about her energy said she wanted to run and hide. She kept the photo album opened and resting on her lap. Her body sunk lower into the chair, but when Brooke entered the room, the chair began to rock.

  “Should I take offense that you changed your phone number but didn’t notify your best friend?” Brooke asked as she punched her hip with her fist.

  Silence filled the air when Faith did nothing more than shrug. Her eyes lowered, stopping around Brooke’s waist. Heaven assumed she was checking for her friend’s expanding waistline, but the imperial style shirt she wore made it difficult to tell.

  Moving further into the room, Brooke marched toward Faith. She was a few feet away when her mouth fell open. “What the hell?” She jerked the photo album out of Faith’s hand. A gasp followed. “Wow… You’re pregnant. Really pregnant.”

  The air thickened as they stared at each other. Between the tension and suspense, Heaven couldn’t take it any longer. She move forward, determined to defend her sister against Brooke should the need arise, but a burst of laughter kept her in place.

  Brooke grabbed Faith’s hands and pulled. “Stand up and let me see you.”

  As the friends began to chat, a knock sounded at the front door. It made Heaven’s heartbeat increase until Chelsea perked up. “I’ll get the door. It’s for me anyway. Be right back.”

  She was out of the room before Heaven could say anything else. It was just as well. Heaven wanted to be a part of her sister’s conversation. The fear she sensed in Faith said she wanted someone by her side. That, alone, was all the reason Heaven needed.

  After motioning for Hope to join her, she looked at Dylan and Layne, happy to see the anxiety gone from their faces. Their energy settled to the rhythms in which they normally beat. “Hope and I are going to go chat with Faith and Brooke. Why don’t you two keep Scott company?”

  Neither said anything. Both nodded and stepped away. She, in turn, joined her sister in walking over to the corner where Brooke and Faith were standing.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Heaven shook her head. “Nothing…yet.”

  Hope wanted to ask more, but they reached Brooke and Faith before she had the opportunity. As their sister turned their way, relief filled her face. God only knew what kind of questions her friend was asking.

  Brooke acknowledged both. She glimpsed at Hope’s hand, which rested on her belly. “I knew you were pregnant before you left LA, but you neglected to tell me about your sister’s news.”

&nbs
p; “You know Faith doesn’t like anyone telling her business. I knew she’d tell you, eventually,” Hope replied.

  The fear in Faith lessened. Her vibrations pulsed with gratitude to Hope for what she’d said. It was a great save for someone who knew nothing about what was going on.

  Curious to what was taking Chelsea so long, she turned to ask Brooke, but her friend was busy gawking in Layne’s direction. “I see Layne’s here.” She turned back to Faith after a moment, scrutinizing her stomach, and then her face. “Does this mean you guys are back together?”

  A crimson shade flushed Faith’s cheeks. Her eyes darted to Heaven—the subtle look on her face a silent plea. She wanted her to keep quiet and let Brooke assume the child belonged to Layne. Heaven started to nod until Brooke refocused on her.

  Clearing her throat, Faith regained her friend’s attention. “No. Layne and I are not back together.”

  The thrum of her energy said she didn’t like pinning this on Layne, but Heaven knew her sister would rather Brooke make assumptions. The less information she gave Brooke, the less chance she had in learning the truth—that Jerry’s child grew inside her.

  Brooke grunted when she turned toward Layne again. “Well, at least he’s being an adult about it. I’m shocked that he didn’t take off once he found out.”

  Her response angered Heaven. They knew nothing about Layne, nothing at all. Yeah, he used to be the pompous jerk they were discussing, but he wasn’t anymore. He wanted kids. If Faith’s child had been his, he wouldn’t have walked away from his responsibilities. Neither Brooke nor Faith had a right to talk about anyone. Half of their relationships involved them finding a new boyfriend before they’d broken up with the current.

  “Do you and Jerry plan to have kids?”

  Heaven had to give her sister credit. Faith found the perfect way to ask the question eating her alive. Now they would know for sure if Brooke was pregnant, unless she wanted to keep it a secret. Then again, she was a lot like Faith in feeling the need to boast her good news to anyone who’d listen.

  “I don’t know.” Brooke shrugged. “Maybe we will, someday. I’m not in any hurry. I was scared shitless about three months ago. We both were.”