Shifting the Night Away (46 page)

Seren shook her head. “I witnessed this over a hundred years ago, and it’s still a beautiful sight to see. Two souls finding each other and falling in love, real love.” Tears moistened her blue eyes. “It’s one of the reasons I tried so hard to save them both.”

Jenna’s contagious laugh carried over the music and the crowd to find them, and Michael’s infectious chuckle followed.
 

“They still have a long way to go to keep this happiness, but we’ll let them indulge in the moment for now.” Seren smiled. “I actually came to talk to you.”

“Me? Why?” Clara had no idea why Seren would need to discuss anything with her unless she needed some hypnotherapy or coaching. They really had no connection to each other over the last year.

“We’ve been watching you and are impressed with how well you’ve kept our secret.”

“Okay.” Of course she kept it. She wasn’t going to face the wrath of angry werewolves. Besides, they covered up the death of her demon boss. Who would believe her and why would she reveal a secret that could get her put behind bars?

“The Order is so impressed we’d like to bring you on as a consultant.”

Clara laughed, “Yeah, right.” The chuckle died in her throat when she saw Serendipity wasn’t laughing… or even smiling. “Seriously?”

Seren nodded. “On a case by case basis of course.”

“What would you need me to consult on?”

“I’m just spit balling it here, but you have some very specific skill sets.” Seren rolled her eyes. “You’ve proven loyal by keeping our secret.”

“But I’m human?”

“That is also an asset. Perhaps you can help us understand humans a little better.”

“No.” Clara responded too quickly. What she experienced last year was traumatic, and she didn’t know if she could handle that kind of thing ever again, let alone on a regular basis.

“We’ll give you training.” Seren offered as though she was reading Clara’s mind.

“I’m not a fighter. I’m a peacekeeper, a healer.”

Seren struggled to keep her voice steady. “We don’t need more warriors. We need people like you.” Seren zeroed her eyes on Clara. “Trust me when I tell you this is a deal you can’t say no to.

About the Author - Jami Brumfield

Thank you for reading this sample of my work and the series starter for Paranormal Hypnotherapy Files. There will be plenty more adventures for Clara and this team of supernaturals to come, all centering around hypnotherapy. As a certified hypnotist I hold this subject very dear to my heart and while the books in this series are all works of fiction there is a kernel of truth in all stories. Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapeutic tool and there are techniques such as past life regression, in between life regression, and spirit attachments. These provide amazing healing to those that experience and embrace the power of the mind and these techniques.
 

Please be kind and pop over to leave a review on
Amazon
and GoodReads. You can check out all my books at my
Amazon author page
and definitely keep up on my news, giveaways, and sales by subscribing to my
newsletter here
.
 

Moonlight Embrace

By

Lyn Brittan

Chapter One

“You’ve moved into a hovel.”

“Thank you, Kate.”

“I can’t believe we’re related.”

The feeling was beyond mutual. Johanna snapped her laptop shut and waited. It was the only way to deal with her sister. Close your eyes and pray for death…or vodka.

Seriously, did Kate have to do this on Johanna’s first night in her own place? At twenty-six, she’d finally moved out of the house. How hard would it have been for Kate to be proud of her? Or show even a little sympathy? Every muscle ached from moving, she was starving and on top of everything else, her wretched boss moved up her project due date. She didn’t need this crap now.

“I’m only saying that you can do better than this. If you would listen to me…”
 

Kate had a weird talent of looking like she owned the place – no matter where she happened to be. Older by four hours, Kate took those moments as some sort of divine appointment to wield power over her two sisters. Michelle, the youngest triplet, dealt with Kate’s judging ways by living on the road and avoiding the family completely. Johanna, on the other hand, learned to sit and take it.

“If you need money, I can help you out.”

“I don’t. I can do this on my own.”
 

She rolled her eyes as Kate made a show of running her slender finger across the counter top and flicking off nonexistent dust. “You’ve let yourself go, Little Sis. In more ways than one. Getting a little thick around the middle,” she said, wiggling that same perfectly manicured finger.

“What does my waistline have to do with the countertop? Why are you here if you’re not going to help?”

Kate knelt to jiggle a cabinet door. “I am helping.”

“In pumps and a suit? Served with a side of snark and vinegar? I’ll pass.”

“Don’t get lippy. Some of us have standards. Mom and Dad emailed from Paris this morning.” She wiped the ledge of the counter before leaning against it. “They asked if you met someone yet. I said no. They asked if you’ve moved back into the family house yet. No again. They asked if you still have that human-infested, crap job. Finally, I could answer in the affirmative.”

“I’m happy with what I have. And, for the billionth time, more than happy with how I look.”

Kate grimaced and turned away. Cups and plates slammed as her sister rummaged through moving boxes. “You’re a wolf with supernatural metabolism. One mile around the block wouldn’t kill you.” Kate nudged the box containing her first set of dishes with a red-soled shoe. “How much did you pay those movers? I think everything in here is broken.”

 
“Get out.”

One expertly plucked eyebrow rose heavenward. “Excuse me?”

Johanna considered making an issue out of it, but like always, she backed down. It wasn’t worth it to go toe to toe with Kate. “I mean that I have a lot of stuff to do before going to work tomorrow. That’s all.”

Kate shot her an odd look…and held it.

A challenge?

No. This was Kate’s normal look - permanent bitch face. But for the first time, Johanna didn’t turn away in a show of submissiveness. She wasn’t trying to start something, but she did want Kate gone. And really, where did she get off doing this all the time? Johanna couldn’t control what Kate said, but she’d be damned if she’d be demeaned in her own den.

Wait…no. Wrong word. Apartmen
t.
 

Was that it? Did this new freedom do something to her wolf? She loved her parents, but not living under their roof bumped her up in the pack. Even if it was a pack of one.
 

“Are you kicking me out?”

“I asked you over because you’re my sister, but since you seem incapable of acting like one, then yes, I think it’d be better if you left. I can do this by myself.”

“Since when?”

“I’m a grown woman, Kate. When I tell you to get out of my house…” She stopped in the middle of this tirade as the universe sucked the air right out of her lungs with a single movement: Kate blinked.

Two movements, actually. Kate blinked
and
took a step back.

Johanna couldn’t remember that happening.
 

Ever.
 

It occurred to her she’d never yelled back at Kate either. Or snarled. Another freaking glorious first. Something akin to awesomeness tingled through her body.
 

Kate’s jaw went down as she grabbed her designer bag and headed for the door.
 

Oh boy.
Maybe she should apologize. “Kate, I—”

“Yes?”

“It’s just…I mean—”

“Didn’t know you had it in you. I approve.”

“I don’t need your approval.”

“Okay, Ms. Thing. I’m gone.” Kate winked and held open the door with her right foot. “We may be able to make a decent wolf out of you yet.”
 

“Out!”

Chapter Two

Even with the blooming plants, sidewalk food vendors and perfumed women walking around him, Baron Wyatt could smell her from a block away. The world asked a lot for him not to tilt his nose to the air and follow her scent with his tongue hanging out.
 

He’d had a string of good luck recently, including finding an empty restaurant in this small upstate New York town. Now the place delivered a sweet smelling wolf.
Good
. He’d earned a little enjoyment in his life.

Baron sniffed again and grinned. The she-wolf’s scent lay in the direction of the county clerk’s office.

Bonus.
In
the clerk’s office.
 

He stepped through the doors and took in the heat of the ovulating female. If he wasn’t careful, he’d half shift and have his tail wagging beneath his business suit.

That of course led to thoughts of her graceful tail.

Twisting.

Circling.

Up and down.
 

Damn, who was this mystery woman?
He needed a face to complete the vision. For now, all he could make of her was the top of her head with dark brown hair off to the side in a demure bun.
 

He knew the exact moment she caught his scent. The she-wolf behind the counter stopped talking and her head snapped up, eyes locking on him. Beautiful eyes.

He winked.

She went back to work.

What the hell?

He happened to know he was the most charming thing on the planet. A friggin’ legend. Wolves, humans, pixies, you name it and they tripped over themselves to land in his bed. He’d be damned if he didn’t leave this place with the business license he’d come in for and that woman’s phone number.

Some lady tapped his shoulder. He shrugged her off. Or tried to.

 
“Is there something I can help you with?” The speaker batted her eyes. A cougar…and not the shifter kind. Baron tried sidestepping her, but the blonde wasn’t having it, placing a hand on his arm.

His she-wolf looked up, frowned and served her next client. No, no, no! Who ignores
me
?

The cougar tried again. “Sir?”