Sacred Heart (Broken Series #3): Broken Series, #3

By M. L. Stephens

Claire's nemesis is back, and this time he's accompanied by a coven of necromancers who want nothing more than to control the gateway between the living world and the afterlife in order to keep spirits imprisoned in limbo for all of eternity.

Claire's visions lead her back to New Orleans in search of a male witch, while Chad stays behind and attends to renovations on the manor. She believes that the nameless man in her vision is the only person alive that can help her fight Lucian and his band of thugs, but is she about to get more than she bargained for?

Hunter has dreamt of Claire since he was a young boy and he's diligently strengthened his witchcraft in order to stand strong by her side when she comes for him. His entire life has been molded around the visions he's had of her and he's prepared to stop at nothing to claim the woman that has haunted his dreams since childhood. With Hunter's help and incessant training, Claire discovers new abilities, but she also learns that a heart can't be divided. While she attempts to figure out a way to defeat Lucian once and for all, she struggles to face new truths. Are her feelings for Chad as strong as she believed, or will Hunter be the one to claim her Sacred Heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. L. Stephens
• Release date: Oct 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781482510492

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sitting on a barstool inside of a bustling Bourbon Street bar in New Orleans—without Chad— wasn't exactly a good time, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. If I wanted to be rid of Lucian, I was almost positive that I required the help of a particular man who had invaded my visions over the last month. There was just one problem: I didn't have the slightest clue as to who he was. My visions suggested that I would meet him at a bar and that he was the only person in the country that was knowledgeable enough to assist me. I sent a silent prayer into the universe that my visions were correct. If he was connected to the dark side of magic, this initial meeting could also be our last.

I scanned the poorly lit room, hopeful that somehow I would recognize him if I actually saw him. So far, no one stuck out, leaving me to wonder what the hell I was thinking by coming here. This mission was about as ludicrous as attempting to locate a toothpick in a landfill.

I wasn't looking for a date so I had thrown on the typical jeans and t-shirt. I only wanted one thing: to locate this mystery man. Otherwise, I wanted to leave this place alone and intact. Most of the other women in the bar were scantily clad, which was a plus because it made me seem less visible. My personal assessment of the female population was that they were dressed in their weekend finest. The small crowd that had gathered around the pool table was growing louder with each shot they downed, which I found a little disconcerting. For my own safety and peace of mind, I'd need to wrap up my search before the crowd became too boisterous.

After sitting on the same stool for two hours, I decided it was time to call it a night. The late hour would only lead to more unruliness—not a situation I cared to be caught in the middle of. Without ceremony, I sucked down the last few drops of the virgin Daiquiri I had been nursing and slid off my stool. On this particular night, I'd bypassed the alcohol. I was determined to have a clear head in case I did find Mr. Mysterious. Unfortunately for me however, I had spent another evening posing as a wall flower and he still hadn't reared his pretty little head. Just my luck, I mumbled under my breath as I pushed through the crowd.

I walked outside, eager to fill my lungs with fresh night air. Instead, the humidity threatened to squeeze the breath right out of me. In an effort to thwart off an impending asthma attack, I concentrated on my next move, one that would lead me back to Chad. I'd have to figure out the Lucian thing alone. I'd been kidding myself to think that there was someone who could actually help me and I didn't even know if the man in my vision was real. And yet you came to the city in search of him. I mumbled to no one.

Perusing the crowded streets for a distraction from my self-doubt, I watched as groups of strangers traipsed along the sidewalks in search of their next watering hole. Laugher and music were rampant in this great city, but tonight I wasn't in the mood for either. Tonight I found it stifling. So much for drawing off the surrounding energy, I mused. It was officially time for me to leave. My crazy mission had become one more epic failure to add to my long list of the dumbest ideas ever.

Chad had stayed behind to oversee the renovations at the plantation and was doing a remarkable job. The updates and repairs were moving along at break neck speed. Being the wonderful guy that he was, he'd offered to come with me but I'd insisted that it was more important for him to oversee work at the manor. I currently doubted the wisdom of that decision. Things had been strained between us lately, but only because he still kept me at arm's length when it came to our relationship. Other than a few heartfelt hugs and a handful of passionate kisses, there hadn't been any physical intimacy between the two of us and it wasn't for lack of trying on my part.

I stepped aside as a group of disorderly men stumbled past. Pressing myself against the wall of the bar I'd just left, I lowered my gaze, hoping to go undetected by the inebriated men.

Hey, baby! Are you alone? a sandy blond man wobbled away from his buddies, weaving in my direction. Strike two against Lady Luck tonight, I thought, wishing something would go my way for once.

Without hesitation or bothering to converse with the bobble head of drunkenness, I called upon the element of wind to 'not so gently' guide him back to his friends. His drunken stupor provided a good cover for what I had done as he stumbled back to his group and turned his attention away from me with a stunned expression. Having elemental powers definitely comes in handy at times, I smiled knowingly.

Panic much? the deep southern drawl of a man's voice pierced my concentration. I made it a habit not to use my powers in such a way that normal people would notice, but someone had. Strike three, Lady Luck.

Ready to call upon whichever element I'd need to defend myself, I quickly turned towards the unwelcomed intruder. His eyes were partially covered by the rim of his ball cap, and his seemingly toned body added to the overall mysteriousness of the New Orleans night scene. His stance was nonthreatening, so I allowed the elemental energy that I had put on alert to subside.

No one really believed in magic, so I deduced that he thought I'd panicked because I'd planted my back against the bar's exterior brick wall. I was instantly drawn to his beautiful smile which was made even more attractive by the slight stubble on his chin. What an amazing smile, I thought guardedly.

Thanks, he responded out loud. I get that a lot. The mischievous smirk was unexpected and put me back on high alert.

Shaking my head in confusion I collected myself. There's no way he heard my thoughts, I mentally argued.

His smile only deepened. I hate to tell you this, but your thoughts are actually pretty loud. Removing his ball cap, he stuck his free hand out in greeting. Hi, I'm Hunter.

Even on the dark streets of New Orleans, illuminated only by the street lights and neon colors of business signs, I was captivated by the light color of his eyes. They were such an intense blue they were on the verge of being colorless.

This was the man I'd come to find. We shook hands as I attempted to clear my mind. I had rehearsed this meeting for weeks. Hello, I'm Claire.

Yes, I know. You've been scouring the streets of the city for an entire week in search of me. Ending the handshake, he returned the cap to his closely shaven head. What I’m dying to know is why?

Stunned by his knowledge of things I'd yet to share, my jaw jutted out in defiance. How do you know I've been searching for you?

Let's suffice it to say that you've been projecting your thoughts as well as an image of me all over the city, and a lot of people have heard your mental cry for help, including me.

I released a concerned sigh before realizing that I'd been holding my breath. I see.

What makes you think I can help you? he asked, leaning one shoulder against the wall that my back had previously been planted against.

I leaned my back against the same wall again, stood on one foot and bent one leg at the knee so I could prop my other foot on the wall. I hoped the informal easiness would facilitate an instant friendship. Knowing I might not get another chance, I wanted to make a good first impression, especially if I was going to convince him to help. How do you know I need help? This meeting wasn't going nearly the way I'd intended it to. I'm supposed to be in control of it, I reminded myself.

Hunter's laughter rang down the busy streets. Are you now? Why do you think you're the one that's supposed to be in control? he asked, seemingly amused.

Stop doing that! I can't continue our conversations if you refuse to allow me to verbally communicate. It's rude to jump into someone's head without their permission.

I would have to disagree, he retorted, giving me the once over. His lips curved into a devilish smile. The up and down movement of his eyebrows pissed me off.

Are you mocking me? I could feel the heat rising up my neck. Pushing myself away from the wall, I prepared to square off with him.

"Not one bit. Everyone who knows anything about the world we live in knows better than to mock you!"

"I don't know what you've heard about me, but I'm sure it's not all true. Let's cut to the chase. I am in need of your help. My visions have led me here to find you."

Is that so? he teased.

Straightening my back, I compelled myself to continue. Yes. As you well know, you are special in your own right, and I have a disturbing problem that requires your assistance.

I'd say you have a problem.

I was becoming increasingly frustrated. What do you know about my problem? I haven't even told you.

Yes you have. You just don't realize it.

Could this possibly get anymore aggravating? I wondered.

Yes, it could get a lot more aggravating. Let me clue you in. I read people. That's my skill, talent, my 'one up,' whatever you choose to call it. I also have visions. I knew you were coming to find me before you even saw the security footage from your friend's home. I know about Lucian and I know about the trouble you're in.

Stumbling back a few steps, I gasped in anxious disbelief. How could you know all of that?

You are psychic on some levels, but I'm the real deal. The whole tamale, as they say. You control the elements and have limited psychic abilities. I have full psychic abilities, I read people's minds, and I can tangle with the elements as well. There you go. We're both freaks of nature and frankly this conversation is boring me. You're not at all what I expected.

If you are as psychic as you say, then you knew you'd be bored with our conversation, and you would have known what to expect. So why'd you bother coming?

Because if I wouldn't have, you would have continued your quest alone and eventually gotten the attention of some very bad people. In order to save your hide, I decided to entertain myself by meeting you and warning you to leave well enough alone.

"If you really understand my problem, then you know I can't leave it alone. My friend's life is being threatened. It won't be long before Lucian goes after my family. As you may or may not know, he's found a way to keep spirits from crossing over into the afterlife. He'll eventually be able to close the door into the hereafter forever. Then what? If I don't stop him, where the hell am I supposed to go when I die? Am I supposed to live in Lucian's little realm of terror while he bullies and imprisons me? Oh, wait. It won't just be me that suffers in Lucian’s vision of damnation for all of eternity; everyone else in the world that dies or hasn't already crossed over will be stuck there too, including you!"

Hunter silently watched another group of weekday party goers pass before turning back to look at me. Listen, I didn't say I wasn't going to help. I simply said that you need to leave well enough alone. People who are truly a part of our world know there's an imbalance. The spirit world has been turned on its head and that's got everyone on edge. By projecting your thoughts around, you've put yourself in danger. Not everyone is interested in making things right. There are people who want change, but not the same changes that we want.

Yeah, ok, Mr. Dramatic. I rolled my eyes at his obvious need to add to my inner turmoil.

There are people who serve a darker force than even we can understand.

Yeah, I've met a few of those, I tossed in, thinking about my previous run-in with the Dark Coven. But why would anyone want to change the natural order of things? That’s the most absurd thing I've ever heard. It really wasn't hard to believe that there were others besides the Dark Coven wanting to do evil things, but I wanted to pry as much information from him as possible.

He pulled at his neck. Not everyone has the gifts that we do. Unfortunately, there are many people who are willing to do whatever it takes to have them.

Relaxing, I leaned against the wall with my shoulder, mimicking his position. The two of us grew quiet again as more people passed by.

Listen, he said leaning in close. We've already spoken longer than we should have. If certain people see the two of us talking, things could get dangerous for the both of us. We'll talk again, but I'll find you. Understood?

Don't you think you're being a bit paranoid? The wide-eyed expression on his face immediately discounted my question.

I think you're not being paranoid enough. This is about to get ugly, so if you even want to pretend that you'd like to live...play along with what I'm about to do. Meet me in Jackson Square tomorrow morning, he whispered just loud enough that I struggled to hear it over the street noise.

Before I could ask any more questions, he pushed himself away from the wall and looked at me with the same intense fury that Buck had when he'd beaten me into a coma.

Lady, you're crazy! I don't know who you are or what you think you're doing, but I'm not interested! Don't you dare call me again or I'll call the cops? Do you understand? The finger he was pointing at me, combined with his crazed look, frightened me.

Pushing myself away from the wall, I stared in disbelief. Look, I'm sorry, I pleaded. Unsure of what I'd done to cause such an adverse reaction, tears of frustration filled my eyes as the memory of my near death flooded my mind. I fell into silent shock. Witnessing a man's temper still had an adverse effect on me.

Good. Seemingly pissed as hell and muttering under his breath, my only hope of winning the battle against Lucian stormed away as I speechlessly watched his outline disappear into the crowded streets of New Orleans.

Chapter 2

Consider me the disobedient child, but I elected not to go to Jackson Square the following day. Instead, I opted to go home and figure out a way to handle the problem on my own. After everything that had happened between me, Jade, Buck, and Julie, I wasn't about to compromise my safety by meeting up with an overwrought lunatic. The demented look in Hunter's eyes when he'd called me 'crazy' could only be defined as murderous, and I wasn't interested. Been there, done that, I reasoned as I packed my bags. Violent tendencies in men scared the hell out of me and I wasn't about to subject myself to more crap, especially not from the handsome witch of a man that had yelled at me on the streets of New Orleans.

The only reason I'd searched for him in the first place, was because my visions had provided me with numerous details about him which led me to believe that he was capable of aiding me. In my delusional mind, I assumed that meant he would willingly assist me. Now that I'd met him and talked with him, it no longer made sense to recruit him. Sure he could read minds and see the future, but how the hell were those two things going to help me battle the most malevolent spirit of modern times? Lucian was the ghost with the most. He was the epitome of all things evil. A simple mind reader couldn't possibly bring that much to the war table.

I slammed more clothes into the suitcase as I thought about the conversation Chad and I’d had before I came on this botched mission. He had told me that I had beat Lucian once and I could do it again. He's right, I voiced aloud. I don't need anyone else's help to do it again.

A knock on the door of my hotel room startled me, causing me to jump. Hunter's warning came to mind. He'd basically informed me that I might have rattled a few cages during my search for him which could have compromised my safety. I slowly tiptoed to the door's peephole but before I could look out, a voice on the other side gave me pause.

It just me, Hunter said quietly through the door.

Go away, I replied, returning to my suitcase. I wasn't the least bit interested in talking with him. Not only was he a witch, he was also an ass—a sexy ass—but still an ass. I knew he was a witch because of my visions. They had mistakenly told me that he was a powerful one at that; apparently my visions weren't completely accurate. The only skills he seemed to possess were social awkwardness and a knack for being a smartass.

I'm not leaving until you talk to me.

The nearness of his voice left me petrified. Thinking my nerves were