“You can feel that it’s time I find your soulmate because of your balls?”
“Yes,” Jasper said, looking me dead in the eye. “It’s like an itch I can’t scratch.”
It was moments like this that I questioned my sanity. Was he joking or was he being serious?
“You should get that checked out,” I said as dryly as I could.
We stared at each other for a few moments, and then finally the orc grinned, his tusk gleaming in the cooler light.
“Had you for a moment, huh?”
“God damn it, Jasper,” I sighed. “You’re worse than Rum. At least I know when Rum is joking.”
Jasper belly laughed and I averted my eyes yet again.
“Two weeks,” I said, finally smiling. “Two weeks. I’ll find them.”
Jasper nodded, his laughter becoming solemn. “I’m ready.”
“I think I know your preferences.”
“I think you do,” he said, winking. “I’ll be on my way then. Make sure to keep an eye on your back. He may not be completely alive yet, but he’s…he’s almost here.”
“Don’t have to tell me, Jasper, I can practically feel the particles of his soul coming back together.”
Jasper paused for a moment and then nodded, opening up the cooler door and leaving.
At some point recently, I’d finally shaken off the dread and the worry over making matches. I was back, I was determined to find good monsters their mates, and I would go to hell over it if I had to.
Still, the thought burned into me for a moment. Would Lucifer really kill a witch? Would he use her sacrifice to help him gain his powers more quickly?
Was he really that vengeful?
Did he really want to see me that unhappy?
The door opened again and Trixie popped her head in, “Oh good. I have a quick question about how to make a bloodiano.”
I felt myself soften a little and I was silent for a moment, letting myself really look at her. Both of us had sweat on our brows and smelled like coffee. Both of us wore aprons, were tired, a little cranky.
But where would I be without her?
“Earth to Barista,” she said, raising a brow. “I have a thirsty mosquito man.”
I snorted, finally breaking my trance. “Those don’t exist.”
Trixie grinned and I followed her out, trying to savor every last moment I had with her.