Page 9 of Desired for Her Blood

Swimming toward the waterfall, I glance back to shore, where Zuben and Ryker both watch me intently from the edge. Ryker calls out to me, I think, but I can’t hear him above the waterfall pounding against the water’s surface ahead.

Getting close, I dive, hoping to avoid the full force of the curtain of water, no longer like a fresh shower.

As I try to cross through, the water forces me down further, tumbling me over and over, spinning me like a rag doll.

Which way is up? I try to focus on something, but I’m in total darkness and spinning. Which way will move me toward Axel?

My arms and legs struggle against the competing currents, and I no longer care which side of the waterfall I come up on, as long as I surface.

Kicking and stroking, I work against the strong undertow, that’s determined to push me deeper into what seems like a pool with no bottom.

And if I thought my lungs were burning before, it’s nothing compared to what I feel now. If I weren’t still feeling the energy from drinking Ryker’s blood, I bet I’d have already drowned.

Then, with one hard stroke, using all the strength in my arms and legs in tandem, I free myself as the undertow releases its hold.

I rise, my body’s buoyancy helping me to at least know I’m not heading deeper. Bursting through the surface, I gasp, sucking in a mouthful of water along with the air.

Coughing, I try to expel the water, and feel myself sinking again.

No! I will not drown.

But I slip below the surface.

Caught in the waterfall’s undertow, I’m sucked down sharply, but then feel an arm wrap around me and a hard body press against mine.

I’m pulled to the surface, but I can’t breathe. It’s too late.

Chapter Four

Axel

Over and overI pound my fists against the wall of the small alcove behind the waterfall. And over and over my bones break and knit back together, but the pain in my hands is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

After losing my mate, Ulla, I thought I’d never feel the pull of attachment to anyone ever again, and certainly no attachment that came close to love or desire. But with Ember, I can’t deny I feel both.

For Ember, I feel love and desire, and the driving need to keep her safe.

And worse, I didn’t even get time to fully recognize or acknowledge my feelings, before magic ruined my life—again.

After coming back here, I listened with growing horror, as Ryker and Zuben talked, and then as Ryker revived Ember with his blood.

I heard as they discussed their theories about how Octavia was thwarted. And with every word they uttered, the devastating pain in my heart grew exponentially.

Not only did that witch Octavia nearly compel me to rape Ember, a much worse truth is now clear.

Emberisa witch.

How else can anyone explain what stopped Octavia and caused her to flee?

I cannot have feelings for a witch. I will not. I can’t trust my feelings. I won’t allow myself to even consider them. I pound the wall again, but the pain refuses to distract me.

For seventy years, I have stewed in my hatred for Octavia and her evil powers. I’ve boiled down my desire for revenge and my hatred of magic, for so long the mixture has become thick and strong, and now I learn that Ember has magic.

Magic powerful enough to thwart Octavia’s. And learning this has shattered my hopes for a future I hadn’t realized I’d pictured until it was smashed.

On the other side of the waterfall, something splashes, breaking my loop of negative thoughts.

Based on the shouts from Ryker and Zuben, the sound was Ember diving into the pool and, unable to stop myself, I tune my hearing to her as she goes under the water, listening intently as she surfaces, reacts to the cold water, and then starts swimming—toward the waterfall.