Page 1 of Fighting for Her Heart

Chapter One

Axe

Footsteps approachand my skin prickles.

For Ember’s sake, I’ve tried to ignore the stench of magic that permeates this place, but every hair on my body rises in response to whatever just entered this house. Given it’s daylight, it can’t be Ryker.

I will protect Ember, now my mate, from whatever evil we’re about to face.

The door opens, bringing with it a stream of sunlight.

Ember gasps. “Mom!” She lunges forward.

I grab her, pulling her back and stepping in front of her and Zuben. I have not yet tested it, but given my feeding last night, I should be able to take the light.

“Shut the door!” Ember shouts.

“Vampires!” The witch’s voice is full of shock and horror. “How did you find her?” Her face twists with hatred, marring her pale beauty that’s likely enhanced by magic.

I guard Ember as we push back toward the dark corner of the room and away from the light.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Ember says slipping around me, but I continue to hold her back. “They’re with me. We came here together.”

The witch closes the door behind her. Ember tugs against my hold, and reluctantly, I release her. She flies forward to embrace the witch, and I fight to suppress my bear.

The woman has wavy red hair that seems to be alive, its curls moving around her head like she’s Medusa, and her fair skin and pale green eyes suit her hair coloring. Other than being beautiful, she looks nothing like Ember.

“Mom. You’re alive!” Still holding on to her mom, Ember leans back to look into her eyes.

I tense up. My earlier Medusa reference now feels like a warning, as her hair curls like snakes around her face each time she moves.

“What’s going on?” Ember asks her. “How did you find me? How did you know I was here?”

The witch holds Ember tightly. Their interaction seems genuine and affectionate, and so I relax from full combat mode. But my senses remain on high alert, ready to attack. I may trust Ember, but I do not yet trust her mother.

Zuben steps forward. “You are Evanora Cross I presume?”

The woman releases Ember enough to look at Zuben. Her eyes narrow and shoot daggers—perhaps wooden stakes—toward him. “Who’s asking?” she snaps.

“My name is Zuben.” He bows slightly. “And I believe we have much to discuss.”

“Why did you let vampires on the property?” Evanora asks Ember. “Did my lessons mean nothing to you?”

“Yourlessons?” Ember takes a step back from her mother. “I’m sorry, Mom, but the wordvampirenever once came out of your mouth as far as I can remember.”

“That may well be true.” The witch strokes the side of my love’s face. “Oh, Ember. Baby. You have grown up to be even more beautiful than I could have imagined.” She leans close to whisper. “Are you sure you’re safe? There are stakes hidden all over the house.”

I shake my head at her attempt to whisper in confidence. Does she not know vampires have acute hearing? But then I realize shemeantus to hear her hollow threat. If there were stakes in this house, I would have found them.

“I’m fine, Mom. Honest.” Ember’s face glows with joy. Her mother’s sudden appearance has distracted her from Ryker’s absence, at least for the moment, and I’m glad for the momentary relief to her pain.

“And who are you?” she glares at me.

My bones tingle, desperate to shift, and I growl as the hair on my back rises. I’m not sure I can restrain my bear.

“This is Axe.” Ember takes my hand and pulls me toward her mother. On the way, she grabs Zuben’s hand too. “Guys this is my mom, Nora. Mom. Axe and I… Zuben and Axe are…” Glancing between us, she blushes. “I love them both.”

Zuben sucks in a sharp breath that sounds painful, as if he’s been staked. Ember turns toward him. Her smile seems to relax his shoulders and they retract from near his ears.