Page 10 of Fighting for Her Heart

Zuben’s eyes open wider. “Are you saying that some keepers of magic are aware that Ember was in the dungeon? Are they keepers of light or darkness? Do they know what she is?” His voice tightens.

“I’d say they’redefinitelylooking for Ember. But oddly, Octavia claimed the witches were happy to find out she was trapped in the dungeon. Happy, that is, until they found out Octavia had collapsed the cave.”

“Fascinating.”

“Do you get any of this?” I ask.

Zuben’s brows draw together. “Perhaps they were merely happy to know her location.” Zuben looks off into the distance, like he so often does, and his long fingers drum the back of the sofa as if he’s unsatisfied with his theory.

Footsteps approach from the other side of the field, and we both jump to our feet.

Chapter Four

Ember

Axe tellsme that he heard Ryker and Zuben going into the house, and I try not to be hurt that Ryker didn’t come to find me right away. I’m way too excited about seeing him to let that bother me.

Axe holds my hand as we walk back toward the house. Mom’s on my other side, and we move slowly to let her keep up. As badly as I want to see Ryker, I’m in no rush. The longer it takes to walk across this field, the closer sunrise will be. The closer it is to sunrise the better my chances of talking the others into staying at the farm through at least one more day.

I know I’m being silly—a few minutes of stalling won’t change anything—but I don’t want to leave here. Not yet.

“Little dove!” Ryker bursts through the farmhouse door. He crosses the field in a flash and sweeps me into his arms—all before I fully register what’s happening, and his mouth captures mine in a passionate, rapturous kiss that steals both my breath and my senses.

Wrapping my legs around his body, I stretch down to make contact with his hardness, feeling desperate to hump him through our clothes as we kiss. Remembering we’re not alone, I break away.

“Hello, little dove.” Ryker leans his forehead against mine. “You going to introduce me to your ma?”

My grin invades every part of my body, and I glance toward Mom as I slide down Ryker’s body to put my feet back on solid ground. Embarrassed by our PDA, I stand in front of him, hoping to camouflage his obvious hard-on.

“This is thethirdof your vampire lovers I presume?” Mom’s tone is sharp, but there’s something in her expression that makes me think she’s only pretending to disapprove. I’m shocked that she’s not outwardly protesting the fact that I have three boyfriends—never mind that they’re all vampires. She also doesn’t know that Axe is my mate, and is also a bear. I don’t want to spring too many surprises at once.

“Mom—Nora—this is Ryker.”

“Charmed, I’m sure.” He grins. “I see where Ember gets her beauty from.”

Nora’s eyebrows rise and she raises her chin. “I understand you’re the one who has used my daughter’s blood to walk in the light?”

“Not sure I’d saywalk…” Putting his arms around me, he pulls me tightly against him from behind, resting his chin on my head. “But, yeah, my skin took some sun without burning.”

“Just the one time?” Nora asks.

Ryker nods.

“And have you fed from her again?”

“Mom.” I shoot her a look. “What’s with the interrogation?” Insecurity prickles my nerves. She clearly thinks these men are only with me for my blood, but I’m reassured by the warmth of Ryker’s body and his arms wrapped around mine.

“It is imperative that we relocateimmediately,” Zuben interjects. “There are not many hours before sunrise.”

“Relocate?” Nora turns toward Zuben. “Why would you leave?”

“We’re on the lam.” Ryker grins. “Escaped jailbirds. All of us.”

Zuben steps forward and nods toward Mom. “Madam.”

“Madam?” Nora makes a sour face. “You said you’d been researching my daughter forcenturies, so don’t makemefeel like the old one here.”

Zuben smiles. “My apologies.”