Page 103 of Fighting for Her Heart

The blood of lambent vampires could transform the lives of so many women, perhaps upend the balance of power—smash the patriarchy. And if I get their cooperation, the lambent vampires could benefit too. Maybe some day all vampires will be able to walk in the light.

I’m starting to see a way to give mom what she wants and still live with myself.

But—I shake my head—her worldview is rife with hypocrisy, not to mention questionable ethics. And there is no chance I would sacrifice these three men I love.

I need to make Nora see that her vision is abusive and wrong—that it doesn’t have to be her way. Together, we can strike a compromise. We can work to bring vampires and magic keepers together, and make the world better for all.

Is that what I want?

She’s messing with my emotions, making it impossible to trust my own thoughts or decisions. All I know is I need her to believe that I’m on her side. I need her to think that she’s won, because I don’t have the strength to keep fighting this battle.

“I understand what you’ve been telling me.” My chest fills as I draw a long breath, full of oxygen and courage. “I can see your vision of the future better now. I understand why we need to confine lambent vampires and why I need to make more.”

The bed illusion fully vanishes. I sway on my feet at the sudden change in my perception. Moments ago I was tucked into bed, and now I’m standing, silver around my ankles, wrists and neck.

I gesture behind me toward the cage. “Do we need to leave the men in thereallthe time? Even when we collect their blood and semen?”

The three witches behind Nora are on their feet now, struggling to break free from the ropes of light. And the effort to keep them contained is draining me.

Nora shrugs. “We can retrieve the vampires from the barracks, one by one, whenever you like. And you can assist with the fluid harvesting if that would be pleasant for you.” Her expression is so smug. “If that’s what you prefer.”

None of this is ‘what I prefer’. I’dpreferif she let us all go. But I can’t show her what I’m really thinking. My magic has somehow managed to hold the other three witches at bay, and so far the weakening light around me is keeping Nora back a few feet from me, but my mind is fogging, my body fighting to keep me on my feet.

I gesture toward the shackles on the wall. “Wouldn’t it be more efficient to leave the collection equipment attached to their veins and their…?” I can’t bring myself to say erection or penis in front of my mother.

Nora smiles. “It wasyouwho insisted I move them into the barracks.”

“I was wrong.” I shake my head. “I understand so much better now. What’s the safest way to bring them back out?”

“To do that, you must free my sisters.” Nora gestures to the other witches, still bound by the imaginary ropes of light. “They can transfer them out in the same way they moved them in there.”

“You’re not powerful enough to do it yourself?”

“Of course I am,” Nora snaps. “It’s just safer to use the others.”

I glance back quickly. The men are still frozen in place, the wooden stakes still floating and pointed at their hearts.

I’m developing this plan on the fly, improvising, and I’m unsure of the next step.

“How dangerous can they be?” I shrug. “They can’t even move. Are you using the same obedience spell that the witches granted to Octavia?”

Nora’s chin lifts. “Remember, it wasmewho gave that stupid, revenge-minded vampire her powers.”

I widen my eyes, hoping to look impressed. “And you’re using that same magic now?”

“Somethinglikeit,” Nora says. “There is so much that you do not understand.”

“I can’t wait to learn. You have so much to teach me.” Trying not to shake, I step toward the cell with its large lock. “Where is the key?”

Nora arrives at my side. She waves her hand near the wall, a key appears. She inserts it into the lock and it falls open. The men don’t move an inch. They’re all still frozen by her magic, the stakes mid air and pointed at their hearts.

“Now.” Nora glares at me. “As I have shown this act of faith, please free my sisters so they can put the men back in their fluid retrieval stations.”

Freeing her sisters is a huge risk, but I’m losing the strength to hold them bound, at the same time I’m dealing with Nora.

If I can get the three inside the cell, I can lock them in. Even if it means leaving the men trapped there too.

Chapter Thirty-One