Page 81 of Fighting for Her Heart

Evanora is exiting her car as I step onto the porch, and the witch startles when I quickly arrive at her car door.

“What has happened?” I ask her. “Where are the others?”

“They’re in trouble!” She touches my arm. “Come with me, Zuben. We must save them!”

Her words sound an alarm, but I sense performativity in her tone. But can I trust my interpretation? I am unsure how I could be detecting it in any case.

“Before we leave, Ember should hear what has happened,” I tell her. “Let us go inside.” I will observe Evanora as she tells Ember what happened and then reevaluate my suspicions.

“Yes.” She nods. “Of course. Ember needs to know before we leave.”

We walk side by side toward the house. I don’t trust my instincts on this matter, and unfortunately, I realize that I won’t be able to trust Ember’s instincts either. Ember’s love for her mother will cloud any chance of her forming an objective opinion.

Evanora and I enter the house, and I carefully close the door behind, blocking the sunlight that accompanied us.

“Ember!” Evanora calls out, and my love rushes into her mother’s open embrace.

My heart aches, seeing the obvious love in Ember’s expression. I barely recall how it felt to be loved by a parent, by any family member, although I feel sure I once was, especially after Ember helped me remember some scenes from my childhood.

I truly hope that my bad feeling about Evanora’s solo return is misplaced. I was the first one of us to trust her, why shouldn’t I trust her now?

“Where are Axe and Ryker?” Ember steps back from her mom. “Why didn’t they come back with you?”

“Darling.” Evanora runs her hand down Ember’s arm. “Let’s sit.”

Ember shakes her head. “No. Tell me. Where are they?” Her voice quavers.

“I’m afraid they are in trouble.” Nora wrings her hands. “They were captured. I feel terrible. My magic wasn’t strong enough to protect them. The witches took us by surprise.”

“What witches?” Ember asks, and I go to her, wrapping my arm around her for support as she trembles. “And what would they want with Axe and Ryker?”

“It was witches from the same coven who gave Octavia her powers. They’re trying to find you. They think they can force your vampires to give you up. I barely escaped myself.”

“Are they hurt?” Ember’s voice breaks.

“No.” Evanora shakes her head. “I don’t think so. Just trapped.”

“Trapped where?” Ember asks.

“In a secret basement under an old church in Philadelphia.”

“Which one?” I ask.

“The one they call Old Swedes,” Evanora replies.

I know it well. I suspect Ryker would too, as the church is located near the old port and may even predate the pirate’s first arrival to Philadelphia.

Nora looks up at me. “Zuben and I are going to rescue them.”

Ember leans into me, and I tip my head to the side. “Forgive me, Evanora, but these witches were able to overpower all three of you, why do you believe that the two of us would have success in freeing Ryker and Axel?”

“Because they had the element of surprise,” she replies quickly, as if she’s already considered this. “This time, we’ll have it.” Her expression and tone are convincing, making me question my earlier distrust.

“Also,” she continues, “I now know what spells they’re using. I can distract them, hold their magic at bay, while you guide the other two vampires out.”

This plan sounds vague for my liking, but the look of despair and urgency on Ember’s face is all I need to convince me that I must try something,anything, to find her other two loves. And damned if I don’t miss the other men too.

“I’m coming with you.” Ember clutches the amulet hanging around her neck. “I can help with the magic.”