Page 82 of Fighting for Her Heart

Nora shakes her head. “You can’t face sunlight, and we shouldn’t wait until nightfall.”

“But I’ve got great news!” Ember looks up at me.

I squeeze her hand, and try to signal silence with my eyes.

“Your mother is right,” I tell her. “We should not wait until nightfall. But do not worry, my love, we will return to you—all of us—by the time the sun sets.”

“But…” Ember looks into my eyes with so many questions.

“What is your good news?” Evanora asks Ember.

Ember pulls away from me slightly and my body tenses. “Only that I’ve been working hard on my magic and my vampiric powers. I think your amulet is really helping.”

“That’s wonderful to hear.” Evanora smiles, but I sense tension in her expression. She can tell that Ember is withholding information from her, and based on Ember’s stiffening posture, I believe she might sense it too.

“Evanora,” I say. “Would you please excuse Ember and me for a few moments? I would very much like to have a chance to say a private farewell to her before we leave.”

“Of course.” Evanora nods. “I’ll wait out on the porch?”

“That should be satisfactory.” I do not think that witches have enhanced hearing abilities like vampires do, and asking her to go farther afield or off the property would only raise her suspicions.

“I’ll stay nearby.” She smiles at Ember. “Knock on the door when you’re ready for me to come back in. I’d like to say my own goodbye too.” She takes Ember’s hand. “We’ve barely had a chance at hello.”

The woman leaves the house and I lead Ember back into the bedroom.

“Why can’t I tell her?” she asks in hushed tones. “Also, wouldn’t it be better if all three of us went?”

I shake my head. “What if the witches are using Axel and Ryker as bait? I agree with your mother, it’s far too risky for you to come with us.”

Worry fills her expression, and I wish I could say something to make it vanish. But every assurance I can think of is mired in uncertainty. Evanora has offered us so little information. I honestly do not know whether she and I will be able to easily free the others.

“But why not at least tell her I can go out in the light?” Ember asks.

The more I allow myself to consider Evanora’s return and her story, the more questions I have. As much as I hate to admit it, Ryker may have been right about Ember’s adoptive mother. She is hiding something, and if I look deep inside myself, I must admit that disagreeing with Ryker may have partially fueled my desire to trust her.

“Do you trust me?” I ask Ember.

“Of course.” She leans into my chest.

“If the witches holding Ryker and Axel are Keepers of Light and are looking for you, it is almost certain that they are holding Axel and Ryker as bait as your mother suggested. I do not think it is safe for you to go anywhere near them.”

“But what if they try to hold you as bait too?” She looks up into my eyes. “And my mom?” Her voice tightens.

“We will not take unnecessary risks.” I offer her the only assurance I can.

“My mom…she can…” Ember grimaces as if she’s struggling with her loyalties. “She can alter your perceptions of the world. She can make you see things that aren’t there.”

“I will stay vigilant.” I kiss Ember’s forehead. “I am harder to fool than most.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ember

Zuben pulls me into an embrace,and I cling to him, nerves tightening my belly, tightening every part of me. It’s terrifying enough to know that witches are holding Ryker and Axe, but Zuben’s obvious new distrust of my mom is an unexpected change. I wish I could fully explain to Zuben what he might be facing with these witches, how my mom can make people see things, but I don’t totally understand it myself. And even with all that Mom’s explained to me about magic, I’m not sure whether that’s something all witches can do, or just her.

I certainly can’t do it.

The only thing I’ve managed to do is divert a few rocks that Zuben’s thrown at me, but even that felt totally outside my control. Mom’s amulet doesn’t seem to be helping me develop my magic in any significant way.