Page 1 of Desired for Her Blood
Chapter One
Axel
“Protect her!”I shout, but Zuben and Ryker are already thinking the same thing, and the three of us create an umbrella of bodies to keep the torrent of rocks from striking Ember, as she lies unconscious.
The vampires who were with Octavia, the witch who made me, collapsed the tunnel that leads into this cave, and the shock also loosened rocks inside the cavernous space. Sharp stones strike my back and neck, but I barely feel their sting, or even the thudding ache as one hits my head. Those trifles are nothing compared to the pain in my heart.
Lying just as she collapsed, Ember hasn’t moved. Is she even alive? My body heaves with anguish. If I were not a vampire, tears would be raining over Ember’s unconscious body beneath me.
I almost fucked her. Nearly raped her. That vampire-witch assumed my huge member would cause so much damage to Ember that she would bleed to death, and while I don’t believe that, it doesn’t make what I almost did any easier to accept.
I too was acting without consent. That witch cast a spell on me. An evil spell compelling me to obey her.
How else could I feel such a drive to do something I wouldneverdo?
I detest that witch more than any other soul on this earth. She killed my family, turned me into a vampire, and I would happily tear her limb from limb, if given the chance.
“I think the vibrations have stopped.” Zuben says, but his voice comes through a dense fog of grief and guilt—a heavy curtain separating me from the rest of the world.
Another sound is clouding my perceptions too. Roaring water. Glancing toward the pool, I realize that the explosion shifted some rocks and the waterfall is now crashing down with what seems like the force of Niagara Falls, churning the water beneath it.
Zuben, the tall serious vampire, crouches to take Ember’s pulse and then lifts her into his arms. Growling, I lunge at him.
“I am not hurting her.” Zuben looks at me with alarm.
I pant, nearly hyperventilating as I fight to regain control of my mind; to tame the part of me willing to killanyonewho so much as touches Ember.
Holding her naked body in one arm, Zuben lifts one of the furs, shakes off the fallen rocks and debris, and then lays her on the soft pelt and covers her with my woolen blanket.
And I just stand there, watching, unable to process what happened.
Zuben’s hand lands on my arm, and my head jerks toward him. He lifts his hand quickly, holding his palm toward me.
“You did not hurt her. She is unconscious, but breathing.”
My legs give out, and I drop to a crouch, head in my hands. “But I was going to hurt her. I almost did.”
A rock falls onto the ground. “Fuck!” Ryker yells.
Turning, I see the former pirate standing in front of the wall of rocks that’s completely filling the cave’s entrance and blocking our only exit.
He tugs at a huge boulder, and it shifts, but another tumbles from above. He jumps out of the way just in time to avoid getting crushed.
“I do not think trying to move those boulders is wise,” Zuben calls over to him. “Octavia’s team used explosives to collapse the passageway and the fallen stones are unstable. Moving them could cause further collapse.”
“But I’ve got to get out!” Ryker turns toward us, sheer panic on his face. His body is trembling, his breaths coming too quickly, and I recognize his hyperventilation, his panic. I was in close to the same state not moments ago.
I rush to his side. “Head between your knees.” I push down on his shoulder, and his knees bend as he drops toward the ground. I pat his back. “Take long breaths. Count them.”
I look over to Zuben holding Ember, concern on his face that belies the reassurance he offered me earlier.
But I stay with Ryker, counting out breaths for him. We don’t need someone else incapacitated. At least I know how to help Ryker. Zuben is caring for Ember, and I’m too ashamed to face her when she wakes.
“Shit.” Breathing more slowly now, Ryker jumps to his feet and then grins at me, shaking his head. “Felt like my heart was going to explode. Haven’t felt anything like that since… Doesn’t matter.”
His head snaps toward Ember and Zuben. “Ember!” He rushes to the pile of furs, landing on his knees beside her.
“What’s wrong with her?” he asks Zuben as I walk over to join them.
