Page 32 of Fighting for Her Heart
During my childhood, every question or evenmentionof magic was shut down or brushed off, and I can’t believe she’s going to answer my questions—finally.
“I too believe that Ember learning more about magic is a good idea.” Zuben bows slightly. “I was the first of us to observe her abilities.”
Nora drapes her arm around my waist as she turns toward Zuben. “Describe again what you saw.”
“The first time I saw her powers, Ember was in danger.” Pain flashes in Zuben’s eyes. “She held out her hands, like this—” he extends his hands, palms forward “—and the vampire who was threatening her moved back, as if he’d been physically pushed.”
I shiver remembering how that Psycho guy threatened to rape me.
“That’s it?” Nora asks, her head tipping to the side. “How do you know it was Ember’s actions that caused this vampire to move?” Her hand squeezes my waist. “Did you feel anything when it happened, honey?”
“No… Maybe… I’m…I’m not sure. Not that time. But when Octavia.” I close my eyes, wishing I could forget some things that happened in that cave, even though it’s also where I first realized I was in love, and it holds so many good memories too.
“When Octavia was threatening us, I felt like a bright light turned on inside me, a light that…that radiated out of my body.” The same feeling happened when I supposedly redirected the boulder that nearly crushed Axe and the stones that fell during the explosions.
“Did you perform any incantations to summon this light,” Mom asks. “Which spells did you cast?”
“Spells?” I shake my head. “How would I know how to cast a spell?”
She rubs my back, looking into my eyes with deep understanding and love. “If itwasmagic, it is a natural ability you must learn to focus. Spells are one method of channeling magic.” She turns to the men. “Can my daughter and I spend time alone? There are elements of magic I cannot disclose to outsiders.”
Axe growls softly.
“Outsiders.” Ryker scoffs and shakes his head.
I take his hand. “She didn’t mean it like that.”
Ryker lifts my hand to his lips and looks into my eyes as he kisses my knuckles. “You want us to leave you alone with her?”
I nod. I know the men won’t be far away, and it’s not like they won’t be able to listen in to our conversation if they want to. Nora must either not know that, or she’s forgotten, so I don’t want to say it aloud.
“If Ember and Nora want privacy, we must grant them that.” Axe steps forward, his chest wide as he acts again like the alpha he is. “Come.” He gestures to Ryker and Zuben.
Taking my face in his hands, Axe leans in to kiss me softly, sending a ripple of love drifting through me. He backs away and Zuben presses his lips gently against my forehead, and then Ryker pulls me against him, holding my arms behind me as he kisses me full on the lips, possessively plunging his tongue against mine. Then he slides his lips back to my ear.
“We’ll stay on the porch,” he whispers. “One hint of threat and we’ll be with you in a flash.”
Smiling and buzzing inside from the kiss, I nod at him, and then the three of them walk back toward the house.
Nora turns to me. “Let’s start with a demonstration.” She walks into the forest and I follow behind her. I glance back over my shoulder, but the house and my men are now hidden from us by the trees.
Her eyes close and she takes hold of the amulet hanging around her neck, then she drops it back to her chest and spreads both her arms wide. A blue glow, so familiar from my childhood, surrounds us as she slowly turns in a circle, making three revolutions before stopping.
The blue glow illuminates the forest. It’s not like daylight—more like a massive full moon—but it’s enough that I don’t need my night vision. “How did you do that?” I ask her. “Can I do it? Does the magic come from your amulet?” She’s worn it as long as I can remember, so perhaps it’s the key.
“Magic doesn’t come from an object,” she says. “But it does help to have an anchor, especially one as ancient as this.”
“Do you have to be born with magic? I ask. “Or is it taught?”
“Both.” Nora takes a step back from me and then gestures in a circle again.
Our surroundings change and it’s like we’re in my attic bedroom on a sunny day—my bed with its star covered quilt, the small desk and chair, the ornately painted dresser, the rocking chair in the corner.
“How?” I can barely talk. I turn to her. “Is it real?”
“It depends on what you mean by real.” She smiles with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Can I touch things?” I ask her. “Sit on the bed?”
