Raven’s bright green eyes swirl, the colors of the kaleidoscope beginning to blend with the green as she takes another sip of the margarita she’s poured. I set my empty glass on the table beside the couch and tuck my feet underneath me. “You remember when all of us ladies got together?” I ask. “We used to have the best times.”
She walks over and takes my glass, heads to the bar and tops it off before bringing a full one back over to me. My little witch friend sighs whimsically. “It’s just not the same without the other ladies, is it? I miss all of our friend group too. You know, it’s not like we’re getting together without you, right? We haven’t all been together since the night you left.”
My gaze meets hers over my glass. “You’re not? I didn’t know that.”
Raven shakes her head, and her short dark pixie cut moves across her forehead as her eyes roll. “Of course not, silly. It just wouldn’t be the same. Everyone is heartsick over you leaving. You have to know that Embry. I honestly think we should dig into the shadow books and then you should go back to Chicago and touch base with Lucianna. Give her a chance to explain, Embry. You’ve been besties forever and she did have OvermasterDescallia send Corvinus to find you, right? It’s not like she’s wiped you out of her mind. She’s heartsick, we all are.”
I sigh, shifting on my foot and settling deeper into the comfort of the luxurious soft leather. “In a subconscious way, I know you’re right. It just hurt so damn much. First, they locked me up because they weren’t sure about my allegiance to the vampires, then when I went after Lucas to protect them, they accused me of being a traitor. It just felt like I couldn’t win, you know?”
She nods, taking a sip of her drink. “I know, Embry. It was to make sure, to protect everyone.”
The same lump that always forms when thinking about those days in that lower level all by myself, scared, frustrated and secluded from the group is hard to talk through. “How the fuck was I supposed to feel though? I don’t give a flying fuck what most people think, but she and the other ladies, you, the vampire masters, and our circle of friends, I gave all the fucks about that.”
Raven sits by my side. “I know, I can read your heart just as well as my own. I always knew it was simply a precaution, but I know it still doesn’t make the hurt go away or make it right.”
I sniff. “Aside from my gramma, you and they are the only family I have, and now I have no one at all. Or at least that’s the way it feels right now. Well ... better now that we’re together.”
Raven’s eyes turn from bright green to the full spectrum of kaleidoscope color as they begin swirling with emotion and her fingertips sparkle with electric energy. “You may feel that way but deep down, you know better. You will always be family but there’s no doubt you’ve been hurt in a lot of ways and need time to heal. Personally, I say what better way to heal than talking things out. I’m a good listener.” She gestures to my glass. “And of course that makes for loose lips.”
My chest tightens. “You are the best listener and such a great friend, Raven. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you.”
Her eyes narrow. “The others feel the very same way I do, and you’ll see that if you can just get past that initial conversation like we have.”
I take another drink. “Maybe, we’ll see. Can you keep a secret?”
She grins and uses a finger to make an x across her chest. “Absolutely, whatever secrets you have, spill them.” She looks at the grandfather clock in the corner. “But do it fast because once Romano gets home, I’m making him take me upstairs to bed because margarita is like an aphrodisiac to me…” She winks. “Get my meaning?”
“Dear lord, a horny witch.” I laugh. “Well, don’t tell a soul, but when Lord Corvinus gets back, I’m planning to climb that vampire like a tree. I can hardly wait till he appears through that door. It’s been two days. How long does it take to meet with Overmaster Descallia? The longer he’s gone the more worried I get that he won’t come back. That maybe he’ll just decide slipping over to the witch academy is too risky, that I’m not worth the trouble.”
She grins and her head bobs up and down. “You and Lord Corvinus make a good couple indeed, but you know the position that puts him in with the masters? I mean, they are willing to overlook witches being solid mates for the vampires with approval, but they’re not ever going to be okay with someone in his position sleeping with someone he’s supposed to be protecting.”
My chest tightens with angst. “You can’t tell a soul that I told you, Raven. You promise me right now that no matter what you will keep that secret until you die or I will find some witch hex in that lower-level academy and spin some magic potion on you.”
Raven laughs. “No need for that. My lips are sealed, but it’s not like Romano and I haven’t heard you two going at it like a couple of banshees in the night. I mean, we can hear through the walls.”
My eyes widen and my chest begins to pound. “You think he’ll say something to the other masters, to Overmaster Descallia? Holy hell, maybe that’s why Descallia called to have him meet him in Chicago, maybe he found out and is not letting him come back. Maybe he’s banished Corvinus from the vampire lords?”
My friend gives me a pat on the shoulder. “Calm down, Embry. Romano would not do that, and you better believe if Descallia found out he wouldn’t just calmly ask Corvinus to meet him in Chicago. He would come here and snatch you right back to Chicago with Lucianna. You know how protective they are of you.”
Even still, my mind spins with all the possibilities. “Shit, I have to find out. I need to call him,” I tell her, jumping up from the couch, frantically looking for my phone. The fear that I’ve not only alienated the vampires but have managed to destroy Corvinus and his relationship with the vampires at the same time is so intense that it causes my heart to race. Damn it all to hell. Every relationship that I have I manage to mess up. I swear it’s just better if I’m all alone.
I grab my cell and hit his number, waiting as it rings and rings without answer, finally disconnecting and sliding it in the back pocket of my skirt, pacing for a moment before grabbing my half full glass. I take a long calming sip, letting the buzz of almost two margaritas settle my nerves. Although nothing is going to truly calm me until I hear the deep timbers of his voice and know that he’s safe from anything I’ve done.
Raven gestures to the couch. “You should sit, all that pacing is making me dizzy. Romano isn’t going to say anything tothe masters about you and Corvinus. It’s not his way. He may question the integrity of it, but knowing him, he’ll have that conversation with Corvinus, not the masters.”
That makes me feel a little bit better, but still, now I’m far too nervous and agitated to sit. “Descallia called him back to Chicago for a reason. I still can’t help believing that it had something to do with me and not in a good way.”
I try his number again and after a number of rings disconnect. “Maybe I should call Lucianna. She would know what’s going on, right?”
Raven shrugs. “She might, but personally, I think you’re getting yourself all worked up for nothing. Lord Corvinus is a big boy. He can handle whatever gets thrown his way and there’s no way that Descallia’s going to toss him out on his ear. Let’s face it, others have done far more than have an affair and he and the masters have turned a blind eye to it all.”
I inhale. “Right, but this is me we’re talking about and they think I’m a traitor, and if you’ve forgotten— although not technically— I’m still part of special ops, and Lord Corvinus is now in charge of putting the warriors back together and can technically be considered my immediate superior. You know, not just down the chain a little ways.”
Her eyes go wide. “Shit. I guess that didn’t really cross my mind, but Romano would have told me if something like that was going down, Embry.”
“Right, but where is he? Did he and Overmaster Descallia both meet with Corvinus?”
Her brows knit in confusion. “No, Romano is at the community meeting with the regional vampires. It’s the same one he has every month. You seriously need to get a grip.” She grins. “Looks like someone has fallen head over heels for the hunky Lord Corvinus whether I warned you against him or not.”
