Willow takes a drink and gets the courage to speak her piece. “I personally think that going to that cavern managed to spark the interest of the witches. It’s just too close to the sacredland near the Carpathian Mountains that the witches have been safeguarding forever.
What if we find out both of us are wrong and it’s as simple as splitting it down the middle or something we haven’t even thought of? We believe keeping the truth a secret is far more detrimental than helping discover the truth. We want to help.”
Embry looks thoughtful and at first, I think she’s going to say something about Willow’s change of heart, but Embry is smart and she’s going to allow her friend grace when it comes to rethinking her position for the good of the groups. She looks at Lucianna. “I think it’s a good idea. I spent a little time skimming through the books before everyone arrived. I learned a few things but have so many questions, and they can help answer them.”
Lucianna is thoughtful, known for her powerful insight and visions. “It’s a great idea. We work as a collaborative team to learn the history and then use it to work toward a peaceful compromise with the witches.” She looks to Overmaster Descallia who is mulling it over but looks far from pleased.
He gives off a low growl under his breath. “We make no promises. First, we learn the history. This I can get behind. History will tell the story of whether a compromise and peace are in the cards. Devora has had plenty of chances to tell us what’s in those shadow books herself. Clearly, she’s known for centuries the secret that she holds and if she’s holding it this close to the vest, it’s probably not in the witches’ best interests to let it out.” He gives the group of witches a stern look, his dark eyes darting from one to the other. “Are you each sure you want to go against Devora in this manner? It can only bring trouble to your door.”
The witches do not hesitate, which surprises me a bit. Raven shakes her head. “No, this fighting, it has to stop. Seriously, the tension is enough to drive me right up the wall,” she saysdramatically, rolling her kaleidoscope-colored eyes. Willow and Madria nod in agreement. “It’s time that it stops,” Willow says.
I personally agree with them. If we can get the information let’s do it, but I also agree with Descallia. How we use that information should be determined by what we learn. We simply don’t know what we don’t know.
The waitress returns and the ladies all animatedly order a second round of margaritas, causing some of the masters to smirk at their mates. Embry turns to me, and she doesn’t have to say a word out loud.One more drink and I’m going to climb you like a tree, vampire.
It’s good to see her having such a good time and working with the ladies on the shadow books will be good for her and them to rebuild their closeness and for her to want to stay in Chicago, because now that I have her, I’m not fucking letting her go.
The waitress has barely placed their drinks in front of them and they’re sipping at the mind-numbing liquid, getting glassy eyed and sassy the more that they drink. I don’t think one of the males at the table minds, all happy that they are having a good time and letting their hair down.
All of a sudden, the ladies begin to squeal, standing almost simultaneously. “It’s our song,” they say by way of explanation, joining arms as they leave us bewildered and head to the dance floor.
23
CORVINUS
We watch the ladies as the beat to a popular song gets stronger and the ladies half step to the catchy beat before they’re halfway to the floor. Descallia leans in although no one is really close enough to hear us from the other tables. He looks at me. “Now that you’re back, and Embry is back. Hopefully, we can make quick headway in getting the warriors back up and running. The masters and I would feel much better knowing a group is ready, trained, and ready to go into combat at a moment’s notice.”
I exhale a sigh, and internally my chest tightens. “When you say Embry is back. What role do you see her playing in the warriors? Has a decision been made to completely disband the special ops team?”
Descallia takes a sip of his Descallia Red, contemplating my question. “We’ve had some time to consider this, and I think the consensus of the group is that the reason for the special ops team really no longer exists. If you recall, I put that together with an elite group of vampires from different regions because we were pretty sure we had traitors amongst us and we needed to flush them out. We’ve done that, and now, it’s time to rebuild the warriors with those we can trust. No need for special ops.”
Well that certainly makes life easier in one regard and as fucked up as it can get in another—the personal side of my world that until meeting Embry I didn’t ever think would collide with my professional life. “And you’re certain you want me to lead the warriors?”
Embry was part of the warriors, a very integral part, and was responsible for many of our enemies’ deaths. She not only maimed them, but drove stakes deep in their hearts, ensuring they did not rise again for some time. It may be where her heart wants her to be and I have to be ready for that if so.
Descallia told me himself a while back that Embry is a strong and mighty warrior. That she went after Lucas single handedly to draw the enemy away from the vampires, otherwise, he believes many more would have been killed.
Descallia’s eyes narrow. “Of course. Don’t you want the job?”
I blow out a breath. I sure as hell did, until knowing Embry was going to be recruited for the team. That changes everything. There’s no way in hell I can keep that position if Embry decides she wants to be a warrior and makes the team. I’ve seen her resume, and she’ll get that job if she wants it. I’m going to need to take some time to figure this dilemma out because I’m not losing her over a fucking job, that’s for damn sure.
I take a drink of the Descallia Red as I watch Embry laugh so hard with the ladies as they fumble the dance moves that she almost doubles over. Her eyes feel mine and she glances up, keeping me mesmerized. Destiny has gotten us into a pickle, and it may take her help to get us out of it. I watch as they attempt to get into step, wondering just how the hell this is going to turn out besides me getting kicked out of the dark lords for inappropriate behavior with one of my charges. Because what Embry and I have together crosses every fucking line if she takes that job and if I’m being honest, even with her past working on the specialops team and me in charge of the warriors, while it’s not exact, the line has still been crossed.
Embry’s gentle eyes meet mine across the dance floor, drawing me to her again but I have my barriers up now to avoid anyone, even her, from knowing the truth about my thoughts. Maybe these shadow books will keep her busy enough for a while and give me time to determine how to navigate doing my job and keeping her too, because I already know that if the choice has to be made, I’ll walk away before I lose Embry but not being close enough to protect her is not something I can live with at all. Especially after the witches find out she has the books.
She and her friends continue to laugh and dance while the masters and I catch up. Romano is quieter than usual tonight. I catch his gaze across the table. “Embry said you’re going to stay in Chicago for a while. I’m sorry about how things turned out with Devora. We did not intend to disrupt the balance in your region.”
He nods, thoughtfully taking a sip of his blood and wine mixture. “It was bound to happen Corvinus. The truth of the matter is we probably just babied the relationship far longer than we should have and gave the sneaky biddies even more time to calculate and plan their little games.”
Descallia growls under his breath. “The fucking nerve of those cackling hens. I swear when I get my hands on Devora she’s going to wish she had never double crossed us again. Time and time again. When will we stop believing that they’ve put down the gauntlet and are ready for a truce?”
Master Sardinia, who’s been watching Madria dance, turns into the conversation. “The witches in Romania are the ones who are keeping the war with them alive, not all of them.”
Descallia nods. “Point well taken and agreed.” The masters give a nod, because every one of us, whether we thought differently before, knows that they are dedicated and committedto the masters they have taken as mates and to the vampire community as a whole.
I set my glass down in front of me. “I don’t disagree, but if I’m honest I would have much preferred Raven to tell us what she knew about the shadow books quite some time ago. It could have even saved the damage of your home, Romano.”
Master Romano growls fiercely, his fangs immediately descending and eyes growing bright red. “Raven has done everything in her power to keep the peace at the cost of her own relationship with her family and the witches.”
