“Was a cover.” Morgan’s lips curve in a slight smile. “One that allowed me access to places and information I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
“Oh, right. Sure.” Rowan rolls her eyes. “And were’ supposed to believe you…why?”
“Hush, Ro,” Mom murmurs. “Let the man speak.”
Typical Mom. Always so balanced.
“I was an obvious decoy,” Morgan responds. “The ones to worry about would never be so open about their allegiance.”
The room falls silent as everyone mulls this over. Even Zephyra, usually quick with a retort, seems subdued by Morgan’s words. In a twisted way, it makes sense.
“So, what have you come to share with us?” Marcus has his arms crossed over his chest. He looks skeptical.
“The corruption goes deeper than any of you suspect,” Morgan says, his expression growing grave. “What you’ve seen, what you think you know – it’s only the surface.”
“Tell us something we don’t know, Shadowmaster,” Darick snorts. “Who do you plan to point the finger at?”
“We’re still delving into the extent of it.” Morgan pauses, his gaze lingering on each face in turn. “But now isn’t the time for those revelations. We have more immediate concerns.”
I want to press him for more information, but something in his bearing tells me it would be useless.
“What could be more immediate than—” Thaddeus starts, but Morgan cuts him off with a sharp gesture.
“There is someone who needs to speak with you.” He steps away from the door, and there’s a collective gasp as our High Priestess steps in, accompanied by her sister Astra.
And right behind them is Isabella Montague.
“By the goddess!” someone chokes out.
I can’t help the rage that burns through me at the sight of the woman. That vampire bitch has been supporting Lucien’s schemes for months. Before I can voice my outrage, Zephyra beats me to it.
“Are you kidding me?” She practically spits the words. “After everything she’s done?”
“Isabella is here to help. She can provide crucial insights,” Seraphina says calmly. But even the High Priestess’s serene presence isn’t enough to quell the explosion of angry voices.
“Insights?” Dad’s voice cuts through the uproar. “She’s been funding Lucien’s operations!”
Isabella raises her hands in a placating gesture. Her perfectly manicured nails catch the light. “I understand your anger. But please, let me explain.”
“This should be good,” I mutter. Marcus’s hand brushes my arm in warning.
“Lucien has one of my descendants.” Isabella’s voice cracks slightly. “Sophie. She’s human – the last of my mortal bloodline. I turned her father, but Sophie…” She takes a steadying breath. “Sophie chose to remain human. And Lucien found her.”
The room falls silent. Even I feel my anger faltering.
“He’s keeping her in one of his facilities,” Isabella continues. “Every time I’ve tried to locate her, he’s moved her. He made it clear that one wrong move from me, one hint of disloyalty, and he’ll get nasty. He sent me a lock of her hair last week. Said the next thing he cut off wouldn’t be so painless.” Her composed facade cracks further. “She’s only sixteen.”
“How do we know this isn’t another trick?” Marina asks, but her tone is gentler now.
“Because I’ve seen the girl,” Seraphina says quietly. “Through a vision. Isabella is telling the truth.”
I glance at Marcus, catching his thoughts before he voices them. He knows about Sophie – has heard rumors about Isabella’s mysterious trips to London, where the girl lives. This isn’t a lie.
“So you’d sell out our entire race for one girl?” Thaddeus snaps at her. It’s a cruel question, but I can tell his tolerance has been stretched taut.
Isabella’s throat works. It’s the first time I’ve seen her look this vulnerable. “She’s an innocent. Barely more than a child. And the things Lucien would do to her…” She swallows hard again. “Please. You have to understand…” Her voice trails off, and Thaddeus shifts uncomfortably in the chair he’s seated in.
Isabella’s perfectly manicured hands tremble as she pulls a leather-bound journal from her bag. “This was in his private study. I took it the night he moved against Arabella.” She places it on the table in the center of the room. I move in closer toget a better look. “It details everything – his research into blood magic, the rituals he’s perfected over centuries. His plans.”
