There’s no way the committee is not going to move Embry’s application forward. I might as well get ahead of it and make sure the road for Embry is clear so that she can take her rightful spot on the warriors’ team. It would have been much easier to announce it to everyone if they were actually going to be at the same place at the same time. But I trust Overmaster Descallia with all of our lives. We’ll just have to see how everything plays out now.
Hell, if it were up to me, I’d put Embry in charge. I’d do it in a fucking heartbeat.
After seeing what I saw, the strategic thought that went behind the ghoul's demise, the fearless show of bravery all for the good of the vampires, and most of all, her restraint with Devora when she could have taken her out ... Instead, she put the vampire’s future first and allowed Overmaster Descallia to make the decision as to how to deal with Devora. That had to have taken an astronomical amount of self-control. But yet her self-constraint was impressive.
In everything but her disappearing acts … which puts a smile on my face, because she’s not yet paid a price for that and I intend to exact a very fair amount for that little act. We’ll have plenty of time for play, especially once I’ve resigned.
Right now, she still needs rest. I watch my spirited beauty lying beneath the covers of my bed with only her face visible, lying on my pillow and waiting for me to join after more than a long journey and day while we contemplate what tomorrow night at the meeting will bring. She stirs as I slide into bed and draw her to me. “Night love,” I whisper.
After a full coursemeal that should last me the night, Embry kisses my lips, opens her silky robe and flashes me a view of her perfect tits. “Be down in a flash, vampire.”
She heads to the shower upstairs to dress and get ready while I brush my teeth in the bathroom downstairs, adjust my tie and stow a few weapons in my pockets, and the sheath hanging from my belt. Just to be on the safe side. If Descallia’s drawing out the witches, then I’m damn sure going to be ready. Embry walks downstairs and I whistle as she spins at the bottom of the stairsin her itty-bitty sweater, short skirt and shortie boots. “Gorgeous as always, my love.” I toss her a dagger. Embry catches it midair, sheathing it with skill before joining me by the closet to gather her sword and coat. “Not leaving home without this baby, tonight,” she says.
Bernard has the car brought around when we step outside. I gesture toward the house. “Call me if you hear or see one thing out of the ordinary, understand? The witches are likely to be out for blood after tonight.”
“Of course, sir.”
I scan the perimeter of my heavily guarded property as Embry gets into the backseat of the long black limo. The minute we’re both settled into the back I press the button for the privacy glass to slide into place and click Embry’s seatbelt into place.
She pensive and worried, wringing her hands. “I wish we knew why Descallia wants everyone at the same meeting. It doesn’t make any sense, at all. It’s giving her the perfect opportunity, it’s what she needs in order to make her evil spell work.”
Embry’s not the only one that’s worried about tonight but for much different reasons than she knows. “Everything will come together, love. It always does. We may not always understand his reasons, but they always make sense in the end.”
Her head tilts. “Fair enough, but I’m still worried.”
I grasp her hand, loving that she’s comfortable enough to let down her guard with me and tell me how she’s really feeling when not too long ago that wasn’t the case. She’s not the only one worried though. Descallia has orchestrated full on attacks and strategic onslaughts before but this one is going beyond the pale.
Chapter 17
Embry
The drive through city traffic takes time, each light and intersection congested with cars and pedestrians on the street, walking from shop to shop no matter the cold of the night. The snowflakes fall gently around the windows, making everything magical as we drive along the large storefronts of the most elegant shops around as we make our way toward the conference center down by the water.
“Such a public place, and maybe that was the plan to keep them at bay while we all meet. I don’t think that tactic is going to work with Devora. She’s just getting braver and braver every year. Does he think she won’t bring her witches into the city for everyone to see?”
Corvinus shakes his head. “I’m not sure, Embry. He didn’t give me all the details.” I don’t however tell her that I know a lot more about tonight than she’s been told. The driver pulls up next to an open spot at the curb and lets us out. I hold onto Embry’s hand to prevent her slipping on the icy sidewalk as we make our way across it and into the vestibule of the prominent building.
Masters Tuscano, Trentino and Romano all join us as we enter through the next set of glass doors and into the receptionarea which has been set up with refreshments. This is definitely not the typical meeting Descallia sets up and all of us know it. This feels like a celebration, a gala or something festive. Perhaps Lucianna now has a hand in coordinating the meets with her mate and is putting a little feminine spin on it. Either way, the masters seem to appreciate it.
Embry nudges me as she takes a glass of punch from the long white table. “I don’t see any of the other lords, only you. Think they’ll all arrive together?”
I’m saved from answering when Overmaster Descallia and Lucianna arrive. I don’t miss the long sword hanging by his side partially concealed by his long wool overcoat, or the dual chest vest Lucianna carries, holding two green jeweled daggers.
They close the distance, greeting other masters as they walk toward us. Descallia extends a hand to Corvinus. Thanks for getting things arranged.”
“Not a problem. It looks a little festive in here.” he says.
Lucianna laughs. “Doesn’t it?” She winks at me. I give her wide eyes. I don’t have a clue what’s going on, but something is definitely off with this whole thing.
She grasps my hand. “Come on. Let’s let the guys finish putting our coats up and talk while we get settled into the meeting room before they start.” Lucianna walks along the length of the long rectangular table and takes a seat at the left side, no doubt leaving room for Descallia at the head of the table next to her. I slide into the seat beside her and gesture to the large speaker phone in the center of the table. “Someone joining by phone?”
Masters Botosoni and Sardinia walk in before she has time to speak, and each give us a nod of acknowledgment. I lean in closer to Lucianna. “Where are all the lords?”
“You’ll see,” she says, pouring a glass of water for herself and me from the pitcher in front of us. “I’m seldom invited to thesethings, as you well know. It’s going to be kind of fun to see Descallia in full on overmaster mode.”
“Oh, good lord. Do you remember when you first met? I thought you two were going to kill each other or set the world on fire with the chemistry. Jeez ... and now look at you,” I say sweetly.
Her eyes flash bright green. “Yeah, it seems like so long ago, but…” She stops as the tall dark image of her husband walking into the room quiets the side conversations. Their eyes meet across the room and that chemistry is still there for them. It’s how I want it to be for me and Corvinus until the end of time.
