Corvinus walks in behind Descallia and takes the seat next to me, clearly hearing every word of my mind. He leans over and whispers. “It’s always going to be that way between us, love. Destiny and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Descallia commences the meeting with a slam of his gavel but only half the masters have arrived and the only lord at the table is Corvinus. “Masters, you’ll notice that we have a few extra guests around the table. My mate and our queen, Lucianna, Embry, and the ladies have been working very hard to learn the secrets of the witches contained in the shadow books. Lord Corvinus as you know has been working behind the scenes to get the Society of Warriors pulled back together. They’ve managed to uncover the secret to the witches shadow books.”
The masters burst into animated conversation around the table, but Descallia puts an end to it almost immediately as his gavel comes down. “There’s no time for celebration yet. Devora is out for blood. Apparently has always had a vendetta against Embry’s great, great great gramma and everyone between her and Embry. You see, this woman had great powers, far greater than any of us knew when she was helping us battle the witches. We always knew she was a highly gifted psychic, but she was also part witch.”
All eyes turn to me and my cheeks flame with heat. I give everyone my best grin. “It would appear I’m in need of a good wand these days.”
Some of the masters laugh and Romano just nods as though so many things are now falling into place. My attention is quickly turned back to Descallia though.
“If you haven’t heard through the masters’ grapevine, Embry had a very up close and serious run in with a pack of ghouls. If you recall, she was masterful in her defeat of them as she transitioned, as she was this time as well. There were well over a hundred ghouls in total according to Lord Corvinus’s account, who swarmed the sacred vampire cavern. She not only used her brains to rein them in and outsmart them, but her newfound powers to harness energy and send them back to hell.”
Cheers go up around the table and over the speakerphone. It’s hard not to smile at the boisterous group around the table. I try to speak clearly but emotion causes my voice to crack. “Thank you everyone, but I couldn’t have done it without a lot of help. Many of your mates, Lord Corvinus, Master Descallia, and Lucianna.” I leave out the help that I received from the special little bird I’ve known all my life. The last thing he would want is to be involved in any way.
Corvinus shifts in his seat.Fucking little bird knew secrets all along.
I narrow my eyes at Corvinus. Damn it can be annoying how he reads my mind.Be nice. Rupert was scared for his family. He has to live there.
Descallia’s saying something and he’s looking directly at me when I tune back into the conversation. “I’m sorry sir?”
His dark eyes flare. “I was saying that you are not only intelligent, but possess excellent fighting skills, and have a sincere desire to protect the vampires. Even at the risk to yourself personally. You’ve proven that time and time again,Embry. I want to go on the record for myself, Lucianna, all the masters, lords, and their mates to tell you how sorry we are that anyone ever doubted you during our battle with the rogues. We’ll never make that mistake again.”
My eyes well up with tears that I fight to keep from brimming over. I swallow through the emotion and unable to say a word for a moment or two, just nod. When I’ve gathered my composure, I take a sip of water, inhaling deeply so I can get this out. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about the things that happened. I may not have liked it then, but you were right to do what you did. The protection of the vampire community, our family, is priority one. Nothing should come above that, even me. You needed to be sure. It took me a while, but I now realize that I would have done the very same thing if put in that position.”
Descallia grins from ear to ear.
I look to Lucianna.What the hell am I missing?
Chapter 18
Corvinus
Overmaster Descallia does not keep Embry waiting long but manages to surprise the hell out of me at the very same time. “Embry.” He gestures around the table with open arms. “We couldn’t be more proud of you. You have come to know the full weight of the responsibility of protecting the vampires not just in words, but in actions and every strategic decision you make, placing the vampires’ desires for vengeance and truth above everything else.”
“Thank you, Overmaster,” she replies, her eyes still moist with emotion.
“What we could not and did not tell you for a reason, was that you had one last test to pass.”
Her eyes widen, and she turns those delicate features to me. “Test?”
Descallia draws her attention back to him quickly though. “It was my test, Embry. Corvinus saw all he needed to know even before the cavern, but especially afterward. My test though, it was not so much for you. It was a test of …,” he pauses, “let’s call it pureness of mind. I had to be sure that you had not been compromised by the witches, by one of Devora’s evil mindgames. I needed to know that she could not read your mind, and as a result, be privy to our plans.”
Embry understands the minute he’s finished. She clears her throat. “You thought since Devora and her witches may have conjured things in my mind like conversations with Gramma that they could read my mind too?”
Descallia nods. “We needed to make sure that wasn’t the case.”
Embry runs a purple painted fingernail around the edge of her water glass. “Because if she could, the witches would be here now. You made me believe the masters and lords would all be here along with myself and Lucianna as a trap for them?”
He shrugs, but his eyes stay dark and intent. “It’s my job.”
She nods. “There was a time it would have made me very upset, but I understand. In fact, I’m relieved because if I’m being honest the same thing crossed my mind. Was I conjuring things of my own, were they messing with my mind, what did they know? For all intents and purposes, I’m glad you did this, and glad they didn’t show.”
Embry looks around the table. “Although I hope you know that I did have a plan, you know, just in case the witches showed. I tossed and turned worried about the fact that we would all be in one place, something you’ve tried never to allow us to do without added precautions, or in a building protected by our own powers. I had a plan to destroy them if they attacked.”
Descallia grins widely. “And that right there, Embry is one more reason that this is the right decision.”
She smiles, but she’s not getting it yet. Lucianna’s eyes begin to glow as she takes Embry’s hand. “You’ll see…”
Overmaster Descallia is not usually known for theatrics, but he’s drawing this out for optimal effect. I make a mental note to thank him for making Embry feel so appreciated and part of the vampire community. I clear my throat to get his and the others’attention, because there is no better time than now to make my announcement and officially clear the way for what we’ve already discussed.
