She casts a backward glance at me, but I’m not letting her go into danger without this and I don’t give a fuck who’s watching. I capture her mouth in a kiss that tells everyone standing on the top of this building that Embry, no matter the position, no matter what happens next to all of us or me when we get this job done, she is mine. I run my lips over her ear. “Go get them, love.”
Chapter 25
Embry
The minute we’ve swooped into the entrance of the tall building, every neuron in my body ignites with a pulsing energy that I’ve never felt. Lucianna’s eyes widen in response but Raven grasps my hand, drawing it upward as we watch the electrical sparks fly from my fingernails. She laughs softly. “Not too shabby, witchy girl.”
My eyes roll. I sure as hell could have used this power when up against Lucas, but I guess only destiny knows why she’s saved it for now. We reach the elevators, but I gesture to the stairs. “It’s a ninety-floor building. Let’s transport.”
The minute we’re upstairs, Lucianna and I gesture the others in place, take the lead, and walk through the door that opens up into space where a black reception desk sits empty. This floor hasn’t been used in a while. Not since Descallia deemed anything of Isala’s liking sold or burned to the ground. But this building hasn’t even had a chance to sell and remains empty. At least I thought. I gesture with a finger to Lucianna but hold up a hand for the others to remain in place.
I’m not surprised when I get a raised eyebrow from Corvinus. He was always going to do what he wanted and nothing I do nowis going to stand in his way. I give him an eye roll just to let him know I am on to his controlling ass. But inside, where it really counts, I’m happy as hell that he has my back.
The voices are low, but distinct. Lucianna’s eyes glow bright green as we move forward, round the reception area, and wander carefully down the long hall toward the office at the back. The private one where no one else but a few selected people were ever allowed to roam. My friend doesn’t say a word, focused on our mission, but my heart aches for her just the same. Isala has caused Lucianna so much pain, the betrayal alone I’m sure hard enough to bear, but still she stands by my side ready to face the bitch for the good of the vampires.
She slides a hand down the length of steel by her side as we approach the door. I push the slightly open door further, and light from the room spills into the hallway as we enter lightfooted and sure.
Isala’s long silver hair and piercing eyes hit me with enough force to take my breath away. She stands from behind the large sleek black desk and walks around to its front in her Dior suit and classic heels. Like not a damn thing has changed.
I have to remember the history, my powers, our combined powers, and the forces actually at play. Not everything that we see is real, but this, it sure seems fucking real. Lucianna does not look surprised in the least, and neither of us should be really. We all know the way things work in our world. Resurrection, visions, illusions conjured by the witches, all so real in their very own ways. Chelise and a red-eyed vampire with long dark hair I’ve never seen before watch from their chairs at either side of the desk as the interaction plays out. Lucianna gives Isala a once over. “You’re looking well for someone who shouldn’t be alive, Isala.”
Isala gives her a saccharin smile and one of those deep throaty laughs I used to admire that now grates on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard.
The little skank Chelise gives me a good smirk and that tells me exactly what I already know. Her little ruse didn’t fool me. I could smell her dishonesty lingering in the air even from where I stood watching her little charade with Corvinus play out. She crosses her legs, dangling a foot adorned with an elegant and sexy heel. Shoes definitely do not make the lady because she is neither. She’s clearly been hitting the bottle tonight and it shows in her eyes but she’s of no real significance, at least not now. I’ll gladly deal with her bullshit later.
Right now, the real question is what the hell is Isala up to.
Lucianna clears her throat. “So you’re back? And you’ve engineered this entire little charade, for what? Surely a note would have sufficed?”
Isala’s eyes blaze. “Don’t you dare patronize me, you little fool. Did you think I would let you win?”
“Win? I didn’t realize we were in a competition.” Lucianna’s playing it off a lot cooler than I would if she had tried to steal my mate and my very existence.
“Yes, win. Do you think I’m going to stand by and let you sit by Descallia’s side and take my crown?” she yells.
Lucianna’s eyes meet her dead on. My fearless friend is not going to be bullied by anyone, especially the person who should have always had her back but turned on her instead. “You forget the history, Isala. That it is I who was his first love, his only love, and not you.”
Isala’s eyes turn molten red. “Do not test me or I will burn you to the ground,” Isala thunders.
I step forward. “Mind your place, Isala.” I look around, watching Chelise and the ghoulish looking vampire man. The same as Lucas. “Or should I call you Devora?”
Chapter 26
Corvinus
Iwatch from my vantage point right outside the door. Embry did not hold back; that’s for damn sure. If I thought she was going to drag out Devora’s little game, I was dead wrong. I don’t know why I didn’t see it at the club, but now I see it. It’s the eyes. Chelise isn’t alive. Son of a bitch. Now that I’ve realized it a quick look at the vampire guy confirms the very same thing.
And if I needed any further confirmation, Isala doesn’t say a word. She just stands there mutely as though the grand puppeteer is no longer pulling the strings or trying to think of something to say.
I send out a message to Descallia: Isala is not real. It’s Devora.
Overmaster Descallia is at my side instantly, glaring as we watch Devora’s bubble suddenly appear, her face contorted with evilness and rage. “You won’t get away with keeping my books. You may have hidden them for now, but we’ll find them, you stupid, stupid little girl!” she shrieks at Embry.
My hands ball into fists at my side and it takes all my effort to keep from attacking the evil witch who dares to yell at my mate. But in this instant, she is not my mate. She is a warrior, and Iknow exactly what she’s trying to do. I just don’t fucking like her baiting Devora at all.
But in this, she’s calculated. “You want the shadow books back? Why don’t we trade?” she asks as we watch Devora’s reaction, and her anger grows to a full-blown rage. Her face triples in size, almost engulfing the entirety of the bubble. “Do not play games with me!” she screams.
Embry is calm and looks up to meet her eye to eye. “The shadow books have told us all we need to know. The land in question has always been ours. How you and Overmaster Descallia intend to handle that, it is not up to me. But what is up to me is the safety of the vampires, and you, Devora, with your scheming and meddling pose a great harm to both their privacy and security.”
