The electricity around Devora sparks, flying from her fingertips, but this time, it sets off a chain reaction, causing Embry’s fingertips to spark with energy of their own, along with the witches’ who are watching from a few feet away. My fingers slide over the handle of my sword ready to jump in and intervene if one thing goes wrong. If Devora touches one hair on Embry’s head…
But Embry is far from the wilting violet. She knows me so well and can clearly hear my every thought.Don’tyoudare,vampire.
I’m not moving a muscle. I’ll let her and Lucianna handle their business. They need this, but Descallia and I are sure as shit not going to let them be tricked by the wicked little bitch who took their lives and left them with no alternative but to turn to the dark side of their souls.
Devora’s eyes narrow. “This is a war you should have never stepped into. Your gramma, her gramma, and all of their grammas before knew it. You will never win. You may have an ounce of our power, but each of them tried, and all of us knewit was never going to be enough to make a difference, and it wasn’t.”
Embry’s eyes begin to circle, turning kaleidoscope in color, swirling as the energy in her fingertips begins to spark. She nods her head and in one instant both Chelise and her vampire guy are turned into the ugliest two toads imaginable. “You should see what I can do when I’m really pissed.”
Devora screeches in her large floating bubble.
Lucianna laughs. “Apparently you haven’t read your shadow books or compared them to the Vade Mecum. Your time is ending, Devora. Your reign of terror, it’s finished.”
Devora’s eyes narrow even further, and her head enlarges to the full size of the bubble above. That doesn’t stop Embry though. “The vampires, we will take control of our rightful land. We will live peacefully among you but hear this well, my friend. You will no longer cause the vampires trouble. There is no reason except out of fear. We do not mean you and the witches harm but if you bring trouble to our door going forward, we are going to end it for good.”
Devora’s face pushes against the bubble distorting her features even farther. “The shadow books do not belong to you. Return my property or pay the price,” she cackles.
Embry nods. “Once you and Overmaster Descallia have negotiated an amiable agreement around the land, we will do just that. Until then, your sacred books are secure.”
“Bitch!” Devora screams, suddenly shrinking in size, jumping on her broom, and racing around inside the bubble above Embry’s head. “She’s fucking insane,” I tell Descallia.
He shakes his head, but his eyes don’t leave the situation as we watch our mates deal with the deviant witch. “Yeah, you’re not wrong my friend. Let’s get out of here. Let her cool off. I’ll call her and set up a meet. Thanks to Embry at least we knowLucas and Isala haven’t risen from the grave, and we don’t have to deal with them.
Devora and her magic bubble disappear without another word, leaving Embry and Lucianna facing two rather ugly looking toads. Embry gives Chelise a smile. “So long, bitch!” she says, spinning on a shortie boot as she and Lucianna head out of the room and walk toward us.
Lucianna smiles up at Descallia when she sees him. “I knew you were here,” she says softly. “Thank you for coming.” Our fearless Overmaster puts his arm around her protectively. “Let’s go home.”
Embry hesitates as she sees me. She’s unsure what to do, because Lucianna and Descallia are still with us in the hall. Raven, Willow, and Madria join us, and of course they begin talking all at once. “You two were fantastic, it didn’t even come down to a battle. That’s amazing work,” Willow says.
Raven looks from me to Descallia. “Oh seriously. Embry, do you really not think everyone here knows that the minute we leave you’re going to be climbing Lord Corvinus like a tree?”
Chapter 27
Embry
My cheeks heat flaming hot just watching my vampire look at me like that. He didn’t care who saw him kiss me, position or no position, he put me first. In front of everything he’s worked for all of his life, and he told the whole world, at least those who matter in our circle, that I am his. Whether they like it or not.
I walk toward him and into those open arms, hugging him tightly. When I look up, he’s watching me intently and it’s like everyone in that entire hallway has disappeared and we’re the only two left in the entire world. “I love you, vampire. You are mine. The position with the warriors doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m with you, we’re together, and that we’re able to protect the vampires.” I lean up and wrap my hands around his neck, drawing him down so that I can kiss those sexy lips.
But Corvinus can only allow me to be in charge for so long. He lifts me completely off the ground and I wrap my legs around him as he takes over the kiss. Cheers and hoots erupt all around us, cheering us on, until he finally finishes our kiss and lets me slide to the ground.
I turn in his arms, still securely around me as I face our friends. “We are more than willing to take the positions you offered, or decline them, whatever is best for the vampires. But we won’t say no to each other.”
Lucianna nods, tapping Descallia’s arm. “What did I tell you? Aren’t they perfect?” I give my friend wide eyes. “You conspired with destiny to turn my life upside down?”
Her eyes turn bright green, and she shrugs. “It worked.”
Corvinus cradles me back against him. “We both thank you, Lucianna.”
I smile at my devious little friend. “I love your face.”
She grins. “Right back at you. Now, let’s get out of here. I could go for a glass of Descallia Red and a little down time.”
Corvinus keeps his arm around me as we lead the way out with the others trailing close behind. But the minute we step outside, the breeze shifts directions and every single one of us smell them. That distinct smell of a rogue shifter.
Our swords are drawn in seconds, back-to-back, creating a circle to protect each of us from all sides. We walk farther into the street now only lit by a few headlamps from down the way, but otherwise completely in the dark. But our keen eyes see everything so well in the night.
The stench absolutely permeates the air now. We are under attack. A well calculated maneuver by Devora to get us exactly where she wanted us, so the rogues could attack. Well played you little bitch but you haven’t seen the end of this battle yet.
