Chapter 8
Corvinus
It takes time looking for the scrawny little pain in the ass bird.
I move through the trees, heading back to where I’ve found him a couple of time before, but the slight breeze is not in my favor, leaving it hard to pick up Embry’s scent.
My chest pumps with unprecedented fear as I desperately search every tree in the forest, finally pausing to rest, and nourish with the blood that I packed for my trip.
A white wolf steps from behind a tree. My eyes meet his as he closes the distance across the forest floor. “Sheba, my friend. How are you?”
His crystalline blue eyes are steady and true. “Rebuilding our community, but with wolves who are pure at heart. It takes time though. And you, my friend? You’re looking for Embry?”
I smile. “As usual, nothing gets past you. You hear and know everything somehow. Yes, I’m looking for Embry. I thought she would be with Rupert, but I can’t find that miserable bird anywhere.”
His eyes crinkle with amusement. “Follow me but try to stay low. The witches have ghouls staked out high in the trees. They’re used to me, but they’ll be on the lookout for you.”
He’s not wrong about that at all. I follow at a safe distance, flying in between the trees, staying downwind of the slight breeze as we weave in and among the larger trees providing us with lower branches that extend over and cover the forest floor.
When we get closer to the mountains, he gestures ahead.
“They’ll be watching if I head that way.
They’ll know something is amiss and report back to the witches.
See the exact middle of that mountain range? ”
I chuckle. “The very spot we all avoid?”
“Exactly. If you want to find Embry and Rupert, you’ll find them there. There’s a long crevice in the mountainside, and you’ll be able to fit through with no problem if Rupert could. Be careful my friend. Once the witches know you’ve encroached on this land, there will be almighty hell to pay.”
“Thanks again, Sheba. Best of luck to you and yours.” I fly low, staying well beneath the canopy of the trees above, watching with keen eyes but nothing is going to get in the way of finding Embry, and as soon as the breeze shifts, I can smell her scent.
I’ve barely gotten through the crevices, letting her scent guide the way, weaving through the darkness of the night.
But a shadow on the wall in front of me stops me in my tracks.
I wait, my heart pounding as Embry draws her sword.
My fearless love knows the danger, she sees exactly what I’m seeing pressed against the wall.
It takes every ounce of willpower to stand still, not to charge or to annihilate anyone here to do Embry any harm.
And to let her handle what it’s so important for her to do alone.
Still, every muscle in my body is on ready for flight, just in case she needs my assistance because like it or not I’m not about to let anything happen to her.
I watch her gauging the situation, her steady stance, the toes of her back foot positioned for flight or attack.
When everyone else would run forward, call them out, and be too quick to jump, she waits with patience, forcing her opponent from the shadows and finally to come into her sight.
Jealousy and fear hit my chest as though they were daggers. Lucas stands tall, looking royal in his long black gown and slicked back hair. His lips are bright red and dripping with blood. He’s not here to woo Embry back to his lair, he’s here to instill deep-seated fear.
I turn my attention to her, gauging her reaction, but my love shows not one ounce of fear. When others would run, she dares him to come near, but not with her voice or even a leer. Instead, she waits, drawing him out even more until he’s standing in the center of the room, in front of her.
The waiting is painful but necessary, knowing she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Embry must face her demons and the courage she displays in doing this is amazing to see.
Lucas takes another step toward her and my hand is on my weapon.
“You should have kept your nose out of our business. You and your grandma, and her grandma, you’re all the same.
It’s time that we end this little game.”
Embry draws her elbow back, bringing her sword to the ready.
“I’m not scared of you. Do your best, try and fight me if you will.
” She rocks on her foot, ready to pounce, putting me on the fucking ready at the very same time.
But still, she remains calm under pressure, never moving an inch, making him come to her. Good girl…
Her eyebrows raise, but she never takes her eyes off of him to even glance to me. But she feels me, senses me, and knows I’m here. You stay out of this, vampire.
I don’t respond, because I can’t make her that promise, at least not now, not until I know that she’s completely safe and out of harm’s way.