Chapter 15 Embry
Embry
After a couple drinks I head into the kitchen to make us a snack and Luciana follows me to help. “I was so worried about you, Embry,” she says.
I pull a platter of prepared sandwiches, some cheese, and pickles from the refrigerator.
“I’m sorry I worried everyone, but everything just started coming together and there was no time to explain.
It was like my entire world, the one that’s been on tilt for so long, just realigned and I knew exactly where I needed to be and exactly what I needed to do. I had to go.”
I turn to my closest friend in the world.
“When they gunned us down? It was the witches. The witches have been behind every sordid thing, all the betrayals. We always knew they were to some extent, but never to this degree. They conjured Lucas. Just think if we didn’t have Descallia and Lucas to protect us at the time, we would have never been turned.
The sacred secret, my knowing how to create a dual ring of fire with the end of my sword, all of that would have been buried with me. ”
Lucianna’s eyes begin to glow. I give her a nod.
“Yeah, now you’re catching on my friend.
That special sword Gramma told me never to go anywhere without, never to go into any battle without it close by my side.
That jewel, it can guide me just like the baubles that Raven, Willow and Madria wear around their necks, and I can make it create fire with a few simple words, because… ”
She gasps. “You’re a witch ... you thought maybe, right?”
“You’re right. I did think I was a witch for a while there, and then I didn’t, because it just didn’t seem to make sense. After reading the shadow books and taking Lord Corvinus’s advice I cross referenced it with things in the Vade Mecum.”
Lucianna nods. “Good advice.”
“Yeah, and then read it again and the shadow book passages just all of a sudden, they started to speak to me.” I laugh gently.
“You know, it makes a lot of sense. I honestly think that my grandmother was the one who led me to that cavern. In fact I know it. She’s with me, Lucianna, every step of the way she’s watching, she’s helping, and she’s guiding from afar.
No matter what Devora says or does she can’t stop Gramma now and I won’t let her hurt the vampires either.
Because if she tries, I know how to end her for good. ”
Lucianna hugs me tightly. “I’m so glad you were able to understand a little bit more of your history and get a good perspective on your story.
And I hope you now understand and know how very much you’re appreciated among the vampires and especially me and Descallia.
The masters and obviously the lords too.
” She smiles. Okay, maybe some dark lords far more than others are taken by your charms.
I swipe the toe of my shortie boot in front of me. “Why would you say that?” I ask none too innocently.
She laughs as we begin to slice cheese and assemble a tray of snacks.
“Because I’m not blind. I see the way he looks at you and I feel the chemistry every time the two of you are in a flipping room, Embry.
It’s off the charts.” She narrows her eyes at me.
“Don’t you dare try to play coy with me. You like him?”
My cheeks heat with emotion. There’s no way to keep anything, especially something like this, from my best friend in the world. Besides, what’s the harm when she clearly already knows. “I love him.”
Lucianna nods, her bright green eyes glowing. “You two are such a good fit. I could tell the very first time I saw you together. Those protective instincts of his. Holy hot.”
The knife in my hand stops slicing through the soft yellow cheese midair. I turn to her as she arranges pieces of fruit on the plate. “You won’t tell Overmaster Descallia or any of the ladies? Raven and Romano know but only because we stayed at their place and umm...”
She pinches her two fingers together and runs them across her lips.
“Mum’s the word. But you’re going to have to come clean pretty soon.
It would be far better for Corvinus to tell Descallia than to have him figure it out by himself or for someone else to tell him and then have him feel betrayed.
He trusts Corvinus with you and considers you family, Embry. ”
Lucianna is not wrong. I don’t tell her that Corvinus and I have spoken, that he’ll walk away from leading the warriors if my application is moved forward by the committee. For now, there’s no need. “We’ve talked about a few things. Don’t worry, okay?”
She busies herself with the rest of the food as I pull out sauces and dips to go with the fare. “What about Isala? She’s wanted to destroy you for so long. Do you think she’s real now or just another vision the witches put in your mind to make us both believe it was true?”
“I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I have to find out. One way or another, I need to know. For the good of the vampires, we all need to know.”