Chapter 17 Embry
Embry
The drive through city traffic takes time, each light and intersection congested with cars and pedestrians on the street, walking from shop to shop no matter the cold of the night.
The snowflakes fall gently around the windows, making everything magical as we drive along the large storefronts of the most elegant shops around as we make our way toward the conference center down by the water.
“Such a public place, and maybe that was the plan to keep them at bay while we all meet. I don’t think that tactic is going to work with Devora. She’s just getting braver and braver every year. Does he think she won’t bring her witches into the city for everyone to see?”
Corvinus shakes his head. “I’m not sure, Embry.
He didn’t give me all the details.” I don’t however tell her that I know a lot more about tonight than she’s been told.
The driver pulls up next to an open spot at the curb and lets us out.
I hold onto Embry’s hand to prevent her slipping on the icy sidewalk as we make our way across it and into the vestibule of the prominent building.
Masters Tuscano, Trentino and Romano all join us as we enter through the next set of glass doors and into the reception area which has been set up with refreshments.
This is definitely not the typical meeting Descallia sets up and all of us know it.
This feels like a celebration, a gala or something festive.
Perhaps Lucianna now has a hand in coordinating the meets with her mate and is putting a little feminine spin on it.
Either way, the masters seem to appreciate it.
Embry nudges me as she takes a glass of punch from the long white table. “I don’t see any of the other lords, only you. Think they’ll all arrive together?”
I’m saved from answering when Overmaster Descallia and Lucianna arrive. I don’t miss the long sword hanging by his side partially concealed by his long wool overcoat, or the dual chest vest Lucianna carries, holding two green jeweled daggers.
They close the distance, greeting other masters as they walk toward us. Descallia extends a hand to Corvinus. Thanks for getting things arranged.”
“Not a problem. It looks a little festive in here.” he says.
Lucianna laughs. “Doesn’t it?” She winks at me. I give her wide eyes. I don’t have a clue what’s going on, but something is definitely off with this whole thing.
She grasps my hand. “Come on. Let’s let the guys finish putting our coats up and talk while we get settled into the meeting room before they start.
” Lucianna walks along the length of the long rectangular table and takes a seat at the left side, no doubt leaving room for Descallia at the head of the table next to her.
I slide into the seat beside her and gesture to the large speaker phone in the center of the table. “Someone joining by phone?”
Masters Botosoni and Sardinia walk in before she has time to speak, and each give us a nod of acknowledgment. I lean in closer to Lucianna. “Where are all the lords?”
“You’ll see,” she says, pouring a glass of water for herself and me from the pitcher in front of us. “I’m seldom invited to these things, as you well know. It’s going to be kind of fun to see Descallia in full on overmaster mode.”
“Oh, good lord. Do you remember when you first met? I thought you two were going to kill each other or set the world on fire with the chemistry. Jeez ... and now look at you,” I say sweetly.
Her eyes flash bright green. “Yeah, it seems like so long ago, but…” She stops as the tall dark image of her husband walking into the room quiets the side conversations.
Their eyes meet across the room and that chemistry is still there for them.
It’s how I want it to be for me and Corvinus until the end of time.
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?