Chapter 23 Corvinus
CORVINUS
We watch the ladies as the beat to a popular song gets stronger and the ladies half step to the catchy beat before they’re halfway to the floor.
Descallia leans in although no one is really close enough to hear us from the other tables.
He looks at me. “Now that you’re back, and Embry is back.
Hopefully, we can make quick headway in getting the warriors back up and running.
The masters and I would feel much better knowing a group is ready, trained, and ready to go into combat at a moment’s notice. ”
I exhale a sigh, and internally my chest tightens. “When you say Embry is back. What role do you see her playing in the warriors? Has a decision been made to completely disband the special ops team?”
Descallia takes a sip of his Descallia Red, contemplating my question.
“We’ve had some time to consider this, and I think the consensus of the group is that the reason for the special ops team really no longer exists.
If you recall, I put that together with an elite group of vampires from different regions because we were pretty sure we had traitors amongst us and we needed to flush them out.
We’ve done that, and now, it’s time to rebuild the warriors with those we can trust. No need for special ops. ”
Well that certainly makes life easier in one regard and as fucked up as it can get in another—the personal side of my world that until meeting Embry I didn’t ever think would collide with my professional life. “And you’re certain you want me to lead the warriors?”
Embry was part of the warriors, a very integral part, and was responsible for many of our enemies’ deaths.
She not only maimed them, but drove stakes deep in their hearts, ensuring they did not rise again for some time.
It may be where her heart wants her to be and I have to be ready for that if so.
Descallia told me himself a while back that Embry is a strong and mighty warrior. That she went after Lucas single handedly to draw the enemy away from the vampires, otherwise, he believes many more would have been killed.
Descallia’s eyes narrow. “Of course. Don’t you want the job?”
I blow out a breath. I sure as hell did, until knowing Embry was going to be recruited for the team.
That changes everything. There’s no way in hell I can keep that position if Embry decides she wants to be a warrior and makes the team.
I’ve seen her resume, and she’ll get that job if she wants it.
I’m going to need to take some time to figure this dilemma out because I’m not losing her over a fucking job, that’s for damn sure.
I take a drink of the Descallia Red as I watch Embry laugh so hard with the ladies as they fumble the dance moves that she almost doubles over.
Her eyes feel mine and she glances up, keeping me mesmerized.
Destiny has gotten us into a pickle, and it may take her help to get us out of it.
I watch as they attempt to get into step, wondering just how the hell this is going to turn out besides me getting kicked out of the dark lords for inappropriate behavior with one of my charges.
Because what Embry and I have together crosses every fucking line if she takes that job and if I’m being honest, even with her past working on the special ops team and me in charge of the warriors, while it’s not exact, the line has still been crossed.
Embry’s gentle eyes meet mine across the dance floor, drawing me to her again but I have my barriers up now to avoid anyone, even her, from knowing the truth about my thoughts.
Maybe these shadow books will keep her busy enough for a while and give me time to determine how to navigate doing my job and keeping her too, because I already know that if the choice has to be made, I’ll walk away before I lose Embry but not being close enough to protect her is not something I can live with at all.
Especially after the witches find out she has the books.
She and her friends continue to laugh and dance while the masters and I catch up.
Romano is quieter than usual tonight. I catch his gaze across the table.
“Embry said you’re going to stay in Chicago for a while.
I’m sorry about how things turned out with Devora.
We did not intend to disrupt the balance in your region. ”
He nods, thoughtfully taking a sip of his blood and wine mixture. “It was bound to happen Corvinus. The truth of the matter is we probably just babied the relationship far longer than we should have and gave the sneaky biddies even more time to calculate and plan their little games.”
Descallia growls under his breath. “The fucking nerve of those cackling hens. I swear when I get my hands on Devora she’s going to wish she had never double crossed us again. Time and time again. When will we stop believing that they’ve put down the gauntlet and are ready for a truce?”
Master Sardinia, who’s been watching Madria dance, turns into the conversation. “The witches in Romania are the ones who are keeping the war with them alive, not all of them.”
Descallia nods. “Point well taken and agreed.” The masters give a nod, because every one of us, whether we thought differently before, knows that they are dedicated and committed to the masters they have taken as mates and to the vampire community as a whole.
I set my glass down in front of me. “I don’t disagree, but if I’m honest I would have much preferred Raven to tell us what she knew about the shadow books quite some time ago. It could have even saved the damage of your home, Romano.”
Master Romano growls fiercely, his fangs immediately descending and eyes growing bright red. “Raven has done everything in her power to keep the peace at the cost of her own relationship with her family and the witches.”
“You’re not wrong, but still, why didn’t she just tell us what she knew?” I know I’m pushing his tolerance about Raven with these questions, but Descallia watches carefully. He knows exactly what I’m doing.
“Let me remind you she is the one that told Embry. Raven wanted Devora to tell her about the content in the shadow books. Raven thought that’s why they allowed her entry into the Mystic Forest. She never knew nor knows now what exactly is in the books just that they hold secrets.
And need I remind you that Raven and the witches offered to help decipher the damn things and she was also the one who fixed my estate with a wave of her wand. ”
I start to intercede but now that Romano is worked up there’s no stopping his tirade.
It’s clear he’s ferociously protective of his mate, the same way I would be of Embry and that right there tells me everything there is to know.
Romano is very perceptive, they’ve been together for quite a while and if he’s that loyal to her, that means she’s that loyal to us.
I tune back into his tirade, but I’ve learned all I needed to know.
People’s passions give so much away. You just have to know how to ask the right questions and let them talk.
Romano exhales a deep breath. “It’s not like Devora hasn’t flown off the handle many times before. It’s a tumultuous affair living next door to the witches. But I won’t have Raven’s commitment questioned. The masters and I have been down that road before. Our mates are dedicated to the vampires.”
“Of this I have no doubt,” I tell Romano, lifting my glass of Descallia Red as his eyes narrow at me and Descallia smiles. Romano puts his glass down with a thud. “You two,” he says looking first to me and then to Descallia. A fucking test of some kind?”
Descallia shrugs. “Not mine.”
“I don’t know you as well as the other masters.
Something has always come up each of the opportunities we’ve had to get to know each other over the years.
I can tell simply by your passion for Raven that she’s as dedicated to the vampires as she is to you.
I’m sorry to have raised your ire. Just wanted to make sure there was no doubt. ”
Romano huffs. “Then next time just fucking ask.”
I grin and raise a glass. “Fair enough, Master Romano,” I tell him, turning my attention back to the sexy little vampire dancing with half-glazed eyes with her friends in the middle of the floor.
If someone questioned me about her I’d be as pissed as Romano, maybe even more.
The instinct to protect my love is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
And no one, not even Raven is going to get close enough to hurt her unless I know their intentions are pure.
After another hour of dancing the girls come back for a drink, and this time Embry orders a tall glass of ice water.
“Something to quench this thirst,” she says to the waitress, before she takes requests from her friends.
The waitress leaves the table and Lucianna clears her throat.
“So, when do you think we should get together and start deciphering these books?” she says.
Embry’s eyes light up. I can tell this is something she’s excited to do. She turns to me. “What are your plans for this week?”
I don’t tell her that most of it’s going to be spent navigating how to pull the warriors back together before she gets an invitation to try out.
She has to be the one to make the decision, yet I have to get some of the foundational work done before we’re ready.
“I’ll be buried in a ton of administrative stuff.
I’ll be in and out of the estate, but you’re welcome to use the great room,” I say, stepping carefully around the fact that it’s now her home too.
But Lucianna, that looks she gives me. I’d bet ten to one our powerful queen already knows our sordid little secret…