Chapter 26 Corvinus
CORVINUS
The minute Embry is asleep for the night, I head to my office, close the door, and open the laptop.
A quick search of the vampire archives tells me that hours and hours of research has been done on learning the true history of the sacred land.
After an hour or so I shut the laptop with frustration.
Not one thing tells me what I want to know.
Embry probably knows everything there is to know about our culture.
She grew up longing to be one of us and studied our culture.
Her gramma was one of our biggest human allies.
But she clearly didn’t tell Embry about the content of the shadow books.
Maybe she didn’t know all the details. Maybe I’m assuming she knew more about the witches than she did, but if not, why does she have the ability to safeguard in one of their hidden caverns?
I rake a hand through my hair, frustrated.
We’re missing something and I don’t know what the fuck it could be, only that we need to know.
For the good of the vampires and our future position around the globe, we need to know.
Especially now that we’re certain the witches are up to their no-good sorcery.
No one is safe when they get their panties in a spin.
I’m about to pack it up and head to bed when Descallia calls. I answer the cell and lean back in my seat. “This is Corvinus.”
“Hope I’m not disturbing you, but we’ve got a problem.
One of the lords in Master Romano’s region let him know that the witch activity has been intense.
They’ve got ghouls surrounding the perimeter of the academy again, are heavily guarded at the gates, and they’ve additionally sent ghouls to surround the Mystic Forest, keeping tabs on anyone going in or out.
Think they know about the shadow books?”
I grimace. “I’d put a huge-ass bankroll on it.”
“Agree. There’s more though. Raven’s been given an ultimatum by Devora.
Return to the witches’ academy now, or don’t return at all.
Master Romano is furious. Raven believes Devora was given her own ultimatum by the high priestess.
It could explain her wishy-washy behavior to some degree but regardless of the reason, I can’t take any chances right now.
The vampire masters have been told to have their lords around the globe on high alert in case of an attack. ”
Fuck. Descallia doesn’t even need to say it, I already know what’s coming. He’s been saying it all along. “I’ll get the word out right away in our region,” I tell him.
“I know the delay was my fault, sending you after Embry when we needed the warriors up and running, but now, we need to move twice as fast. We need those warriors up as fast as you can get it done, Corvinus. We need Embry on these secrets that the witches at the academy are keeping. We’ll let the ladies focus on the shadow books, see what they can learn, but we need to be on the ready with warriors. ”
“What if she wants to apply?”
“In time, Corvinus. Let her focus on the shadow books first. We need them.”
He’s not wrong but it’s not going to go down well. “Completely understood.”
“I’ve pulled an emergency meeting with the masters together for tomorrow night here in Chicago.
There’s no sense traveling to Rome when so many of us are here.
Plan to attend. I want to let them know that you’ll be interviewing and working with some of the vampires in their regions and that they are to give you their full cooperation.
I’m sure they’ll have questions after I tell them how many warriors we’re going to be recruiting.
They’re not going to want to lose the vampires in their regions, but we need a strong, solid, dedicated group of warriors that can defend against the enemy.
It has to be our first priority now, Corvinus. ”
I exhale a deep breath. My job and personal life with Embry are on a collision course with no safety rails.
Fucking witches and their timing. I can’t walk away from this assignment given the enormity of the situation for the vampires, but I’m sure as hell not giving up Embry either.
Something is just going to have to give.
I decide right here and now that I’ll deal with it as it comes.
“Did you hear me?” Descallia says.
I tune back in. “Sorry, no.”
“You may get backlash at the meeting. The lords of the regions are not going to want to give up men, and the masters may feel the need to back their lords. You have no position other than we take the best of the best, no matter who it is. The vampires’ future depends on it. Can you live with that?”
“I’ll select the most qualified and get them organized as quickly as possible. You can depend on that.”
“That’s what I needed you to say. Thank you, Corvinus.
We need your talent and skills on this. I’ll send you the agenda, time, and location shortly.
” Overmaster disconnects before I have a chance to say anything else, but really what is there left to say.
I always knew pulling the warriors together was going to be a priority, now it’s just a bigger one than anyone could have imagined.
Embry is going to have a fucking meltdown when she learns that we’re pulling back the warriors and Descallia wants her to focus on the shadow books instead of applying to the team.
I exhale a deep breath because a pissed off Embry is all anyone needs … but I’m sure as hell not going to keep it from her.