5. Corvinus
Chapter 5
Corvinus
O nce on the ground and close to Master Romano’s, I decide to see if cell service in the area will connect us with a call, happy when he answers after only a ring. “This is Corvinus. I’ve found Embry. She’s in the Mystic Forest, not far from your estate, but she’s holed up in a cavern of sorts. I tried to send word via text message, but it didn’t go through.”
Master Romano laughs. “Alas, modern devices have no functionality in the Mystic Forest. It’s like the entire area is set in another time. A magnetic field that divides the mountain side between us and the witches. Raven and I have been expecting you, so feel free to come by. We can discuss the caverns she’s no doubt taken refuge in.”
My jaw locks tight. Yet another magical trick of the pesky witches, no doubt. Sealed off and unable to get to the woman with the shark’s tooth tongue. “No, I appreciate the offer, but time is of the essence. I need to get her well in hand and be back to my estate before first light.”
The vampire master laughs. “Stop by and we’ll have a glass of Descallia Red. I’ll bring you up to speed on the virtues of the Mystic Forest and the caverns you now find yourself unable to penetrate. You will need to be armed with more than the mighty sword, Lord Corvinus. And I hate to break it to you, but I highly doubt you’ll convince Embry to leave with you tonight.”
My jaw tightens with barely constrained irritation. Why the blazes this damnable woman is so important, causing me to be away from more important things is beyond me. I seriously wonder how Overmaster Descallia has allowed himself to be pulled around by the nose by his new queen. If she were my mate, I would put her in her place, not allow her to order his lord around on a wild goose chase in the night.
The transport to Master Romano’s house on the other side of the ridge does not take long. I walk through the forested area around the perimeter of his home, just to get a sneak peek of the top of the witches’ academy that sits far enough away, but still, right next door in an area as vast as Romania. All is quiet. Devora and her cackling witches are no doubt asleep or concocting some brew or another to make life interesting for the vampires.
I’ve not yet knocked when Romano’s houseman opens the door. The older gentleman has been with Romano for as long as time. I’ve forgotten his name. “Nice to see you again.” His smile is warm and sincere. “Romano said you would be arriving shortly and to have you meet him in the great room. Follow me.”
The great room is vast, with Italian marbling on the floor. No doubt imported from the same place I imported mine because they provide the best that money can buy. Romano turns and greets me with an amiable smile. “I’ve taken the liberty,” he says, walking toward me with a quart of fresh blood and a full glass of deep red Descallia Red.
The blood goes down quickly, and the mixture of wine and blood calms the edge, settling in my veins as I fold myself into one of the two wingback chairs by the fireplace. “You’ve redone the space,” I say, admiring the blood-red drapes that hang to the floor.
He takes a drink and assesses me for a moment, before placing his crystal goblet on the end table with claw adorned feet. “The witches have not caused us trouble and I don’t expect them to anytime soon. The battle with the rogues this year has left both sides, theirs and ours, leery of getting into a war again. They’ve left us alone, and we’ve returned the favor.”
I nod, taking a sip of my drink, getting the feeling that the invitation to come chat wasn’t all about bringing me up to speed about the caverns interspersed and tucked into the mountains. I place my drink on the coffee table in front of me, carefully balancing it on the cream color coaster. Seemingly a woman’s touch is at hand in the decoration of his space. “And you want me to tread lightly and not to make any waves that may change the peaceful tides?”
Master Romano does not make me wait long, not one to say much, but usually always speaking his mind. “Exactly.”
It’s a request I plan to honor. “My hope is not to be here another full day. Travel back tonight when the little vampiress is too tired to fight, take her by force if I must, but I need to be back on my way to Chicago before tomorrow night.”
He nods. “Yes, I heard you’re heading up the warriors selections and a group of you are meeting to review some of the most prospective applicants. I think fairly soon you will have your hands completely full.”
Master Romano does not give me a reason, nor as a master does he need to inform a lord, but it seems odd just the same, having been friends for more than three centuries now.
He puts a black booted foot across his knee and leans back in his chair. “The caverns are placed strategically throughout the mountain range, and deep in the foothills, as well. They are impenetrable without an invitation to come in, so unless Embry wants your company, I’m afraid your stay in Romania will either be one that is very long, or you and Overmaster Descallia will need to have a conversation about his expectations and what bringing the headstrong little vampiress home will entail. Embry can be...” He grins. “Embry.”
My jaw locks tight, my ire hard to veil. “Why on earth would she run? If she’s not guilty of all the rumors, of sleeping with the enemy and spilling our secrets in his bed, why run?”
Romano shifts slightly. “I don’t have all the answers, Corvinus, but what I do know is that she may have been with Lucas, but we shed much blood together she and I when we went after the rogues. 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. These are not the actions of a woman who is working with the rogues.”
He’s not wrong, yet the rumors are hard to ignore. “Why would she have been with him, stayed with him once she knew then? It’s hard to reconcile much less to understand.”
Romano stands and walks to the drapes, pulling one back slightly. “The lights are on in the attic of the witches’ academy. They’ve probably heard you’re here and are readying some fantastic and eclectic potions to keep you in your place, or most likely out of theirs.”
Damn it all to hell. Who needs this headache? “Keep me out of the cavern? They will need to do better than one of their magical potions. I’m going to go back, pound on the door and talk some sense into that woman. I could use some help.”
He turns and grins. “I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood the impenetrable nature of the cavern. As long as Embry remains inside, within the confines of that home, she will be untouchable, by you or anyone.”
I scoff. “She’s arrived with a knapsack smaller than a modern purse, filled with what I do not know, but surely not enough to provide any sustenance or deal with her needs for longer than a few days. She’ll come out, and when she does, I will be there to snatch her up and take her home. Two or three days at most, then we’ll be on our way back home. That’s all the time I’ll give to this nonsense.”
The lines on his forehead deepen. “Then a warning. I do not want any trouble with the witches here. If you are convinced that you will keep vigilance on a cavern in the land that we both claim, then you will do so outside of my protection here. Promises were made and I’d rather not know anything more, for the sake of peace in the region.”
I start to argue, but he holds up a hand. “Corvinus, I mean no disrespect, I am highly aware of just what an awkward position you’ve been placed into, and that I’ve made it even harder for you still. But the livelihoods of all those who live in the Romanian land, and wander the Mystic Forest are of my concern, not just one lord and one woman.”
I’d like to say that I don’t understand, that he has no right taking any side with the witches, only paying allegiance to the purebloods who are in power and reign supreme, yet, as a very wise lord, I know all too well that there is a balance, and that I must ensure it is not thrown off by my attempt to take the girl.
“Master Romano, there’s no need to worry. I’ll handle my job with the utmost respect toward the witches in the land, and any others I encounter.” I will be living in this land, right outside that fucking door if I have to, but make no mistake, when I leave for Chicago, I will have Embry in tow.”
His eyes flare. “One thing, Lord Corvinus. You only take Embry if she is willing to go. I want your word.”
Damn it all to hell, this night just keeps getting worse and worse.