Page 25 of Embers in the Wind
The shift of Romano’s eyebrows and the quirk of his lip gives away his attempt to hide his amusement. My eyes narrow at the nosy master. “The business at hand.”
He grins. “Fair enough, we won’t talk about why you’re not pacing the floors, angry as hell at me and the other masters and Descallia for leaving you in this godforsaken place while there is real work to be done.”
I laugh. “Fine, fine… So, there’s a story here, but it’s not one I want to talk about yet.”
He picks up his drink. “Understood,” he says, as a dark pixie-faced little witch appears in front of both of us. She narrowsher sparkling eyes, looking from one to the other of us. “Alright, somebody is going to tell me exactly what’s going on around here and where my friend is at, right now. She waves her magic wand as her eyes sparkle with mischief. “Romano?”
Chapter 21
Embry
There is no better time than now, especially with Corvinus at Master Romano’s. I don’t know how much time I have, but surely it’s enough to transport to the witches’ academy, have a quick look around and then get back home before he’s back and any the wiser.
I shower and get ready in record time, donning a long black cape to cover the wispy skirt, bare navel, and legs from the cold. The transport may be quick, but the wind can be brutal in Romania. The silhouette of the academy falls over the lawn, giving me an eerie feeling as I arrive, but perched in the oak tree in the shape of a small black bat, nestled in a branch’s nook I blend well, even from the keen eyes of the ghouls who patrol from the treetops above.
A silent touch from behind almost makes me jump right out of my skin. I turn quickly, dagger in hand, but as soon as I see Raven my blood begins to calm. “What are you doing here?” I ask.
Master Romano’s mate’s wide eyes narrow. “I should ask you the same thing. You’ve had Lucianna scared to death. Do you know how many people are looking for you, trying to find you inevery location across the globe? You’re just lucky you didn’t run into enemies of the vampires, ones who would like to shred you to pieces and leave you in little bits on the ground. The animals that scurry the forest floor would have a great time with that.”
“I missed you too.”
Raven laughs, throwing her arms around me as I take shape. She pats the branch, and I sit next to her, our legs hanging below, far above the ghouls who think they are good at patrol. She points towards the academy. “Everyone is asleep, well, except Belinda, who has made it her mission to learn as much as she can about you and keep the vampire who stalks you away.”
I smirk. “He’s not stalking me, not in any sense of the word. Overmaster Descallia and Lucianna sent him to find and protect me. He’s doing a good job.”
She laughs, kicking her shorty boots together. “Oh, you should have seen his face when I walked in on him and Romano. I demanded they tell me where you were, acted like I had no clue those two connivers were up to no good. They both have known damn well you were here, yet not one word to me or to Auntie Devora.”
“Did you talk to Belinda?” I ask softly, hoping her friend has talked to her, at least now that she knows.
She shakes her head. “Uh-uh. She was sworn to secrecy by Devora. I wouldn’t have expected her to go back on a promise like that, no matter the reason, but I already knew, so she filled me in on the rest.
My scowl deepens. “How so?”
Raven laughs. “Because I saw you slip away into the night and followed you. I knew you were keeping something from us when we were getting things ready for Lucianna’s ball for queen. You just weren’t the same jovial, kickin’ ass and taking names badass warrior that we all know and love. I couldn’t let you leave with just a note and nothing else.”
I glare at the witch. “Just how long were you spying on me, Raven?”
She shrugs. “Long enough to know you needed to get away, and to decide that you weren’t going alone. And that I was going to keep it to myself for a little while and give you some space, as long as I knew you were safe.”
A tear falls down my cheek, and I hug the woman who over time has begun to mean so much. “Too much happened, I just couldn’t reconcile it all, and everywhere I turned, more gossip, this whisper and that whisper, as though I couldn’t hear a word they were saying.”
Raven takes my hand. “I know. They were mean, cold, and incredibly wrong. You know it, and the people who matter know it.”
“Why is my word good enough now, and not then? I’m still the same person who fought for the vampires every single day of my life since my own transition. I walked in the transition ceremony, I vowed to put them above all else, and I did, even against my own traitorous mate, but where were they, or you, when I needed you the most?” I turn away and wipe angrily at a wayward tear because the last thing I need or want is for her to see me cry.
She sighs heavily, turning me to face her. “Many of us believed you, and so did Lucianna, but her situation was different. She could not take the slightest chance given all the traitors in our midst. And need I remind you, it wasn’t just that you could have been a traitor. It was a very real likelihood that a witch, not the friendly ones you know and love, but others, could have gotten to you and put a spell or hex on you. She had to be sure. It is her job.”
Logically all she says is true, but it doesn’t make it a damn bit easier. “I know, I’m trying to get past it. Because she means so much to me. All of you do.”
She smiles gently. “Lucianna took a vow to protect the vampires and that’s what she was doing. She told us herself that she knew in her heart that you were not the enemy, but she had to be certain. For the lives of the entire vampire community, she had to be right. If you were in her place, as future queen, wouldn’t you?”
“You believed me?” I ask softly, turning toward one of my dearest friends.
“Always, and unconditionally. Now tell me about this quest you’re on. Why here, why now? Belinda told me about your gramma, but how does that even make sense? She wasn’t a witch, and neither are you.”
“You know that for sure?”
Her eyes spark. “Yes, I do, but what I don’t understand is how did she know about the Mystic Forest unless she was with the vampires when they were stomping across our sacred land?”
