Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Gianna

Despite riding in the safety of a bulletproof limousine, my nerves were on edge the entire journey to the airport. I sat rigidly in my seat, my fingers digging into the buttery soft leather upholstery as I tried to calm my racing heart. Every passing car and every flicker of movement outside the tinted windows set my pulse skittering and my imagination running wild with visions of unseen enemies. I just wanted to get out of New Orleans and to Salem already.

Angelo sat next to me, his warmth a reassuring presence at my side, while Enzo and Petar sat across from us, their expressions grim and watchful. I stared out the window, my eyes unseeing as the familiar streets of New Orleans flashed by. I shouldn't have eaten anything at breakfast. My stomach churned and threatened to revolt any second .

The early part of the ride to the airport was completely silent, as if everyone was afraid to speak their thoughts aloud, lest they give voice to the dark fears that lurked in our hearts. I almost felt like I was riding in a hearse. The morbid comparison made my blood run cold.

"Gianna." Angelo's voice broke the stillness, his hand coming to rest on my knee in a gesture of comfort. "Listen to Petar. Do not stray away from him. Doing so could get you killed."

His warning made my heart clench, a painful reminder of the danger I had just faced. I turned to meet his gaze, seeing in his eyes the fierce determination and unwavering love, which had endured centuries of trials and tribulations.

"I know. I promise I'll listen to Petar. I'm just relieved to be leaving all this danger behind," I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion. I placed my hand over his, squeezing gently. "Believe me, I've learned my lesson. Has the mirror shown you anything else?"

Angelo sighed, his brow furrowing as he glanced out the window, as if searching for answers in the passing scenery. "Nothing clear. The mirror only shows glimpses, fragments of a larger picture that we can't yet see. This morning it showed me a mysterious figure lurking by the warehouse on Bourbon Street, but I couldn't even tell if the figure was male or female. I feel the mirror's supposed magic is, in fact, a curse, only showing half-truths that could drive you mad if you let them."

Enzo leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. " We may not have all the answers yet, but we won't stop until we uncover the truth, and we'll keep you safe. That's a promise, Gianna."

Petar watched me with hooded eyes, his gaze intense and scrutinizing, as if trying to figure out whether I was going to fall apart as soon as the limo drove off. I could feel the scorn of his judgment, the unspoken question of whether I had the strength and fortitude to face the dangers that lurked in New Orleans.

But I was made of stronger stuff than that, forged by centuries of hardship and the unbreakable bonds of family. I met his stare head on, my chin lifted, a fierce challenge sparking in my eyes.

"I'm not going to break, Petar," I said, my voice steady and sure. "I may not know what awaits me, but I'm ready to face it, whatever it may be. I just need some time to recover." Or at least heal from these wretched wounds.

Petar's lips twitched, a glimmer of something like respect or amusement flickering in his eyes. "We'll see, Gianna. But remember, it's my duty to keep you safe, even from yourself if necessary. Don't make my job harder than it needs to be."

I bristled when he reminded me of my almost deadly mistake, but I bit back the sharp retort that danced on the tip of my tongue, especially since my brother hadn't corrected him. My body still hadn't healed yet and I walked only with difficulty, and my makeup barely covered the purple bruise on my cheek.

I gave Petar a curt nod, a silent acknowledgment of his role and my own determination to work with him, not against him.

"Do you think Augustus or Louise will have found a cure to the wolfsbane elixir?" I asked my brother, changing the subject.

"I spoke with Augustus," Angelo said slowly. "He believes he has an antidote. He's going to send a batch to us here as well, just in case those wolf bastards try to use it on anyone else."

His words had the horrible memory flooding back again, and I clutched my hands tightly together, trying to remain calm. I didn't want anyone that I loved to experience this, and I hoped Augustus's antidote would work. Otherwise, we would be at the mercy of the wolves.

When the sleek, black limousine pulled up to the private hangar, our personal jet was ready and waiting for us. The Santi family's Gulfstream G650ER stood proudly on the tarmac, its gleaming white exterior and streamlined design speaking to Angelo's wealth and power. The plane was a fortress in the sky, equipped with state-of-the-art security features and luxurious amenities that rivaled those of any five-star hotel. It was like a second home to us.

Angelo got out of the limousine and gently helped me exit. With the warm New Orleans breeze whispering against my skin like a gentle caress, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was leaving a piece of myself behind, a piece I might never recover if the mysterious figure my brother had seen in the mirror had their way.

He pulled me into a fierce hug, his strong arms enveloping me in a warmth that felt like home. "If you need anything, call me," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

"I will. I promise," I replied, my own voice wavering slightly as I clung to him, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne and trying to memorize the feeling of safety and love that I always felt in his embrace.

As we pulled apart, Enzo stretched out his arms, a lopsided grin on his face. "Do I get a hug too?"

I laughed, and it was a welcome relief from the tension that had been coiling in my gut. "Of course," I said, stepping into his waiting arms and enjoying the solid, reassuring strength of his body against mine.

He leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "Be safe, princess. This world would be a sadder place without you."

His words, spoken with such sincerity and affection, brought tears to my eyes, and I had to blink them away as I stepped back, trying to compose myself. I looked at these two men—my brother and one of my closest friends—and felt a sudden surge of gratitude and love so powerful it almost took my breath away.

Angelo and I definitely had our differences, but he'd always protected me and I trusted him, even if he was overbearing at times.

Despite the luxurious nature of our transportation, my nerves were still on edge as Petar and I boarded the private jet. I wouldn't feel safe until we were in the air. The events of the last several days played havoc on my mind, and hearing about the Moirai Mirror's prophecy had left me reeling. As I settled into one of the plush leather seats, I felt somewhat like a prisoner being transported to a new prison, my fate hanging in the balance.

The interior of the plane was opulence itself: rich wood paneling, soft leather upholstery, and gleaming gold accents. The cabin was spacious and inviting, with a fully stocked bar, a gourmet kitchen, and a private bedroom for long haul flights. Some of the knots of fear and uncertainty twisting in my stomach slowly dissipated. I was leaving danger behind and finally going to have some fun.

The plane's door closed, and I watched through the window as Angelo and Enzo got back into the limo, which slowly pulled away. A huge part of me wanted to jump out of the plane and beg them to come with us. What if the wolves got to them too? But I knew they would tell me this was family business and to stay out of it. I forced myself to remain in my seat, my hands gripping the armrest, my heart heavy with worry.

Why did the Moirai Mirror only show half-truths? Was it, as my brother said, designed to drive you crazy? If it was, then it was doing a good job of it. I was about to lose my mind and was nearly jumping out of my skin at every nook and corner.

I knew most of Louise's friends, so maybe someone she invited to her party had an ulterior motive to kill me. But how could I possibly identify the threat when I had no idea what to look for? The mirror's half-truths offered no clarity, only a maddening glimpse of a faceless danger. Angelo didn't even know if it was a man or a woman. At Louise's party, even with Petar at my side, I would have to have eyes in the back of my head.