1. Bistrita

Chapter 1

Bistrita

Everyone looks to me now that the bloodthirsty rogues have infiltrated the Carpathian Mountains, in my territory, as though they now own the entire range. This time, we will trap our enemies and use our combined powers with the witches' stones and the syndicate to send them back to the dark ages where they belong.

The rogues will be defeated, and the purebloods will maintain power of the underworld. Or the purebloods will die an eternal death trying. The moment we realized Lucas was a traitor it was clear he must have wanted to take over the job that Cyrus, an evil rogue vampire, started years ago.

The minute Devora, head witch of the academy, gave her blessing for her witches to work with the purebloods, the rogues impending doom was sealed; at least if destiny has anything to do with it. Devora's image slowly rises in the bubble above us, disappearing as quickly as it came after imparting her wrath and fueling her witches for the battle to come with the rogues.

My mind reels with the enormity of what just happened. Devora allowing the witches in her coven to fight by the side of the vampires. It's hard to comprehend at all.

Master Oradea gives me the nod to take lead as he follows the young woman who I have not yet met but have heard so much about from the room. I point to an area on the map laid out on the table around the other masters and their mates. "I heard Master Oradea tell you his land butts up against mine, right in the center here." I circle the area with a black marker. "Oradea and I have been watching this range closely. We've talked at length about different strategies we might take if it were ever breached by the rogues, or the shifter bastards they employ to guard them."

The witches eye me with sneaky suspicion, but their mates' arms around them tell me they are not a threat, as in years long ago, or they would not be protecting them. No matter that the witches still probably believe a large part of the mountain range and land surrounding it belongs to them, rightfully theirs through a heritage the purebloods dispute.

Regardless, this is a new day. I strive to put their minds at ease right away. I have no issue with the witches who fight by our side. I'll save my ire and temper for the rogues who will wish they had never met me when I'm through giving them a lesson of a lifetime.

The group looks to me, and I clear my throat. "Master Oradea has already filled me in on the situation. Overmaster Descallia asked that he and I work together as both of us know different areas of the territory and are very familiar with the land where they join."

Master Romano and Raven, Campania and Willow, Sardinia and Madria, Botosoni and Catina all listen closely. The masters nod, and I get a hesitant half smile from Romano's mate, that doesn't quite reach her eyes. The witches in the group will come around once they know I have no evil intent or plan to set them ablaze.

The blaze I intend to set will be for that traitor Lucas and his willing accomplice who managed to fool us all, Embry. Without her, he could not have gotten near as far.

"The rogue vampires were smart to get the humans to hunt us, trying to convince them that we were responsible for the disappearance of their women. Getting Isala drawn to their side was a wise move too, one that led to many of the betrayals we've seen. Even now that she's dead, the empty promises she made keep the hope for power alive for some of the underworld."

Master Campania nods. "The fucking mangy shifters. They think if they can take us down, they will acquire the power. They will have nothing when we are done with them."

I rap my fist on the table in solidarity. "That's exactly right." I circle a large round area of the map with the black marker. "They want it all, but we will not give them an inch. Overmaster Descallia and Master Oradea asked me to join and help lead the group up the mountainside with Master Oradea. The journey will not be easy, but when we are done, we will be victorious. Yes?"

The masters cheer, and Overmaster Descallia gives me a nod of thanks while his arm slips around Lucianna. Our future queen eyes me with silent appreciation for calming the nervous witches and getting us prepared for the journey which lies ahead.

I run my finger along the map, laying out the trail Master Oradea and I have talked about at length. "The syndicate enforcers are running perimeter patrol all along this treed area, right down to the water's edge. When the shifters run—and make no doubt about it, they will run when they see our armies—we will flush the fuckers out, while the syndicate boys wrap up every mangy one of them." I look to Descallia and Master Sardinia, knowing a conversation needs to occur about Sheba, an understanding of where we go from here after all that has occurred.

I give Overmaster Descallia a nod. "We should probably get something out in the open before we meet Sheba by the mountain. His wolves have caused significant damage and angst by defecting and siding with the rogues. Not that long ago we thought he may be involved with their evil plot to overthrow the purebloods. We now know that's not true, and that he wants to help, but I'll leave that to Overmaster Descallia who has been friends with him for the longest."

Descallia's eyes scan the group, to quickly gauge the temperature in the room for Sheba. "I will put it to a vote of those who are here. We've already spoken with Oradea about it, so I know how he feels about Sheba. Sardinia, you probably have the most angst about Sheba. Do you want to share it with the group?"

Master Sardinia strokes the arm of his mate, Madria. "Sheba has much to prove to the world these days because of Isala's ability to turn his packs into fighting machines for the rogue vampire bastards. He's always been a strong and decent leader of his pack, but she turned his wolves against him with evil promises of taking over. They hungered for power."

I've known Sheba for a long time, and I always respected him, but what Sardinia says is not wrong. I too wondered why his pack wasn't more loyal. Sardinia looks to all of us as he continues. "It's going to take strength, determination, and power for him to rise above it all and rebuild. Sheba was a masterful leader. Isala must have had another pack influence helping her steer the shifters. It's not our puzzle to solve or our battle to fight, but I'm not convinced that he won't have more battles for control ahead. Regardless, he plans to use helping us as a way to show the wolves he has left the power of unity within the underworld. I've made my peace with Descallia's friend and would welcome letting Sheba fight by our side. He has proven himself loyal and a great asset to the purebloods."

Overmaster Descallia nods in agreement. He looks around seeing the nods of the other masters and agreement of their mates. "Thank you, Sardinia. Neither the witches nor the pureblooded vampires of today want any more blood to be shed, but we will do what we must to stop Lucas, Embry, the rogues, and those who battle by their sides from taking what belongs to us. Sheba and his loyals will be helpful in this effort, of that I have no doubt. I've asked him to stay back, keep an eye on things farther from the perimeter and let us know if he sees anything amiss."

A bright flash of the stones around Raven, Willow, and Madria's necks pulls our attention to them. Willow strokes the oval gem, and her fingertips spark as Lucianna's eyes glow. "It's time."

Raven looks at the other witches in the room. "We must remember what Devora said about the power of the stones, and that destiny sent us to help battle the rogues once and for all. They are not just enemies of the vampires, but enemies of ours. They turned many in our covens against us with their evil. We must not waste a sign to help end them."

Lucianna nods, her crystalline green eyes glowing bright. "The vampire bible, the Vade Mecum , says when beasts and enchantresses combine, the path of light will blind. I agree with Raven, it is time to slay our foe and reclaim what is rightfully ours."

Master Oradea returns with Natalia, and it's clear that he's decked her out in all his most treasured gear for the journey. Two green jeweled daggers sit tucked into the dual chest vest she wears, while a long sword falls toward the floor from her waist. "Most of you know, or know of Natalia. She'll be coming with us."

I grin, extending a hand to the woman who's managed to turn my best friend's head and steal away his heart from a million women who would love to take her place. "I've heard much about you. It's good to finally meet you in person. I'm glad to see you're ready to battle, because the witches' stones have just told us it's time."

Lucianna steps forward, her eyes casting a green glow throughout the room, looking at each one of us before moving to the next. "I do not want anyone to put their life in jeopardy, but if you have the ability to take Embry alive, I will consider it a personal favor. I would like to speak with her if we find her, if at all possible."

The witches all look to Lucianna and then back to us, their fingertips all crackling with blue and silver electricity as their eyes begin to spin.

My jaw tightens, because when the witches get pissed and their electricity starts to zap, it usually means that all hell is about to break loose.