1. Oradea

Findingthe one who betrayed us will not be easy, even if he has descended upon the city of Oradea like everyone seems to believe. As the right-hand man to Overmaster Descallia, Lucas knows far too much to be easy to find. He must know we would look here first, since he has a place in Romania. It makes no sense at all for him to come here, yet this is where the rogue vampire enemy has been spotted, so I will lead the charge to hunt him down and bring the traitor to Descallia, just the same.

Just because Sheba says someone saw Lucas coming toward my territory doesn"t make it so. Why we believe the wolf leader after so long thinking he was one of the traitors is beyond me. Sheba may have proven his loyalty to Overmaster Descallia and Lucianna, but there"s still this nagging feeling that he was in the right place at the right time. Far too conveniently to call it a coincidence. And I don"t like coincidence at all. I can't help feeling as though him knowing about Lucas and not telling us until we learned it ourselves is a sign in itself that he is no longer trustworthy. Maybe we're all becoming paranoid, believing everyone untrustworthy after being betrayed by so many we thought we could trust.

The rogues will not win this war because we're not about to allow that, but they have certainly caused all the factions in the underworld to begin mistrusting each other. Not that we ever trusted the crafty witches, but Sheba and Lucas have fought by our side for centuries, and now both in a matter of weeks have become sources of our distrust. While Sheba may not have been helping the rogues, that is left to be seen; it was clear to everyone who witnessed it that Lucas intended to help set the trap for all of us. The one that could have killed us all if we had not been prepared.

The thought that all the vampire masters who rule over the vampires across the globe, providing them protection and safe haven, could have been in one place at the same time and absolutely annihilated causes my chest to tighten with apprehension. It was good foresight that Overmaster Descallia not allow us all to be in the same place going forward. He's right.

We have to be more careful in the future. But having Romano, Campania, Sardinia, and Botosoni join me in this quest with their mates seems an incredible burden to ask. Raven, Willow, Madria, and Catina are not seasoned in battle at all. Just because three of them wear stones and one can see into the future does not make them a necessity to this mission, no matter what the others think.

I look out over the foggy valley, waiting for the sound of the others to arrive, prepared for the hunt, and the inevitable battle, but unable to shake the feeling that something could go seriously wrong. My mind keeps reverting back to the rationale for bringing the witches and psychics along with us on this particular mission. They may have the three stones Lucas wants, but I'm not sure if I believe all the hocus pocus about the stones of the witches lighting a path to send evil back to a fiery hell. And not being able to find our enemies until the stones light the way, or failing time and time again if we try to go up the mountain without the light of the stones. But yet, Lucianna, our future queen, believes it, so we will trust in the teaching of the Vade Mecum, and let this thing play out.

I let out a frustrated sigh, glancing at the moon, anxious to get a head start in the bars and the clubs of Oradea, and to mingle with people who will tell me exactly what I want to know. Because each and every one of my loyals will put their ear to the ground for me. Truth be told, those not loyal will too, if they want to protect their lives. The traitorous Lucas will destroy them and everyone who stands in his way, if we don't get to him first.

The slight shift of a cape settles in the distance toward the woods surrounding the property, catching the attention of birds and animals in the forest below. My laser focused eyes home in on the group making their way toward me quietly and slowly on foot. It must have been a long transport, and they will need to recharge before we set out on our quest. They'll only get one day to recover. Sleep during the day and then hunt by night.

Romano, Campania, Sardinia and Botosoni draw near with their mates. I hover toward them from my balcony, meeting the group on the edge of my lawn. "Glad you made it before the storm. It's forecasted to rain with high winds tomorrow. Elda has prepared a feast for a group ten times our size. She's managed the house for centuries and likes to go all-out when we have guests," I tell them, leading the way through to the foyer of my estate.

Elda appears from the kitchen and gives everyone a gentle smile, pushing a wayward strand of silver hair from her rotund face. "Elda, Master Romano and Raven, Master Campania and Willow, Master Sardinia and Madria and Master Botosoni and Catina."

She is quick to make them feel at home. "Nice to meet everyone. I hope the weather wasn't too bad. Storms are brewing. My old bones can tell days before they come."

Raven slips out of her coat, chatting about the weather while Romano takes the hanger from Elda's outstretched hand, hanging Raven's jacket in the closet while the other vampire masters do the same for their mates. "Thank you for allowing us all to stay here. I'm sure the hotels are quite nice, but it will work out well to have us all together," Romano says.

"Overmaster and Lucianna didn't travel with you?" I ask, leading the group into the great room for a drink. The group exchange glances, and no one seems to want to be the first to speak. I narrow my eyes at Romano. "I guess you're the lucky one. What's going on? I thought the two of them were coming with you?"

Raven answers for him. "They stayed behind because of Embry. Everyone thinks she's a traitor, which is the most incredible misjudgment of people in my personal opinion." Romano's jaw clenches tight, but the little pixie-sized witch is hardly finished giving us her opinion on the subject of Embry. Her eyes spark. "Do you know how many battles she's been in with the rogues, and how many times she's almost been run through with a sword by those mangy shifters in defense of the vampires? And now everyone turns on her. I just can't stand it!"

Willow nods. "Same! We all feel exactly that way." Madria looks at me and shrugs. "Sorry, guess you brought up a bit of a touchy subject. We're all a little heart hurt over Embry. I haven't known her as long as the others, but I can't imagine her turning on us. Not in a million."

I look to Catina, the only one who hasn't defended her. "I don't know her very well at all, but these ladies really know her, have for a long time, and what they say makes sense. I mean, if she were the enemy, wouldn't Lucas have taken her with him? Why would he have disappeared without the love of his life?" She answers her own question. "He wouldn't. It doesn't make sense. So I agree with the ladies."

Botosoni puts his arm around Catina and gives me a look.

Campania lowers his eyes and shakes his head. "They're not coming until tomorrow." He doesn't have to say anything else. We'll talk about it when the ladies aren't around. No use getting them more stored up than they already are.

Elda has glasses of Descallia Red, a blood and wine mixture from our vineyards, set out, along with glasses of white wine for those who do not wish to partake. Each of them takes their drink of preference from the bar. Madria runs her hand along the white marble top. "It's beautiful; flown in from Italy?" she asks.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. "Indeed. The floors too. In fact, we updated not long ago."

Madria smiles, and the stone around her neck softly glows. "Sardinia and I live on the isle of Sardinia but frequent mainland Italy quite often. They're known for the marble they produce, and this pattern and color is extremely eye-catching. You can tell by all the intrinsic golds throughout the swirls."

"You have a good eye for marble, Madria." I bring quarts of whole blood from the refrigerator below the bar while Elda returns to the kitchen and dining room to set up their feast. The ladies begin to unwind, and the masters guzzle the sustenance that will have them feeling like themselves again.

Romano puts his arm around Raven, the little dark-haired witch whose stone shines in sync with the other two in the room. Three stones that may very well determine our fate; witches stones. My jaw tightens with the thought of the witches' stones being able to do something that the vampires cannot, but it isn't going away for now. Better just to make the best of it. At least for now, until I know more about these pesky little witches and what they're up to. I don't believe for a minute the witches' lore about those stones.

I idly glance at the clock, stifling down my irritation at being held up tonight. Another five or ten minutes of chit chat, then I can find out what happened to Descallia and his mate and be on my way to find out where Lucas is hiding because he will not get away from me.

Elda saves me from further frustration with her skill, efficiency, and penchant for knowing exactly what I need. I give her a grateful smile as she stands in the door and gives me a nod. "Elda has a wonderful meal prepared for everyone. Afterward, she'll show you to the guest rooms upstairs because I'm sure you'll want to recharge after your long journey."

Campania lifts his chin and gestures me to hold up as the others follow Elda into the dining room. "What's going on with Descallia, Lucianna, and Embry?" I ask. His eyes widen. "Fireworks. The ladies found out Descallia believes that Embry might be conspiring with Lucas and that Lucianna didn't back Embry up. As you can imagine, they were livid. Things got pretty heated after you left. Lucianna tried to diffuse the situation. She told them she has a responsibility to all of the vampires, and until we're positive one way or another, we're to keep a lid on what we say around Embry. That went over like a lead balloon."

I exhale. "I have a hard time believing Embry's part of it after all she's done for the vampires, but then again, look at Lucas, Dragos, Isala, all close to Overmaster Descallia. It seems to be a pattern of getting our information that is hard to ignore. I agree with Descallia and Lucianna on this. We need to be extra careful around Embry."

He nods. "I don't disagree, which hasn't made things between Willow and me easy the last few days, but it will work itself out. In the meantime, Descallia and Lucianna didn't want her to come along with the group, so they held her back. As you can imagine, they've been talking with her, trying to learn whatever she knows about Lucas."

My eyebrows raise. "Hopefully for Embry's sake, Lucianna is doing the talking because we all know what a hothead Descallia can be, but traitors, that's something he doesn't suffer well. I hope for Embry's sake she's not. I don't know how much backstabbing he can take from those closest to him."

"You're not wrong. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now. The weight of the world and lives of the vampires as we know it are hanging in a precarious balance."

I gesture toward the dining room. "Let the others know I'm going to head out for the night, Campania. I want to touch base with some of the lords and their soldiers and a few others before daybreak. We'll plan to have an early dinner tomorrow and head out at first dusk."

"Sounds good. Be careful, and let us know if you need anything. In the meantime, we'll recharge and be ready for tomorrow."

I transport around the corner from one of the hottest clubs in Oradea, a pulsing night spot that caters to the elite, both vampire and human alike. I walk toward the entrance, bypassing the line of people. Henri gives me a chin nod and opens up the red rope to allow me in. "Have a good evening, Master Oradea."

My laser eyes cut through the dimness of the lounge with only the strobe lights that make people appear as though they are moving quickly when in fact, they are barely moving at all. I spot one of my lords, who hopefully has been digging up any information there is to find while being discreet. The music dies away, the strobe lights quit flickering, and the regular lights come back on as the DJ heads down the stairs of the stage and toward the back to take a break.

I make my way to where Lord Drancus stands with Roman. What the fuck is he doing here? As if we don't have enough problems with the witches, rogue vampires, and shifters and traitors in our midst, we have to deal with the syndicate head too.

I give him a head nod as I approach. "Roman."

"Glad to see you again, Master Oradea."

"You're a long way from home, Roman."

He laughs and takes a pull of his scotch. "We've been rebuilding the family after everything that's happened. We're merging with another Benzini family shortly. I'll be introducing the brothers to Overmaster Descallia in a couple of weeks. Lord Drancus was just telling me that you were expected shortly. Stop by and say hello if you like. We're at the table in the front," he says, before making his way toward the stage.

My eyes track the syndicate head as he moves to a table and joins four big guys in dark suits that match his own. A good-looking blonde sits in between him and one of the other guys. She doesn't look a day over twenty-one nor old enough to be in a bar. "Who's the lady with Roman and his new goons?"

Drancus begins to laugh. "Her name is Natalia, little sister of the big bad brutes who Roman is about to get into bed with, my friend. Bad news all the way around, and she is trouble with a capital T. You try to play with her, and her brothers don't hesitate to draw guns."

The door flings open, pulling my attention from her to Lucas, whose eyes are flaming red and fangs are bright white against his blood-stained lips and fully descended. "I hear you're looking for me, Oradea!"