25. Oradea

I lean downand whisper in Natalia's ear. "Rest, my love. I have work to do but will be back soon." The minute she slips into a deep sleep, I get dressed and ready to work, connecting with Michael on the way upstairs. A quick glance at my watch tells me everything should be in order, all as planned, and that the group should already be here, as I disconnect and prepare for what needs to be done.

Overmaster Descallia, Romano, Campania, Sardinia, Botosoni, and Lucianna, Willow, Raven, Madria, and Catina look up from the map Descallia has laid out on top of my desk when I arrive in my study. Silver stands by Lucianna and gives me a curt nod, no doubt wondering what his role will be in finding Embry. Whether he's hot for the little traitor or not, his job will be to find her and bring the little bitch to me.

I toss off my jacket, unbutton the sleeves of my shirt, and roll them up to work. I survey the map the group has been looking at, grab a marker lying on the desk, and circle the area the witches are known to inhabit in this area. I don't miss the exchanged looks between the witches. I clear my throat and begin to speak. "I know there are those in the room who believe Embry to be innocent, but the truth of the matter is that she lured me to the lower level and kept me listening to her story and pleas for help so that Lucas could lure Natalia into leaving the safety of my estate. Natalia was almost killed as a result of Embry's treason to our cause."

Willow and Raven's eyes flash in defiance. I contain the growl that boils deep in my chest. "This is the woman I love we are talking about. Embry has loved Lucas forever; it was always going to be Lucas and Embry. If Lucas is dirty, and we know that he is, then so is she." I ignore the heated stare I'm getting from Silver who stands with his arms across his chest next to Lucianna. "The mission is simple. We find Embry, and we find Lucas."

Willow raises her hand. "You can speak without a hand," I tell her. She nods, seemingly nervous until Campania puts a supportive arm around her. "The witches here can find her, will definitely help to find her, but we cannot be a part of hurting Embry. She means the world to us, and until we know for certain that she is guilty of what you say, we just can't help you. Lucas? Now, he's a totally different story. We will hunt him down like the lying dog that he is."

I'll give the sharp-tongued witch one thing; she knows her mind and isn't afraid to speak it. "Your position is duly noted, and your honesty is respected. I spoke with Michael and Marcus a short time ago. They will be canvassing the cities around Oradea, ensuring no one comes in or out on foot." Raven smirks. "What's so funny?"

Raven shrugs. "It just seems silly to have so many muscled men guarding the city when we're talking about Lucas and the rogues, who can just transport where they want to be. I'm missing the point of having them help us, instead of the witches who would surely be a better partner?"

I sigh. "Purely intimidation factors," I tell her, hoping that's exactly what the rogues will think when they see the brick wall of dark-suited muscle because no matter the stakes, at the end of the day, the rogues and Lucas still need what we have—power. They need the power of deploying people like the syndicate to do their bidding, to produce, distribute and move product that will sustain their way of life because they do not hold the key to the secrets that we do, nor will they ever as long as I have the ability to fight alongside Overmaster Descallia and the other masters.

The door opens and closes softly behind me as Magnus walks into the study. He shakes hands with some of the masters he has not seen in a while. "Sorry I'm late. I had a situation back home to deal with. The vampires are growing restless; they want this battle with the rogues to end. They say it's putting a damper on business because the syndicate in that area is hearing rumors of getting stuff cheaper from the rogues."

Overmaster Descallia growls, "It ends today!"

I need no further consent to outline my plan, because if it were up to me, this thing would have been done a long time ago, but destiny does not always play fair or take us in a line from A to Z; instead, she likes to ramble along the forest in a curvy line, giving us clues, and taking them away in a cruel game of treasure hunt that only she enjoys playing. I tap the black marker on the map. "This area, at the base of the mountain, the shifters have several dens strategically located around it to protect Lucas and the rogues."

I get nods from the group, all focused on the map.

We have to infiltrate it all. We need to capture or kill each and every one of the rogue shifter bastards. Any and all rogues must not only be killed, but must be staked to ensure they cannot continue this battle, at least for a century or two. I tap the marker again, and this time when I point to the center, both Raven and Willow's eyes begin to swirl so fast it causes my head to spin.

Lucianna notices and turns to the witches. "What is it?"

Raven is the first to respond. "The mountains. Where Lucas was before. I gave Romano an image of the Witches Haven and instruction on how to get there some time ago. We didn't find the rogues there the last time but instead found Isala and a bunch of drugged out witches, but that was a trap. They won't think that we would think they would go back there, right?"

Lucianna's eyes begin to glow. "Raven, you're right." Lucianna looks at me. "And destiny caused you to mark that very same spot without knowing it at all. It's the Witches Haven near Oradea. They are all structured in much the same way, tucked into the mountains just like this one," she says, taking the folded image that Romano takes from his pocket to lay on the desk and show everyone.

Raven sucks in a deep breath. "The door underneath all of this moss is on the north side of the mountains. There are several areas of moss. You'll know the right one by the sign over its top."

Romano stops her. "Let me see if I remember. Over the top of the moss door is the letter W. It blends in with its surroundings. It looks like twigs or brush, but from far away you can see it. When you and Willow will it to do so, it burns bright for us, leading the way to safety."

Raven nods. "You've got it." She pulls a key from her skirt. "If you want less bloodshed, like I told you last time, then you want me with you. I'm coming to help." Romano growls, but Raven stands her ground. "The only way that key will work is if a witch is using it. And let's not forget, I am a witch."

Lucianna closes her eyes and then opens them, watching us all. "They are at the top of the mountain. They know about the key to our survival, and they know somewhere in that valley it holds the answer to strip our powers. The power-hungry rogues and Lucas want to strip the vampires of our power, just like Isala did. We've known this, but destiny has always interfered with our ability to end this drawn-out war."

She's not wrong and this time I have no intention of letting destiny stand in the way of finding Lucas, Embry, and those fucking rogues. "Master Bistrita's land butts up against mine, and that area in the mountain is right in the center of where our land meets. I called him earlier to see if he could meet us here. He's probably just running a little late."

A shuffle behind me causes me to turn as Bistrita clears his throat. "I've been watching the rogue shifters on my cameras up in the mountains. The mangy beasts are infiltrating that side of the range as though it were put on earth just for them. They should have picked another range because they will not fare well this time. Master Oradea and I will not allow them to infiltrate this land. We will fight them until none of them live to see another day."

I couldn't agree with him more. "This time, we have the syndicate surrounding the area. If the shifters who protect them run, they will be captured. The purebloods will take on the rogues, Lucas, and Embry," I tell the group, pointing out the spots on the map where each circle of infiltration will go.

The stones around Willow, Raven, and Madria's necks all begin to glow at the very same time, turning from the dull amber to the bright flaming bluish hue, causing us all to bring our attention to them. Devora's image appears in the stones. "The bastard rogues are on their way to the mountain. They plan to stake claim on the very land that we witches call our homes. If the bloodthirsty purebloods find the key in this land and take power from the vampires, they will wreak havoc on civilization as we know it. The humans will begin burning witches and vampires alike, no matter whose side we are on. Fucking vampires!" she screeches.

Descallia growls, "We work together, Devora. We join forces to end the battle with the rogues once and for all. We send them back to the hell they deserve and then settle the land issue amicably."

Electricity flows from the tips of her fingernails, causing a chain reaction with the other witches, their eyes flashing and fingertips sending blue and silver energy into the air. Lucianna's eyes begin to glow, and she raises a hand, trying to tamp down the tempers in the room as only she can do. "We need to remember, whatever Lucas tries to do, we have the power. The power of the stones and destiny has sent the witches to help us battle the rogues once and for all. Recall a passage in the Vade Mecum that says when beasts and enchantresses combine, the path of light will blind."

"Devora, the power to end this has always been with you, the witches, and the purebloods, a sign from destiny that we are to work together and end this for the good of the rest of the world and underworld as we know it."

Devora nods. "Then we follow the path that destiny has carved out for us. Witches, your stones will lead the way and help the vampires end the rogues for good. Take care of the witches, vampires!" she warns.

I give her a nod of thanks, knowing exactly how she feels because I'm not leaving Natalia alone for a minute if I'm outside this estate. "That's exactly what we intend to do, Devora. Gather your gear, everyone. We'll gather the rest of our group, and then, Lucas, Embry, rogues, and mangy shifters, we are coming for you."