1. Slobozia

Chapter 1

Slobozia

M y keen eyes observe the group I've been given to hunt one of the most devious and cunning vampires of all, a pureblood turned traitor who wants nothing better than to destroy us. My gaze shifts with annoyance, taking in the dark-haired beauty who had the audacity to sass me in front of the others after allowing Lucas to get closer than he should. I don't have time to babysit, no matter why she wants to come along, nor the multitude of witches who for all we know could be up to their old tricks and planning to attack. Overmaster Descallia has asked a lot of me with the request to lead the hunt for Lucas and make him pay.

That's the directive. I'll do what's been asked but it's not without a nagging doubt that we're headed for more trouble than we can handle with a team that I'm not sure I can trust.

Destiny may be showing us the way to find Lucas and safeguard our key, but allowing the witches to go with us to one of our most sacred and secretive caverns deep in the Carpathian Mountains was never the plan. No matter what the masters who've taken the cackling biddies as mates might say. Enemies for years and we trust them now?

Knowing Lucas, Overmaster Descallia's right hand man turned traitor, the evil bastard won't be happy until he has that key in hand and reaps the revenge he believes is owed. We'll deal with that, but there's no telling what he will do to Embry if he captures her. She is sure to have moved up to his number one spot for vengeance after selling him and Magnus out the way she did. And she certainly didn't help matters by flying after him in a rage without a word to anyone around.

He may not have been successful the first few times he tried to put us in the ground, but there's no way that evil fuck is going to give up without a fight to the bitter end. But a battle like that is exactly what the prick will get from me and the other vampire masters after what he's done.

My eyes meet Master Bistrita's, and the lock of his jaw tells me everything I need to know. He, too, is feeling the strain of this conflict, knowing it may be our only chance to stop Lucas from taking what does not belong to him and disappearing until he and the others regroup and are ready to battle another day. Against us.

A quick glance toward the others tells the same story. A few of the master's eyebrows are raised slightly, just a hint that they are as worried about Overmaster Descallia's seemingly one-eighty in trust with the witches as we are since the masters took them as mates. They may have helped us recently, but that doesn't mean Devora, the head witch and Raven's aunt and all the other witches aren't doing it for some ulterior reason of their own. It's always been the same with those witches and why we would think it would be different this time, I haven't a clue.

I don't know why we would truly trust them now, or why Overmaster Descallia thinks we should after everything we've been through with them. But still, he's the overmaster, and for now, I'll respect his lead and keep my mouth shut. At least until we see how this little charade with the witches plays out. But still, if Descallia's making me lead this part of the battle, we're going to be careful, because one false step, being this close to the key that everyone wants, could drive all the factions into a bloody war that puts everyone at odds all over again.

Looking around, I have to admit, things seem calmer than I would have anticipated as we prepare to hunt our enemy. Romano, Sardinia, and Campania seem completely absorbed with their witchy mates. Romano wraps an arm tightly around Raven's petite frame as she snugs in the last of her weapons and the masters and their mates prepare to move toward the region of Slobozia. I watch as Master Campania helps Willow with her dagger and Sardinia keeps his arm protectively around Madria. It all feels a little too calm for me. My concern deepens, having never seen any of them use any of these weapons. Usually, it's all electricity from their fingertips and a high-pitched cackling before a curse in the form of your worst nightmare appears, or they turn you into a frog or any other such undesirable aberrations.

I try to settle my ire at the situation I've found myself in but it's hard to tamp my temper down at being saddled with a bunch of witches and a novice who doesn't have a mate to take care of her and thinks she should come along for battle just because her friend is going. I almost growl in frustration but rein it back in, just in time.

The entire Slobozian region is mine, and what I say goes. Now we have witches traipsing through our most sacred grounds. I eye the sneaky creatures with disdain. Raven, Willow, Madria and who knows which other of the masters' mates are really not psychics at all, but witches too? It takes effort to keep a low growl of frustration from barreling up from the bottom of my chest and into the night.

I turn away from the group who are preparing to go after Lucas with me tomorrow night. I inhale deeply, and with effort manage to calm the inner beast who still knows better than to allow all these people with no known battle skills to go. Bistrita joins me, and I try to calm the rest of my emotions before he reaches my side. It's not his fault Descallia wants to bring everyone along and that he put me in charge. "Instead of heading to the cavern tonight, we'll make camp here. Lucas isn't going to double back, especially if he has to deal with Embry. She's probably making his life an ever-living hell. I hear she's relentless."

He gives a nod. "That she is my friend. Look, you don't have to pretend that being foisted with a ton of females who are new to battle isn't bothering you. We all know and would feel the same. But the witches have skills, and they've proven their uses advantageous in other battles. You'll see, my friend."

I'm not known to lie, and I won't do it now, not to one of my dearest friend's faces. "Not only do I have to deal with witches, who I personally don't think we should trust, and Embry, who we need to find, but now we're saddled with Natalia, Chara and Taylen, too."

His eyes heat knowing I probably feel the same about any of the females coming with their mates. It's not a social gathering and fuck if I'll apologize for that but it gives me pause and I soften my words. "It's not that I have anything against either of them, but if captured, they would work perfectly for exacting Lucas's revenge. You know this, Bistrita. It's dangerous."

"I don't take what you say lightly, but the witches are strong and powerful, and luckily whether you believe it or not, on our side." He grins. "As for Taylen, I personally don't think you've ever been put in your place like that. I couldn't help laughing as she chewed your ass. You should have never told Taylen she wasn't coming on this trip or scolded her for Lucas sneaking up on her. Taylen's been training a long time in hopes of becoming a warrior one day. Lucas had us all fooled, he could have gotten the drop on any of us. Give her a chance."

"Perhaps."

Bistrita grins. "I don't think she was giving you a choice. You may have met your match with her my friend. Has the dark-haired beauty gotten under your skin?"

I avoid the question although my eyes seek the beauty out from the group, watching as her head tilts gently to the side while listening to the others. One minute the little she-devil's tongue is going a million miles a minute and the next she's as docile as a house cat. I turn my focus back to Bistrita, eager to get a few more things done and end this night. "Lucas is one evil- ass vampire. He's had us all fooled for longer than any of us want to admit. You want to let the others know we're camping here tonight? I have calls to make to some of the lords in my region."

"No problem. Consider it done. In fact, I'll let the witches know and they'll conjure up a fantastic little camp," he says.

I roll my eyes. "Fine."

He grins. "Suck it up my friend. You're stuck with us all, including the witches and Taylen. Consider it a leadership challenge," he says, turning to stride away.

My gaze rakes over Taylen's sexy little length and then to the witches and the stones that glow around their necks, a light purplish color that's supposed to be lighting our way to Lucas, the key, and according to the witches themselves, many things of value to them. Well, I haven't seen that yet. I haven't seen them or the stones help us that much yet. No matter what Bistrita and the others think, they still need to prove themselves to me.

As if to spite my doubt of the witches, one of them waves a wand and the entire area is filled with tents. I find myself looking at one that has my name over the door, along with one just like it for every couple and person along. Maybe it's not so bad having a few witches here.

I head to my tent to get calls out to the lords, ensuring they will be ready to assist when we get near the cavern tomorrow night. I sit on the long cot, testing its firmness before pulling off my boots. Sheets, blankets, cots, even a rug on the floor. I stretch out and smile. Fucking witches.

Time will tell if the cackling biddies are on our side or just up to more of their tricks. Romano, Campania, Sardinia and Overmaster Descallia may be fooled, but I am not, no matter how much the witches from Devora's coven have tried to pretend they're helping us. What reason really do they have for that? No, there's bound to be something they're up to, the rest will see. The others are just too blind to see it through the wave of love or whatever they call it.

I scoff at the idea of love, inhaling a deep breath while my frustration with the situation calms, my fangs ascend and the heat of my eyes cool. If the other masters believe love conquers all, they are in for a very rude awaking. Love is like a chain around your neck, a heavy-ass chain that keeps you bound until it's rung every last little bit of happiness from your desolate heart. I should know, learning that the hardest of ways, and no one, not even destiny with her meddling ways will ever change that no matter how hard she tries.

No, the only reason the witches would help us is to protect the land they believe to be their own. The same land that falls between Master Romano's estate and the Witch's Academy in Romania. The very sacred area the two factions have been fighting over for centuries. That has to be the reason and the vampires would do well not to forget that little fact.

Tigers don't change their stripes and neither do the witches. The last thing I remember before falling into a deep sleep is thinking I'll have to keep a close eye on the witches and the sharp-tongued she-devil with the sexy little ass.

A day's rest has done the group a world of good. The team gathers around the camp to eat a quick meal, courtesy of the witches before our journey to the cavern we believe Lucas to be hiding in. I put a quick polish on my trusty long sword, sheathing the magnificent piece of steel with the gleaming red gem at his end into my belt, letting it hang by my side. All while taking in the sexy little backside of the vampiress who has managed to weasel her way into the next leg of our journey and is preparing to go with us into a heated battle with a cunning adversary who has managed to fool all of us for some time.

Master Bistrita's mate, Chara, and Master Oradea's mate, Natalia, should keep their close friend, Taylen, on a very short leash because if she's going to force herself onto the team and into this hunt, she's damn well going to need to stand on her own two feet. There will be no time for coddling anyone on this journey because Lucas has nothing left to lose. He's lost his alliances with the syndicate boys and the rogue shifters have all been killed at the end of our swords. He is out for three things only now, to get revenge on us, and on the syndicate for not aligning with him, and to get the key that will allow him the monetary reserves he needs to rise to power.

The evil bastard is not getting the key. I have faith in our fearless leader. He's managed to keep that damn key safe for centuries while everyone in the underworld tries to find it and take over our riches. Time and time again they find nothing but empty caverns, instead of the gold and jewels they desire. Overmaster Descallia is far too smart to allow Lucas, or anyone for that matter, near the vampires' greatest treasure.

Lucas is smart too, though. A vengeful man who knows far more than any of our enemies should and is downright determined in his effort to send us back to the dark ages where we ravaged the blood of unsuspecting passersby.

It's hard to believe we never saw how undermining and ruthless he could be, until he was crossed by Roman Mancini and Michael, Marcus, Antonio, and Frankie Benzini.

Master Oradea's mate and the youngest sister of the Benzini brothers stands by her friend Taylen, the sexy little vampiress who's managed to worm her way into this trip whether I forbade it or not. Their relationship to the syndicate boys has not helped matters any, that's for damn sure.

My jaw locks tight with irritation. Another sharp-tongued female who won't do as she's told to worry about, to take care of when we have more than enough to deal with without adding her to the mix. The sassy female who won't listen to reason bends to tie a hiking boot. Her long, dark, wavy hair falls to one side, leaving a clear view to her perfectly heart-shaped ass which is tightly and deliciously wrapped in a pair of expensive designer jeans. Unlike the little white thong she was wearing in my dreams just a few short hours ago.

Taylen feels my gaze, turns, and her bright red eyes flash with irritation, but it's hard to miss the tip of her pink tongue as it slides seductively across her upper lip. The little gesture female vampires use to try and keep their fangs from descending is not working now.

I smirk even as my cock expands uncomfortably against the inseam of my jeans. The growl barrels up from deep inside of me, but I manage to stifle its intensity before anyone hears anything but a low grumble.

This could end up being a hell of a long fucking night. I'm not about to let the hot-headed little beauty have any more leeway than is necessary. She can come with us, only because I don't really have a choice in the matter. The little she-devil is going to be on a very short leash though, one that I fully intend to hold the reins to myself, whether the testy female likes it or not.

She turns as though hearing every word in my mind. "Not likely, vampire."