23. Taylen

Chapter 23

Taylen

I look in the full-length mirror, tucking the sash of the high-waisted and daringly low-cut dress into place before appraising the slinky sandals on my feet. It's hard not to smile. The dresses my friends and I have selected to wear for the transition ceremony are daring and bold. A far cry from other transitions where they may have been far more subtle. After the battles we have all been through, we deserve a little harmless fun and nightlife.

The door opens, and my eyes meet Master Slobozia as he enters the bedroom. I try hard not to bubble over with excitement. In less than half an hour, I will be at my mate's side watching my transitioning friends accept their right into our life.

Slobozia draws me in with a hand to my waist and kisses me soundly on the lips. "I can hardly wait until the event is over so I can bring you home and ravage you again," he murmurs wickedly into the sensitive shell of my ear.

"First things first. The event, then a little mingling, perhaps a couple drinks, a meal, and then home for a feast of another kind," I tell him, looking into those dark eyes I love.

He kisses the top of my forehead. "No concern about mingling with the masters together? I'm fine if you want to remain at a distance tonight, with the vote for your seat on the warriors only two days away."

I shake my head. "We're long past that, but thanks for the offer. No, I am quite excited to prance around the dance floor showing you and that fancy tux off tonight. Especially if blondie shows up," I tell him, unable to completely keep my claws at bay.

His eyes narrow, and he strokes a finger down my cheek. "She lives in the region, only because you didn't allow me to banish her. She is bound to be there tonight."

I stand on tiptoe and put my arms around his neck, drawing him to me. "Not to worry. I was half joking. I've actually tried to put her in my rearview mirror. I'm going to think of her as someone who made lonely nights less lonely for you until destiny brought us together. I know you and she were not in a relationship like ours, but she was with you in the most indecent of ways. It's the only way I can keep from wanting to rip her eyes out. It's not a trust thing, but a jealous and possessive thing. You are mine."

He crushes his lips to mine, and when he draws apart, pushes a wayward strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ears. "I love you, Taylen. Only ever you, love. You are mine."

I can feel my heart beating in time with his, our souls connected in the deepest of ways, and I know every word he says is true and I can trust him with my heart. "I love you too. More than I know how to express. Now, Master Slobozia, we have a transition ceremony to go to and I believe you owe me a dance."

Slobozia picks up my wrap from the chair and places it around my shoulders, takes my hand and transports us to Club Descallia, which has been turned into the most elegant of ballrooms in under a day thanks to the witchy ladies and their magic wands.

Lucianna, Delilah, Embry, Angel, and Alessia are talking with the transitioning ladies, who look slightly nervous and are dressed to the hilt in their gowns and ceremonial jewels. Master Slobozia greets the ladies with a nod. "The long-awaited night. Do not be nervous. The masters and lords can look formidable, but they are all happy to welcome you into our fold. We need pure minds and hearts and none of you would be here today if you did not have that to offer." He gives me the briefest of smiles and leaves me with them, heading off to join the masters who are huddled in the corner of the club talking about something stuffy, boring, and secretive, no doubt.

I smile at the ladies who are prepared to make the walk that I've seen taken by others so many times over the century. But I did not know them as well as I have come to know these ladies, and they did not have a special place in my heart like those that stand before me today. I give each of them a hug. Raven, Tansia, Willow, Madria, Catina, Natalia, and Chara hug me back tightly, their hearts racing as they anticipate the walk up onto that stage to accept their rightful place among the dark-hearted souls gathered here tonight.

A bustling sound and a gleam in Raven's eye cause me to turn, watching as Devora and the high priestess and a small group of witches from the academy in Romania enter the club and walk toward us. Raven leaves the group, meeting her aunt halfway and hugging her tight. My keen ears intrude on their privacy. "I'm so glad you came. I love you."

Her aunt beams. "I wouldn't have missed it, child. I admit a moment of disappointment when you decided to be turned and walk in the transition when the masters gave their approval, but I've come to understand your heart and the kindness of the one you love. Your mom would be so proud of all that you have achieved for the witches and vampires alike. She would want us to be here," she says, motioning to the high priestess who gives Raven a smile in exchange for a curtsey of respect.

The lights dim, and on que, Overmaster Descallia walks up the stairs on the left of the stage. Master Slobozia slips in beside me and guides me to a reserved area as the others take their seats, with the exception of the mates of those transitioning who have gone to stand off to the side of the stage so they can greet their mates once through.

Lucianna's green eyes cast a glow and meet mine for a moment as she and Embry slide into the seats directly in front of us to watch the night's event. Descallia takes the mic behind the podium set up just for the night and draws my attention to him as he begins to speak.

"It is with great honor that we recognize the ladies before us for their individual and unique talents. They each bring different skills and talents to the vampire community and we are proud to welcome them today. "Now, let us introduce each of our newest members of the vampire community."

We watch as Raven, Tansia, Willow, Madria, Catina, Natalia, and Chara, three who are definitely witches, and all who have proven their dedication and loyalty to us no matter where their story of origin lies, proceed up the stairs, one by one as their names are called to accept their transition.

Overmaster Descallia shakes each of their hands personally before they are provided with a leather-bound copy of the Vade Mecum and a silver, glistening tiara is placed upon their head. The crowd claps loudly for each before they walk down the other side to be gathered in the arms of their mates.

Master Slobozia squeezes my hand, and it does not go unnoticed by those around us, nor when he places his arm around my shoulders. There was a time that I would care, but I have learned that not everything is in our control. Some things were simply meant to be because destiny will have her way, whether you like it or not. This we have come to learn. Besides, whether I get the seat on the warriors or not, I have earned the right for consideration by the group of vampires who will ultimately make the decision for who sits on the team. And for now, that and being by Master Slobozia's side is enough. He is the only thing that matters.

The lights stay dim when the ceremony is through. We find our way with the others, through the throng of lords, witches, syndicate members, and others to congratulate the ladies. A dark- haired vampire lord in business attire adjusts his cufflinks, looking as though he just flew in from a finance meeting and can't wait to leave.

Master Slobozia turns to me. "Taylen, this is Lord Corvinus, my right-hand man here in Slobozia. He was at the celebration at Club Descallia, but you may not have been introduced personally."

"Very nice to meet you, Taylen. I've heard only good things about you from Master Slobozia. I'm sure we'll see more of each other in the very near future. If you'll excuse me though, there's something I must attend to at the moment," he says, striding with purpose to the other side of the room where humans with cameras have managed to convene around Lord Drancus.

My eyebrows raise. "How did they get in here?"

Master Slobozia sighs. "It's usually a quiet affair, but everyone has heard about the battles between us and the rogues now, and it's stirred everyone's curiosity. They are reporters, and they're about to see the not so pretty side of Lord Corvinus.

Slobozia lowers his voice. "He has very little tolerance for people who disobey rules or for those who pry, and especially for nosy reporters, it's not bound to be good. I was hoping Lord Drancus could rein the group in quietly without causing unnecessary attention. Now she'll need to deal with Stephan."

I watch him stalk toward the group, his dark eyes almost the same color as his suit. "I would be intimidated if I were her."

He smiles down at me. "Come, let Stephan deal with her and the other reporters." He leads me toward our group, and we follow the hostess to the reserved Descallia table. "A toast," Overmaster Descallia says. "We have won the battle that will keep us in power and stave off another war. And we have preserved our way of life and saved many a life by doing so and have welcomed even more dedicated vampires into our family fold. Salute!" he says, raising his glass and clinking it lightly against Lucianna's.

Everyone joins in the toast except Embry. Her purple eyes have never regained their shine. Instead, there are dark circles underneath her once bright eyes, tell-tale signs of crying and sleepless nights. My jaw tightens with anger for my new friend. I may not have liked her much when I first met her, may have thought of her as an enemy or rival for my job, but in the end, she is like me and the males in her life have taken advantage and left her doubting herself and her own instincts.

It's hard to know what to say at a time like this without sounding anything but genuine and sincere, so I offer her a small smile. One that I hope brightens her day.

She does not reciprocate but does not turn away either. Overmaster Descallia gives Embry a wink that I can't help but catch. My eyebrows raise, but only for a moment. I track Embry's keen eyes taking in the surroundings before she gives a nod of her head. As if on cue, the lights of the entire ballroom turn to a green hue, and Embry takes a stunned Lucianna by the hand, walking her toward Overmaster Descallia as the rest of us begin to understand what is transpiring before our very eyes.

Embry has barely spoken a word, but when she returns to my side she leans in. "We decided that since everyone was here already, we would have the ceremony for our future queen."

Raven's mouth opens wide. "Oh, my god. She can't be crowned in that. She picked out this beautiful ball gown just the other day for the ceremony. It was perfect."

Embry's eyes fill with tears. "I didn't know. I was so absorbed in my own self-pity that I didn't even take that into consideration. Fix it, Raven. Fix it now," she says, sending Raven into a flurry, her hands digging into the pocket of her long skirt to pull out her trusty wand.

She closes her eyes and says a few incoherent words, and magically, a puff of green smoke fills the ballroom. When Lucianna moves through it, she comes out the other side in a long black gown, deep cut, and sexy as hell, as though the smoke show was planned. Her hair is shimmering, brushed to gleaming down to her waist as she is met by her king.

Overmaster Descallia looks down at his mate, his eyes full of love, and pulls her to him, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. "They are so good together," Embry says to me.

I nod, agreeing, as Slobozia absorbs the warmth of my body next to his, nestling me protectively in his arms as we watch Overmaster and his future queen walk the steps together and take the very stage the other ladies stood on not moments ago to accept their transition as vampires.

Overmaster takes the mic. "We had not originally planned to do this tonight, but a special friend made us realize that time is not promised. We must make every minute, hour, day, and week count, because life changes suddenly and we may never have this chance again. So today, we seize the opportunity with all you gathered here, to make it official, to have me officially introduce my mate, my love, and the new queen who will rule by my side."

Three young female vampires, who I've seen before in the community but don't really know, carry a piece of marble out onto the stage between them, stopping just behind Overmaster Descallia and Lucianna. Lucianna's eyes glow a brilliant green while Overmaster reaches over to the marble slab and takes the silver crown decorated in jewels and places it gingerly atop her head. He tips the mic toward his mouth and pauses a moment while everyone waits with bated breath. "To our new queen!"

The applause is thunderous, and boisterous cheering raises the roof while Embry smiles from the shadows and wipes a slow-falling tear of joy as she watches her closest friend accept the role she has so rightfully earned.