24. Slobozia

Chapter 24

Slobozia

T errance and Clay make their way toward us, healed from their injuries but they must still be reeling from the shock of knowing it was Silver, one of the original of the special ops team Overmaster Descallia pulled together, who was spilling the vampire secrets.

Still, they are solid and I have no doubt will try to rise above what Silver has done. Clearly they had no part in the betrayal. They shake hands with all the masters, one after another. "It looks like everyone has turned out in full force. I can't believe the witches and the syndicate boys are actually in the same room together with us and there's not an all-out war ready to start," Terrance says.

I laugh out loud and give Raven, Willow, and Madria a wink. "The witches have probably put some sort of curse or hocus pocus on them to keep them minding their p's and q's tonight, right ladies?"

Raven gives him an attempted shifty eye but fails miserably and instead laughs at his poorly attempted joke. "They should be so lucky. Maybe then the Mancini and Benzini boys wouldn't be walking around with a stick up their ass," she says half whispering.

Angel pushes Raven lovingly. "Hey, that's my brother you're talking about. What about the lords? Look at them, all dark and tough, glaring at everyone as though the humans and witches are invading their space," she jokes.

Delilah's eyes grow wide. "Shhh... The syndicate boys are all coming over, now be nice."

My attention shifts to the five suits striding across the floor. I may not have trusted them once, but they've proven good allies against the rogues. Roman and Michael reach us first, with the others bringing up the rear. They don't look comfortable, while Roman and Michael seem at ease. I extend a hand in greeting and get introductions over with before Embry shifts our focus to Descallia and Lucianna making their way toward us through the throng of well-wishers. She gives a long drawn-out sigh. "Now this was worth waiting for."

Overmaster Descallia places his arm around Lucianna, her long black dress trailing the floor and her silver crown gleaming from her head. "You are breathtaking, and you make a beautiful queen," Embry says, crushing her best friend in a powerful hug.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the first dance is starting," a young vampire on stage announces as the music begins to drift overhead, and the lights begin to shimmer, changing from green to a red-hued glow across the room. Overmaster puts out an arm, and Lucianna entwines hers with it as he leads his newly crowned queen to the dance floor for the first dance of the night.

Terrance turns to Embry. "A dance?" he asks.

She gives him a soft smile but doesn't say a word. Just simply shakes her head and swallows as though not saying something was costing her more than we'll ever know.

I take my cue when the second song begins, drawing Taylen into my arms and guiding her with a hand to the back toward the dance floor. She sinks into the protection of my arms as others join us on the floor, but I am distracted slightly as I see Embry walk out the door. I turn Taylen with the music, lest she feels a need to get involved. Embry needs time and probably lots of it to heal.

Taylen's gaze has settled on Lord Corvinus, who has returned from outside and is seated at the reserved Descallia table, seemingly paying close attention to a piece of nonexistent lint on his dark suit. Taylen looks up at me mischievously. "Did you see Lord Corvinus take that photographer's camera and walk her right out? He certainly doesn't waste time with small talk. That woman, she's a problem for the vampires?"

I slide a hand beneath her hair, and my finger draws circles on the sensitive skin of her nape. "Working with humans who have no idea what it is like to be a vampire and have absolutely no time of day for our world. It's always a problem. It's a big ask of Lord Drancus. I was the one who selected him for the job to deal with the nosy reporter. Stephan was just helping get the group outside."

She gazes up at me. "Lord Corvinus? Maybe you should just put him in charge of the reporter issue."

The thought of Stephan dealing with the likes of the nosy human on a regular basis makes me grin. "Let's just say Lord Corvinus is not so tolerant of situations like this and would be far less congenial. He's skillful and the most adept lord I have, but also the least tolerant of situations such as this as you witnessed for yourself. No, Stephan deals with things when we are in crisis or something needs quick action."

Taylen laughs, her eyes alight. "After tonight, no one's going to be talking about anything else. The rumors are going to fly about the reporters being here, and pretty much getting kicked out."

I grin down at Taylen. Lord Corvinus is not well known for his patience. That's for certain, but I have no doubt the reporters were asked nicely first."

I do not give Taylen any more time to think about it, spinning her around as the dance ends, anxious to get her home alone. "Mine," I whisper.

Taylen pulls my face down and whispers in my ear. "If a few days from now comes and I am not selected for the warriors, my life will still be perfect. Destiny has placed me at the side of the vampire who is the other part of my very soul. I love you, Slobozia."