Page 26 of Embers in the Wind

“Wait, that’s not fair. I don’t know much, but I do know that she spoke highly of the vampires. This is true, but many people thought she had magic too. I think in the end it was just pure psychic ability, like me. Mine is very strong. I lean in closer to my friend. “Very strong with Lord Corvinus. I’ve seriously never experienced anything like it. Even on our best days, Lucas and I were never like this. The connection is unlike anything I’ve ever known.”

She smirks. “Destiny. Perhaps she owes you something real after what she put you through with Lucas. You two were simply not a good match. It was clear to many if not to you.”

I push her shoulder. “Maybe I deluded myself into thinking it was real love, when it was real love but not of the mating kind. He was always more the older brother type to me; someone I worshipped since he helped my gramma. But it was up and down with Lucas. He never did anything horrible to me, but I think in my heart I always knew we weren’t destined to be.”

Raven nods. “I felt that Embry.” She touches her heart. “Right in here.”

“There was a time when things were pretty hot, believe it or not. Lucas was a little older, and we had been friends for years. I think he always had a crush on me, but he was torn with the promise that he made to my gramma that fateful night she died and he promised to take care of me. He swore to her when she was dying in his arms that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt me.”

She scoffs. “Until the bastard did it himself. How did you two become a thing?”

“I have to admit, I was a little bit flirty, okay a lot flirty, but he didn’t give in to the feelings between us until I put myself in danger. It made him go back on his promise to my gramma and he always felt guilty about that.”

“Not guilty enough, the assbag.”

I meet my friend’s eyes. “The rumors going around? You know about me following him, and getting into the vampires’ lives through him?” I sniff. “It’s true. Not like they make it out to be but true nonetheless.”

Her wide eyes swirl. “We know you didn’t become a vampire to infiltrate their community and turn on them if that’s what you think.”

“Maybe not you, but there are enough who do. They’re not all wrong, but it wasn’t to hurt the vampires, it’s because I was kind of obsessed with them. I asked Lucas for a chance to work at Club Descallia, and he allowed it, and then ended up having to turn me when the casino came under attack. Lucas blamed himself for the danger, for what happened, even if it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Raven sighs. “We know nothing you did was intended to hurt the vampires or the witches for that matter. In all honesty, the other witches and I were not all too sure about the feelings Lucashad for you from the start. Call it witchy intuition. It just didn’t, what do you say, spark?”

My chest hurts with the thought. “It really sunk in that things were off when the witches put a curse on Lucas. He wasn’t himself. Every time I thought we were getting one step closer to actually being together, he did something to push me even farther away. I seriously began thinking he was intentionally trying to get rid of me without actually telling me.”

Raven nods. “At one point, I think he may have been doing just that very thing. Maybe to safeguard you. I think like you said, perhaps he cared for you and wanted to see his promise through. At least until the end when he turned into the asshole of the year.”

“I thought it was because he didn’t want to be with me, and maybe that’s part of it but I honestly think he was pushing me away to protect me. He changed, his values changed, and he wanted to protect me from it all still. Maybe just to keep that promise to my gramma.”

Her eyes narrow. “I thought that too until the bastard chained you to the wall of that cavern.”

Tears roll down my face at an unprecedented speed. “Me too. I think by that time all of our feelings for each other were gone, but in his own way, I think he was still protecting me.”

Raven doesn’t look convinced.

“Lucas was in a mind-boggling rage. He could have killed me more times than I want to count that night. But he didn’t. Came close when defending himself against my attacks, but he didn’t. Whatever changed him to side with the rogues, the power he got, I don’t know, but it became way more important than the vampires he’s protected for centuries and me.”

She leans over and pulls me to her, giving me a warm hug. “I’m sure at one time he loved you very much, and maybe you’re right, he wanted to keep the promise to your gramma too.”

Maybe I should have confided in others sooner and not kept it all bottled up inside. “Talking through it is helpful. I haven’t really allowed myself to do that too much. Just with you and lately Corvinus.”

She snickers. “I bet a good talk is not all you’re experiencing with that philanderer.” She looks at me, right in the eye. “You do not take one thing that vampire says seriously. It’s all ploys to get into your pants. I’ve heard all the rumors about him. Billionaire ten times over with not one interest in spending more than a night with anyone in particular.”

My face breaks into a wide grin not having felt like myself for so very long. “Little late for that. Sorry not sorry. I could climb that six-foot-four tree all night long and still want more in the morning.”

Raven shakes her head and her wispy black hair blows from her face into the wind. “You be careful that you don’t let your feelings get involved with that one. He’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em and …”

I take her hand. “It’s okay. We’re both adults, and we know the rules, and neither of us is looking for a mate. We’re just having fun, I’m working through some things, and it helps, that’s all. No harm, no commitment, okay? Just a whole hell of a lot of fun.”

She lets out a sigh. “That’s a huge relief. Now there’s one more thing I need to confess before we go.”

My eyes narrow at my mischievous friend. “Let’s talk more tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to take a look around the academy. Someone or something has to lead me to a clue about my gramma. She wouldn’t just lead me here years ago, than appear in my dream at the very location she sent me to, only to leave me all alone to fend for myself. She’s here, somewhere, I can feel it. And I only have so much time before Corvinus is back.”

Raven puts her arm around me. “This one can’t wait. I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you this, but I was the one who put your clothes in the closet and blood in the fridge.”

My heart sinks as I look at my friend. “Not the other witches. Not my gramma. When I mentioned it to Belinda she didn’t outrightly admit to it or deny it, so I guess I held onto the possibility that it still could have been my gramma who did it.”

She shakes her head. “Belinda told me. I’m sorry, Embry. I was just trying to help. I saw you drop your bag when the wolf was chasing you. I dealt with him, but you had already tossed your bag and I didn’t have time to chase his ass down to retrieve it. Next time I come across that asshole though, you can be assured I will get that stuff back, or he will reimburse you for every single thing. No matter if it’s from the skin of his backside.”

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