Page 4 of Embers in the Wind

My hand reaches out, ready to grab her from behind and subdue her with my strength. But the wily female must have keener ears than I, spinning at just the right time, and out of my grasp, allowing her the element of surprise.

She turns, and instead of drawing the sword, pushes her hood aside, those majestic eyes ablaze, exposing her beautiful cascading mane of purple hair. The same shade as those magnificent eyes that were entranced by the moon not so many moments ago.

But now they’re turned on me, glaring with a vengeance that I’ve never seen. Not from someone as stunningly beautiful as the dark-haired vampiress. Embry may be gorgeous but is deadly to boot. I’ve heard all about her run-ins with our enemies, and the deaths they’ve suffered at the tip of her steel.

She draws a jewel-tipped sword and waves it menacingly, the kaleidoscope color taking on a bluish hue from the moon above. “Come closer and you’ll seal your fate. I have nothing you want. No silver, no gold, and nothing to eat.”

Embry appears strong and confident, yet I hear every beat of her heart, the heart gifted to life from a pureblood vampire, Descallia’s right-hand man, until he turned traitor. “Overmaster Descallia and his queen sent me to bring you home.”

The pulse at the base of her neck calms slightly, and she lowers her sword, yet she remains on guard, a combat skilled soldier through and through. “Why did they send you?”

My eyebrow arches. “They want to make sure you are safe, that you haven’t taken ill, and Lucianna wants you by her side.”

Her gaze shifts to the forest as a screech owl hoots in the distance. “I’m sorry you’ve traveled so far. I won’t be coming with you. I’ve left that world behind. Tell them you found me and that my mind is made up. The vampires no longer need to worry about me.”

I scoff. “The little vampire traitor thinks it’s easy to turn her back on the vampires after all that we have done for you? We do not allow our families to wander off without a clue as to their health. You should have known Lucianna would send someone to find you.”

She shrugs, but the emotion in her eyes belies her uncertainty.

“Clearly you do not know who I am, if you think I’ll just turn and go away. You are going to return with me, face up to what you’ve done, and accept whatever punishment is due. Understand?”

The purple-haired vampiress has the audacity to laugh at me. “Lord Stephan Corvinus, I know exactly who you are. You are the asshole who has been trailing me for the last few days.”

Didn’t see that one coming. “How did you know?”

She gestures to the trees above that shield the forest. “The creatures know far more than you think. The same asshole who I will run through with this sword if you don’t leave now and do as I say.”

The dark-haired beauty’s eyes flash. “Understand?”

“Oh, I understand you're going to learn a few things in a minute.”

Chapter 4

Embry

The arrogant vampire lord looks down his royal nose at me as though he has much better things to do, and I’m almost positive that he does. But then he shouldn’t have messed with me, at least not tonight. Does he think I haven’t heard the heavy step of his foot on the forest floor, or the sound of his voice trying to pry information from friendlies along the way, or that they wouldn’t let me know?

He has not been through the rigorous training that I have. Lord Corvinus may be Overmaster Descallia’s right-hand lord, especially now that Lucas is no longer alive, but he has not been in bloodthirsty battles with the rogues who use every dirty trick in the book and force you to ensure your skill sets with the steel to stay alive.

The vampire lord looks down at me from his over six-foot muscular frame, but no matter the difference in height, I have speed and can disappear or take flight in a blink of an eye, disappearing again, which would cause him more wasted days. I can see the barely constrained frustration and tolerance in his eyes. He has one mission. Deliver me back unharmed, and thenbe on his way and he wants to get it done and over with as soon as he can.

His strong and masculine voice booms with his anger. “I understand that you’re coming with me. I’ve been asked to bring you back, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

I’ve heard a rumor that he’ll be in charge of the warriors. Everyone knows his skills with the sword, but just because he’s got immaculate skills and is quick on the draw doesn’t mean he should dismiss mine. “If you come any closer, this is going to turn from a very friendly chat to an all-out war. Turn around and go home. Tell my friends that I’ve made up my mind, and they should heed the note I sent. It’s really all I have to say.”

Those intent dark black eyes draw me my eyes upward, magnetizing me momentarily as though locking me in place. So handsome, yet deadly in his own right. Yet his voice softens as though changing tact. “I mean you no harm, but you’re making this difficult at best. Why not come back, tell them yourself that you are fine, convince them of that so Lucianna does not worry, and then you can return.”

I laugh scornfully. “You mean after the vultures and gossip mongers rip me to shred with their lies, or the other vampires and their mates condemn me to a burning fire for no reason at all? Which or all of that would you want to run back to, Lord Corvinus? Because I, sir, will have none of it at all. You will go back and tell them whatever you wish. Because I simply don’t give a fuck.”

His eyebrows arch in challenge, causing me to ready for battle, my fingers stroking the handle of my steel in the event that he pounces to take me by surprise.

Instead, the handsome vampire lord surprises me yet again. Speaking to rationale that I’ve gone over a million times in my own head.

Corvinus gestures with a nod toward the forest. “Funny, you don’t look like a quitter to me. Yet, you’d rather I tell them you ran away, that you aren’t willing to defend yourself, or to tell them the truth? All they know is what they’ve been told. That’s what they believe, Embry. Why not tell them your side of the story? Tell them your truth.”

It's not that I haven’t told myself the same thing time and time again, but if they didn’t listen to it when I pleaded with them to, when I could have been their biggest ally, then why the hell does he think they’ll listen now?

My silence infuriates the beast. “Why are you so damn obstinate after I’ve come all this way? Do what I say, or I’ll take you home the hard way, in shackles and with a sore ass.”

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