Page 64 of Depths of Desire
I glance up and catch my reflection in the nearby mirror. My eyes are wide, my face pale in the flickering candlelight. This is definitely a sign.
The question is... a sign of what?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Rage pours through me. I should have known Malrick would be onto us and send a fake priest. I should have thought of it. My thinking isn’t clear—I’m too caught up in Luna. Just the glimpse I got of her at the beginning of the aisle... she’s stunning. A fierce desire to protect her—and have her—burns through me like wildfire. It consumes everything.
I need to put all that aside so I can focus. I damn near got us killed. I grind my teeth, racking my brain for a solution.
“A Morven. I haven’t heard of those being around for hundreds of years,” Renzo comments.
“It’s odd, isn’t it?” I add. “I mean, it fits since Morvens were once priests who betrayed their order for power and were cursed into eternal service. Using it to masquerade as a priest was definitely a stroke of genius.”
“Thank God for Luna’s talent. She spotted him immediately,” Luca added. “If I had any doubts about her value to Malrick, they’ve just been put to rest. Jesus. Damn good thing we had the blood on hand. Luna’s blood and your blood, given willingly and offered in love, was the trick to killing it, but still. We were just fucking lucky.”
I sigh. “I’m not so sure Luna’s blood was offered in love. But it worked.”
Renzo cocks his head. “Who the hell would have access to a Morven? I can’t see Malrick having that kind of connection in the magickal realm, at least not without everyone knowing.”
My gut tightens. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe Malrick has a backer that we don’t know about? Someone strong with a lot of magickal connections would explain the ability to not only find a Morven but to send him. It would explain a lot of things, actually. Like how the Blood Orcs managed to fly and land on your driveway. Presumably, they did the same thing to break your skylight and enter your place. Flying is not a Blood Orc trait.”
“It’s true,” Luca joins in. “I hadn’t thought of it, but it does explain a lot. Malrick must have serious magickal connections. Ask Esme.”
“I would,” I say, “but I haven’t been able to reach her.” Unease fills my chest. Esme has been a great friend to me, a little sister. The fact that I haven’t been able to reach her bothers me more than I can say.
“That doesn’t bode well,” Renzo says and then immediately apologizes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”
“It’s fine, and you’re right,” I agree. “I’ve been trying to contact her but nothing. As soon as Luna and I are married, my priority has to be finding Esme.”
“Back to the marriage. We still need to find a vampire priest.” Renzo shakes his head. “I’ve struck out.
A thought hits me. A friend I haven’t spoken to in a very long time. At least a hundred years, in fact, but I know that he would know a vampire priest. I have no idea how to reach him, but I know who does. I dial Kael’s number. When he answers, I say, “I need a number for Julien Montrevault, Duc de Saint-Cyr.”
Luca’s eyebrows go up. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long while.”
Kael says, “On it. Will text it to you as soon as I get it.”
A moment later, my phone vibrates with the text. I dial the number as my gut tightens. Julien and I didn’t part on the best of terms. I can only hope time has softened his anger. The line rings once... twice... then a click.
“Montrevault,” says a familiar voice on the other end, and it’s like the years fall away.
“Julien,” I say.
There’s a slight chuckle. “Nico Valdici. It’s been a great many years.”
“Yes, it has. I trust you’re doing well?”
“I am. Better than you and your brothers, from what I hear.”
I snort. “You should know better than to believe everything you hear.”
Julien chuckles again. “True. But since you’re calling me, I’m guessing there’s an issue you need help with. Otherwise, why reach out after a hundred years?”
I let the dig hang in the air. “You’re right. I should’ve reached out years ago. I just wasn’t sure how my attempt would be received.”
Julien sighs. “That’s fair. I was incredibly angry with you at the time, but it turns out you were right.”
