“If you’re right, how do we proceed?”
“I am right. It explains why the deaths are across the boundaries. I never believed a human would be behind this, but I honestly thought we would discover it was the vampires, or perhaps I hoped it would be that simple. Instead, this is far worse.”
He frowned. He thought Raine and Zephra liked the vampires.
“Just because we have an accord doesn’t mean we trust one another. Isabella’s betrothal is part of this tentative alliance,” she answered, reading his thoughts.
“Strange that you sacrificed your sister when you obviously detest the Nightwalkers.”
She pushed at his chest and he held her wrists firm.
“Don’t you dare preach to me. Anyway, haven’t you heard the expression keep your friends close but your enemies closer? I love my sister. We had no choice.”
He backed away. “You always have a choice.”
“Really? Remember those words when Ella discovers you betrayed her.”
A gasp from the bedside drew his attention, and the doctor stared at him. She had been so quiet, he had forgotten she was in the room. He could quite gladly strangle the witch right now, but rubbed his neck instead. He needed to speak with Ella before someone else did. He needed to come clean and beg her forgiveness. Grovel if necessary.
“Not another word—either of you.”
“Yes, sir,” the doctor answered.
Watching Dr. Davies, he knew she wouldn’t say anything. But as for Raine? Marcus snapped his head back at her. Nothing would surprise him, but he wouldn’t explain his actions to this stranger. Or to anyone, for that matter.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Two hours later, Marcus arranged for the Assembly members to reconvene in the dining room. As the group marched in, the pungent scent of smoky sage filled the air.
“What is that smell?” Alexander from the Watchmen asked.
“It’s the sage. I performed a simple smudging ceremony to dispel the evil intent in the atmosphere. After what happened to Robert, we needed to cleanse the air and dispel any negative spirits that linger here. This ancient ritual will ensure that,” Raine said.
Marcus stared as the witch waved the small bundle of herbs she held in her hand around as she walked. She had asked if she could perform the ceremony and he had agreed, not wanting any further issues to destroy this meeting. Twenty-four hours ago, the odd collection of leaders from the Assembly sat in this very room for the first time. Now Robert Marsh lay dead, and dark magic rendered Steel in a coma.
“You promised us we would be safe. Now Marsh is dead, Steel is in a dream state, and a princess who sat at this very table was cloaked and is, in fact, a demon. Drayton, the security in this place sucks. How do we know you are even telling us the truth? I didn’t recall this woman from yesterday!” Roman shouted as he paced the room, refusing to sit down.
“I agree. I need proof of what you say or I will renounce my agreement to the alliance. This entire gathering is a shambles,” growled Zayn.
Marcus listened and observed the faces, gauging each member’s temperament. He wanted everyone to voice their opinion before he gave his. It was clear that they didn’t trust him, but it remained vital they united. They must stick together, and he needed to convince them of the importance of the alliance.
“Ladies—gentlemen. We gathered together because the threat we face affects us all. If you listen to what Marcus is saying, we are getting closer to knowing the true identity of our enemy. I have long suspected there is a greater power at the heart of this, certainly greater than anyone here. Not one of you wields the kind of magic that is swaying so many minds and souls. This power is old and has been gathering over the centuries. It has been biding its time, but the signs are clear,” said Lady Tenille.
Marcus switched the video on his laptop to play, and turned it around for the others to watch. His gaze fell on each leader. “The footage you see is from the camera surveillance and it shows Princess Undine, the water nymph walking down the corridor late yesterday evening. Huron engages in conversation with her, but his body language suggests something isn’t right. He frowns and shouts. The princess places her hand on his temple and says a few words, and then she leaves. Minutes later, the same woman descends to the basement. When the elevator door opens, out steps Huron. He nods at the guard outside Steel’s door and enters the code to gain access to the holding room and Steel. Look carefully. I also have footage of Huron at the same time interviewing Zayn. This creature used a magic we weren’t prepared for, and we believe in fact the princess was actually a demon sent to cause mayhem. We don’t know for certain that Robert Marsh was a target. It could have been Steel all along. Anyway, it’s clear this monster’s mission was to disrupt the alliance as much as possible. I understand your concerns, but running away isn’t going to help anyone.”
There was an outbreak of gasps. “We are not running, Drayton, but wonder if we would be safer on our own,” Trent Le Var said.
He eyed the calm man as he rubbed his neat, short beard.
“The fact a demon was sent to assassinate members of this alliance means we are being watched, and whoever is behind this is aware of our intention to join forces. They want us to turn on one another. To break the alliance before it has a chance. Hell, the enemy doesn’t need to kill us if we do it for them. If we allow suspicion and mistrust to break this agreement, the enemy will win. You all need to
