Roman did as requested and backed away. He glared at Jake, a shorter man but equal in tight muscles, although Roman had the whole immortal thing going for him.
“It’s simple, my love. You’re not coming, and Marcus agreed. It’s too risky—”
Before Roman could finish, she pushed him away and strode off, pissed.
“She’s sexy when she’s mad and full of passion, that one,” Roman said.
“Yes, she is,” Jake responded.
Isabella caught what the two said but continued to head for Drayton. But a tug on her arm made her spin around.
“Don’t make a scene, Isabella—not now. It’s what Roman wants. I see how he needles you, but must you always rise to the fucking bait? I thought you were stronger. Anyway, Marcus has too much on his plate right now. He’s under a lot of pressure, and acting like a toddler having a tantrum isn’t going to get you anywhere. When the commander makes a decision, it’s final. If you’re not part of the team on this mission, there’s a damn good reason for it. You going off all bat-shit crazy will confirm he made the right decision. It won’t make him change his mind.”
Isabella stared down at his hand, which remained holding her arm and he let go, and she listened to his words, accepting the truth of them. Reining in her fury, she scanned the room to locate Roman’s position.
“He’s always dictating to me, and I cannot think straight when he’s around.”
She didn’t mean to sound so emotional, but a part of her was unraveling.
Jake nodded and pressed his hand on her shoulder. “Look, we’re part of a team, and I’ll help you all I can, but you need to be honest with me, and that arrogant prick over there. If you don’t want to marry him, end this façade now. Make the decision.”
“Jake, it’s not as simple as that.”
“Yes, Sparkles, it is. I will see you at five for dinner.”
Standing there as Jake walked away, she felt alone and on edge. She put one foot in front of the other, intending to head for the restrooms, but Raine and Zephra appeared right in front of her, extending their arms wide, and she ran to them.
“Blessed be, sister.”
“Blessed be,” she responded and kissed each sister on the cheek before stepping back as both witches examined her.
Raine frowned and shook her head. “Isabella—when will you learn—breaking the rules of our coven has consequences? You’ve been dabbling with dark magic, and you know what happens when you do that—you get sick. This isn’t good enough, Isabella. With all that’s going on right now, this makes you vulnerable. Your aura is all over the place.” Raine squawked, but reached inside her cloak and withdrew a small vial of liquid and handed it to Isabella. “Drink this. It will help you for the next several hours, but it’s not a cure. You’re going to crash and burn fast.” Her sister touched her hand to Isabella’s forehead and pulled it away. “Drink it now,” she insisted.
Isabella huffed and frowned. She knew there would be no hiding her actions from her sisters. They always knew what she had been up to, and she pouted at each of them, always feeling awkward and foolish in their company. She knew the potion would taste awful, but accepted the glass beaker. Flashing them both a wicked grin, she downed the cool liquid. It didn’t taste too bad, kind of sweet, and when she drained the glass, she studied Raine. “What is that?”
“Just a fruit smoothie, Isabella. Of course, I added a few extra ingredients to boost your immune system, such as ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and some honey. Plus, a small spell to delay the effects of your impending mad delirium. It’s not long acting, but the effects are instant.”
“Hang on, what do you mean mad delirium?”
“You will find out soon enough, and I suggest you make sure you’re alone when you do, with a bowl at hand.”
Zephra gathered Isabella’s hair to the side, and attached a black leather choker with an amethyst stone that dropped from the center. She couldn’t tell whether her sisters were teasing her or not as they both looked equal parts annoyed and concerned. The amethyst would strengthen the spell and keep her safe for as long as the spell lasted, which meant they must be serious.
“Thank you,” she said as the cold vanished and the weight that pressed down on her eased. “Wow, you’re right. I already feel better. My head is clearer. In fact, I could run a marathon.” Her heart beat fast inside her chest and her skin prickled with heat. Isabella clenched her hands and rubbed her fingers. “Are you both going to the Veil of Shadows?”
“No, Zephra is going. I will remain with Steel. I can reach him in the dream state, but someone is there, corrupting him. I’ve set up a salt circle to ward off evil and I light candles every day to help the healing process, but the force that’s preventing him from waking up is more powerful than I am. I cannot convince him to leave.”
Isabella saw worry etched on her perfect sister’s face and she longed to ask the question that others wondered too. What was the relationship between Raine and Steel? Instead, she stated what she knew to be true.
“You love this mortal, don’t you, Raine?”
Raine didn’t flinch and she knew that her sisters often talked about things that didn’t include her. She spent so much time away from the coven, making her feel an outsider.
“Marcus is heading this way and the meeting is about to start. I only came to give you the medicine. I have to get back to Steel. Remember, the spell will only last until this evening and then you will need to sleep. Isabella, you
