He swept his vision around the room to ensure he had everyone’s cooperation. His eyes narrowed as he searched for the princess, but caught sight of Lady Tenille, Alex, and Henry strolling in through the main door.
“That’s fine by me, but you will have to allow me to satisfy my craving or risk me feasting on a human. Hence, why I need Isabella.”
Marcus met the blatant stare of the vampire prince, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Isabella flinch and Jake turn away.
“I wondered—if the others agree, I can have fresh food and drink delivered right here. You forget we are not human but—” Raine said.
Marcus interrupted, “I doubt anyone in this room is starving enough to trust you casting a spell. Everyone here is a suspect in a possible poisoning.”
“I’m not using magic, for heaven’s sake. I was going to phone and order food to be delivered. I meant to add that although we are not human, at times we enjoy their comforts. As the food would be from outside, surely that would be considered safe?”
As a leader in the SEALs, being in charge came second nature to him, but discussing the simple matters of food and drink drove him crazy. He went days without food, but realizing it may add to the rising agitation, he agreed.
“Okay, order several pizzas and whatever drinks are needed.”
“I have already stated my requirements,” Roman added.
“I will take a Hawaiian and some Diet Coke,” King Zayn said.
Before long, the rest added their preferences, which reduced the anxiety somewhat. Marcus wiped his mouth and caught Ella engaged in conversation with Raine. He nodded at the witch, who stepped away, and he slipped his hand around his wife’s shoulder. Leaning down, he whispered into her ear.
“Look, I’m going to be holed up here all night. I have arranged for you to give your statement first. Huron, the Assembly guard, will interview you. As soon as you’re done, grab Nate and go home. One of us should get some rest.”
Ella nodded and pressed her palm on his chest. “Isabella doesn’t look happy at Roman’s request. What are you going to do?”
He gave his wife a pointed look before running his gaze over at the witch in question. Keeping his voice quiet so no one else could hear him, he responded. “Jake and Isabella’s love life isn’t a priority right now, sweetheart—besides, I have enough issues with my own to meddle in theirs.” Marcus removed her hand from his shirt and kissed it.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing—I’m teasing. Give me ten minutes. I need to speak with Henry, and I will call you through.”
He lowered his head, savored her sweet scent, and planted a quick kiss on her full lips. He studied her bright eyes, and knew that besides his confession, another issue needed to be discussed.
CHAPTER THREE
Marcus greeted Lady Tenille, who stood with two human men at either side, in awe of the stunning woman.
Ella couldn’t help but stare at the ethereal beauty, with her intelligent blue eyes and delicate bone structure. She wore a kind smile as she nodded at Marcus and spoke in a soft lilted voice as he listened. But once again the lady’s eyes strayed to hers. People passed by and someone talked to her left, but a voice inside her head called.
I have a gift for you, Ella—one you lost some time ago.
The haunting female voice whispered and as she connected with Lady Tenille’s gaze, she knew it belonged to her. A shiver of expectancy rippled through her. What gift? What did I lose? Straining to think back, nothing came to mind. The woman’s gaze left her as she wandered away, with Marcus glued to her side as they disappeared from view. How she longed to know what they were discussing.
A cold hand on her arm made her jump, and she twisted around. “Isabella, you scared the life out of me.”
“I’m sorry. But, boy, oh, boy did you chose a doozy of a day to return from maternity leave.”
“Not really a choice. When Steel calls, you know the situation is bad, and today, well, I’m glad to be here. The Elusti need to be destroyed before they kill anyone else, and I’m going to ensure that happens.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that. We need more kick-ass female agents around here to even out the numbers.”
She smiled at her friend knowing it would take a lot more as they were the only two women on the teams at Orion.
“Anyway, I need to talk to you. I just don’t know what to do.”
Isabella’s sparkling green eyes searched her face and Ella smiled back. Studying her best friend’s anxious face, she knew pain lingered behind her forced smile, and stared across at the tattooed vampire prince. It didn’t take a genius to guess the cause.
“Of course. It’s about Jake, isn’t it?”
Isabella nodded and squeezed Ella’s hand. The man in question—and Marcus’s blood brother—over the past year had become part of her family, like a brother. Eyeing Jake and Roman, two distinct and different men who stood in opposite corners of the room, she noted how the young woman with amber curls sashayed close to Jake. Settling her eyes upon the water nymph, a wave of nausea rolled through her and she willed her stomach to settle. Every time she examined her, a peculiar sensation clawed at her gut. Ella knew otherworldly beings by their distinctive scents but with this woman, as she inhaled, she couldn’t determine her origin. Pushing through the
