Shifting her attention toward Marcus at her side, his response to his mentor’s demise was nothing short of chilling. Ella never expected her husband to break down in tears. She had never witnessed him cry, but the way he carried on, taking charge, organizing this funeral with such military precision, took soldiering on to a whole new level. His detachment worried her. A piano played in the background, and she pulled out a tissue from her pocket to wipe her nose. Marcus caught hold of her elbow and led her out of the congested room into the quiet corridor.
“You should get some rest. There’s no need for you to stand here all evening,” he said.
No matter what happened, he was always fussing over her, regardless of what was going on with him or anyone else. She swiped his thick, unruly hair to the side, but it flopped back over his arched eyebrow. Just as his hair wouldn’t cooperate, she knew Marcus would never change, always protecting her. The stubborn set of his square jaw belied as much as he examined her.
“I’m not just here for you. I know Steel was like a father to you, but he was the closest one I had too, and I can’t believe he’s gone,” she admitted.
Watching his clouded expression, Ella wanted a crack in his armor to surface, because she knew, without him saying so, Steel’s absence hit him like nothing else did.
“I know, but you need to take care of yourself. I see you hunching your shoulders and I sense your discomfort. Go and rest. Everyone will understand. I can manage. Once everyone has paid their respects, only a few will remain. I’ve arranged for the reading of the will, which shouldn’t take long.”
Marcus had carried the burden of the arrangements all on his shoulders, with no time to fully comprehend his loss. His chin stood out like his resolution to carry on, not revealing his emotions, and she shook her head, pressing into his hard chest as he wrapped his arms around her back, holding her gently.
“Let me help you. Don’t keep your feelings bottled away. It’s too much to carry alone. No one will think any less of you because you show you care.”
She stroked his back, and he whispered by her ear, his soft voice running through her body.
“I know—but right now—I can’t. It’s as simple as that. But there is something you can do.”
Ella stepped back, unsure of his meaning as she considered the situation. She gripped his arms. “Tell me?”
He captured her hand and squeezed it tight. “I want to exchange the balance of power between us, tonight.”
Ella shoved his chest and stepped away, but he caught her arm and pinned her against his chest. “We agreed this would be for the best. I would feel better if I knew you—and our children—were safe. I’m begging you, because the truth is, tomorrow, I have to leave and you—you can’t join me…”
Heads turned in their direction as she struggled in his arms. Realizing the futility of arguing, knowing he had made up his mind, she stopped. “You can’t do this—we agreed I would come with you.” She pleaded but his unyielding expression didn’t shift. “Why?” she said, defeated.
“Don’t you see? Everything’s changed. Steel’s gone. I’m putting you in charge of the teams. You need to take control of Orion in my absence and run the operations.”
“What—I can’t. What about Jake? The men respect him.” She folded her arms, closing herself off to him, incredulous at his command.
Marcus gripped her shoulders and lowered his head to stare at her. “The men respect you. Only you can keep the Alliance together, and keep Orion running. I trust you.”
The front door opened, allowing the crisp March wind inside, along with an entourage of tall and somber vampires, who filed around them like soldiers in an army. The last one to enter was Roman. His jet-black hair was sleeked back and he wore a dark trench coat. A leggy blonde was glued to his side. As the vamp tilted his head, his neck glowed with fresh black and red swirls of ink.
“I came to pay my respects. Steel was an honorable man. I promised him I’d assist Orion, and I intend to fulfill that. I also have news I need to share with you—in private, Drayton.”
Marcus shifted Ella to the side. “Fine. But…you couldn’t come alone?”
Roman gave a curt smile. “No…I could not. This is Theresa, my personal assistant.” He raised an eyebrow.
Marcus extended his hand, but the woman refused it. Once again, he eyed Roman, assessing the vamp’s seemingly uncomfortable situation. “Right. Well, you best come into the study, and make this quick before…”
There was a shuffling as vampires were pushed aside and a scuffle ensued as Isabella and Zephra broke through the blockade of vamps.
Ella stepped in front of Isabella to prevent her friend from reacting in a way she would regret. “Isabella, don’t do this now.”
The witch laughed in her face, in a short, hysterical way, and Ella knew she wasn’t going quietly. Isabella slipped past to stand in front of a silent and broody Roman. Isabella glanced over her shoulder. Zephra, who stood like her constant shadow, opened her palm and a box materialized out of thin air. She handed the object over to her sister, and the witch thrust it at the vampire, whose cool façade revealed nothing of his feelings at this awkward encounter.
“I thought I smelled something foul,” Isabella said.
“I’m here to pay my respects and then leave. That is all,” Roman said.
“Well, see
