With that, she disappeared. She had learned that trick from him. She didn’t want to talk. She wanted to hide away and forget everything about Roman De’ Luca.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It was the end of April, and the rain was relentless. The Assembly had met with the world leaders in Switzerland to calm the humans, but all it did was provide an opportunity for the Morrigan and her monsters to attack several prominent politicians, including the American vice president. Vampires and the undead had swarmed upon their prey, devouring them in plain sight of the public. Videos of the gruesome attack were streamed everywhere.
The door to his office opened and Jake marched in with Lady Tenille, Huron, and King Zayn.
“Thank you for coming,” Marcus said as they all sat down.
“Before we discuss the attack in Switzerland and the Assembly, do you have any news on Ella?” Lady Tenille asked.
Tamping down his frustration, he willed himself to speak in a strong voice that disguised his fear. “No—we have no fresh leads. The witches cannot sense her, and they have no idea as to where this place is that was shown by the soul-collector. Zephra has tried to contact Ella. As have I, but with no response.”
“I see.” The lady smiled right at him. She left her seat and walked around the office. “In that case, you may tell Zephra she may use me as a vessel to search the other realms. I hear Ella calling to me...”
Marcus shot out of his chair to stand next to Lady Tenille, fed up with the entire situation. “Where is she?” He couldn’t hide the anger and bitterness in his voice that the leader of the Assembly should hear from his wife but not him.
The leader of the Ancient Ones grabbed his hand and turned it over, staring at the lines on his palm. “I know this is hard for you, Drayton, but I honestly don’t know. The witches are the ones who can find out the answer. Call them.”
Observing the woman, whose bright, clear eyes looked deep inside, reaching into his gut, he sighed. “Okay.”
Zephra arrived a short while later, and he paced around the living room, waiting for news like an expectant father. When the witch had arrived, she insisted on some privacy with Lady Tenille first and since then, he had been sequestered away in the main living room with King Zayn and Huron, who were drinking him out of all the liquor in his cabinet. As fast as he could top up their glasses, they drained them, and yet neither appeared worse for the wear several glasses later.
“Come on, Drayton, sipping your brandy is the only pleasure I get being here in this godforsaken place where the sun never shines and the rain is eternal,” King Zayn spluttered, and he slapped a hand across his broad chest.
Footsteps approached and he eyed the door. But when it opened, Roman stood there with two guards who lingered outside. The vampire closed the door behind him and removed his long coat, throwing it over the leather easy chair and giving a curt nod to the now silent group.
“New York’s a ghost town. There’s a compulsory curfew. Anyone out after nine is being arrested and taken to a facility outside the city. It’s crazy. Innocent people are being treated like wild animals. Most of my clan are laying low, but I’ve left behind a skeleton crew to cover the New York office to keep an eye on what’s happening there, while the rest carry on as normal here in Boston.”
Marcus poured another measure into a glass and strode over to Roman, handing it to him.
“Look, I need to speak with Isabella. Is she here?” Roman asked.
The world was falling apart and here was the vampire, searching for his witch. Who was he to talk? When it came down to it, who gave a shit about the rest of the world if those they loved weren’t around anymore? Saving the world didn’t seem quite as important. He sighed and rubbed his chin with his hand.
“She didn’t return with Jake. And before you ask, he doesn’t know either. He’s pissed off because she just up and left. What the hell happened?”
Roman took a sip of the drink. “I told you, the Padre started slaughtering vampires and then it got messy. I cleaned the situation up as best I could. But damn it, I told her not to go to the after party, but as Isabella always does, she dives in, regardless. She didn’t like the way I dealt with the mess, and I admit, I didn’t handle the situation very well, which is why I need to see her.”
Marcus shook his head. He knew sending Isabella to work with Roman would cause friction but hoped the two would be able to remain professional. He hoped it would also give them time to clear the air between them, sort things out. Which obviously it hadn’t.
“Look, if she didn’t tell you where she was going, I have to assume it’s because she doesn’t want you to know,” Drayton replied, staring at the vampire, who knocked back the rest of the liquor before slamming the glass down on the table.
“Damn it, can’t you see I’m worried about her, Drayton? She’s acting strange and the incident at the gala got out of hand. I need to know she’s all right.”
Observing the serious vampire, he had never seen him so anxious, making him look vulnerable and exposed. He understood his frustration full well. “If you truly care about Isabella, you’ll leave her alone. You had your chance.”
The door opened, interrupting the conversation. The witch, along with Lady Tenille, strolled
