He rubbed his neck, unsure why he had bothered to mention anything. It was none of his business, but the doctor looked adrift and lost. “Jake’s different around you. He isn’t one to show his innermost feelings, but he likes you, I know.”
The doctor’s expression didn’t alter. As he studied her eyes, an overwhelming sadness hit him like a tidal wave, the likes of which he couldn’t explain, and he had to look away. When he glanced back, the doctor had disappeared indoors. Jake was cut from the same cloth as him. Marcus didn’t display his emotions openly, and relationships had been a no go when they were Navy SEALs. Facing unknown danger and being absent for months at a time didn’t work for most women they encountered. Working for the private security firm Orion was no different.
In ways, the enemy they faced, far worse than any they had encountered, left the future uncertain for them all. The only difference, he noted as he smirked, was the women who surrounded them. Ella was as fierce and as capable at tackling the enemy as they were. The same was true of Isabella. Their dedication to their job was steadfast. The doctor, on the other hand, although she appeared capable, underneath, he sensed a cool aloofness, which needled him. Strolling down the winding path, Marcus headed for the steps that led to the beach. He heard the buzz of animated chatter before he approached.
“Drayton, there you are. The prince is eager you don’t get lost. Where’s Steel?” Lucius flicked his hair.
A habit that irritated Marcus, like the vampire himself. Narrowing his eyes, he searched the immediate vicinity, trying to locate his boss without result. “If he’s not here, I assume he’s with Raine.”
Marcus eyed Roman’s second-in-command Lucius, who was dressed in a formal black tux with a striking waistcoat. His dirty-blond locks cut to his shoulder and piercing blue eyes looked down his straight nose at his outfit. He couldn’t decide whether it was with disgust or admiration. The haughty look Lucius wore never changed. Brushing down his black jacket, Marcus automatically rolled his shoulders, not feeling the least bit comfortable in such formal attire. But Ella loved when he donned a suit. Glancing around, he idly fiddled with the stiff collar.
“Nice tux,” the vampire said.
“It does the job.”
“The witch—is she as eager for this union as the prince?”
Marcus noted the vampire did not use Isabella’s given name and sensed an undercurrent of dislike for the witch, but he couldn’t be certain. Surveying the guests, he answered, “As far as I’m aware, Isabella is as ready as anyone is on their wedding day. Personally, I can’t wait to get this ceremony over with.”
The vampire nodded, searching over the crowd of wedding guests, distracted, as vampires and witches mingled together.
“Who are you looking for?” Marcus asked.
The vamp faced him, expressionless. “It’s unavoidable. Roman is the prince of the Northern Territories. It’s the custom to invite the current ruler, and I only just received word of his intentions.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes, observing the preoccupied vampire. “Why was I not informed of his attendance?”
The vamp stepped in his face, snarling. They stared at each other for a second before the vampire backed down.
“My apologies. I’m a little on edge, as you see. Emperor Gabriel…our esteemed leader made a last-minute decision to attend, which adds a certain pressure to this elaborate affair. But, may I remind you, my people are not subject to your rules, Drayton, and we do not answer to you.”
“That may well be the case, but since Roman joined Orion, he does…and therefore he has a duty to share important information such as this.”
“Interesting. Well, that doesn’t change the fact we are vampires and we’re not bound by your laws. Anyway, Roman may not know about the emperor attending. I only just received word, and if you haven’t already noticed, the prince is rather absorbed in other concerns, namely the witch, which is not good when things are as fraught as they are. There are those who are watching with a keen interest as to how he manages his affairs.”
Marcus studied Lucius closer. Who was the vampire referring to? Were they unhappy with Roman’s leadership? It seemed as if Lucius hinted at such and he wondered where the vampire’s loyalties lay. He touched his sleeve, holding him. “And what is your view of things?”
Lucius stared hard at his hand and Marcus removed it. “Ever since the North End massacre, we have been waiting for the Morrigan to strike and she hasn’t. We’re all on edge. Aren’t you?”
Marcus rubbed his thumb and index finger across his forehead, searching the perimeter. If the truth be told, all his senses were on heightened alert since arriving here, and he scanned the area for anything amiss. Maybe the unease he sensed around Lucius was as a result of the vampire’s own anxiety and he nodded in agreement.
“Roman could have delayed this ceremony, but he refused. There are those who say he’s far too distracted by the witch, which isn’t good for anyone. The emperor is here to see for himself. We need to get back to the business of sending the Morrigan to hell, where she belongs. Roman has delayed the honeymoon as a sign of respect for those who lost their loved ones in the attack, which is the right move, even if his bride-to-be doesn’t agree. But it might not be enough as far as others are concerned.”
Marcus narrowed his gaze at the vamp, this time the dislike for Isabella impossible to miss. Does Roman know of Lucius’s feelings toward his bride and the rumors circulating? Not being close to Roman, he didn’t know. But having his second-in-command display such contempt could not be good. They were all
