Michael turned his head to Ryder. “That would be my guess.”
“Interesting,” Dalton said.
“The Realm has been in discussions about this Queen of Darkness since Lou reported it. We believe they’re referring to a daughter of the great evil one, someone to lead and stand with the Sons of Darkness.”
“So another Lord, only this time female?” Mandy asked. “I didn’t know they allowed female Lords.”
“It’s never been done to our knowledge,” Michael said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s forbidden. Who knows what he has planned.”
“He being. . Lucifer?” Isabelle asked.
Ryder felt bad for Isabelle. She huddled close to her sister and had a shocked look about her. She was pale, her face devoid of any emotion as she took in the conversation. Ryder slanted a glance to Dalton, who was staring at Isabelle and frowning. Dalton leaned against the arm of one of the sofas, across the room from Isabelle. His hands were clenched into fists as if he was physically restraining himself from going over to her.
Ryder wondered what had happened between them on the yacht.
“Whatever name you want to use for the great evil,” Michael said.
“And you think the Queen of Darkness might be his progeny?” Angelique asked. “And not either one of us?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Or it could be one of us,” Isabelle said. “You don’t really know for certain we aren’t, do you?”
Michael hesitated for a few seconds before answering. “No, I don’t.”
“And since it couldn’t be Angie because Bart already said it wasn’t her, and the gem went dark when she touched it, then that only leaves me,” Isabelle said, pulling away from her sister to lean forward and stare directly at Michael.
Damn, her eyes practically fired sparks. She seemed pissed.
“I could be the Queen of Darkness he spoke about. And until you get me together with this black diamond, until you see what it does when I touch it, then you won’t really be sure, will you? So don’t blow smoke up my ass and tell me you think I’m safe, Michael. Just give it to me straight. If I’m some evil creature you need to destroy, I’d just as soon know right now.”
Dalton’s fists clenched so tight he wondered if he was drawing blood.
This wasn’t going well. He could feel Isabelle’s pain, her anger and confusion, and he wanted to do something about it. But he was the last person in the room she’d want comfort from right now, so he kept his distance.
She needed reassurance. She wasn’t evil; he knew she wasn’t.
Though if he was thinking logically, which he obviously wasn’t, he’d realize that even he didn’t know that for sure.
“Isabelle, no one is condemning you,” Michael said. “We just don’t know all the facts yet.”
“So what do we have to do to get the facts? Get the black diamond and test me on the thing, right?” she asked, her voice a hard challenge.
Dalton’s lips twitched. She didn’t back down, even though he knew she had to be scared out of her wits. Points for Isabelle.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Mandy said.
“No, it’s a terrible idea.” Michael turned to Mandy. “The last thing we want is to bring the black diamond anywhere within close proximity of either Angelique or Isabelle.”
Mandy frowned. “Why? Isn’t that the point? To determine if either of them can activate the thing or whatever it is they might be able to do?”
Michael didn’t say anything, but from the look on his face he wasn’t happy with Mandy.
“Well? Isn’t it?” she challenged.
“I understand that you all mean well, but we have to control these things, take them slowly. We don’t want to-”
“You don’t want to what?” Angelique interrupted. “You don’t want to scare the living daylights out of us by making us think there’s some demon lurking inside us? We have news for you, Michael. Too late. We’re already freaked out.”
“My sister’s right. It really can’t get much worse than this. At least we’d know. And isn’t knowing something better than fumbling around in the dark with our heads up our asses?”
Dalton snorted. Isabelle turned her gaze in his direction and the hard lines of anger on her face softened.
Forgiveness, maybe? He really was on her side. He believed in her. Did she know that?
He didn’t want this to end badly for her. Not that he had any control over that, but he could hope.
On the yacht, he’d been doing his job and nothing more.
No, that was a lie. He’d done a hell of a lot more than just his job. Isabelle had unleashed something in him that had lain dormant and untouched for far too long. He wasn’t sure he could tuck it back in its cage again. Even now, he ached to go to her, to fold her into his arms and protect her.
He resisted, knowing what would happen if he did.
