chapter SIXTY-ONE
When we walked into The Chapel, everyone turned to stare at us. We must have been quite a sight in a sea of black and dark colors. I wished I could have seen us from an outsider’s view. The crowd parted to let us pass, and I almost felt as if we were walking up the aisle on our wedding day. Courtney had gone home to change and get more clothes to bring back to Vittorio’s. We thought it would look odd if she arrived with us, since we hadn’t been close to her previously, and decided it would be better to keep that semblance of distance, at least for the moment.
When we got to the top of the balcony stairs, everyone stopped their conversation and watched us. I thought I would suffocate from the tension in the air. Vittorio did not seem to notice it, and acted as if nothing was wrong.
Courtney and Miriam sat on a couch across the way. Courtney gave me a little wave, while Miriam glared at me.
We sat down, Vittorio’s arm around my shoulders, and Felicia immediately come to take our drink order. I opted for water, too nervous to risk cranberry juice with a white dress, while Vittorio ordered scotch and water.
A man I had seen before, but never met, sat in the chair across from us. “How are you, my friend?” he asked Vittorio.
“I have been better, but as well as can be expected. Emmettt, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Elena, the love of my life. Elena, this is my good friend Emmettt.”
Emmettt was six feet tall and muscular, with short dark hair and honey brown eyes. He looked to be in his late twenties, but wore an old-fashioned suit straight from a Jimmy Stewart movie. He completed his look with a fedora and Chuck Taylor high tops.
I held out my hand to shake Emmettt’s, but he turned mine over and kissed the back of my hand. It was just a touch of lips through the glove, nothing as enticing as Vittorio’s touch of lips to my skin. “Enchantee.” His grinned boyishly.
I smiled. Something told me I could trust Emmettt. “The shoes don’t quite match the ensemble, Emmett,” I said.
“True, but they’re comfortable, and I hate dress shoes,” he said.
“What news do you have for us, Emmettt?” Vittorio asked.
“Everyone is restless. With both Clavius and Aerin dead, and Elizabeth in the hospital, you are the only person in the chain of power left. Of course your allies are happy, but your enemies are plotting ways to be rid of you.”
“Do you know of any of these plots?”
“There is nothing solid. Now that Samuel and Jonah are in jail, and Neal is missing, no one has quite enough initiative to take control.”
“Neal is missing?” Vittorio raised his eyebrows.
“No one seems to know where he is, and if they do, they are holding the secret very tightly.”
“Interesting. I wonder if he has deserted Samuel’s cause. He always struck me as weak and indecisive. Maybe he is laying low until this is all over, waiting to side with whoever is victorious.”
“Will you be our new Sacerdote, and Elena our Sacerdotessa?” No beating around the bush for this guy.
“It is too soon to tell. If it means keeping Samuel out of the picture, yes, I will, but Elena has much to learn before she can make a decision such as that. She is not even familiar with our ways yet.”
“I will,” I said.
Vittorio stared at me. “Mio amore?”
“If you desire it, and the coven accepts it, I will be Sacerdotessa.” A knot I hadn’t known was there loosened in my stomach.
“How can you be sure?”
“What happened between us last night…I’m not sure how to explain it, but I know this is the right decision, that it’s what I’m meant to do.”
Vittorio smiled and embraced me.
“We will fight Samuel’s followers?” Emmettt asked.
“Unfortunately, I do not think we have any other choice. I neither want to fight them nor leave the coven in their hands. I care for our family far too much to leave them to that fate. I hope to make this as painless as possible for everyone, in every manner.”
Courtney walked over and interrupted our conversation. “Hey,” she said, standing awkwardly.
“Why don’t you sit down?” I asked, motioning to the empty seat next to Emmettt.
He introduced himself to Courtney the same way he had to me.
She giggled and looked down to her lap, then looked back at him and smiled.
“Can I ask you something, Courtney?” There was still something that seemed too coincidental.
“Sure, what?”
“How did you meet Miriam?” I asked.
“It was kind of strange. I met her in my art class, but she talked to me first. It seemed odd. I mean, I didn’t exactly fit in with her style…I’m sure my mom gave you and old picture of me.”
I nodded.
“She seemed really nice, though, and I liked her style. I’d been having a hard time making friends in college so didn’t question it.”
“And Elizabeth is Miriam’s aunt, right?”
“Yeah, but what does that matter?” Courtney thought for a moment. “Oh my god, you think they set me up from the beginning?”
“I don’t know, but it does seem like a big coincidence.”
Courtney stood and looked about to storm back over to Miriam. “I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.”
I grabbed her hand. “Courtney, wait. I wouldn’t say anything just yet. If I’m right, it could be dangerous. I’d wait till everything blows over before you confront her.”
She sat back down, slumping. “I guess you’re right. So, I’m supposed to pretend like nothing happened and we’re still friends?” She sighed. “Alright, I’ll try.”
“Courtney, Emmettt has the power of glamour. Would you mind if we tried something to test if you are really able to see through it?” Vittorio asked.
“I guess not,” she said, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. “I’m still trying to get used to the idea of magic being real is all.”
“Elena, do you have something in your purse we can use, something Courtney has not seen before?” Emmettt asked.
I turned to hide my purse from Courtney and pulled out a small, red hairbrush. Emmettt made it appear to be silver, then I held it up for Courtney to see. “What color is my brush?”
“Red,” she said, as if it was the stupidest question ever.
“Vittorio, what color do you see?” Emmettt asked.
“Silver. Emmettt, please drop the glamour on the brush.” It appeared red again. “Now what color do you see Courtney?”
“Still red. But this can’t be real.”
“It is real.”
Emmettt reached for Courtney’s hand and she took his gratefully.
The hair on my arms stood on end, and the temperature in the room dropped. I knew it was not the physical temperature, though. A new power was in the room. I knew that power. Neal had come out of hiding.