I had a hard time disagreeing with his logic, merely out of gratitude for the efficient way in which he’d spared me the trouble of depleting my energy on that Destroyer.
“I take it beheading them works?” Draven replied.
“Indeed,” the incubus nodded. “We’ve tried everything before. It’s just damned nearly impossible to get close enough to the snakes to do it.”
I looked around again. My limbs shook, and my lungs were greedy for more humid, dirty air.
“We need to go,” Sverik added. “The others must have heard the noise by now, and they’ll be here shortly.”
We nodded and followed him down the path toward another corridor which opened up onto a set of stairs leading back up to the surface. We entered another hallway, the fourth from the left.
“There’s a passage way at the end of this tunnel,” Sverik explained. “It will take us back up. The green flames have already spotted us back there. We need another way out.”
“Do you know where we need to go next?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.
A wave of hisses and barked orders echoed through the corridor, as Draven blew out any green-lit torches along the wall.
“I can’t believe we actually killed Destroyers.” I couldn’t help but grin. “I thought they were impossible to kill.”
“They usually are. Don’t let this little victory embolden you, young lady,” Sverik replied. “Azazel keeps the weaker Destroyers in the dungeons to look after his prisoners. It’s not the same as fighting one of his lieutenants.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Because the weaker Destroyers would not be effective in battle. Azazel is quite specific about this, requesting only the strongest to fight for him. The ones in the dungeons aren’t as skilled and have lower stamina, but they’re big and heavy enough to keep the prisoners in their cages. Besides, there’s not much for them to fight with. Most of these prisoners are too weak to put up a fight, and the ones with magic, such as the fae, are kept under control with warded cuffs.”
It made sense, reminding me of the fae we’d met earlier. My assumption had been correct – Azazel had found a way to keep their powers under control.
We ran fast across another chamber filled with cages, not giving any of the prisoners time to notice us or call out for help. Nevertheless, their misery and hopelessness ate away at me, amplifying my growing hate for Azazel. I would make him pay for each and every single life he’d taken or ruined, including those of my brother and friends, stuck in an old and moldy plantation house in the middle of nowhere.
Jovi
We reached the River Pyros as night fell over the region, turning the sky a vibrant shade of indigo, riddled with billions of stars. The moon shone brightly and full, casting its milky light over the woods.
Anjani, Bijarki, and I were first, followed closely by the three Lamias, two of whom seemed to really enjoy dragging the prisoner incubi down the road. The Lamias’ settlement sprawled across both sides of the river, which ran hot and steamy—something I’d never seen before.
“The River Pyros runs hot,” Anjani explained, noticing the surprised look on my face. “It stems from Mount Asid, a volcano in the west. You can see it rising over the horizon during the day.”
I nodded as I got a better look at the Lamias’ settlement. It wasn’t exactly a city, as I’d heard it described. It was about the size of a small town with hundreds of homes carved into giant purple trees on a wide radius, perhaps a couple of miles. Torches and candles flickered yellow all over, and colorful paper lanterns hung from the branches.
“What will you do with the incubi?” I asked the Lamias over my shoulder.
I didn’t like the idea of seeing them killed, but I had a hard time trusting them.
“We’ll kill them later,” Una replied in a casual tone. “After Bijarki debriefs them. Or we’ll enslave them. Either way, they’re not getting out of here.”
The closer we got, the better I could see how the Lamias had turned the hot river banks into baths, with hammocks suspended above the water and stone tubs. We entered the settlement, stopping in the middle of a square, where a fire burned bright and red on a pile of green marbles.
Five Lamias emerged from the gathering crowd, as beautiful as the three who had guided us there, clad in fine white silks with large emerald bracelets and necklaces complementing the green scales on their bare arms and their yellow snake eyes. They wore their hair loose in soft shades of ginger and platinum, and bright smiles stretched across their luscious lips. I couldn’t help but gawk at their timeless beauty. All five struck me as well into their forties, and they were absolutely stunning. In Lamia years, I had a feeling they’d racked up a couple of millennia.
“Welcome, travelers,” the one in the middle said. “My name is Tamara, Mother of the Lamias, and these are my sisters.”
Bijarki got off his horse and was the first to bow in front of them. Anjani and I followed suit. The Mother and sisters bowed in return.
The triplets who’d brought us in took the incubi away.
Three young Lamias appeared almost out of nowhere, offering to take our horses and give them food and water. Bijarki gave Anjani and me an approving nod, and we let our stallions go.
“What brings you here?” Tamara asked, measuring us carefully.
“I’m Bijarki, of the Strandh clan. These are my companions and allies, Anjani of the Red Tribe and Jovi,” he waved in my direction.
I felt awkward again with a sea of yellow eyes focused on me. I was the odd one out, after all. Tamara sniffed the air, her forked tongue flitting over her lips.
“Jovi of the wolves, I believe?” She smiled.
I nodded.
“You’re not from around here.”
“I’m not.”
“Where are you from?” Tamara lifted an eyebrow.
“Jovi was visiting with a delegation from another planet outside this galaxy, many light years away, when Azazel attacked,” Bijarki answered on my behalf. “He’s been stranded here ever since but is extremely valuable to our cause. He’s one of the most skilled fighters I’ve ever been honored to meet.”
I wasn’t sure whether Bijarki was just making all this stuff up to validate my presence here, but I didn’t mind the whiff of pride gleaming through me at his description of me. I put on a confident smile to further validate his statement, and the Lamias seemed to appreciate it. I gave Anjani a sideways glance and noticed her frowning, tension pulsating in her jaw. I figured she wasn’t a fan of so many creatures gazing at me with such interest.
“And yet you haven’t answered my question, Bijarki. What brings you here?” Tamara replied.
“We’re here to discuss an alliance with the Lamias,” he answered. “Draven, son of Almus and the last Druid of Eritopia, wishes to arrange a discourse with you, Tamara. We are gathering forces all over the planet and beyond to rise against Azazel and put an end to his tyranny. Draven has faith in you as potential allies in the upcoming war.”
Tamara cocked her head, looking at Bijarki with newfound interest.
“You mean to tell me that the Druids are not all dead or decayed into those filthy, useless Destroyers?”
By useless I figured she meant sterile, as the triplets had already confirmed. I noticed Anjani slowly moving closer to my side, inch by inch, until the back of her hand brushed against mine.
“Draven is the only survivor, from what we know,” Bijarki replied. “Azazel never knew he was born. Chances are he still doesn’t know.”
Tamara nodded, looking at her sisters before shifting her attention back on us with a warm smile and arms wide open.
“We’d certainly be pleased to meet with the Druid and negotiate an alliance, as you say. But first, let us feast. We will look after your horses and offer you a place to rest for the night, along with our finest dishes and company,” she said.
A moment passed, during which we looked at each other, distrust hanging loosely in the air. We were willing
to initiate a dialogue against a common enemy. That didn’t mean knives couldn’t be thrust into our backs if we weren’t careful. Most importantly, I still felt some degree of concern for the incubi we’d captured. Every able-bodied soldier counted in our war, even the ones hungry for Azazel’s bounties.
“What about the incubi?” I asked.
“What about them, little wolf?” one of the sisters replied with a smirk.
“We captured them with the help of your sisters. However, we could use their help in this war, should they be willing to cooperate. Will you keep them alive, at least until we can decide whether they can be trusted or not?”
“We do not kill so easily,” the sister said, her chin up and proud. “We will ask them questions, as they were far too close to the river to begin with, and will leave them in your care afterward, if that is what you wish.”
I nodded in appreciation.
Tamara smiled. “But in the meantime, let us feast!”
“Why should we trust you?” Anjani interjected, her brow furrowed. “Your reputation doesn’t exactly speak of peaceful demeanors and trustworthiness.”
“Neither does yours, succubus, and yet we have a common enemy—one who is cruel and evil enough to put our troubled history aside for the moment. Wouldn’t you agree?” Tamara’s voice was laced with ice and contempt.
Heavy silence fell between us for a few long seconds.
“Besides, we would never think of harming the friends of a Druid,” she added. “After all, nothing makes us happier than the thought of there still being one Druid alive in this wretched world.”
Field
The day had been calm and sunny, but I still wasn’t comfortable with just waiting around the mansion while Aida, Phoenix, and Vita were busy with their visions. I felt like I could do more to keep my friends—particularly Aida—safe, so I decided to fly out beyond the mansion’s protective shield and do a wider perimeter check.
I was careful, flying low and soundlessly. I wasn’t comfortable leaving the safety of the mansion, but I had to check the surroundings and see whether the Destroyers we’d seen in previous nights were getting any closer to our location.
Best to be prepared for anything.
I glided over the trees, my eyes scanning the areas both below and above me for anything out of the ordinary. I saw shifters running around through the occasional clearing, and other animals grazing by the dark waters. I saw giant lizards grab the water grazers by their throats and drown them. Eritopia was beautiful and cruel.
Eat or be eaten.
I widened my search perimeter until I heard hissing noises echoing from several miles away to the east. I saw flocks of Destroyers flying in the opposite direction, away from our perimeter. I was too far away for them to even notice me, and I watched as they disappeared beyond the horizon.
My stomach churned as I flapped my wings and moved upward to check the distant skies better. Black dots moved here and there, but none close enough to constitute an immediate threat. Something caught my eye, however, several yards in front of me—a swarm of tiny green fireflies moving around chaotically.
I wondered what they were doing out there during the day. I slowly descended and turned to head back to the mansion, when the little green buggers flew right into me. They buzzed and glowed as they frantically flew around me to the point where they became a nuisance. I swatted them away and increased my speed to get rid of them.
I left them behind and moved farther down, till I felt the tree tips brushing against me.
My mind drifted to Aida. She’d managed to set me on fire, and I was still recovering from our kiss. How had I not seen her in this way before? Had I been that blind, so hung up on Maura that I hadn’t even been able to look around me?
I’d watched Aida grow from a rowdy little wolf-girl to the gorgeous young woman I’d been fortunate to feel in my arms the other day. Her curves ignited my every instinct. Her lips begged for my attention and utter devotion. How had I not seen it before?
I’d always found her fascinating, ever the brave and fearless fighter, standing up to GASP boys just so she could prove that she was as strong and capable as any of them. And she’d certainly proven herself over and over again during training. I’d been around for long enough to know a good fighter when I saw one, and Aida had the potential to become one of GASP’s most valuable assets.
I could only imagine what she’d been going through with her Oracle transformation, and I’d spent plenty of nights thinking about how it could possibly affect her. As our days at the mansion went by, I found myself unable to take my eyes off her. Something pulled me closer to her. I drifted toward Aida, watching as she cried, frowned, fought, and laughed her way through each Eritopian sunrise.
Her determination gave me strength when I felt the pressure of doubt, when all seemed lost or heading toward disaster and death. She was ahead of her years. I’d seen glimpses of that in the past, back in The Shade.
When Jovi and Phoenix told me about her feelings for me, my stomach had dropped. I’d seen the looks, but I’d never paid attention. It wasn’t until Maura walked out of my life that I was able to truly see Aida. When I first got injured in my scuffle with the shape-shifter, she was raw and trembling as she touched me, forcing me to open my eyes. I was floored and felt utterly stupid for not having seen it sooner. I’d been missing out on the most extraordinary creature I’d ever laid eyes upon.
It took me hours to stop reprimanding myself for being such a fool.
And then I kissed her, and something clicked inside of me. Suddenly it all made sense. She made sense. We made sense together. I had to be near her. I had to feel her and smell her and kiss her. I had to tell her that everything would be okay. That I’d never leave her. I couldn’t leave her.
The moment I felt her lips on mine, I knew I had to find out more, to discover every facet of Aida and let it flow through me and fuel me higher into the sky.
Her insecurities had once been adorable, like when she was younger, unsure whether she’d ever fit in with her wolf hair and boyish demeanor. Little did she know that it was that very nature that had set her apart and made her special. These insecurities were becoming a nuisance. She was beautiful, strong, and resourceful, no matter what the Oracle transition threw at her. I didn’t care. I just wanted to see her safe and happy.
I’d made it my mission to brush her doubts away. She’d been so frightened, so candid, so sweet and hot against my body. How could I not do my best to see her smile?
Aida had become extremely important to me very quickly. But with all that was going on around us, with our lives on the line as a mad monster wreaked havoc and death throughout Eritopia, there wasn’t enough time to worry about how fast things were evolving between Aida and me. There was only time to make the most of it.
A fluttering sound broke my train of thought, and I looked over my shoulder to find a few green fireflies flying behind me. They looked pretty cool, their flames flickering in a vibrant emerald color.
I moved slightly to the right, watching as they followed me around.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I wondered if she’d like to see these little buggers up close. I was willing to bet they looked beautiful in the dark—the perfect ambient enhancement for what I was already planning for her.
Serena
We could hear Destroyers and incubi soldiers roaming through the halls and corridors that we’d left behind. Sverik led us through the underground maze of dozens of interlinked tunnels carved into the black limestone. Each tunnel was riddled with green fires.
Someone was clearly watching us through the flames, because the hostiles were permanently hot on our trail. I’d lost track of where we were, turning left and right over and over again. Draven, Hansa, and I were compelled to trust Sverik’s knowledge of Azazel’s castle.
“Our best chance is to sneak out through one of the water canals leading to the river,” Sverik said as we ran up a set of narrow stairs. “We can swim
up to get as close as we can to Mount Zur before we continue the rest of the way on foot. If we take the old-fashioned way out, they will capture us before we reach the castle gates.”
“Where are the water canals?” Draven asked as we reached the top of the stairs.
“Right here,” Sverik replied.
We found ourselves inside a massive bath hall with black marble tubs carved into the floor and connected through a network of canals. Water poured slowly through them, filling the tubs before following a stream leading out through a narrow archway.
“This is one of the baths used by Azazel’s soldiers,” Sverik said, catching his breath as we walked toward the archway.
I looked around. Even the baths were creepy and dark and slimy. This place had all the attributes of an evil monster’s lair, down to the amenities. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was bound to go wrong. Making it up here in the first place had been too easy.
“We might get lucky and get out of here alive,” Sverik said. “It’s too early in the morning. It will take a little while to—”
A hiss interrupted him, and before I could look behind me, I was viciously pulled back and thrown onto the wet floor. I hit the stone hard, the air instantly knocked out of my lungs.
I choked. Stars erupted. My vision cleared.
A Destroyer stood above me, spear in his hand ready to kill me. He lifted his spear to get the job done.
My heart stilled.
A sword slashed through the air, severing his head. His body dropped, head rolling to the side. Blood spurted all over me.
I saw Draven standing next to where the Destroyer had been, his fingers clutching the sword and his eyes flickering black. He pulled me up and held me close, one arm coiled around my waist firmly. He looked at me carefully, concern etched into his beautiful features, his eyes switching between gray and black.
I leaned into him.
Before we could say anything else, more hissing emerged from the staircase, along with more Destroyers with spears and swords eager to kill.