A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)(44)

“If anything, they’re better equipped and prepared than we ever were when we landed in Eritopia,” Serena added, leaning into the Druid as he snaked an arm around her lower back.

“Well, I’m more than ready to prove we can do it.” I kept my chin high, boosting my father’s pride.

I’d opted for one of the custom combat suits that Corrine and Hansa had designed together. Mine was all black leather with dark gold accents, and diamond-fiber protective plates brushed black. My backpack was loaded with weapons and several defensive spells, and I’d packed a couple of extra suits in a separate bag. My twin swords were mounted on my leather belt, their scabbards dressed in black leather.

Serena took out a small amulet from her pocket—a delicate shell-shaped piece of lapis lazuli with white streaks, on a delicate gold chain. She pulled my hand out, turning it over and putting the amulet in my palm, before closing my fingers around it.

“I found this among Genevieve’s belongings,” she said, and I noticed Draven’s gaze soften and flicker black at the sight of it. “Draven said I could give it to someone who meant the world to me, just like his father had gifted it to his mother. I’m considering this a small, celebratory gift for your first mission.”

I looked at it, fascinated by its deep blue and white swirls, feeling the faint energy emanating from it. It gave me warmth and sweet familiarity, quietly bringing me back to some of my most precious moments with Mom, Dad, Serena and Phoenix.

“It’s beautiful,” I mumbled. “And strange. It feels nice…”

“It has some magical properties.” Serena winked. “Almus didn’t make a habit of giving bland gifts. It can summon the wearer’s memories, and I think it will keep you company during your voyage. Should you feel too far away from us, just let this amulet take you back, even if just spiritually.”

I hugged her as tight as I could, making her giggle.

“This is the sappiest thing you’ve ever done for me, and I love it!” I whispered.

“I know, it’s super emotional and whatnot, but I honestly thought of you when Draven said I could give it to someone who meant the world to me. Sure, he’s my soulmate, but the amulet was never designed for a male wearer. And you mean the world to me…”

She smiled and kissed me on the cheek, then took the amulet from my hand and put it around my neck, admiring it for a second.

“Yep, it suits you.” She grinned.

“And it feels good, too,” I replied, tapping my chest as it warmed up. “I could get used to this. It’s like you’re all in here with me.”

“Good,” Mom said, caressing my hair. “Because we are.”





Caia





(Daughter of Grace & Lawrence)





Of all the members of my immediate family, Vita seemed the most worried, hugging me over and over, as if I were sailing off to the unknown and never coming back. Of course, technically speaking, I was flying into the unknown in a magic ball of light, but I had every intention of making my way back home in one piece.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful and won’t get ahead of yourself,” my sister said.

“Vita, she’s more than capable of looking after herself, my love,” Bijarki replied, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. I had to crane my neck back to look him in the eyes. “Besides, she wouldn’t have been approved for this mission, had our senior officers not thought she could handle it. You should trust their judgment.”

“I do, I just don’t trust this whole concept of Neraka.” She sighed. “I haven’t been able to summon any visions about it at all. Neither have Aida or Phoenix.”

“Well, it’s not like you’ve been on top of your Oracle game lately, anyway.” I grinned. “And I’m pretty sure your instincts would kick in and visions would forcefully come through if there was anything life-threatening to worry about. I say enjoy the silence!”

“Nevertheless, be wary, sweetheart,” Mom said, wrapping her arms around me again. “We need you back in one piece.”

“It’ll be fine, Mom, don’t you worry too much.” I smiled, downplaying the magnitude of my first mission with GASP. I was excited and nervous and jittery, too, but I’d made it too far to back down, and had no intention of chickening out anyway.

“I’ll try to summon some visions of you, instead,” Vita said. “Maybe it’ll work. According to Rewa, that asteroid belt around Neraka might have some role to play, like a natural cloaking system to protect the planet from outside forces.”

“We’ll have Telluris on, anyway,” I replied. “Seriously, stop worrying so much. You’ll get wrinkles.”

My sister laughed, but I knew it was an effort on her part. We’d only just met, and we’d been spending a lot of time together. I loved her to bits, and the feeling was more than mutual—we were nearly inseparable as sisters. More than once we’d heard Bijarki chuckle and say he’d have to set his wife up with a daily agenda and make sure he squeezed himself in there, before she forgot about him because of all the time she spent with me.

“Time for Telluris,” Draven announced.

One by one, we bade our parents and siblings farewell again, with the promise that we’d be careful. Then we walked over to the middle of the white marble platform, where Draven stood, ready to connect our souls through ancient Druid magic.