A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(24)

“We have no right to adjust the natural course of history,” Rubia, one of my sisters, shot back. “We’ve done enough as it is, and look where it got us. One sister in the hands of a mad Druid and one who nearly redesigned an entire species because she got mad. We need to stay out of this.”

“So, you think it’s fair to just sit on the sidelines and watch it all burn, right?” I stood up and turned to face them, fists balled at my sides. I’d grown tired of their constant chatter that never led anywhere.

My sisters all looked at me, their eyes glowing violet beneath their golden masks.

“You should wear your mask, Viola,” Rubia said. “No mortal or immortal of Eritopia should ever lay eyes on our true forms, not even us. It has been our custom since the beginning of time.”

“Oh, so, if you walk down a road and pass a succubus camp right now, do you think they’ll look at you with fear and adoration, or do you think they’ll spit in your faces for your cowardice? For letting this world burn under Azazel?” I shot back, getting angrier with each minute. I’d had enough.

“Mind your tongue, Viola,” came Effissa’s warning.

“Or what? You’ll kill me? Sew my lips together? What will that resolve?” I scoffed. “No one adores you anymore. The people no longer pray to you. No one understands why you’re still here, if you don’t intend to help.”

“What part of ‘we can’t interrupt the natural history of Eritopia’ did you not understand?” Chana replied.

“What part of Azazel’s reign is natural?! He’s gained tremendous power right under your noses, and he’s holding our sister hostage.” I raised my voice. “Are you not hearing yourselves?!”

“Viola.” Rubia sighed. “You must understand, he isn’t just holding Nova hostage. He’s feeding off her. There is pure Daughter energy flowing through his spells. He’s become too strong, even for us, I’m afraid. Millions would die if we launched a full-scale attack against him. Entire planets would crumble. This issue has taken on cosmic proportions.”

A moment passed as I processed what sounded like the first truth they’d dared to utter in my presence—their admission that Azazel had, indeed, grown stronger than they’d first anticipated. Unfortunately, their faces were covered, so I couldn’t bask in the expressions of guilt they were probably wearing.

“So, what, he just won? That’s it?” I muttered.

“We will not go against him. It’s not the fact that he can kill Nova that scares us. It’s his ability to use her power and cause even more damage.”

“At least you admit you’re afraid.” I rolled my eyes and turned my back on them.

I was angry and disappointed. I’d read the most impressive tales about them. The Druid had told me about their ancient magic, their strength, and their nearly godlike skills. But I was not standing in front of the real Daughters of Eritopia. These were insecure creatures that had allowed a crazed Druid to disrupt the natural world and wreak havoc throughout the galaxy.

A pulse shot through me. I felt it hard and deep in my stomach, like a knot untying from around my heart. I could breathe again, in a way. A pressure I’d felt since I’d hatched was released, relief flowing through my veins.

At first, I thought it had something to do with Phoenix, but when I glanced over my shoulder, I knew it didn’t involve him. My sisters had felt it, too. I could see through their sculpted golden masks that their eyes were wide open. Their bodies were still, the mountain wind brushing against the rich silks of their dresses and their flowing reddish pink hair.

“You felt that, too.” Chana looked at me.

“What was that?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

“Close your eyes and think of Nova.” Rubia cocked her head to one side.

I did as she asked, letting my mind swim through the darkness. A silhouette formed in front of me, made of incandescent pink ribbons. Nova’s face emerged from the pink light, and I could see her in full detail—her long hair, the same color as mine, her pale face, and her vibrant violet eyes.

“I can see her!” I gasped.

“We all can see her now,” Amassa said, while Nibel nodded.

I felt my lips pull back into a smile as I reached out to touch her. She was too far away, and yet so close, so clear, so beautiful and fragile. She could see me too. She smiled at me.

“We couldn’t before,” Rubia added, prompting me to open my eyes and frown. “She was always shrouded. Always silent. Always deaf. We tried reaching out to her, over and over, but consistently failed. It’s why we could never attack Azazel, because we didn’t know where he was holding her…”

“Whatever Azazel did, it kept her out of our range,” Ruelle said. “But now, it’s over. We can see her. We can hear her. Her heartbeat echoes in our chests.”

“She’s left Luceria.” Effissa sighed. “She is free.”

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what that meant. With Nova out of his reach, Azazel had lost a significant source of power. Most importantly, he no longer had any leverage over the Daughters of Eritopia.

“We need to stop Azazel,” I said. “He no longer holds Nova’s life over our heads.”

“We cannot intervene, Viola. It’s not natural!”