A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(25)

I groaned and ran my fingers through my hair, pressing into my scalp for minor tension release. They were excruciatingly frustrating. How had they come upon such positions of power if they were so backwards and stubborn?

“You know what? Until not too long ago, you were all expecting me to sacrifice myself for the greater good,” I snapped. “You moaned about our sister being held captive. You moaned about the rules, the regulations, the ancient traditions, and any other excuses you pulled out of your behinds to not get involved and save this world that made you in the first place! Well, you know what? I’m done!”

They didn’t say anything. They just stared, blinking rapidly as they tried to process my outburst. I figured they weren’t used to anyone speaking to them like this. I’d spent the first days of my life surrounded by outspoken and rebellious creatures—I’d learned a thing or two about expressing oneself without an ounce of regret. And those creatures needed my help now more than ever.

“I am done with your pandering and lack of initiative,” I added, my voice booming against the white walls of the mountain peak. “You lost our sister to a greedy megalomaniac. You abandoned me six feet under a tree and asked a complete Druid stranger to look after me. You then asked me to give my own life to save this world, and then you flipped and left my friends to fend for themselves. You took me away from the only creature I love, and you’ve allowed the greedy megalomaniac to amass such power that he’s nearly impossible to destroy. And you’re the freaking Daughters of Eritopia! Your name means something!”

Once more, not a single word came out of them. But I was on a roll and nowhere near done with them. Fury burned inside me, pouring through my veins, and the need to see Phoenix again grew stronger with each second.

“You seven can stand here and talk about this all day, if you wish,” I said. “If I’m not mistaken, Nova’s on her way here. I can feel her getting closer. She’ll need looking after. You’ve spent so much time moaning about our little sister, now you can cower here on top of Mount Agrith and look after her. I’m going to do what you all should’ve done centuries ago!”

I walked over to the edge, my toes touching the cool pink water.

“Viola, wait. Where are you going?” Rubia asked, her hand reaching out with trembling fingers.

“I’m going to help my friends. My family. My Phoenix. I’m going to finish this once and for all, and if my sacrifice is required, then so be it. Perhaps then you’ll be better sisters to Nova than you ever were to me!”

I didn’t wait for their response.

I allowed my body to disintegrate, my consciousness expanding as my flesh turned to wisps of pink dust, carried off to Luceria by the wind.

I’d meant it all. Phoenix needed me. Aida, Serena, Vita, Draven, Hansa… They all needed me now more than ever. I had acquired enough control over my powers to hold my own against Azazel.

Besides, my sisters had only spoken about his power based on assumptions and deductions. We knew I could sacrifice myself and destroy him, because a Daughter’s single touch might not do it. It was time to put all those theories to the test and find out exactly how strong the self-proclaimed Prince of Destroyers was.





Serena





Draven used a little bit of Druid magic to knock some holes into the smooth stone surface of the pipe leading up to the top. We climbed after him until we reached the first opening onto the fourth floor. It was a large round iron door, locked from the other side.

He placed his hand on its only hinge and whispered a spell, causing the rusty screw to come loose. He pushed the door forward, giving us enough space to crawl through it. One by one, we emerged from the pipe.

I looked around the narrow corridor stretching ahead, while Draven pulled out the castle plan from his satchel. I used my True Sight to watch out for hostiles—there were plenty on this floor, but none close enough to pose an immediate threat.

“Someone needs to go down into the dungeons and start freeing the prisoners,” Draven whispered. “The more chaos we can cause, the better.”

“Two of my wards can do that,” Jax replied, snapping his fingers.

Two Maras came forward, their deep-set jade eyes focused on Draven. Anjani moved to their side and patted the hilt of the sword resting on her wide leather belt.

“I’ll go with them,” she said. “I know plenty of the creatures held captive below. They’ll need a familiar face.”

“Okay, just be careful,” I said, my chest tightening.

I was already having a hard time with Jovi and Field out on their own with so many Destroyers around. I didn’t want anything to happen to her. She gave me a warm and reassuring smile.

“I’m a succubus, Serena.” She winked. “I eat snakes like these for breakfast.”

“That’s my girl.” Hansa grinned from my side.

I watched Anjani and the wards as they moved up the corridor. They reached the end, where a service staircase awaited, dark and narrow. I looked at Draven.

“Where are we going now?” I asked.

“Follow me,” he said after he checked the castle plan, then rolled it up and shoved it into the back of his trousers.

He went ahead, then took a sharp turn to the right, where the walls were farther apart. They led us to another staircase leading to both top and bottom levels. I was right behind him, followed closely by Hansa, Jax, Jasmine, and the remaining wards.