A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(55)

Let me in! You have nothing but me! I am the only one who can save you! I saved Azazel and I can save you, too! Let me in!

Asherak was getting desperate.

He was growing louder and more violent, too, but somehow, I was able to withstand every blow.

I stilled, gazing into Serena’s eyes. She kept me anchored to reality. I felt my love for her grow brighter, like an expanding sun.

“I love you so much,” I whispered to her, while the dark Druid kept snarling and cursing inside me.

“I love you, Draven,” she replied, her voice trembling and echoing beneath my ribcage.

“Get out, Asherak.” I found my resolve and started pushing back. “I rescind my invitation. Get the hell out!”

You can’t just kick me out! It doesn’t work like that! Nothing can stop me now! No one can stop me! I’m taking you whether you like it or not! I’ll eat away at you until you give in!

“That’s it, Draven! Fight it,” Serena encouraged me, hope once again flickering in her eyes.

“You don’t get it, do you, Asherak?” I growled, feeling myself get stronger with every second that went by. “I’m not on my own in here…”

You’re mine! Give in!

“I can’t,” I replied. “I’m not alone in here. I have Serena. My soul is not mine to give because she already has it. She won’t let you have it.”

His frustration burned through me, but I held on tight.

Serena came to me and wrapped her arms around me. I felt her warmth and her love flowing through me. I felt her energy soaring and washing the darkness away as Asherak bellowed and thrashed, unable to do anything anymore. Sunlight filled me up and sent my heart beating fast as I embraced Serena and opened myself up to her.

You can’t do this!

“Unlike you, Asherak, I’m not alone,” I said. “I have Serena.”

She tightened her grip on me, and I felt her heartbeat catching up with mine. Her ribcage hummed as she spoke.

“You do, Draven. You have me,” she said, looking up at me.

Whatever that energy was that she was sending through me, it managed to dull the pain. I was able to hold her face in my hands and give her a weak smile before I focused all my rage at the dark toxin that was trying to eat me alive.

“Get out!” I shouted from the bottom of my lungs.

I heard Asherak wail as I fused my soul with Serena’s, welcoming her light.

I expelled Asherak with a bright green flash, and roared as I felt his poison peeling itself away from every strip of my flesh.

The darkness oozed out of me like a black cloud, its insides shimmering green and shrieking before it blasted itself away into nothingness.

The pulse was strong, and it knocked everyone else off their feet. It blew the columns away, leaving the platform bare and completely open. It broke the stone arch holding Abrille’s bubble, the last of Azazel’s contraptions.

The sphere broke as soon as it hit the floor, since Azazel’s power was no longer keeping it impervious to outside forces. The water splashed, and Abrille landed on her side, coughing and wheezing, breathing air once more.

Only Serena and I were left standing, holding each other as I peeled my eyes open and took in my new reality.

The black mist that had once been Asherak was gone.

It was over.

I couldn’t believe it. I took a deep breath. My lungs felt scratchy.

But I was free.

Asherak was gone.





Serena





Asherak’s roar echoed above us as it disappeared into the nothingness.

Before I could even think of a reaction, my hand instinctively found Draven’s and ripped the snake pendant away. I tossed it to the side, by the Daughter’s feet, then looked up at Draven. The air around us felt lighter, more breathable.

I found his steely gray eyes flickering black, his gaze soft and full of love.

My Draven was back.

“Serena…”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence, as he doubled over in pain. I didn’t let go of him, but I got down on my knees, holding him as he convulsed from the agony of his transformation. His monstrous snake tail twitched. His bones cracked as he regained his long, muscular legs.

Draven let out a long, torturous sigh. I kept my arms around him, unwilling and unable to part from him. He gradually recovered his breath, while the sky above us cleared, revealing its dusky shades of orange and pink.

“It’s… I think it’s over,” I gasped, feeling a jumble of mixed emotions flaring out of him.

His fingers found my chin, and he pulled my face closer to his. I could feel his breath brushing against my skin, relief washing over me. My body instantly relaxed as I leaned into him. His strong arms snaked their way around my waist and took me in a long, heartfelt embrace.

Our souls were bound and free at the same time. Bound to one another and free of the darkness that Asherak and Azazel had cast upon us, upon all of Eritopia.

Draven dropped a sweet and tender kiss on my lips. I cringed a little from the pain, and he gave me the most regretful and hurt look in return.

“I’m so sorry, Serena,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“You weren’t yourself, Draven. It’s okay.”

I kissed him back, this time more deeply, as I poured all my love into it. I needed him to feel me.