A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(57)

One of the shifters came to us, sniffing Draven for a moment before it huddled over to a dead Destroyer. It unfastened the wide belt around the beast’s waist, which had been fitted with a short layer of black fabric, then brought the garment over and dropped it next to Draven.

We gawked at the creature for several moments. The shifter’s eyes glowed violet, and the benevolent look on its face felt out of place, given its otherwise ferocious nature. Nevertheless, the gesture implied something extraordinary, a sense of true friendship and allegiance from the shifters.

The other two shifters immediately ran to the other side of the platform, each stopping to circle Phoenix and Aida, while Field and Viola confusedly watched them. The creatures purred and sniffed both my brother and Aida, resting on their knuckles, until Phoenix reached out and patted one on the head. Its eyes glowed violet with delight, its creepy grin with sharp fangs meant to be a smile.

“Guess you’ve been busy tearing Destroyers apart below.” Phoenix smirked.

Draven used the belt to cover himself as we finally stood up.

“Eritopia is free, Draven.” Hansa finally repeated her previous statement, emerging from her haze.

She walked over to us and took us in a tight bear hug, her arms wrapped around our necks. I couldn’t help but laugh as I responded to the embrace with one of my own. One by one, the rest of our group joined in.

Jovi and Anjani. Phoenix and Viola. Aida and Field. Vita and Bijarki. Even Jax, Thadeus, and Patrik completed the hug, along with the six young Druids, while the shifters watched us with curious expressions.

The five former Destroyers stood awkwardly to the side as we laughed and cried and thanked each other for everything that we’d managed to accomplish, until Hansa pulled back and broke the group hug to look at Draven and me.

“You’ve managed to do something that many Eritopians didn’t think was even possible anymore,” Hansa said. “You stood up, and you brought the people together. You gave them hope. You fought back hard, and you wiggled your way through every tight turn. Even when your friends and family were in danger, you didn’t surrender. We all stand here today, free… because of you.”

“No.” Draven shook his head slowly, prompting Hansa to frown. “We’re here because of all of you. I did my part, and Serena helped keep us together.”

He gave me a sideways glance as he said that, then nodded at the others. “But you all had a crucial role to play in this. You all believed in me. You believed in Eritopia’s right to freedom and peace. You were brave even in moments when you thought it would all come crumbling down. We all made it happen. We are all responsible. And we all deserve to celebrate and come together as we rebuild our world.”

He then turned around to face the Druids on the edge.

“And you,” he added. “You cannot be blamed for everything you did while you were under Azazel’s control. You deserve freedom as well. You deserve a chance to start anew. Eritopia needs its Druids, even if there aren’t many of us left. Will you stand with us before the people and dedicate your lives to rebuilding this marvelous world?”

A few seconds went by before the Druids nodded and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you,” the female said. “We never thought we’d see this day, and yet, here we are, breathing freely for the first time in centuries. We are forever in your debt.”

“You’re damn right you are,” Jovi muttered, stifling a grin. Anjani clicked her teeth and gave him a nudge in the ribs, hard enough to make him groan and raise his hands in an apologetic gesture. “I was kidding…”

The young Druids joined the former Destroyers and shook their hands, welcoming them into the fold.

“There are a lot of wrongs that need to be set right,” Ori said, one hand covering a wound at the back of his head. “Eritopia is free of Azazel, and his control spell has come undone. Much chaos and uncertainty await, so we must act fast and restore balance across the kingdoms.”

We all nodded our approval, as Jax stepped toward the edge of the platform.

“The worst part’s over,” he said, looking below. “The head has fallen and the body will flounder. Whatever Destroyers were left across the other planets of Eritopia have now been returned to their original Druid forms. They must all be very confused right now. But Druids are inherently good creatures, save for a few rotten apples.”

“Like Goren.” Hansa grinned, patting her broadsword, its golden scabbard glistening under the afternoon sun. We’d left Stonewall in the morning, and by dusk we’d freed Eritopia. I was still grasping the concept, readjusting to a world without Azazel threatening our lives.

Anjani came to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You’ve fought well, Sister,” she said.

Hansa snorted and took Anjani in a tight hug, surprising the young succubus.

“I’ve had you to look after,” Hansa said. “You were the fire on my heels.”

“I think it’ll take a while to adjust,” Field mused, half his face hidden in Aida’s rich, curly brown-and-gold hair. “We’ve been on the run and fighting for our lives for quite some time. It’s been so intense, we’ll need a few days just to readjust to our freedom.”

“No more hiding inside a mansion,” Aida added.

“No more marinating inside glass bubbles.” Vita scoffed. Bijarki dropped another kiss on her lips, his expression soft as he looked at her.