A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(59)

Wren was also in the crowd, hugging succubi from different tribes as they gathered in front of the castle’s main gate. The Maras and the Bajangs had also come together as they’d begun to clear the meadows of incubi and Destroyer corpses, piling them one on top of the other. They kept the allied victims separate, while the imps and some of the Tritones started gathering wood for a funeral pyre.

“What happens to the dead?” I asked.

“They burn,” Hansa replied swiftly. “There is no time to mourn or honor those who betrayed Eritopia and fought against the free people, even when they were given a chance to be on the right side of history. Those who fought with the alliance will be given a funeral pyre ceremony. They’ve earned eternal glory for their sacrifice.”

A scream pierced through the joy and celebration below. I immediately located the source, as the others in our group rushed over to the edge of the platform.

Zeriel looked somber as Tamara fell to her knees. The body of a Lamia had been lain before her by two Maras. She looked an awful lot like Tamara, albeit younger, with platinum hair and green and yellow scales covering her arms and neck. Her chest had been pierced by a poisoned spear, and was covered in crimson blood.

Tamara took the Lamia in her arms and held her close, crying. Her emotions were so raw, her grief so intense, it broke my heart. As much as we’d knocked heads before, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“That’s Kyana,” Aida gasped as she recognized the lifeless Lamia.

Patrik immediately rushed down the stairs.

“Oh, no… Poor Patrik.” Vita sobbed and hid her face in Bijarki’s chest.

He’d lost the love of his life. He’d spent centuries fighting Azazel’s control, he’d done everything in his power to keep Kyana alive, and yet in the end, the war had claimed her. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what was going on inside him. The mere thought of losing Draven had pushed me over the edge, and it was the kind of pain I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.

We all hurried downstairs after Patrik, quickly glancing around as we moved from one level to the next. Allies were already clearing the corridors and living quarters, arresting the incubi who had been part of the defense forces and caring for the wounded.

As soon as we arrived downstairs, we ran into Jasmine, Rebel, and the wards, while Patrik raced ahead to get to Kyana. Jasmine took Draven in a hug, holding him tight as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

“You’ve done it, my darling nephew,” she sobbed. “I cannot believe it, after all these years. You are truly your father’s son, and worthy of Almus and Genevieve’s extraordinary heritage… I am so proud of you!”

Draven blinked several times, his eyes flickering black. There was a mixture of shyness and pride roiling inside him as he tried to get used to physical contact with a family member. He eventually responded to her embrace, while Rebel offered me her hand.

I shook it, and she pulled me into a bear hug, purring with delight.

“Thank you, Serena,” she said. “You did not disappoint.”

“Neither did you.” I smiled back, then frowned, not seeing Thorn anywhere nearby. “And your brother? Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s on the north side, helping with the injured.” She nodded.

Jax showed raw emotion for the first time when he hugged each of his wards. They looked pale and awkward, but the corners of their mouths twitched as they responded to his embrace. They’d been trained and marked to protect him, and, after having been separated to keep Destroyers at bay, they were relieved and happy to see him alive.

“Oh, come on, I’ve only been gone a few years, and you’re already getting soft! You’re hugging people now?!” a male voice boomed from the other side of the hallway, its dark archway leading down to the dungeons.

Jax instantly straightened his back and turned around. His eyes widened, and a smile bloomed on his face as he recognized the young Mara grinning at him, accompanied by two other wards. He ran over and hugged him tight, lifting him off the ground and laughing. They were both so happy to see each other, I found myself grinning and staring at them, as I watched a wonderful reunion.

“That’s his younger brother, Heron,” Anjani said. “He’s been a prisoner in Azazel’s dungeon for years.”

“Jax never mentioned having a brother,” I said.

“You might’ve noticed by now he’s not much of a sharer, in general.” Jovi smirked. “But he’s a damn good fighter!”

“Mhm.” Hansa muttered her appreciation, gazing at Jax while he patted his brother’s back and carefully checked his face and body for any wounds that might require treatment. Heron had been through some hard stuff down there, but he seemed strong and reasonably healthy, despite his imprisonment.

“We need to go outside,” Draven reminded me gently.

I nodded and rushed down the hallway. We passed through the main gate and swiftly crossed the patch of silvery grass to where Tamara held Kyana in her arms, surrounded by sobbing Lamias. They’d pulled the spear out of her by now, and Patrik had fallen to his knees before her.

His shoulders dropped, raw emotional pain contorting his features as tears rolled down his cheeks. His lower lip trembled, and his whole body shuddered as he reached out and touched Kyana’s pale, beautiful face.

Tamara glanced up at him, swallowing back more tears as she set her sister on the grass, for Patrik to have a moment with her. He moved closer and bent over her, gently tracing her face and bloody lips. He dropped a kiss on each eyelid before he broke down completely. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, sobbing and hiding his face in her hair.