A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(61)

We all nodded our agreement, and I looked at Phoenix, Aida, and Vita. They’d been at the center of this for what seemed like forever, and I found myself still enraged by the Sluaghs’ cowardly attack on Stonewall.

“What about the Sluaghs?” I asked. “They killed many Bajangs back at Stonewall, they nearly wiped out the Red Tribe, and who knows what other atrocities they’ve committed in Azazel’s name? Won’t they be punished accordingly?”

“We will send out search parties to find them,” Draven said, looking at Hansa. “The Sluaghs have betrayed the whole of Eritopia and will probably go into hiding now. We will smoke them out and kill them. They serve no good purpose in this world anymore. They do not deserve a trial for what they’ve done.”

“Oh, good.” Hansa seemed to brighten up a bit. “For a moment there, I thought you were going to try a merciful approach on worms that have perpetuated nothing but treason and murder.”

“No.” Draven shook his head. “There are crimes and there are crimes. While the incubi haven’t been models of peace and restraint over the years, most of them try to be good creatures. The Sluaghs didn’t even think of trying. They lied, and they killed innocents. There will be no mercy toward evil.”

“And the prisoners we freed from the dungeons?” Anjani asked, gently leaning into Jovi.

“They’re in the hospital wing below,” Vita replied. “They’re being looked after with healing potions, food, and water. Many of them haven’t eaten in days. I’ve spoken to some of the fae, and assured them that once this whole mess clears up, we’ll find a way to return them to their homes.”

“We will clear everything up, Vita.” Draven nodded. “Now that Asherak’s pendant is gone, there is no reason to fear another Druid going dark. There are few of us left, compared to the thousands we once were, but we are capable of reinstating the twenty kingdoms and restoring the peace and common laws. We’ll have to assign new Master Druids from those of us still standing, even if we haven’t achieved our Hundredth Circle Ceremonies. We can do those retroactively.”

“Leadership is essential right now,” Patrik chimed in, his eyes still red and flickering black. “A couple of band tattoos won’t make a difference.”

“True,” Draven agreed. “There are forty Druids left on Calliope, not including the ones in this room now. They’re being cared for in the hospital wing. It’s not the physical wounds that hurt them, but their own consciences. These past few centuries under Azazel’s control have been traumatic, to say the least. They will need time to recover and, most importantly, forgive themselves.”

“Hopefully there were more Druids left in the other kingdoms,” Phoenix interjected, his gaze fixed on Azazel’s portrait, which covered a wide strip of wall and stretched from floor to ceiling.

“I don’t think we should count on that. We’ll find out once we send a Calliope delegation and army for reconnaissance, but the chances are slim.” Draven sighed, his brow furrowing slightly. “Azazel liked having a lot of Destroyers accompanying him wherever he went, and he’s consistently spent the last few decades here, on Calliope. But I’m not sure of the numbers left across the other planets.”

“Nevertheless, a few would be better than none, right?” Phoenix lifted an eyebrow.

“Absolutely. The more of us, the better. We all need to readjust and heal our wounds, both physical and emotional. But we will. The world survived Asherak. And it will survive Azazel.”

“I will take the lead in reintroducing the Druids to Eritopian society.” Jasmine stepped forward. “Based on what I’ve seen in terms of band tattoos, I am the eldest and most experienced. Most importantly, I am able to help advance my brother’s legacy. Almus sought to help Druids progress, and that is exactly what I intend to do. We’ll rebuild the Grand Temple on Persea and redistribute the Stonewall archives, so all of Eritopia’s kingdoms have access to a complete and proper education.”

“Reeducation for the Druids, you mean?” I asked.

“Indeed.” She nodded with a half-smile. “They’ve all been under Azazel’s control spell for so long, they don’t even know how to summon their magic anymore. It certainly won’t happen overnight, but they will get it back. Druid magic is deeply embedded in our cells, and none of Azazel’s spells would ever be able to destroy it.”

“I must say, I do feel useless at this point,” Thadeus muttered, looking at his hands. “I hope it doesn’t take too long. I’ve been in the dark for decades already…”

“Give it time, Thadeus, it works differently for each of us but it always comes back. It’s in your nature,” Patrik placed a hand on his shoulder with a reassuring look in his eyes. “Eritopia is inherently mystical. It will help us. We’ll be fine.”

“I don’t think I would be standing here right now if it weren’t for Serena.” Draven sighed and took my hand in his. Warmth spread up my arm and through the rest of my body as I looked up at him and found his steely gray eyes drilling into my soul.

“That’s an understatement, to say the least,” Hansa replied, and winked at me, the corner of her mouth twitching.

I couldn’t stop my cheeks from flushing as I pulled myself closer to Draven. He touched my face, love pouring out of him in ribbons of gold, tickling my senses and swelling my heart.