A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(84)

Field and Aida oversaw the project, making sure that the training grounds and facilities were designed and equipped to mirror Calliope’s difficult terrains, including its dark jungles and sharp mountain ridges.

The senior GASP members, led by Derek and Sofia, then offered agent and officer positions to Eritopians willing to join our organization. They were clear in stating that they could lead their people and collaborate with GASP at the same time, seeing as both endeavors were not mutually exclusive.

Anjani, Jax, and Bijarki were the first to accept after Hansa, followed by Heron, Zeriel, Wren, Isla, Rebel, Thorn, and all the young Druids, as well as Patrik and Draven. Any Eritopian could join, including those in newly-acquired positions of power, as GASP was designed to not interfere with local official roles, but rather support them. Hansa, however, preferred some personal freedom for a change and handed the Red Tribe reigns over to Anjani, who became chief and worked with the other succubi to organize a long-term alliance with the incubi of Calliope.

They believed that if they could look past their differences and live together in free cities like they had many millennia ago, without impeding one another’s freedoms, the succubi and incubi could set a better example for the other kingdoms and further help in unifying the people. Hansa confessed that she had grown tired of the responsibilities and the rhetoric between their people, and felt that Anjani could be of more use to this new initiative. She also preferred to focus on GASP, because there were fewer responsibilities and because there was the possibility of exploring other worlds within the In-Between and discovering new, different creatures.

Jovi and Anjani shortly announced that they were a pair, after Hansa’s departure to GASP. The reactions they got were quite mixed, ranging from frowns and disapproving scowls to giggles and genuine cheers. Aura and Almandine were the first to demand a marriage ceremony, but both Jovi and Anjani brushed the concept off, stating that they were still in the early stages of their relationship and they didn’t want to rush into a wedding.

Jax’s decision to join GASP had initially confused his wards and the Mara people. He appointed nine of his wards to a council to lead the Maras on his behalf, and report to him directly. The tenth ward was entrusted with being his eyes and ears in White City, making sure that the Maras kept to their laws and always welcomed GASP members into their community with arms wide open.

I could feel Jax getting closer to the Novaks, and his fascination for the vampires seemed never-ending. He confessed that he’d always felt like there had been some kind of curse on the Maras, since they were confined to walking freely only at night and feeding off blood, but, after spending time with the vampires, he’d come to appreciate his nature a little bit more. His kind was, after all, Eritopia’s equivalent to vampires.

Draven really came into his own as a Master Druid of Calliope. With a little help from Corrine and her artistic eye, we were able to redecorate Luceria—it was way too creepy all in black. The citadel was completely transformed, dressed in white marble, with brushed brass towers, broad archways, and beautiful statues and relief sculptures as architectural details. The throne room was given a makeover, too, clad in soft golden silks and decorated with massive golden chandeliers and two large portraits of Genevieve and Almus, which had been discovered in the art section of the Druid archives in Stonewall. As expected, Draven and I had our master bedroom set up with a giant canopy bed, all dressed in white satins and iridescent organza drapes. It looked like a little slice of heaven, and we spent every night hiding beneath the delicate covers and making love until the early hours of the morning.

Bijarki and Vita were also an official pair now, as were Field and Aida. We’d set them all up with their own quarters in Luceria, though they spent their time split between the castle and Mount Zur. Phoenix and Viola were accepted as a couple by the Daughters of Eritopia in a more official capacity that allowed Phoenix to ascend to a more influential role across the galaxy, in a council position even. Given that Phoenix was basically dating a Daughter of Eritopia, the people of all twenty kingdoms seemed to have a special kind of admiration for him. They listened carefully and often followed his advice. After all, the Daughters had been so inaccessible since the beginning of time, and yet my brother had gotten himself into a relationship with one.

I was ridiculously proud of him, but he was reluctant to embrace this new role, since he was more interested in spending time with Viola and training with GASP. He didn’t refuse it, though, as he figured he might need it someday.

The pregnant succubi of the Green Tribe were soon reunited with their sisters, as were the Bajang cubs of Stonewall with their families. Tamara got Eva back, as well, as the young Lamia had been kept away from the war, hidden on Marton with the Bajang cubs.

Tamara nearly broke into a fit of rage when Draven bluntly told her that he wasn’t going to mate with Eva, as per the original terms of their alliance.

“I simply cannot hold up my end of the bargain anymore,” he said to her as we gathered in the luminous throne room. “I am sorry, Tamara.”

“What am I going to do with your apologies, Druid?” Tamara scoffed, while Eva sulked in one of the guest chairs, crossing her arms and glaring at me like I was Azazel or something. “Your word was your bond!”

“True, but that was when we all thought I was the only Druid around,” Draven defended himself, straightening his back. I found him particularly charming in that black three-piece suit, complete with a classic white shirt and the diamond Seal of Calliope hanging from his neck on a solid gold chain, a symbol of authority and power throughout the galaxy.