A Gift of Three (A Shade of Vampire #42)(32)

“We can’t leave without them,” Field announced, his aquamarine eyes flashing with unease. “I’ve explored the area around here; there’s nothing but jungle for miles, with more swampland. There are what looks like a couple of cities way off in the distance, one east and one to the west, but I didn’t want to get any closer without knowing anything about the land, or what might live here. They didn’t look too welcoming either.”

Before I could ask Field to elaborate on what he’d seen, I heard the approach of the Druid.

“He’s coming,” I said, jumping back just as the door to the greenhouse swung open. The Druid stood before us, his broad frame suddenly seeming huge and threatening as he tensed with barely concealed fury. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at his face. The inquisitive gray eyes had gone, replaced with a black film that covered his eyes like shutters—I’d thought he was handsome before, but now he appeared terrifying, the harsh planes of his face deadly and cruel.

“I told you not to leave this place!” he shouted, moving toward Jovi and Field. Before the Druid could take another step, Field lashed out with the whip of vine, its tip cutting the chest of its intended victim and its length wrapping around him, binding his arms to his sides. The Druid laughed. I tried to run, dragging Jovi and Field with me to safety. I had only taken a step when a loud screeching almost perforated my eardrums and a huge flock of ravens descended on Field, flapping their coal-colored wings in his face, their talons outstretched.

Field fought and struggled, trying to bat them away with his own wings, but in horror I watched as they clawed at his face and head, pecking cruelly at his flesh and wings.

“Make it stop!” I cried, Jovi and I both trying to brush the birds off, but there were so many of them, all viciously intent on attacking Field. The Druid said something, a word or a phrase that I didn’t quite catch, and the birds ceased—flying back up into the air and darting off behind the roof of the house.

Field was panting, his body covered in small slashes and cuts, his suit in tatters. I looked back at the Druid, the vine lying in a pool at his feet. His eyes had returned to their normal gray, which I took as a promising sign that there was no further attack to come.

“What is wrong with you?” Jovi growled at the Druid. “We want answers—proper ones. I want to know what you are.”

“Stop trying to attack me, and I’ll tell you what I know,” he replied, his frustration at our behavior plainly evident. It worried me that he clearly didn’t see Field or Jovi as a threat—which would indicate, along with what he’d proven so far, that his abilities were stronger than ours and we were at a clear disadvantage.

“Fine,” Jovi bit out, his hands raised in mock surrender. “Get on with it.”

The Druid raised an eyebrow, folding his arms across his chest.

“This evening,” he replied, obviously determined not to give in completely to Jovi’s demands. He wanted us to know where we stood—and right now, in this land, it seemed to be at the bottom of the food chain.

“We’ll have a civilized conversation,” the Druid continued, “if you’re capable of such a thing. If you are, I will tell you everything then. In the meantime, though it seems to have escaped your notice, your friends need assistance, which only I can provide. Bother me again by trying to leave, or conducting another fruitless attack, and I will cease in attending to them and leave you all to your fate.”

Speech made, he turned and stormed back into the greenhouse.

“Follow!” he commanded.

I looked at Jovi and Field.

“It doesn’t seem like we have much choice,” I whispered, “not if we want answers.”

“I don’t like giving in,” Jovi snapped.

“Neither do I,” replied Field with an agitated sigh. “But we need to hear what he has to say. At least to learn a bit more about where we are before we attempt to leave again.”

“All right.” Jovi nodded. “He gets one chance.”

We all trailed in, feeling disheartened. I didn’t say anything to the others, but I actually felt relieved that we wouldn’t be leaving without Phoenix and the girls. I didn’t think it would be a good idea for us to be parted, even if their supposed ‘transformation’ was a trick.

The Druid vanished again once we entered the house.

“So, what do we do till dinner?” Jovi asked, looking around at the shabby interior with distaste.

“We explore,” I replied. “All that junk upstairs—some of it’s got to provide us with at least a bit of information. I want to know more about the Druids, and try to get a better understanding of what we’re up against.”

“He must be a type of magic-wielder, surely,” Field said. “Controlling those birds like that…It’s something I’ve only seen jinn or witches do.”

“He denies he’s a warlock,” I replied, “and he’s evidently not a jinni. I think we’re dealing with a distinct species…did you see his eyes?” I asked, shuddering.

“Yeah,” Jovi replied softly, taking my hand, and we walked up the stairs. His small act of reassurance was a cold comfort. I felt like we were way over our heads here—the idea that we might be stuck somewhere in the depths of the In-Between, light years away from our families and GASP, made me feel hollow and empty inside.