A Meet of Tribes (A Shade of Vampire #45)(28)

The darkness around me dissolved into a different scene, bathed in an abundance of warm, orange light. I looked around and realized that I was inside a tent. It was a conical shape with loose seams and animal furs padding the floor.

It was spacious, and delicate translucent layers of red and white fabric were hung overhead, pinned from one side to the other and gently falling down like soft curtains. They served a decorative purpose and contrasted nicely with the amber light and black furs. Various swords and shields were gathered on one side next to a massive wooden chest with metallic hinges.

At the far end, opposite from the entrance, was a large slab of black stone that resembled obsidian. Its surface was smooth, seemingly polished to perfection. In front of it stood a young succubus, her skin glimmering silver, and a man. He wore the 1800s attire I’d already grown accustomed to at the mansion, and the name Almus instantly rang a bell. He was Draven’s father.

I took a few steps closer to see both of them better.

“It’s a passage stone,” he said to the succubus.

I couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty, which was eerily similar to Anjani’s. Her long black hair spilled over her shoulders in an abundance of curls. Her eyes were wide with swirls of gold and emerald, and her lips invited a man to taste them for an eternity. Her curves were equally appealing, wrapped in leathers and slim belts made of gold and encrusted with precious rubies. A massive sword hung lazily from her hip, cradled in a beautifully crafted scabbard with heavy gold ornaments, complete with artful filigree.

She may have been designed by nature to seduce, but judging by her firm muscles and menacing weapons, this succubus was also a fearsome killing machine.

“What is it doing here?” she asked him, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“I’m gifting it to you, Hansa.”

And all the pieces came into place. No wonder she looked familiar! I’d heard about Hansa, Anjani’s sister and chief of the Red Tribe. My mind immediately flew back to Jovi. I’d noticed how he looked at Anjani when he thought no one could see him—dumbstruck and fascinated. I couldn’t blame him, really. Looking at this creature in particular, he’d had every reason to find himself ensnared.

Judging by how Draven’s father was looking at Hansa, he seemed to be suffering from the same affliction. The flickers in his gray eyes were not reflections of the tent’s light, but embers of attraction. The succubus seemed to have quite the effect on the Druid.

“It connects this place to a hidden cave beneath my mansion, which is under the protection of the Daughters’ shield,” he explained. “It’s for us to communicate and make sure the books are safe. The swamp witches are all gone, but we still have their priceless heritage. If something ever happens to either of us, the other can use the passage stone to retrieve them.”

Hansa smiled and caressed the side of his face. The Druid leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. I was beginning to feel a little awkward and hoped that my vision wasn’t going to show me something I’d regret seeing.

“Thank you, Almus. That is very thoughtful of you,” she replied gently. “How does it work?”

“It needs your blood. It will only take you to a place with another stone, a place you have already seen. You shouldn’t risk it otherwise. I’ve heard horrible stories of its misuse.”

“Then you need to show me where your mansion is, darling,” Hansa smiled and closed the distance between them, bringing her face barely an inch from his. “You know where I live, but I don’t know where you live, and I think we’re past the stage in our relationship where we can keep such secrets from each other.”

Almus laughed lightly and sealed her lips with a kiss. I noticed that he held a book in his right hand—one I had seen before, identical to that given to Klibi by the swamp witch.

“At the next full moon, I will show you, Hansa. I promise. I just need to prepare Draven for this. You must understand,” he said.

Were they in some kind of relationship? Was he about to break the news to his son? I had so many questions for Draven. It felt like watching a drama on TV, and I personally knew one of the protagonists. I held back a chuckle as Hansa took a step back, wavering a little before the Druid.

“Are you sure you want me to meet him, Almus?” she asked.

“It’s been a long time since that boy has seen anyone other than Elissa. He needs to experience some kind of change in his life. He gets so lonely, Hansa.”

“As long as you think it’s the right thing to do, I won’t mind. I’m already too deep in this to back out. I’m so close to breaking tribal traditions.” She smiled and kissed him gently on one cheek, intentionally close to the corner of his mouth.

“Neither of us saw this coming, Hansa. You surprised me,” he replied and held the book up between them.

They were both trying not to tear the other’s clothes off, judging by their heavy breathing and bedroom eyes. I took a step back then, not sure if I wanted to see what happened next. Whereas previous visions had ended too soon, this one sure seemed to take its time.

“I’ll take this back to the mansion tonight. Make sure you hide yours as well. I must not know where it is,” Almus said slowly.

“They’re all dead, aren’t they?” Hansa asked, her gaze fixed on the book, darkened by sadness.