A Meet of Tribes (A Shade of Vampire #45)(32)

“What the hell?!” I exclaimed and looked around in a panic.

Jovi stood by my side with paper and charcoal in his hands. Scribbles that resembled my runes were jotted down on the paper with jagged lines and rushed curves.

“It’s okay, Phoenix. Look. They’re gone.” Serena rushed over to my side and hugged me.

“Were those runes?!” I asked, unwilling to calm down just yet.

“Yes. You’ve all been covered with them during your visions,” Jovi explained and showed me the notes he’d made.

I heard a gasp and the sound of bare feet hitting the tiles to my right and felt arms wrap around me. It was the Daughter, who held me as tightly as she could. Her arms were warm and soothing and calmed me. I took deep breaths, my face submerged in her long reddish pink hair. She was soft and hot against my skin. Her cheek rubbed against my jaw. I felt my stubble scratching her, but she didn’t seem to mind.

I looked to my left and saw Aida sitting up in her bed, leaning against Field. She gave me an understanding look and nodded with a faint smile. I felt my body relax, both from the Daughter’s embrace and Aida’s reassuring expression.

“We tried to write down as many of them as possible during your visions,” Serena said.

“Do we know what they mean?” I asked, running my fingers through my hair.

“No. Unfortunately, the Oracles could never translate them outside their visions,” Draven replied, inching toward my bed from Aida’s side.

The Daughter threw a glance over the notes in Jovi’s hand.

“I know what they mean,” she said, once again stunning us all.

“You do?” Draven asked, and she nodded. “How can you tell?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” she shrugged. “But they all represent words that I recognize. I’ve always known that language.”

“Well, that certainly adds to your purpose in this particular dynamic,” the Druid responded, his tone soft enough to sound like genuine appreciation. “I must kindly ask that you assist us with their translation afterward if you can.”

“Will it help Phoenix?”

My heart thumped at the sound of her question. Everything seemed to revert to me as far as her decisions were concerned.

“It will help him, and it will help all of us,” Draven replied.

“I will help you translate them, then.”

Serena held my hand. Our eyes met for a moment—I needed my sister near me. The clarity that her presence gave me was undeniable. Soon enough, all the jitters scattered away, and I was left with an accurate set of visions.

“We need to talk, Druid,” I said to him, eager to get the images of the past out of the way. I had so many questions for him, some inappropriate and possibly infuriating, I realized. I stifled a grin. “I had three visions of the past.”

“Alas, the pattern repeats itself,” Draven mused. “Please, do tell.”

I told him about the first one, involving the woman I had seen with what I assumed were Dearghs and the leather-bound book she gave to the stone giant.

“Those were Dearghs, right?” I asked him, just to be sure I wasn’t making the wrong assumption in my account.

“Yes. Klibi’s clan is about two hundred miles west of here. It’s one of the ten active volcanoes left, though I’m not sure for how long it will stay that way.”

“He called the woman a swamp witch. Is that the same species that sourced the succubi’s illusion shield?”

“Indeed, Phoenix. Your vision must have been at least a couple of centuries ago, before the swamp witches vanished completely. You said she gave the Dearghs a book?” Draven asked.

“Yes. She said it held their knowledge and secrets and that it should only be given to someone who has the courage and strength to face Azazel.”

“This is extremely valuable information. Thank you,” he said, then lowered his head for a minute, deep in thought.

“Well, care to share?” Serena asked him, a tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

“It was thought to be just a rumor, but there was word that the swamp witches preserved their entire knowledge and spells in writing, hidden in three books that were lost throughout Eritopia. Now we know that the books exist and that the Dearghs of Klibi have one. There’s enough power in those books to deal a serious blow to Azazel.”

The Daughter rested her head on my shoulder, her arms around my waist. I welcomed her warmth and closed my eyes for a moment, quickly going over my second vision. A smirk made its way onto my face, and I let it take over.

“Oh, Draven, by the way, according to my second vision, your dad and Anjani’s older sister had the hots for each other,” I said, ending my statement with a light chuckle.

“What?” he hissed.

I pressed my lips together, smothering my laughter.

I looked over my shoulder and noticed Anjani by Vita’s bedside, glaring at me as if I was Azazel himself. A shiver ran down my spine.

I described the entire vision to Draven. I told them about the passage stone that Almus had given to Hansa and their conversation regarding the swamp witches’ books and further cemented my account by giving them full details of the kiss and the mention of introducing Hansa to Draven.

“Hansa never told me anything,” I heard Anjani say, with disappointment in her voice.