A Ride of Peril (A Shade of Vampire #46)(37)

“Our sisters are gone. Our numbers are weak. Our weapons are failing,” one of the teen succubi said, her voice trembling.

“We beseech you, Daughters of Eritopia, to feel what we feel. This world is suffering. This world is dying,” the tenth succubus added.

“Can you not feel it, Daughters of this world? Can you not feel us?” Olia finished the prayer and scattered the content of the pouch into the fire.

The dust burned in a flash of violet sparks, and the fire swelled and burst into a bright pink flame, throwing the succubi on their backs. I took a step forward, fascinated by the effect. The pink fire gradually died down.

The succubi got back up, shocked by the flame’s reaction to the prayer dust.

“This doesn’t usually happen,” Striga said, confirming my suspicions.

I could tell from their baffled expressions that their prayers didn’t usually end in massive pink flames and violet sparks from a mild campfire. Olia got closer, looking down at the charred pieces of wood and incandescent embers. She picked up a stick and poked the remains, revealing a large diamond shaped like a tear.

I leaned forward to get a better look.

Olia used a leather cloth to pick the diamond up. We all gathered around her as she held the gemstone up. It was perfect, with a pristine cut and flawless polish, except for the small violet fire burning inside, suspended in crystal.

“That wasn’t there before, was it?” Striga asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“I don’t think so. I would have seen it,” Olia replied.

“What do we do with it?”

Olia shrugged and put it in her travel pouch, looking up at the giant moon.

“I don’t know, but I will keep it safe until we figure out what it does or where it’s from,” she said.

A thought bloomed in the back of my head. Had the Daughters heard the succubi’s prayer? Were they responding with that diamond? Were they finally reaching out and giving us a hand in this dark mess?

“Do you think the Daughters sent it?” Adisa asked.

“I don’t know… Maybe?” Olia was as clueless as the rest of us.

“Maybe they’re finally feeling our grief,” Perra said. “Maybe they’re reacting.”

“I guess we will find out sooner or later,” Olia replied. “Let’s sleep now. Tomorrow we return to the camp and look for survivors… Or at least wait for Hansa.”

The succubi nodded and disappeared beneath their fur covers, while Olia and Adisa took the first watch. The sky above us stretched in deep shades of indigo. Billions of stars sprawled out. Some flickered yellow and red, while most were cold and white. A full pearly moon accompanied them.

My mind wandered again as I thought about Anjani, then my brother and Bijarki. I wanted to see them and make sure they were okay.



Much to my surprise, I swiftly transitioned from the northern mountain to a lush jungle. Something told me I’d see my brother soon enough, judging by how well I’d learned to control my direction in these visions. The Druid’s advice had certainly helped, as focusing on something in particular made it easier for my Oracle mind to narrow its search.

I was a few hours away from my previous location, as the sunset was still vividly pink and orange in the west, casting its warm light on the wax leaves and dusty road. I looked around, unable to figure out which way I was supposed to go next. All I could see was the straight road, flanked by dark woods.

I heard noises behind me. I turned and watched three figures emerge from the horizon. I stood and waited as they got closer. The sound of hooves and horses neighing reached me first. Before I could think, three gorgeous white stallions galloped past me, their long red manes fluttering in the wind.

My brother, Anjani, and Bijarki were riding them, their expressions grave. Their hands clutched the reins and their crossbows as they darted forward down the road. Thick rolls of dust were raised behind them. I sighed, aware that I was unable to keep up with that speed, even with my inner-wolf. Those horses were faster than any other creature I’d ever seen.

I heard whispers, swishing and crackling through the jungle on both sides of the road. I looked around and saw shadows moving swiftly through the trees. Several of them stopped, hissed, and moved even faster.

I focused and looked deeper into the woods fearing I’d see a pack of shape-shifters or worse, Destroyers. I caught a glimpse of the creatures. They were females, beautiful and athletic, jumping over the thick, gnarly roots as they gradually closed the distance between themselves and my brother’s group.

Bright green and yellow scales adorned their arms, backs, and shoulders. Their eyes were the color of lemons with slim black pupils, and their forked tongues occasionally flicked, sniffing the air. Based on what I’d recognized at that point, those were Lamias.

But I couldn’t say the same for all the shadows I’d seen running through the jungle after Jovi, Anjani, and Bijarki. Some were incubi, clad in camouflage uniforms, knives held between their teeth as they ran ahead of the Lamias.

My heart jumped at the thought of hostiles going after my brother. There were too many of them, and they were getting closer with each minute.

I ran, but darkness engulfed me, and I lost contact with the vision. I cursed as I sat up and found myself sitting in the attic, awake and unable to help Jovi.





Serena