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

“Like that matters. I’m more than you give me credit for,” Azazel mumbled, a muscle tightening in his jaw.

“You’re an extraordinary Druid, Azazel. But you have to follow our rules. They’re there for a reason,” Genevieve replied. “I share your progressive views for the most part, as we all want what is best for all of Eritopia, but you cannot draft prepubescent incubi just because they’re eager to serve you. They’re far too inexperienced and have so much to learn before you hand them a sword. You should have run this by the council.”

“Well, it’s done now. Give me a slap on the wrist and let’s be done with it.” He smirked.

“It doesn’t work like that,” Almus said, loud enough for the whole table to hear. “The council is unhappy with your decision, and a motion has been filed to reverse your legislative changes regarding the draft of young incubi. Only those above the age of adolescence can serve in the armies of Eritopia.”

Azazel shot Almus a glare, and shivers ran down my spine. He stood up, furiously glancing at all the Druids seated around the table.

“Is that true?” Azazel’s voice echoed through the hall.

An elder Druid stood up, his fingers playing with a strange medallion, a snake made of gold twisted in the shape of the number eight with small ruby eyes. It moved slowly, endlessly in its double loop, as if the precious metal were liquid.

“Indeed, it is, Azazel of the Third Kingdom,” he said. “Without proper law and order, there will be chaos. If you wish to change any law in your district, you must propose it to the council first. Otherwise, it will be declared null and voided.”

“This is unbelievable!” Azazel roared and slapped a few plates off the table.

Everyone jumped at the sound of porcelain shattering on the floor. None seemed used to violent behavior. Azazel’s rage seemed to make them nervous and uncomfortable. The elders, in particular, avoided eye contact with the furious Druid, their lips constricted into thin lines.

Almus frowned and stood to face him. “Please control yourself,” he commanded, his voice cold and heavy.

“After you’ve all made me look like an absolute fool in front of my people by reversing a law I set myself? You must be joking!”

“We’ve gathered here in peace, and your anger is misguided. You shouldn’t have changed the law without the council’s approval in the first place. This is merely a repercussion.”

Azazel squinted his eyes, his mouth crooked with fury and disgust as he glanced at the whole council. His expression changed as soon as his gaze met with Genevieve’s. He took a deep breath, then looked at Almus.

“You’ve changed, my friend. You’ve become a paper-pusher like the rest of this bag of old bones you call a council. I’m disappointed. I thought you had more fire in you,” he said, then glared at the elder Druid with the snake medallion. “I’ll show you repercussions, Lorenz, the next time you ancient fools decide to embarrass me in front of my people!”

“They’re not your people, Azazel. They’re Eritopians, like the rest of us,” Lorenz replied sternly.

Azazel chuckled with contempt and stormed out of the dining room, disappearing behind one of the doors before the smoky servant could fetch him his red leather cape. The creature hovered by the door, cape in hand, unsure of what to do next.

I had gained valuable insight into Azazel’s life before he’d transitioned into a Destroyer. Most importantly, I’d uncovered a love triangle I was eager to explore further. I wondered whether Almus and Genevieve’s relationship had any impact on Azazel’s descent into madness. Draven didn’t give me the impression of knowing anything about it.



My second vision took me to another moment before Azazel became a Destroyer. I was on a spacious terrace overlooking a lush tropical rainforest beneath an azure sky. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. A huge garden sprawled beyond the terrace, a puzzle of colorful flower patches, river stones, and crystalline streams flowing as red and yellow birds sang from bountiful plum trees.

Azazel stood next to me, watching two figures walking through the garden below. His jaw was tense, and his amber eyes flickered black. I’d learned from Serena that Druids, being genetically tied to serpents, had a haw, a black membrane that flittered when they experienced intense emotions such as anger. He clearly wasn’t happy about what he was seeing.

I looked down and realized he was watching Almus and Genevieve as they walked together. They held hands, and Genevieve was laughing. They’d become a couple by then, and Azazel wasn’t taking it very well.

I heard a soft voice behind me. “Excuse me,”

I turned around and saw a beautiful young woman with golden yellow eyes and long, platinum hair standing in front of me. Her pupils were black and dilated, reminding me of a cat. She wore a pale green silk dress, the fabric glazing her gorgeous body, amplifying her curves to the point where my throat went dry.

Judging by Azazel’s stunned expression, she had the same effect on him.

“I’m a student of Lady Genevieve,” the young woman said. “I’ve been asked to speak with you about organizing a council visit to your kingdom, Lord Azazel.”

I moved around to get a good look at this creature and noticed her dress open in a wide V on her back, revealing her spine and shoulder blades. I caught a glimpse of greenish yellow scales on her lower back as well as on her slender arms, where they were displayed in a delicately scattered pattern, like decorative gems.