A Ride of Peril (A Shade of Vampire #46)(57)

The sky was black above, sprinkled with stars. The moon was nowhere to be seen.

Anjani sat to my right, and Bijarki sat to my left. Both made me feel comfortable enough to relax, despite the Lamias’ lascivious smiles, winks, and air kisses. I was beginning to feel like prey during open season but also mildly flattered, as I had rarely been in the company of so many beautiful creatures. I remembered my night at the Red Tribe and the succubi and their advances. The memory of Anjani’s glowing reaction warmed my stomach.

Tamara sat across from us, listening to Bijarki as he told her about our mission, about the Oracles, and about our plan to defeat Azazel. Surprise lifted her eyebrows upon hearing about the existence of my sister and the rest of our group.

“I didn’t think there were any Oracles left alive. Or at least free.” She smiled, cutting a slice out of an apple and popping it in her mouth.

“We didn’t either,” Bijarki replied. “The last Oracle Azazel captured was careful to pass on her gift outside of Eritopia. They were raised in a different world, not knowing their true nature.”

My eyes drifted around the table, occasionally meeting the glances of Tamara’s sisters and the other Lamias seated with us. I felt Anjani’s hip pressing into mine, as she pulled herself closer to my side. I couldn’t help but smirk as I wrapped my arm around her waist and drew her in.

I looked down at her and found her shooting daggers at me.

“I’m only doing this to protect you,” she mumbled. “I’m not sure whether they’re all looking at you like that because they want to mate with you or eat you.”

I tightened my grip on her, a chill running down my spine as the realization sank in. Perhaps what I’d considered to be salacious gestures were nothing more than the signs of predators eager to drive their fangs into me.

My ego deflated at the thought of becoming someone’s dinner. I held Anjani close, thankful to have her with me.

“Tell you what, Bijarki,” Tamara said after a while. “I will meet with your Druid and discuss an alliance with him under one condition.”

Bijarki nodded, sipping his tea. “Name it. As long as it doesn’t involve anyone here eating me.”

The Lamias chuckled. Their forked tongues flitted through the air, and their eyes glowed with humor. Tamara grinned, her finger running along the rim of her glass.

“Nothing like that, I can assure you.” She sighed. “You mentioned a safe space where the Druid lives. I wish to meet him there.”

“That can be arranged.” Bijarki looked at Anjani and me.

“Are you sure?” I asked him, wary of the prospect of Lamias discovering our mansion.

“We need to show these fearsome ladies that we are willing to trust them in order for this alliance to work,” he replied, then turned his attention on Tamara. “Will that be all?”

She shook her head and snapped her fingers twice in the air. A young Lamia emerged from another table, where she’d been eating with her sisters. She was stunning, with long black hair and amber—almost yellow—eyes with narrow pupils. Her skin was white, adorned with charcoal scales growing up her arms and neck. A single large emerald clasped her red silk dress above her chest.

“My daughter, Eva, will come with us,” Tamara said as the young Lamia walked over to our table and sat next to her.

Both Bijarki and I were in awe of the girl’s beauty. I could feel the crisp night air filling my gaping mouth, which I instantly shut tight as Anjani’s fingers painfully dug into my hip. It took a while for the incubus to speak again. His eyes were fixed on Eva.

“Fine. She may come with us,” he reluctantly agreed. “But absolute secrecy must be maintained. No one can ever know where the Druid lives.”

Tamara nodded, a satisfied smile slitting her face.

“That’s perfectly understandable, Bijarki. Please rest assured that we do not kiss and tell,” she replied, then clapped her hands twice, addressing the Lamias. “We leave at dawn. Please have everything ready!”

A few servants shuffled around our table, disappearing into the nearby massive purple trees. I figured they were packing bags for Tamara and Eva. I nudged Bijarki, unable to smooth the frown on my face.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.

“It’s not like we have much of a choice.” He shrugged. “We need their support. If she wants to take her daughter sightseeing, it’s fine, as long as we get our alliance.”

I sighed and gulped down my water. My throat felt dry. There were plenty of risks to trusting a Lamia with our safe location but none spelled doom better than the prospect of their species refusing to help against Azazel. With the Red Tribe nearly extinct and only a handful of Dearghs to support us, it felt like we had no chance of defeating the monster.



Later that evening, we were escorted to one of the purple trees a few yards away from the town square where we’d been greeted upon arrival. It was a beautiful giant with violet lanterns hanging from its branches. The interior seemed spacious, carved in two separate levels connected by a set of narrow stairs and lit with dozens of small candles. Fine organza was hung across the walls, ruffled at the top and flowing down in wide creases.

Tamara walked in first, and we followed. Two beds had been prepared on the ground floor, along with pitchers of water and a bowl of fruits. She waved around with a smile.