A Shield of Glass (A Shade of Vampire #49)(64)

A moment passed before Jasmine spoke, scanning Kyana’s expression.

“The Druid?” she asked.

“Draven is his name,” Kyana explained.

“I was right,” Jasmine concluded then, glancing at her lieutenants. “They’re making a move.”

“Please, I’m just trying to get to my Lamias,” Kyana insisted.

Jasmine looked at her for a brief moment, then focused on the succubi lieutenants.

“Get the fighters ready,” she told them. “Once the scouts return with news, we’ll send assistance.”

I would’ve stayed for longer, but, once again, my vision decided I’d had enough. I grumbled as darkness enveloped me again and took me somewhere else.



I was in Azazel’s dungeons. The darkness, the damp black walls, and the sound of chains rattling and creatures suffering were all too familiar. My stomach tightened as I walked between the cages where different creatures were held, wary of bumping into Azazel. It was always a risk when I was experiencing visions in the castle.

“Please, eat something…”

That male voice sounded familiar. I followed the source and turned a corner, only to stop and feel my blood boil, regretting that I wasn’t there physically to rip his head off. Sverik leaned against a large iron cage, putting a bowl of food and a cup of water inside. He looked pained, and his voice trembled.

“You have to eat something. You’re getting weaker every day,” he mumbled.

The bowl and cup were swiftly tossed back, hitting him and slathering him in what looked like porridge, the water dripping down his military uniform. I moved closer to see the creature inside. It was a young succubus, with long hair the color of autumn leaves and lime-green eyes. Her skin was pale, barely a shimmer left in her complexion. She glowered at him, her lips twisted with disgust.

“You sold your soul to him,” she said, gritting her teeth.

“Isla, I had no choice,” Sverik said with a torturous sigh. “I had to protect you. Besides, you don’t know everything I did… Believe me…”

It hit me then what was happening. Of course Sverik had betrayed us with little to no influence from Azazel! The Destroyer had leverage over him in the form of Isla, a succubus Sverik was clearly in love with. He wiped the porridge mush off his face, and looked at her.

“I will stop at nothing to keep you safe, don’t you understand that? I will burn everything down if that’s what it takes,” he added, his jaw tense.

“You still don’t understand, do you, Sverik?” Isla replied in a cold voice. “No matter what you do, you will never have me. I loved your brother, not you. You were always the weak and needy one, ever since we were children and you and Kristos snuck into our camp to play with me. How many times did you tell on your brother for coming to see me? Do you remember?”

When Sverik said nothing, his gaze dropping to the floor, Isla sneered.

“You betrayed your brother. You sold us all out. Who knows what other horrible things you’ve done since you’ve sworn fealty to Azazel? Why would I ever love someone like you? The only good thing to come out of that wretched family of yours was Kristos, he loved me and I loved him and he’s… he’s gone now.” She choked up. “Get it through your thick head! Kill me now, for I will never… I will never see you for more than the coward you are…”

“Oh, wow,” I muttered to myself, baffled by this dynamic between Sverik and Isla. I couldn’t wait to tell Anjani and the others about this. While it certainly presented us with some insight into why Sverik had betrayed us all to begin with, it also did a good job of accurately portraying who he really was: a weak creature who had lusted after his brother’s mate and sold his soul to the very devil that wreaked havoc in his world.

How pathetic, I thought to myself as the vision faded away.



I was still in the castle, judging by the black marble walls and floors. But this was a high-level chamber, with polished furnishings and gold details, sumptuous furniture and dim lighting. The tall and narrow windows overlooked the jungles below, and occasionally offered glimpses of Destroyers atop their flying horses.

It looked like a girl’s room, with deep pink satin sheets and organza curtains, exotic floral arrangements everywhere, and a multitude of porcelain dolls and beautifully embroidered pillows. There was a vanity table by the massive four-poster ebony bed, with various oils and creams in glass and marble receptacles.

A little girl sat in front of it. She didn’t look older than eight, with long reddish pink hair and wide, violet eyes. Her skin was pale, and she wore a ruffled dress that made her look like one of her dolls. She was sweet and beautiful, but looked weak and ill.

I breathed in sharply then, realizing I’d found the little Daughter.

A massive Destroyer sat down behind her, his snake tail coiled under him, while he brushed her hair with a silver comb. Chills ran down my spine at the sight of him so close to this adorable little Daughter, but she seemed comfortable and quite happy with him. She was busy lining beads on the vanity table—colorful little marbles which she then put on a string.

“Where’s Daddy, Thadeus?” the little Daughter asked.

Oh no. Daddy…

I’d heard his name before—Thadeus was one of the young Druids abducted from Marton. He’d been assigned to look after the little Daughter, who was asking for her “Daddy”, and I was willing to bet a million gold coins that I knew who “Daddy” was.