A Shield of Glass (A Shade of Vampire #49)(74)

Several moments passed as it all sank in. We looked at one another, our minds attempting to process everything that had happened over the past few hours. In the fuzz of my lethargic state, even I knew Jax was right.

“He has a point,” Field rasped from the side.

I stilled, looking at the Hawk with wide eyes, thankful he was still conscious.

The Bajangs started bringing out more cloths, water, and healing herbs to treat all those wounded in our group, as well as their own garrison. The cubs came into the courtyard, watching quietly.

“We need to keep moving,” Field continued. “We can’t stop now. We need to get them back, but we can’t do it on our own.”

“We’ll bring the war to his doorstep.” Jovi took a deep breath, willing himself under control as he wiped his tears and came to my side. He then frowned at the mutated shifters. “There are only four of them…”

We all glanced at the creatures below, busy licking their wounds and growling at the flames. Two of them were missing.

“Maybe they died in the attack?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

“Nah.” He shook his head. “They were chomping Sluaghs’ heads left and right, and we would’ve found their corpses before we burned them all. They’re not here.”

“You said they’re wired to protect you,” Jax mused. “Chances are they went after Aida and Phoenix…”

We all nodded slowly, still adjusting to the new situation. The young Druids had quickly gotten themselves busy, tending to the wounded Bajangs. Hansa watched them for a while before she turned to me and gave me a reassuring smile.

“At least you brought the Druids back with you,” she said.

“We need to rehash the plan.” Draven sighed and stood up, looking around.

“Yeah, we do,” Jovi replied. “We don’t know what happened to Vita and Bijarki. Which means it’ll be plan B on the Daughter’s extraction. I’ll take two of the shifters with me for this.”

“I’ll do my part with the signal.” Field coughed and winced from the pain.

It hit me then that we had the alliance connection—the spell that had bound us together, to be precise. I closed my eyes and decided to try it, to reach out to Aida or Phoenix.

“Telluris Aida!” I called out. “Telluris Phoenix! Can you hear me?”

I was met with silence. Jovi’s shoulders sagged as he swallowed back a new round of tears.

“I tried that already. I can’t reach them.” He exhaled sharply.

“They’re probably knocked out,” Jax replied. “You know they wouldn’t have gone down without a fight.”

Once again, the Lord of Maras had a point. For a moment, I felt grateful to have earned his allegiance. He’d only been with us for a few days, yet he’d proven himself to be invaluable, and a solid voice of reason.

We were extremely fortunate to have some experienced warriors like Hansa and Jax in our group. They had the composure, the patience, and the years of battle required to look at every situation with a clinical eye, while we were still struggling to see clearly through our emotions.

“So what now?” asked Malachy from the side of a collapsed Bajang he’d been treating with cold water and clean bandages.

“Aida told me about the last visions she had,” Jovi said. “Kyana’s with Jasmine and the White Tribe succubi. They know we’re launching the campaign against Azazel. They’ll send troops in to help us, even though we’ve obviously never spoken to them. Chances are we’ll see Jasmine on the battlefield.”

Ori scoffed as he moved on to another wounded Bajang, whose shoulder cuts needed stitching.

“Don’t rely on her much,” he muttered. “She was great at leaving us stranded without so much as a goodbye…”

“Nevertheless, it’s nice to have the extra bodies fighting with us,” Draven replied, then crouched in front of me, cupping my cheek and sending me all his emotions and bright energy. He could feel my misery, and he focused on channeling everything he could give me in order to lift me up.

Much to my surprise, it was working. My body buzzed as he pulled me back to my feet, and I took several breaths to recover my composure. Anger still boiled beneath it, but I grew determined to put it to good use this time.

“We also know where he’s keeping the little Daughter, thanks to Aida and Vita,” Jovi added. “So I know exactly where to go.”

I straightened my back, my resolve finally kicking in, hitting me like a cold shower.

“That’s it, I’m done,” I said firmly. “I am done letting this asshole get away, and I am done letting him take the people I love away from me. I am itching for a fight, and I hope you’re all with me.”

Jovi put his hand on my shoulder, his fingers digging into my skin. His eyes flickered with the same anger broiling inside me.

“You’re damn right we are,” he replied, his voice low.

“We’re taking this fight to him, now.” Draven took my hand in his and held it firmly. “He’ll pay for everything he’s done. It’s time we take Eritopia back.”

I looked at Jax, Hansa, Anjani, Rebel, and Field. The wards. The Bajangs. The shifters below, their eyes glowing violet, eager to rip into the Destroyers who threatened our lives and our freedom.