A Castle of Sand (A Shade of Vampire #3)(63)

“Why would they bring us here?” I asked Sofia. “The Novaks and the Maslens are known enemies…”

“I don’t know why Lucas would work with the Maslens after what Borys did to his sister, but he’s a twisted, sick man… so I can’t pretend to try and understand the way his mind works.”

I studied Sofia and noticed the blood stains on her dress. Panic gripped me. “What did they do to you? Sofia…”

“It was Borys Maslen. He clawed through my thighs. He has this notion that I’m meant to be his, that I’m his betrothed…” her voice hitched. “They’re going to force me to marry that sick, sadistic bastard, Ben. They’re sending Derek a wedding invitation.”

“Derek Novak isn’t a fool. He knows that you love him. He’s not going to believe that you’re in this wedding out of your own will.”

“I know that,” she assured me. “They’re using the wedding—using me—to trap him. I think the Maslens want to take over The Shade.” She began to sob uncontrollably.

I wanted to run to her and pull her into my arms, assure her that everything was going to be okay and that all would work out fine, but I couldn’t do that. I wasn’t sure about what was happening or what was going to happen.

“Ben, I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to Derek,” she managed to say in between sobs. “I wouldn’t know how to live with myself. I’m terrified.”

I stared at her, my heart breaking on her behalf. I wondered if she’d ever cried for me the way that she did for him. I remembered all the times that I’d caught him looking at her and the way she’d looked at him. As I sat there watching my best friend break down over the man that she loved, I couldn’t help but be amazed over the amount of sacrifice Derek and Sofia were willing to make for each other.

It was the first time I truly began to accept that Derek and Sofia were meant for each other, and I knew then that nothing in the world could keep Derek Novak from storming The Oasis to get Sofia back.

“Derek is known to be the most powerful vampire alive, Sofia. If he comes, he’s going to put up a good fight and considering that it’s you who’s involved, I think it’s the Maslens who have reason to tremble. Don’t underestimate the man you love, Rose Red.”

She looked at me with hopeful eyes. It seemed the words were enough to console her.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Sofia. I know it.” As I said the words, I realized that I now meant every word. It gave me a sense of resignation, but also a sense of fulfillment, to know that she was in good hands, that my best friend really had found her true love in the person of Derek Novak.

Though I was still filled with dread over what she might possibly go through at The Oasis, a part of me was happy for her, knowing that unlike me, she would live her life knowing that she loved and that she was loved in return.

CHAPTER 46: DEREK

Since Sofia’s disappearance, I’d been turning The Shade upside down trying to find her. It helped that she was so loved by the citizens of The Shade, because their full cooperation was immediately given to me the moment news that she was no longer on the island came out.

During a council meeting called specifically to discuss what to do in order to find Sofia, I found myself losing hope.

“She most likely eloped with the boy.” Felix leaned back on his seat, not bothering to hide how bored he was by the entire thing.

At that, Gavin scoffed, earning himself Felix’s ire.

I shook my head. “No. She wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Then maybe your father was right. She’s in league with the Maslens and she’s probably now at The Oasis cavorting with her mother and their king. We all know she has a taste for royalty.” Felix eyed me pointedly.

“For crying out loud, Felix,” Cameron interrupted in his distinct Scottish accent. “Will you shut up for a moment? Do you not think before you speak?”

I was trying to reel my temper in, and was thankful that Cameron butted in on behalf of me. “It is true that Ingrid Maslen is Sofia’s mother. Eli’s background checks have already proven this as true, but I know Sofia. I know for a fact that she had no idea that Camilla Claremont became a vampire. I believe her father tried to protect her from the knowledge.”

“We know Claudia has something to do with their disappearance, obviously, since she’s the one who tranquilized Derek,” Liana spoke up. “And I suspect Gregor is involved too. It’s too much of a coincidence that they would both disappear the same time Ben and Sofia did.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Gavin agreed. “Sofia is far too loyal to The Shade or perhaps more to you.” He gestured toward me.“To leave The Shade out of her own accord.”

“The arrival of the human boy…this friend of hers…changes everything and we know it.” Felix frowned. “He might have been working with Lucas all along and they might have been communicating with Claudia and Gregor.”

“You’re Gregor’s right hand man, Felix,” Gavin butted in. “Don’t you know what he’s been up to?”

Felix frowned. It was clear to see that the fact that my father made a move without his knowledge wasn’t something that he was entirely pleased with.

“Why would Claudia turn her back on us?” Xavier spoke up, ignoring Felix entirely.