A Castle of Sand (A Shade of Vampire #3)(69)

“If I can’t go back to The Shade, back to him, then I might as well die.” She sighed with resignation. “Just make sure that Derek and Sofia make it out of here.”

I blinked my eyes several times to make sure I was hearing right, but I chose not to question her. I chose not to pry. I had to take advantage of Claudia’s momentary lapse of insanity—if this was what was going on. I didn’t have to understand her. I just needed to get Sofia out of here.

I knew what Reuben would do once I revealed the location of the Maslens’ coven. He wouldn’t hesitate to destroy the place. I knew that Sofia would be spared, but I wasn’t so sure about Derek and I couldn’t help but wonder if Sofia would ever be able to forgive me if anything happened to Derek. That’s when I realized that more than anything, I wanted Sofia to be happy, and I knew that wouldn’t be possible if she had to live a life apart from Derek. I completely let go of any hopes that I could still be with Sofia.

It’s time to let go of my Rose Red and help fight for her to get her happy ending.

CHAPTER 49: DEREK

I knew that it was crazy for me to walk into The Oasis alone. I knew that it was possible that I could be walking toward my own death, but it felt like I had no choice.

Standing in the middle of the throne room, surrounded by dozens of guards, who were well briefed on my strength and capabilities, I felt vulnerable in a way that I never had before. However, it didn’t matter, because all I could think of was Sofia.

Thus, when Borys stepped into the room, dragging her beside him, his hand clamped around her arm as she held her bleeding neck, every muscle in my body tensed. I knew right then that there were no peace talks on the horizon. I was going to draw blood—if only to avenge Sofia.

Borys let go of her and the moment he did, she ran into my arms, tears streaming down her face. I held her tight, unwilling to let go, sickened by the thought of what she’d been through since she arrived at The Oasis.

I didn’t need to ask if she was alright or if they hurt her. It was clear to see that she wasn’t. It was obvious that they had.

“Get me out of here, Derek,” she sobbed against my chest. “He’s going to destroy me. Everyone here is insane. Especially my mother…”

She knows. I shut my eyes, trying to find words to soothe her, wondering how on earth I was going to get her out of there. I could smell the blood on her neck. My mouth watered at the scent, but I was too mortified by the idea that Borys had already tasted her blood to even start craving her. “Sofia, I’m so sorry,” was all I could think of to say.

She shook her head. “You didn’t do this.”

“I’ve failed to protect you so many times…”

“Don’t do this, Derek. Just don’t. We have to get out of here—you, me and Ben. Staying here will be the end of all of us.”

Borys cleared his throat. “Much as I hate to break up this sweet reunion between husband and wife, I have to interrupt.”

Husband and wife. I creased my brows in confusion as I reluctantly let go of Sofia. Ignoring Borys, I bit into my palm to draw blood and coaxed Sofia to drink the blood so that the bite on her neck would heal. The moment the skin on her neck closed, I glared at Borys. “I demand the life of whomever it is that has tasted her blood.”

“You’re king of The Shade, Derek Novak.” Borys frowned. “But I’m king here. I’ve had a taste of your wife. Do you demand my life?”

“Yes.”

“You insolent fool!” Borys smirked. “She is my betrothed, offered up to me by her own mother since she was a child. She is mine. You never should’ve touched her in the first place, and because you did, because you spoiled her for me, I’ve invited you a day before our wedding so I could make a widow out of her.”

Sofia’s hand found my arm and she held on so tightly, it felt like she was trying to break my arm. “Derek…you can’t possibly take on this many men…”

“I don’t have a choice, Sofia.” I pushed her out of the way and the fight began. One vampire after the other attacked me. I was able to rip several hearts out, but I didn’t stand a chance. Though a lot of Borys’ men proved to be ill-trained and a lot weaker compared to the vampires at The Shade, I was simply outnumbered.

The moment they had me subdued and bound on the ground, I was sure that it was the end of me. I cast a desperate glance at Sofia who was being held back by Borys, delight evident in his eyes as he saw me fall.

“Kill him!” Borys gave the order, his eyes fixed on Sofia.

Sofia took one look at me, tears streaming down her beautiful face. She began shaking her head and I knew how difficult it was for her to do what she did next. She knelt in front of Borys to plead for my life. “Please…don’t do this…I will do anything you want me to do. Anything. Spare his life.”

Borys sneered as he gestured for the guards to wait. “Anything?”

“No, Sofia!” I yelled.

Sofia nodded and all I could think of was the horrors her agreement would put her through.

“Very well then.” Borys nodded. “Take the king of The Shade to level seven.”

I didn’t need to ask what level seven was. The terrors done within the walls of The Oasis’ dungeons were no secret to vampires.

“What are you going to do to him?” Sofia croaked.