A Gate of Night (A Shade of Vampire #6)(26)

Fear flashed in Kiev’s eyes, bright red turning into a dark crimson as he stood up. “Why?”

“We’re taking a trip to The Shade.” Clara snuck her hand beneath his shirt, her eyes focused on his body. “They refuse to cooperate. Apparently, they would rather cross us than save Derek Novak’s life.” This time, she looked at me, smirking.

It took me a couple of seconds to comprehend what she’d just said as my eyes widened in horror. What on earth does she mean by that?

That seemed to get Kiev’s attention. He stepped away from Clara, pushing her hand away. “They actually refused a trade?”

“Apparently, they’re that stupid. Not that I’m surprised.” She rolled her eyes. She looked almost giddy. “We’ve been sent to punish them for their insolence and to open the gate ourselves.”

My mind was reeling. The Elder tried to propose a trade with Vivienne—Derek in exchange for something they want. What on earth could be at The Shade that’s more important than Derek? What could possibly drive Vivienne to refuse? What does Clara mean by opening the gate?

That Vivienne would think anything more important than her twin brother was beyond me. If she made that choice, there must’ve been a reason behind it.

What that reason was, I was too terrified to find out, but never had I been so afraid for Derek’s life.

Chapter 16: Aiden

We had a traitor amongst us.

“It must be Natalie. Who else could’ve informed them that we don’t want a trade?” Claudia hissed. She was pacing the floor, her face healing from a fresh gash.

We had all been at the Port, gearing up to attack The Blood Keep, when the attack had happened. We’d left the Port to find what was left of the Crimson Fortress completely demolished by multiple explosions. It was a miracle the Port still remained intact.

I’d turned toward Vivienne. I was preparing myself to take the helm should she crumble and back down from leading. But she hadn’t. Within minutes after the first explosion, she’d been pointing at people, barking out orders, putting protocol into place. After all, it wasn’t the first time The Shade had faced war.

“Liana, Cameron,” she barked at her best friend and her husband, “organize your team.” She pointed out several of the other members of the Elite, teaming them up in order to lead their own teams. “Gavin, Ian, please take care of leading the humans. You know what to do. Xavier and Aiden, come with me. You guys too,” she added, pointing at Sam and Ashley. “We need to protect the Sanctuary.”

“And us?” Zinnia asked.

Vivienne looked her over from head to foot. “Where’s Arron? I don’t care what you do, idiot. Just prove yourself worth something more than empty threats.”

I almost felt sorry for Zinnia as she looked around in search of her boss while the ground shook beneath us. I, too, was curious over where the head hunter could’ve gone, but I didn’t have time to mull much over it, because Xavier had already grabbed me by the shoulders in order to speed our way to the Sanctuary.

We arrived at the Sanctuary just in time to see Corrine walking out of the temple, fists clenched, eyes blazing fire.

“Who the hell did this?” she screamed, casting a glare at all of us.

“I don’t know,” Vivienne responded. “I think it’s the Elder’s vampires attacking. Who could’ve told them?”

“Natalie hasn’t moved an inch. It couldn’t have been her.” Corrine stopped between the two round pillars in front of the whitewashed edifice.

“Where is the portal, Corrine?” I asked, growing impatient.

Corrine hesitated to answer. I could understand that, considering how any of us could be the traitor.

“We want to protect the portal, Corrine. You have to trust us.” Vivienne sounded desperate.

“It’s…” Corrine took another step forward only to fly back, landing on the ground with a thud.

“What was that?” Xavier ran toward the building only to be thrown back just like Corrine.

“It’s a force field,” Vivienne blurted out as she looked at the Sanctuary in horror. “Only Emilia was powerful enough to do this.”

“My sister had many tricks up her sleeve. After spending hundreds of years with her, I managed to learn more than a few of them.” A red-eyed vampire appeared from behind the Sanctuary, a grin on his face.

Corrine’s eyes widened in horror. “Kiev,” she hissed.

He grinned, cocking his head to the side. “You know me.” He seemed delighted.

“You’re notorious amongst the witches and you know it.”

He chuckled before turning his gaze toward me. “Your daughter’s fine, Claremont. You need not worry about her. I’ll take very good care of her… during her pregnancy.”

My heart stopped. Before thinking it through, I drew my gun and shot him, trusting in my accuracy. The bullet hit the force field and boomeranged towards us, grazing Ashley in the arm. The young vampire began swearing loudly.

I couldn’t think straight. “If you ever do anything to hurt Sofia…” I choked, unable to imagine what it was like for her being under the Elder’s captivity while pregnant. I wondered if Derek even knew that she was having a baby. I wondered if she knew.

I knew for a fact that she hadn’t slept with Derek until after their wedding. She can’t be far enough into her pregnancy to already have symptoms.