A Shield of Glass

by Bella Forrest

  “Can you find out where the little Daughter is being kept?” I asked, thinking we might be able to shoot two birds with one stone, as my time in Luceria was running out.

  “Absolutely.” He smiled confidently. “Stay here, Vita. I’ll be back as quick as I can.”

  “Be safe, Patrik.”

  He unlocked the doors, then tossed me the keys.

  “Keep these for now. Damion has a copy,” he said, then instantly morphed into a small black viper as the bedspread fell to the floor. He slithered out and vanished down the hallway.

  I locked the doors and put the bedspread on the chair next to them, for Patrik to have upon his return. My heart was filled with hope and joy, as I’d managed to help restore a powerful Druid’s freedom. I could only imagine his torture over the past few centuries, his inability to help those he loved as he watched his world quiver and burn under Azazel.

  All I had to do now was wait for Bijarki and Patrik to come through. I had to get the little Daughter out of here. I had to do everything I could to destroy Azazel from the inside.

  Aida

  After Draven and Serena left for Marton, and the allies went out to their positions around Azazel’s castle, Field and the others started training and sparring sessions in the grand hall, where the Bajangs had cleared the space and brought in a plethora of combat gear and weapons from the armory.

  I went up to one of the towers to summon some visions. I needed to keep track of Kyana and find out more about Jasmine, as I’d promised Draven I would. I sat down beneath the small wooden roof of the tower, taking a few good minutes to settle my breathing and relax.

  I slipped into the darkness rather swiftly, focusing on Kyana and Jasmine.

  I found myself standing by Kyana’s hiding spot near a bush, beneath the cloaking spell that concealed the White Tribe succubi and Jasmine. The Druid was conferring with several tribe lieutenants on the front terrace, while there was no sign of Kyana. I looked ahead and saw the Lamia in snake form, her head bound in a trap snare as a scout carried her over to Jasmine.

  “Oh, crap,” I gasped, and ran after her.

  I reached the succubus just as she presented Jasmine with the captured snake, holding the snare as the creature’s tail flailed around, unable to free herself.

  “I don’t know how she got in here,” the succubus said. “She probably snuck in with one of us. I found her in the bushes on the south side, snooping around.”

  “A Lamia.” Jasmine squinted at the cobra. “Reveal yourself.”

  Kyana listened and morphed into her Lamia form, naked, with green and yellow scales covering her breasts and her lower body, as she struggled against the string snare now stretched over her head.

  “A spy of Azazel’s, perhaps?” one of the lieutenants asked, drawing her sword.

  “Could be,” Jasmine muttered. “I know he collects various creatures in his dungeon prison. She could be under his spell.”

  The succubus lieutenant raised her sword to one side while the scout held the snare with one hand, keeping Kyana in place. The Lamia was about to lose her head, and my heart shrank.

  “No, wait!” Kyana cried out, and stilled, her arms in the air in a defensive gesture. “I’m not a spy! I’m Kyana, sister of Tamara, leader of the River Pyros Lamias. I’m not under Azazel’s spell. I’ve just escaped from his dungeons!”

  Jasmine motioned for the lieutenant to stop. The succubus grunted and waited, sword resting on one shoulder.

  “How did you escape? I thought prisoners all got obsidian suppressors mounted on them from the moment they’re captured.” Jasmine lifted an eyebrow.

  “We do! I had inside help. One of Azazel’s Oracles helped me,” Kyana replied with a trembling voice. “She was recently captured as well. She snuck out of her confinement and came down to the dungeons to help me. She knew about me. She knew about my sister. She said there’s an alliance rising against Azazel, and my sister is part of it. She stole the key for my cuffs from a sleeping guard and set me free. I’m just trying to get to my sister and join the Druid’s alliance, that’s all! I was on my way down to River Pyros when I saw your succubi disappear into a limestone wall and followed. I was curious, and I was hoping I’d get them to come with me...”

  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 patheti
c, 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.

  “He’s busy, sweetheart,” the Destroyer named Thadeus replied gently, an uncharacteristic tone given the usual demeanor of such an abomination. “He’s protecting the castle and keeping you safe.”

  “Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” I snapped, overwhelmed by irritation and disgust.

  Not only had he abducted her and forced her to hatch prematurely, Azazel had conditioned her into believing he was her father, protecting her from outside evils. Poor creature probably didn’t even know the evil she’d been living with all these years.

  “I’m so weak,” the little Daughter sighed. “I’m always so sleepy and weak. Why can’t I go outside yet?”

  “Let’s give it a few more days, sweetheart,” Thadeus replied, making my skin crawl. “You’re still recovering from your illness.”

  “I’m always ill,” she moaned. “I haven’t been out in weeks…”

  “Just a little while longer, Nova, and I’ll take you out in the gardens. I promise.”

  I got closer, worried by her so-called illness. I needed to get a better look. Indeed, her skin was pale, with dark circles around her eyes. She looked a little too thin for her height, and violet veins were visible on her forearms.

  A small gold medallion with a ruby eye hung from her neck. The gemstone flickered green on the inside. I had a feeling her illness was no illness at all. Azazel was drawing energy from the little Daughter, and I suspected the whole process involved that ruby medallion.

  “They’re draining you,” I whispered.

  I knew she couldn’t hear or see me, but still, I had to say it. I had to say it so that the gravity of her situation would truly sink in.

  “Azazel is draining your energy, your life force… You’re getting weaker every day, missing the creature you consider your father, not knowing that he’s most likely going to kill you…”

  Rage burned through me like an erupting volcano. All I could think of was getting to Azazel and snapping his neck like a twig. This was the epitome of his cruelty. The most horrible thing he’d done so far.

  I had to tell Vita about this. She had to get the little Daughter out of there. My eyes teared up.

  This was too much, even for me.

  Vita

  I waited for a couple of hours, nervously pacing around the room with a thousand scenarios going through my head. Bijarki was late, and my pulse was racing. I worried he’d been captured somehow, or that something worse had happened.

  A knock startled me.

  I stilled, not sure whether I should open the doors. So many ideas were racing through my head at the same time that I didn’t instantly realize it was most likely Patrik or even Bijarki, since my captors already had keys to my room and I had Patrik’s copies.

  I opened the doors, but there was no one there. I poked my head into the hallway, but it was clear. I frowned and locked myself back in.

  “Vita.”

  Bijarki’s voice startled me, and I yelped, jumping back a few feet. My heart jumped, and an indescribable amount of relief and joy crashed into me. I couldn’t see him, but he was there, wearing the invisibility spell.

  “Bijarki,” I whispered, blinking rapidly as tears came up.

  I felt his arms wrap around me, pulling me close in a tight embrace. I felt his heart thudding against my chest as his mouth covered mine in a desperately passionate kiss. I whimpered under his touch, my hands feeling his firm shoulders and moving upward until my fingers found his short hair.

  “Oh, Vita,” he groaned between kisses. “I’m here, baby…”

  “Bijarki,” I breathed. “I’ve missed you so much…”

  We couldn’t get enough of each other. Days had passed since I’d lain in his arms, skin on skin, our bodies and souls united, our love declared and flaring through our veins.

  “I’ve missed you so much too,” he replied gently. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get to you. I was attacked by rogue incubi out to cash in the reward on my head. I thought I’d be able to walk off the wound, but I had to lay low and treat it, otherwise I would’ve bled to death.”

  “You’re hurt?” I gasped, unable to see him while my hands moved down his chest, as if looking for his injury. He hissed when I touched his right side. “I’m sorry!”

  “It’s okay. I’m okay,” he said, then kissed me again, this time short and sweet.

  I’d missed his incubus nature, rattling my senses and heating me from the inside. He no longer held back in my presence, and I welcomed the mild lightheadedness and fire pouring through my limbs. I’d missed him.

  “We need to go,” he said, his hands cupping my face as he dropped little kisses all over my cheeks, my temples, my lips.

  “We can’t yet,” I replied. “I’m waiting for Patrik. We did it, Bijarki! He’s a Druid again! We broke Azazel’s control spell…”

  He held me tight, his breathing ragged as his body trembled against mine.

  “That’s… That’s great,” he muttered. “It means there’s hope for the others, but Vita, the spell will wear off soon, and we’re using the next batch together so I can get you out of here. I can’t be seen here…”

  “We can’t leave yet. We’ll hide you in the dresser or under the bed if need be, but I can’t leave for now. Patrik’s gone out to get me the keys for these.” I lifted my cuffed wrists for him to see. “And he’s looking for the little Daughter, too. Azazel keeps her somewhere in here, and we need to get her out as well. We need to take her as far away from this monster as possible. He draws energy from her, and we need to weaken him before the alliance can strike.”

  Bijarki paused, then gently kissed my nose.

  “I’ll wait, then. I have enough for the three of us to cover several miles,” he said.

  “Good, we’ll—”

  A bump on the door made me jump. Then I rolled my eyes, knowing it was Patrik.

  “You people need to stop doing this,” I muttered sarcastically as I regained control of my erratic pulse and opened the doors for Patrik. He slithered in as a black viper, then morphed into his tall and muscular self as soon as I turned the key in the lock and left it there, just in case Damion decided to come by. The last thing we needed at that point was a Destroyer casually coming in to find me with an invisible incubus and a Druid.

  Patrik wrapped the bedspread around his waist, as
I’d left it within reach on the chair, then handed me the little golden key I’d used to set Kyana free.

  “There you go,” he said with a satisfied smirk.

  He then crouched and placed his hand a few inches away from my ankle shackle. He muttered something under his breath, beads of sweat trickling from his forehead as he summoned his rusty Druid magic. He sent out an invisible pulse that knocked open the shackle. I was completely free, beaming at him.

  Bijarki gave me a silent nudge, as if reminding me that he was still there. How could I forget, anyway, since his incubus nature sent hot flashes through my body?

  “Thank you!” I said, then unlocked the cuffs. The obsidian carvings flashed green before the restraints clicked open and fell to the floor. “Patrik, Bijarki is here.”

  “Where is he?” Patrik looked around, confused. He jerked to one side as Bijarki intentionally bumped into him.

  “Over here,” Bijarki said, his voice low and tense. “Don’t you have any clothes?”

  I stilled, looking at Patrik with slight amusement. I had a feeling Bijarki was uncomfortable with me being in the same room with a particularly hot looking and naked Druid. I didn’t really care, since I had my lover back with me.

  “I… No, I don’t. I didn’t exactly have time to get pants while I was out there looking for the Daughter,” Patrik replied with a raised eyebrow.

  I looked at one of the candles burning on the side table and focused on it, my hands out and my fingers itching to play with fire. I felt it surge through me, finally released after days spent under the confinement of those obsidian cuffs.

  The candle light flickered, then swelled into a large, round flame as I manipulated it, a grin slitting my face. I stopped, then rubbed my hands with enjoyment, once again free to use my fire fae abilities.

  “Okay, now that that’s out of the way,” I said. “Did you find her?”