I stared at Corrine, unable to breathe. I couldn’t help but feel like her very existence had been a lie. I’d thought that she had become an ally to us, but I should’ve known that it was a mistake to ever trust a witch.
Derek trusted Cora and he paid dearly for it.
“Do you really think for one moment, Corrine, that the Elder isn’t going to find another way to activate that portal—with or without Derek as a bargaining chip? If this war is—”
My sentence was cut off because a vision flashed right in front of me—a vision so vivid I dropped to the ground. I was known as the Seer of The Shade for a reason but never before had I seen a vision so disturbing.
The sky was a deep crimson red. Deafening thunder rolled overhead. Torrents of hot rain poured from the clouds, soaking the blood-stained ground. Giant winged creatures and immortal vampires were in full-on war. The earth was their battleground, humans their casualties.
By the time the vision was over, I was trembling uncontrollably. When I came to, Xavier’s arm was around me and Corrine was kneeling right in front of me.
“What did you see?” she asked.
“War. Violent… bloody… too many deaths…”
“That’s what’s going to happen if the portal is opened.”
“The portal will be opened, Corrine. The real question here is whether or not my brother will be alive when it does. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather go through that war with an ally like him.”
Something sparked in Corrine’s eyes. “Vivienne… I don’t know…”
I opened my mouth but Aiden cleared his throat, interrupting us. “I understand the discussion on whether or not to save Derek, but you forget his number one weakness. My daughter. In the rush of your discussion, you ignore one key thing. What are they going to do with the immunes? What are they going to do with Sofia?”
Chapter 11: Sofia
Derek was trying to keep a brave face, but he was in agony. I was barely able to sleep because he kept stirring on my lap, moaning. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the pain or because of the nightmare he seemed to be having. Abby remained snuggled beside me and my body was beginning to feel the strain caused by their weight leaning against me, my back aching, the hard concrete wall behind me not helping.
The Elder’s children had us and I had no idea what they wanted from us. I didn’t have the heart to pry information out of my Derek. He’d already been through enough. I could only imagine the trauma he was going through now that he’d been tortured as a human being and not a powerful vampire.
I wanted to help him, but what was there to do? I actually missed the days when all it had taken was a cut on my wrist and a few uncomfortable moments feeling him drink my blood. Neither of us were fans of the whole thing, but at least it had healed him. Now, I’m helpless to do anything. I’ve ruined him. I’ve ruined Derek Novak.
The door swung open. Abby took a short intake of breath before burying her face against my arm. I looked up, squinting at the light that streamed inside the cell.
“We’re starving. Are you ever going to feed us?” I hadn’t even been conscious of how hungry I was until I said the words out loud. My stomach grumbled in agreement.
Kiev stepped inside the cell, his red eyes first falling on my face. He smirked at the sight of me. He then looked at Derek and his face fell. His brows met. “How is it possible…”
I looked down at my husband and was washed with complete relief. I had no idea how it had happened, but his face—which I’d barely recognised right after he was brought into the cell—was almost healed save for a few scrapes and scratches.
“What did you do?” Kiev glared at me.
I smiled before shrugging. I caressed my husband’s cheek with my fingers, hoping that he looked less disturbed and more at peace. “It’s not easy to break a man like Derek Novak.”
To my dismay, however, Kiev had already recovered from the shock. His chuckle grated at my nerves. “Maybe you’re right, but I always did love a challenge. I see surprise in your eyes, Mrs. Novak. That says a lot about what you know… or more appropriately, what you don’t know.”
Before I could respond, another figure appeared behind him. Clara.
“Really, Kiev? Chit-chatting with the redhead? I always knew you had the hots for her. Why don’t you just go ahead? Take her right here if you want. It’s not like her husband can stop you.”
I’d already experienced being prey to conscienceless predators like Lucas Novak and Borys Maslen. I was certain that they were no match for the red-eyed monster named Kiev. Still, I kept a brave face.
You can’t let them faze you, Sofia, much less break you. Derek needs you now more than ever.
“You disgust me, Clara.” Kiev said the words like she was the most despicable thing he’d ever laid eyes on.
She laughed—high-pitched and irritating to the ear. “Right. Please, Kiev, I see right through you. We both know the truth anyway. She’s just a pastime. What you really want is me.” She pressed her body against her brother’s back, her lips touching his jaw.
Kiev looked like he was about to throw up. I, on the other hand, was confused, not to mention disgusted. I sat up straight, hoping to cover Abby’s eyes.
Derek stirred on my lap. I was relieved that he didn’t wake. Should Kiev try to take me, Derek would put up a fight, and as miraculous as his healing was, Derek was still no match for the Elder’s children.