I looked at him questioningly as I lifted the object in my hand mid-air.
“Trust me. It’s likely you’ll need it.”
I grimaced as I stared at the stake. I knew there was reason behind the sense of foreboding I had throughout my journey back to The Shade, but I wasn’t expecting something like this.
The majority of the Elite—some of the most powerful warriors we had at The Shade—were present at the port when I arrived. Liana, Cameron’s wife, came to me and explained, “We don’t know how news of your return came out. We tried to keep it between just the council, but well, someone got wind of it and now there’s a riot outside. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”
A riot. Perhaps staying at hawk headquarters would’ve been safer. I pushed the thought away, trying to concentrate on the present circumstances.
“Maybe there’s a way we can avoid the crowd.” Xavier Vaughn, an old friend of ours—one I was sure had always been in love with my twin sister, Vivienne—looked distraught. I knew that vampires didn’t age, but I could swear I could see wrinkles on his face.
What has been happening during my absence? I felt I was about to find out just how much I owed these men and women who had remained loyal to my rule for hundreds of years.
I grimaced, balling my hands into fists. “Let’s face them. If they really want to go against me, then so be it.” I surged toward the exit of the port that would lead to the clearing between the port and the great forest of redwoods surrounding the island.
“Derek, you have no idea what you’re getting…” Liana began to object.
Too late. I was already at the topmost step that led to the rock wall which served as the entrance to the port. I found myself standing face-to-face with Felix, who’d always been more loyal to my father than to me.
Surprise was evident in his face upon seeing who was standing before him. A hushed silence began to sweep through the crowd behind him.
“What’s going on?” I asked him.
“They said you were coming back.”
“Well, I’m back. What nonsense is this?” I looked over his shoulder and it looked like almost every vampire of The Shade was present there. I couldn’t help but wonder where the humans were. “Who’s looking after the Naturals?” I asked.
“They’re hiding out at The Catacombs.” Felix tilted his head to one side, sounding a lot more confident. “With the witch. They’re in a lockout.”
A lockout?! I was panicking inside, but I knew that I couldn’t show it. All it took was for me to break a sweat and show any sign of weakness, and it would be the end of me.
“The human leaders organized a lockout after Felix and his men threatened a culling.” Liana was now standing behind me.
I couldn’t help but think about Corrine, the witch keeping the protective spell that was hiding the island from all forms of human detection. If she’s at The Catacombs in a lockout, then how on earth is she still keeping the spell up?
I narrowed my eyes at Felix, who was still standing in my way. “Step aside, Felix. I want a council meeting immediately at the great dome.”
“Not until we get our answers.” Felix stood his ground.
My vision darkened and it was taking all my self-control not to maim him. “Step out of my way unless you want me to rip your heart out, something you know I’m perfectly capable of doing.”
“Did you hear that?!” he screamed, throwing his arms in the air. “Our beloved king wants to kill his own subject—one who has fought and bled with him many times before.”
“Yes, you heard correctly. I have no idea what is going on here, but I will get to the bottom of this and I will make sure that whoever is responsible will answer to me. I am Derek Novak and no matter what lies you have brewing in your minds, I am still ruler of this kingdom, so unless you want blood shed right here and right now, every single one of you who isn’t part of the Elite council will return to your homes! Now!”
No matter what they believed about me, I knew how intimidating I could be. The citizens of The Shade had seen me in my darkest moments. They knew what I was capable of, that when darkness took over me, I could destroy a whole battalion of our best warriors. What they didn’t know was that I was fighting with every fiber of my being not to let the darkness take over. I can’t afford that.
Even as I spoke and watched the crowd scatter, I was trying to imagine Sofia standing right beside me, trying to consider what she would think and what she would say about my actions. I could practically sense her hand on my arm, keeping my temper in check.
I drew a breath. I miss you so much, Sofia. I could only hope she felt the same way. I wouldn’t be able to stand the idea of you hating me. I quickly thought back to all those times when she had promised me that she would always be mine. I knew I had her heart. I hope she knew that she had mine.
Xavier stepped out of the port and watched as the crowd slowly disappeared. Felix was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, obviously not knowing what to do once he lost the power of the crowd. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of throwing him a glare. As far as I was concerned, he was too small in the grand scheme of things to ever be worth my time or my anger.
Xavier blew out a whistle. “You always did have a way with crowds, Novak… It’s amazing how easy it is for you to both attract and repel them.”
Despite the tension of the situation, I looked his way and grinned. “I can’t believe you would doubt me, my friend.”
“I’m sorry that we did.” Xavier shrugged. “But it’s been crazy in here since the news of the fall of The Oasis broke out.”
“Let’s discuss it at the dome. It seems we have a lot of issues to take into consideration.” I looked Cameron and Liana’s way. “Could you make sure that Corrine and the human leaders are informed that I have returned? I want them present at the council meeting.”
I mentally tapped myself on the shoulder for keeping up a good act of leadership and control even though I was fighting my own battles inside. I scoped my surroundings, heaving a deep sigh. This is just the calm before the storm, Derek. Don’t fool yourself into believing that things are about to get better.
At that moment, the only refuge that calmed the storm inside of me was the image of my beautiful Sofia—her smile, her eyes, the sight of her laughing. I knew then that there was no way I could survive what was to come without her.