Natalie nodded before a guard escorted her to one of the submarines that would lead her off the island and back to the mainland.
“What was that all about? Sending Gregor Novak to the meeting with the coven leaders?” Corrine asked—perhaps more out of curiosity than concern for mine or The Shade’s wellbeing.
I shook my head. “I’m just trying to protect Natalie. She’s gotten herself into a lot of trouble because of me.”
“Yes. Trouble. It seems to chase you wherever you go.”
“I have no idea how to get to Sofia, Corrine, and if I leave The Shade, there’s no telling what could happen again. This place is in chaos. Felix and Gregor could easily take over…”
“Gregor is already detained at The Cells. He isn’t going to cause you any trouble now.”
“He’s still my father, Corrine. I can’t just keep him locked in there.”
“I guess Sofia had more effect on you than I initially thought. I know the Novaks’ loyalties to each other are very strong. It’s what kept you alive so long, but the Derek legends speak of wouldn’t have hesitated to destroy his own father. It’s why you were so feared.”
“Every day is a battle to keep the ‘Derek legends speak of’ from emerging once again. I can’t afford to be that person.” The thought of Sofia’s hand clasping mine. Her smile. Her touch. I ached for her so much, just thinking about it made it difficult for me to breathe. “If the other covens attack, I wouldn’t know what to do. We could lose everything. There must be a way out of this. Do you think I should meet with the other coven leaders? Maybe it’s not too late…”
“I think you should find Sofia, Derek. Prophecy is prophecy… You won’t be able to fulfill your destiny unless she is by your side.”
I knew full well that the only reason I survived being taken by the hunters was because of Sofia. Aiden clearly warned me that should I ever return, he wouldn’t be as kind and accommodating. Dread filled me at the thought of dying in the hunters’ hands.
I caught sight of one of the guards coming out of the port, recognizing him as one of Xavier’s men usually stationed at The Cells. I called on him to give him instructions. “Let Ashley and Eli know that I want them to come to my penthouse first thing tomorrow. Tell them that we’re going to locate hunter territory.” Of all the people who could possibly help me narrow down the location of hunter headquarters, it was them. “Also, check if the lockout has been ended.”
“Of course, sir.” The guard bowed before heading off.
“And what are you going to do until tomorrow?” Corrine asked from behind me.
“Sleep. I haven’t had any of that since I arrived at The Shade. Come to think about it, I haven’t had any blood either.” I flashed Corrine a grin and narrowed one eye at her. “Perhaps that’s the reason you look so enticing.”
“Watch it, Novak. All it takes is one spell from me to end you.”
I saw a hint of a smile on her twitching lip. I raised my hands in the air in mock surrender. “Not really you I’m afraid of. Some other woman already beat you to the punch and has already cast a spell on me.”
She nodded knowingly, this time a full smile appearing on her face. “The magic of Sofia Claremont.”
I chuckled, realizing the reality that no matter what happened, Sofia would always be a part of me. A mixture of sadness and affection came with the next thought: Perhaps that’s it. That’s how we’re going to be together. Sofia will forever be immortalized in my thoughts, in my soul, in my heart. Perhaps we don’t really have to be physically together.
That night, for the first time since I had left her, I tried to imagine Sofia’s face and found that I could no longer picture her face as clearly as I had done before. I shut my eyes, holding on to whatever figments of her was left inside me. No. I need to find you, Sofia. I can’t let you slip away. Not ever.
I dreamt of Sophia that night. The dream reminded me how beautiful she was, reminded me that Sofia Claremont would indeed always be a part of me.
CHAPTER 31: SOFIA
Ingrid Maslen was human and she wasn’t happy about it. Aiden and I were watching from surveillance monitors in another room as she tore at her cot’s bedding and screamed her lungs out.
A guard dropped by to give her a plate of food and she looked at the sandwich as if it were the most despicable thing she’d ever laid eyes on. The food tray and the meal were thrown straight against the wall.
“How could you do this to me?!” she yelled into the camera, letting us know that she was aware we were watching her.
“I guess the cure works,” was all Aiden managed to say.
I tilted my head to the side, not knowing whether to be amused or elated or just bothered by what was happening to Ingrid. “I think the cure works to rid the person of vampirism, but it doesn’t work to cure them of their craziness.”
“Did you really believe that she could be cured of that?”
“Don’t lie to me and tell me that you’re not still hoping for the same thing.”
All I got from my father was a bittersweet smile. That was enough of an answer. I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you for believing me.”
The muscles on his face tightened, his eyes once again fixed on the surveillance monitor, watching the woman he loved making a complete fool of herself.
“May I speak with her again?” I asked.
He seemed surprised. “Are you sure? It wouldn’t come as a surprise if she attacks you.”
“I think I can handle it. I’ll be fully equipped like you instructed.” I tapped my thigh where I had a wooden stake and a UV ray gun inside a holster.
“She’s no longer a vampire… The gun or even the stake if not used well could just maim her.”
I had to laugh at how overprotective he was being. “Maiming her is good enough to protect myself I think…”
“Before you go ahead and talk to her,” He gently brushed a hand over my shoulder blade. “How do you intend to get the cure to Derek?”
“I’d have to go back to The Shade.” I shrugged. It seemed like the obvious answer.
“I’m not letting you go back there alone. What if the cure doesn’t work and they keep you captive there?” His face took on a very grim expression as he shook his head, and I could tell that there was no dissuading him from his doubts.