A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)

“Th-Thank you, Derek,” he croaked, then glanced at his father, who gave him a firm nod.

“Do us proud,” Heath said, leaning into his chair.

Blaze sighed, then looked at us. Fiona, Avril, Scarlett, Caia, and I gave him a collective wink—something that came surprisingly natural and probably would’ve never worked out if we’d planned it beforehand. I had a feeling we were going to make one hell of a team with that synergy.

“I’d like to nominate Heron Dorchadas,” Jax added, prompting his brother to stretch his arms out with a satisfied grin. “He has the experience and knowledge needed to help with the investigation.”

“That’s an understatement, but thanks, bro!” Heron replied, then gave us a quick glance.

“Ben is right,” Draven interjected. “Diversity is key. Which is why you’ll need an experienced Druid with knowledge of swamp witch magic. I nominate Patrik Raymer for Neraka to serve that purpose.”

Patrik seemed surprised by his nomination but responded with a polite nod, then carefully checked each of us out, as if assessing us and drawing his own conclusions about us.

“Most importantly,” Field added, the corner of his mouth twitching, “you can’t go among so many Maras without some natural defenses.”

“What natural defenses?” Jax frowned, slightly confused.

“Incubus and succubus blood is highly toxic to Maras, isn’t it?” Field replied, raising an eyebrow.

“It is.”

“Then I’m pleased to nominate Hansa Gorria for the Neraka Recon Team,” he said. “Her blood might come in handy.”

Hansa hadn’t expected that—it was written all over her face. Her skin had a mild glow, and she cleared her throat and downed a glass of water.

“I’m not sure that’s a good—” Jax tried to object, but was swiftly interrupted by Hansa’s husky voice.

“Thank you, Field,” she said. “It will be an honor to serve GASP on this mission. Rest assured I will work hard to help our team deliver answers and results.”

Jax didn’t comment further, but I could tell he wasn’t happy with the decision. He may have been approved to lead the team, but he didn’t have the senior credentials to object to Hansa’s nomination. Looking at the bigger picture, it was probably great that she was coming along. Many of us were young and on our first field mission. Having some seasoned fighters with us could do no harm.

Besides, I’d seen Hansa in training. She was fierce and deadly. Why wouldn’t we want her with us on an unknown planet?

“Milords, I assure you our people will not lift a finger against GASP,” Rewa said slowly. “You’re coming to help us, and we’d be fools to treat you with anything other than kindness and hospitality.”

“We do not doubt that,” Derek replied. “But we cannot verify any of your claims at this point, and your history on Eritopia does not speak in your favor. Nevertheless, we can’t abandon an entire civilization on Neraka based solely on our lack of trust, which is why we’ve agreed to send you back there with this recon team.”

Rewa nodded, then looked at us. Her gaze settled on Blaze, who gave her a sympathetic smile. I instinctively glanced at Caia, and sensed the angst bubbling inside her. This was going to be an interesting mission, to say the least.

“You’ll be on a short leash, though,” Field added, addressing each member of the newly formed team. “Your mission is to investigate and report back to us—not to interfere. Based on the information you provide us, if necessary we will then assemble a wider force to take action and help the Exiled Maras.”

“That sounds reasonable,” I said.

“How do we get there?” Caia asked.

“There’s a bit of a problem,” Viola replied, frowning. Her eyes glowed violet. “I cannot seem to contact the planet. I do not feel it the way I feel other worlds in the In-Between. Therefore, as a Daughter, I won’t be able to open a portal to connect Neraka and Calliope.”

“That’s strange,” Derek muttered, scratching his stubble. “Do you know why?”

Viola shook her head, then looked at Rewa.

“Perhaps you have an answer, Rewa?”

The Mara fidgeted in her chair with an apologetic expression on her face.

“It might have something to do with the asteroid belt orbiting our planet,” she said. “The Imen say the crystals in its composition have mystical properties that keep Neraka hidden to outsiders. It never bothered us, but we wouldn’t have been able to change its effect, either. It goes way beyond any of our capabilities.”

“It seems like Neraka is determined to keep its cards close to its chest,” Field said, staring intently at Rewa. “Which further fuels my curiosity. We could use the swamp witches’ interplanetary spell instead, right?”

“Yes.” Viola nodded. “I know how to do it. I just need an object of any kind that originates from Neraka, to help set the destination.”

“I believe one of these will do,” Rewa said, pulling a few small red beads from her dress pocket and showing them to her.

“If they’re from Neraka, yes,” the Daughter replied.

“They were crafted in Azure Heights, from red crystal mineral deposits that my people found when they carved the city into the mountain. I took them with me for the return spell.”

“Then they’re perfect.”

“Then how did the swamp witches send your people to Neraka the first time around,” I asked, “given that you had nothing from that planet to calibrate the spell?”

“I don’t know, milady.” Rewa shrugged.

“It was probably random,” Viola explained. “The interplanetary spell does work without an object from its destination, but then it takes you to a random place. Much like the Druids’ passage stones, come to think about it. The Exiled Maras didn’t choose Neraka, it sort of picked them.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about traveling from one galaxy to another inside a bright sphere of light, but given that portals were out of the question, I had no other choice. Besides, Rewa had made it here in one piece; why wouldn’t we make it there the same?

“Thank you, milords,” Rewa said, choking up again. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“Don’t thank us yet,” Jax shot back, fists balled on the table.

“Members of the Neraka Recon Team,” Field stood, prompting us to shoot up from our chairs, “you’re all dismissed. Please go to your locker rooms on Mount Zur and prepare for the journey. You will be leaving in two hours. We’ll now move on to discuss Tenebris.”

“We’ll see you all back here in two hours, on the platform,” Draven added. “We’ll perform Telluris before we send you off.”

We nodded, then, one by one, left the meeting hall.

“My wards will take Rewa to her room,” Jax said.

Two of the Maras flanking Rewa stood up, then politely escorted her away from the table, moving toward us. I walked out, accompanied by Caia, Scarlett, Avril, and Fiona, while Blaze, Heron, Jax, Hansa, and Patrik followed. Rewa was the last to come out, accompanied by two wards.