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

“They could be worried that they might be next.” Patrik’s voice startled us both.

He’d been standing behind us, though I wasn’t sure for how long. Jax and Hansa came out of their rooms farther down the corridor and joined us at the top of the stairs. Jax glanced over the balustrade and made eye contact with the Imen servants.

“They’re waiting for us to go downstairs for dinner,” he muttered.

“What do you think of this place?” I asked, eager to find out what was going through his head.

“I think they’re dealing with something here, for sure,” Jax replied. “However, it’s too soon to pass judgment. I do admit I’m breathing a little easier now. The Maras seem to have rebuilt their lives nicely here. But I wouldn’t recommend getting too comfortable with them just yet.”

“Jax, thousands of years have passed since they were exiled.” Hansa frowned slightly. “I’m not one to trust other creatures easily, but even I have to say I believe them when they say they’ve truly changed their ways.”

“I’m not rejecting that premise,” Jax said, glancing around the reception area. “I just want to make sure before we get all giggly and friendly with them.”





Scarlett





(Daughter of Jeramiah & Pippa)





The first thing I did, after dropping my travel bag and backpack on the floor, was sink into the massive bed and revel in its softness. I was genuinely impressed by the plushness and sheer elegance of the place, far beyond what I’d imagined it would be like. The whole city was beautiful, the Exiled Maras’ love for decorative arts present all over the place, from the architectural fluff to the finely crafted pieces of furniture and stylish accents.

I found a safe in my room behind a painting, with the combination scrawled on a piece of paper. I took some essentials out of the backpack, then put it inside, locking it safely and memorizing the code.

The rest of my team was waiting at the top of the stairs, talking among themselves and occasionally looking down at the Mara patrons and Imen servants.

“To be honest,” Jax was saying as I reached them, “our people were nearly obliterated because of these Maras, and we do tend to hold a grudge, even across entire generations, so my doubtful opinion could be biased.”

“At least you’re admitting it.” Heron raised an eyebrow. “I mean, I’m the same. I don’t like them, but it’s not because they did anything to me. On the contrary, so far, they’ve been nothing but gracious and kind. I think we inherited our ancestors’ instincts or something.”

“Can’t say I’m crazy about the fashion here,” Hansa muttered. “Too many skirts and dresses for my taste, but, hey, if that makes them happy, I’m not one to care.”

“And Emilian was right,” Patrik mused, his gaze fixed on the bar downstairs. “They’ve had the swamp witches’ interplanetary spell for so long. They could’ve come back to Eritopia if they wanted to. Maybe they really are happier here.”

“They’re also probably aware that we will rain down fire and death on them if they try anything stupid.” Heron smirked.

“Do you think they’re really sticking exclusively to animal blood?” I asked, prompting everyone to look at me. I felt Patrik’s steel-blue eyes on my face, and my cheeks caught fire, but I did my best to play it cool.

“They could be, but I don’t think so.” Jax scoffed. “Even we don’t live exclusively off animal blood. We do favors around Calliope, get other creatures in our debt for Pyrope. But that’s like a treat, and it never harms or kills the one who willingly gives us blood.”

“You think they’re practicing Pyrope with the Imen?” Heron replied.

“Could be. Or maybe they’re mind-bending them into it,” Jax said quietly.

“We can look into this,” I offered. “Find out if the Imen are giving their blood willingly or are being… convinced to do it.”

“You will do no such thing,” Jax shot back. “Not you, anyway. Leave this to me and Heron. We know how to handle our own species.”

“Besides, a Mara would be much more adept at recognizing symptoms of mind-bending, if I’m not mistaken,” Patrik added, his gaze finding mine again.

I nodded, holding my breath in the process. They were right; we didn’t want to kick a hornet’s nest in here, since it wasn’t even why we’d come all the way here in the first place. Their feeding habits could take a back seat, for now.

“Okay, it’s time to reach out to Calliope and let them know it’s all good,” Hansa said, then closed her eyes. “Telluris Draven.”

A few moments passed in absolute silence, but nothing happened. She frowned, giving Jax a brief glance before she tried again.

“Telluris Draven,” she called out.

Still, she didn’t hear anything. She clicked her teeth with frustration.

“This is weird,” Harper muttered, then tried reaching out as well. “Telluris Draven…”

“Telluris Draven.” Jax tried as well.

A couple of minutes passed, all of us trying to call out to Draven, but nothing happened. I couldn’t even feel his presence like I had before, back on the platform. I’d felt him in my mind as we’d traveled through the stars, and even as we’d reached this galaxy, so it wasn’t an issue of distance that impeded Telluris. Our souls were meant to be connected in an extra-sensory manner that allowed us to communicate at any time, from any place.

My stomach churned. I didn’t like this.

“Could it be that disruptive asteroid belt?” I asked.

“Yes, it could be,” Hansa replied, her eyes wide with the realization as she looked at Jax and Patrik. “We could be cut off from GASP because of those damn purple crystals orbiting Neraka. How can this be?”

“It shouldn’t be the case.” Patrik frowned. “Like Draven said, Telluris connects our souls. It transcends space altogether; it isn’t subject to any physical interference.”

“Then what do we do?” Harper crossed her arms over her chest, visibly displeased with our current inability to communicate with GASP—a feeling we all had in common.

“We’ll speak to Emilian about it,” Patrik replied, his eyes finding mine again. “If he has no answers, we’ll try again later. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try a couple of over-Ninetieth-Circle spells tomorrow.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Hansa asked.

“Then we tough it out, finish the recon mission, then light-orb our asses out of here.” Jax’s blunt reply pointed at our only other option. “This shouldn’t take more than a week, anyway. And if it goes beyond that allocated time, we all know Calliope will send an army to retrieve us, if they can’t get a hold of us.”

Heron leaned against the balustrade, scratching the back of his head.

“Yeah, they’ll get anxious back in Eritopia. They’ll think something happened. I guess the sooner we gather enough data to discuss and decide how to assist the Exiled Maras, the quicker we can get back to Calliope, before Draven and the whole of GASP send their space armadas after us.”





Fiona





(Daughter of Benedict & Yelena)