A Castle of Sand (A Shade of Vampire #3)(25)
Author: Bella Forrest

Panic surged within me as I stepped forward. “Sofia?”

Sam quickly shook his head. “As far as I know, Miss Claremont is perfectly fine, though I doubt she’s going to be very happy about the news I’m about to give you.”

I was growing impatient. “Just spit it out, Sam.”

“Three young women were brought into your penthouse. A gift from your father. Three new slaves to replace the ones you lost.”

“Slaves?” I already knew the answer to my next question, but I asked it anyway. “And where did these girls come from?”

“Your father has once again allowed human abductions.”

“Unbelievable!” I hissed, storming past Sam, my blood pounding with so much fury. “Does he have any idea how much risk he’s putting The Shade in by doing this?”

“Their reasoning behind it is that we’ve been doing it for years without getting caught.” Sam was trailing behind me, knowing fully well how against abductions I was.

“Pure dumb luck!”

“What are you planning to do, sir?”

“Stop this.”

I headed straight for the Great Dome, a large, round hall located at the Crimson Fortress. The large space at the topmost level of the fortress’ west tower was the site of all governmental, judicial and military strategic gatherings at The Shade.

The dome was one of the places on the island that was close to my heart, because just before she was taken by the hunters, it was the last place Vivienne had re-designed and modernized. She did a wonderful job and being there still reminded me so much of her.

Since my father’s return, however, there hadn’t been much reason for me to visit the dome. He never really did ask for updates on how the military trainings were going and he never summoned me for any of the council meetings with the Elite either.

After what Sam had just told me, that’s exactly what I found myself walking into—an Elite council meeting. The moment I pushed the large double oak doors open, it was my father who I first saw. He was seated on the throne at the front end of the room, on the balcony, towering three feet above ground—above everyone else.

At the center of the room, the round stage that served as the stand was occupied by Eli, the island’s resident scholar, and Felix, a vampire I mistrusted to say the least.

The hushed whispers and nervous glances that went around the amphitheater-styled hall made it clear that I’d just walked in on something very important—something that they would rather keep hidden from me.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, my eyes glued to my father as I marched right up to the stand.

All eyes shot toward Gregor, who had a bored look on his face. He was looking at me like I was just one of the many annoyances that he had to bear with in his life. “Good of you to pry yourself away from your redhead and join us, Derek,” he drawled.

“Could someone explain to me why we’re once again abducting people? Did I not make it clear that this has to stop?”

“I overturned your decree,” Gregor shrugged. “I’m king of the island, Derek. Learn your place.”

An audible gasp came from all present. Never before had my father challenged me in that manner. He may have been king of the island, but he wasn’t a fool who would underestimate how much sway I had over the citizens of The Shade.

“Why?” I asked, trying to reel my anger in. Ripping my father’s heart out wouldn’t really do anyone any good. I found myself longing to have Vivienne there even more. She was always the bridge between us Novak men. Without her, we would’ve killed one another a long time ago. “You realize how much risk you’re putting The Shade in whenever you bring these teenagers here, right? And for what?”

“I am under no obligation to explain my decisions to you, son.”

I hated the patronizing tone his voice took on. I knew then that it was a challenge. Every single person in that room was watching me for a reaction. Was I going to fight back? Was I going to defy the king? There was no doubt in my mind that should I defy my own father, more than enough vampires would side with me. I could’ve easily taken Gregor Novak down many times before, but I chose not to. I chose to honor him because he was my father, but at that moment, I was never more tempted to take him down.

“You’re going to regret this,” was all I could manage to say.

Gregor smirked. “Sure I will. Until then, enjoy the lovely young ladies, Derek. I’m sure you’ll appreciate them the moment you get tired of ravishing your freckled redhead.”

At that callous jibe once again thrown at Sofia, I lost all control of my temper. I sped forward right to his level, lunging toward him with so much force, the recliner he was seated on went crashing to the ground as I pinned him down.

The tension was electric as screams and nervous mutterings burst out around the hall. I was certain that much of the commotion was over a certain level of confusion over whom they were going to help—their savior or their king.

I didn’t really care. I was too busy relishing the terror in my father’s eyes. He might have been a vampire longer than I was, but I was far more powerful than he was. Cora had made sure of that.

“Understand this, Father,” I said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “If you ever touch Sofia or put her in danger or even dare speak of her in my presence again, you can be certain that I will take your throne. Without hesitation.”

“How Vivienne would roll over in her grave if she saw what you’ve become! Have you forgotten who your family is, Derek?”

“Vivienne sacrificed her own safety, her own life in order to get Sofia back to me. She would never do that for you. That’s how important Sofia is, Father. I’m pretty sure that if you asked Vivienne now who she would rather spare, she would choose Sofia.”

A bone-chilling silence followed my statement as everyone let the words sink in.

“Why?” The voice was Claudia’s. I had no doubt about it. “Why is the little freckled redhead so important?”

I rose to my feet, letting go of my father as I did. I slowly backed away from him, finding pleasure in the mixture of fury and fright in his eyes. After reaching the stand, now unoccupied by Eli and Felix, I addressed Claudia’s question.

“Sofia is the girl Cora prophesied who would help me find our kind true sanctuary. Without her, I cannot accomplish the prophecy.”

“Nonsense. You already accomplished the prophecy when you brought us to The Shade and secured it with Cora’s protective spell,” Gregor spat.