After Draven and Serena left for Marton, and the allies went out to their positions around Azazel’s castle, Field and the others started training and sparring sessions in the grand hall, where the Bajangs had cleared the space and brought in a plethora of combat gear and weapons from the armory.

I went up to one of the towers to summon some visions. I needed to keep track of Kyana and find out more about Jasmine, as I’d promised Draven I would. I sat down beneath the small wooden roof of the tower, taking a few good minutes to settle my breathing and relax.

I slipped into the darkness rather swiftly, focusing on Kyana and Jasmine.

I found myself standing by Kyana’s hiding spot near a bush, beneath the cloaking spell that concealed the White Tribe succubi and Jasmine. The Druid was conferring with several tribe lieutenants on the front terrace, while there was no sign of Kyana. I looked ahead and saw the Lamia in snake form, her head bound in a trap snare as a scout carried her over to Jasmine.

“Oh, crap,” I gasped, and ran after her.

I reached the succubus just as she presented Jasmine with the captured snake, holding the snare as the creature’s tail flailed around, unable to free herself.

“I don’t know how she got in here,” the succubus said. “She probably snuck in with one of us. I found her in the bushes on the south side, snooping around.”

“A Lamia.” Jasmine squinted at the cobra. “Reveal yourself.”

Kyana listened and morphed into her Lamia form, naked, with green and yellow scales covering her breasts and her lower body, as she struggled against the string snare now stretched over her head.

“A spy of Azazel’s, perhaps?” one of the lieutenants asked, drawing her sword.

“Could be,” Jasmine muttered. “I know he collects various creatures in his dungeon prison. She could be under his spell.”

The succubus lieutenant raised her sword to one side while the scout held the snare with one hand, keeping Kyana in place. The Lamia was about to lose her head, and my heart shrank.

“No, wait!” Kyana cried out, and stilled, her arms in the air in a defensive gesture. “I’m not a spy! I’m Kyana, sister of Tamara, leader of the River Pyros Lamias. I’m not under Azazel’s spell. I’ve just escaped from his dungeons!”

Jasmine motioned for the lieutenant to stop. The succubus grunted and waited, sword resting on one shoulder.

“How did you escape? I thought prisoners all got obsidian suppressors mounted on them from the moment they’re captured.” Jasmine lifted an eyebrow.

“We do! I had inside help. One of Azazel’s Oracles helped me,” Kyana replied with a trembling voice. “She was recently captured as well. She snuck out of her confinement and came down to the dungeons to help me. She knew about me. She knew about my sister. She said there’s an alliance rising against Azazel, and my sister is part of it. She stole the key for my cuffs from a sleeping guard and set me free. I’m just trying to get to my sister and join the Druid’s alliance, that’s all! I was on my way down to River Pyros when I saw your succubi disappear into a limestone wall and followed. I was curious, and I was hoping I’d get them to come with me...”

A moment passed before Jasmine spoke, scanning Kyana’s expression.

“The Druid?” she asked.

“Draven is his name,” Kyana explained.

“I was right,” Jasmine concluded then, glancing at her lieutenants. “They’re making a move.”

“Please, I’m just trying to get to my Lamias,” Kyana insisted.

Jasmine looked at her for a brief moment, then focused on the succubi lieutenants.

“Get the fighters ready,” she told them. “Once the scouts return with news, we’ll send assistance.”

I would’ve stayed for longer, but, once again, my vision decided I’d had enough. I grumbled as darkness enveloped me again and took me somewhere else.

* * *

I was in Azazel’s dungeons. The darkness, the damp black walls, and the sound of chains rattling and creatures suffering were all too familiar. My stomach tightened as I walked between the cages where different creatures were held, wary of bumping into Azazel. It was always a risk when I was experiencing visions in the castle.

“Please, eat something…”

That male voice sounded familiar. I followed the source and turned a corner, only to stop and feel my blood boil, regretting that I wasn’t there physically to rip his head off. Sverik leaned against a large iron cage, putting a bowl of food and a cup of water inside. He looked pained, and his voice trembled.

“You have to eat something. You’re getting weaker every day,” he mumbled.

The bowl and cup were swiftly tossed back, hitting him and slathering him in what looked like porridge, the water dripping down his military uniform. I moved closer to see the creature inside. It was a young succubus, with long hair the color of autumn leaves and lime-green eyes. Her skin was pale, barely a shimmer left in her complexion. She glowered at him, her lips twisted with disgust.

“You sold your soul to him,” she said, gritting her teeth.

“Isla, I had no choice,” Sverik said with a torturous sigh. “I had to protect you. Besides, you don’t know everything I did… Believe me…”

It hit me then what was happening. Of course Sverik had betrayed us with little to no influence from Azazel! The Destroyer had leverage over him in the form of Isla, a succubus Sverik was clearly in love with. He wiped the porridge mush off his face, and looked at her.

“I will stop at nothing to keep you safe, don’t you understand that? I will burn everything down if that’s what it takes,” he added, his jaw tense.

“You still don’t understand, do you, Sverik?” Isla replied in a cold voice. “No matter what you do, you will never have me. I loved your brother, not you. You were always the weak and needy one, ever since we were children and you and Kristos snuck into our camp to play with me. How many times did you tell on your brother for coming to see me? Do you remember?”

When Sverik said nothing, his gaze dropping to the floor, Isla sneered.

“You betrayed your brother. You sold us all out. Who knows what other horrible things you’ve done since you’ve sworn fealty to Azazel? Why would I ever love someone like you? The only good thing to come out of that wretched family of yours was Kristos, he loved me and I loved him and he’s… he’s gone now.” She choked up. “Get it through your thick head! Kill me now, for I will never… I will never see you for more than the coward you are…”

“Oh, wow,” I muttered to myself, baffled by this dynamic between Sverik and Isla. I couldn’t wait to tell Anjani and the others about this. While it certainly presented us with some insight into why Sverik had betrayed us all to begin with, it also did a good job of accurately portraying who he really was: a weak creature who had lusted after his brother’s mate and sold his soul to the very devil that wreaked havoc in his world.

How pathetic, I thought to myself as the vision faded away.

* * *

I was still in the castle, judging by the black marble walls and floors. But this was a high-level chamber, with polished furnishings and gold details, sumptuous furniture and dim lighting. The tall and narrow windows overlooked the jungles below, and occasionally offered glimpses of Destroyers atop their flying horses.

It looked like a girl’s room, with deep pink satin sheets and organza curtains, exotic floral arrangements everywhere, and a multitude of porcelain dolls and beautifully embroidered pillows. There was a vanity table by the massive four-poster ebony bed, with various oils and creams in glass and marble receptacles.

A little girl sat in front of it. She didn’t look older than eight, with long reddish pink hair and wide, violet eyes. Her skin was pale, and she wore a ruffled dress that made her look like one of her dolls. She was sweet and beautiful, but looked weak and ill.

I breathed in sharply then, realizing I’d found the little Daughter.

A massive Destroyer sat down behind her, his snake tail coiled under him, while he brushed her hair with a silver comb. Chills ran down my spine at the sight of him so close to this adorable little Daughter, but she seemed comfortable and quite happy with him. She was busy lining beads on the vanity table—colorful little marbles which she then put on a string.

“Where’s Daddy, Thadeus?” the little Daughter asked.

Oh no. Daddy…

I’d heard his name before—Thadeus was one of the young Druids abducted from Marton. He’d been assigned to look after the little Daughter, who was asking for her “Daddy”, and I was willing to bet a million gold coins that I knew who “Daddy” was.

“He’s busy, sweetheart,” the Destroyer named Thadeus replied gently, an uncharacteristic tone given the usual demeanor of such an abomination. “He’s protecting the castle and keeping you safe.”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” I snapped, overwhelmed by irritation and disgust.

Not only had he abducted her and forced her to hatch prematurely, Azazel had conditioned her into believing he was her father, protecting her from outside evils. Poor creature probably didn’t even know the evil she’d been living with all these years.

“I’m so weak,” the little Daughter sighed. “I’m always so sleepy and weak. Why can’t I go outside yet?”

“Let’s give it a few more days, sweetheart,” Thadeus replied, making my skin crawl. “You’re still recovering from your illness.”

“I’m always ill,” she moaned. “I haven’t been out in weeks…”

“Just a little while longer, Nova, and I’ll take you out in the gardens. I promise.”

I got closer, worried by her so-called illness. I needed to get a better look. Indeed, her skin was pale, with dark circles around her eyes. She looked a little too thin for her height, and violet veins were visible on her forearms.

A small gold medallion with a ruby eye hung from her neck. The gemstone flickered green on the inside. I had a feeling her illness was no illness at all. Azazel was drawing energy from the little Daughter, and I suspected the whole process involved that ruby medallion.

“They’re draining you,” I whispered.

I knew she couldn’t hear or see me, but still, I had to say it. I had to say it so that the gravity of her situation would truly sink in.

“Azazel is draining your energy, your life force… You’re getting weaker every day, missing the creature you consider your father, not knowing that he’s most likely going to kill you…”

Rage burned through me like an erupting volcano. All I could think of was getting to Azazel and snapping his neck like a twig. This was the epitome of his cruelty. The most horrible thing he’d done so far.

I had to tell Vita about this. She had to get the little Daughter out of there. My eyes teared up.

This was too much, even for me.