“Derek is known to be the most powerful vampire alive, Sofia. If he comes, he’s going to put up a good fight and considering that it’s you who’s involved, I think it’s the Maslens who have reason to tremble. Don’t underestimate the man you love, Rose Red.”
She looked at me with hopeful eyes. It seemed the words were enough to console her.
“Everything’s going to be okay, Sofia. I know it.” As I said the words, I realized that I now meant every word. It gave me a sense of resignation, but also a sense of fulfillment, to know that she was in good hands, that my best friend really had found her true love in the person of Derek Novak.
Though I was still filled with dread over what she might possibly go through at The Oasis, a part of me was happy for her, knowing that unlike me, she would live her life knowing that she loved and that she was loved in return.
CHAPTER 46: DEREK
Since Sofia’s disappearance, I’d been turning The Shade upside down trying to find her. It helped that she was so loved by the citizens of The Shade, because their full cooperation was immediately given to me the moment news that she was no longer on the island came out.
During a council meeting called specifically to discuss what to do in order to find Sofia, I found myself losing hope.
“She most likely eloped with the boy.” Felix leaned back on his seat, not bothering to hide how bored he was by the entire thing.
At that, Gavin scoffed, earning himself Felix’s ire.
I shook my head. “No. She wouldn’t do that to me.”
“Then maybe your father was right. She’s in league with the Maslens and she’s probably now at The Oasis cavorting with her mother and their king. We all know she has a taste for royalty.” Felix eyed me pointedly.
“For crying out loud, Felix,” Cameron interrupted in his distinct Scottish accent. “Will you shut up for a moment? Do you not think before you speak?”#p#分页标题#e#
I was trying to reel my temper in, and was thankful that Cameron butted in on behalf of me. “It is true that Ingrid Maslen is Sofia’s mother. Eli’s background checks have already proven this as true, but I know Sofia. I know for a fact that she had no idea that Camilla Claremont became a vampire. I believe her father tried to protect her from the knowledge.”
“We know Claudia has something to do with their disappearance, obviously, since she’s the one who tranquilized Derek,” Liana spoke up. “And I suspect Gregor is involved too. It’s too much of a coincidence that they would both disappear the same time Ben and Sofia did.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Gavin agreed. “Sofia is far too loyal to The Shade or perhaps more to you.” He gestured toward me.“To leave The Shade out of her own accord.”
“The arrival of the human boy…this friend of hers…changes everything and we know it.” Felix frowned. “He might have been working with Lucas all along and they might have been communicating with Claudia and Gregor.”
“You’re Gregor’s right hand man, Felix,” Gavin butted in. “Don’t you know what he’s been up to?”
Felix frowned. It was clear to see that the fact that my father made a move without his knowledge wasn’t something that he was entirely pleased with.
“Why would Claudia turn her back on us?” Xavier spoke up, ignoring Felix entirely.
“I know Claudia has several scores to settle with you,” Yuri spoke up, looking at me with a hint of accusation. “You took Ben from her, you had her punished simply for defying you, then you shortened her sentence after sleeping with her. Does that sum up all the things that would give her a reason to hold a grudge against you?”
I grimaced. Claudia may not be the most shining example of a good-hearted vampire, but I had to admit that neither was I, and it was true that I’d wronged her in the worst possible way when I visited her cell and ended up sleeping with her. I knew immediately that I’d made a mistake when I told her that I’d shorten her sentence. I regretted it, and I regretted never apologizing to her properly for it.
I looked Yuri in the eye. “I never intended to sleep with her. It happened, and I offered to shorten her sentence without thinking it through. I should’ve apologized.”
“Well, it’s too late now, isn’t it?” Yuri narrowed his eyes at me.
“I wronged Claudia and I’m sorry for that, but make no mistake about it, Yuri, I will make her pay for what she has done.”
Yuri’s eyes saddened. He’d always stood as Claudia’s protector for as long as I could remember. I always wondered if he actually held true love for Claudia. I knew him well enough, however, to be secure that his loyalty to me far outweighed whatever feelings he held for the beautiful blonde.