A Castle of Sand(73)

“Regardless of Claudia’s reasons for betraying Derek and thereby, betraying us all, the fact still remains that we have no idea where they are,” Liana butted in. “Besides, that’s not the point. If Sofia was taken against her will, then yes, we really do have to find her, but if she went out of her own accord…”
Cameron straightened in his seat, clearly bothered as he finished his wife’s sentence, “Then finding Sofia is the least of our worries. There’s nothing stopping Ben from betraying us to the hunters and having The Shade blown up.”
“Sofia did not leave out of her own choice. I’m certain of it.” I tried to push back any doubts. I hated the feeling of not trusting her.
“Well then, we’re going round in circles. Truth of the matter is that I think they’re at The Oasis.” Xavier shrugged. “Where else would Lucas run off to? I think they sought sanctuary there.”
I thought about what Lucas could possibly be putting Sofia through and I found myself fighting the urge to break someone’s neck. I fought back tears, sickened by the idea of my beloved being in any kind of pain. The additional thought that she could be within Borys Maslen’s territory was even worse.
A knock at the dome’s large oak doors momentarily interrupted any responses anybody present could’ve given to Xavier’s statement.
The doors swung open and I could make out Sam standing outside the dome. “Sir, Miss Natalie Borgia is here,” he announced.
I straightened up in my seat. “Let her in.”
The beautiful diplomat strode inside with grace and dignity. “Natalie,” I acknowledged as she took the stand.
She swallowed hard as she nodded her head toward me in response. She didn’t seem comfortable with the message she was about to give me. “I have a message for Derek Novak from Borys Maslen and Sofia Claremont.”
Murmurs were exchanged throughout the dome. I gulped as Natalie left the stand and climbed up toward the balcony in order to hand me the letter.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly before turning and once again taking her place at the stand.
I stared at the envelope, dreading what it could possibly contain. I swallowed hard as I opened it. No words could explain what I felt upon seeing the wedding invitation. I let out a deep growl.
“Derek…” Natalie knew me well enough to know when something was tearing me apart. We’d had our fair share of memories together. She heaved a deep sigh. “I was told to let you know that you are to go alone. Any vampire from this coven seen stepping anywhere near the desert will be shot down. Only you are to go there if you want to see her.”
“What is it?” Xavier rose to his feet, taking a place at the stand. “What’s going on?”
“See for yourself.” I threw the invitation his way.
He caught it with both hands. His eyes widened. “Oh my…”
“What? What is it?” Gavin asked as everyone looked curiously at the message.
Xavier looked up at me. “It’s an invitation for one to Sofia and Borys’ wedding.”
“Derek,” Liana spoke up. “You realize this is a trap, don’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “If Sofia is in the Maslens’ hands, I have to go to her. There’s no other way.”
“But what about The Shade?” With all the noisy murmurs and mild commotion going on, I didn’t even recognize who was asking questions anymore.
“Cameron, Liana, Xavier and Eli are more than capable of working together to run the island while I’m away.”
“Derek, you’re seriously considering this?” Xavier seemed apprehensive.
“You of all people are aware of what Borys is capable of,” I told him. “You know what he did to Vivienne. Borys will break and ruin Sofia.”
“Sofia is stronger than we’ve given her credit for,” Cameron spoke up and I knew immediately that what he was saying was true. “Maybe she will find her way out of there by herself and back here.”
I smirked. “Yeah…maybe…maybe she can, but I’m not going to hang the fate of the woman I love on maybes, Cameron. I’m not going to just sit here and allow that shameless brute to have his way with Sofia.”
“So you’re actually going to The Oasis?” Liana verified.
I nodded. “I wouldn’t miss Sofia’s wedding for the world.”

CHAPTER 47: SOFIA
 It felt like days since I was brought to The Oasis. I hadn’t seen Borys since our first meeting—something I was immensely grateful for. The only vampires from The Oasis I’d seen then were the two guards they sent to keep watch over me and the women who came to take my measurements and do the fittings for my wedding gown.