Dark Legacy

by Christine Feehan

  He had sent word to the prince. She knew he hadn't yet sworn allegiance to Mikhail, but he had still contacted the prince to let him know of the newest addition to the Carpathian family. That had been answered with a beautiful welcome. Her heart hurt it was so full. Dragomir loved Emeline and Carisma, and he showed it in everything he did. She rubbed her palm over her little baby bump. Carisma kicked her, a small little brush of her foot, much like the brush of Dragomir's voice when he spoke to her telepathically.

  "This is beautiful," Blaze said, smoothing her hand over the squares she could see.

  "The safeguards are strong," Charlotte said. "She'll be safe while she's sleeping aboveground."

  "I can't feel safeguards, but it is gorgeous," Genevieve added. "I've never seen anything so beautiful. When you touch it, it feels so soothing."

  "Tariq and Dragomir must have sent them the measurements of the crib they're making. Tariq likes to work with wood. He uses his hands, not magic, but there is magic in his work. He embeds safeguards as well. Dragomir asked him to help him make the crib with his own two hands. I loved that so much. I told Tariq that when we have a baby, I want him to make our crib with his own hands."

  Dragomir had asked Tariq to help him build a baby crib. For her. For Carisma. He'd done that without saying one word to her. It was so like him.

  "He's so . . ." She struggled to find the right words. There were none. He was incredible, but even that didn't describe him, or what she felt about him.

  "He told Tariq you love the dragons and he wanted to incorporate dragons into the design. I thought that was very cool," Charlotte went on. "Did you talk about it with him? About the dragons? He was very specific."

  Emeline shook her head. "Specific in what way?"

  "The headboard is the male dragon with his wings outspread. The footboard is the female dragon with her wings spread. He wanted the feeling of the baby being held by both, protected by both. Loved, he said. The carvings are beautiful, and both Tariq and Dragomir are weaving strong safeguards into the wood."

  Emeline set the quilt carefully on the small end table and stood up to walk to the window. She touched the glass, staring out at Dragomir. He was talking, shaking his head, the others listening. Tariq said something, and Dragomir nodded. Suddenly he turned his head and looked straight at her. His features had been stone, cold, expressionless. The moment his gaze touched her, he warmed.

  You have need of me?

  Just looking at the man I love. Her heart was so full she knew it was overflowing. So what if Vadim stuck a splinter of himself in her? Dragomir would take it out. Dragomir could move mountains.

  He smiled at her, that small, barely there smile, but it was for her alone. She owned that smile and it was more precious to her than any treasure. She touched the glass in a little salute and turned back to her friends. She discovered that Dimitri and Skyler had not only contributed a square to the crib quilt but sent a small stuffed wolf to put in the crib with the baby. The wolf had magical properties woven into it, but Emeline wasn't certain what they were--or what they did. She would have to ask Dragomir.

  Another package was from Paris, from Gabriel and Francesca. Francesca was famous for her quilts, and she'd sent a beautiful blanket. This one looked embroidered, although Emeline could see it wasn't, it was actually quilted with material. The intricate scene had been handstitched using tiny pieces of material for every hill, rock, forest and stream. Wolves peered out of the forest, birds peeked through the trees, dragons dipped their muzzles into water as others sat with folded wings on rocks.

  Every movement of the blanket brought the images to life. She knew Francesca was renowned for knowing what was the most appropriate thing for a client; she was famous enough that she was written up in magazines. Looking at the quilt, she saw, once again, the theme of dragons and wolves. She loved it, but more, she loved the power and peace woven into it. She felt the love that had gone into every stitch and she knew Carisma would feel it as well.

  "I can't believe he would think to do this. To have the Carpathian people welcome our daughter as they have. It means everything to me."

  Charlotte smiled at her. "Your man is a force of nature, Emeline. Tariq says it's like trying to tame a hurricane or tornado. He wants him to stay here with us, but it's all about you. Dragomir doesn't care where he is, as long as you're happy. He made that very clear. He also made it clear that everyone had better make you happy."

  Emeline couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing. It would be like him to try to command the world to make her happy. "He makes me happy." She was telling the wrong people. You make me happy.

  "The prince also sent protections and blessings," Charlotte added, holding up the letter. "I think Ivory is going to come for the birth. I hope she isn't planning to tattoo the baby."

  Emeline's head came up and she scowled at her. "What?"

  "Ivory looks as if she's covered in wolf tattoos, but they're immortal wolves, permanently a part of her pack. When she needs or wants them, they come alive, showing themselves, protecting her. It's really cool, Tariq said, but what would we do with wolves in San Diego?"

  Clearly she was going to have to communicate with Ivory and find out what kinds of gifts she planned for Carisma when she came.

  We're ready for you.

  Emeline pulled the quilt to her, held it tightly against her body. The sense of fun was gone just like that. They were ready for her. They would lock her in that safety room, as they had Amelia, and they would try to destroy the splinter without it harming her or the baby. Sandu would be there. Gary. Dragomir. All would be at risk. For her--again. She licked her lips and tasted fear.

  "They want me now."

  Blaze frowned, spinning around to stare out the window at the circle of men. "For what, Emeline? What do they want you for?"

  They hadn't told anyone. She glanced at Charlotte. No, she knew. Tariq had told her. "Vadim isn't finished with me. Just as Amelia had a splinter of Vadim in her, there is one in me. He hasn't used it yet, at least it doesn't appear as if he has, but we have to remove it." She kept her head up, refusing to be ashamed. Dragomir loved her just as she was and she refused to stay a coward. She refused to give Amelia advice and then fail to apply it to herself.

  "Oh, honey." Blaze reached out and caught her hand. "That vampire needs killing."

  It was such a Blaze statement. She always went to the final scenario, cutting straight to the kill.

  "Yes, he does," she agreed. "I've had enough of him in my life and I want him gone. I also want the other children searched, just to be sure."

  "It was done last night," Charlotte said. "None of them have even a tiny sliver of Vadim in them. When we get this one from you, then he's gone completely and can't access the compound. Once again, it will be safe."

  Her stomach knotted, and she put her hand carefully over her baby as if she could protect her. A cloud passed over the moon, an ominous sign. Even the wind chose that moment to kick up leaves and twigs against the window. "I think, no matter what, as long as Vadim lives, we should all be on alert, even here in the safety of the compound."

  She squared her shoulders as Dragomir broke away from the group and started toward the house. She refused to give the appearance of cowering inside. She immediately put down the quilt, stroking her hand over it to collect courage and peace as she hurried to the door. She was halfway down the outside steps when Dragomir got there. He swept her up, his hands at her waist, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around to set her on the ground.

  The small, dizzying dance warmed her. She slid her arm around his waist and looked up at him. "Your supersecret meeting is over?"

  He narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you giving me a hard time about our strategy meeting?"

  "Is that what you call that? I'm not certain I believe it was all about strategy. I think chest thumping went on."

  Now his eyebrow went up. "Chest thumping?"

  She nodded. "You know--I'm the coolest. I'm the baddest
badass in town. That sort of thing. Laying it out and measuring."

  "Laying it out and measuring? I presume you are now talking about cocks."

  There was a hint of a promise of retaliation for all her teasing, but that only sent a thrill of anticipation down her spine, rather than deterring her. Who could be deterred when it sounded like so much fun getting in trouble?

  She let her hand slip from his waist to his hip, her fingers caressing the line of his trousers and inching toward the bulge developing there. "Just hearing that word makes me hungry."

  "You're going to get yourself in trouble."

  "I like being in trouble," she admitted, batting her eyelashes at him.

  His hand slipped from the small of her back to the curve of her butt. Rubbed. Stroked. Massaged. She hoped no one was walking behind them, but of course his shadows would be there. Sandu. Andor. Ferro. She didn't protest, even though she knew she should. His hand felt too good. Heat spread through her body, pushing the cold out--the cold fear brought. Now there was only Dragomir, with his hard body and amazing hands. She couldn't think about anything else but that fire beginning to smolder so deep in her body.

  They walked toward the main house where Tariq and Gary waited. She was aware of every step Dragomir took with her. The way his body sheltered hers, every ripple of muscle and the strength in his arms. Most of all she was aware of his hand, massaging her bottom. Then his fingers were around her thigh, under the hem of her long dress, his fingertips caressing bare skin.

  "Someone will see."

  "They can't see. I would never let them see your body. It is mine. It belongs only to me. I love the way your skin feels. So soft. I've never felt anything so soft, not in all my centuries of existence." The pads of his fingers swirled over her thigh. "My name should be right here." He ran his thumb down the inside of her thigh. His knuckles brushed her slick entrance. "So hot for me, already, sivamet? I love that."

  Before she could reply he pulled his hand from her thigh and wrapped his arm around her waist, waving his fingers in a circle to create a breeze. She swung her head around and saw Amelia hurrying toward them. She'd been so caught up in Dragomir and the magic of his hands that she hadn't thought of anything else. Grateful he was still aware of their surroundings, she rubbed her face along his chest.

  You're amazing. She poured love into her voice.

  I'm hard as a rock, and willing it to go away hasn't worked yet. I need to come up with a spell. Dragomir sounded pained.

  She burst out laughing. You get right on that. I'll come up with a counterspell.

  "I was worried about you," Amelia greeted. "You looked so sad."

  Dragomir halted so the teen could hug her. She swept her hand down Amelia's hair. "They found a splinter in me. Just like the one they found in you. I think it's our fate to have similar lives."

  Amelia's breath caught in her throat, but then she forced a small smile. "You found Dragomir, and he makes you happy. I can tell. If I find someone like him, maybe I can find happiness, too."

  "You'll find a man who will make you happy one day," Dragomir confirmed. "In the meantime, you have us. We will look after you and ensure your happiness until he comes along."

  Emeline liked that. Liked that he was all but saying they would stay there and help protect the children. She'd saved them and she was invested in them. She wanted them to be happy and healthy. She wanted to be a part of their lives.

  "You won't take Emeline away from us?" Amelia's voice was tinged with fear, but she tried to keep the emotion from her face.

  "We're family. Part of a circle. We might purchase land for ourselves and set up a home, but it would only extend the compound so you would have twice the area to play," he assured.

  "I'd like that," Amelia said. "Are you going to take out the sliver?"

  "Yes," he said. "Right now. I'll keep her safe."

  Amelia stopped walking with them and just nodded her head as they continued toward the house, watching with that same fear in her eyes, but refusing to acknowledge it.

  "She's very brave," Emeline said as Tariq opened the door for them.

  "The place we want to go is accessed from the great room," Tariq said.

  He waved them from the foyer into the large beautiful room. Emeline caught a glimpse of high wood ceilings and hardwood floors as he ushered them through to the longest wall. He waved his hand and an entrance opened into another smaller room. She stepped inside.

  She knew it was much like a panic room, but it was built to keep out vampires, not humans. Maybe both. The room reminded her of a huge vault. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Dragomir's arm circled her waist, and he pulled her back against his solid body. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, his mouth moving against her earlobe, yet he spoke telepathically, making his communication intimate.

  Think only of me, of what I wish to do to you. I do not care if the others are close. I want to slowly remove this dress, slip the buttons from their holes and allow the dress to slip from your body and pool at your feet. Feel me. So hard for you. I am always like that now.

  It was impossible to think about anything else when he spoke like that to her.

  Think of me when I'm inside you. When I am a shield and a destroyer. Think of only me, Emeline. Do this for me.

  She nodded. I'll try. It shouldn't be that hard. His body was pressed so tightly against hers, the fullness of his cock reminding her how it felt when he was inside of her.

  He pulled her down on top of him, his body hard beneath hers, his arms around her waist, his chin on her shoulder. Just that fast he shed his body, Gary following him. Sandu and Ferro followed suit. To her shock, Andor joined them.

  She tried not to think about why they needed five men to go after Vadim's splinter if he wasn't there to defend himself. It took a moment to realize that when Dragomir left his body, he also pulled out of her mind. He'd left behind the feeling of his mouth and hands on her, of his body moving gently in hers, but he'd taken care to remove his mind from hers.

  She took a deep breath. He was up to something, that man of hers--something dangerous, or he wouldn't have completely left her like that. He never did. Sometimes he moved in and out of her mind, but for the most part, since he'd claimed her, he had stayed just close to the surface. She pushed gently into his mind, her touch subtle, barely there, so she was able to see what they were doing.

  He had moved to her brain very quickly, Gary following. Sandu positioned himself in front of the baby, ready to shield her if Vadim became aware and attacked. Ferro and Andor positioned themselves on either side of her brain, right where the sliver was located. She saw it through Dragomir's eyes. It was a dark crescent-shaped shadow lying in a crevice. She would never have noticed it, but all of a sudden it took on an ominous, vile appearance.

  Then Dragomir's light began to fade until it was so dim she could barely make it out. How did one do that? His spirit shone bright. What was he doing to make himself diminish? Then she knew, his heart and lungs slowed. He was more vulnerable than ever. She held her breath. Knowing. Wanting to scream a protest, but afraid it would alert Vadim and further endanger Dragomir. He was so reckless, willing to put himself in harm's way. They'd talked about it, but nothing could prepare her for the things he insisted on doing.

  He moved so gently into the splinter, barely a touch, his spirit merging, traveling. A long way. She felt his spirit drawn from them to a distance. Then she was hearing the sound of the sea. The boom of a wave crashing over rock. She felt the ground moving in a swelling rhythm. Again, the sea. Dragomir moved closer, and she could suddenly see the water. It was dark and frightening in the long expanse. There was a ship ahead, anchored in the water. Waiting for Vadim and the others. She felt his glee.

  There were men and women on the ship. Several children. As the vampires swept in from the night sky, panic erupted. Screams. She closed her eyes, but she refused to separate herself from Dragomir. If he had to see the carnage, the least she could do was hear it. For
what seemed an eternity, Dragomir stayed in the background, hearing and feeling what Vadim was. Watching the sickening massacre. Then Vadim was soaring over the ocean again, back toward San Diego. Twice he plunged into the water, stayed underwater near a long, thick cable and then he was back in the air. Her heart jumped. She recognized that cable. She'd seen it before.

  Dragomir withdrew very slowly and then stepped back to give Gary room to work. Gary was very precise. He had done this twice already and he knew exactly how to destroy the splinter. He hit the sliver hard with laser precision, running up its back, incinerating layers of cells quickly.

  Vadim jumped into the sliver, throwing up a shield, halting the attack, having learned from the last two. He sliced deep into Emeline's brain. Excruciating pain radiated through her head. She screamed, jerking in Dragomir's arms, trying to throw herself clear so she could run from it.

  Andor leapt into action, inserting his spirit between the sliver and Emeline so that the next slice never touched her. Vadim abandoned her brain, throwing himself into her deoxygenated bloodstream so that he was quickly carried toward her heart. He began jabbing at her vein as he did so, driving holes through the three layers of tissue making up the tubing. Ferro was there, his spirit nearly blinding the master vampire as it burned through another layer of cells, incinerating them. Vadim was forced to stop damaging the vein in order to survive. He leapt to the heart. She could feel his triumph.

  Dragomir and Gary were already there waiting. While Ferro and Andor had chased him from the brain, they had moved surreptitiously into the heart. As Vadim entered, their combined spirits hit him, white-hot light incinerating the cells too fast. The sliver dissolved into ash, curling into itself to try to protect even a few cells. Vadim had already lost the other two slivers and a piece of his heart. He fought to protect what he had left, even though it was only a few cells. He tried to make it to the lower chamber, desperate to get to the fetus via the umbilical cord. Andor was there, blocking the way. Dragomir was behind him, Gary and Ferro on either side. The four together incinerated the remaining cells, destroying the splinter.