He stood up and reached down to lift her easily into his arms, ignoring her protest. "I'm sorry, young Skyler, but it's getting late. I need to be somewhere and I've got to get you back to your camp."
She had no choice but to be gracious. In any case, she hadn't been looking forward to walking on her swollen ankle. "Thanks, Zev, I appreciate it, although I feel a little silly."
"Walking around alone in these woods is silly," he said sternly.
Skyler was used to being around physically strong men. Gabriel, her adopted father, was extremely strong, being Carpathian. Dimitri certainly was. Even Josef, as young as he was, had the Carpathian strength, but Zev was amazing. He moved through the forest absolutely sure-footed. He was graceful even. He didn't breathe hard and he never once acted as if he needed a rest. He was born and bred for the forest, and he was every bit as strong as a Carpathian.
She closed her eyes and breathed evenly, opening her mind a little at a time to try to take in, to absorb the feel of a Lycan through every sense she had. She recognized the way he moved from what Mother Earth had revealed to her earlier. He barely made a sound, a soft whisper, no more, as his clothing occasionally brushed against leaves. He was so quiet they startled wildlife they came upon.
She felt the mechanics of him, the steel-like but flexible framework and the muscles moving beneath his civilized clothing. She even began to absorb the field around him that protected his energy from leaking out and giving him away in a hunt--or battle.
He was a good man. She got that much from him, but he was lethal and wouldn't hesitate to kill if necessary. She wouldn't want him coming after her. That thought was frightening and she couldn't help the little shiver that went down her spine. Of course he noticed instantly.
"We're nearly there. There's nothing to fear. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he assured. His voice was kind, even compassionate.
"I'm sorry I'm so much trouble," Skyler said. That was the truth. She didn't like using a good person. He clearly wasn't the demon she'd conjured up in her mind. The Lycans had taken Dimitri prisoner when he'd been defending not only his prince, but also the Lycans. They tortured him and would have killed him if she hadn't intervened. She'd developed a dislike of them. Still, she would much rather have had Zev find her than some really awful Lycan who might kill her.
"You don't weigh much," Zev observed. "A good wind might blow you away."
A bubble of nervous laughter welled up. "My father says that."
"Your father is right." He frowned. "He should be watching out for you. Coming here was not a good idea."
She couldn't very well tell him her father didn't know and the world as she knew it would probably be over once he found out. "My ankle agrees with you."
He found their base camp unerringly, as if he already knew it was there. He hadn't cast around for signs looking for the site, but seemed to follow a direct--and the shortest--route straight to it.
He came to an abrupt halt. "Where is everyone?"
"Out looking for me, I suppose," Skyler replied in a small voice. Her ankle really was hurting and she was grateful when he put her into a chair. He had been smooth, walking through the forest, but still, movement jarred the injury. "There's only Paul and Josef. The others haven't arrived yet."
Paul strode into camp, a mixture of concern and aggravation on his face. He held a rifle in his hands. She knew it carried tranquilizers. "What the hell happened, Skyler?" he demanded. "We've been searching for you for most of the day. I was about to call for help."
Zev's entire demeanor changed. He ate up the distance between Paul and him with long, fluid strides, nearly gliding. He was on Paul before he had a chance to even bring his weapon up.
"I'm a cop," Zev announced, with a small apologetic glance over his shoulder at Skyler. "I'd like to see your papers now. No one should have authorized work in this area. We closed it off a few weeks ago."
It was the last thing Skyler expected, but she realized his revelation and demands made perfect sense. The Lycans had to have a way to keep everyone away from them while they prepared for war, or tortured and killed their prisoners. Zev probably really did have a rank of some kind in law enforcement.
Paul kept possession of his weapon but went to the locked box and removed the papers giving them permission to set up cameras in this area of the forest. Zev studied their passports and the official documents carefully, taking his time. This was no cursory glance.
Skyler's mouth went dry. Her heart began to pound. Josef was the best, she reminded herself. His paperwork was always impeccable.
Zev looked up suddenly, pinning Paul with his piercing, focused stare. "Who's in charge?"
"He's not here at the moment," Paul said. "He went out searching for Skyler, but we come back to the camp every two hours." He glanced at his watch. "He should be coming back soon."
Zev handed the papers back to Paul. "Everything appears to be in order, but there's been a mistake. I want you to break camp tomorrow morning and get out of here. This girl cannot be wandering the forest alone, nor should you or whoever is in charge. It's too dangerous."
"We're aware there is an active pack of wolves here," Paul said. "That's why we're here. We just study their environment. We don't try to interact. If we're lucky we'll have the cameras in the right places and we'll get a glimpse of them."
Zev shook his head. "There have been several killings. Mutilations. Not the wolves, someone human. This area is closed at the moment. You need to pack up immediately and leave."
"Are you saying a serial killer is on the loose?" Paul asked.
"We don't acknowledge such things. We've chased a criminal into these woods, and he knows his way around. I am officially telling you and your party to leave. I'll be back tomorrow to ensure you've obeyed."
Paul scowled and tried to protest. Skyler ducked her head, twisting her fingers together, looking guilty, as if she knew Paul would take his anger out on her. After all, she'd set this all in motion by getting lost.
"She has a sprained ankle and needs care," Zev added. "And in case you think to chastise her, I was already aware of your camp and was coming to tell you to leave when I ran across her."
That made sense, too. He was Lycan. He belonged in the forest. It would talk to him the way Mother Earth spoke to her. She had no doubt that he had known--that he'd heard foreign footsteps or smelled their scents on the wind.
Zev dropped a hand on her shoulder. "I hope you feel better very quickly. I'm sorry we met under such circumstances. Please persuade whoever is in charge to take me seriously. You can always come back once we've found the killer."
It was a perfect cover--a police manhunt. Skyler nodded. "Thank you for your kindness."
Zev left them, striding away, disappearing into the trees. Skyler wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. She hadn't been aware that she'd been scared, but now she felt a little sick, but definitely triumphant. She'd done it. She'd slipped that tiny little bug into Zev's pocket, and he hadn't even known.
Paul hurried over to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Are you all right?"
She nodded. "He's a very scary man, but he was really nice to me. I was terrified the papers wouldn't hold up."
"I was more worried he'd take out one of his weapons and annihilate us both," Paul said. "My little tranq gun didn't seem so great when I could see weapons in his belt, hanging from a million loops on the inside of that coat, and even inside his boots. But, he looked and felt human."
"He was Lycan," Skyler assured. "I could tell the difference. He smelled wild. Part of the forest. It was in the way he moved as well. He's a wolf." She slowly unzipped her boot and straightened her leg, holding out her injured foot toward Paul. "Can you get this thing off of me? Josef did a great job on my cover, that's all I'm going to say on the matter."
"You mean until he gets here. You've got that look on your face." Paul did his best to remove the boot without hurting her further. He whistled when he
saw her swollen, bruised ankle. "Well, one thing about Josef--he's thorough."
"I think I'll lie down and rest until the sun goes down," Skyler said.
She needed to touch Dimitri's mind. He might be in the Carpathian paralysis, but he hadn't been able to sleep the sleep needed for rejuvenation and his mind was still active. She found that the more she merged her mind with his, the more she needed to do so.
She'd fallen in love with Dimitri, his gentle, tender ways and his absolute, unfaltering love for her. Now she knew the pull between lifemates. That link had grown stronger between them. She could feel the need to touch him, to just know he was alive somewhere, rising in her more and more as every hour slipped by. Perhaps it was because she was older now, or because she'd made that final commitment to him.
Paul helped her hobble to her hammock and she lay down, stretching out, trying to relax. She knew the worst would be this night. Their plan would either work or they would all be in trouble. Most of it depended on her.
She opened her mind and stretched herself along that now familiar path. Dimitri. It is done and I am safe. She knew he would need to hear her voice just as much as she needed to hear his.
Dimitri, caught in the Carpathian midday paralysis, would have closed his eyes had he been capable of moving. Relief was so raw it was tinged with madness. He hadn't been able to move, but he could think--imagine--every bad scenario that could possibly happen with Skyler alone in the forest. He poured himself into her mind, needing to touch her, to feel that closeness with her.
Skyler could feel Dimitri's relief flowing into her mind along with his warmth, the heat that always drove the cold of her nightmares away.
I was worried. It was nothing less than an understatement.
She found herself smiling. He felt different. He knew, like she did, that tonight was their night. Her plan had to work, there was no other choice. She took a deep breath and let it out. She had committed to him. She knew she loved him. There was no other. They could both die this night.
Dimitri, I love you with all my heart. I know you feel that. I have never hesitated to come to you as your lifemate from lack of love.
I am aware you love me, Skyler, he said, his voice a little perplexed. Did you think I would doubt you? I feel your love surround me every time we touch.
I have always told you the truth, that I fear I will not be able to satisfy you on a physical level. They had talked so much that she was no longer embarrassed to bring the subject up, although she still felt inadequate when they did discuss sex.
Sivamet. Dimitri spoke the Carpathian endearment tenderly. His heart always seemed to grow bigger and fuller when she was near. Sex is not making love. There is a difference. I will show you the difference and you will no longer fear us coming together in a physical way. There is no need to worry. When you're ready . . .
I am ready. That's the point. I want you to claim me. Right now. Please claim me right now. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wanted him in that moment. Not just in her head. Or her heart. She wanted their souls to be woven back together as they were meant to be.
Dimitri's entire body reacted. For one moment all pain was gone and there was only Skyler--his lifemate--reaching for him. Offering herself to him in his weakest moment. How could he possibly resist her? She was everything to him. Yet here he was, hanging from the branch of a tree, pierced with silver, wrapped in silver chains, helpless to even aid his lifemate should she run into trouble. What did he have to offer her? Even if they managed to get him free, they would be hunted for all time by the Lycans.
He had no idea what his mixed blood would do to her during a conversion. He didn't know if children were possible, or if so, what they would become. He loved her with everything he was or would ever be, but what right did he have to tie her so closely, an unbreakable bond . . .
Dimitri's silence frightened Skyler. Surely he felt the same way. She knew the drive to claim one's lifemate was primal, strong, nearly impossible to ignore--and Dimitri had managed to ignore it for years. Was he as worried about her inability to commit to a physical relationship as she was? That stood to reason.
He was rejecting her. Pain sliced through her like a knife. She pulled her knees into her chest, drawn into the fetal position. She'd waited too long. She had made him wait forever, thinking he would always be there for her.
Dimitri felt her instant fear, the pain of rejection, and cursed himself for such clumsy handling of her tremendous gift. And it was a gift, a treasure beyond anything else she could ever offer him. His mind felt slow and sluggish. He could barely breathe, his lungs laboring, and the agonizing burn of the silver hadn't allowed his brain to function in the way he needed.
Sivamet, you are my heart. You are, Han ku vigyaz sivamet es sielamet--keeper of my heart and soul. Above all else, I want to bind our souls together. It is my greatest wish. But, Skyler, you cannot tempt me this way. I'm weak and you're vulnerable. We've both been through so much. You cannot tempt me, he reiterated again, hoping she understood what she meant to him, but that it was his duty to protect her.
She heard the urgent need in his voice, every bit as strong as it was in her, maybe stronger. Her heart settled. Fluttered. Filled with joy. She took in the fresh air. I know it's the right time. Our time. We need to be strong together. Bind me to you, my love. This is what I want.
How could he possibly explain to her the peril his life choices would put her in? He wanted her to be permanently his, bound so that no other could ever take her from his side, but they weren't in a safe place where he could surround her with his love and hold her close to him, reassure her if she became fearful. He didn't know if he would even live out the night. He couldn't even give her that reassurance.
I can't hold you in my arms and do it properly. Once this is done, it can't be undone.
Skyler found herself smiling. More than anything else she was certain of what she wanted, and she wanted to be Dimitri's lifemate in every sense of the word. She was merged with him and him with her. The connection between them was so strong. It had been growing since their first encounter. How could she not fall in love with him? How could she possibly want anyone else in her life?
Once we met, my love, we both knew our connection could never be undone. I want this with all my heart. I want you with all my heart. I know I'm ready. I would follow you anywhere, Dimitri. I would walk on fire to get to you.
How can you be so certain?
Skyler crossed her arms over her chest and stared up at the branches above her head. The forest was preparing for nightfall and the birds were returning to their roosts. She was fully prepared to take the next step in her life--her biggest step.
Today I met a stranger in the forest. I was alone with a man I didn't know. He was big and strong and looked very tough. Before I actually saw him, I felt his presence and knew he watched me. For a moment, I was that terrified child again, helpless and hopeless and wanting to slip deep into my mind where no one could harm me.
Sivamet, I am so sorry. Dimitri wanted to shake down the very trees holding him prisoner to get to her. His Skyler. She deserved to always feel safe.
No, it was a good thing. I knew who I was. I'm Skyler, lifemate to Dimitri. I knew then that I could brave anything--even my past--in order to get to you. I am your lifemate, and I will be all things you need as you already are to me.
She knew she was committing to a physical relationship with him--that was part of being a lifemate. She meant what she said, she would brave anything for him, learn anything for him. He was already part of her. She had found on this journey of awakening that she was beginning to know the signs of physical attraction.
When he spoke to her, his voice was like thick molasses moving slowly through her body, touching nerve endings she'd never known she had. That attraction had been building over time. Sometimes she found she just waited for that one note in his voice her entire body reacted to.
Dimitri turned her argument over and over in is mind. Everything
she said was true. They were already connected. No other pair of Carpathians could span the distances they could. They already needed to touch one another's minds continually. He tried to block out the pain, to think clearly, so in this, he could do the right thing. Explain everything to her. Let her see the truth of what their life together could be before she made the ultimate decision.
You have to be certain, and before you make up your mind, there are other things you need to know, reasons the Lycans have condemned me. Those reasons will affect you as my lifemate. I am no longer Carpathian. I have become more. Something different.
Whatever you are, I will be.
That is your loyalty to me as well as your youth talking. You need to know the consequences. You need to have all the facts before you make up your mind. Please. Listen to me and then really give it thought.
Skyler watched a leaf floating to the ground. A journey. The leaf had lived out its existence one way and now was free-falling, trusting the next journey would be the right one. I am listening, my love, with an open mind. Please keep your mind open as well.
The Lycans call what I am the Sange rau. The literal translation is "bad blood." One such as me is very difficult to stop--or kill. The thing about this transition, Skyler, is that it continues to mutate. I don't know what will happen if I try to convert you. I doubt I will take that chance. Someone else may have to bring you fully into my world.
Skyler frowned, her fingers idly drumming on her thigh as she turned the information he'd given her over and over in her mind. She could see why Dimitri would be reluctant. He had no idea of the future or what he was offering her. Male Carpathians didn't like other males around their women much, but their relationship was different and had been different almost from the beginning. Dimitri accepted her friends, Josef and Paul, treating them as younger brothers. He knew how she felt about them; she held nothing away from him when she opened her mind to his.
I know many Carpathians, Dimitri. I've been given two blood exchanges. One more will be enough for a conversion. Gabriel and Francesca feared, because our presence drew the vampire, that I would need to be saved in an emergency. I'm not afraid of the conversion, she assured him with absolute confidence.
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