“You heard us?” Tatijana exclaimed, still stuck back on the original point. “You heard our conversation?”
“You called to me and you sounded distressed,” Fen said. “I came, of course.”
“Fen, I’ve called you to me for the last seven risings.”
He frowned. “Really? I’m so sorry, Tatijana. I had no idea of time passing. When your spirit wanders there’s no concept of time. I went looking for my brother.”
“You knew Dimitri was missing?” Tatijana asked, her eyes wide and a little accusing. She couldn’t stop herself from raining kisses on his face. “You scared me to death.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t be in two places at one time, I was too weak. My body needed to heal. I thought I was gone a short time only.” He covered her hand with his. “I would never wish to cause you distress.”
He tried to sit up, and Gregori put a hand on his chest. “Not yet. I’d like to make certain everything is healing properly.”
Fen looked around him. “You brought me to the cave of healing. I must have been pretty torn up this time.”
“You’ve been out for seven risings,” Tatijana reiterated.
“I was looking for Dimitri,” Fen explained again, his voice growing stronger. “When I was there in the lodge with Abel, I felt Dimitri’s pain, just for a moment, and I knew it was his pain. I’ve felt the agonizing burn of silver many times and this was all encompassing. I knew immediately they wrapped him in it, which could only mean one thing—they had taken him prisoner.”
“You could have let me know,” Tatijana said. “I’m your lifemate, Fen.”
“It wasn’t easy on her,” Gregori added. “Your spirit was far away and appeared at times to fade completely.”
“I’m sorry.” Ignoring Gregori’s warning, Fen pulled himself gingerly into a sitting position. His belly protested, but he managed. He took Tatijana’s hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss her fingers. “I didn’t mean for you to worry. I thought once my body had healed, my spirit would have found him and we could go get him.”
Tatijana managed a smile. Now that he was alive and talking to her, all the tense nights and heavy sorrow pressing down on her lifted. “You’re alive, Fen. That’s all that really matters to me. That and getting Dimitri back.”
“I have to go after him, Tatijana,” Fen said.
“How will you track him if you couldn’t find his spirit?” Gregori asked. “We sent Tomas, Andre, Mataias and Lojos after them. We couldn’t find a trace of them. Do you have any idea where they would take him?”
Fen sighed and shook his head. “No, and the council is very secretive. If they are taking him before the council, finding them would be extremely difficult.”
“The council is coming here,” Gregori assured. “We don’t think they would allow anything to happen to Dimitri before or during the summit, so we have time. Zev is carrying the message to them for us. And it’s a rather stern one. Mikhail didn’t pull any punches.”
The healer stood up and stretched. It was one of the few times Tatijana had ever seen him look tired. “I’ll leave you two alone, but Tatijana, don’t let him stay up long. I’ve given him blood, but he needs to let his body do its work. You heal remarkably fast,” he added.
“Thank you,” Tatijana said, standing as well, giving Gregori a hug even though his body felt rather like she might be hugging an oak tree. “You saved him.”
“It was a group effort,” Gregori said, “but it was probably one of the most difficult battles I’ve ever fought.”
He gave her an awkward pat on her shoulder. Clearly he was used to being around his lifemate and daughters but few other women. Still, she was grateful. He had come to the cave of healing every day and sat with her waiting. Bronnie spent time with her as well, and when she wasn’t physically present, she soothed and comforted Tatijana telepathically.
When they were alone, Tatijana put her hand on Fen’s shoulder, urging him to lie back. As soon as he was comfortable she eased down beside him, taking care that she didn’t put pressure on any of the places he’d been so horribly wounded. She put her hand over his heart, needing to feel that steady beat.
“Next time, if there is one, although I’m not letting you out of my sight for some time, promise me before you go wandering around in the dark, you’ll let me know you’ll be coming back to me,” Tatijana said, closing her eyes.
She wanted to savor the feel of him beside her, alive and awake. He felt solid to her. She allowed her heart to find the rhythm of his and follow that steady beat, just to reassure herself.
“I really am sorry, sívamet,” he reiterated sincerely. He turned his head to stare into her eyes. “I would never knowingly cause you any grief. There was no sense of time for me. I could have been gone months or a few minutes. I did come when I heard you call.”
She felt the jolt of those glacier-blue eyes, his love intense, real, so raw, right there for her to see. He never tried to hide his emotions from her. His love was something she had grown to count on without even realizing it.
“I didn’t know I’d feel this way, Fen,” she admitted. “When I first saw you and felt the pull toward you, I didn’t want to take any chances. When we met and I said I didn’t want to be claimed, it never in a million years ever occurred to me I would feel this way about you.”
He leaned close to brush a kiss along her temple. “Wolf men can be very persuasive.”
“We’ll get Dimitri back, you know.” She made it a declaration.
He nodded his head. “I know we will. You’re Dragonseeker. I’m a Guardian. We’ll find him together.”
She threaded her fingers through his and held on tightly. She believed him. She believed in him. Dimitri would be found because Fen would never give up, and no matter where the hunt took them, she intended to be right by his side.
“Go back to sleep, Fen,” she said, her voice soft with love for him. “The faster you heal, the faster we can get started. I’ll be right here watching over you.”
Fen gave her a faint smile, but he didn’t protest. She watched his lashes come down and within moments, his heart seemed to have stopped beating and his breath no longer ebbed and flowed from his lungs.
Tatijana was content to just lie beside him. She knew he was alive and that was all that mattered. Fenris Dalka. Her lifemate.
Keep reading for an excerpt from the next exciting Carpathian novel by Christine Feehan
DARK WOLF
Available January 2014 from Berkley Books!
Skyler Daratrazanoff pulled the long black shawl closer, making certain her hair was covered and there was little to see of her face. Her heart beat so hard she was afraid anyone close would hear. Everything hinged on making the official believe her. Josef had forged the papers, and he was the best. He could hack any computer, provide information or get it. She didn’t doubt for a minute that the papers he created would be in order and would pass close scrutiny, but she still had to make the official believe her.
The tin building was rusted and looked as if it might fall apart at any moment. A man came forward to meet her, looking solemn as the casket was wheeled ahead of her into the shade of the building. Fortunately the sun was setting and shadows fell around her, helping to make it more difficult to see her clearly.
“Your papers?” he said. His voice was kind. The name on his badge identified him as Erno Varga.
She glanced back toward the small plane she’d flown to the airport and then handed her papers to the official, making certain her eyes were downcast and she looked weepy. She had taken care to use drops to make her eyes red and watery, just in case she couldn’t pull off acting on her own.
Varga looked over her papers and then up at her several times with sharp, disbelieving eyes. “You’re young to be bringing home your brother’s body alone. No one else is traveling with you?”
She shook her head, trying to look more tragic than ever. “My father is dead and now my brother.” She choked back a sob worthy, she was certain, of an Oscar performance. “There is no one else to bring him home to our mother.”
The official looked at her again and studied her papers closer. “He died of a broken heart?” There was skepticism in his voice.
Skyler nearly choked. When I get my hands on you, Josef, you’re going to die of more than a broken heart. She used her telepathic connection with Josef to let him know he was in huge trouble.
A terrible tragedy. Josef was unrepentant as always. There was amusement in his tone. No matter how serious a situation, he didn’t mind in the least being mischievous.
She managed to keep a straight face and gave Varga a solemn nod. “He just wasted away when his girl left him. He refused to eat.” She had no choice but to go with it, even if it meant twisting her fingers together hard in order to prevent the official from seeing she was shaking. “It’s a terrible tragedy. Nothing could save him.”
Okay, even to her ears, that sounded totally lame. But a broken heart? Only Josef would come up with something so dramatic and unbelievable. How else could she explain he’d died of a broken heart? There was definitely going to be another cause of death after they opened the casket.
She could feel Josef’s laughter. Of course you’re laughing. You’re safe in the coffin, the tragically dead brother, while I’m lying my ass off to this man who could put me in prison for the rest of my life.
She knew Josef would never let that happen. If necessary he’d give the official a “push” to believe her. Right now, Josef was having too much fun listening to her squirm—and she supposed she deserved it. She was making him do something highly dangerous and he would be blamed far more than she would be if anything went wrong. Her father would probably just kill him on sight.
He will too, Josef said. He’ll rip me from limb to limb.
You should be worrying about me ripping you from limb to limb, she threatened.
“How old are you?” The official stared at her passport and papers and then back up to her face. “Did you pilot that plane?”
She lifted her chin, trying for older and much sterner. She knew she looked young, but not her eyes. If he looked her directly in the eye, he would believe what those forged papers said. And they were great forgeries. Josef had many talents, although making up stories was clearly not one of them.
“I’m much older than I look,” Skyler replied. It was partially the truth. She felt older, and that should count for something. She’d been through more than most women—okay, teens.
“Twenty-five?” he said skeptically.
Josef had insisted she be twenty-five if she was going to pilot the plane. Piloting planes had come easy to her and it was something she especially loved, so her adopted father, Gabriel, had allowed her to learn.
“I have to open the coffin,” he said, watching her closely.
Skyler managed a little sob and covered her mouth, nodding slightly. “I’m sorry. Yes, of course. They said you would. I was expecting you to.” She straightened her shoulders and spine courageously.
He looked at her much more kindly. “You don’t need to watch. Stand over there.” He nodded to a corner of the building just a few feet away.
She felt a little sorry for him. If she knew anything at all about Josef, she knew he would put on some kind of show.
Don’t you dare blow this by scaring him, she warned. I mean it, Josef.
You’re no fun. I can always remove his memories. Wouldn’t it be so delicious to do an impression of Count Dracula? I’ve watched the movie a million times. I’ve got the look and accent down perfectly.
He sounded far too eager. It took a lot of discipline to keep amusement from her mind where he could read it. She didn’t doubt for a moment that Josef could do a perfect Dracula impression.
Resist the urge. We aren’t out of the woods and we can’t afford to take any chances. We’re in Carpathian territory. Or at least close enough that someone might be near us to sense the use of energy. Restrain yourself, Josef.
He heaved a sigh. No matter what the outcome, your father is going to kill me, a slow and painful death too. I should be able to have a little fun.
That was hitting very close to the truth. Gabriel was going to murder all of them, but if their planned worked, it would be well worth it.
She gave Varga a small, grateful smile and moved away from the coffin. Standing in the open door, her arms wrapped around her middle for comfort, she stared outside into the gathering darkness, holding herself very still. Their plan had to work.
Behave, Josef, or else. Gabriel’s in London and I’m here. She had never been on the receiving end of Gabriel’s wrath, but he and her uncle Lucian were legendary vampire hunters. The Carpathian people, most extremely powerful, whispered their names in awe.
You’ve got a point. Laughter bubbled over in Josef’s voice. What a sorry waste of a good coffin. Now there was disgust in his tone.
Skyler couldn’t tell if he was going to behave or not. It was impossible with Josef. He marched to his own drum. She sent up a silent prayer, hoping for the best.
Right now, Francesca and Gabriel were probably awake and would soon be preparing to fly to the Carpathian Mountains. They thought she was a continent away, safe with her human college friend, Maria, using her vacation to help build homes and run irrigation to farmers in South America. She had never lied to them before. Not once. And it hurt her to do it now, but there was no other way.
She knew her parents had been summoned to the huge meeting between Lycan and Carpathian to discuss an alliance between the two species. Most of the Carpathians had been called home. Gabriel and Francesca had been more than happy to receive a call from her from school asking to go with Maria. They didn’t want her anywhere near the Carpathian Mountains.
She would never think of repaying their extraordinary kindness, the love they had given her from the moment she’d been taken into their home, with lies and betrayal—not for anything or anyone accept Dimitri. Dimitri Tirunul was her unexpected miracle. A man beyond any she’d ever dreamed of. She was human. He was Carpathian—nearly immortal. She was nineteen years old. He was an ancient, centuries old. She held the other half of his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. She was his lifemate—his savior. Yet she knew just the opposite was true: Dimitri was the one saving her.
He knew she was his lifemate when she was just a child and he had given her time. Space. Unconditional love. He never demanded anything of her. He never told her how difficult it was for him—that she was his salvation, just out of his reach. He had always been there for her, in the middle of the night, when her violent past was too close and she couldn’t sleep, when nightmares haunted her to the point where she couldn’t breathe. He was there, in her mind, holding all those terrifying memories at bay. Dimitri. Her Dimitri.
Dimitri was caught in the middle between the two species. The Lycans had taken him and planned to kill him. No one had gone after him to save him. He had spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people safe, as well as humans. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. Yet there was no rescue party. No hunters were rushing to save him. He was badly injured. She felt that much before he cut himself off from her to protect her from his pain—or his death.
Dimitri was stoic about life or death. He was a Carpathian hunter and he’d been around for centuries, protecting innocents from vampires. Her lineage was complicated, but for all intents and purposes, she was human. The Lycans would never expect a teenage, human girl to mount a rescue operation for a Carpathian. She had the element of surprise on her side. That, as well as good, trustworthy friends and her very powerful but untested abilities.
Skyler had faith in herself. She knew her every strength and every weakness. Like Jos
ef, she was extremely intelligent and most of the time underestimated. She believed the Lycans would underestimate her—she was counting on it.
No one would start a war over a Carpathian hunter, it seemed, but she knew her father would come after her, and if anyone harmed one hair on her head, the Lycan world would be in for a nightmare it couldn’t possibly conceive. Not only would Gabriel come after her, but so would her uncle Lucian. She was fairly certain her biological father, Razvan, and his lifemate, Ivory, would join the hunt for her. They were extremely lethal as well. There was satisfaction in knowing that if she was injured or killed, she would be avenged. No one, not even Mikhail Dubrinsky, the prince of the Carpathian people, would be able to stop a war if the Lycans harmed her.
She lifted her chin. Dimitri would never leave her in danger. He would rush to her side the moment he knew there was trouble; he had—more than once—just to soothe bad dreams when she had too many in a row. She couldn’t do less for him.
Holding her breath, she turned back to watch the official gingerly open the coffin. It creaked ominously. Hideously. Just like in the movies. The sound sent a chill down her spine. The lid raised slowly and, darn Josef anyway, it looked as if it was lifting all by itself. Varga stepped back, one hand going up defensively.
There was silence as the lid came to a stop. Nothing moved. She could hear the sound of a clock ticking loudly. Varga coughed nervously. He glanced at her. Skyler put her hand over her mouth and lowered her eyes.
Josef! Behave yourself. Skyler was somewhere between laughing and crying with nervous tension.
Varga stepped back to the coffin and peered in, beads of sweat visible on his forehead. He cleared his throat. “He certainly looks robust for a man who starved himself to death.”
The least you could have done was make yourself look emaciated, if you wanted him to believe your preposterous story, she scolded.
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