“Work?” Gary prompted.
Tariq nodded. “I’ve been neglectful of the nightclubs and needed to oversee them. I try to be hands-on as much as I can, but lately, with everything going on, I’ve left them in the hands of the managers. I thought I could go over the books, the orders, that kind of thing. My head hurt so much, it was nearly impossible.”
“Has anyone new come to work here at the compound? For the security team? Sergey has recruited human male psychics,” Ferro said. “Could he have planted someone?”
“The humans working here are scanned on a nightly basis,” Maksim explained. “Even if Sergey shielded them, we would find the shield.”
Gary sighed. “Ferro, Elisabeta, let’s help young Josef. It will be interesting to see how deep the burns are in him.”
Elisabeta didn’t wait, and Ferro realized it had been difficult for her to remain still when she knew the boy needed her help. He’d attributed her discomfort to being in the room with all the Carpathians, but it had been so much more than that. Someone had need of her. That was what mattered to her. Elisabeta’s entire concentration was centered on Josef. Still, as much as he found himself loving her all the more for her compassion, he was going to have to caution her to wait for him to ensure her safety. For him, making certain his lifemate was safe took precedence over everything else.
The red in Josef’s brain was dark and angry, even more so than in any of the ancients. The scoring seemed much deeper and there was much more of it, as if he had been exposed to the infection for a longer time than any of the ancients. He had been at the compound for only two risings, so did that mean he had been exposed prior to coming? Had he brought the infection with him? Ferro hoped Gary had more of an idea than he did, because he was at a complete loss. Nothing made sense. Now, for certain, they would have to inspect Traian and Joie, as well as everyone Josef had come into contact with. It was going to be a long night and he doubted the things he had planned for his lifemate would come about.
I do not like you feeling as if you have failed me yet again, Ferro. You have never failed me. I do not mind helping these people.
He knew she didn’t. But in helping them, she wasn’t able to have the time to learn the things necessary to help herself. Minan piŋe sarnanak, there is so much for you to know of this world to make you comfortable. I do not want you to ever feel as if you are less than anyone else. You are more. You are beautiful and kind and powerful. As your lifemate, I wish to show you the things that will help you to realize this about yourself, but each rising you are called on to sacrifice what is best for you for the good of others.
She was silent while she concentrated on sending her fresh, soothing breeze to a stubborn slash of deep, violent red that didn’t want to dissipate. When, at last, the scoring thinned, tattered in places and finally beginning to slowly pull apart, she surrounded Ferro with her signature fragrance.
I have you. Each rising, kont o sívanak, I have you, and you give to me everything I need to learn to be confident. I am learning to trust. That is the most difficult of all things to learn. I am beginning to feel safe where for centuries I did not know what that was. Now, that word means you. You are my safety. While you and the healer inspect the others for the burns, I will do my best to be brave and stay with Lorraine and Julija as you wish.
Ferro knew just how difficult that was for her to say to him, and how much trust in him it required. He could feel her trepidation, and yet at no time did it change the sweet, soft breeze moving through Josef’s mind as she worked at removing the terrible burns marring his amazing brain.
10
The waves among the rocks, music of the sea,
Thunderous harmonies carry you to me.
Elisabeta tried not to fidget. She dropped one hand to the skirt of her dress, her fingers folding the material in between nervously. Her mouth felt dry. She knew the other women would never know she was in a state of panic because she had become adept at hiding all physical symptoms from Sergey over the centuries.
She studied the other three women discreetly. Lorraine and Julija both wore soft blue jeans and T-shirts. She couldn’t imagine that such clothes could possibly be comfortable, but both women seemed very at home in them. Emeline was dressed in a long, ruffled, very feminine skirt and a formfitting camisole top with silken ties that wove back and forth across her breasts. It was far more daring than Elisabeta’s formfitting dress, and yet Emeline wore the outfit with ease and grace. She had kicked off her shoes, so Elisabeta, with great relief, followed suit, the hated sandals on the floor beside her chair.
Ferro wasn’t present physically, but he was merged with her, not leaving her alone when she might summon Sergey. She was terrified the vampire would find a way inside the compound, desperate to get to her when she called him. She doubted she would be able to stop herself even knowing she was doing it. Emotions versus intellect was something she was going to have to learn about.
Emeline’s home was cozy, not nearly as big as the house Ferro had. She wondered if he could split the room in half, making it approximately the size of Emeline and Dragomir’s living room. She might do better handling that volume.
We could do that, sívamet, but it will take you more time to acclimate to the outside world. You are having a difficult time looking at the scope of land between the homes in Tariq’s compound, let alone if we traveled and you had to see the open mountains, valleys and skies.
She hadn’t thought of that. Naturally, there would be a reason Ferro had chosen a large room to introduce her to in their home. He always had a reason, and that was where trust needed to come into play. She was immediately ashamed that she had second-guessed him.
Elisabeta, you are doing just fine. There is no reason for you to be upset. I had time while you were in the ground healing to think about what would best aid you in your recovery. You have only had time to react to the many problems facing not only you but all the Carpathians. The world is much changed.
Ferro’s voice was reassuring. Not only his voice. He was in her mind. Calm. Steady. A rock. Her rock. No matter what he was doing—and it was important—he took the time to reassure her.
I will be fine with these women. Stay with me, Ferro, but you do not need to speak with me. Her heart reacted, accelerating like crazy as she let him off the hook.
Julija was a true friend. Her very first. She sat across from Elisabeta in a very comfortable armchair holding Emeline’s daughter, Carisma, in her lap.
She sent Elisabeta a quick grin. “Are you finished talking to that man of yours?”
“Yes. I think so. He is working with the healer to check everyone who might have been infected. Poor young Josef was mortified at the things he said to Tariq.”
“What exactly is happening?” Julija asked.
Elisabeta frowned. She was uncertain how much she should say. Am I allowed to tell them everything? You did not say.
Yes, of course. This is no secret. The more of us aware, the more we have looking out for the danger.
“There seems to be something causing a burn across the brain in two different areas, one controlling emotions and the other, judgment.”
“On the ancients,” Emeline said, making it half question, half statement.
Elisabeta shook her head. “Josef was also infected. In fact, his burns were worse even than Tariq’s.”
The women looked at one another. Emeline tapped the arm of her chair and then seemed to make up her mind. “Is it possible that this could affect children as well? Or older people? Would they necessarily have to be Carpathian? Can anyone be infected?”
“Yes, I believe we all are at risk,” Elisabeta replied. “I do not know what it is, or where it is coming from, but yes, everyone is at risk, including the children. Most likely those humans in the compound as well. Until we figure out the cause, all of us need to watch one another.” She kept her gaze on the other woman
’s face, sending out her soothing energy.
Ferro, I think Emeline suspects a child, or maybe some of the children, are at risk of the infection. She also mentioned older people in passing. Specifically humans. I do not know if it is anything, but she is giving off some very heavy waves of distress.
Lorraine leaned toward Emeline. “Are you worried about the children, Emme? One in particular? Is someone showing signs of temper?”
Emeline tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Elisabeta noted that her hand trembled just a little.
“Genevieve told me they all seemed out of sorts lately.” She looked at Elisabeta. “Genevieve is their nanny. She’s human, the sweetest woman ever, a good friend to all of us. She and Charlotte were best friends long before Charlotte found Tariq. Genevieve told me Danny shoved her. Danny is the most polite boy on the planet. He really is. And Amelia yelled at Lourdes and Bella and made them cry. Liv kicked her stone dragon and chipped out a piece of the rock, and then when she couldn’t repair it herself, threw a temper tantrum. Genevieve said all the children have been out of sorts over the last few days.”
“Last few days?” Elisabeta echoed. Did you hear that, Ferro? Not just since Josef has been here. Do you want me to offer to look at them?
Absolutely not. Ferro was adamant. He definitely sounded commanding whether he wanted to or not.
She kept the soothing energy moving through the room, making certain that Julija and the baby she carried in her body as well as the child in her lap would only feel happiness and peace. “You mentioned older people, Emeline? Do you feel they are upset as well?”
“Yes, Donald and Mary Walton. They live in the converted boathouse next to the lake. They’re the sweetest couple and they never fight. The last few nights they’ve barely spoken to one another and Mary’s been crying a lot. It just seems like everyone is going a little nutty. I talked to Dragomir about it and we both thought maybe it was from everyone being cooped up for so long. No one has been able to leave the compound in a while.”
Elisabeta couldn’t help but feel guilt. Maybe, had she not been there, the occupants wouldn’t be so trapped.
Emeline gave a sigh. “I feel so bad that everyone’s been here since the children and I were rescued. Vadim found a way to impregnate me, and if it wasn’t for Dragomir, I would be dead and so would our daughter. Dragomir was able to change her blood and make her his.” Her eyes met Elisabeta’s. “I was one of his experiments.”
Elisabeta had often been down in the labyrinth of tunnels the vampires had taken over beneath the city and seen the horrors visited upon women and children. She’d been helpless to do anything but watch. So many times she’d been taken to places of torture and no one had ever known she was there other than Sergey. If it hadn’t been for Julija, no one would have even known she existed. Even when the hunters came and the vampires fled, Sergey would have been able to come back and retrieve her, but Julija had managed to allow Elisabeta to be seen, and the Carpathians had taken her with them back to the compound.
It had never occurred to her that Emeline might feel as responsible as she did for the others occupying the compound feeling so trapped. “Your daughter is beautiful, Emeline,” Elisabeta said. “You and Dragomir have a gift beyond any price.” There was suddenly longing in her heart for what she thought could never be. She had so much already and she would be forever happy and grateful that the universe had given her Ferro.
Emeline’s face lit up. “Thank you, Elisabeta. I worried so much that Carisma wouldn’t be accepted, but Dragomir was positive that she would be loved by the Carpathian people, and she has been. We use this house sometimes, but we have our own now, very close to the one your lifemate has for you. The property borders the woods like yours does. Dragomir wants to fill our home with children. He even gave me my own golden dragon with gorgeous emerald eyes right in the middle of our courtyard because he knows I love the stone dragons the triplets made for the children here. He constructed a beautiful little lavender one for Carisma for when she gets a little older. He’s so thoughtful.”
“I do not know about the stone dragons you speak of.”
Instantly Ferro sent her an image of stone dragons in various colors: red, blue, orange, green and brown. Lojos, Matias and Tomas made these dragons for the children. They come to life for them, whispering to them and flying them when they want to play. They are protective of the children. Dragomir has made one for Emeline and Carisma. Liv has asked Valentin to make one for Genevieve. He is considering doing so.
The instant Ferro flooded her mind with the information, Elisabeta felt safe and warm. She hadn’t realized, even with him merged with her, staying somewhere in the background while he worked with the healer examining the others in the compound, that she was uneasy without him. Not just uneasy, bordering on panic. Her heart pounded, although she automatically kept the sound from being heard. She’d learned to do that always, keeping her breathing and pulse from Sergey when she was especially agitated. She’d actually dug her fingernails into her forearm, deep, to concentrate on the bite of pain in order to keep her mind from panicking.
Emeline explained about the dragons and how the triplets had made them for the children to keep them from being afraid when they were fleeing the vampires. “The dragons represent freedom to them and also the friendship of the Carpathians when the hunters can seem so frightening at times.”
“I can understand that,” Elisabeta agreed. She rubbed at her eyes. The lighting in the room was dim. Ferro had made it clear to the women that she couldn’t be exposed to too much light or space, but in spite of the room being smaller than the one in their home, she still felt sick if she looked too long at one thing.
She wanted to succeed in her friendship with these women. She was very adept at reading others; she’d learned to be. Sergey would bring her with him and secret her from his brothers. He would want her to tell him every detail of the meetings they held, what was said and what she thought their real intentions were. Reading others, their minds, their expressions and body language, even when their flesh was rotting, allowed her to keep her own brain functioning. These women were good and genuinely wanted to become her friends and help her integrate into her new life.
She knew all of them worried about Ferro being too domineering with her. To them, he appeared arrogant and controlling. They couldn’t know she asked for him to shield her and sometimes even command her. She needed those clear lines because it was the only way she had lived for centuries and it made her comfortable when she was terrified.
Ferro, there really seems to be a problem with the children and the older couple. If Emeline invites one of them to the house, I could tell immediately if they have been infected. They cannot possibly hurt me. We could start with one of the children or the older woman.
O jelä peje terád emni, absolutely not, I will be there soon. You will not take chances with your life. We have no idea how this thing is passed from one person to the next. You are already dealing with enough. I am not willing to take chances with you. Is that understood?
She wanted to hug herself. That was her lifemate, cursing at her in their ancient language. Sun scorch you, woman. She hid her amusement even from him, but somehow his reaction made her feel cherished, not oppressed as she knew the other women in the room would feel. They would take his instant response as a sign of his controlling behavior. She saw it as a sign of caring. In spite of her trying to hide her agitation at their physical separation, he knew.
Elisabeta, he prompted. I require an answer.
I understand. I wished only to help, Ferro.
“Are you going to spend what little time we have to visit talking to your lifemate?” Lorraine demanded. “Because he doesn’t let you out of his sight.”
Julija laughed. “You’re one to talk, Lorraine. I’m surprised Andor isn’t standing outside with his ear pressed to the door.” She nuzzled Carisma and kissed the side
of her neck before blowing raspberries to make her laugh.
“That would most likely be Dragomir,” Lorraine redirected.
Emeline shrugged, not in the least offended. “That’s true, and I’m totally fine with it. Unlike the two of you crazy women, I don’t want to go off and fight some monster.” A shudder went through her. “I’ve seen enough of vampires to last me a lifetime. Dragomir is the most amazing man and I love the way he likes to stay close to me.”
Elisabeta liked her answer. Emeline was matter-of-fact and unapologetic. All three women were very different and she realized they must have very different relationships with their lifemates. Ferro was correct when he’d told her they would find their own way together and what was right for them.
“Are you really worried that the children might be infected, Emeline?” Julija asked, gently rocking back and forth to soothe the baby.
Elisabeta thought she looked natural with the child even though Julija had confessed she was worried about having a baby, since she’d never really been around one. She could tell Emeline was keeping a close watch but was generously giving time to Julija in order to help her overcome her fears of handling a baby. Elisabeta found herself liking and admiring Emeline even more for her compassionate nature.
Emeline nodded. “The children have been through so much already. I hate to think that whatever this is, they have, but their behavior is just so out of character.”
“Ferro and the others are checking the hunters in the compound,” Lorraine said. “I’m certain they’ll check the children if we ask them.”
“I don’t want them frightened. Amelia, in particular, has been accused of all kinds of things. She was used as a spy and still feels that deeply,” Emeline continued.
The worry in Emeline had Elisabeta sending a breeze of pure soothing energy around the room. She couldn’t help herself. She had to reassure the other woman. “Ferro will find a way for the children to be checked without them even knowing.” Ignoring the look Julija and Lorraine exchanged, she poured confidence into her voice because she had absolute conviction in her lifemate. He would find the perfect way to examine the children without upsetting them.
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