Dark Sentinel

by Christine Feehan

  “They’d staked him,” she replied without thinking. “And there were three of them. I had to do something.”

  “What does staked mean?” Bella asked.

  Lorraine inwardly cursed. She mouthed “sorry” to Genevieve.

  Genevieve shrugged. “It’s going to happen. We’ll let Tariq and Charlotte explain that one, Bella. You and Lourdes can ask them when they wake.”

  “I want Liv,” Bella said. Her voice held a little whine. “I don’t like her sleeping all the time.” She looked up at her older sister. “I don’t want you to do that, Amelia. Don’t go away from us like Liv did.”

  Danny and Amelia exchanged a long look. Amelia clearly was giving her brother an I-told-you-so.

  He shrugged. “Bella, you know sometimes it’s for the best. Liv was hurting, and it was getting worse and worse. Amelia has a hard time, too. You get to see Liv.”

  Bella shook her head. “I want her now.” She stomped her foot. “She never plays with us anymore.”

  Lourdes leaned close to her, and cupped her hand around Bella’s ear. “You did that thing again. Stomping your foot. You have to stop, remember? Tariq said no more.”

  “He can’t tell me what to do, only Danny can,” Bella declared.

  “I’m telling you to stop that,” Danny said, his voice firm. “I mean it, Bella, and stop whining. You aren’t a baby.”

  She looked like a baby to Lorraine. She would have cut the child some slack. “Is Liv a sister?” She tried distracting Danny.

  He nodded. “Yes, she was torn up pretty bad by a puppet and a vampire harassed her continually.” His gaze shifted to his sister. “Amelia’s had a rough time as well. She doesn’t sleep well.”

  That explained the faint dark rings under Amelia’s eyes. She wore makeup, but it didn’t altogether cover the smudges there.

  “All of you are human children,” Lorraine said, just to clarify.

  Danny nodded. “We all have psychic abilities, but we’re human, with the exception of Liv. She was converted. She goes to ground with the others during the day. She has a lifemate. I think it’s pretty shocking to everyone that they know already because she’s so young, but the circumstances were extreme. He guards her most of the time, but he spends time away hunting vampires.”

  “Does she mind him being away?” Lorraine couldn’t imagine what it would be like for a child to suffer, needing to touch the mind of her lifemate.

  “Yes,” Genevieve answered. “She becomes uncomfortable, but right now, his position is guardian. He takes it seriously, too. She got into some trouble a few weeks ago and he stood for her, but in the end, he was the one who laid down the law to her. Tariq is her father now, but Val definitely calls the shots.”

  Amelia rolled her eyes. “He’s bossy.”

  “He keeps you alive,” Genevieve said. “You don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Amelia.”

  Lourdes frowned. “Who feeds you, Amelia? I thought you fed yourself. And who did you bite? I haven’t bitten in a long time. Charlotte said it was bad.”

  “I’m going to bite everyone,” Bella announced. “Even . . . Val.” She made the declaration rebelliously.

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea,” Genevieve cautioned. “You would get into a lot of trouble and not even Danny or Amelia could get you out.”

  “Then I’ll bite them, too,” Bella said with even more defiance.

  Danny caught her hand. “I guess since you’re showing off for Lorraine, it’s time to take you home and put you to bed, even though I see Mary and Donald heading this way with the cookies.”

  Bella let out a wail. Danny started walking, taking her with him. She dug her feet into the grass. “I’m sorry. I was just joking around. I don’t bite, Danny. I wouldn’t really bite Val.”

  “She’s really upset,” Genevieve said.

  “She still can’t bite,” Amelia said. “And we were homeless, living on the street. Now we live in that huge mansion, and Tariq and Charlotte spoil her. They spoil all of us. She has pretty clothes and toys. She has a warm bed and good food. Acting like a spoiled brat because she’s upset over Liv isn’t okay.”

  “Of course not,” Genevieve agreed. “I was just pointing out that we need to talk to Charlotte and Tariq. They need to reassure her about Liv.” She wrapped her arms around her midsection. “I don’t know what I’ll do when all of you are converted. I’ll be out here all day by myself. Mary and Donald are sweet, but they pretty much keep to themselves.”

  “I’m not certain that’s going to happen any time soon,” Amelia said. “It seems it’s more difficult with boys than with girls. My brother would have to be taken to the Carpathian Mountains, and Tariq would have to go with him. Tariq is needed here. We made a pact that we’d all be converted together. I’m not leaving my brother out here alone.”

  “You’re close to him, then?” Lorraine said, aching as she made the observation.

  Amelia nodded and looked toward her brother, who was walking with the two little girls, hand in hand, to meet the older couple coming toward them. “Don’t tell him, but he’s the best. He took care of us after Mom and Dad died. He kept us together. We didn’t have any relatives, so we ended up on the street. Bella would have been taken and adopted out. We never would have seen her again. They might have taken Liv from us, too. Now we have Tariq and Charlotte, and they’re the best.” She smiled up at Genevieve. “Along with Genevieve.”

  “Thanks, honey,” she said. “That means a lot to me.”

  The sky was going orange as the last rays of the sun spread across the sky. Gold, red and orange mixed together in a startling sunset. Lorraine watched the spectacular display, wondering if it would be the last one she ever saw.

  When you wish to see a sunset, Lorraine, we will make it happen.

  Andor’s voice brushed through her mind like the stroke of velvet. Relief was so strong, so intense, her knees nearly gave out. She realized she’d been holding it together by a thread, just waiting, silently counting the minutes until she heard his voice. She’d been proud of herself for making certain no one else could see that a part of her was falling apart inside. She didn’t like that at all. She wasn’t that woman but somehow, being tied to him meant she actually was.

  How? You cannot rise because the sun’s rays are still out.

  I am ancient, sívamet. The older one gets the more difficult it is. However, that does not mean you will never see another sunset. I can bring in fog. Fog can enhance the beauty of a sunset if it is done right. You can rise a few minutes earlier than me. We will find a way.

  I missed you. He hadn’t missed her. He’d been sleeping.

  His soft laughter slid over her. You cannot be upset with me because I had to go to sleep in the way of my people. I have no control over that. The very last rays of the sun sank.

  I suppose not, but it doesn’t mean I can’t be annoyed.

  She smelled him first, the clean, fresh scent that was all masculine. Wild, foresty and all him. Andor. His arms came around her, he turned her into him and then his mouth was on hers.

  15

  Lorraine wrapped her arms around Andor’s neck and opened her mouth under his. He felt as if he’d waited a lifetime for her kiss. He lifted her easily, cradling her close, his mouth on hers, and took her into the air. She shifted her body even closer, leaning her breasts against his chest, her mouth surrendering under his.

  You taste even better than I remembered. He gave her that because it was the truth. Each time he kissed her, it felt as if he was burning alive, her mouth hot, pouring molten fire right down his throat and into his veins. It moved through him, a slow burn that smoldered in his belly and settled in his groin. He felt like all those centuries of living and he’d just now come alive, just since he’d met her.

  Where are we going?

  Somewhere we can be alone. He knew the right place, he j
ust needed to quit kissing her and make it happen immediately. He thought they were safe, but it didn’t mean they were. Sergey was always scheming and no doubt, his spies were close. He lifted his head and brushed another kiss over her temple. I’m taking you there now.

  Sergey had been acting so strange, making so many crazy decisions that every hunter—and his own followers—questioned his leadership abilities. The fact that Sergey had prepared for turning by kidnapping Elisabeta ahead of time and stashing her where his brothers had no knowledge of her meant he had the Malinov genius. By taking her, it had allowed him to experience feelings through her.

  The other Malinov brothers all had reputations for their battle skills, and yet few talked of Sergey. Through it all, he had appeared to follow his brothers, never vying for leadership. In the end, he had two slivers of Xavier, the high mage, in him. One alone would make him a very real adversary, but two made him more than lethal. He had also acquired slivers from his brother Vadim. Who knew if he held them from his other brothers as well? If so, he could call on any battle expertise they had when he needed it.

  Lorraine lifted her face to the wind, eyes wide open, taking in everything as they flew over the canopy of trees. Tell me we’re not headed back to the campground. I didn’t find it in the least romantic. I’m expecting romance.

  He tightened his arms around her. I will give you romance, woman. I thought the campground very romantic. You were there.

  So were about ten other guys, and not all of them were good ones.

  He had to concede she had a point. He dropped down to the side of the mountain. It was a complete drop-off, but there was a small crack, a jagged fissure that ran along the middle of the rock facing outward. He knew behind that very small opening was a cave that would give them privacy and protect them. More, it was a stunning cave. Spectacular.

  They approached the side of the mountain. The rock face bowed out in several places, covering the giant fissure from sight.

  I am not skinny enough to fit inside that crack.

  He heard the laughter in her voice. He liked that she never seemed that afraid. She was curious, but unafraid. He waved his hand toward the crack just behind one of the rocks that jutted outward. Immediately the crack opened for him and he swept inside. The cave was large and opened back a long distance. The sound of her laughter was like music to him. He felt and heard her happiness. As they moved through the cave he waved behind him to close the crack, giving them privacy. At the same time, he lit sconces along the walls of the cavern.

  Settling to the ground, he took her hand. “You will like this, Lorraine. There is one narrow section, and then it opens up to a large chamber. There is a natural pool. Water comes in from the side of the mountain away from the drop-off. It is a little cool,” he added when he felt her shiver. “I can regulate your body temperature.” He did so.

  “That part of being a Carpathian will be cool,” she said.

  “Are there parts you are still concerned with?”

  “Yes. I’m committed, but I do have questions. I wanted to meet the other women, but you whisked us away so fast, I didn’t get the chance. I’m not complaining,” she added hastily. “I would much rather be with you than anyone else.”

  “Good recovery,” he teased.

  They reached the narrow hallway. They had to maneuver it single file. He went first. Behind them, the lights flickered out one by one. Ahead of them more candles flickered along the walls. As they passed each, that light went off.

  “You know, Andor, if I were afraid of very closed-in places or the dark, this would be a little scary. You could be leading me to my doom.”

  He stopped abruptly, forced her body up against his and tilted her head back, exposing her neck to his teeth. He scraped back and forth several times. “I am leading you to your doom,” he whispered in a creepy, theatrical voice. “At last, I have you alone with me and I can do what I wish with you, including bite your neck.”

  “You were going to bite my neck no matter where we were,” she said, but he felt the little shiver running through her again. The tiniest of trembles, and this time, it wasn’t because she was cold.

  “I do not intend to bite your neck,” he clarified. “I had other, much more sensual places in mind.” He turned back to continue through the narrow hallway.

  “I thought the neck was very sensual,” she objected. “At least, it felt that way to me.”

  “That was only for getting started.” He kept walking. “And when we are finished here, I will take you back to meet the women. I cannot convert you here. It has to be done there, where the others will aid in keeping the pain at bay.”

  He walked out into the chamber and stepped aside, his eyes on her face. She stepped after him and lifted her gaze. Her breath caught in her throat. Her face flushed and her mouth opened, those lips of hers in a perfect round O. One hand went to her throat. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Gemstones glittered like stars. Clearly, the mountain, thousands of years earlier, had been part of an active volcano. Diamonds sparkled overhead and along the walls of the chamber. The flickering candlelight picked up the dazzling display and enhanced it. Water poured over more diamonds, enlarging them, so it appeared to be a waterfall of diamonds cascading into a deep pool formed of rock.

  “Are those diamonds real?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why hasn’t anyone discovered them and mined them? Everything is mined nowadays. Nothing is sacred.”

  “How would anyone possibly discover this place? It’s completely enclosed.”

  “I can feel a draft, and it’s easy to breathe. The flames are high. They wouldn’t be like that if there was no air.”

  “There are plenty of cracks through the rocks. That’s how the water gets in and out. The pool doesn’t overflow and the water goes out through holes in the rock formation at the back, nearly where it comes in, when it gets so high.”

  “This is truly beautiful. A person can hike and cave their entire life and never discover something like this.”

  “It’s just as well,” he said. “It would be gone if they did.”

  She nodded and turned to him, her arms sliding around his neck. “It was difficult without my mind touching yours.” She leaned her weight into him, her head resting on his chest. “I’ve always been so independent. It never occurred to me that I’d have such a hard time.”

  “I am sorry, hän sívamak, I really am.” He stroked caresses down the length of her hair. “I was afraid it might be bad. We spent so much time together, mind to mind, that we both got used to that so fast. Add that to our souls being woven together and there was every possibility of you having a very difficult time.”

  “It was unexpected,” she admitted.

  His heart clenched hard in his chest. He had wanted to bring her to this place, one of the few he had discovered in the United States. He hadn’t had much time to explore. Had they been in Europe he knew hundreds, but here, this was it.

  He tipped her face up to his and kissed her again. She was giving up so much for him. He had explored her mind on waking and seen her regrets. He hadn’t seen one moment where she thought to back away from her commitment to him, but there were things she definitely considered difficult to give up.

  When he lifted his head, he rubbed her lips with the pad of his thumb. “Tell me what you’re most worried about.”

  “Children. I want them, but I want to raise them myself. I don’t want to be like Tariq and Charlotte, who are apart from theirs. What happens when we have children?”

  He hesitated. One didn’t lie to one’s lifemate, no matter how difficult the answer. “Our women had no problem getting pregnant, going to ground, carrying, giving birth, feeding and sleeping in the ground with our offspring in the old days. Xavier, a trusted mage, ended all that.”

  He held her tightly against him when
he felt that deep inhale and her body start to pull away. “No, csecsemõ, it is not all bad news. Quite a few people have been working to find solutions, Gary among them. It was discovered that Xavier introduced what amounted to parasites into the ground where we sleep. These parasites caused miscarriages. The few children born had problems sleeping in the ground, and now, of course, we know why. Babies could not nurse because the parasites were passed from mother to child.”

  Lorraine tilted her head to look up at him. “That’s horrific. How could someone do such a thing?”

  “Envy. Need of power. Greed. Xavier betrayed all of us.”

  “Those parasites are in the ground here?”

  “No, they are not. According to Gary, periodic checks are made on both male and female Carpathians in the Carpathian Mountains to ensure that they stay free of the parasites, but it is a constant battle to keep the soil free. They found the source and have eradicated it, but it will take some time to destroy them all.”

  “So, are you free of the parasites?”

  He nodded. “I was in the monastery and the parasites never had a chance to travel that far, so all of us residing there are fine. We heard all this when we left the monastery.”

  “Can the others carry these parasites from the region where they’re from to infect us here?”

  He couldn’t help running his hand through her hair. It was soft and silky. Thick. The strands caught on his wrist and shirt, weaving them together like the threads tying their souls so irrevocably. “I do not know, but Tariq insists on checks often, and so far there has not been a problem. The soil Tariq has gathered for the healing grounds is clear of all parasites.”

  “Does everyone use the healing grounds when the sun rises?”

  He could hear it in her voice that she didn’t like the idea, and he was glad. He shook his head. “No, Lorraine. We are not a trusting lot. We scatter and find hidden places to go to ground. We use our own safeguards even within the gates of Tariq’s compound. We were taught to always consider that one without a lifemate could rise vampire. With my brethren here inside the compound, that concern is very real.”