“Yes?” came his voice over the phone.
That did it. All my emotions and thoughts came gushing out. I was crying in his ear. He just listened to me patiently. I was soaked, but I didn’t care. I finally stopped, my breath still shuddery from the tears.
“I am glad to hear that you are doing okay,” he said with humor in his voice.
“This isn’t a joking matter, Val.” I almost pouted.
“Well, I’m definitely not giving you advice on the matter. I think you only want to hear that everything is going to be okay. I can assure you that everything is all right and this will pass. Just hang in there.”
How did he always know just what to say to me? I could feel the effect that his words had. I was breathing easier. He was right; I really just wanted someone to listen and not have an opinion. “Thanks, Val.”
“Any time. I should be there later tonight. Just try not to strangle Radek until I get there. Or anything else for that matter,” he said with a laugh.
“He’s sleeping, so I think I can manage not to do that for now.” I laughed too. It felt good, cleansing.
“Good. Now get out of the rain and get dried off. Maybe make some hot cocoa or something.”
“Okay. See you soon,” I said and hung up, knowing he wouldn’t mind. He had a thing about saying goodbye. I needed to ask why one of these days.
I made my way back to the house. Radek was still sleeping. I could hear his deep breathing. It wasn’t dark yet, so Dante wouldn’t be up either. So I went and showered, made a sandwich, heated some water for hot cocoa and found a movie to watch.
* * *
“Natalya,” Dante said, approaching me and making me jump.
“You’re up already,” I said, turning around.
“Come take a walk with me. We need to speak alone,” he said mysteriously.
Why did vampires have to act like everything was long, drawn out and dramatic?
I went and retrieved my coat as I followed him out the door. It had stopped raining. As we made our way through the woods, I was wondering what Dante would have to say to me that he didn’t want Radek to hear.
“This is far enough,” he said, coming to a stop.
I glanced down at his hand on my arm, but he didn’t remove it. He looked thoughtful, like he was trying to decide something. It was a moment before he said, “I know why you can’t remember your past. I need you to hear me out and not interrupt.”
“Okay,” I said cautiously, wondering where he was going with this.
“Sometime in your past, a vampire seized control of your mind. It can only work on a creature of your power if allowed to happen, or it could’ve happened when you were a cub. It takes a very powerful vampire to do this, and it’s forbidden.”
“The details are really unimportant at the moment. The important thing is that I may know of a way to reverse it. It would be extremely dangerous and could mean both our deaths. I don’t think it will come to that, but death is a possibility. I’ll need your consent, of course. I’m guessing that you’d walked away from the vampire last year when we found you. I believe that now he’s found you again. That’s what happened to you last night.”
I took a moment to think about all that he had said. It made sense to me, but there were a few things I wanted to clarify. I vaguely remembered him and Radek talking last night about it.
“So there’s a vampire out there that thinks he can control me? Why can’t he just find me like we found you with Gregory?” I asked.
“He can’t find you like that. It’s different. Gregory was made into a vampire by me, so we have a different type of connection. I’m not really sure of all the ins and outs of it. Anyway, if what I have planned works, it may break his hold on you.” His gaze was searching mine. Studying me, he waited for me to say something.
“What does this plan of yours involve?” I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the answer.
I could see his hesitation. “I’ll save the details until Val gets here. What you need to know is that I will be entering your mind and we’re going to work through it together. Here’s the catch though. I’ve heard of the process, but haven’t seen it done, let alone done it myself. I know it’ll be dangerous for both of us. You’ll know every memory of mine and I’ll know every memory of yours.”
I processed this information for a minute or two before I said anything. “Okay. So you want to get into my head and see if you can help me past this thing. In the process, you’ll be able to see everything I’ve done or thought and I’ll be able to see the same for you.” That didn’t sound all that pleasant. I knew there were going to be things I didn’t want to know about Dante, especially if it involved drinking blood. I may kill things once in a while when I turn furry, but drinking blood was another thing all together. And I was sure there were things in my past that I didn’t want him privy to, either.
“Yes,” Dante said simply.
“If this works, this vampire won’t have any control over me anymore?” I asked.
“That is correct.”
“We’ll know all of each other’s secrets,” I said, still weighing how badly I wanted the vampire out of my head and replaced with another one.
“That’s how it works. If we do this, I want to make an agreement with you. I won’t share anything you don’t want me to, and you do the same.”
He was going to be risking just as much as me and he didn’t have to. That humbled me a little. If he was willing to do this then so was I. “I can live with that.”
“The reason that I didn’t want to discuss this with the others around is your feelings for Radek. What are they?”
I was a little taken back by this. “Um… I really don’t know. I just met him. Besides, we work together. I don’t want to make it a problem either.”
“I know he has feelings for you. He won’t like that I’ve been running around in your mind,” he said with an amused smile.
“All right, I get what you’re saying,” I replied. He was telling me that we were going to have to tread carefully so we didn’t hurt Radek.
“I’ll need to be at full strength to pull this off, so we’ll not start until dusk tomorrow. The effects should wear off with time, but for a while our minds will be connected. I’m not sure how long it’ll last. Unless you decide to share this with Radek, I ask that you keep this part secret. It’ll be better for everyone if they don’t know the full extent of what’s going on,” Dante said.
“I can see your point, and I agree.” I paused then said, “So we’re really going to be in each other’s heads for a while?”
He nodded and I didn’t miss the grimace.
I knew what he needed. I looked him in the eye and kept my voice even, pushing away all the thoughts running through my head. “I can live with that if it means getting this other vamp out of my head.” I knew he wouldn’t hurt me if he could help it. I’d worked with him for the past year. I knew he was a good man, vampire, whatever.
“Better the devil you know, then,” Dante said with a smile.
How he had picked up on my thoughts, I didn’t know. I needed to get used to it though.
“We should head back. I believe Val is here.” Dante walked back toward the house in silence. I had to jog to keep up with him. I was thinking about what we were about to do.
Radek met us at the door with barely contained hostility. “Where have you two been?”
“Calm down, Dek,” Dante laughed. “I needed to discuss something with her and have her permission before I told the rest of you. I see Val has arrived – that’s perfect.” He ignored his brother’s answering growl and pushed past him into the house.
“Seriously Dek, what’s your problem?” I asked, getting right up in his face. Well, as close as my five feet six inches could get to his six foot three.
“I just don’t like you going off by yourself with him.”
“Excuse me. How the hell is it any of your business anyway? And he’s your freaking brother. You have no
say in who I hang out with. Just get over yourself and out of my way.” I was angry now.
It was a good thing that Val came over to break it up. “If you two wouldn’t mind coming inside, we have business to discuss.”
I shoved Radek out of the way and went inside. I heard Val’s comment even though it wasn’t directed at me.
“You might want to handle things with her a bit more tactfully, son. Telling her what she can and can’t do will only make her angry,” Val said softly.
I didn’t catch Radek’s reply as they followed me. I stopped in the door when I smelled the other person in the room. It was Jenna, the werewolf who had been attacked with Dante. She was looking out of place and nervous. Curious as to her presence, I proceeded into the room with Val and Radek on my tail. No one else acted like it was odd that she was there.
“Now that everyone is here, I’m going to explain what’s going to happen,” Dante said.
“I take it you have some sort of plan,” Val said as he went over to the couch and sat down. He looked so relaxed, but I knew differently. I could smell the hint of anger coming from him. He hid it well.
“I have an idea and Natalya has agreed to go through with it. She thinks the risk is worth it,” Dante said pointedly to Radek.
I glared at him. He at least looked a bit sheepish. Then they both looked at me. I went to sit on the couch next to Jenna, who was staring at her feet.
“First off as some of you know Natalya has a vampire that has been controlling her for probably most of her life. I’m going to attempt to break the bond that Natalya has with this vampire. It’s risky and could kill us both. But it’s the only way to completely sever the tie unless we kill the other vampire. It would take too long to figure out who it is and dispose of him. He has to be a very powerful vampire, and skilled in the old traditions. What has been done to her has been forbidden for a long time. For all we know, it could’ve been done before that law was made. We don’t even know how old she is. If this works, her memory should be restored. We’ll learn the vampire’s name.”
“How sure are you that you can do this?” Val asked cautiously.
I had seen something flash in his eyes when Dante mentioned my age. I had always suspected that Val might know my true identity.
“With help from Radek, I’m very sure. You see, I have a power available to me that no other vampire I know has. I have a blood relation that is a weretiger. If I take his blood and use his strength as well as mine, I should be able to overpower the hold on her. It’s weak right now because she’s been fighting it. Last year she was able to suppress its hold on her, and the contact with the vamp responsible has been minimal. I’m very sure that this can work,” Dante said with certainty.
“Of course I’ll help, but seriously I’m beginning to feel like a chew toy for you vampires,” Radek said.
“How does it work?” Val asked, ignoring Radek’s side comment.
“It’s a blood swap of sorts – almost like creating a vampire,” Dante said. “I’ll go out and feed a lot tonight. Tomorrow at dusk we do this thing. All three of us will be out of it for a while after.”
“So you are saying that Jenna and I will be your guards then?” Val said with a smile.
I could see where Radek got that killer smile from. Val hadn’t seemed too surprised by what was going on. If I hadn’t known better, I would believe that he’d known it was going to come to this at some point. Maybe that was why Jenna was here.
“Yes.” Dante was studying Val.
Did he have the same suspicions I did?
“You agreed to this, Natalya?” Val asked, making me look him straight in the eye.
I was glad that we weren’t like the wolves and rarely played dominance games. That didn’t mean we didn’t do any kind of games though. He knew more about this, I was sure of it. But he wasn’t sharing.
“Yes, I want to try this. He explained what I would be risking. I understand what I’m getting myself into,” I said with a surety that I really didn’t feel.
“That’s enough for me. It’s settled then. Dante, go feed and rest. We’ll see you at dusk tomorrow,” Val said, ending the discussion.
Dante nodded and disappeared.
Val looked at the rest of us thoughtfully. “With the upheaval of Madon’s pack, Jenna will be joining us for a while. Since tomorrow evening will call for all your strength, I propose we hunt tonight.” He had a wicked gleam in his eye.
“You mean shift and run?” I asked as my inner tiger stood up and paid attention. I almost sprouted fur right there.
“The four of us,” Val said with a nod.
“You want me to hunt with you?” Jenna asked with amazement in her tone.
“Of course, my dear, it’ll be fun. I would consider it an honor to hunt with a beautiful wolf such as you,” Val said, really turning on the charm.
I could see some of the same traits in Radek. If he chose to use them once in a while it would be pleasant. Jenna was blushing. I made my way toward the doorway, but Radek again stood in my way.
“That was a bit thick, don’t you think?” Radek said, leaning down and whispering in my ear. His breath was hot on my neck and sent little shivers along my skin.
“Maybe you could take lessons from him,” I whispered back, giving him a hard look.
Radek leaned down further so his lips brushed my ear and only I could hear the words, “I’m sorry for acting like an idiot.”
I glared at him for a moment as he straightened back up. Pushing him out of the room, I said in a low voice, “We need to talk. Not now. Later.”
He looked at me, eyes narrowed in confusion, then nodded his consent. He was curious, I could tell, but didn’t say anything. I was thankful for that.
“Are you two coming or would you rather stay here?” Val said from behind Radek, who jumped.
I couldn’t hold back the snicker that escaped my mouth.
He winked at me before turning around. “We’re coming. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Father,” he said.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his sarcastic tone.
“Well then, let’s get going,” Val said, ignoring his sarcasm.
I didn’t look at Radek as I went out to the car and got in the back with Jenna. A hunt sounded like an excellent idea. I could blow off some of this pent-up energy. I could feel the excitement coming off of Jenna. Radek was driving with Val in the passenger seat.
“It’s been so long since I’ve gone out with the pack. This is going to be so much fun,” Jenna said. Her anticipation was flowing off her in waves.
“Why haven’t you gone out with the pack?” I was very curious.
“Oh, I’ve been busy every time they’ve gotten together lately. I’ve been running between the packs a lot. There’s been a lot of minor squabbling between some of the lesser wolves.”
Wolves, as I understood it, fought a lot among themselves. They were one of the few were-creatures that lived in large groups.
“Just stick with me. I’ll show you a good time.” I was planning on hunting tiger, not deer. Jenna looked at me questioningly. I just gave her a sly smile.
“What are you thinking, Natalya?” Radek said, glancing in the mirror at me.
“Worried?” I smiled sweetly at him.
He snorted, “Not about you. I doubt you could catch me off guard.”
“Oh, is that a challenge?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t underestimate her, son,” Val said with a chuckle. He knew what I was capable of.
“I’m not underestimating her, Father. I just don’t think she can do it.”
I was definitely going to have to bring him down a peg or two.
“It’s your funeral,” Val said under his breath.
I must’ve used my evil laugh because Radek just glared at me.
“I’m taking that as a challenge. What’s the wager?” I asked.
“I’ll let you know when I win,” Radek said.
“You want to play it that way
?” I asked. “Okay. Winner decides. I would shake on it, but you’re driving. I think our two witnesses here are enough, don’t you?”
“Agreed.”
“Well at least we won’t have a boring night, don’t you agree, Jenna?” Val said with a smirk.
He seemed to be enjoying our banter.
I was thinking that Radek was in need of a little lesson. This was going to be fun. I could feel the fur just beneath the surface of my skin. My shift was close. “You really need to stop reading your own press clippings, Dek. When we get there you can have a fifteen minute start,” I said in my sweetest voice.
“Well if you must. It won’t matter either way. We’re here,” he replied.
Radek pulled off of the deserted road that was nothing more than snow-covered ruts. Jenna and I got out, going around the back of the vehicle to undress and store our clothes before we shifted.
Shifting for me wasn’t a big deal. It happened so fast for me. The bones rearranging and fur growing barely registered, I was so primed for it. I stretched my paws in front of me and opened my jaw wide. I heard and felt the bones snap into place. I glanced around at the other two tigers and the wolf that were all doing similar things. Thick clouds covered the sky and a light dusting of snow floated around us. Even in the limited light I could see clearly. One of the advantages of being a weretiger instead of just a tiger was that we could still see in color. My night vision was excellent as well.
Radek’s fur coat matched Val’s perfectly. They both had a medium brown undertone with darker stripes. Val was a little larger than Radek, but not by much. They were impressive creatures to behold. Jenna stayed behind with me as the other two took off into the woods. I studied her. She had a light brown coat the same color as her hair as a human. She was maybe half my size.
She crouched before me. It was a sign of respect. I was the bigger and more deadly predator, and her wolf wanted to make sure I didn’t eat her. I playfully swiped her with my paw.
I gave the other two a good head start, then leapt after them. Jenna soon passed me. She was faster, being a wolf. I was smaller than the males and almost as fast as Jenna. We were silent as we slipped through the trees. I let her lead the chase – she had the better nose as well.
Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies) Page 12
