Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

Compassion, she conceded, but not understanding. Don’t assume I’m a pushover.

I hurt you and I did not mean to do so.

His voice was a caress. It seemed to stroke the inside of her mind like a whisper of a feather, a sensual brush that swept through her. She made the mistake of looking at him again when she knew better. Those flames were in his eyes, but this time, they ignited a different kind of heat, one that moved through her veins in a slow burn that grew hotter and hotter until it reached her feminine core.

The sudden ache was shocking, especially since they weren’t alone or getting along, and it was so strong and compelling. If his tone had simply been sexual, she might have been able to cope, but there was too much sincerity, and she didn’t dare trust him. She didn’t dare trust anyone. She was trapped underground with the five of them, and he knew it.

She sent him a glare. “We have to sort this out.” She said it aloud, more for his benefit than for the others. She had to get back on track. Find a starting point.

She sat in silence, looking to the cards to guide her. Since she was a small child, she had been beside her mother, listening to the stories of her grandmother and great-grandmother guiding others on their journey through life. It was her turn. She needed to have the wisdom handed down to her through her bloodline.

Adalasia knew that wisdom wasn’t always about knowledge and conscious mind. Sometimes, she had to listen to her intuition. Her intuition told her that Sandu had called each of these four men to him for a reason other than just to help him guard her. He was a powerful being. Why so many? Sandu might not even understand why he had asked these specific four to make the journey with them, but intuitively, he had invited them, and they had accepted in spite of him warning there would be danger.

“All of you have spent time with Sandu. You must have memories of things he has told you of his past. Things you may think are insignificant. People or places he has mentioned. Something or someone that stands out in your mind.” She kept her voice matter-of-fact.

Sandu leaned back in the armchair, his long legs sprawling out in front of him. He gave her a little smile and shook his head slightly. She figured he could melt the panties off a girl with that look. She didn’t need the distraction, but then she’d been studiously avoiding every single card that gave her any indication about the journey of her love life—including whatever light the High Priestess card might shine on it. Raging passions. Intense emotions. Her gaze flicked to Sandu again. He certainly could inspire both in a woman—in her—and she wasn’t the type of woman to fall for a man just because he was good-looking. She was done with fairytales.

I’m happy you find me attractive. It would not be good if my lifemate was not in any way sexually interested in me.

Adalasia narrowed her eyes at him. I’m fairly certain I didn’t have anything about being sexually attracted to you in my mind.

You were thinking in terms of raging passions and intense emotions and me inspiring you.

He looked at her with his dark eyes that had that curious red gleam, like warm candlelight, sexy as sin. Why was she thinking that when she should be thinking feral, predatory animal?

“You know Lucian, Sandu,” Benedek said. “He and his lifemate have a residence somewhere in the States. He may recall something of your childhood.”

“Lucian?” Adalasia echoed. “Who is Lucian?”

Sandu smiled at her. A charming smile. A sexy smile. He was definitely doing his best to win her over. She tried thinking of him as a shark. Unfortunately, that didn’t fit him very well. It was all that hair. It should have been dark to match those black eyes of his, but instead, it was light with those impressive streaks of silver and gold. She had to stop looking at him. Or thinking about him. He was already arrogant, and she was far too susceptible. She was predisposed to think of him as her partner, and she couldn’t let her guard down for a minute.

“Lucian and Gabriel Daratrazanoff are twins. They are legends in our world. Definitely skilled fighters, few have ever come up against them and lived. Lucian knew Gabriel had a lifemate, and to keep him from turning or suiciding, he deceived his brother into believing he had turned vampire so Gabriel would hunt him until he found her. Lucian is a protective man.”

“He resides here in the States?”

“Yes. He chose to stay here. He travels back and forth between here, France, where Gabriel resides, and the Carpathian Mountains, where he consults with the prince,” Nicu volunteered.