Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

Adalasia frowned, turning to look at Sandu. You didn’t tell me any of this. Why?

I did tell you most of it, just not the way he put it to you. I knew you had little choice, and I wanted what little choice you had to be me.

He rubbed their linked hands under his jaw so that the shadow of bristles slid along her knuckles. He knew there was an ache in his mind, and it slid into hers. Her eyes darkened with desire and something else, something very close to affection.

“You are not safe above ground, either, Adalasia,” Andre continued. “The undead must sleep in the ground as we must, but they have puppets they send out, ones who eat human flesh. They would seek you. You are in between the two worlds and would attract them. A beacon. Right now, any vampire close would feel you if we were not shielding you from them. The puppets would be sent to acquire you. Sandu and your guardians would be helpless to stop them.”

Sandu wasn’t so certain that was entirely true. He had practiced, over the centuries, a few tricks while he lay paralyzed beneath the earth.

Adalasia touched her tongue to her lips and then looked from Sandu to Teagan as if for reassurance. “They eat human flesh? Puppets?” Her hand crept to her throat, fingers stroking there delicately.

Teagan turned her head to give Andre a glare. He raised an eyebrow. “What, Csitri? Is it not the truth? Better that she knows and both are safe. I believe in the truth.”

“You might have been more diplomatic.” She turned back to Adalasia. “I’m afraid that is correct. Vampires infect humans and create what we call puppets or ghouls. They do whatever their masters bid them to do. They’re like the zombies in movies. Hard to kill, and they seem to have only two desires: to carry out the order the vampire gave them and to eat human flesh. They are truly disgusting.”

Adalasia pressed her lips together and shook her head. “And sleeping underground? Do you do that, Teagan? It isn’t a choice?”

Sandu tightened his hold on her when he felt Adalasia faltering for the first time. Evidently, she could face vampires and their puppets and taking blood from him, but the thought of sleeping beneath the soil could be the deal breaker.

We talked about this, ewal emninumam, he reminded gently.

I know, but I just can’t . . .

Teagan shook her head. “It isn’t a choice. It isn’t safe to stay above ground. The soil rejuvenates us. It’s rich with minerals and other things we need. When there has been a battle and anyone is wounded, the soil aids in healing.”

Adalasia sat very still. She suddenly appeared small in the wide chair, with its thick, warm dark gray cushions. Sandu could hear the acceleration of her heart. She didn’t pull her hand away from his; instead, she turned her hand so she could thread her fingers through his.

Listen to the sound of my heartbeat, Hän sívamak—beloved. Match your heartbeat to mine. Sandu brought the tips of her fingers to his mouth and bit down gently on them, hard enough to cause a little bite of pain, hoping to distract her.

Her gaze jumped to his. “Sandu talked about it with me. Explained it. Just the thought terrifies me. I can face a lot of things, but if I woke up . . .”

“I was the same way,” Teagan confessed instantly.

It is difficult for me to believe she was ever afraid like I am. She feels so confident in herself. In her life.

Of course she feared what she didn’t know, beloved, Sandu assured.

“Adalasia”—Andre’s voice gentled even more—“do you think we would expect a human woman to become Carpathian and instantly overcome a lifetime of teachings and beliefs? You are Sandu’s lifemate. A treasure in our world. Protected by every single one of our people.”

There was a slight ripple in Sandu’s mind that he kept carefully from Adalasia but allowed Andre to catch. I have a need to speak with you of several matters, old friend. Matters that make me uneasy.

Are these matters what prevented you from returning with your lifemate to the compound where Tariq Asenguard resides with so many of our brethren?

Sandu gave the slightest of assents.

Andre stood with his usual grace. “Sandu and I will patrol around the house, Teagan, while you show Adalasia our home. I know how much you like to give visitors the tour. We will return shortly.” He gave no chance of a protest, merely dissolving, leaving behind no sign of him, as if he’d never been.

Sandu leaned over to brush a kiss on Adalasia’s lips. “If you have need, you have only to reach for me with your mind.”

She nodded, and Sandu joined Andre outdoors in the cool of the night. Off in the distance, a wolf howled, and another took up the cry. Sandu smiled and shook his head. “They welcome Nicu. He seems to be known everywhere he goes with the wild ones.”