Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

“I imagine the brethren would have fought for Ferro and Elizabeta,” Andre said, his tone mild. “Most likely, all of them. Or at least most. Gary and Tariq would know that. You and Ferro had to have known to even consider such a thing, they would have thought the circumstances dire.”

Sandu nodded. “That may be true. I could feel Gary distancing himself as much as possible from Elizabeta, even though our bond extended to her once Ferro had claimed her. He tried to reject any emotion, no matter how small of a respite she gave him in order to carry out his task. I knew whatever it was had to have enormous consequences to all of our people, or he wouldn’t consider such a terrible thing. In spite of the fact that all of the brethren would have fought for Ferro and Elizabeta, he wouldn’t have backed down.”

“Did Ferro and Elizabeta return to the Carpathian Mountains with Gary and the others?”

“Yes,” Sandu affirmed.

The wind blew in a sudden gust. The wolves howled, the sound challenging, as if they had gotten the scent of prey. They suddenly went silent, and a chill went down Sandu’s spine as he heard the flutter of wings again. He looked up at the tree they stood under. Two little screech owls sat in the branches. One was very still, wings folded neatly. The other had just landed, its wings still out, flapping for balance as it clung to a branch. Sandu scanned the owls, looking for the undead, but there were no signs of the vampire in either creature or on the tree itself. Still, he felt an urgent desire to get back to Adalasia.

Andre turned fully to him. “This journey you are on with your lifemate. Does it have anything to do with what you learned through your connection to Gary?”

Sandu considered that carefully before answering. He had been directed to this man for a reason. He wasn’t going to answer hastily and not get the guidance he needed. Adalasia’s life was at stake. It was one thing to gamble with his own, but he had a woman to protect now.

“I do not know the answer to that question. I do know I had a very strong urge to leave, and once I found Adalasia, I did not want to bring her to Tariq’s compound. I had no specific reason why. Adalasia’s path is intertwined with mine. Her enemies, she says, are human but more. By that, she believes they have called forth demons to aid them.”

Andre sighed. “Sandu, Gary had to be certain Elizabeta was not in the compound to locate Tariq’s stone. Tariq had to be protected at all costs, as did the others. They guard the Carpathian people. The task may have been abhorrent to him, but he would have had no choice but to carry it out. I know that word was sent to the others to beware and that once it was known that the Malinov brothers had knowledge of the stones and a ruling body, the stones were to be gathered and all power destroyed. They can’t fall into the hands of the undead. Mikhail clearly doesn’t suffer from the same disease his father did. Nor does he rule by emotion. He does not allow his lifemate to sway his decisions. He has fought hard to bring our people back from the edge of extinction.”

Sandu frowned. “That does not mean, in the future, one of his kin wouldn’t suffer the same problems his father did.”

Andre shrugged. “That is not our present problem. Vampires never banded together or used modern technology as they are at this time. We have to get behind our prince and aid him as best we can. If we are to survive, Sandu, we have to get ahead of our enemies, and they managed to get a foothold on technology while we were trying to survive without lifemates. There are so few. The attack on our people nearly succeeded. Young Josef is one of our greatest treasures, with his knowledge of technology.”

Sandu sent Andre a small grin. “I suppose he is. Ferro is quite close to him, which gives me no choice.”

“You like the boy.”

“Again, I have no choice.” Sandu wasn’t owning up, but it was impossible not to like Josef, with his spiked hair and sometimes pierced skin. He was as courageous as he was genius.

“You can only follow your instincts, Sandu. If you believe you should go one way, go that way. Danger surrounds both of you. I can’t see where it comes from, only that it is there. Your family was one of many that fought the undead for our people in regions far from the help of other Carpathians. I was told your family, and at least three others who also had to battle alone, had other allies but also other enemies every bit as evil as the undead.”