Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

Sandu contemplated that information. If Nicu said Dominic Dragonseeker had no scarring on his soul, then it had to be so. Nicu didn’t make those kinds of mistakes. “I informed him I was bringing my lifemate. I was very open with him that we were traveling with four of my most trusted brethren and that you were bonded to her and to me. He still issued an invitation. I expect him to watch us carefully. In his place, I would do the same. I still believe that it is worthwhile, since we are so close to him, to seek his advice.”

Benedek nodded. “I agree with Sandu. Dominic risks much with his invitation. Even with his warrior woman lifemate backing his play, he knows he could not hope to defeat five ancients in battle. He believes you are in need.”

“You consulted with Gabriel and Lucian and also Andre. Dominic could have reached out to them, or they could have reached out to him,” Petru said. “With this new technology, everyone seems to be right on top of one another.”

Unless you break tablets the way Sandu did. Throwing a tantrum because he did not want to learn modern ways. Siv made certain to include Adalasia in their conversation.

Petru took up the story to give Adalasia a reference point. Poor young Josef, tasked with teaching ancient minds modern technology. Sandu was first, and he clung to the old ways, insisting he could rip knowledge from young minds.

You can just take knowledge from anyone? Adalasia asked. If I wanted to go back to college, I could just take the information I needed from my professor instead of studying?

Sandu stroked a loving caress through her mind. Of course you could. You are now fully Carpathian. When you need to know something, you have only to look for the information instead of having to learn to use the tablets young Josef was always pushing on us.

I can’t just take knowledge out of your heads, Adalasia protested, although I’m not certain I want to see into any of your minds.

Her laughter was a soft breeze moving through their minds. That was another way she bound them together. That joy of life in her. She gave the brethren a taste of that. It was a small lifeline they could reach for when they needed it.

Nicu agreed with her. That would be for the best, sisarke, especially if you are peering into Petru’s head. You might see only the thick branches of tree roots rather than any real knowledge. Although it is true, he did not smash a tablet the way your lifemate did in a fit of hideous temper.

My lifemate has a hideous temper? Adalasia asked. This is news to me. I had no idea.

Atrocious temper, Afanasiv corrected. He deceived us as well. We thought him the calmest among us, which was why he was chosen to be the first to learn modern technology from young Josef.

Atrocious temper? Adalasia echoed.

Sandu felt her laughter. There was no way to tell anyone how she had changed his world just by being in it. Just by the way she interacted with him. With his brethren. He caught glimpses of her still lying where he left her, the soil open so she could look up at the ceiling of the chamber they had slept in. The sconces were lit, and the walls sparkled and glittered. In one corner, she had managed to add a fireplace of stone. The flames burned low, casting dancing lights on the walls along with the candles in the sconces. She was proud of the fireplace. He was proud of her.

The four guardians exchanged solemn looks with one another. We had no idea, Sandu, of this temper of yours. You have long been considered the calmest among us until you broke what you referred to as the demon’s tool, Benedek said, more for Adalasia’s sake than Sandu’s.

Young Josef? Adalasia inquired.

Sandu pushed images into Adalasia’s head of a young Carpathian male somewhere between twenty and thirty with spiked hair dyed with blue tips. The young man was slender, wiry, with a cocky, defiant grin. This is Josef. Very intelligent. He was sent to work on the computers in the compound and teach all of us how to use tablets and technology.

Petru made a small sound of derision. Sandu was opposed to coming into this century, Adalasia. The vampire has gotten ahead of us with technology. Josef proved his point. Even the prince conceded he should have been paying more attention, which is why the boy was sent to us. We all have to learn.

He sounded just a little self-righteous. Sandu knew that was on purpose. There would be no inflection in Petru’s voice as a rule. He was pouring it on for the sake of making the story fun for Adalasia.