Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

How would he go to ground?

Beneath the tree, perhaps in the root system. I am just guessing, but it would make sense.

The circular pads were wide, like a small verandah, and the male jaguar led the other two upward, going from one to the next until they were at the entrance to a house. The structure was cleverly hidden between two very large trunks and supported on thick branches. She could see that the house was much larger than she expected it to be and very open in design. She could look right inside, as there was no real door to speak of, but more of a fringe of hanging vines covering the entrance.

The male jaguar went through the vines and shifted immediately, stepping back politely to allow Adalasia to enter. This was always the moment she dreaded most. She practiced and practiced, but although she could shift very fast, she couldn’t always clothe herself as quickly as she needed to.

Sandu. She detested to admit she wasn’t as confident as she had been appearing. I might need you to help with clothing.

I appreciate that you would ask me, päläfertiilam. I have found that my new emotions have made it difficult for me to have men looking at you, even when I know they cannot feel as I do. Luiz has been a good friend to us, and I have not been able to treat him as openly as you have, in the event he should succumb to the darkness in him, but I would not want to insult him further by acting unseemly. Thank you.

That was Sandu. Instead of making her feel as if she was inadequate, he made her feel as if she had done him some great service. How could she not love him more with each passing night they spent together? The more she learned of him, the more she respected and admired him.

She shifted and instantly she was dressed. Sandu was meticulous in his memory. He didn’t forget the slightest thing, not even the socks she liked to wear. He materialized with her, his body slightly between her and Luiz as he looked around the open room.

There were no real walls, only a low half wall of wood. The floors were polished hardwood, while overhead, the ceilings were high. Branches curved in and out of the open design, high up as part of the structure. A jaguar would have access to the arboreal highway as well as be able to make a quick escape. There were benches woven of sturdy vines set against screens that divided a section of housing that could have been a bed.

Adalasia was surprised to see that Luiz would have a bed in the treehouse, but he had been human for much of his time. Jaguar men lived mostly as humans. There were chairs, also made of vines, as well as a table, indicating that Luiz stayed there occasionally in human form. It was really a beautiful structure and very practical in that, without walls, a breeze could easily blow through the rooms to clear out the heat and humidity.

Adalasia smiled at Luiz. “This is very unique and lovely, Luiz. Thank you for having us.” She took the bench seat he indicated. It was surprisingly comfortable.

Sandu stepped close to Luiz and clasped his forearms, greeting him in the way of warriors. “En jutta félet és ekämet,” Sandu murmured.

Luiz gripped his forearms with strength. “Arwa-arvo pile sívadet.”

What did you say to each other?

I told him, “I greet a friend and brother,” Sandu said. And he replied, “May honor light your heart.”

I like that, Adalasia said. Thank you for calling him brother.

Sandu sat beside her on the bench made of vines, and Luiz took the chair across from them.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you for aiding me, Luiz. You healed my body and gave me blood and then guided Adalasia into the shadow realm. Without you, we wouldn’t have made our way back. I owe you a great debt.”

Luiz waved his hand, the gesture dismissive. “I am your brother. Adalasia is a woman, a treasure we cannot afford to lose. Every Carpathian male should be protecting her and you, as her lifemate. If we wish to save our species, we need every woman.”

Adalasia rolled her eyes. Luiz meant what he said, but on the other hand, she had shared his mind enough times that she knew he hadn’t aided her entirely because he thought she should provide countless babies for the Carpathian males.

“That is true,” Sandu agreed. “Adalasia is a seer in the sense that she reads tarot cards. Were you aware of that?”

Luiz’s eyes went to that shade of jade that held amber. His cat was looking at her as well as the Carpathian. She felt the impact of both.

“I do know what tarot cards are, but don’t know why they would be important.”