Dark Legacy (Dark 27)

"The name is Gary. I am a Daratrazanoff, but was born human." He didn't offer any further information, and Emeline had no idea what being a Daratrazanoff was, or how that was important, only that it was.

Dragomir settled onto the floor, but he turned his body so he could watch the door, the hallway and the healer. She wished she had more of the weapons with the fiery missiles. At least she could protect Dragomir if she needed to.

Gary knelt beside him and, without preamble, allowed his spirit to leave his body and move into Dragomir's. It left the healer completely vulnerable to attack. Blaze had explained the process to Emeline numerous times--how the Carpathians could leave behind all ego, everything to do with them and become pure healing energy. Some were reputed to be far more powerful healers than others. She had heard rumors that they had sent for an extremely strong healer, one they hoped would be able to help heal psychic wounds as well.

She watched closely, saw the wounds on Dragomir's body mend from the inside out one after another. Time went by. She had no idea how much, but it was long. It took the healer hours to repair the damage to the ancient's body. Gary didn't stop until even the rake marks on his face and chest closed. They were still there, red lines to mark where the vampires had ripped him open, but the terrible lacerations and wounds were closed.

The healer came back into his body, pale, weak and clearly disoriented. "We both will need blood, ancient."

Dragomir glanced at Blaze. "He needs blood. I'm inviting you in only to give him blood and then you must leave."

Blaze looked hurt but she came in immediately. Emeline watched her open her wrist with a long fingernail and extend her arm toward the healer. He didn't look at Blaze but studied Dragomir as he fed.

Blaze looked around the room. "Is Emeline all right?"

"Yes."

"She's my friend."

"Then respect her wishes."

Emeline twisted her fingers together, waiting. The healer politely closed the wound on Blaze's wrist, still without looking at her, and offered blood from his own wrist to Dragomir.

"Who are you to her?" Blaze demanded.

"She is under my protection," Dragomir stated and took the wrist the healer offered him.

Emeline's breath caught in her throat. He said it so matter-of-factly, as if his declaration wasn't handing her the world. Why would he do that? Why would he decide to save the children instead of going after Vadim as he wanted to do, just because she asked? Ancients rarely bothered with humans. She'd seen enough of them to last her a lifetime. Mostly, they ignored everyone and seemed only to live for battles.

But they saved lives. She respected the ancients. She respected the Carpathian people. But they would kick her out in a heartbeat if they knew what she was. Who she really was.

The healer gave Dragomir blood, and then Blaze supplied Gary a second time before the man spoke.

"You need to be put in the healing soil," Gary said.

"I will do so when I am ready," Dragomir declared.

Gary opened his mouth, closed it and shook his head. "You will be of no use to her if you die. You aren't out of the woods yet."

"Your reputation preceded you here. I have no doubt I will be just fine. I thank both of you." Dragomir got to his feet with that same graceful way he always moved and led them to the door. "I'll let Emeline know you wish to visit with her," he added.

Blaze inclined her head. "I would appreciate that."

He closed the door and leaned against it. "It is safe, Emeline. We need to talk."

She'd been dreading this moment, but knew it had to come.

4

Why won't you put yourself in the ground?" Emeline asked. "You need to heal."

"I need to know why you are so afraid all the time. Even afraid of your friend," Dragomir said, no inflection whatsoever in his voice, yet she shivered, aware, without knowing how, that if Blaze had done something to make her afraid, he had no problem removing Blaze and Maksim from existence. He'd appointed himself her champion and would follow through, even if it meant putting him at odds with all Carpathians.

She shook her head. "Blaze would never do anything to hurt me." But she didn't know that anymore. She couldn't be certain.

"Emeline. I have a need, not a want, to know why you're afraid all the time." Again, there was no inflection, but his gaze was very focused. "There is a difference and this is no idle question."

Somehow, it was easier because his voice was so soft, almost gentle, as if he wasn't judging her. She sank into the chair by the window. She was exhausted. He had to be even more so. "If I tell you the truth, you'll want me thrown out of the compound. Vadim will get to me. This is the only safe place I have." The truth came out in a hurried rush.

"You are under my protection, woman. I do not give that lightly. I do not take it back just because circumstances are difficult."

She believed him. He was . . . extraordinary. He might sound arrogant and look even more so, but he was an unusual man and he deserved the truth. He had to know who he had committed to protecting. She didn't want to tell him. She didn't want him to look at her with contempt. She wouldn't blame him, but she didn't want to see it in his eyes. In such a short time, she felt as if she knew him more than she'd ever known--or trusted--anyone. That in itself was strange. She didn't trust many people.

"I'm Vadim's lifemate." She just said it. Aloud. Feeling sick, disgusted. She couldn't look away from him, waiting for condemnation.

Dragomir stared at her for a long time. "Woman, you're insane." He gave her what he must have thought was a faint smile, shaking his head as if she amused him. His smile was a very indistinct curve of his lower lip.

She blinked. She'd expected all sorts of reactions, but that was not one of them. She tried a scowl. She'd never been particularly good at scowling, but then until recently, she hadn't been great at weeping, either, and now she was a faucet that couldn't seem to be turned off. "I just told you that I'm Vadim's lifemate, and you're telling me I'm insane. Do you know how difficult it was to admit that to you?"

"What do you know of lifemates?"

She wished he would do something. He stood leaning against the door, looking far too pale, and it occurred to her the healer wouldn't have bothered arguing with him. Gary Daratrazanoff had told him he needed to go to ground, an unnecessary comment--unless the healer was directing it toward her. He expected her to convince Dragomir to go to ground. She couldn't convince him of the truth, let alone of something that was good for him.

"Blaze told me that when a Carpathian male is born, his soul is split and the other half is put into his lifemate's keeping. She will be born again and again if he fails to find her."

"And knowing this you realize there can only be one lifemate. The soul fits together when the ritual binding words are spoken by the male."

"Yes, that is my understanding."

"So if I said the ritual binding words to you, they wouldn't work."

She nodded.

"Did Vadim say them to you?"

He looked so invincible standing there, but she could see he was exhausted. She scooted to the end of the couch and patted it. "Please come and sit down."

"Did Vadim say the ritual binding words to you?"

Her hand crept defensively to her throat. "He said . . . did . . . horrible things. I don't remember any words he spoke to me. I fought him. Everything he did hurt me." She could barely tell him that much, her voice a whisper of raw horror.

Something flickered across his face but the expression was so fleeting she couldn't catch it. "It is impossible for Vadim to be your lifemate no matter what he said or did."

She shook her head. "I know that he is." She was so ashamed. Blaze and Charlotte both had wonderful men. Her lifemate was one of the worst vampires in the history of the Carpthian world. He'd done terrible things, killed countless men and women. Killed children. Fed live children to his puppets. He was the worst nightmare visited on earth in the form of a monster, and she was his othe

r half.

"You are my lifemate, Emeline." He proclaimed it softly, but the vow carried, resonated deep inside her.