Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

“They can, but our children have learned to counter the compulsion, even the youngest. The weapons have a built-in sound system to help counter any buried compulsion, as well. I’ve taken every precaution when teaching the kids.”

Sandu was certain Jubal didn’t realize he referred to the Carpathian children as “ours.” He had been in their world for so long he considered himself one of them, yet he also carried Jaguar blood in his veins. Sandu wasn’t certain what that would mean for his children with Jasmine, but he did know Jubal Sanders was a good man.

Finally, Jubal looked down at Jasmine. “I’ve been working with Sandrine, just as a precaution. We play games. That’s how I started with Falcon and Sarah’s younger children. Sandrine is highly intelligent, and she learns very quickly.”

Jasmine smiled up at him. “Of course she does.”

Jubal sighed and rubbed his temple as if he had the beginnings of a headache. “I should have told you I was working with her to keep her as safe as possible from the undead and their puppets.”

“Honey,” Jasmine said softly. “I appreciate that you would even think of it. I should have been. We stay with Juliette and Riordan all the time. Or we come here. We live in the world, where there are vampires. I don’t know why I wasn’t the one to ask how to protect us against them. I guess I was so busy thinking about rogue jaguars, I didn’t consider vampires, and they’re an even bigger threat.”

Jubal bent over and brushed a kiss on top of her head. “Sandrine is a natural when it comes to learning about any kind of self-defense. She has tremendous reflexes. She’s sure-footed in the trees as well.”

Solange nodded. “She’s very gifted, Jasmine.”

There’s movement in the forest, Petru reported. I’m on the trail leading to the ruined temple. Two men are walking toward the ruins through a game path. Both are built stocky, with roped muscles, and are carrying packs around their necks the way jaguars do.

Sandu and Nicu exchanged a long look with Dominic. If Benedek had been correct and five men had entered the Mayan temple and hadn’t come out, where had these two come from?

Petru, how many men arrived in the boat at the fishing village? Nicu asked.

When I saw those on the pier, they were guarding the containers. At no time did I see the original occupants of the boats. The face the fisherman had in his memory was because one approached him and offered money to watch the containers for him.

Petru held the image carefully so that all the brethren could see it. Solange closed her eyes for a moment, clearly identifying the man.

His name is Steve. He was one of the men who raped Jasmine, and he always said he would come back for her. Can you show me the faces of the two men you see on the trail?

I will have to get closer to them. I have taken on the shape of a nightbird, the long-tailed potoo. I do not want to call attention to myself, although the two men do not seem to be nervous at all. They do not appear to be expecting trouble, Petru answered.

Sandu could tell Petru was on the move, the bird flitting from tree to tree, getting closer to the men he wanted to get a good visual for Solange on.

“When I was infiltrating the master vampire’s lair in order to determine his plans to assassinate the prince,” Dominic said, “there were rogue jaguars and some humans in league with vampires.”

“That’s how Juliette met Riordan,” Jasmine confirmed. “He had been poisoned and kept starved and chained. We had gone into the laboratory to rescue animals, and she found him there.”

Petru sent the images of the two men to their minds. Solange studied them. I know both these men. One is named Brad. The other, Simon. I hunted Brad for some time, but he left the forest, I thought, for good. I honestly am shocked to see Simon with him. He was never a part of the rogues. He stayed away from them when he was younger. He left to go to school. I hadn’t heard that he returned.

“Sandrine is calling, Jasmine,” Dominic said. “I think she’s ready to take her bath.”

“She thinks she’s such a big girl,” Jasmine said. “She wants to do everything herself now. Jubal, please don’t go chasing off into the forest the minute I go take care of Sandrine.”

Jubal brushed another kiss on top of her head. “You worry too much, sweetheart. Go take care of our baby.”

Sandu noticed he didn’t promise her anything at all. The moment she was out of the room, Jubal began to slip weapons into loops inside a jacket he shrugged into. Solange caught up a bow and arrow, and slung it over her shoulder.