Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

She knew one thing. There was always a balance in the end, between good and evil. Sometimes it appeared evil was winning. Everything was relative to the moment. She knew that, but it didn’t help when it was Sandu lying pale and lifeless on the ground.

“Whatever the reason he is here, Luiz is a healer,” Danutdaxton assured.

Nicu emerged from Sandu’s body, sliding back into his own, looking for all the world as sick as Sandu, almost a gray color. Like Petru and Siv, he coughed repeatedly. This time, Adalasia shed her body to become healing light and gently touched his throat to see what was causing the problem. A sticky film coated the inside of his throat.

Adalasia. The reprimand was harsh. Nicu all but threw her out of his body. You cannot be touched by any of this poison. It will rush to you the moment it feels your presence. Siv, examine her quickly.

I didn’t touch anything. Nothing touched me. It was too late, Siv was already shedding his body and going into hers.

How do you know? The bacteria is microscopic. Remember the insect that was carried into Gabriel and Francesca’s home? This is far tinier.

Of course she was aware it would be far tinier. I don’t like that the three of you were coughing. You matter to me, Nicu. You aren’t expendable. All of you seem to think it’s okay to take these crazy risks. Maybe you’re staying in his body too long. I should help, too.

Absolutely not. That was a mixture of both Petru and Nicu telling her no.

Danutdaxton gave Nicu blood while Siv examined her. She stayed very still. The thick film had to be all through Sandu’s body. While he was rushing to save her during the battle, it had spread quickly. He had to have known. Like the other ancients, his life hadn’t mattered in those moments, only hers.

“She is fine,” Siv said. “We need you whole and uncompromised, Adalasia. I know the waiting is difficult, but it is necessary.”

“If Luiz stays to aid us when you go to retrieve Sandu,” Dax mused, “there will be more power than this Nera can conceive of for Adalasia and the rest of us to draw on. Luiz has been to the shadow realm twice. The warriors who poured themselves into the vessel to allow a rebirth as a De La Cruz had all passed into the next life. He is familiar with every aspect of it. The Old One can guide you through the Cave of Fire, and if Luiz agrees to aid all of us, we have a much bigger chance of success.”

Riley made a small sound of distress. Immediately, Dax turned to her and pulled her beneath the protection of his shoulder. “What is it?”

“You said ‘us.’ Do you intend to go with them to the shadow realm? If you do, Dax, I will accompany you.” Her tone was very firm.

“They will need an anchor in this world, Riley. We are that anchor for them. You, me and the Old One. We cannot travel to the shadow realm, nor would I ever allow you to go.”

Riley and Adalasia exchanged a long look before Riley rolled her eyes. Adalasia noted she didn’t look too concerned with Dax’s dictate.

Benedek emerged next, sliding into his body, coughing, so weak he could barely sit. Adalasia realized that as each of the ancients returned to their bodies and were given blood, either Danutdaxton was healing them as he provided for them, or one of the other ancients healed them. Riley continued to give Dax her blood. Adalasia knew that couldn’t continue. They would be far too weak to help her find Sandu in what they referred to as the shadow realm.

“Go, Dax,” Nicu said. “I will wait while you and Petru hunt. If Luiz needs blood, I can provide for him.”

Petru immediately dissolved into vapor and streamed away from them through the trees.

Danutdaxton leaned down to brush kisses on top of Riley’s head. “Let us go,” he murmured. Immediately, the two dissolved in the same way Petru had.

Why that surprised Adalasia, she didn’t know. She thought Riley would stay with them, but clearly, her lifemate had other ideas. She supposed that made sense. Sandu wouldn’t have left her unless all four guardians were with her, not after a battle like the one they’d just gone through.

Her gaze once more strayed to Sandu lying so still in the thick vegetation. A little shudder went through her body at the sight. She didn’t like him there on the ground in the open. She would have preferred to be in an enclosed area or at least have the ground open so the rich soil was exposed. Surely the soil with all the minerals would aid in healing Sandu.

She drew up her knees and rubbed her chin on top of them as she studied his long form. Even lying so still, he took up a lot of space. If it wasn’t for the graying, now almost a bluish-black, running beneath his skin, she would have expected him to stand up. He was just that powerful.