Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

Aria’s hand crept to the cross she wore around her neck on a chain of silver. “I usually talk these important decisions over with my husband.”

“By all means, that would be a good idea. I believe he is coming in now. The dog is with him,” Sandu added.

Adalasia frowned. “The dog is still in pain, Aria. He isn’t healed completely.”

Aria inclined her head. “We both know that, but Amato doesn’t have any other way to warn him. We have to have our livestock in order to run the farm. He keeps Arturo, our dog, with him on a heavy leash. Arturo is a Bergamasco.”

Adalasia’s eyebrows went up. “That is a wonderful breed, but they don’t accept strangers easily, Aria. How in the world did you get him to the point that you could make your home into a bed-and-breakfast?”

Sandu was listening to Amato. He wasn’t alone as he entered the house with the dog. The last visitor had arrived. Tiberiu Bercovitz was with Amato, speaking softly with him, well aware that Sandu, Adalasia and the other ancients were in the sitting room with Amato’s wife. The dog was aware, as well, and was straining toward the hallway.

Aria laughed at the memories of getting their dog to accept strangers. The breed was invaluable to their farm. It guarded every animal on it, from the smallest to the largest, as well as the children and Aria and Amato, but the dog didn’t care for anyone else coming near them.

“We tried to socialize him very early because we wanted him to accept our friends coming, and we’d talked about turning the farm into a bed-and-breakfast. Still, it wasn’t easy. He’s a good dog and very intelligent. He does make up his own mind. There have been a couple of times he took a dislike to one of our guests and prowled outside their door, growling and carrying on until we had to lock him up so they’d be safe. Amato kept his eye on them, though.”

“Probably for the best,” Adalasia agreed. “If a dog doesn’t like someone, after tolerating every other guest, there could be a good reason.”

He probably will come in here and want to tear all of us apart, Sandu told her. He’ll sense the darkness in us.

Or the demon, Benedek added.

The dog will like me, Nicu said, a smug feeling in all of their minds.

Petru gave some kind of derisive sound, which meant he might just take over the dog and keep it quiet if it decided it didn’t like them and launched itself at them.

Adalasia’s laughter bubbled up like a gift. All of you are so ridiculous. Give off waves of friendliness. You’re all capable of suppressing the darkness.

For a dog? Benedek asked.

The others echoed his question, making Sandu want to laugh. Of course Adalasia would think it would be reasonable for five ancient warriors to suppress their true natures in order to keep one farmhouse dog happy.

Yes, Benedek, for a dog, so the very loyal dog will accept you and the couple will, too.

They are human, Petru pointed out. There is no need for acceptance. We can just take the memories from them.

Sandu knew Petru had just said the wrong thing to his lifemate. Adalasia gathered up the cards and put them in the pouch. Amato, Tiberiu and the dog, Arturo, came into the room together. Aria stood, turning to greet her husband. Sandu and the guardians stood as well. Adalasia produced a rolled-up magazine and bashed Petru over the back of his head, and just that fast, the magazine was gone.

I’m human, you Neanderthal.

You are Carpathian, Petru corrected. And if you wish to actually make an impact when you strike one of us, you have to put Carpathian strength in your swing, as I have told you on more than one occasion, not your puny human strength.

She let her breath out with an ominous hiss. I didn’t want to chance caving your obnoxious skull in. I can’t wait until you claim your lifemate, Petru. I’m going to have a long talk with her before she ever accepts your claim.

I am going to heal the dog, Nicu stated. I cannot take that he is in pain. I am feeling it through Adalasia.

Thank you, Nicu, she said, sending Petru another snippy look.

It was all Sandu could do to keep a straight face.

“Amato, these are our guests.” Aria went to her husband and quickly made the introductions.

Amato wrapped his arm around her as he acknowledged the five ancients and Adalasia, his too-old eyes resting on each one. There were lines carved deep in his face. He hadn’t gotten much sleep over the last few weeks; that much was clear. Like Aria, he seemed to know they were more than ordinary guests.

Arturo, the Bergamasco, was covered in what appeared to be long gray dreadlocks. His eyes were intelligent as they rested on the men and Adalasia. Sandu and the others did as Adalasia asked, keeping their energy low-key and peaceful so as not to agitate him. Nicu connected with him in the way he had with animals, further reassuring him.