Dark Tarot (Dark Carpathians)

The night breeze was cool on her face, and Adalasia looked around her. Sandu hadn’t set her down, so she knew they were going to take to the air. She positioned the satchel on her lap more securely and tightened her arm around his neck.

“You’re safe, ewal emninumam,” he whispered. “I would never allow anything to harm you.”

There were times, like now, she could hear the sincerity in his voice, and she would begin to believe him, which was a little frightening in that she’d never trusted anyone outside of her family. Now, suddenly, with no real explanation but her cards, she was supposed to trust this stranger with her life . . . and if the cards were right . . . her heart. The problem was, he was hiding things from her, and even though he’d asked for forgiveness and he’d sincerely apologized for hurting her, she knew he wasn’t in the least bit remorseful for binding them together or taking her blood without her permission.

Wrought iron gates, tall and intricate, the iron twisted into beautiful rods of art guarding the estate, opened inward to allow the car entry. Their chauffeur took them up the long drive to the house. Everywhere Adalasia looked were tall ferns, bushes and trees, giving the estate a wild, forestlike appearance. She looked up at the house. The structure was several stories high, with turrets and balconies jutting out in all directions. There were beautiful stained glass windows everywhere, as well as stained glass woven throughout the walls. She’d never seen anything like it. The house appeared to be a mixture of old-fashioned and modern, but very, very beautiful.

Far too close, they heard the hunting cry of a wolf. Another took up the call and then another. The sound sent alarms rushing down her spine.

“Adalasia, stay in the center of us,” Sandu ordered softly. “If Lucian feels threatened, he can be extremely dangerous.”

She didn’t have to be told twice. She felt the danger. She looked back toward their chauffeur. Lucian had sent the car for them. It was already leaving them, driving away. She wanted to call it back. Sandu slipped his hand around hers.

“Lucian is a good man, Sivamet, just careful when his lifemate is close. It is something all of us must do. That is why you have four of my most trusted brethren surrounding you. Should anything happen to me, they will escort you to Tariq if we are here in the States, or to the prince in the Carpathian Mountains to ensure your protection.”

Just him saying the words, putting the idea into her head that something could happen to him, made the air rush from her lungs. She wasn’t certain why, but the idea of losing him made her feel instantly desolate. She gripped his arm as they climbed the steps to the front door. The wind rose along with the howling of the wolves. The pack sounded as if they were coming much closer. She swung around to face behind them. The forest and brush were too close, giving wild creatures too many places to hide.

“Let’s leave this place. We don’t need to be here.”

Nicu dropped back to the bottom stair and faced the vast yard calmly. He held his arms out as if greeting old friends. His voice was a soft murmur, the words in another language, and Adalasia vaguely caught phrases she understood but was uncertain how she knew the language. It was old-world, a dialect long gone, she was certain, and one she hadn’t heard before. Sandu occasionally uttered a few words, but why should she recognize and understand what Nicu was saying?

“My brethren. Long has it been since I have seen you. Come to me.” Nicu walked into the yard and sat on the ground, his arms still out in welcome. “I brought friends to see our brother. While he welcomes them, let us renew our kinship.”

Adalasia held her breath as wolves emerged from the trees and brush from every direction, rushing toward Nicu. One nearly knocked him flat. She covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Sandu, you have to help him.

Nicu needs no help with animals.

The massive front door opened, and a beautiful man stood there, his dark gaze flicking over the tight group of ancients, to her, and then to Nicu and the wolves rolling around together in the front yard by the stairs. Amusement slid into the deep black velvet of his eyes.

“Please do enter of your own free will.” He stepped back and gestured to allow them to walk inside. “Nicu, stop playing and come in as well. The pack has a job to do, and you are not helping them train the younger ones.”

Sandu swept Adalasia into his arms before she could walk through the doorway. He carried her in and put her on her feet once they were inside. Lucian turned to look at him, his gaze sweeping the two of them.