Carpathian 01 - Dark Prince

forced calmness into her slender body. Emotions were running far too high for her to remain unscathed. Release him. Silence answered her. Even with the waiter behind him, desperately working at the Heimlich maneuver, Jacob fell to his knees, his lips blue, his eyes rolling back in his head. Please, I'm asking you, please. Release him. For me.
    Jacob suddenly inhaled, a terrible gagging sound, labored and harsh. His sister and Margaret Summers were crouched at his side, tears in their eyes. Instinctively, Raven moved toward him.
    Do not touch him! The command was stark, without any mental enhancement, more frightening than if he had forced her compliance.
    Raven was besieged with emotion, from everyone in the room. Jacob's pain and terror. Shelly's fear, the innkeeper's horror, the other Americans' shocked reaction. They were swamping her, beating at her already fragile state. But it was his all-consuming rage that sent needles shooting through her head. Her stomach heaved, cramped, and Raven nearly doubled over and looked desperately for the ladies room.

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    If anyone touched her, tried to come to her aid, she might go mad.
    "Raven." The voice was warm, sensual, caressing. Calm in the eye of the storm. Black velvet. Beautiful.
    Soothing.
    A curious hush fell in the dining room as Mikhail strode in. He had a hard arrogance, an air of complete command. He was tall, dark, well muscled, but it was his eyes, burning with energy, with darkness, with a thousand secrets, that drew immediate attention. Those eyes could mesmerize, hypnotize, just like the power in his voice. He moved with purpose, sending waiters scurrying out of the way.
    "Mikhail, it is such a pleasure to have you join us," the innkeeper gasped in surprise.
    He spared the woman a glance, his eyes sweeping over her buxom figure. "I have come for Raven. We have a date this evening." He said it softly, imperiously, and no one dared argue with him. "She has challenged me to a game of chess."
    The innkeeper nodded her head as she broke into a smile. "Enjoy yourselves."
    Raven swayed, pressing her hands into her stomach. Her sapphire eyes were enormous, taking up her face at his approach. He was on her before she could move, his hands reaching out for her.
    Don't. She closed her eyes, terrified of his touch. She was already on overload; she would not be able to take the overpowering emotions radiating from him.
    Mikhail didn't hesitate, gathering her into his arms, imprisoning her against his hard chest. His face was a granite mask as he whirled around and took her from the room. Behind them the buzzing started, the whispers.
    Raven tensed, waiting for the battery on her senses, but he had closed his mind and all she knew was the enormous strength of his arms. He took her into the night, moving fluidly, easily, as if her weight was of no consequence.
    "Breathe, little one; it will help." There was a trace of amusement in the warmth of his voice.
    Raven did as he suggested, too worn out to struggle. She had come here to this wild, lonely place to heal, but instead, she was all the more fragmented. She opened her eyes cautiously, looking up at him through long lashes.
    His hair was the color of dark coffee beans, a dark espresso, drawn back and tied at the nape of his neck. His face was that of an angel or a devil, strength and power, with a sensual mouth that hinted at cruelty; his hooded eyes were black obsidian, black ice, pure black magic.
    She couldn't read him, couldn't feel his emotions or hear his thoughts. That had never happened to her before. "Put me down. I feel silly with you carrying me off like some pirate." His long strides were taking them into deep forest. Branches swayed, bushes rustled. Her heart was beating out of control. She tensed, pushed against his shoulders, struggled uselessly.
    His eyes moved possessively over her face, but his pace didn't slow, and he didn't answer her. It was humiliating that he didn't appear to notice her struggles.
    Raven allowed her head to fall back against his shoulder with a slight sigh. "Did you kidnap me or rescue Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    me?"
    Strong white teeth gleamed at her, a predator's smile, a man's amusement. "Perhaps a little of both."
    "Where are you taking me?" She pressed a hand to her I forehead, not wanting a battle, physical or mental.
    "To my home. We have a date. I