Carpathian 05 - Dark Challenge

screaming row of girls.
    "Do not push me this time, Syndil," Barack warned softly, a growl rumbling deep in his throat. "I do not care what Darius has said or not said to you. You will not leave my sight until I know you are completely safe. In this matter you will obey me."
    For a moment Syndil faced him in silent rebellion. It was impossible to guess what she was going to decide to do.

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    "Please, Syndil," Desari said softly, persuasively, "we have an audience. Do not give Barack any reason to go berserk on us."
    Syndil blinked once, her long lashes fanning her high cheekbones. Her large eyes moved over Barack with faint haughtiness. She swung her long hair over her shoulder and seated herself for the second set, her back to Barack. There was something regal about the way she held herself.
    Barack finished his guitar solo, his body once more relaxed, but his eyes remained hard and watchful.
    Desari flashed a quick, relieved smile Julian's way. Dayan's guitar joined Barack's and Desari's voice soared into the air, bringing the spectators to their feet. Syndil began tapping her foot to the rhythm of the music. It was entirely involuntary, the first time she had responded to their music since the savage attack on her. She had always been musical, easily playing any instrument set before her, usually the keyboard and drums. The group had explained her absence to their fans by saying she had taken an extended vacation and would return soon.
    Desari inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief. It was the first sign in a long while that Syndil might find a way to come back to them, to herself. Perhaps her love of music would bring her back. While her mind turned the matter over, her voice continued to keep the audience mesmerized. And it suddenly occurred to her that while she had had family close by all her life, Julian had been totally alone. To guard his brother in the best way he knew, to guard his people, he had been always alone.
    Not anymore , Julian drawled, his voice a purring caress. As you are my responsibility now, I suppose I have no other choice but to help your brother protect and guide this pack of fools. What I should be doing is hauling your beautiful little butt out of here. The Carpathian Mountains are our homeland. It is where we all belong, not here among so many mortals . In truth he was beginning to like the feeling of belonging to a family, of belonging to Desari.
    Baby . She whispered it in his mind like the stroke of her fingers along his skin. Teasing. Loving. Their own private world.
    Julian swallowed hard. His face was a mask of indifference, aloof, his hard, watchful eyes surveying the crowd mercilessly, yet inside he was melting with the warmth only she could produce in him.

Chapter Fourteen
    Julian took Desari's hand and walked her out into the forest. The concert had seemed endless, and there had been so many people to talk with after the performance. Well-wishers, reporters, fans—far too many people for Julian's liking. It went on for most of the night. Now he allowed the peace of the mountains and the night breeze to push away the sounds of the crowd and the crush of so many humans pushing close to his lifemate. He was not altogether certain he would survive this life she insisted on. It was so foreign to the nature of a Carpathian male to allow so many near her, yet Desari took it for granted that he would just accept it.
    "I do not, you know. I have never taken anything for granted," she protested, sharing his thoughts. "I know how difficult this is for you, and I appreciate the way you support me in my choice."
    His dark eyes swept over her sincere expression, his eyebrows raised slightly. "You do, do you?
    Appreciate the way I support your choice?" He said the words softly, a hint of laughter in their depths.
    "And you look so perfectly honest and genuinely earnest with your far too beautiful eyes."

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    She tightened her hand around his. "I am completely sincere, Julian. I know this is hard on you, but it truly is my way of life."
    "This century, cara . For only this century will I allow it."
    She laughed softly. "You think."
    "I know. My heart cannot take the constant strain of worry. So many males hanging around you with not-so-pure thoughts. It sets my teeth on edge. And we are not even counting the vampires who appear to be