Carpathian 05 - Dark Challenge

the heavens above. It made him feel a failure. He had promised himself it would never happen to her again, yet that filthy abomination had managed to touch her mind, made her doubt herself, made her relive Savon's brutal attack and believe she was in some way to blame.
    "Julian." Dayan was studying the Carpathian with knowing eyes. "It takes a tremendous amount of energy to heal a wound such as this one. Go with Barack and feed heavily, that the two of you can provide for our family. I will guard those here. Do not fear the task is too great. I may choose to follow my brother, but I am capable of fighting should there be need."
    Julian waved a hand to close the ground over Darius, weaving intricate safeguards to ensure the leader's rest wasn't disturbed while he was gone. He nodded to Dayan, already rising to make his way from the mountain. If he didn't hunt prey soon, he would be sending his lifemate out to do it for him.
    Soft laughter immediately enveloped him. I heard that thought .
    I was certain you would, beautiful one. I will return immediately. Do not allow Syndil to disappear on us. Right now she is in more danger from herself than from any vampire.
    Desari sighed softly, her breath whispering along the inside of his mind. It is true, Julian. She feels as if she is responsible for placing all of us in danger. I am trying, but … The thought trailed off, and Julian felt Desari's sorrow.
    Piccola, do not worry so. We will not allow anything to happen to your family . A note of amusement crept in. I cannot wait for your arrogant brother to rise. I will taunt him repeatedly over how I had to repair the damage to his family unit .
    I am sure you will.
    Julian burst into the dawn air, the light striking cruelly at his eyes. A part of him was locked to Darius. He had been inside the man, a part of him, just as Darius had done for him. They were linked strongly to one another. And Julian was not altogether certain he had as much faith and trust in the other males of the family as Darius seemed to show. Either of them could be close to turning, and masking it. Leaving Darius so vulnerable, lying as one dead, where a trusted friend could so easily slay him, kept Julian locked to his lifemate's brother. Desari had given him what he had lost centuries earlier; she had given him a family. He would do all he could to protect it.
    The wind brought the scent of prey to him, and he altered his course with ease. He streaked across the sky, uncaring whether or not Barack was following. He intended to make certain he was gone only a Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    short time.
    I thought you said Darius was still dangerous, even as he lies sleeping .
    Julian sighed. He should have known Desari would so easily read his thoughts, just as he could always touch hers. It is so , cara, he is very dangerous. You can feel his power radiate from him. But I am not certain he would be expecting the attack to come from one of his own .
    There is no one who could surprise Darius ever again. Except perhaps…
    Julian could feel Desari pause and give consideration to her statement. Then the little minx had a flashing thought, hastily censored. She was up to something, no doubt about it. Julian didn't mind—as long as her brother, not he, was the intended recipient of her scheming.

Chapter Seventeen
    The call to awaken came not from within himself but from outside. At the command, his heart took one beat, and his lungs drew in air. There was pain with his first breath, and Darius quickly assessed the damage to his body without moving a muscle or flickering an eyelid, without allowing anything else to intrude while he took inventory. A thick wrist was pressed to his mouth, and he felt, more than heard, the soft command to replenish what he had lost. He knew immediately who was donating so generously to him. The blood was ancient and powerful, potent as it soaked into his starving cells, carrying with it the energy and strength of a true ancient. Darius slowly opened his eyes and stared up at the blond stranger who was his sister's mate. Darius savored the effects of the fresh blood pouring into his body, strong, rich, ancient blood, and already he could feel the healing powers working within him. He studied Julian as he fed from the man's wrist. Julian was powerful and enormously strong, equally confident. It showed in the way he carried himself, in the straight stare of his strange amber eyes