Carpathian 06 - Dark Fire

what's going on here, Darius.
    I know you are with a male.
    Well, gee, what a crime. Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
    "Tempest?" Cullen brought her attention back to him. "What's wrong?" He couldn't help but notice she had stiffened, her mouth tightening as if she were annoyed.
    She shrugged. "Not much. I just have some weird organization of vampire-hunters wanting to kidnap, torture, and murder me. Not too big of a deal. I can handle it. Mostly I'm worried about Desari. She doesn't deserve any more trauma."
    "I wish you'd listen to me. What if I come with you and talk to the bodyguard myself? If he's as good as you say he is, he might be able to use the information I can give him," Cullen ventured, not certain why he offered. He knew he would follow Tempest, try to protect her as best he could. Even if he didn't actually go to the camp, he would try to guard her against others coming after her.
    Tempest was already shaking her head.
    Bring him back with you, came Darius's order.
    I won't do it, Darius. I have no idea what you'll do to him. This man has suffered enough.

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    You should trust your lifemate.
    I would if I had one, she sniped back. All I have is some bossy male who thinks he can order me around. Go back to sleep.
    You are very brave when you think I cannot touch you, honey. All anger was gone from his voice, replaced by amusement. She felt the brush of his fingers around her throat. His touch sent the familiar wave of heat curling through her bloodstream and butterflies fluttering in her stomach. No one else could do that, touch her physically without being present. She knew Darius was far away; she felt the distance between them.
    "Tempest?" Cullen was afraid he was losing her. She kept turning inward, focusing on something other than the danger she was in.
    Tempest tilted her chin. "Why would you want to put yourself in more danger, Mr. Tucker? Aren't you taking an even greater risk by joining us? Your people might not find out that you warned me today, but if you actually came to the camp, they'll think you've changed sides."
    "I know," Cullen admitted, suddenly weary. "I feel I owe the singer something. I didn't know they'd ordered a hit on her until it was too late, but I was a part of that wacko group for a time, and I feel guilty." His eyes jumped to the window, the door, continually checking in case Brady Grand had sent someone after him.
    "Guilt isn't a very good reason to put your life on the line," Tempest pointed out.
    Quit arguing with the man and bring him back.
    I don't want him hurt.
    If he is telling the truth, no one will harm him, Darius assured her.
    "I can't let these people kill you, Tempest," Cullen argued. "Matt Brodrick had your picture in his camera when he died tracking your band. They know what you look like, and they'll come for you." Cullen Tucker paused. "How did he die, anyway? It appeared he shot himself, but weren't you there?" Cullen tapped the picture one more time. "This is the exact same spot where his body was found."
    "I have no idea. I had no idea he was even taking my picture. He must have been hiding in the bushes close by. It's a heavily wooded area." Tempest tried to throw Cullen off track with the improvised explanation.
    "It doesn't stand to reason, Tempest," Cullen said quietly, "that Matt would take your picture and then blow himself away. The police bought it because there was absolutely no evidence of anyone else being around, but I knew Matt. He was a sadistic son-of-a-bitch. He never would have killed himself."
    For a moment she couldn't breathe, remembering the way the reporter had looked at her with his cold, calculating eyes.
    I am here, baby, Darius reassured her. This man asks many questions, but I do not sense a trap.
    She took a deep breath and began telling Cullen Tucker the truth. "I didn't see him kill himself. He was Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    going to shoot me, but I fell backward off a cliff and down a ravine. I heard a gunshot, but I have no idea what actually happened."
    "No one else was there?" Cullen prompted.
    "I didn't see anyone," Tempest reiterated truthfully.
    Cullen sighed softly. "Let's get out of here. The longer we stick around, the more likely it is we'll be spotted. Why did you have to drive such a distinctive car?"
    "You're right," she agreed. "No one would have no-ticed the touring bus with the