Carpathian 08 - Dark Legend

As he passed the bookshelf, he handed her a book he had taken at random. "I am certain you will enjoy this very much."
    Skyler took the book without question and opened it. She read in earnest, but even as she did so, a small smile was tugging at the corners of her soft mouth. "All this cloak-and-dagger stuff is interesting, isn't it, Gabe?"
    Gabriel's black eyebrows shot up nearly to the ceiling. In all the long centuries of his existence, no one had ever thought to call him Gabe.
    "More respect, young lady, and less of this Gabe stuff." He merged his mind with hers quickly, not giving her time to think about it or tip off Lucian that he was joining them. Immediately he could feel the surge of power that signaled his twin's presence in the girl's young mind.
    Lucian felt him at once. "A little crowded for the two of us."
    "When were you reduced to using children to get your way? I thought perhaps you were strong enough to meet me face-to-face, but I see that your power has been slowly dwindling away." Gabriel spoke in a soft, pure voice, his tone hypnotic.
    "You persist in taunting me. It has never worked, Gabriel. I doubt if I will be driven to accept your challenge. While you grow soft in that house surrounded by women, I am building a kingdom to rule."
    Gabriel sighed softly. "You sound like a child, Lucian. You would be bored ruling a kingdom. Find a monastery and read some books."
    "I have already done just that." Before Gabriel had a chance to "see" through Lucian's eyes and give him an idea where his twin might be, he felt the withdrawal. Lucian was gone from Skyler's mind that fast.
    Skyler looked up at him, "He knew you gave me the book. He quoted from it and told me to look on page eighty-two. I looked up the quote and he'd repeated it word for word." She sounded awed by the feat.
    "Lucian is a genius, Skyler, and he has a photographic memory."
    She turned her wide eyes on him, old eyes. "You have one, too, don't you?"
    Gabriel nodded. "Yes, I do, honey. Lucian is my brother, my twin. He likes to play games, not always nice ones. I do not want you to be afraid, but he has power and sometimes misuses it."
    Skyler shook her head and handed Gabriel the book. "I'm not afraid of him, not at all. Why did Francesca tell me not to look at anybody?"
    She asked the question to see if Gabriel would tell her the truth.
    His white teeth flashed and for the first time Skyler felt a small shiver run down her spine. She could see the predator in him clearly for a moment. "Lucian can do more than talk to you mind to mind. He is telepathic, but he also has other powers. He can use you if he is merged with you."
    She hadn't expected this answer. Skyler stopped walking and stared up at him. "You really will answer my questions, won't you? No matter how bad it is, you will tell me the truth."
    "What were you expecting, Skyler?"
    She shrugged. "Most people lie to kids if the truth is difficult." Skyler ducked her head so that her hair spilled around her face. "I shouldn't have tested you like that. I suspected it was something like that."
    "Is it too far-fetched for you to believe?" Gabriel asked curiously.

    "Isn't it far-fetched that you and Francesca can talk to me in my mind? Isn't it far-fetched that I can talk to animals?"
    He raised one eyebrow. "Can you?"
    She nodded without looking at him, half afraid he might not believe her.
    "I knew you had a built in barometer for trouble, but I did not realize how gifted you really are. We will have to work on that particular talent.
    Do you like animals?"
    "Better than people," she admitted with a little grin. "Much better than people. I relate to animals. They have a code they live by. An honorable code."
    "Some people have codes, sweetheart. Some people actually have honor and integrity. You should know that; you are one of them."
    "Can you really help me speak to animals better?"
    "I can help you develop what talent you have," he answered. "And it is very possible Francesca and I might be able to teach you to shield yourself from unwanted emotions when you are with other people."
    "I'd like that." Her small teeth tugged at her lower lip.
    "You have a different accent. It's nice. I like the way you twist your words."
    "How did you learn to speak both English and French?"
    Skyler shrugged again. "Languages are easy for me to pick up. I don't really know why, but I think my mother was the same way."
    "She must have been a remarkable woman. I wish that I had known her,