Carpathian 09 - Dark Guardian

the man was completely different from the one he used with her. She found Lucian's hand, weaving her fingers through his.
    Yes. And you and your lady?
    Both of us are fine. She is worried that Drake has retaliated.
    All is quiet here. I am keeping a low profile, expecting him to visit your home tonight. Tell her not to worry.

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    Thank you, Antonio, and good day to you.
    Jaxon found herself smiling at how old-fashioned and courtly Lucian managed to sound even in thought transfers. "Can he contact you anytime?"
    Lucian shook his head. "No, although I am certain I would feel his anxiety if he were in a situation where his life was threatened. His family has served Aidan Savage's family for hundreds of years. They are human but wellversed in the ways of our people. To my knowledge they are among only a handful of humans trusted with the knowledge of the Carpathians' existence. Antonio is an exceptional young man. I consider him a friend."
    "Are you sure the main vampire followed us as well?"
    "Absolutely, Jaxon. He broke off from our trail earlier than did the two lesser vampires, but he has followed. No doubt he thinks we are unaware of him. He will know I am conscious of the two following, but he has a very high opinion of himself and his ability to hide from me."
    "Perhaps it's because he deserves it," she suggested quietly.
    Lucian arched an elegant black eyebrow at her, a lofty gesture that spoke volumes silently.
    Jaxon burst out laughing at his arrogance. "What?" she demanded. "Isn't it conceivable that he has managed to stay alive for centuries because he's really good at being a vampire? Maybe he's more powerful than—"
    "I know you are not going to say more powerful than me." His voice dared her to challenge him.
    She pushed at the wall of his chest, completely unafraid. "Isn't it possible?"
    "Absolutely not."
    "You really believe that, don't you?"
    "I know it, angel. There is no vampire as powerful. I have great control, tremendous discipline, and I have learned what others have not. Only my brother Gabriel comes close to having the knowledge and abilities I possess."
    He was not bragging, he spoke matter-of-factly, unconcerned with his power. He accepted it as he had accepted everything else in the world around him. It simply was.
    "What if you're wrong? What if you underestimate him?"
    Lucian shrugged with lazy casualness. "I can underestimate him easily enough without being less powerful.
    Some vampires are quite cunning, all are ruthless and wholly evil. I am certain this one has lived long and acquired much knowledge. It will not do him any good. It is my duty to destroy him, and I will do so."
    "How did you hold out for so long when so many other males have turned?"

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    Lucian touched her face with gentle fingertips. "I would like to say that I knew you were going to be born and I held on for your sake, but the truth is, I did not believe I would be so rewarded. I met a man many centuries ago. Some say he was the Son of God. Others say he did not exist, and still others say he was merely a good man who lived an exemplary life. I know only that we walked together one night and talked. I touched his mind with mine. In all the days I have walked on this earth, I never met another such as he. He was like me yet different. He was like a human, yet different. There was only goodness in him.
    Only that. He knew things no one else knew. He was gentle and compassionate. I had already lost my ability to feel, yet when I was in his presence, I was comforted." Lucian sighed softly and shook his head.
    "He asked me if I could have anything in the world granted to me, what would I ask for. I replied, a lifemate for Gabriel. He told me Gabriel had a lifemate and he would find her, but we would have to hold out far longer than any other of our kind. I knew he meant that, without my aid, Gabriel would not survive so long a time."
    "And you believed him?"
    "You do not understand. This man could not tell an untruth. He was not capable of deceit. I made a promise to myself I would never allow my brother to go the way of the undead. Much was asked of us—the constant killing of our own kind, the isolation the hunter must endure. Gabriel was different; he felt emotions far longer than was normal for our males. I believe it was because his lifemate was alive.
    She is one