Carpathian 09 - Dark Guardian

You will not awaken until I command you. You will have no fear of the earth and its welcoming arms .
    Lucian's mouth captured her last breath as she succumbed to his demand that she sleep. His gut clenched hotly, every muscle in his body taut all over again. She was so beautiful, so perfect. He would never get used to the idea that she put his desires, his safety, and his happiness before her own. She watched out for him, worried about him, needed him. A soft groan escaped. She thought only good of him; she didn't have the sense to be afraid. It didn't occur to her that he would be capable of mass destruction should anything ever threaten her. She trusted him implicitly. She had complete faith in him.
    She had no idea what that did for him. For centuries, the very people he had dedicated his life to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    protecting had feared him. Jaxon had every reason to be afraid of him, of the changes he had forced on her, yet she gave him her trust, and this filled him with humility.
    Lucian ? Gabriel's voice startled him. It came from far away. You have need of me ? The sun was already set where Gabriel dwelled, and night was upon him.
    I have a need, but not of you, Gabriel. Is all well with you and Francesca and with Skyler? What about little Tamara ? Tamara, Lucian knew, was still very much at risk.
    Jacques and Shea Dubrinsky, the Prince's brother and his lifemate, have arrived to help us in finding a way to keep Tamara alive. She is doing very well. Skyler is quite brilliant, but you know that. She misses you but is happy that you touch her mind often. Francesca is much happier with Shea here. Shea has developed a formula, and it seems to be helping.
    I will come to you should there be need , Lucian assured him unnecessarily. He had not yet told Jaxon about the terrible reality of having a much-wanted child and watching it fade away despite everything the healers could do. He, like so many other Carpathians, was counting on Shea, Francesca, and Gregori to find answers to why their kind lost so many females soon after their birth, threatening the continuation of the species.
    I thank you for that. You worry for your lifemate.
    I will protect her. I can do no other.
    I will aid you should there be need . Gabriel made the identical offer instantly.
    Lucian smiled, grateful that he could feel the intensity of his love for his twin brother, not just a remembered emotion, but one heartfelt and real. I know you would come, Gabriel, and I will call should I have need. Francesca and the children have a greater need at this time. Jaxon and I are followed by, three of the undead. Jaxon fears them less than the human monster we are attempting to lure .
    Perhaps she has good reason to fear the human. Watch yourself. I could leave now and be there on the next rising.
    Thank you for the offer, but you are needed there. I can take care of these evil ones with no problem.
    And the human?
    Do not start, Gabriel. It is bad enough to have my lifemate think such a puny one could defeat me. I do not need you to side with her.
    Soft laughter met his statement. The hour of the day was beginning to tell heavily on Lucian. He was an ancient and very susceptible to the effects of daylight. His body needed the earth. He set more safeguards and his warning system in place to keep humans and immortals alike from their resting place.
    Gliding out of the cavern of pools, Jaxon cradled in his arms, Lucian followed a narrow tunnel leading deeper beneath the earth. He avoided the molten pools and found rich, dark soil teeming with healing, rejuvenating minerals and opened a bed several feet under its richness. As he floated into the beckoning arms of the earth, he focused his attention on scanning the surrounding areas. He held Jaxon to him, curling his body around hers protectively. He went to sleep with a smile of satisfaction touching his Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    mouth.
    The sun tried valiantly to bathe the mountains with light, striving to reach through the heavy foliage to the ground below. At noon, when the sun was at its highest point, the winds began to pick up. Clouds gathered, moving in from the south. By four the clouds were heavy enough to dim the light of the sun. At five the wind was strong enough to bend the trees and throw the branches into a wild frenzy of dancing.
    Deep beneath the earth, in the very bowels of the