Carpathian 09 - Dark Guardian

asking you where you're going. I'm just happy to be rid of you for a while."
    "That is not nice."
    "Keep it in mind when you're thinking about this lifemate stuff. I'm not a nice person," she said smugly.
    He laughed softly. "I do not have to reinforce my request that you remain indoors with a little help, do I?"
    Her dark eyes flashed fire. "You wouldn't dare!"
    "Try me." His voice was as soft as ever. Jaxon did her best to look demure. "Do I look in any shape to go running around like an idiot? But you need a couple of bodyguards. Take the chauffeur. He looks as if he can handle himself in a crisis. Not that I have any intention of worrying about you." His white teeth flashed at that blatant lie. "If you need me, honey, just reach for me with your mind. We can talk to each other anytime."
    She held up a hand. "Go away. It's the only safe thing for you to do. And leave my gun while you're at it.
    I don't want to be here alone unarmed."
    "You have a complete arsenal upstairs in your bedroom. I never saw so many weapons. It made me wonder just what type of woman I was getting myself involved with. There will be no shooting me when I come home this night, no unfortunate accidents, I trust," he teased as he put her gun on the table beside her chair. He bent to brush her temple with his warm mouth before he walked away from her, laughing softly.
    Lucian made certain he had stepped out into the darkness before his tall frame shimmered into transparency, slowly dissolved into millions of tiny droplets, and streamed out into the mist rising from the ground. He moved fast, traveling at preternatural speed, moving straight toward the city.
    The three men sent to murder Jaxon had all worked for the same person. Samuel T. Barnes. The man was a banker, wealthy and very social. He was seen at all the prominent parties, supported the local mayor, the congressman, and the senator. He did not appear to have any drug connections, yet he had ordered all three assassins to get rid of Jaxon. She had been far too successful in slowing the drug traffic in her city. Her team had virtually put a stranglehold on the incoming routes. She found and took away shipment after shipment.
    Lucian found Barnes's condominium in an exclusive neighborhood. The stream of mist circled the house, testing the defenses. Each window was sealed, every door bolted. Lucian returned to the front door, shimmering once more into solid flesh and blood. He stood tall and straight, a faint smile touching his mouth, although his eyes were completely expressionless. He listened for a moment, noting the position of all people in the house and what they were doing. His knock was sharp and authoritative and brought an instant response.
    A young man in a suit, the poorly concealed bulge beneath his jacket indicating he was armed, opened Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    the door. Lucian nodded politely. "I am Lucian Daratrazanoff, here to see Mr. Barnes. I do not have an appointment, but I was in the area and thought I would take a chance."
    The man blinked several times in surprise. He obviously recognized the name. "Please come in, sir. I'll tell him you're here."
    Lucian didn't move. "I would not want to disturb him if he has settled in for the evening. After all, it is quite late. I will wait out here."
    "Mr. Barnes wouldn't like that, sir," the man insisted. "I've heard him speak of you often. Please come in."
    "You are certain you have the authority to invite me into his home?" Lucian's voice was soft, his accent very much in evidence.
    The man nodded. "Yes, sir. Please come in. Mr. Barnes would have my job if I kept you waiting on the doorstep."
    Lucian graciously allowed the man to talk him into entering the foyer. He stood quietly while the man hurried off to get Samuel Barnes. He could clearly hear the whisper of conversation in the room above him.
    "Are you certain it's Lucian Daratrazanoff? My God, where's my jacket? Quick, Bruce, mix a couple of drinks, and bring them into the library. No, wait. Escort Daratrazanoff into the main sitting room. I'll make the drinks myself."
    Lucian remained quite still, waiting while Bruce hurried back to him. "Mr. Barnes said to bring you right up," he announced, indicating the staircase.
    Lucian moved up the stairs without hesitation. He had not used his voice to persuade or enthrall. He had not needed to do so. His name, that of the elusive foreign billionaire, was enough. To a man