Carpathian 11 - Dark Descent

across a black background, Joie realized dizzily she had only precious seconds to break the invisible hold on her throat. She reached for her knife, folowing through in one smooth motion with a throw directed by sheer desperation.
    The blade sank deep into the fiery left eye. Immediately the water bubbled up in a blackish-red ooze and the hold on her throat loosened, alowing her to breathe. A terrible howl filed the cavern, assaulting her ears. She stumbled away from the poisonous pool, dragging air into her lungs, coughing as her raw throat protested.
    In the next moment Traian was dragging her into his arms, his body crowding hers, his hands moving over her to assure himself she was unhurt. As he lifted her, she clung to his strength, not bothering to pretend the encounter hadn't shaken her. He moved quickly through the air, so fast the cold air bit at her face, numbed her arms, and tore tears from her eyes. Joie buried her face against his chest, alowing herself a few moments to recover before she faced her siblings.
    "You are teaching me the meaning of fear," he said.
    "Realy? I thought it was the other way around. I don't think your world is the calm environment a woman like me should be in." Her voice shook, embarrassing her.
    "Having courage does not mean being unafraid."
    "True, but everyone doesn't have to know I was shaking in my boots. Literaly."
    "I am not everyone. I stil cannot believe you are real," he said softly. His lips moved against her cheek, a brush lighter than a butterfly wing, yet she felt it al the way to her toes. That smal caress sent blood rushing through her veins, her heart leaping; his touch warmed her as nothing else could.
    "I'm having a difficult time believing that any of this is real," Joie admitted. "And what's up with the wolf? Telepathy, okay, I can accept that. Even your strange little blood fetish, but don't you think changing into animals and flying through the air might be going a little too far?"
    His arms tightened possessively. "You do not enjoy flying?"
    "I don't enjoy anything when I'm not in complete control. And you didn't have to intimidate my brother."
    His arm was curved around her, pressed against the underside of her breasts. "You wil not be in complete control when I make love to you, Joie," he told her softly.
    She closed her eyes at the velvet sound of his voice. Danger surrounded them. Her family was close. It didn't seem to matter. She was so aware of him, her body ached with need. With hunger. With absolute longing. She felt edgy and hot; a terrible pressure was building inside her.
    I feel the same way.
    She often spoke with her brother and sister using telepathy, a secret they al shared, but this was different. So much more. An intimacy that whispered of erotic nights and appetites that would never be sated. Why? Why with you?
    I am your other half. We belong together. I have searched the world for you. Waited lifetimes for you.
    Joie tightened her grip on his shirt, burrowed closer to his heart. She was a woman who knew herself wel. An adrenaline junkie. A feminist. A believer in justice. She loved her life. Traveling from country to country. One assignment after another taking her into danger. Her recreation time was spent caving, white-water rafting, or skydiving. She was not a woman who wanted or needed a man. She was not a woman who clung to a man.
    Joie looked up at Traian, the light from her helmet shining on his face. He had changed her very existence for al time. "I'm not altogether certain I approve of you."
    Laughter rumbled in his throat. "Fortunately, your approval is not strictly necessary. Lifemates simply are. We have no choice in the matter. We are like two magnets that cannot be torn apart."
    "Great. I don't know a thing about you except I can't exactly bring you home to my mother and father. My family is very close, by the way."
    He put her carefuly on firm ground. Jubal and Gabriele rushed to her, flinging their arms around her and hugging her close. "I had not noticed," Traian said with drawling amusement. "We are not safe. We have to keep moving."
    "Wait, Traian," Jubal objected. "We found something. Something realy important. You said those vampires were hunting something. You have to take a look at this. I've never seen anything like it."
    Traian hadn't relinquished Joie's hand, even when her siblings dragged her into their arms. She felt a little sily holding hands—she'd never realy done it, not even in high school. But there