Carpathian 13 - Dark Destiny

you do. It makes no sense. Prey is prey.
    Nicolae glared at his brother, but the gesture was lost on Vikirnoff. Destiny. I must see that Martin's wounds are healed and that he gets home safely .
    Of course you must. There was something new in her voice. A soft note of warmth, of love that hadn't been there before. Nicolae was certain she was unaware of it, but it spread fire in his belly and sent his heart leaping with joy. I'm a little tired, but I'm all right. Do what you have to do, then come back and get me. I'll even let you play the big hero. You can pick me up and carry me home .
    Nicolae found himself smiling as he whisked Martin across the sky, back to the comparative safety of the city. You like it when I carry you around. Especially if you do not have any clothes on .
    Her laughter bubbled up, soft and melodic, warming him even more, filling him completely with happiness. He also heard the note of utter weariness in her voice when she spoke to him. You like it when I have no clothes on. That mind of yours is a minefield of erotic images. It is true what they say about men thinking of sex every few seconds .
    I have been in your mind too, Destiny.
    I have an excuse, though. You have all those images in your head and I'm thinking them over.
    Memorizing them.
    Her teasing voice caressed his skin, fanned the flames of urgent need, even when he knew rest and the healing soil were the only thing he would allow his lifemate this night. I am proud of you . He had to tell her of his pride, could not keep it to himself. The intensity of his emotions swept through him until he thought he might burst. She had done the impossible, the unthinkable.
    You did rather well yourself this night, although your speed could use improvement. Do not think I haven't noticed the wound on your shoulder when you were just a bit slow shoving your idiot of a brother out of harm's way.
    You are critiquing me? He injected shock and horror into his voice to make her laugh. He loved her laugh. I thought frying the lizard was a nice touch .
    I was taught by a master. Really, you could use a few tips. The amusement was already fading from her voice, leaving her sounding drowsy. I'm tired, Nicolae. I must rest until you return .
    He shared her mind as she set safeguards; they would be easy enough to unravel now that he knew the complicated patterns, I will return swiftly .
    No need. I will rest in the soil.
    Just like that she was gone from him. He knew she was safe, that she had gone to ground, allowing the earth to welcome her, but he needed to hold her, to see for himself that she was safe from all harm. He wanted to carry her to the cave of pools, to perform the healing ritual on her and give her blood before placing her in the rich soil of their lair.
    Nicolae controlled his descent so as not to alarm Martin further. He chose a small park a short distance Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    from the man's home.
    Martin trembled uncontrollably. "What were those things? You saved my life."
    Nicolae helped him to sit on the park bench. "It is not necessary to explain. You will not remember them. You will not remember any of this."
    At those words, Martin jerked away from Nicolae. "Like I don't remember the attack on Father Mulligan? Did you have something to do with that? Did those… those things ?"
    "I do not know why you cannot remember what happened, Martin," Nicolae answered honestly. "I cannot find evidence that one of the undead touched you in any way. Either a vampire has grown more powerful than anything I can conceive of, or it was not the influence or work of one. I do not know what happened to you, but I am trying to find out." He examined the wounds on Martin's legs. "Fortunately, you were not injected with poison. You were very lucky this time."
    "Lucky?" Martin looked as if he might cry. Then he began to laugh, almost hysterically. "I guess you're right. If you hadn't come along, that thing would have eaten me alive. What was it?"
    "Martin? Nicolae?" Father Mulligan came up behind them, startled to see them in the park. He had walked right past that bench only minutes earlier and no one had been in sight.
    Nicolae heaved a sigh, sitting back on his haunches. The world was conspiring against him. "How are you tonight, Father?"
    "What happened to Martin's legs?" The priest peered anxiously at the gaping, bloody lacerations.
    "Should I call an ambulance?"
    "I can take care of it for