Carpathian 13 - Dark Destiny

not fault her for those traits. They are admirable. You are the one capable of stopping her. Force her back to our homeland."
    Nicolae wanted to argue with his brother. He wanted to point out he was far more experienced, far less vulnerable and much more powerful than Destiny, but none of that changed the truth of Vikirnoff's words.
    She was acting just as he had taught her. She hadn't called him because she was accustomed to relying on herself. She hadn't sensed the immediate danger because she had been thinking about Nicolae. He knew a good part of his reaction was fear for her, but another part was based on the incorrect assumption that after he made love to her, she would turn to him naturally.
    Sighing, Nicolae raked a hand through his hair, leaving it more disheveled than ever. "I am not going to say you are right because I could not take it if you smirked."
    "I do not smirk," Vikirnoff claimed.
    "Yes, you do. And I detest that after all these centuries, you are making sense. Frankly, it is scary."
    "It is only that you are not making sense since you acquired a lifemate. I hope that does not happen to all men. It would be a shame."
    "Your sense of humor is not improving," Nicolae pointed out dryly.
    "I do not have a sense of humor," Vikirnoff answered.
    "I had not noticed," Nicolae teased. His smile faded quickly. "She did well."
    Vikirnoff nodded. "Yes, she is a worthy lifemate to you. I did not think I would think so with her tainted blood and her wild ways, but she is courageous. A call was put out not long ago. The lifemate of one of our people' was with child and lay dying. Healers were sent for, and our people were called to join together to help perform the healing ritual, even from afar."
    Nicolae's heart leapt with hope. "That is so. It was not far from here. The healers must still be with the woman. One of them was Gregori."

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    There was silence between them. Vikirnoff shared his brother's mind during their battles with the undead, making it easier to coordinate their battle plans. They both had heard the vampire whispering his cruel words to Destiny. He had told her the Prince would not accept her. That Gregori would hunt her. That no one would want her near the other women. They both had felt the answering shame in Destiny. The vampire had known exactly what to say to play on her fear and humiliation.
    "She will not accept him. She will run."
    Vikirnoff shook his head. "You have no choice but to call him here. He will soon leave for our homeland.
    You will never get her to go there after what was said. She believes there is no cure for her. Call him. He can do no other than answer. You will find a way to persuade her to accept his healing power."
    Nicolae turned the idea over in his mind. Vikirnoff made sense.
    "It is possible there is no cure," Nicolae pointed out.
    Vikirnoff shrugged. "One can only try."
    Before he could change his mind, Nicolae sent the call on the common Carpathian path. Hear me, healer. We have great need. The blood of the vampire torments my lifemate on every rising. I do not want to lose her. It is a beacon for the undead and prevents our complete joining. I ask that you come when you have assured the life of the woman you are aiding .
    There was a space of time. Water bubbled and the flames flickered on the cave walls. Gems sparkled in the ceiling overhead one moment, then were gone the next. The answer came. There were no questions.
    No demand to know who Nicolae was or how his life-mate had gotten into such a condition. I will come at once . We will start out next rising . It was the Carpathian way of selfless service, and Nicolae's heart was so full he could not reply.
    "Thank you, Vikirnoff. He will come." Nicolae reached inside his shirt, extracted a rumpled photograph.
    "A vampire visited MaryAnn in her office and planted a compulsion to call the number on his business card if this woman should come to her seeking sanctuary. I think we need to find her and do our best to protect her. I cannot leave at this time. Will you begin the search? We can make copies of the photograph—MaryAnn has such a machine—and distribute them among our people."
    Vikirnoff took the photo, glanced at it without much interest, stiffened and swung his gaze back to the photo, studying it carefully. "Who is this woman?"
    "He did not give a name. There was little memory of the conversation and no memory of the