Carpathian 16 - Dark Demon

and wrenched Barstow's head. The crack was sickening, but he finally lay still.
    Jubal crawled off the man. "Save her. I know you can save her. She's psychic. You can make her like you if you have to." Tears poured down his face. "Why didn't I tie him up? I didn't even search him once I took the gun."
    Can you save her? Please, please, Vikirnoff, say you can save her. I was careless. This is my fault. She is so sweet and innocent. She doesn't deserve this. Please save her . Natalya couldn't look at him, couldn't look at the others. Gabrielle lay on the floor with blood running in streams from her body because Natalya had been too confident.
    Another voice broke into their minds. You must save her if possible .
    Vikirnoff recognized the voice of the prince. I will do what I can .
    He bent over Gabrielle and looked into her eyes. Her spirit was fading away. There was no way, even with their healing skills they could save her as a human. "Hear me, kin to one of my kind. If you wish me to attempt a conversion I will do so. It is your decision. Can you live as one of us?"
    "Gabby, please." Jubal's voice broke.

    Gabrielle nodded and closed her eyes, the breath leaving her body in a long, rattling sigh.
    Blood bubbled around her lips.
    Natalya heard Vikirnoff swear softly to himself. She touched his arm. Please do this. I know it seems impossible, but she is special .
    I will be tied to this woman for all time, Natalya.
    She met his gaze. Knew he was asking permission. Was warning her of things she couldn't know. She didn't fully comprehend what he was trying to say, nor could she grasp the explanation from his mind, but it didn't matter. It couldn't matter. Please do this .
    For you, although not because you are responsible, you are not, but because you asked me. Others come. Keep them off of us . He had to surround her spirit—her soul and leash it to his to keep her from sliding away from them. Vikirnoff took a deep cleansing breath and sent himself seeking outside his body to enter Gabrielle's, leaving himself vulnerable to attack. There would be no healing Gabrielle fast and easy.
    Natalya swallowed fear and guilt and shoved her guns into her holsters, added knives to the loops on her belt and extra clips. She stepped over Brent's body. "Slavica, take care of Jubal's chest wounds, while I cover us." She had no idea why, but Vikirnoff's absolute faith in her ability to guard his back left her glowing inside.
    Jubal held out his hand. "Give me a gun. I can shoot."
    "I think Mikhail is on his way, Slavica," Natalya reassured her as she handed her spare gun to Jubal. "Once he gets ahold of these idiots, you'll have your husband and daughter back." She glanced at Vikirnoff. He was attempting to repair the wounds enough to give him time for the first blood exchange. She knew it would be important to get his ancient blood into Gabrielle's body to speed healing.
    It took a moment to sink in that ever since Vikirnoff had risen, she had been touching his mind, living in it as a light shadow, afraid to let go of him. Now she could feel his sense of urgency, his concern that he could not do what was asked of him when the time was so short, the task so large. She could hear the soft whispers of other Carpathians, a woman's voice, Joie: Please. Please . A man's voice, Traian: I offer freely whatever you need, whenever you need, keep her alive for us .
    There was so much pressure. Why didn't they leave him alone? She wanted to put her arms around him and keep him safe from the demands of so many others, but she had been the one to put him in the position. She had been the one to ask him. She swept her hand down the back of his head, a light brush, before taking aim at the door.
    Vikirnoff sealed off the wounds in an effort to stem the flow of blood. The heart was in bad shape. Blood was pumping through several deep tears in the left ventricle. The artery leading to the chamber was severed and blood filled the chest and lungs. The kidney and heart were nearly destroyed by the twisting motion her attacker had used and the jagged notched edges on the blade of the knife. To try to work fast and efficiently in so many areas was nearly impossible. He couldn't allow doubt to enter his mind, but the problem was so vast, so complex, he was finding it difficult to know which direction to turn first.
    Mikhail Dubrinsky, prince of the Carpathian people strode into the room. Immediately, a second white light of energy entered Gabrielle's body.