Carpathian 18 - Dark Possesion

have had to take them down." Vlad nodded his head. "It makes sense, of course." He waved his hand toward a small grove of trees. "Please come for a few minutes. A few of us guard this area to keep newcomers from wandering into the land of the fallen ones."
    Manolito matched his steps, although, as much as he wanted to talk to Vlad and even get advice on the elusive werewolf species, he was impatient to confront Maxim and get back to MaryAnn. A sense of urgency was growing inside of him.
    He had been expecting Vlad to condemn him. Maybe it would have been easier to face what he'd done if his prince had been angry. "I am sorry," he said quietly. Sincerely. "I had no idea the plan would ever be implemented. I had no idea the Malinovs hated you so much. In the end we talked for hours, and Zacarias and Ruslan agreed that we all would remain loyal to you and serve you with honor. We took a blood oath."
    "You and your brothers have served our people faithfully," Vlad said. "Even here we get news as warriors or vampires come." He pushed through a wall of ferns. "Ah, here is Sarantha. My darling, I have brought a guest."
    Sarantha turned, her smile lighting her face, and her eyes brightening the dull colors around them. "Manolito.
    It is wonderful to see you, although I have heard rumors you walk in both worlds. How are my sons and their lifemates? How is my granddaughter? I understand she is quite lovely. You must tell me everything, all the news." She hugged him, her body light and insubstantial against his. "You must have a lifemate or your spirit would not be so bright. Tell me about her."
    Vlad laughed. "Give him a chance to speak, my love. He is in a great hurry."
    "Forgive me. I am just so excited to see you." She patted a spot by the campfire. "Do you have a few moments of your time to give to me?"
    "Of course." He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Mikhail is a wonderful leader. You would be proud of him.
    His lifemate is a good match for him and is helping to lead our people back into a more cohesive society.
    Jacques and Shea have had a son, a boy. I was gone before the naming ceremony, so I do not know what they have called him. I heard that Savannah, your granddaughter, is expecting twins."
    Sarantha threw herself into Vlad's arms. "I wish we could see them."
    "Someday," Vlad said, enfolding her close. "We will be united with our loved ones. We are moving from this life to the next very soon."
    She nodded and turned her face up to his to brush a small kiss along his chin. "And your lifemate, Manolito?

    Tell us about her."
    "She is courageous. And beautiful. And she makes me want to be better with every rising." Manolito frowned, wanting information without giving too much away. "Vlad, tell me what you know of the guardians. The werewolves."
    Vlad sank cross-legged to the ground. "Little is known of their society, although legends abound. I think they started most of the myths to keep people frightened and away from them, but then that backfired and they were hunted by humans. They live in human form most of the time. They exist on all continents, or did in ancient times. Few can ever tell them from humans."
    "How can they stay secret even from us?"
    "They do not have brain function all that different from a human; they simply use more of the brain, as we do. Most of the time, the wolf stays silent within them, so they appear completely human."
    "What would happen to a wolf if he became Carpathian?"
    "Cross the species?" Vlad glanced at Sarantha. "I do not know. I have never heard of such a thing."
    "Can it even be done?" Sarantha asked.
    "I have no idea," Manolito said. "But humans have been successfully brought into Carpathian society. As werewolves are psychic, it is theoretically possible."
    Vlad let his breath out. "I am glad it is not a decision I have to make. A wolf and a Carpathian. The combination might be lethal."
    "Or exciting," Sarantha interjected. "Two species of equal power."
    "What would it do to the person? To their body and mind? What would they become?"
    Vlad opened his mouth and closed it abruptly. "I see your dilemma." And he did. Much more than Manolito might have wanted him to see. "I cannot help you. As far as I know, it has never been done. Both bloodlines are of equal power. I do not know which would emerge victorious, if either."
    "And what do you know of Xavier?"
    Vlad sighed and reached for Sarantha's hand. "In truth, it is long since I had to make decisions for my people.
    I am