Carpathian 18 - Dark Possesion

over them, commanding her to sleep the rejuvenating sleep of the

    Carpathian.
    Chapter Twenty

    "Where are they?" Jasmine asked anxiously. She didn't like being without the Carpathian males in the house.
    She paced from window to window, staring out into the rain forest.
    MaryAnn remained silent for a moment, touching Manolito's mind very lightly. "They are helping Luiz. He has risen as Carpathian, and he is very hungry."
    Juliette smoothed back Solange's hair. "No one is out there, Jazz. I'd know. In any case, the men aren't that far away. I doubt anyone would try another attack."
    "I just want to get out of here," Jasmine said, pressing a hand protectively to her stomach.
    "We've sent for the plane," Juliette assured her. "We don't want you and Solange trying to make it through the forest to the ranch. It's too far and too dangerous. Now that we know the master vampire is using the jaguar-men to try to capture Solange, we can't take any chances."
    "The ranch is on the edge of the rain forest," Jasmine pointed out. "It's still isolated from people. Maybe we aren't safe there, either."
    Juliette exchanged a long look with MaryAnn, and both looked down at Solange.
    She squeezed her cousin's hand. It's all right. I know I won't be safe anywhere now. Don't tell Jasmine. I had hoped to stay at the ranch, but I don't want to put her in any more danger than she's already in. She's pregnant, Juliette, and she needs care .
    Juliette spoke aloud to reassure both her sister and her cousin. "There are several houses on the estate. One has been built just for the two of you, so you can have your privacy. Rafael and Colby are Carpathian and they have their own home on the ranch. Colby's younger brother and sister live with them. Riordan and I have a home there as well. Nicolas and Zacarias share the main house. Manolito and MaryAnn will have their own home. Aside from that, the Chavez family resides and works on the ranch. They are well equipped with the knowledge and the weapons to fight the vampire or anyone else who happens to try to harm either of you. The ranch is the safest place you could possibly be right now, with eight Carpathians to guard you."
    Solange sighed. "She's right, Jasmine. We'll probably be safer at the ranch than anywhere else. I need some time to recuperate anyway. And I've always loved horses."
    Jasmine turned around, for the first time more interested in the conversation. "I didn't know that. You never told me."
    Solange tried to look nonchalant. She rarely gave anything of herself away these days, not even to her family.
    "When I was younger I used to ride."

    "I remember that," Juliette said. "You were such a daredevil even then. You always rode bareback and scared the heck out of Mom."
    The light faded from Solange's eyes and she lay back again on the couch. Juliette and even Jasmine glanced helplessly at MaryAnn, as if asking what they should do.
    MaryAnn waited until Jasmine was seated on the couch beside Solange before she brought out her nail polish. She held up the bottle. "Anyone want to use this?"
    "I've never painted my nails in my life," Solange said, looking faintly shocked. "Can you imagine me with red nails?"
    "Not red." MaryAnn gave a little shake of her head, frowning as if Solange had committed a huge fashion gaffe. "Passion pink."
    " Passion pink," Juliette prodded her cousin. "That's hysterical. I've never seen you in pink anything, let alone passion pink."
    "Why not red?" Jasmine asked.
    "It would be wrong with her skin tone," MaryAnn said knowledgeably. "She has beautiful hands. You want people to notice them."
    Solange put her hands behind her back. "I'm not interested in men noticing me."
    MaryAnn laughed. "Silly woman. Do you really think women dress up just for men? Some do, but the majority dress to give themselves courage in any situation. If you look good, you have more confidence. For instance, if you and Jasmine have to go to some dinner party, you're going to want to look your best so other women don't make you feel like a poor relation. Women are much harder on women than men are."
    "You always look good," Juliette said. "What else do you do?"
    MaryAnn looked left and right and then lowered her voice. "The secret weapon is cucumber."
    Solange sat all the way up. "Jasmine, cover your ears."
    MaryAnn, Juliette and Jasmine burst out laughing.
    "Sheesh, Solange," Juliette said. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
    " My mind is just fine, thank you. It's MaryAnn's I'm