Carpathian 21 - Dark Peril

Solange’s wrist and he bowed low, a gesture of his deepest respect. He had to have known how frightened she was as well. Her blood had been laced with adrenaline, giving him a rush, a fireball burning through his veins, but her courage had defied all logic, her sacrifice great for a warrior so close to turning.
    He seemed ashamed to be in Dominic’s company, and more ashamed to be in hers.

    Dominic let out his breath, emotion shaking him, knowing the cost to his friend and to his lifemate. “I apologize, Zacarias. I could not let you go. I know it is difficult, but I cannot yet give you up. Solange knew that. It is my weakness, not yours.”

    He reached out and gripped Zacarias by his forearms, warrior to warrior, staring into his eyes. They both knew the gesture was brotherhood, respect, and to check that Zacarias had conquered their enemy one more time. The ruby red in Zacarias’s eyes had receded along with the haze. His fangs slowly retracted. It took a moment before he responded, clasping Dominic’s forearms in a firm grip.

    “There is nothing weak about you, Dragonseeker. You hide your fierce nature under that calm charm but those of us who know you are fully aware of the power you wield. I will wait for your call. I go to ground now to keep my people safe.”

    “Should you need blood,” Solange said, “call to us.”

    Dominic didn’t protest, but he was never going to allow such a risk to her again. Fighting vampires was one thing, but walking into the very fangs of a Carpathian on the verge of turning was something altogether different. His heart was still pounding, the sound drumming in his veins. He looked at her, this woman who was such a miracle to him.

    Solange seemed so young, yet so intensely vital. Her sable hair was thick and streaked with red and gold, as if the sun had kissed her. The streaks of red represented the fire and passion running so deep in her. And that thick dark hair, gleaming in the moonlight, was her courage, sharp and terrible and so endless, like the rivers cutting through the forest. He needed her, needed to bind them together, hold her close, claim her for his own.

    He wanted to drag her into his arms and kiss her forever. He wanted to turn her over his knees and punish her for scaring him. He didn’t know what to do with her, but they were going to resolve this one way or the other, because he couldn’t go through such an ordeal again. With centuries of facing the undead, the experience of countless battles, facing death every day, nothing had prepared him for the sight of his lifemate offering up her life.

    For him. In his name. Her gift to him. A single sound emerged from deep within his throat and he spun on his heel and pointed toward the dwelling, needing to get her away from the other Carpathian. Zacarias would be able to find her, call to her, perhaps make her an unwitting victim. He would always be a threat to her as long as he was unmated. “We must see if we can help the young woman.”

    Zacarias inclined his head. “Thank you. Try to save her for me, Dominic. I would consider it a great favor.
    I would go myself, but I no longer trust myself to be near my people. They would sacrifice themselves for me.” He bowed again toward Solange. “The infusion of your lifemate’s blood has quieted the dark whispers, but I must take myself away from here.”

    “You will await my call?”

    Zacarias nodded. “I will hear when you call or should you need blood. You can trust me to send the information on.” He melted into vapor and streamed away.

    Heart heavy, Dominic gestured for Solange to precede him into the house. She took a cautious step, as if testing her legs. She appeared a little dizzy, but he didn’t touch her, watching Zacarias instead. He wanted her away from the Carpathian hunter as quickly as possible, and he needed to stay alert.

    Zacarias was so close to turning and both knew there was little time left for him. The danger was twofold now. Once Zacarias determined he was no longer needed, after this crisis, he would either choose the dawn or he would succumb to the darkness. The loss of such a friend was nearly unthinkable, a stone in Dominic’s chest weighing him down, but he wasn’t risking Solange any further. They had done what they could for Zacarias. It was up to him now.

    Beside Dominic, Solange moved a little closer, as if to console him, but she didn’t touch him. When she glanced at him and saw his gaze on her, her