Carpathian 23 - Dark Storm

going to discuss this. I have
     to go to ground and that means I have to put you safely in Gary and Jubal’s care,
     so we don’t have much time left.” Before she could protest, and he was a weak man
     when it came to her desires, he covered up temptation with a wave of his hand.
    “If you converted me, we would have plenty of time.” She moved like a siren, in spite
     of her clothing, her hot gaze drifting over him.
    “You are a very wicked woman,” he decreed, catching her wandering hand. He needed
     clothes as well, a good distance from her if he was going to have a chance to resist
     her. “You need this information.”
    She made a little moue with her lips, those lips he always found irresistible. She
     definitely had an unfair advantage over him. If she pouted, or cried, he’d be lost.
    “All right. I’ll behave,” she conceded with the smallest of teasing smiles. “Bring
     on your worst. But I won’t change my mind.”
    He hoped not. He’d told her once started, there was no going back, and she was well
     on her way to being in his world. He couldn’t reverse the process.
    The smile faded from her face. “I’m listening Dax. I can see this is upsetting to
     you.” She sat up straight and folded her hands in her lap. “Get on with it. I’m listening.
     What kind of disaster?”
    Dax felt tension gathering in the pit of his stomach. “The men and women they tried
     to save over the last few centuries apparently became deranged and had to be terminated.
     It wasn’t until the prince discovered his woman could be turned because she had psychic
     gifts that our species became aware a few human women might save us.”
    There. He’d said it. He’d told her the horrible truth he’d found in Gary’s memories. There
     was more, but he needed to see her face. Feel her reaction. Check that he wasn’t showing
     how, for the first time he could remember, fear held him in its deadly grip.
    She nodded her head. “I see. As in deranged, you mean like those people in the village?
     Mindless? Intent on murder?”
    He nodded. “Drinking blood much like a vampire. Sometimes turning cannibal.”
    She reached for her hair, bringing it over her shoulder, beginning to weave it into
     a long, thick braid. It was something to do with her hands, he knew. She hadn’t blinked,
     but her hands were trembling.
    “Okay then. Is that it? Because you haven’t settled down.”
    “It’s painful.” He nearly blurted out the information when he didn’t blurt. Ever.
     She was turning him inside out with the stoic look on her face. “ Very painful.” Just to clarify. And adhere strictly to the truth. “It’s like dying, convulsions,
     I can show you the memories if you wish.” He made the offer reluctantly.
    She studied his face in silence. He worked at being completely expressionless, not
     wanting to persuade her one way or the other with his aversion to revealing the actual
     images.
    Riley threw her braid back over her shoulder and stood up. “I don’t want to see. I’m
     not stupid. I knew in order to cross into your world, I’d have to leave mine. Your
     body is very different from mine. I knew from the beginning that a change wouldn’t
     be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is.” Her eyes met his. “Believe me, Dax, you’re worthwhile.”
    She stood up and crossed to him, putting her hands on his shoulders. “Women have babies
     knowing it could hurt, but that a small few moments are nothing compared to the joy
     they’ll receive when they have their child in their arms. Whatever I have to do, I’ll
     do.” There was absolute resolve in her voice and in her eyes.
    Her face blurred for a moment, forcing him to blink rapidly.
    “When you deem it safe, I’m ready. I want you to just finish, and while you’re doing
     it, remember the kind of woman you tied yourself to. I take responsibility for my
     own choices. I don’t do what other people tell me to. I like information shared with
     me, and I want respect and a partnership.” She lifted her chin. “I would never be
     silly enough to argue with you over safety, or even health, which I’ve observed are
     your two big issues, but I like to make my own decisions.”
    He gripped her upper arms. “Is that a warning?” His heart felt as if it had swelled
     so large it was too big for his chest.
    “Take it any way you like. I know you’re afraid I haven’t really looked at the real
     you. I have. You tend to be a very dominant man, and