DARK PROTECTOR
By: Carefree Quill
Summary: Tariq Asenguard, a Carpathian hunter briefly mentioned in Dark Curse and Dark Slayer, travels to the United States to obtain the list of psychic women compiled by the Morrison Center. A young woman at the top of the center's 'obtain at all costs' list is in imminent danger. Can he save her in time?
Disclaimer: Some of the characters are of course Christine Feehan's. There is absolutely no infringement intended here, only entertainment. I try to stay true to Mrs. Feehan's universe and characters as much as possible.
Notes: Telepathy is in italics. All Carpathian words have been researched and are accurate, to the best of my knowledge, to Mrs. Feehan's language. Any fairy (Sióg) language is Irish Gaelic. Carpathian and Sióg words are in italics and a dictionary will appear at the end of the chapters.
1
Zoe hated parties, especially stuffy fundraiser parties. It was supposed to be a lesson in control, but it was always painful to hold back the sight around so many people. Crowds were difficult at best and frightening at worst. A three hour dinner, dance and presentation style gala was going to be misery. Her father was getting an award, and she would endure it for him. He had no one else to cheer for his achievements since her mother's time among humans had ended. Her mother wasn't dead, Zania was Other. Other meant Other than human. Zania was Sióg , or fairy as most people would call them, but she wasn't a tiny person with wings like in cartoons. Sióg look human, but have extraordinary powers. Her mother was a gardener, her power aided in plant growth and health. Zania had come to earth from the In Between for a time to explore, but that time is limited, mainly to protect the human world from interference. Marrying a human is forbidden, but Zania loved her father, Professor Russell Stone. Zoe was the daughter of the forbidden, a secret in two worlds, and she could walk in both.
"Zoe, your grandfather is here," her father called from the front room. "We have to leave within the hour, so don't dilly-dally with that old wizard too long."
"I am not a wizard, Russ, no matter what picture history paints of me. I am a Seer," Merlin frowned. "You will confuse my heir, and she will have too much to do in the very near future to be given false information." Merlin watched the stairs as he waited for Zoe, his granddaughter, prefaced by too many "great's" to be mentioned. Though he had been born of mixed human and sióg parents himself many centuries ago, her tie to him had not come through her mother, but her father. When Russ married a sióg , their child was blessed with power never before seen among the sióg. He could never let the elders get their hands on her. His visit would have to be very brief, but his visions were terrifying, and Zoe had to be warned. He couldn't help but wonder how much she might already know from her own powerful sight.
" Seanathair , I have missed you!" Zoe greeted as she leapt at him and hugged him tight. "I'm afraid Seanathair ," she added in a whisper.
"What do you fear, my angel?" Merlin whispered back. He held his breath, waiting. Did she already know?
Zoe glanced at her father, and he sighed. "Okay, peanut, I've got to go get ready anyway." Russ left them alone to talk.
"The party, how will I manage among so many?" She asked, but it wasn't all she was worried about. Some things were private.
Merlin let out his breath, "Oh, is that all? You will maintain your barrier as we have practiced. Your inner eye can stay closed to what is around you until you call upon the sight. You can look upon the world like any ungifted human if you choose." He paused and stepped back. "How do you see me?"
Zoe smiled, "You glow with a soft blue light, and when you smile, you sparkle." She loved his aura, so peaceful and powerful.
"Now, dim your sight, like closing a great eye within you, until you see only the physical world," he instructed.
Zoe pictured an eye within herself as he'd taught her, and then she pictured it closing as if to go to sleep. It worked. She imagined this was how normal people saw the world; only the physical and natural lighting around her. "Alright, Seanathair. You look dull now." She smirked.
Merlin laughed, but then turned serious, "Let your sight sleep tonight, but keep your senses open. I have dreamed many things, and your life will soon change. I have tried to prepare you for the time when you will be on your own, and I know you are still very young, but that time is upon you. I may not be able to return to you, it isn't safe. Already the elders watch me. I cannot risk leading them to you. But the danger to you is not just from the in between, it is here as well." He paused, watching her closely for signs of distress. She was trying to be brave, showing stoicism in the face of uncertainty. "There is good news though; I have foreseen a great protector that will come to you even as the danger closes in. You will feel strength, power and darkness within him, but he will be what you need and you will have to trust him to protect you. He will be Other, though not Sióg. I'm not sure of what race he is, perhaps Leopard or Lycan, maybe Carpathian or Mage. Have you dreamed, angel?"
Zoe's eyes widened in surprise. Oh, yes, she had dreamed of a man, a beautiful terrifying powerful man. He had whispered beautiful words to her and held her in his arms. He spoke of eternity with hunger in his midnight blue eyes. "I have dreamed," she admitted softly.
"Then you will know him. You are young, and have not thought of your future as yet, but you must know in your heart, Zoe, this man is for you," Merlin was serious. She had to know, she did not have the luxury of waiting to have a life of her own first. She needed protecting now, and this man was not just to be a protector, he was to be her mate.
"I am not ready for a man! That is just crazy talk, Seanathair," she protested. "I'm only seventeen!"
Merlin smiled, "For a couple more weeks," he laughed. "Stop trying to deny fate. You and I both know that fate is one thing that will never be denied." He shooed her up the stairs to finish getting ready for the party as Russ descended the stairs in his tux. The time had come to warn his grandson of what he saw in his future. "Russell, your time is near."
"What of Zoe," Russ protested. "I fear nothing for myself, but Zoe would be alone…"
"No, Russ, I have seen her protector, he is very close now. Zoe will be safe," Merlin insisted. He paused and looked at Russ who seemed far away in his thoughts, "Zania is waiting for you in the In Between. Either she will draw you to her before you can cross into the Next, or she will follow you there."
"I miss her," was all he could manage to say. A lump formed in his throat. Merlin had warned him long ago that he would have to die to join his beloved Zania again. He had wanted to see his daughter safely into the hands of her protector first. He wanted to know the man who would care for her, to be given the chance to judge if he was worthy of his precious daughter. He trusted Merlin as no other, but he did not know this Protector.
Tariq waited in the shadows, invisible to his prey. The scientist sat at his computer looking over an email as he dialed the phone. There was something going on right now, and he had to determine if it needed to be dealt with before he and the others destroyed this lab.
"This is Harris," The tech at the computer identified himself on the phone, "Morrison's email just came through a few minutes ago. It has to be tonight, at the University Award Banquet. It's been confirmed that Professor Stone will be accompanied by his daughter. It may be our only chance to get to her. Morrison is certain now that she is the one. Send in the team, to obtain her immediately and at any cost. She must be unharmed, but the Professor has already become a liability. Eliminate him." There was a pause as the Harris listened. "Very good, see to it."
Tariq had heard enough. He stalked closer as the man hung up his phone, leaned over his shoulder and whispered a command. The man stilled and leaned his head to the side, offering his neck. Tariq took his blood to more easily control him and read his mind. He did not like what he found as he probed his depraved mind. "Pull up all information on this professor and his daughter," he ordered. Harris immediately complied.
André strode into the lab. All of the others have been scanned and most are just student interns with no knowledge of what actually goes on here. Their memories of this visit have been erased. The rest of the building is clear and all surveillance has been disabled. What of this one?
Tariq frowned as he looked at the screen. No pictures of the woman, only the professor. She was listed as Professor Stone's daughter… how very strange. They have marked this man for death and his daughter for kidnapping tonight at a University banquet.
André nodded. Then we can do no other than intervene. Upon our approach I noticed an event beginning at the other side of the campus. That must be the banquet of which you speak. What of the database?
I have loaded the virus, and Josef has control of the servers. Everything is being copied as we speak. There is no time to lose, we must protect the woman. Tariq waved a hand over Harris and he slumped over his computer. He would wake and remember nothing, but Tariq could monitor him at any time. It would be useful to have eyes and ears within the Center.
With preternatural speed the two hunters turned to mist and left the building, racing across the campus to the banquet hall. Tariq scanned for any sign of this team Harris had ordered. Everyone was dressed in formal attire and appeared to belong at the event. As he materialized, he attired himself in a tuxedo, though he remained invisible for the moment. André materialized beside him, similarly dressed. Tariq spotted the professor dancing with a young woman and his heart stopped. She had rich golden hair, and almost luminous white skin. Her gown was lavender… lavender! He could see her in color. He watched transfixed as her father turned her around the dance floor, and then she laughed. His vision exploded as every gown in the room burst into full color. His heart ached with joy at the sudden return of color and the near pain from the overwhelming change from his gray world. Everything else around him seemed to fall away as he focused on the young woman, Ms. Stone, who was undeniably his lifemate.
How do you want to proceed? André asked, deferring to his friend for a plan. He could see his resolve as he watched the woman in question.
Tariq turned to his friend and there was wonder on his face. I see you in color, my friend. This woman is my lifemate. She must be protected at all costs. He paused, still absorbing the miracle of emotion and color. I will go to her, you watch for this team sent to harm her and her father.
André clapped him on the shoulder, Congratulations, old friend. I can do no other than aid you in protecting your woman and her father. Go to her.
Zoe focused on her father as they danced, blocking all the people in the room out as her grandfather had taught her. She felt the press of their auras but not their feelings. It was enough to make it bearable. Her father smiled, so pleased to have her with him as he was to be honored for his contributions to the University. He spun her again and she laughed. She felt a little like Cinderella in her lavender gown, a quiet farm girl at the great ball.
"How are you feeling, Zoe? Are you still okay here?" her father asked, concerned.
"I'll manage just fine, daid. Seanathair helped me build a stronger block for the evening," she stated bluntly. "I am not leaving early. I want to hear your speech."
"I don't do speeches, peanut, I'll just thank God and my family and watch out for Kanye West to run up and take the microphone…" he teased.
Zoe burst out laughing. Her father was such a goof for a university professor. Just then, she felt a surge of power and started to glance around and saw him, the man from her dreams. He was nothing short of magnificent. He had hard masculine features; a strong jaw shadowed with beard, long jet black hair pulled into queue and beautiful midnight blue eyes. His broad shoulders filled out his tuxedo better than any man in the room. He was walking right toward them, his eyes locked on hers. He laid a hand on her father's shoulder and her father turned.
"Good evening, Professor Stone, I am Tariq Asenguard and would like to dance with this lovely young woman," Tariq introduced himself and gave a mental push to gain her father's acceptance. He planted a memory of a previous meeting about grant money for the history department that the professor worked in. He was surprised when he felt a surge of power from his lifemate, who was watching him suspiciously.
"Of course, Mr. Asenguard, I do remember you are a generous contributor to our department," he turned slightly to Zoe. "Zoe, this is Mr. Asenguard." He turned back to Tariq, "Mr. Asenguard, may I present my daughter, Zoe." Zoe suppressed a frown, but politely offered her hand.
Tariq stepped forward and took her hand, bowing over it and lifting it to lightly brush her knuckles with his lips. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Stone. Would you do me the honor of a dance?"
His voice was husky, sexy and mesmerizing, a temptation. He seemed to look right into her soul, and she felt naked under his gaze. In that moment of vulnerability, she dropped her barrier and let herself see him. He was beautiful, powerful and dangerous. A fire burned in his eyes as he waited for her reply. His aura was dark blue, strong, yet not quite right. She could see he was Other, but like none she had seen before. He both frightened and excited her. People were starting to watch them, waiting to see what she would do, and her father cleared his throat. "Yes, I will dance with you," she said softly.
Tariq gently drew her into his arms and was overwhelmed with pleasure and arousal. She felt small and delicate, the top of her honey-gold head reached just below his chin. She was a beauty, lavender eyes, fair skin, lush pink lips beneath an adorable little nose that was sprinkled with freckles from rosy cheek to rosy cheek. He had never thought freckles would be so sexy. She was all soft curves; firm high breasts, a small waist and nicely rounded hips. A figure made to fire a man's lust. She was a miracle, his miracle. He could not believe he had found his lifemate after nearly two thousand years of waiting and searching. He watched the emotions crossing her beautiful face; confusion, apprehension, suspicion and comprehension. His beast stirred, urging him to stake his claim immediately, binding her to him in the manner of his people. Yet now was not the time or place. She was in danger, and he would destroy any and all who would threaten her. Then he would court her, woo her, and gain her trust and love. He wanted her to choose him. He wanted her father to choose him for her as well. Tariq guided her around the dance floor as they watched each other in silence. He wanted to respect her privacy, but could not resist the desire to touch her mind, to know her. Ever so gently he reached for her, a tentative touch, but she was closed, hidden from him as if not even there. The barrier was strong, powerful… mystical.
"You are Other," she softly accused. "My thoughts are not open for anyone to rifle through without invitation, Mr. Asenguard." He made her nervous, his obvious enormous strength tempered with such gentleness as he held her. His eyes were intense, unnerving as he watched her. He was not Leopard or Lycan, she could not feel the inner animal protectors within him. If he were from the In Between, she should feel the same sióg power emanating from him as her mother and Seanathair. He had to be either Mage or Carpathian, and both possibilities frightened her. Mage could be power hungry and evil, their greatest leader, Xavier, was an insane shell of a man bent on obtaining immortality and destroying all of the Other peoples on the planet. And Carpathians were blood drinkers. To her they were not much different than vampires, feeding on humans. Creepy.
Tariq's expression remained unreadable despite the effect her soft voice had on his body. "What do you mean by other?"
Zoe glanced around the room before answering softly, as if imparting a great secret, "Other than human."
Tariq smiled. She was absolutely adorable, "Ah, I see. And if I am other than human as you say, then what do you believe I am, csitri?"
"I do not believe such things are discussed in public settings, Mr. Asenguard," she scolded him. "I cannot help but wonder what it is that you want of me, it is obvious that I am too young to be receiving your attention…"
"Please, sívamet, call me Tariq," he interrupted. "How old are you, Ms. Zoe Stone?" He knew she was quite young, but if she were not old enough to be claimed, she would not be able to restore color and emotions to him.
"Seventeen, and quite inappropriate for a man of your obvious years to be trying to pursue," she admonished. He was too much for her; too big, too strong, too handsome, too powerful, too… everything. He threatened her at the most basic level. He would overwhelm her, dominate her. She did not want him in her life. There was no possible way he was here only to be a protector, not the way he was looking at her like a pms-ing woman looked at chocolate.
Tariq glanced at her father who watched them dance with scrutiny. It was not disapproval he saw in the man's eyes, but concern. He obviously loved his daughter, but he did not appear ready to sweep in to separate them. She was absolutely right about an obvious age gap. No human father would allow a grown man appearing to be in his thirties to openly pursue his teen daughter, even if seventeen was very near recognized adulthood. "I believe you would have me think you had just left a child's tea party to attend this event. Do you think so poorly of me then? And what must you think of your father, to allow me to dance with his infant daughter?"
"You are making fun of me," she said with annoyance. "My father probably thinks you are being nice to offer to dance. It is not as though there are many young men my age at a faculty and alumni dinner."
"This may be true, so why then do you protest?" he asked with a cocked brow.
"You know why," she said softly. "There is nothing polite or innocent about the way you look at me or hold me. You want something from me."
"What is it you believe I want?" he whispered huskily as he bent to her ear. His breath was warm and sensual on her neck.
She gasped at the intimacy of his breath on her skin. It was like her dream of him, holding her possessively, enticing her, tempting her. "I… please, Mr. Asenguard…"
"Mind if I cut back in," Professor Stone asked with a hard edge to his voice. "I believe you've danced with my daughter long enough."
Tariq inclined his head and stepped back, gauging the man as he placed Zoe's hand in her father's. He did not have time or patience for this social posturing. He probed the man's mind for some insight to this family dynamic and how he might gain acceptance as Zoe's suitor quickly. He found a very intelligent and complicated mind unlike any he'd encountered. He felt resistance.
"You are Carpathian," Professor Stone said bluntly. "I do not like you dropping fake memories into my head, it is dishonest. What is your business here, why do you try manipulation on me rather than plain speaking?"
"Very well, let us speak plainly," Tariq said. He liked the man immediately. He wondered what manner of man he was, or what manner of Other, as Zoe would call it. "You and Zoe are being hunted, I am here to protect you."
"We agreed to plain speaking and you are not speaking plain enough for my liking," Russ said flatly.
Tariq turned his midnight blue jeweled eyes on Zoe and there was raw desire and possessiveness in their depths. She sharply sucked in a breath and held it, waiting. She was terrified of what he had left unsaid, what he was about to openly admit to her father now.
"Your daughter Zoe is my lifemate," Tariq said with all seriousness. "I would like acceptance of me and your blessing on our joining, but I intend to court and claim her, with or without your permission."
Zoe closed her eyes and cringed as the enormity of what he said sank in, "Athair, ná, le do thoil… ná," she begged him in sióg, 'father, do not, please, do not,' but he had never been swayed by begging, or using the fairy language; though it had always worked with máthair. She opened her eyes to see Tariq studying her possessively.
"You will expect to change her into what you are, but she is too young," Russ said lightly. Zoe thought he sounded as if they discussed the weather, instead of her life, her future. She was standing right here, and they discussed her life as if it were a trivial matter, not important enough to include her.
"When she is eighteen, she will be the age our women are claimed by their lifemate. I am an honorable and patient man. I can do no other than remain with your family until she reaches her eighteenth year."
"Athair," Zoe asked nervously.
"That is acceptable, Mr. Asenguard. I expect your conduct until that time to remain honorable," Russ said with a smile. He would get his wish, and get to know his daughter's future husband before giving her to him.
"You didn't ask me," Zoe fumed. "Father doesn't speak for me, you can't just decide I'm yours without my say."
"You are not yet eighteen, päläfertiil. When you are, I will ask," Tariq informed her with a dazzling smile. And he would woo and win her long before then. She would desire him with the same fire he desired her with. When she came of age, he would not have to ask, she would beg.
André tapped him on the shoulder, "Sorry to interrupt this touching moment, Tariq, but we are about to have company."
Tariq pulled Zoe against his side tucking her under his arm. He felt the rightness of it, she fit with him, she belonged with him. He sighed. They would have to deal with these vampire hunters first. "Then it begins."
Irish Gaelic Translations
Do not = ná
Fairy = sióg
Father = athair
Father = daid
Father-in-law = athair céile
Grandfather = seanathair
Mother = máthair
Please = le do thoil
Step father = leasathair
Carpathian Translation
csitri - little one (female).
päläfertiil- mate or wife.
sívamet - my heart.
