Synopsis: Mia De La Cruz will soon be of age to be bound to her lifemate. Although she is Carpathian and daughter of the powerful Nicholas De La Cruz, she has been detained in isolation most of her life in order to protect and preserve her innocence. When she escapes to venture out one evening, she stumbles upon the adventurous and carefree Stefan Dubrinsky, only a fledgling himself, and the two develop a connection unheard of in centuries. But, Mia is only interested in friendship and refrains from giving in to the conflicting overflowing emotions. Meanwhile, the past is being dug up while Emilian Slovensky desperately attempts to uncover what happened to his relatives half a century ago, who mysteriously disappeared in the Carpathian mountains. As an avid research biologist and with rumors of Vampires still fresh in the air, he sets out on a search to learn the truth.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (including, but not limited to: Mikhail Dubrinsky, Raven Whitney, Savannah Dubrinsky, Jacques Dubrinsky, Shea O'Halloran, Stefan Dubrinsky, Gregori Daratrazanoff, Nicholas De La Cruz, Lara Calladine, Eugene Slovensky, James Slovensky, and Xavier) from Christine Feehan's wonderful paranormal creations in her dark series. This story was written solely for the purpose of recreation and is not being used for any profitable gain by the author.
CHAPTER ONE:
Mia De La Cruz walked barefoot across a flowered meadow hidden away deep within the Carpathian mountains. The surreal white of the petals danced in the blue moonlight and displayed a show of white waves gracefully bowing to the wind. The faint stirrings of nocturnal life accompanied the gentle howling of the airstream and the brusque rustle of tree branches as they swayed. The wildlife all around contributed to the symphony of nature, and it was all that she could do than to resist laying down in the tall grass and allowing her eyes to close to further absolve herself in the tranquil surroundings. It was here where she was best in her element. The animals, the sounds and simple atmosphere, could easily define the person she was. Her white dress made of lightweight material caressed her thighs and calves as she bent close to the earth, and any onlooker would have been convinced she were an angel sent from the Heavens above.
She wasn't born full Carpathian, but had been converted at a young age by her father. Nicholas De La Cruz was the man she had inherited her dark hair from and she resembled him the most between her parents, despite her delicate feminine graces. Her most striking feature, however, would be Lara Calladine's emerald green eyes. Beautiful large opals which closed at the moment to allow her other senses to relish in the sounds and smells around her. Her physique wasn't large like Nicholas or petite like Lara, rather she was slightly taller than her mother, her body accented with the slender curves of adolescence. Placing her hands behind her head, she allowed her body to lay flat on the ground, oblivious and careless to any impending danger. At the very end of her seventeenth year and almost of age to be bound to her future lifemate, Mia was aware that her behavior was risky. Vampires were increasing in numbers and constantly sought female companionship. They were stuck in a delusion that a lifemate could save them from the life of torment and hell they had condemned themselves to by turning. Often, they would turn the female to their lifestyle as well. She was taking a big risk being out on her own and should her father learn of her insolence, she was sure to receive the punishment of the century.
Nonetheless, it was necessary that Mia get out for the night. The cavern in which they had made their home was suffocating her with every crevice having been explored. She had wandered deep into the bowels of the earth, and after she had fully investigated the endless waves of stalagmites and stalactites, she grew bored and yearned for the fresh air of the night. That night, after Nicholas and Lara had lectured her before leaving to hunt, she had seen her opportunity and had carefully set to work unweaving the safeguards her parents had manifested. A length of the night had been used up while she worked diligently to unweave the powerful spells put in place by her, once sorceress mother, and Carpathian father. Eventually, she had triumphed and slipped out into the hours of beckoning darkness.
She wouldn't have disobeyed, but Nicholas was beyond protective. When she was a child he forbade Mia to play outside unsupervised, and had constantly held watch over her. In her earlier years their blood sharing prevented her to stray far, and he had constant access to her mind, that is, until she had reached an age where she had learned to subtly place a mind block. He was a firm believer in Carpathian women's restricted rights, and had argued the excuse that it was for their own safety. As an endangered gender to their race, the women were protected and held sacred above all else, saved for the purpose of procreating and repopulating their endangered race. Mia was no exception. The restrictions had never bothered her before, not until recently, anyhow, now that she was coming to the age of maturity.
Her seclusion wasn't completely without benefit. Although she was kept hidden away for safe keeping, she had picked up the useful observant trick or two. The safeguards that her father had woven would have been extensive to any other Carpathian, but didn't take much time for her to unravel since she was fast becoming used to undoing safety spells. It also helped that she had mage and Dragonseeker blood running through her, even though she couldn't perform magic like her mother. When she had gotten past the obstacle of the spells, she carefully placed a mind block so her thoughts couldn't be read, and she had sprinted out into the night air. She wasn't seeking adventure or any sort of trouble, but only desired a small glimpse of freedom before her imminent union.
A male had not been chosen for her, but her father assured her that it would only be a matter of time. On the day of her eighteenth year, Nicholas would introduce her to their single males, under his supervision, to ensure her joining together. Always next to her father−never apart in company or in mind. Often, she felt more like a possession than a person, and as a result had held no desire to seek a lifemate. When she would express her feelings to Nicholas, her father would lecture about the importance of the binding ceremony to not only ensure that she conceive and promote the continuation of their species, but also secure a loyal protector. Vampires and humans were extremely dangerous, and her lifemate would keep her safe from these evil forces.
Mia got it. She understood that her destiny was predetermined before she was even conceived. However, that didn't mean it was right to hold her captive in a bubble for eighteen years. She needed to live life once in awhile or she would grow completely ignorant to the physics and laws of their lifestyle. Being bound to a stranger would be bad enough, but to know nothing about the ways of their species would be nothing short of mortifying. The only one who claimed to understand her plight was Lara. Her mother often sympathized with her, but due to her allegiance she would always side with Nicholas in the long run. It was a never ending manacle of tyranny constantly shackling her freedom.
Mia sighed peacefully as she reclined in the calm meadows. She enjoyed the silence so that she were allowed to relate to the wilderness, but she would really feel whole if she only had a friend; A companion to confess her feelings to and confide in. She had never had playmates in her childhood. When she did have the opportunity to meet other Carpathian children, she had become shy and intimidated because they were years older than her. She distinctly recalled how she had clung to her father, despite how he usually suffocated her with his protection. To her knowledge, she was the youngest Carpathian born in the last two decades.
And then, for a good period of her life, the De La Cruz's had relocated to Peru so that they might be close to her uncles and their lifemates. The jungle had been beautiful with its cascading waterfalls and untamed creatures to make friends with, but couldn't compare to the high Carpathian mountains. When her father decided they would move back she had known seldom interactions with Carpathian children, and as a result she became ignorant to the way in how to socialize during gatherings.
She grabbed at a piece of tall grass and pulled the vegetation from its rooted spot. She inhaled the natural aroma while she recalled her lonely and sheltered childhood. She wasn't unloved. Her parents had showered her with affection and continued to do so, but she had to admit that she was starting to become easily agitated and irritated with their proximity. Lately, she longed for independence, and sought to be out on her own. The problem was that she was certain she would never know such a thing. Due to the tradition of her people, she would be bound to another immediately when she would come of age. She would leave her parents protection, only to be placed under the care of another.
Suddenly in the night air, Mia sensed an unfamiliar presence. There was an energy lingering in the still cold night air dissimilar to the wildlife she became accustomed to. Animals quieted, and the only ascertainable sounds were the nearby creek flowing effortlessly and the tree trunks of conifers cracking as they swayed in the howling wind. It was almost as if nature had quieted in response, and the weather reflected this powerful creature. Mia stilled and concentrated on the energy flow that quickly permeated the tranquility of the forest. The force was not that of a human and, due to her lack of experience in her inherited abilities, she was unable to hone the energy enough to determine whether it was one of her kind or a vampire. She felt a slight mental push and resisted, sitting straight upright as she searched the dark skies and tree line for her assailant.
Her heart thud loudly in her ears, and adrenaline began to course through her veins as she attempted to detect evil from the beast. Beast, he was, due to the large amount of influence he had over all living things within his authoritative range; The power of a being in pursuit. Briefly, she debated contacting her father. Although, the impending danger didn't induce the fear she faced at the thought of her father's wrath when he would learn of her insolence.
The mental prodding came again, this time gentler. Now she was sure that the nature of the invader was none other than another Carpathian. She decided that alerting her father would not be necessary because whatever was watching her didn't emanate malevolence. Poised casually on her tuft of grass, she waited and carefully tucked a loose strand of midnight jet black hair behind her ear. She grew excited at the meeting even though a cautionary remnant of her father's lecture nagged in the back of her mind.
Stefan Dubrinsky was thrilled at this new scent he tracked. She was female, he was certain of it, and, adding to his great fortune, he could sense that she was nearby. At fifty six, he was still considered young in the Carpathian race, and instead of aging like the humans did he had maintained the appearance of a human in his early twenties. Built like his father, Jacques, he was full of definition where it was needed. Carpathian lifestyle was a robust and active one, toning his physique similar to one of a body builder.
Despite his young age, he was eager to claim his lifemate. He was aware that he would eventually lose sight of colors and sense of feelings and emotions. This news fueled his motivation to pursue finding her. Jacques spoke of his experiences after his second century of life, on occasion, and Stefan had no desire to follow that path. He also worried that he wouldn't be strong enough to turn from the dark side once he had come to the temptation.
Carpathian women were an endangered gender to his race and, with males close to turning, he was aware his desires were selfish. However, Jacques had repeatedly reassured Stefan that only one lifemate existed for each male of their race. It was with this information that Stefan sought out his second half, eager to start his life with her. In his journey, he had met with the few available women, but none had chosen him. Discouraged, he had resigned to believing that perhaps his lifemate hadn't been born yet. It wasn't uncommon to wait a century, or a few of them in his father's case, for a lifemate to simply come into existence. Now, he bided his time and continued to interact with the available females that he hadn't met before. All to no avail. Those who weren't bound to another usually held no chemical or physical attraction for Stefan, and he would be lying if he admitted that he had for them.
He gently pressed at her mind block again, assessing her willingness to communicate. She wasn't as powerful as the older females he was used to, and he suspected that she was fairly young in age. When she refused to correspond a second time, he emerged from the thicket toward the location at which he sensed her. At his first glance, he was forced to stop in his tracks, so that he might better study her dreamlike beauty. Her skin glistened in the moonlight, light, smooth, and creamy. Dark hair slightly longer than her breasts swept bare shoulders, and vivid green eyes stared at him unafraid and invitingly. She remained transfixed on his gaze while he neared, and made no effort to shift into a position ready to flee. Despite how at ease she was, he walked cautiously so that he wouldn't alarm her. Like he suspected, she was young, almost too young to be claimed. Stefan continued his advance, and smiled warmly in greeting as he approached her.
"What are you doing out here alone, little one?" His question was casual, laced with commanding tones. He didn't want to scare her away, but at the same time felt protective of her. If she was truly naive to the dangers of the woods, he could forgive her fearlessness. However, if she was aware of the evils that could easily rain down upon her, he felt inclined to reprimand her. She didn't give any indication that she were afraid of him, but he maintained a small distance of space.
She surprised him by smiling up at him smugly before confessing, "I escaped my father. He insists on keeping me cooped up underground. I just had to get out." Her voice was enchanting and Stefan became mesmerized at her tone.
He hungered to hear it once more and replied, "Oh?" encouraging her to continue their conversation. After she relaxed back on her elbows, he felt it safe enough to sit down next to her, and he crossed his arms over raised knees. "Do elaborate, little one," he added.
She heaved a sigh and turned from him to begin playing with a lock of shiny hair. "I just want to be able to get some fresh air once in awhile, you know?" she defended. She threw down her group of silky strands and turned to glare at him sharply. "What's it to you, anyways?"
Stefan chuckled deeply. He could tell that she felt guilty at being caught without protection, and that guilt released the fiery within her. So, she was a little spitfire.
"I'm sure you well know that our women cannot be left unguarded, especially with vampires looming at large. I will alert my father immediately so that he may accompany us while I escort you back to where you belong. I'm sure you're in someone's care?" he asked. His eyes locked onto hers and he could see the fire building in their depths.
She immediately stood, bringing herself to her full height with fists clenched. "You wouldn't! I'm not even in any real danger," she replied irritably.
The anger was fully evident in her stance, and Stefan couldn't help but laugh softly at her attempts to intimidate him. She was significantly smaller than he, and posed no threat whatsoever. Unaffected by her demeanor, he reached out to Jacques.
Father, I'm in need of you this night.
Almost instantly, there was a reply, What is it, Stefan?
There is a female here. She is young, unattached. I would be in your debt if you were to accompany us while I return her to her family.
I will be there shortly.
He stood and regained his full stature towering down over her small frame. Her stare burned daggers into his own dark eyes, and he felt compelled to reach out and touch the silkiness of her crimsoned cheek. "It is done, little one. He will be upon us," he confessed.
She paled at his affirmation, and disbelief coveted her lovely features. "You males!" she screamed. She immediately threw out a hand to slap him, and Stefan easily dodged her assault. "I'm sick with the whole bunch of you constantly assuming that females are completely helpless!"
She beat at his chest trying desperately to knock him back. He couldn't help but smile at her feeble attempts, and eventually laughed out loud. She pelted him again, with weak blows, until he simply reached down and gently encircled her small wrists. At first she began to fight him, and struggled to reclaim her trapped appendages. She was probably strong for a female in comparison to humans, but she was no match for him. Stefan's father was centuries old, and inherited ancient blood ran through Stefan's veins. Even at his young age, he was very powerful.
He watched as she thrashed wildly, but eventually gave up as the fight left her body. She glared up at him angrily in defeat, with tears brimming in her eyes. He could almost feel her distress and melted at her display of frustration. He nearly released her out of pity, but judgment won out over his growing emotions, and he held her palms to his chest. He noted how lovely she looked, even when distraught, and he watched her in amusement while she breathed out in angry huffs. His skin tingled at the places where they made contact and he stared into her green depths attempting to discover any change of emotion she might display. The sensation was so strong and overwhelming that he was sure that she had to feel what he did, too.
Mia held her ground as she tried to intimidate the arrogant male before her. Despite her anger, she couldn't deny that he was handsome with a few ebony curls falling lazily over his obsidian eyes. His smell was intoxicating, and she fought hard to resist inhaling his aroma. She hadn't met many Carpathian males, but she clearly would have remembered a reaction such as this one. Her skin became sensitive and she feared that her blush would betray her composure. She felt his psychic push again and this time mentally slammed back against him with a mind block.
"Knock it off! If you were any decent at all, you would wait to be invited before probing in my mind!" She resumed her struggle to resist him again to no avail. Seemingly annoyed or amused, he easily brought her arms to her back, forcing her front into his heavily muscled chest. He restrained her effortlessly, and stared down at her with a look of curiosity. Angry, she thrashed against the contact and acted on the only animal instinct she could. She bit him.
Stefan let out a feral growl as he felt her teeth puncture his skin roughly. The pain was delicious, and enticed him to recite the words which would bind them together. However, despite his immediate urgency, he was certain that she wasn't of breeding age yet and would not force her dishonorably. She had bit him in defense, and had lingered for a moment with her teeth deep in his flesh. The air stilled, and time seemed to move slowly as the two Carpathians fully took into account what had transpired. Eventually Mia's lips closed around the opening, and Stefan stilled as her mouth moved against him sensually. She fed on his blood, which was laced with adrenaline and arousal. Her lips moved alongside his skin, massaging gently, as she pulled his life force into her. He threw his head back and groaned in ecstasy. The act was incredibly intimate, and brought him great pleasure as he allowed her to feed from him. Eventually, her limbs slacked in his hands, and her breathing quickened.
He could sense her increasing arousal and he finally, but reluctantly, gathered his composure and bent to her ear. "That's enough, little one. Close the wound," his voice was low and husky.
Mia's tongue swept tenderly over the tiny opening as she slowly emerged from her haze of emotions. Her eyes were closed as she relived the taste of him in her mouth, and the closeness the act had caused. She was swirling inside, high from the power that the withdrawal had given her, and euphoric over the intimacy that her deed had caused. Finally, she stared sexily up into the eyes of the stranger before her, and her tongue slid out to lick her swollen lips. It was then that she realized he had not offered to her freely and her eyes immediately widened in horror.
"Please forgive me!" she pleaded. She recalled how she had meant to deter him in her act, but once she had tasted his rich life sustaining liquid, it was so hot and spicy that she could not resist. She had taken from him selfishly and uninvitingly. She had committed a moral crime in the ways of their people. "I'm so sorry," she pleaded once more and bent her head shamefully. So many different emotions were dancing around in her head that she felt like crying.
He placed a finger delicately under her chin and forced her gaze up into his. "No harm done," he assured her, the simple tone of his voice comforting as he spoke. She peered up at him then, biting her bottom lip fiercely until he noticed a slight drop of blood.
"Nonetheless, I'm so terribly sorry. It was wrong of me to take from you," she explained. "I hope you can forgive me."
Without fully hearing her, Stefan stared longingly at the little red droplet resting on her full pouty lip. He so desired to dip his head and taste it, if nothing more than to close the cut that she had inadvertently made, and she stared up at him so wanly that it was hard to resist. He felt his face moving of its own accord, her eyes heavy and staring at him curiously. As he made his descent, he watched as her lids began to drop and she moved toward him, meeting him half way. He was drawn to this vixen, some unseen force pulling them together both physically and mentally. His tongue lapped sensuously at the little bead, lingering to relish the feeling of her closeness.
Almost instinctually her lips parted for him, inviting him to taste her mouth and explore the softness within. He obliged, claiming her sweet lips and taking her soaring into ecstasy with him. He possessed her warm mouth tenderly, slowly moving over soft plush lips. She melted into him as he continued his undulations, and he could sense her arms winding around him as he reached up to cup her face gently. She was sweet, not just her kiss, but her blood, too. He had the urge to taste her again, and resisted nipping at her lip as he caught it between his teeth. Suddenly she pulled away from him, horror on her face.
"What is it? Do you sense someone?" Stefan wasn't experienced enough to detect a vampire, but he was sure he would have sensed a presence before she did. He waited for her reply while terror danced across her features.
Finally she gulped before she spoke, "My father."