Hey there everyone. I tell you moving out is awesome. I have so much free time. I mean I still have to go to work and all but I have the house to myself for most of the time so I can get some writing down without getting interrupted. I have two weeks holidays as well and I am off to Phuket for 6 days. I hope to come back with a tan. I can't wait.
All rights to the Carpathian series belong to Christine Freehan.
Chapter 1
Hair the colour of fresh snow.
Eyes the colour of spilt blood.
The immortal white priest rides the sea of time on gathered icy winds,
bringing with him the tides of fate.
He sees the future, not yet come to pass.
With eyes as the gateway.
Scent like that of heaven.
He tempts mortals and immortals alike,
beckoning with the promise of passionate delights.
Blood that is pure of taste, it alights from within.
But only for the chosen two,
will his heart beat anew.
For then, he will be redeemed,
The blood washed clean
Eye for an eye
An exchange must be made
For even he must serve fate
Because everything in this universe has its place.
…..
England. 10 years ago
'Ah, excuse me. I'm sorry to bother you but I didn't get a fork.' A young woman, early twenties, to the left of him said sweetly. Her accent screamed strongly an Essex girl. Looking, no staring at him with awe in her eyes.
'Oh, well that just won't do. I guess I'll just have to give you a new one.' Snow smiled, his voice deep, his speech gentlemen like and handed her a new utensil, funnily almost got dropped when their skin touched. She stuttered a thank you and looked him up and down in appreciation. Eating him up with her eyes must be better than her meal, obviously. He smiled again and pushed the cart down the aisle, feeling the burn of many battering, feminine eyes following him and Constantine, no doubt with amazement and desire. Same old, same old. Everywhere you go. Carpathians were used to it.
When the cart was out of the woman's ear shot, Constantine placed the bottle of bourbon on the top and smirked. 'You do know she lost her fork on purpose so she could talk to you. Old age hasn't lost you your spark, yet.'
'Thank you Constantine, again for pointing out the obvious for the thousandth time. And old age has been kind to me.' Snow muttered under his breath but knew Constantine heard just fine. He looked out the plane's small multiple windows at the clear night outside, before going back to serve his next transfixed flyer. Yes, he was on a plane- a Carpathian- and it wasn't because he liked to fly at twenty thousand feet. Or the flyer miles. No, he was a flight attendant. Constantine, Lilith and himself to be exact. Why, you ask? Well, what does one do when they've seen everything, done everything? The completion of the great pyramids. The rise and fall of Rome. What else, but become flight attendants. A horrible, unsatisfied job for some but Snow enjoyed it. He could only fly at night, early morning but it was worth it.
'How's the house coming along?' Snow asked. He pulled the cart while Constantine poured.
'Getting there. Peyton wants the master bedroom to have a spa.' Constantine's lifemate was a skilled decorator, and to keep the piece, the poor bastard was letting her run wild with the house. This basically meant spend as much money as you want, as long as it's not tacky. And by 'Master bedroom' he meant underground chamber. Couldn't very well discuss the prospect of furnishing a chamber meant for sleeping underground around a plane full of humans.
'A spa that's nothing. Lilith made me go clothes shopping for the kids. Do you know how hard it is to find rap clothes for two eight year old boys who are about as tall as my chest? Impossible. It's easier to find 'one of those' then a kids t-shirt with Eminem on it. Apparently I know nothing about music.'
'Why Rap?' Constantine handed a man a glass of water. He knew by 'one of those' Snow was referring to a vampire.
Snow shrugged. 'Who knows? My sons would rather look like snoop dog then resemble normal kids. Well as normal as can be, considering the circumstances. But if I hear a 'yo' one more time I think I might just book myself into the nut house. Must get it from their mother.'
'I might be on the other side of the plane, but I can still hear you.' Lilith scowled him through their mental path but he sensed her behind him. He turned his head and smiled warmly at his lifemate, trying to not let too much heatfill his eyes. She looked beautiful in her stewardess uniform. White blouse and dark blue pencil skirt and blazer, red scarf around her graceful neck. skin coloured stockings and black pumps. Her black, luscious hair tied up in a neat bun and her gold earrings reflected the light overhead. Simply beautiful- he thought so- and the men staring after her mouth hanging open, tongues falling out like a character from loony toons, seemed to agree.
Which she ignored. Her man was right in front of her. Had been for two thousand years and still counting. Two children. They were right when they said over time the bond of lifemates gets stronger. And damn, he looked so damn fine in his uniform. Black slacks- showing a perfect buttocks- and shoes, white shirt stretched over a broad chest and shoulders, his tattoos just peaking over the collar, with his dark blue vest on. Simply edible. His long white hair was tied up at the base of his neck with a leather tie and clashed against his vest like strands of snow over a night sky. Her mind was running away with her. Get back in the game girl.
'Why would you want to? When he wears pants like that.' Leticia said slyly and knew she could see just what Lilith was seeing. Her sister could be quite saucy when she wanted to be.
'You said it sister.'
'Need I remind you ladies, I have a very good mental hearing aid. And I must say I feel rather violated being discussed about in this manner.' Snow said in feign shock.
Lilith smiled innocently. 'Snow there is a child in first class who isn't feeling well. First time flyer. Misses her mother. Poor Jennifer is having a hard time with her. Could you work your magic and get the little one to drink something.' Lilith was filled with understanding. She too missed her children. But she would see them soon. And Leticia and their trusted vampire hunters were with them.
Snow handed Constantine the glass he was just about too fill, pattered Lilith's hand since he couldn't kiss her and headed up the plane to first class. He nodded to one of the younger stewards and pulled back the curtain that separated first class and economy- but really what was the difference. So they got better seats and better TV screens. He could get that at the races if he won enough. He could predict the future, the coming of a war, just never about horse racing.
There were only four people in first class. An elderly couple, a business man and a young girl, looked about five or six. She clutched a fuzzy bear to her chest and stubbornly refused to drink the juice the stewardess was trying to give her.
'Please drink some honey. It will help with your tummy.' Jennifer pleaded. Her Australian accent strong.
The child turned her head away. 'No I want my mummy.'
He threw the stewardess a life boat. 'How's it going Jennifer?' Snow squatted down beside the flustered Jennifer. She blushed and placed the cup of juice beside her.
'Snow, Amy here misses her mummy and she's not feeling well. Never flown before have you sweetie.'
Understandable. I'll take it from here.' He winked at the child and moved over to where Jennifer was before. Jennifer obeyed without hesitation. Snow's voice was like magic. So hypnotic, and he looked like a world-class model, strikingly handsome and he was just wearing his uniform. And his scent. Divine. Positively divine. Bottle that fragrance up and sell it, call it sex for men. God, did she want to run her hands down his defined, muscled chest, but instead exited through the curtain, leaving her wet dream alone with the passengers.
'Hussy better keep her mits off if she knows what's good for her.' Lilith and Leticia said possessively over their private channel. Snow got the impression of cracking knuckles and polishing sharp weaponry.
'Now, my dears, I only have three loves. You two,' he paused at the third.
'And the third.'
'Mister your hair is really pretty. It's like the colour of snow. Is your name really Snow?'
He focused back on the child and smiled perfect white teeth. 'Silly name I know, but it's the name my mother gave me. She said it was because of my hair. '
Amy seemed to accept that and giggled back shyly, hugging her bear. A pang of longing blossomed in Snow's chest for his own wayward children. With their endless sticky fingers and everlasting supply of energy. He spied the cup of juice Jennifer had left and picked it up. 'I have my two little boys waiting at home for me too. They're a little older then you but I miss them just the same. But I will get to see them when I get home. Just like you will see your mother when you go home. Now,' he handed her the cup of juice with pleading eyes, 'be a good girl for poor Jennifer and drink your juice. Please.'
Amy nodded and took the juice. Snow smiled and stood up. Patting Amy on the head, he exited the first class cabin and found Jennifer pretend to look busy. He knew she had been listening. He nodded at her and head to economy. Everyone looked satisfied and starry eyed so he started to head down to the back of the plane.
That was when he felt it.
The beginning of a prediction.
Constantine and Lilith saw it too and walked quickly down the aisle, fortunately the cart had been put away so they were by his side in seconds. He sat down, barely able to draw breath and held his head in his hands. Sweat started to bead down his forehead and pulling his hand away he saw blood. Great he was sweating blood. Normal, but this time it felt different. Stronger. The familiar sound of wind rushing through his ears started slow before it almost blocked out all sound. He almost cried out and surprised his ears weren't bleeding from the pressure.
Death.
So much death.
'Just breathe, Snow. Just breathe.' Lilith ran a hand down his cheek. He leant into it. Her hands were like ice on his hot skin. 'Don't fight them. Just let the images come.' Leticia joined in, lending him all her love and warmth. Their voices were a safety net in Snow's dark, chaotic world and damn if he didn't hold onto it with a grip a wrestler would be proud of.
'Constantine.' Lilith's voice held urgency.
'Lilith. Do you have need of me? I can be there in seconds.' Leticia was frantic.
'No. Stay with the kids.'
'Yeah I got it.' He threw up an illusion of them busily working. Behind it, Lilith continued to try and sooth her lifemate. She undid his hair and ran her hands through it; just the way Snow liked it. But he wasn't responding, just squeezed his eyes shut and rocked back and forth. A prediction that brought about this kind of symptoms meant that something bad was going to happen. The same symptoms he had gotten all those centuries ago in Rome. The Carpathian people were in trouble. Bad trouble.
Finally Snow's tremors started to subside and he stopped sweating blood. He opened his eyes. They were unfocused, sleepy even. Not good. Constantine handed her a towel and she began gently wiping his forehead and face. He blinked at her and touched her cheek, wondering if she was real or one of his phantom images. It broke her heart. He looked more vulnerable right there then she had ever seen him in their two thousand years together. Satisfied that she must be real he brushed his thumb over her cheek and leaned in to gently kiss her. Pain and deep sorrow sprang deep in that kiss. Lilith just wanted to take all his troubles away.
'You need to feed, Snow. Regain your strength. We will land soon then you can go to ground.' She unbuttoned her blouse and stretched her neck, inviting him in. Constantine looked away, but stood watch. Snow growled possessively. Long, sharp fangs protruding from his mouth and he grabbed her around the waist, sitting her on his lap. She didn't protest. He needed this. She needed this. Lilith moaned when Snow buried his face in her neck and sinfully licked her skin. Moving her legs so that they were on either side of him –difficult since the seat was small and Snow was so big- she pressed harder against him. It was his turn to moan. He licked her again from ear to collarbone before sinking his fangs into her neck.
She wanted him, right there, on the plane. To the hell with everyone else.
White, hot sparks of pleasure shot from her to him as he feed on her life's essences. Every pull brought her higher towards the decadent pleasure of orgasm. His hand rubbing her thigh, screaming to the heavens. With one last pull he sealed the pinpricks with his tongue but kept his head at her neck. She came down from her high, feeling weightless.
'I think I took too much, my love.'
'Nonsense. If you had taken too much I would have told you.' She paused, not wanting to ruin the mood but she had to know. 'What was it this time, Snow?'
'Something has changed. We are in more danger then I first predicted. Something evil is coming. The mage will grow stronger while we weaken in strength. Many will suffer.' The cryptic message left many questions.
She was tired of this. Tired of the agony. Of the suffering. Tired of watching Snow relapse into fits of pain and torture because of a future he can see, but do nothing about. He had seen enough death and destruction, killed many, because of fate to last him several lifetimes. Well fuck that. It was time that something was done to change that. 'Well then I think it's time we do something about that.'
'I cannot interfere. To do so goes against fate.' He sounded tired, feeling his age.
Lilith snorted. 'As far as I'm concerned, fate can kiss my ass.'
'Right on.' Leticia agreed.
Snow chuckled, quite shocked at his lifemates` boldness. To go against fate was equivalent to a death sentence. No passing go. No collecting two hundred dollars. The end. But, of course there were ways to trick the bitch and the price was high. He just hoped the prince had the stomach to pay it. He as well. 'Well then, if you two are on board, let's go and slap fate in the face.'
…
Carpathian Mountains. Present day
Mikhail knew deep down, he had no choice. One, he thought he would never have to make. But everything that has happened, everything that's been lost, has come down to this. The last ray of hope his people had that could see the tides turn in this battle with Xavier and his vampire followers. The continual of his species, the survival of his unborn son depended on whether his plan succeeded. So much rested on his shoulders already but with this Carpathian fighting with them, his people might stand a chance. But one question remained; would he help them.
The immortal white priest, Snow Iazarovichi.
Mikhail heard a loud screech, like nails being dragged down a chalk board, and turned his thoughts to the task at hand; killing the master vampire he currently had around the throat. Blooded teeth snapped and snarled, but Mikhail squeezed harder on the vampire's neck. It wouldn't cut of its supply since the vampire didn't need to breathe. It screeched again and racked a taloned hand down his chest, leaving long bloody marks but Mikhail blocked the pain from his mind. The creature went for his chest again, but he moved away just in time. Mercilessly, he plunged his clawed hand into the black cavity of rotten flesh and gripped the still beating heart. The vampire roared and went for Mikhail's chest once more. It tore and ripped at the muscles of his chest but Mikhail kept a firm grip on its black heart,; ripping it from the vampire's chest, leaping away gracefully before the gurgling vampire could claw him further with poison talons.
He tossed the noxious organ away, its poisonous blood eating at skin and bone, watching while the creature wailed and fell to the ground, trying, desperately to crawl towards its black organ. Mikhail didn't give his prey a second glance, just raised his hand to the clouded sky and called down the purifying lightening. It danced from cloud to cloud, lighting up the sky in a brilliant display before slamming to earth, directly onto the animated corpse. The vampire gurgled something and a faint pink mark appeared on its forehead before being incinerated completely, along with its still beating heart. Black smoke rose to the sky and was swept away by the wind. Mikhail bathed his hand and arm in the white hot energy, the poison blood washing away, before the light vanished.
Mikhail looked down at his now clean hand and clenched it in a fist. Deep rage blossomed in his chest. He knew his hearing was working fine; it was what the vampire had uttered before going up in smoke that made him rage. 'Your demise is imminent. Xavier will destroy you. He is closer than you think.'
Yes, he knew he had no choice. He had to trust his instincts. He prayed they were right.
He saw lightening hit the earth behind him, turned and caught Gregori, Dimitri and Vikirnoff finishing off the last of the undead to be found, while Natalya made sure the villagers were safe. A master vampire and his underlings had been scented around a small village to the far west of the mountains, lying in wait for night to fall so they could feed and turn the human villagers into mindless ghouls. Mikhail had acted quickly and efficiently but still the vampires were coming in droves, attacking every few days as if their plan was to weaken them slowly with numerous, small attacks and numbers. Luckily this vampire hadn't been a master for very long, its underlings weak and uncoordinated. Vampires were ordinarily solitary creatures, preferring to act alone, but sometimes they consolidated together, the master using newly turned vamps as pawns, hoping to distract and weaken a hunter. But so many were turning vampire too soon, the thought of never finding their lifemate leaving them in despair and without hope.
And what were they doing in a territory hunters frequently travel through?
'You're looking a little worse for wear, my prince. Do you require blood?' Gregori asked and Mikhail looked down at his various wounds.
'I will heal.'
'This is starting to get really tiresome.' Dimitri said and stood up. His black merciless eyes alert, constantly surveying the area.
'I have to agree. Second attack this week and with Xavier plotting our demise, it seems like we'll never see the end of this war.' Gregori stared at that the ground the vampire he had just killed had laid. 'Did you catch the pink mark on their foreheads before they were incinerated?'
'Some kind of dark magic.' Dimitri ventured.
'All the villagers are safe. I have made sure none knew about the vampire attack.' Natalya said and flicked her tawny hair over her shoulder.
'There was something different about this attack.'
'Right. They seem to be getting smarter. Using numbers against us. But they don't usually enter a territory protected by hunters. Desperation maybe?' Vikirnoff voiced Mikhail's earlier thoughts. He held his palm out for Natalya and brought her to his side. It made Mikhail yearn to hold his own lifemate in his arms, but Raven was heavily pregnant and couldn't leave the house. He had his safeguards surrounding the house. Keeping her safe. For she was precious not just to him but for the continual of his race. She was light to his darkness and if anything happened to her, Mikhail would cease to exist.
'You seemed troubled, my love. I can sense your need of me.' Raven sent waves of warmth and light, her arms reaching out to cradle him. She was never far from his mind and he from hers. They were truly one.
'It is nothing. Rest and if I find you have left that sofa, I will be very upset.' He gently slipped out of her mind but not before he heard her faint laughter and imagined her shaking her head at him.
'And with Xavier closing in, it's endless. Razvan and Ivory are working around the clock, with Gary and Shea to find a breakthrough with Xavier's spells and experiments but the mage seems to be more cunning than we anticipated. We have every Carpathian here protecting our species but more vampires are turning up every day.' Gregori sounded tired. The Carpathian just wanting to be with his family, but keeping them safe was more important right now.
'My brother and his lifemate will find a way.' Natalya said with conviction.
'I do not doubt that, but time is running out. Sun scorch them all.'
Mikhail listened to his comrades, his allies and lifted his face to he now clear night sky, knowing what he must do. 'There is one solution we haven't considered yet.'
'What?'
'We'll no speak of it out here, the forest has ears. Let us go back to my home. I am anxious to get back to my lifemate. Gregori send a call to all available Carpathians to meet us there.'
'Jacques are you able to meet me at my home. I need you.' Mikhail sent to his brother.
'I will be there, eka. Whenever you need me.'
Mikhail took to the sky without another word, taking the body of a white owl, trusting Gregori, who also took to the sky as a white owl, to do as he instructed. The owl whistled and flew with grace over the trees and valleys, across fields and streams, dipping down before soaring back up. Inside the owl's body, Mikhail cast his senses out like a net over the forest, using the owl's instincts as well as his own to look for any strange disturbances in the area but all he got was movement from the wildlife below. Still it paid to be cautious. Vampires were cunning and deceitful. A wolf howled in the distance, a calling, before being joined by another. It was Ivory's pack. They must be close. He sensed the others following behind him and dipped lower until his wings grazed the tops of the trees. He pushed himself faster, forging ahead. He had no time to lose.
'Mikhail slow down, wait for me so I can guard you. What's the rush?' Gregori ordered.
'I fear both of us will need guarding after what I'm about to reveal.' Mikhail said cryptically.
'What is it that you speak of?'
Mikhail chose not to answer instead sped forward over the forest.
His home among the trees was secluded and miles from any human contact. As he wished it. To find it, Mikhail would have to lessen his safeguards but even then it would be difficult. Mikhail unravelled his safeguards as he dived down and landed on the upper floor wraparound veranda, shifting into his human form. He moved his hand and the doors opened automatically. He strode in and found Raven sitting on the love seat, reading quietly, her hand on her swollen belly. She looked lovelier then words could ever describe and she was his. Raven looked up when he entered and smiled lovingly, putting down her book.
'See, I am just where you left me.'
'I am please, sivamet.' Mikhail bent down and kissed his lifemate deeply. He had only been gone for a couple of hours but somehow it felt like days since he had last seen her. And with the search for Xavier and the constant threat of vampires taking up much of his time, he feared it might just come to that. But if the priest decided to join the cause, the tides just might turn in their favour.
He felt a soft hand on his cheek and he pulled away. Raven was looking up at him with worry in her eyes. 'Mikhail, what is it. You suddenly closed your mind to mine. You never do that, only when you don't want me to worry about something.'
Mikhail was more distracted then he thought. 'It's nothing. Just rest.'
'As if I can do anything else. I feel like a whale.'
'A beautiful whale.' Mikhail said lovingly and tucked a stray tendril of dark hair behind her ear.
He felt the hunters gathering outside his home and he released his safeguards with his mind. He kissed Raven's forehead, nuzzled her hair and backed out the way he came, closing the doors behind him. He stood on his terrace and looked down at the Carpathians gathered. Lucian and Gabriel with Jaxon and Francesca, Aiden and Julian with Alexandria and Desari. Razvan and Ivory. Vikirnoff and Natalya and lastly Gregori, Byron, Jacques and Dimitri. The others not present were in his mind, lending support. He floated to the ground and stood before them, like a prince among his people.
'Ekas. I have gathered all of you here because as you're all aware, our situation is growing dire. Vampire attacks are becoming more frequent and we have come to understand that the vampires are conversing with Xavier who is weak from our last attack, but will not stay that way for long.' There were low mummer, but Mikhail continued. 'Ivory and Razvan have been working on reversing his spells while Shea and Gary work on eliminating the extremophiles from our soil, but time is not on our side. We need help if we are to see a future.'
'All the hunters are here fighting, my prince. Helping to keep us alive. There is no one left.' Julian said calmly.
'There is a Carpathian we haven't considered yet. One who could make a difference.'
'Who is it, Mikhail?' Gregori asked.
'Snow Iazarovichi.' The wind picked up slightly and Mikhail felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up, as if just saying the man's name would cause him to appear. Not that he knew what he looked like. From what he understood, no Carpathian alive that he knew has ever seen him, except maybe Lucian and Gabriel. Mummers spread throughout the Carpathians gathered, some in shock, others in confusion.
Gregori's eyes actually widened. If he was expecting any name, that was not it. 'The immortal white priest. Mikhail, his last known sighting was over two thousand years ago. Who knows where he is now?' Even the feared dark one respected and acknowledged a fellow Carpathian as old and experienced as Snow Iazarovichi. At his age, they were children to him.
'Who is this white priest?' Natalya asked with confusion.
'I'm not surprised you haven't heard of him. Not many have in the Carpathian community. The human bible would portray him as an angel disguised as a demon. The priest is powerful, intelligent and very, very ancient. Snow Iazarovichi, the priest of the Carpathians is said to be over five thousand years old. Since no one has seen him, no one knows what he looks like but my father told me however that he has two lifemates.'
'Two, but how is that possible?' Vikirnoff was just as puzzled as Natalya looked.
'Twins. Apparently they have been Avio Palafertiil for two thousand years. No one is aware of what family they originate from. Lucian and I had witnessed him pass through our village when we were small boys but the memory is hazy. I hear his hair is as pure white as his name and eyes the colour of blood.'
'A Carpathian with white hair.' Razvan touched his own white streaks.
'When I was at the school of mages, I read a small section of text a in a very ancient book about the immortal priest's power of precognition, that his eyes are gateways to the future.' Ivory touched Razvan's arm. 'Such a power must be a terrible burden to have. But if I know of the text, Xavier must know about him.'
'My father once told me 'he is the keeper of the future. Time has stopped for him. To mess with what must come to pass could bring destruction but if the ancient chant of old is sung, in our time of darkest need, the priest will answer.' Mikhail said as he dug through his many memories of his father retelling him stories about the white priest.
Vlad told him the priest's blood was like no other Carpathians. It was pure and addictive. The life giving liquid could cure any wound in seconds but drinking it was like drinking the sun. One taste and you would crave it for the rest of your days. Tales throughout history have depicted Snow's sent as enslaving and potent enough to be called the scent of heaven. Such a thing could be a gift and a curse.
'Would he help us? He hasn't bothered to show his face to us yet.' Julian spoke up.
'Can we bring in a hunter who might not even be on our side? Should we take this to the warrior's council?' Aidan sided with his brother.
'There is no time. If we are to be two steps ahead of Xavier, we have to act now.'
'Mikhail please think before you even consider seeking his help. The price might be too high to pay.' Gregori cautioned.
'We are desperate, Gregori. Every day we spent fight the vampire, is a day Xavier gets closer to his goal. I can't, I won't let that happen. Raven is about to give birth and if that means I have to get the priest to help us give my son a fighting chance, I will.' Mikhail had made up his mind. His decision was final.
Gregori knew that and slowly nodded his head 'Alright I am with you, old friend.'
'As are we.' One by one each pledged their support in his decision. The others listening mentally also gave their pledge. He let his breath out in one slow exhale. He didn't even know he had been holding it.
'How do we contact him?' Ivory asked, her tattoos glowing under the moonlight.
'There is only one way. The ancient chant of old.' Mikhail knew the chant. He had always known it. The ancient chant of old had been buried deep in his mind for as long as he could remember. Possibly even before he was born. He just never thought he would have to use it. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before he raised his hand to the heavens and recited the old chant.
North and South
East and West
We are joined together in these darkest of days
Asking you to heed our plea
Warrior
Brother
Protector
Defender
Our blood mingles and calls to you
To run
To flow
To bless
To love
Blood is life
Life is blood
We live together as one, hand to hand
Hear our summons immortal one and join with us now.
Mikhail sent a ball of fire into the sky and it bursts, lightening up the sky in a brilliant display of colour, sending sparkling shards in all directions. To anyone seeing it, it would look like fireworks. The glowing shards fell to earth around them, before they all disappeared and everything became still, the very air itself seemed to hold its breath. Even the never ending incessant drone of insects had ceased.
Out of nowhere, a cold blast of icy wind blew around them with such backbreaking force and chill, Mikhail feared he would actually freeze to death in seconds. He tried to regulate his body temperature but he just couldn't warm up. His teeth chattered and he started to shiver. The wolves in the surrounding forest howled loudly and flocks of birds took flight, away from the impending danger.
'Mikhail, what the hell is going on?' Gregori screamed in Mikhail's mind.
'What the hell.' Byron said over the wind.
'Are we under attack?'
A moment later, the wind disappeared as if it never was. Unnerving silence fell over the forest, not even the insects chirped. Gregori recovered with Carpathian speed and surveyed the area with watchful eyes. That was no ordinary wind. It held no trace of evil but the power and force he had felt almost brought him to his knees, many of the others sharing his wariness. Vampires could never have produced something so powerful, nor would they chance being so close to so many hunters.
'What was…?'
'You rang.'
Every warrior hissed and went in attack mode; the males protectively pushing their mates behind them and Mikhail whirled around in alarm. How the hell did an intruder get past all these Carpathians, for sitting casually on top of his home, his arm resting on his jean covered knee, head in his palm was a grinning man with a large, white mohawk, with a long white trail of hair that fell over his shoulder. He had swirling black tattoos which seemed to be moving as if something was alive underneath his skin. The ink began at his fingers and travel up his arm and under his black t-shirt, stoping just underneath his chin.
A silver pendant hung around his neck with a beautiful glowing pink crystal in the centre. With his striking features, the man was obviously a Carpathian as his size and build was like the others gathered before him but what caught Mikhail's attention were the man's eyes. So dark and intelligent. And ancient. Very very ancient. He had never seen anything like them before. They were the colour of fresh blood. Awareness suddenly dawned on Mikhail on who exactly he was looking at. There was no mistaking the hair colour, the eyes.
Snow Iazarovichi. The immortal white priest.
His thoughts suddenly went to Raven inside but she seemed undisturbed, the commotion outside hadn't even startled her.
'Your lifemate is completely safe. I am no threat, I promise you. I sense the child that grows in her womb. He will be a strong fighter for our people.'
'You have come. Arwa-arvo olen gaeidnod- honour guide you, my brother.' Mikhail wanted to know how the priest knew he was worried for his lifemate's safety but instead kept quiet. Instead he opened his mind and tried to find the path to Snow's mind but all he got was a bunch of static. Odd. He tried again but still, nothing.
Snow smiled, a ghost of a fang showing and nodded his head. 'Why yes. I heard your distress call so I have come. And good timing too.'
Mikhail bowed his head in respect. 'We are in need of your help, oma- ancient one. Our need is a desperate one. The deceptive mage Xa… '
'Xavier, yes I know of him. I am aware of your situation. I have seen it. Turelam agba Kontsalamaval- patience is the warrior's true weapon, prince. But you do understand to meddle with destiny can lead to dire consequences.'
He stood up and jumped off the roof, landing elegantly in front of a comically shocked crowd of Carpathians. Even Gregori couldn't help but stare. He stood in front of them as if nothing on the earth could touch him. He was certainly not what Mikhail envisioned him as. White Mohawk, jeans and t-shirt. Tattoos. He was so casual. He had no signs of aging; not looking a day over thirty but the strength the man possessed was undeniable. The power the man radiated was hard to imagine. It had no equal. Then, without warning, the most tantalizing smell Mikhail had ever come across flew into his nose, his fangs actually started to lengthen. God, it was like sunshine, and chocolate and pure sex. And it was coming from Snow.
'He smells like…' Jaxon started to say before she leaned forward and sniffed. 'Sunshine and peaches. I used to love peaches.' Lucian snarled possessively and blocked Jaxon's view of the priest. Everyone seemed to be affected by the priest's scent. Hell, Dimitri looked like he was hanging on by a thread and it was beginning to lose its fibre fast. Dimitri felt saliva flood his mouth and his fangs demanding he release them and feast on that enslaving scent. An image of Skyler flashed in his mind's eye and he bit his tongue, hard enough to draw blood.
Snow scratched his head and pointed at Lucian, having no idea what his scent was doing to them. 'Did he just growl at me? Seriously. What did I do?'
'It is your scent, han ku pesa`-protector, it affects us.' Mikhail said with a struggle.
Snow smacked himself on the forehead. 'Oh oops forgot about that. You're not used to it. Hold on one second.'
With a flick of his wrist, the intoxicating scent vanished, dulled down to comfortable aroma. Everyone seemed to relax slightly, though the males still stood protectively in front of their lifemates. Snow didn't seem to notice; he just looked around and whistled in wonder.
'Hey nice digs you have here. Maybe I should consider moving up here. My wives and children would love it, hey Dubrinsky.' Snow elbowed Mikhail lightly and finally noticed everyone gathered before him. He looked at each Carpathian, as if committing each face to memory before his penetrating gaze landed on Razvan and Ivory. He heard the sounds of wolves pacing just at the forest's edge around him as he walked forward and stopped in front of them. He glanced down at Ivory with a knowing look then travelled to Razvan. Snow was a fraction taller, still Razvan looked him straight in the eye. His eyes really were the colour of blood, Razvan found himself unable to look away, just kept staring into those bottomless pits. It was then he felt a subtle touch in his mind, so feather light, like a parent soothing their child. No evil tainted this man, just pure calm enlightenment and he felt himself relax. The wolves on his back relaxing as well.
'Oma.'
'I sense you have gone through many trials, kont- warrior, at the hands of Xavier, you and your kin. You suffer greatly; your white streaks are proof of that, but your lifemate will always be there to be your light. I have seen it in my visions. There is an unbreakable love here. Try not to let go of that'
'She is han ku vigyaz sivamet es sielamet- keeper of my heart and soul.' Razvan looked upon Ivory with warmth and love. 'But I fear I am not perfect enough for one such as her.'
'Razvan.' Ivory squeezed his hand.
He reached over and touched Razvan's heart. 'Love isn't finding a perfect person. It's about seeing an imperfect person perfectly. Don't sell yourself short so easily. It's what's in here that counts.'
He smiled and patted Razvan's heart, pulled away, scratching his head once more and looked around him. 'Wow, there is so many here to greet me. Even the dark one is here. Congrats on your new arrivals by the way.'
'You have seen them.' Gregori was surprised but cautious.
'Yes, twins. They are quite cute. I have two sets of twins myself. But enjoy these years while they last because, raising kids, from my experience is part joy and part guerrilla warfare. You'll know you're a father when your wife forces you to go baby shopping.'
Mikhail cleared his throat, although he had to agree. 'Our situation grows desperate with each vampire attack. They seemed to have joined Xavier in his quest to destroy us. We have females who are connected to the earth, cleansing our soil daily, scientists' examining our soil and two Carpathians knowledgeable in the mage's magic.'
Snow didn't seem to be listening. He spotted Alexandria and came up to her. Aiden stepped in front of her but he didn't even notice. 'Alexandria Houton right? You used to be human? Can you tell me what the purpose of a D.V.D player is? I look at the technology but can't seem to work it out. Oh and my sons told me to tell you that they love your video games.'
'Ah…well' Alexandria was at a loss. She had felt a twinge of fear when this strange Carpathian set his ruby gaze on her, but nothing but friendliness and humility came from him. His question innocent. And he knew of her work. She relaxed and placed a hand on her mate's arm. Men and their machoness. This man was tall. Absolutely. Muscled. No doubt. But did he go around beating his chest like an ape like he was king. Nope. She wondered what his lifemates were like.
'Thank you, Snow.' Kindly she held her hand out, bending around Aiden's unmoving body.
'Your most welcome, my dear.' He shook her hand. Funnily, she didn't fell repulsed by his touch. Usually her body went screaming for the hills if another man so much as accidently brushed against her. Nothing. Just warm acceptance.
'Oma, please focus.' It was like talking to a child. Mikhail wanted to snap his fingers in front of the priest's face to get back his attention. He was stating to rethink trusting his instincts. No. he knew what he was doing.
'Yes back to what you were saying. Children of the earth you say. Interesting. I have met few Carpathians who are connected to mother earth. It is a unique gift to be able to heal the earth. They are dragonseeker, yes?'
'Correct.'
Snow tapped his chin in thought and his eyes glowed like the jewel around his neck, but not in anger, more like as if he was looking at something only he could see. He bent down and picked up a handful of soil and filtered it through his fingers. 'Interesting indeed. These two skilled in Xavier's art. Are they aware that…'Snow paused and sniffed the air.
'Oma.' Mikhail wondered why he paused.
'Quite.' Snow suddenly held up his hand and seemed to be listening for something. Nothing could be heard, except the resuming sound of the wildlife around them. But Snow must have heard something. 'Kod alte han- Darkness curse it.' Snow swore and quickly jumped onto the roof just as three shadows burst out of the forest and land on the spot Snow had just occupied. Many hunters hissed and hands turned into claws but the three weren't interested in them. They had their sights set on the priest. Standing to their full height, each one looked dark and deadly. Souls made out of steal and eyes sharp and intelligent, except for the human wearing sunglasses.
'So here is where you've been hiding. We've had to travel through that fucking portal to get here so I can kick your sorry ass and you know how I hate to travel by those damn things.' The human spoke with undisguised displeasure. His accent was thick, likely Russian.
'Constantine. Theodore. Galen. You sure took your time.' Snow smirked and examined his nails in boredom. 'I was starting to think you weren't coming.'
'It took longer to find your trail then we thought. I would have figured old age would have slowed you down but it seems you still have some juice left in those old bones.' Galen said and the human placed his sunglasses in his pocket, not needing them since it was night. His multiple scars that ran from his hair line to his chin shone in the moonlight.
'These 'old bones' can still best you.'
'Snow, you have nowhere to run. Give up now and you might live until the next sunrise.' Theodore said coolly but his dark eyes said differently.
Snow just laughed. 'Come now, that's not very nice, Teddy. It was only one little joke. How else am I to enjoy my old age? '
'Snow, as god is my witness when I get my hands on you I am going to strangle you and I am going to enjoy it. I don't care if you are the bloody priest.' Constantine was angry and an angry Constantine was never a good thing. Snow didn't care; he loved riling up his old friend.
'Ha, you'll have to catch me first, and I know how slow you are.' Snow laughed and jumped off the roof, transforming into a large white raven in seconds and flew above their heads, high into the sky. He squawked as if to antagonize the three new comers below.
'May the sun scorch that man a thousand deaths. Although when his lifemates get him, he would wish it would.'
Another antagonizing squawked could be heard in the distance and the man with the scar turned to speak to the man holding a black duffle bag. 'I think his trying to goad you, Constantine.' The man just laughed and dropped his large duffel bag on the ground and pulled out a long semi-automatic rifle and loaded it up with some kind of black oval object.
'Wow that's a gun.' Jaxon said in admiration and wanted to get closer but Lucian stopped her.
'Isn't it. This beauty can fire a projectile over a distance of 6 miles. Just the right distance to blow that idiot out of the sky. He thinks he can get away but I have news for him.' He smirked and turned to Mikhail. 'I wonder if he has realised he is headed in the direction Lilith and Leticia are waiting for him.'
'Who are you? Speak now.' Gabriel stood with his arms folded across his chest.
'Oh, how rude of us. I'm Theodore, the one with the scar is Galen and,' Theodore pointed to the short haired man, 'the one with the big gun with an angry ass look on his face is Constantine. We're, friends of Snow's. Well Constantine and I are, Galen just tries to kill him from time to time.'
'Only when the giant pain in the ass deserves it.'
'You are Carpathians and he is a human.' Gregori asked with underlined disdain.
'Don't underestimate me, fanger. I am very skilled in bringing creatures like you down.' Galen said and tapped the crossbow he had strapped to his back.
'Vampire hunter.' Jacques snarled, his fangs showing. He went to step forward but Galen put his hand up. The human wasn't even fazed that he stood in a crowd of hostile Carpathians. He just stared Jacques right in the eye, daring him to come closer.
'If I wanted to shoot you. I would have done so already but I don't hunt Carpathians. I do know the difference. No, I hunt the fuckers who smell like rotting flesh and look just about as ugly.'
'We have had vampire hunters after us before. They tortured our prince's brother for years and plotted to capture many of us to do experiments on.' Julian slipped an arm around Desari protectively.
Galen snorted. 'Dude, seriously they weren't vampire hunters.' Julian actually reeled. In his long life, he no one had ever called him 'dude.' 'If they had a clue about the undead they would still be alive. Now, if you would excuse us we have a big bird to catch. Constantine, would you like to do the honours.'
'With pleasure. You might want to cover your ears.' Constantine smirk was filled with evil intent and, shouldering the semi-auto, he pointed it in the direction snow at flown off to. He didn't even look into the eyeglass, he just pulled the trigger and with an ear-splitting bang, the black oval projectile flew through the air. Within seconds, it exploded into a giant net and fell to earth.
'And we…' Constantine started to say when he heard a distinctive squawk and a flash of white, almost like a shooting star descended towards earth with amazing speed. The net securely around it.
'Got him. Come on before he escapes. Dubrinsky, Daratrazanoff you might want to be with us when he transforms back. You obviously summoned him for a reason. But just keep in mind, he is old so what he says sometimes might not make a whole lot of sense. Galen, I can't believe you called him 'Dude.' Theodore said when he, Constantine and Galen took off through the forest. Mikhail looked at Gregori for a moment before he took off after them, Gregori right behind him.
'The priest was not what I imagined him to be and I never thought I would live to see the day a Carpathian with a mohawk. I would hate to see what would happen if Josef ever saw it.' Gregori raced behind him. Animals scattered to safety as they ran. Dipping and winding through bush thicket and lush ferns, which still had white layer of snow scattered over their leaves an over fallen logs and frozen streams.
'When you live long enough, you see it all, I suppose.'
Gregori pushed himself so he was racing ahead of his prince, guarding him from the front, trusting Mikhail to watch from the back. The three new arrivals were just a few meters ahead of them, Gregori impressed that the human could keep up with their speed. Obviously he wasn't a normal human. With another burst of speed, he and Mikhail came to a small clearing and spotted Galen, Constantine and Theodore standing in front of four beautiful Carpathian females, two were identical. One was heavily pregnant, the other extremely angry, although she was smiling slyly. The other two, one with short curly black hair, the other straight walked over to Constantine and Theodore. The angry female shook her head and held up a struggling, squawking Snow, still in raven form, by his feet. These two were Snow's lifemates and they were pissed.
'You seem to have lost something, Galen.' She said sweetly then glared down at Snow who still tried to get away. 'Constantine. Theodore. You seem to be losing your touch. Leticia and I could have gotten him ourselves. And she's pregnant.'
'Lilith, give a guy a break will you. His like the wind and you can't catch the wind.' Galen turned to Mikhail and Gregori and sighed.
'Women.'
'Excuse me! I dare you to say that again.'
'They seem like pleasant, fun-loving people. I can' wait to meet them. Lilith seems to know how to handle her man. And she has raised two sets of twins. Remarkable.' Savannah laughed in her husband's mind. Gregori mentally cursed himself for allowing his wife to hear such things. He didn't want her getting any more ideas about trying to control him.
'As if you need any more encouraging.' He sent warmly.
'The twins are Lilith and Leticia, my prince. Snow's lifemates. Leticia is the pregnant one. Gwen here is my lifemate' Theodore said warmly and kissed Gwen on the forehead. He pointed over to Constantine who held his women tightly in his arms. 'And the other female is Peyton, Constantine's lifemate.'
'It is a pleasure to meet so many females of our race.'
'The pleasure is all ours.' Leticia rubbed her swollen belly.
'Enough with the pleasantries. Well avio palafertiil, we found you.' The female, Lilith brought Snow up higher until they were eye level. 'Now here's how it's going to work. You are going to shift and discipline your sons, if not I am going to stuff you and give you to Madeline and Maya to play with. Yes.'
Snow gave a jerk of his head which seemed to be enough for Lilith. She let him go, squawking his outrage and he hopped across the ground, his little feet leaving imprints in the snow before he transformed into human form, his mohawk still in place. He stretched his neck and stared down at his smaller lifemate with apology in his eyes. The woman just reached his chin but she glared up at him and poked him in the chest.
'Well big man what have you got to say for yourself. First you play a nasty joke on your poor friends, who obviously want to kill you and second, I was just in the middle of telling you what your wayward sons had been up to and you disappeared on us, to find you here playing around.' Although she was angry at Snow, anyone could see how deep her love was for the man in front of her. Nothing could separate them, not even death.
'I was summoned by the prince. It wasn't my fault.'
'I don't care if the queen of Sheba asked you over for tea. Discipline your sons. Malachi. Michael, get out here. Don't think I haven't forgotten.' There was a rustle behind some fern bushes and two twin teenage boys, no more than eighteen, with lip and eyebrow piercings stepped out. They had their mother's black hair but their father's features. The twins looked at their mother with the same look of apology as their father but Lilith was having none of it.
'Go on. Tell your father what you did.'
'What did you do?' Snow folded his arms over his broad chest.
'Well…'
'You see…'
'Your two wilful, errant sons took that infernal heap you call a car and raced it at the track last night. Almost got themselves killed.' Lilith spoke for them.
Snow's eyes widened. 'Did you really? How did it go?'
'Snow!'
'I mean, that was very bad of you boys, very bad and as punishment, you are going to have to build me a better engine, turbo maybe.' He turned and nodded at Lilith, happy with a job well done, even though he missed the high-five his sons just gave each other.
'There, my dear all done.' He smiled and kissed her gently on the lips. His wife could be one scary woman. He would rather battle shadow warriors then face Lilith's wrath. Lilith just stared at him for a moment and sighed.
'I guess that's the best I'm gonna get out of you.'
Snow nodded his approval. 'Yes, I tell you, I'm so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word I say.'
'That's not sometimes, that's all the time. You're like an old man at the park, talking nonsense. Your daughters talk more sense than you and their five.' Constantine sighed and ran a hand through his short hair.
'Who are you calling old.'
'Father. Considering you're like five thousand years old that makes you, like a relic. Man that's tough.' Michael said sarcastically. Telling the difference between his sons was pretty easy, well for Snow anyway. Michael had a slight dimple on the corner of his mouth when he smiled and Malachi had the habit of scrunching up his nose at something he didn't want to do.
'Talking of daughters. Where are my other two trouble makers?' Snow looked around, wondering if they too were hiding in the forest.
'Manny took them to the inn we past just at the base of the forest. I think the owners names were Slavica and Mirko. Poor buggers were tired but they wanted their father.'
'I know the inn keepers. They are honest humans and under my protection.' Mikhail said just in case one of them decided to feed on them. 'There are a few homes dug into the mountains which are not in use. Many have hot springs and underground caves. Dense trees mostly cover them. Take them if you wish.' Snow accepted that and smiled lovingly when he spotted his pregnant lifemate. He strode over to her and kissed her forehead before he touched her belly
'You should be resting, Sivament- my love.'
Leticia smiled and touched her husband's strong face, kissing his chiselled jaw. 'I'll rest when I have our daughter safely in my arms. Anyway she sensed your disappearance and obviously wouldn't rest until she felt your presence. She will defiantly be a strong-willed one. Just like her father.'
'I consider no less of my heir. The next white priestess, the second in our history ever to be born.' Warmth and love flooded his blood-red eyes. He was a lucky, lucky man, something he sometimes didn't deserve but took when he could. He affectionately kissed Leticia on the belly, then on the lips and lifted her unprotesting body easily into his arms.
'I can walk you know. I have fought vampires and shadow warriors. I am not some weak-willed woman.' Leticia said half-heartedly. To be honest she liked being carried in his arms.
'Yes I am aware of that. But then I wouldn't have the pleasure of carrying you. When we get home I foot rub is in order.' Snow chuckled and Leticia felt it vibrate through his chest. She sighed and tucked her head underneath his chin. She drew in his heavenly scent and she and their daughter calmed instantly. He was her home. Her love. It didn't matter what he had done or how much blood was on his hands. She'd still love him, until her dying days. Wherever he went, she went. She nuzzled his neck and nibbled his skin. Suddenly feeling hungry.
'Eww, father, vomit alert.' Malachi and Michael pretended to barf. Snow ignored his sons, his attention on his wife.
'I feel your hunger, Leticia. Forgive me for not attending to your needs first.'
'I could wait. It's you who needs to feed.'
'I will before I go to ground. But you and Lilith come first. Malachi, Michael, Lilith, let's go.'
'Keep vigilant, priest. The undead will be drawn to this place more than ever, now that your females and children are here.' Gregori said in warning.
Snow leant his head against his lifemate's. 'your worries are for naught. They will be perfectly safe.' He was about to turn to leave when he remembered something.
'Oh, I almost forget to mention, an associate of mine, a skilled scientist in the field of human and microbiology, will be dropping by next rising. He is human, although that is still in discussion, but trustworthy.' He said with apology in his voice. 'His got the attitude of a drunken Irishmen who's had his grog taken away but he knows his stuff. Dr MacKenna. You can't miss him.'
'You having a laugh, Snow. Be serious, you can't hire MacKenna. He's a savage.' Theodore wondered if Snow had finally lost it.
'Yes, but he's our savage.' Snow smiled that 'I know all' smile.
'Keep smiling; it makes people wonder what you're up to.' Galen eyed him shrewdly.
'I don't know what you mean. Come on let's go. Time's a wasting and the sun will be up soon. This old man needs his beauty sleep and plus, two little girls are waiting for their daddy to tuck them in.' He nuzzled Leticia's hair and started walking away. Lilith shifted into a sleek black cat and jumped onto his shoulder, bumping his neck and her two sons, without a word, began to follow behind.
'Do we have your help, oma?' Mikhail asked quietly. Somehow he thought it wrong to break the serene peace that that fallen over them.
Snow stopped. 'Yes I will help, but be warned I expect payment.' He turned and pinned Mikhail down like he would a butterfly with a needle. Gone was the easy going Carpathian, replaced with something mysterious and powerful. His eyes glowed like jewels. 'Meddling with fate is a dangerous thing, prince. To balance out the universe, something of equal value must be exchanged. You will know of what I speak when the time comes for you to make a choice. But remember these words carefully; there is a reason and consequence for everything.'
Tendrils of white mist appeared at Snow's feet as he walked away, swirling around him and his family like a protective barrier before it swallowed them up and they were gone.
To be continued.
Well how was that? Pretty long but I seem happy with it. The little things about kids and guerrilla warfare I got from my mum who has four kids. So she knows what she's talking about. The poem at the start was something I thought up about the immortal priest. I tell you, it is so stormy over here in Perth. It hasn't stopped. Anyway read and review. I read and love them all.