3

The drive to his lifemate's home was scenic as they wound through the hills away from town. The terrain was becoming more hilly and wooded, and the distance between homes was growing. Tariq liked what he saw, feeling more at home in the wilds than the cities. Sitting in the front seat beside Russ, Tariq could feel the waves of stress coming from Zoe in the back seat. She remained closed to him, though he knew it was a great effort, and she was not yet recovered from opening her vision to the spirits of so many. He refrained from pressing her and waited. The professor was also silent as he drove the windy road. Tariq could be patient as this awkward family silence continued, but he knew sparks would fly very soon. Russ was simmering below his calm façade, and he didn't care about masking his thoughts as Zoe did. It was going to boil over soon.

"Your coming is not altogether unexpected, Tariq. No matter how prepared we thought we were, obviously, we were not. I'm sorry for my daughter's rude treatment of you. I assure you she was raised to behave better than she did tonight," Russ was not happy at having walked in on Zoe blistering Tariq's ears after he had saved their lives, and likely many others in a room full of people.

"As you said, my arrival is a surprise," Tariq tried to reassure Russ.

"Ah, but she knew she would be meeting a protector, she was told that it was not just some mystic bodyguard she'd be meeting," Russ continued. "She is well aware of what that means for her future, that her freedom is ending…"

"What freedom, athair?" Zoe exclaimed. "Tonight's party is only the second time in my life I was allowed to leave the circle! How dare you imply that I am some flighty school girl with no boundaries? I have never had freedom, and it appears you have no problem with the knowledge that I never will."

"Your fate was written long ago," Russ began, but Zoe interrupted.

"I would write my own fate, not have it forced on me by seanathair. I do not want any mate, do you hear me Carpathian? It's not anything personal against you. I don't want to be told to hide behind trees and stones for the rest of my life, and I don't want to be bossed around by some overprotective domineering man."

"Few women desire the restrictions their males place on them, though they are intended only to protect. I am certain you will resent decisions I will make concerning your safety and health. You do not understand the ways of my people, and you fear what you do not understand. This is easily remedied, Zoe, if you would just spend time in my company, we can learn of each other," Tariq's voice was sweet, enticing, and persuasive. He could feel that he was reaching her. "I want to know everything about you, Zoe, if you will let me. For instance, what are Sióg?"

Russ inhaled sharply and glanced at Tariq, "We do not discuss such things outside the circle. Even the mention of it can draw unwanted attention to us. Explanations will come when we are safely home."

Tariq was so intrigued he was having difficulty remaining calm. He tried again to touch Zoe's mind and found her barrier much weaker than before. He searched it gently and found that she was unable to hold it as she tired. He ever so slowly touched her mind, trying not to alert her to his presence. It was difficult as they had not yet exchanged blood, but he managed. She was angry, but her anger was with herself, not him. She was grateful to him and André for saving her father, but didn't want to admit it. She also didn't want to admit that she liked him, or that she found him attractive. She was furious with herself for desiring him. Tariq's body tightened at the knowledge of her reaction to him. Perhaps this courtship would not be as difficult as he thought.

"We are coming to it shortly, Tariq. The entrance never appears in the same place twice," Russ informed him as he watched the left side of the road for the tell tale opening. "There, between the trees," Russ pointed to a very subtle gap between the trees and what appeared to be a very old, never used dirt road. It was very overgrown. Russ turned into the wood, thick with trees, the forest floor covered with bright green ferns and bracken. It was beautiful. Soon the rough dirt gave way to a winding cobblestone driveway. "When we reach the first circle, we will continue on foot. You will be unable to enter without invitation. Wait for us, or you may find the full force of the protections."

Tariq was amazed as the trees thinned and he saw great oak trees, hundreds of years old standing in line, perfectly spaced. Russ pulled to the side of the driveway and parked in front of a small stone garage covered in ivy and moss. He got out toopen the garage door as Tariq went to open Zoe's door. He again offered his hand and waited.

Zoe frowned, "Why is it every time you offer a hand, I feel that you place such importance on my cooperation?" She took his hand and stepped from the car. He annoyed her simply with his presence, and his manners. It was petty of her, she knew it was, but didn't care.

"Every little show of cooperation is a step closer to trust, sívamet," Tariq said with a smile.

As Russ put the car in the garage, effectively hiding it, Tariq looked at the majestic oaks. It was not a line, but a circle that they formed, a big one. Russ rejoined them. "Zoe and I will enter, and then Zoe will invite you into the safety of the circle."

"What? No! Why me? Athair, you do it," Zoe instantly protested.

"He is your protector, here for you, Zoe. You must do it," Russ stated firmly. "Fate, peanut…"

Zoe frowned but followed her father between the great oak trees that seemed to mark and entrance to the Circle. She turned and sighed, "Tariq Asenguard, honored hunter for the Carpathian people, do you swear that you mean no harm to the people living within the Circle under its protection?"

Tariq was surprised by the formality of this question, "I swear that I mean no harm to the people living within the Circle under its protection." He held his breath and waited. He was still in her mind, and she didn't like being ordered to invite him into her home. If this was anything like similar rituals his own people used, he wondered what it would mean for his relationship with Zoe. Did this bind them in some small way?

"Tariq Asenguard, I, Zoe Stone, daughter of Professor Russell Stone and the Sióg Banphrionsa Zania, invite you into the circle. I grant unto you the freedom to leave and return at will and charge the Circle to protect you as it protects our family." She reached her hand out to him and he took it, allowing her to lead him through the trees into an open meadow. She immediately released his hand, and he allowed this small bid for freedom, for now. The circle was easily two hundred yards across. In the center he saw their home, a charming English style cottage surrounded by a low stone wall with a yard filled with lush gardens. Tariq liked the place immediately, it felt peaceful and welcoming.

"Your home is beautiful Zoe. Thank you for trusting me enough to invite me into the safety of your home," Tariq said sincerely. He didn't know if he could offer that much trust to a near stranger so quickly.

"There is a second Circle of protection, though you cannot see it, a recumbent stone circle about fifty feet out from the garden wall. Any uninvited with evil in their purpose would find crossing the circle a fatal mistake. You will need a second invitation to cross that as well," Russ informed him and halted their progress a few feet from a large stone lying flat, nearly hidden by the meadow grasses. "Zoe," Russ prompted.

Zoe passed the stone and turned, "Tariq Asenguard, by the power of the sióg I invite you within the Circle, and I grant unto you the freedom to leave and return at will. I charge the Circle to protect you as it protects our family." She offered her hand again, and Tariq once again took it. As he passed the hidden stone guardians, she tried to release his hand, but he held it gently but firmly. "You may let go now, the formal invitation is concluded," she whispered to him.

"I like your hand where it is, csitri, but I thank you for informing me of the conclusion of the ritual," Tariq said, his voice still sweet and enticing sounding. It put her teeth on edge, and she had to shake his charm from her mind. She tried to find something else to focus on.

"What is that you call me? I've heard several things you have said that I don't understand? Is that Carpathian? What does it mean?" She asked.

"Csitri means little one. I have also called you sívamet, my heart." Tariq waited for a reaction before translating his last endearment.

"I'm not little, and I am certainly not your heart, or anyone else's," Zoe said firmly.

"You are little to me, Zoe, for I am a rather large Carpathian. You have no say in what my heart feels, and if I say you are my heart, it is so. You are also päläfertiilam, my lifemate. This you cannot argue, for it is truth. I am waiting to bind us until your eighteenth birthday, but you are mine, as I am yours," Tariq informed her. Her mind furiously thought of a retort, but her father caught her eye and shook his head. She frowned and clamped her mouth shut.

Russ watched the byplay with a smile. He liked Tariq. The man wouldn't put up with Zoe's sass, yet he treated her with gentleness and patience. With two weeks of courtship, he knew that Tariq could win her over. He opened the door and turned on the lights in the main sitting room. He glanced at Zoe who rolled her eyes.

"Here, too?" she sounded very put out.

Russ laughed, "No, as head of this house I must do it," he turned back to the door, "Tariq Asenguard, I welcome you into this house as family. Do you accept the position of protector for my daughter Zoe?"

Zoe gasped. No, why would her father offer him that title? Her father and grandfather had always taken the role of protector. Was he saying in addition to, or instead of her family?

Tariq had the impression of something very significant shifting with the formality of those words. "Professor Russell Stone, it would be my honor to accept the position of protector for your daughter Zoe, my lifemate." As he passed through the arched doorway into the cottage he felt overwhelmed with joy. This was a home, not just a house. It felt as warm and inviting as the family that accepted him despite all their differences. He watched Zoe finally relax and let go of all of her guards. She sighed with the easing of the strain. She looked at him, seemed to study him closely. He was a shadow in her mind, and looked through her eyes at how she saw him. His soul was dark blue, not bright like others he'd seen at the banquet. A shadow seemed to also surround him, and he wondered at its meaning. When Zoe turned to her father, he was blinded by the brightness of the golden glow around him. He felt Zoe turn the brightness down, and he could see him wrapped in a warm glow. Finally, Zoe broke the silence.

"I need to change out of this ridiculous dress," she said and headed for the stairs. "I think a bath and bed…"

"Just change and meet us in the library, peanut. Time for explanations has come," he paused and glanced at Tariq, "From everyone."

Tariq nodded his acquiescence and followed Russ through the archway into the next room. The library was filled with books from floor to ceiling. Several wingback chairs were placed in pairs in the corners of the room separated by small tables with lamps. There was a very old, very heavy looking wood roll top desk against one wall in the only place not covered with books. Russ tossed his tux coat and tie over the back of the desk chair and ran his hand through his hair. "Please make yourself comfortable," he said and waved his hand at the chairs in invitation.

Tariq also removed his coat and tie, and sat. His mind was on Zoe, and he automatically reached for her. She was hanging her gown in the closet, her mind racing to make sense of all the changes in her life happening within the last hours, against her will. She passed by the mirror, now dressed in jeans and a cable knit sweater and began taking the pins out of her hair. She glowed with a rich honey light, her soul calling to him. Her hair fell in rich honey wheat waves down her back and he longed to be the one running the brush through it. She was thinking of him, that she was afraid of him. He withdrew and returned his attention to Russ.

"She fears me," he said sadly.

Russ nodded, "That is not unexpected. What we know of your people is little, and unflattering. She has never seen a Carpathian before. Your appearance is different to her, the appearance of your soul."

"What are the Sióg?" Tariq asked him. "For a moment her mind was open to me, but I confess I have never heard the term before."

"Ah, yes. Zoe loves the old language. We are descended of the Sióg , the Fairy; those that dwell in the In Between. I have come from ancestry that was of mixed race, human and fairy. Some even return to protect the family, when they can. In medieval times, the Fairy passed laws among their kind forbidding interference in the Here, on earth. They were permitted to walk among us for a time, but never interact with leaders of our world, and never marry humans. Of course, procreation among humans and fairy is forbidden." He paused, and his forehead creased in worry.

"Zoe's mother is Fairy," Tariq guessed. He felt the hairs on his neck stand up. The peoples that walked the earth were all known to him. Why did he know nothing of the fairy? He thought them silly tales written by humans, nothing but fantasy.

"Oh, it is more complex than even that, Tariq. My wife, and yes, we had the nerve to marry, she is their Princess. Zania had to go home, but she grieves for us, and the Elders are suspicious. We are a big secret, you see, especially Zoe." He looked at Tariq, all seriousness in his eyes, "What happened tonight is nothing; I believe it was a distraction from the real threat. I believe that if they learn of her, they will take her. She is powerful, more powerful than she knows."

"She sees peoples souls," Tariq thought it amazing.

"Seeing is our grandfather's power, he sees the future and the past. He does not see auras. Zoe is a Soul Seer. I believe she not only sees, but has the power to help heal souls. But her abilities cost her. In crowds of people it is overwhelming to the point of pain. We have been working on control…"

"Talking about me," Zoe said in annoyance. "My difficulties are not his business."

Tariq rose as she entered and offered her the chair beside his. She frowned but took it. "All right, I'm here."

Tariq knew it was his turn for explanations. "I was on a mission with a group of Carpathian hunters to infiltrate the Morrison Center for Psychic Study, they have a facility on your campus. They are a front for a secret organization of vampire hunters. The organization is international, but the worst part is, they are actually led by vampires. The true nature of the organization is to destroy not only all Carpathians, but all the Other races of the world." Tariq used their term to help them understand what was at stake. "The human members have no idea of this, though they are truly depraved people who kill more humans by mistake than Carpathians. They are compiling a list of all women with psychic abilities, for these special women are potential lifemates to Carpathian males."

"Like me," Zoe said softly.

Tariq turned to her and reached for her hand. It pleased him that she did not pull away. "Yes, sívamet, like you, in fact you were at the top of the list. They were issuing orders over the phone to those men to kidnap you, Zoe," he turned to her father, "and to kill you, Russ."

"But why? How do they even know of us?" Zoe exclaimed in confusion.

"We believe they trace bloodlines, as well as relying on people coming to the center for evaluations. No doubt your ancestry was traced down to you," Tariq explained.

"Will they try again?" Russ asked.

"They will regroup first. What are your responsibilities to the university?" Tariq asked bluntly.

"I'm a department head, I can work from home. The spring semester is nearly over anyway. You think I need to hide?" Russ didn't like that idea at all.

"I think that I am unable to protect you during the daylight hours," Tariq admitted. "Soon, I must take my rest, but I do not wish to leave Zoe." It was a confession. He had found his lifemate and could not bear to part from her. He needed to protect her from all harm. He needed to be near her until he could bind her to him. Already his inner beast raged at him from within to claim her.

"I have two weeks!" Zoe reminded him bluntly.

"Zoe, be silent, and listen to Tariq," Russ scolded. "How close are you, Tariq?"

"I will hold to my honor, have no fear. To be near her, and unbound is very uncomfortable for me. To not keep her near, when we are unbound, is worse. She is my anchor, her light balances my darkness, and I need her." He turned to Zoe, "I know this frightens you, and I am sorry. I have a need to be in your company, will you allow us to begin with friendship?"

Zoe's heart turned over, and there was a lump in her throat. His eyes were so hungry, so hopeful, and so very tender. "Yes, friendship is a good place to start," she said softly. He gave her hand a light squeeze and her stomach fluttered. They locked eyes and Zoe heard Tariq's voice in her head. Thank you, sivamet.

Russ cleared his throat, "Enough for one night, I'm beat, and I think I'll turn in. Zoe, visit with your beau until he has to rest, then show him our basement. I think he will find it to his liking."

Tariq stood and gave Russ a formal bow, "I thank you for accepting me into the safety of your home, and for trusting me with the protection of your daughter."

Russ looked startled by his formality, "Goodnight. Zoe, be nice." And with that, he left them alone.

Zoe pulled her feet up onto the chair and hugged her knees, trying for nonchalance, but failing, "Now what?"

Tariq sat back down and smiled at her, his deep eyes full of desire, "Now you ask me your questions, I will answer all."

"So, you drink blood like a vampire?" she asked the scariest question first.

"Carpathians are of the Earth, Zoe. We are not like any other species you know of. We sleep in the ground and the earth heals and renews us. We do not eat food as humans do, and the eating of flesh is as abhorrent to us as the taking of blood is to you. It is blood that sustains us, and we do not kill as the vampire does. We are protectors of all peoples, hunting the vampire for the protection of Carpathian and human alike.," he knew she would not fully understand until she knew him better, and trusted enough for him to take her blood and allow him to give her his.

"Animal blood?" she asked hopefully.

"You know that is not so," he said softly.

"You want my blood," she made it a statement. She knew he wanted to possess her in every way, but was forced to wait. She was afraid, but intrigued.

"I cannot lie to you; the sharing of blood between lifemates is a very beautiful and erotic thing. It is literally the offering of your life for that of your mate. Among my kind, the offering of blood is given freely in times of need. We deeply respect the giving of blood. And when we feed, we treat our prey with care and respect, leaving them with no knowledge of their gift. I promise you that I will take nothing from you that you are not willing to give."

"What if I can't, what if it is all a mistake and I'm not this lifemate? I'm not fully human, and certainly not Carpathian. How do you know I'm the one? How can I know?" Zoe asked desperately. She knew she found him handsome and sexy. She knew that when he touched her she melted. She knew that if he pressed her for more than this chat, she could never resist him. And she knew that it scared her to death.

"Carpathians have only one mate, they are like half a soul searching for the other half. Our males lose their emotions and the ability to see in color after about two hundred years. It is then that the darkness begins to grow within them. Only his true lifemate can restore them to him, as you have done for me. For the woman, she will feel a pull, a desire for him. Do you feel nothing for me, csitri?" Tariq ventured, knowing full well that she did. He wanted her to admit it.

"I do feel drawn to you, a little," it was all she was ready to admit. In her mind she heard his voice, so sexy sounding. Only a little? "I thought you wouldn't take what I wasn't ready to give. I'm not ready for you to eavesdrop, Tariq."

"When you dropped your guard, I thought it was an invitation. If you like, you may look into my mind, I offer it freely," Tariq tempted her.

"I cannot, you know that; what a safe offer to make," she said in annoyance.

"You can, if you and I exchange blood, as lifemates do. You would always be able to look into my mind; I would hold nothing from you. It would help me protect you, for I would always know where you were," Tariq used seduction in his voice, but no compulsion. It must be her choice, and she was thinking about it.

"Will it hurt?" she asked nervously.

"No, my heart, it will not. You may find the experience… pleasurable," he said softly.

"I don't know if I can drink, I might let you, but…" she couldn't believe she was considering this. He was so dreamy, so sexy. She actually wanted to know what it was like.

"If you cannot, I can help you, if you desire it," he said in his velvety smooth voice. "Will you offer freely the gift of your blood to your lifemate, sívamet?"

Zoe was lost in his eyes and didn't have the strength to deny him, "Yes, Tariq, I will."

Irish Gaelic Translations

athair - father

athair céile - father-in-law

banphrionsa - princess

daid - father

le do thoil - please

leasathair - Step father

máthair - mother

ná - do not

seanathair - grandfather

scoir - quit

sióg – fairy

Carpathian Translation

csitri - little one (female).

o köd belsö - darkness take it.

päläfertiil- mate or wife.

päläfertiilam – my lifemate.

sívamet - my heart.