Velken stared at Anneka in shock. She stood before him, arms folded over her chest in expectation. His little lifemate was a smart one, and he was almost amused by how quickly she had decided on her request.

"Well?" She asked, tapping her foot. "Give me an answer. That's what I want, so either give it to me or go back on your word." She stared harder at him, confident he would break down and give her what she wanted.

'You drive a hard bargain, my little sweetheart, and play an even harder game.' He chuckled, then sighed. 'Very well. I promised you I would give you anything you asked for, and I will not go back on my word. You have my promise.'

"Thank you." Anneka nodded and her eyes softened. "Now can I know your name?" She sat back down on the edge of the bed, her feet brushing the ground, ready to run at any moment.

'Velken Karataev.' He answered after much hesitation. He chuckled then, the sound rumbling in Anneka's mind like thunder.

She shivered and stood up again. "Okay, Velken, how did a strong vampire like you come to be trapped underground? I though vampires were impossible to beat." She stared warily at him.

'I... cannot remember everything.' Velken said in a frustrated tone. He furrowed his brow in concentration. 'I remember being betrayed... by one of my own. Not a hunter... he fooled everyone... turned me over to human butchers... I was poisoned...' Sharp pain shot through his mind, sending him into agony. Anneka rushed to his side, concerned, and gripped his hand.

"Stop thinking about it. If it pains you, let it drop. Besides, I have another question. what's a hunter?" She spoke quickly in an attempt to distract Velken from his pain. She gripped his hand so tight her knuckles turned pale, not even aware of how the contact eased him.

'I am a hunter. Not vampire, but Carpathian... we are a seperate race... but I cannot think... I cannot remember that either...' He looked sadly at her. It infuriated him that he couldn't remember anything of his past, and at the same time gave him pause. Should he be able to remember? He looked up as Anneka sighed, and practically groaned when she let go his hand.

"Sleep, Velken Karataev. You will answer my questions again tomorrow, and meanwhile no harm can come to you here. This place is sacred. I will care for your wounds, and help you find your family." She placed a hand briefly on his brow and then turned away, padding across the floor to the bathroom for her medical kit. When she returned, her wild man had fallen deep asleep. Anneka chuckled and began dressing his smaller wounds, humming her favorite lullaby as she did.

After stitching the last cut, she got a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with juice. Setting it next to Velken's sleeping frame, Anneka curled up in the armchair nearby and slept.

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Melody MacKeltar awoke to an empty bed and immediately worried. It wasn't like her husband to leave bed, especially so close to dawn. She scrambled out of bed and pulled on her robe. Padding upstairs, she found Bowen standing in the nursery, cradling their daughter to his chest. Little Sabrina had her small hands wrapped around one of Bowen's large fingers, and Melody's eyes filled with tears at the sight.

"I canna sleep. It is no' like me to wake." Bowen rumbled in his deep voice, never looking away from his infant daughter. He rocked her back and forth as Melody stepped up and laid a hand on his arm.

"What awoke you? Was it a dream?" It had been months since nightmare had plagued the Carpathian, but the couple still feared they would return, so Melody sighed with relief when Bowen shook his head.

"I felt him, Melody. I felt him nearby, and he is in pain." When Bowen looked at her, Mel's heart broke. The hurt and sadness in his eyes was clear, and Mel hugged him, sleeping baby and all.

"He's dead, mon amour. I am sorry it is true, but it is. We looked everywhere, but never found him. I know you still grieve, but-"

"He is alive, Melody, and he is nearby. With another. When night arrives, I will take Dimitri and Loren and we will find him."

Melody nodded, accepting defeat. Bowen still grieved for the loss of their friend, and if this would help him lessen that pain, she would allow it. "Come to bed, mon amour, and sleep by my side. I cannot rest without your body next to mine." Bowen carefully laid Sabrina in her crib and the two walked back to their underground room.