Dark Intentions
Skyler lay quietly in the arms of Dimitri. She kept wondering if this was some sort of dream. She looked around the beautiful cave that her beloved had formed just for her, then; she peered at the night sky above. Skyler smelled the scent of the blooming roses. Things sure seemed real enough. Suddenly, it felt like somebody was staring at her. Well of course, there was the smiling face of her life mate. Dimitri beamed at her with a big grin on his face. He whispered seductively in her mind. "Well, I should certainly hope that tonight has been a reality. If it has not; then please do not disturb my dream!" Skyler laughed in spite of herself. They both stretched lazily and Skyler began to wonder, what was next? Then it hit her like a ton of bricks; THE CONVERSION! Fear suddenly blossomed within her now rapidly beating heart. Dimitri held her closely to his body; he rocked her slowly and spoke intimately to her mind. "Do not worry, Lubof Maya. I will be with you for every step, as we are one. You will never ever be alone again. Skyler felt somewhat better, but she still knew that this last step into the Carpathian world was going to be a scary one.
Immediately many miles away, Gabriel, Francesca, Lucian, Jaxon, Gregori and Savannah felt Skyler's concerns and her recent full bonding with Dimitri. "Well the wolf has finally done it! Gabriel growled. He took our daughter's last chance at a childhood away from her. It figures. Now he thinks to leave her to go through the conversion by herself. Without the love and protection of her family." Francesca replied. "Come on Gabriel, You know full well that Dimitri had every right to take Skyler. He has been extremely patient considering he has waited for 3 years to claim her. Skyler also has started therapy and you know that we will be able to help her as much as possible no matter where we are." "Well I am not so sure what we will be able to do if the conversion happens while we are in the hall of remembrance, "replied Gabriel. Francesca settled into a rocking chair while she cradled Tamara. Francesca looked at Gabriel with love in her eyes. She quietly stated the facts as she saw them. "Gabriel, I know that you need to protect our Skyler, and I love you even more for your desire. However, you know that this is the way of our people. Skyler WILL be ok. Dimitri is good to her. This relationship is good for her. If Dimitri had not acted, we would have lost both of them eventually. I know that you would not have wanted that. I too am concerned about the conversion. However, I know that as much as we may want to, we cannot be everything to Skyler. She will have to make her own path in this world. A major part of that path includes Dimitri my love." Gabriel came closer to Francesca and Tamara; he took Tamara into his arms and began to croon a soft lullaby. His face was shadowed, and his voice was subdued when he spoke next. "I understand Francesca, I always have. It just frustrates me that Skyler would seem forced. I did not want her to be rushed or forced because her whole life had been based on someone else's need or desire. She had been forced into way too many things. Things that deeply scarred her. I also admit that I have issues with the way that we came together. I know that I took your right to chose. I am sorry for that, as I could not help myself. I wanted so much for Skyler to have this right." Gabriel dropped his eyes to his youngest daughter. He continued. "I should only hope that when Tamara's turn comes to deal with her life mate; that she should be given the chance to walk into her new life as a whole woman who is fully aware and freely choosing the road that she will travel." Gabriel shifted the baby in his arms so that he had a free hand. He held this hand out towards his life mate. Francesca walked into his loving embrace. She sent him warmth and acceptance. Her very soul entwined itself deeper into that of her life mate. Gabriel smiled slowly and said "well, the troops are assembling at Gregori's, are you ready to go my love? " Francesca replied that she wanted to get the baby settled with Darius and Tempest as they volunteered to babysit while the couple had their trip into the hall of remembrance. Both Gabriel and Francesca felt confident that Darius could rise to the challenge of keeping Tamara safe since he courageously helped keep Desari and Syndil alive so many years ago.
The cicadas sang softly as the Datrazanoff family began to gather at Gregori and Savannah's home. "Your father really did it this time" groused Gregori. "This idea is so incredibly dangerous. Savannah, I want your word that there will be no IAM WOMAN theatrics from you. I could not go on if I lost you. The hall is a very strange place in that you just never really know what is real and what is not. By the time you figure out what might be going on, everything changes again. It is just crazy, last time I was there, I barely made it out alive." Savannah leaned against the arm of the couch and looked thoughtfully at her life mate. Finally, she said, " I know, I remember. I saw the horror in your memories. I saw what you went through while you waited for me and gave me freedom for those five years. You were looking for strength, strength to just hold on. I am so very sorry that I put you through that agony." Blood red tears silently flowed from her eyes. Gregori quickly gathered her into his arms. His mind sought hers. He sent his thoughts to her along their shared mental path. "Never, never be sorry bebe. I only wish that I could have given you more time. You deserved more time." "All right already! Ordered Lucian as he strolled into the living room. Apparently, the whole Datrazanoff crew was with him. Lucian continued, " Look little brother, we have a lot of planning to do and not much time. If you could stop mooning over your life mate for a moment; maybe we could get some work done around here." Lucian sounded rough but he had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He understood exactly how Gregori felt; as he felt the same way about Jaxon. Although everyone smiled or laughed. Tension was high and all felt Prince Michael's imminent arrival.
Within the cave of crystals and roses, Skyler suddenly sat bolt upright in bed. Her eyes were filled with terror. She planned to be strong, if not for her sake, then for Dimitri's. Dimitri followed her movements. " The conversion, it's starting." Dimitri stated the fact flatly. " Skyler now breathing heavily due to the unrelenting pain ground out; " It's ok, I'm ok." "NO you are not, you cannot hide this thing from me Lubof Maya" replied Dimitri. Dimitri immediately began to send his soul outside of his body in the form of a healing light in an attempt to help her feel less pain. Unfortunately, the attempt was not working. Skyler cried out and cringed. Her body began to convulse wildly. It took a few moments for Dimitri to reenter his body so that he could physically help Skyler. Dimitri was frantic to keep her safe during this ordeal.
Suddenly, the Datrazanoffs became very quiet and still. They all felt Skyler's excruciating pain. Finally, Francesca broke the silence. She simply said. " I am going to Skyler." That was all that Gabriel needed. He was already shifting into a bird when a bolt of pure lightening stung his body. Gabriel helplessly lay sprawled on the floor in his brother's living room. Prince Mikhail had indeed arrived. The Prince had been the one to issue the halting lightning bolt. Mikhail stated. "You ALL will go to the hall as planned." Francesca ran towards Gabriel while she protested, "but my daughter" Mikhail ended her sentence. "Your daughter will be cared for by her life mate and Shea." Mikhail briefly looked at Gabriel and said "Warrior, arise." Gabriel's body floated into an upright position. Gabriel immediately held his life mate. The room was completely quiet. Mikhail looked at the entire family. He had so much love and admiration in his heart for each and every one of them. He hoped with every fiber of his being that they would make it back alive. However, he knew that this journey had to be done.
Back in the cave, Skyler's internal organs began to contort and twist. She started vomiting uncontrollably. Dimitri was now holding her in his arms, trying desperately to send her some comfort. She began to scream in agony. Then, her eyes went blank. Dimitri actually felt Skyler's spirit running. The spirit went running straight into the terrors of the past. Skyler began to whimper " NO NO Father, please don't hit me again!" Dimitri began to seize control of Skyler's mind to prevent her from experiencing any more horror. Skyler managed to hold up a weak restraining hand. She whispered " no Dimitri, I must do this. I have to end this once and for all." Dimitri marveled at the fact that part of Skyler was able to understand the need to overcome her past , while the other part seemed trapped in the horror. Dimitri was preparing to send her strength and warmth when suddenly, Skyler passed out. Blood trickled from her now open mouth. Her body continued to seize violently. So much so that it flew out of Dimitri's arms and landed heavily on the floor of the cave. Dimitri threw back his head and cried out in utter despair. What had happened now? Surely, his sivamet was not going to survive this ordeal. This had been his fault. She was not ready after all! He pushed her too hard and now they both were going to pay the ultimate price. His mind whirled in complete turmoil.
The Datrazanoffs were all painfully aware of Skyler and Dimitri's distress. Francesca wildly looked around for a moment and said, "That's it!" Francesca bowed her head to prepare to transform into mist. All Datrazanoffs had made their minds up to follow suit. Gregori was already floating out of the home. Prince Mikhail lifted his right arm and pointed his index finger towards the wall of the living room. A blue ray of light shot out of his finger and a whirling vortex was immediately formed within the wall. A sharp and strong whirlwind also overtook the room and all Datrazanoffs , mist or not. The whirlwind hurled everyone save Prince Michael into the whirling vortex. This vortex led directly to the hall of remembrance. When the Prince put his arm down, the vortex closed. He turned and walked briskly into the beckoning night. There he met his beloved life mate Raven, Jacques, Shea , Manolito and Maryann. Prince Mikhail spoke quickly, " there is not much time, and I have sent them to the hall. Raven, thank you for getting our son safely to Corrine and Dayan. I know that they will take good care of him. Shea, Jacques, I do not have to tell you that you are needed in the cave at once. Maryann and Manolito, you too may be of some assist there. Our Skyler appears to be in a very bad state. Raven, are you ready? We must not delay, we have to follow the Datrazanoffs into the cave. It is my intention that we all survive and thrive through this ordeal. However, Jacques should I not live to see you again. You must know that it is my will that you will become Prince of our people. I have every confidence in your ability to lead our people towards a brighter future. Everyone looked soberly at one another. The men grasped forearms in warriors' salutations and the women hugged each other warmly. Prince Mikhail then turned to his beloved Raven; he took her hand and simply disappeared into the night.
Thanks be to Christine Feehan for creating the Dark Universe. I do not own any characters in this story.
Thank you readers for taking the time to read and review. Your help and encouragement has and continues to be very much appreciated.
What will happen in the Hall?
Will Skyler live through the conversion?
